Microwave, Eight: Group Show

Jonathan Rider, 2011

Gallery view

Clement Bagot

William Powhida, Hope, 2011

Microwave, Eight the current group show at Josee Bienvenu runs thru September 3rd. This cast of characters includes artists Clement Bagot, Steven Bindernagel, Ajit Chauhan, Gustavo Diaz, Curtis Mann, Justin McAllister, Julianne Swartz,  Todd Norsten, William Powhida, Jonathan Rider, Rebecca Salter, Mathias Schmied, Lauren Seiden, Jill Sylvia, Ana Tiscornia and Daniel Zeller. I am going to be biased and discuss William Powhida; I only recently became familiar with his art when one of his works was on the cover of City Arts newspaper; I love his sarcasm, snarkiness, meanness (well deserved), no holds barred and take no prisoners approach when discussing and painting about the art world. Art world economics is most times, one- sided with (guess what? art dealers are the ones "WINNING")! His works also discusses how many universities, colleges and school are constantly churning out "artists" but the "schools" fail to inform the students (before choosing their majors and/or applying for grad school) that there is a very very (minuscule percentage who can actually survive on an artists salary). And also how when an artist finally gets representation, how the gallery most times than none will s-c-r-e-w you (to be forewarned is to be forearmed).  Powhida constantly includes current topics and the very rich and famous (including the powerful art world "movers and shakers") Powhida caused a much needed stir (in the art world, of course) when his project "the enemies list" was being complied and eventually shown at a gallery. Powhida's alter ego is making an appearance at Marlborough Gallery thru August 12th. Microwave, eight is on thru September 3rd at Josee Bienvenu. - Madame J.

 Janice Pena Art Blog

William Powhida: POWHIDA

 

William POWHIDA (Lt)

 

William POWHIDA

Bud Beer orgy

William POWHIDA

William "POW POW" Powhida does it again! His "stunt double" alter ego is wile out at Marlborough Gallery in Chelsea. My favorite snarky yet, painfully honest, truthful and very insightful artist/writer/performer (actor)/blogger is loose at Marlborough, subjecting unsuspecting gullible visitors (like myself) that he (POWHIDA, the mega alter ego) would be in full force, rearing his ugly head. William Powhida created an alter ego "stunt double" who's attitude can be closely compared to an out of control rock star on a constant drugging and drinking induced binge. The POWHIDA alter ego "stunt double" is the epitome of "douche baggery"; job well done!. I will admit "POWHIDA" startled me so much with his constant yelling across the room (at Marlborough staff (part of the set up/act)) and making demands that I stood about 25 ft away from POWHIDA  taking pictures for my blog because my nerves were shot (thank God for Lorazepam). His act was so good; his demeanor was a good imitation of those horribly pretentious, successful and sometimes tyrannical megalomaniacal gallery owners who put their staff and families through the wringer with their constant demands, commands and belittling. (Here comes a plug) See POWHIDA yelling at the staff at Marlborough before August 12th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

Kim Dorland: For Lori

Stargazing, 2010

Untitled, 2011

For Matisse, 2008

 

Coy, 2008

Kim Dorland's latest ode to his wife with a show and works of art to go along with  For Lori is currently on view at Mike Weiss Gallery thru August 27th. Kim's abstract "love letter" to his wife (his constant source of inspiration and not to mention his eternal muse) was a poignant and endearing show. "While the paintings could initially be seen as aggressive and grotesque, Dorland insists they reflect a simple, honest adoration". (Mike Weiss Gallery press release). I loved this show and my all time favorite is Kim's Stargazing. See For Lori on view at Mike Weiss Gallery thru August 27th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

John Bock: Im Schatten der Made (In the Shadow of the Maggot)

John Bock's Im Schatten der Made (In the Shadow of the Maggot) show currently on view at Anton Kern Gallery thru August 25th: (the title alone is quite a mouth full; the German language is so exhausting to speak and pronounce properly). John Bock's take on 1920's German Expressionist film/work I felt was quite humorous, quirky and outrageous at times (I'm assuming that's the artists intent). It was a genius idea to "resurrect" the subject of German Expressionist films which, hasn't been popular since it's last big hurrah in the late 1920's when F.W. Murnau was directing German stage actor Max Schreck. Though Bock's ridiculously quirky film makes me laugh and has it's moments boring me to tears; the film manages to keep me watching and wondering "what's gonna happen next?". The props and costumes from "the film" that were displayed in the movie room kept me entertained and intrigued. The adjacent room displays a funny looking contraption that I've yet to figure out its use and/or purpose. Siehe die Maggot before August 25th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

Matthew Ronay: Between the Worlds

 






Between the Worlds, Matthew Ronay's current show at Andrea Rosen Gallery thru August 12th is Shaman's dream come true.  Matthew's mixed-media installation of this spiritually transcendental-like tent, when first entered causes a temporary adjustment of the eyes because, the interior of the tent is made from black fabric and white paint. This mystical wonderland is guaranteed to spook children but invoke curiosity in adults. When I first entered the tent I didn't know what to expect; I saw unique and thought provoking images and symbolism which at first, I couldn't recognized but upon closer inspection made out jellyfish, sea anemone, mushrooms, rocks, trunks, Native-American ritualistic symbolism and idolatry and other nether world imagery. Matthew's use of totemic icons made me feel like Alice in Wonderland, as I meander my way thru the exhibit/tent I look forward to discovering more props and more "stuff". Matthew's "eye in the sky" invoked a memory of when I had visited Edward Leedskalnin's "coral castle". See Between the World's before August 12th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

Laura Ball: Animus

Who can deny Laura Ball's talent much less her current solo show Animus at Morgan Lehman is a monster genius at what she creates. Thank God for talent like hers; the wonder and merriment of her work leaves me in awe and disbelief. Laura creates a multitude of animal figures grouped together to create and form another whole animal and/or a series of animals in motion. Laura's titanic use and control over the rendering of her watercolors is paramount; those of you who know and can appreciate how difficult watercoloring is knows, that it is hard to control the paint once it is deposited onto the paper. Laura's montages are impressive, clean, organized, thought provoking and down right beautiful to look at. See Animus before it closes August 19th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

Phoebe Washburn: Nunderwater Nort Lab

 Phoebe Washburn's Nunderwater Nort Lab a site-specific installation work is currently on view at Zach Feuer til August 12th; this giant circular structure is made from (wooden planks) discarded and then retrieved by Phoebe herself. Wormholes (port holes) are included in the large scale structure to allow the viewer visual accessibility. There's a delicious smell of food being prepared; only available to the artist and her assistants. There's a Caribbean feel/aura that permeates and surrounds the structure; Mudslide anyone? Even though Phoebe claims not to be green or be (a term I penned) a "Greenie" (but I'm hardcore) I respect the fact that she forages for materials and unintentionally helps the environment as well by, retrieving discarded wood, card board and other green materials she uses for her craft. Even though her work is hard to sell because of it's large scale and complexities; plus it's almost next to impossible to re-assemble them (though some of her work if sold might come with instructions on how to assemble) Phoebe's still committed at being an artist. See her show before it closes on August 12th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

B-B-B-Bad: An Exhibition With Attitudes: Group Exhibition

Gregory Green Bible bomb #1884 (Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition), 2011

John Waters Decorative, 2009

Patrick Lee Deadly Friends (City of Angels), 2010

Wes Lang Heads I Win, Tails You Lose, 2010

Jeffrey Shagawat The Perfect Dumping Ground, 2011

  
B-B-B-Bad is currently on view at Anna Kustera thru August 12th; this show ranges from the dark and nefarious Wes Lang's Head I Win, Tails You Lose Gregory Green's Biblebomb #1884 (Praise the Lord and Pass The Ammunition) Wayne Coe's American Hero: Engine to the grossly perverse (Keith Boadwee's Molly Ringwald.  B-B-B-Bad's objective is to remind us and re-introduce us to the vulgar realities of life's missteps and the really bad and sometimes evil things in this world. This show has it's quirky and interesting Matt Borruso's Red/Green, Luke Butler's Captain XXV, Martha Friedman's Tongue on Table. My favorite works include: Luke Butler's Captain XXV, Wayne Coe's American Hero: Engine, Martha Friedman's Tongue on Table, Gregory Green's Biblebomb #1884...Ammunition, Kristian Kozul's Dive/John Barleycorn's Ride, Wes Lang's Heads I Win, Tails You Lose, Jeffrey Shagawat's The Perfect Dumping Ground, John Waters Decorative, Patrick Lee's Deadly Friends (City of Angels) and Scooter LaForge's Wolf. The other artists that also participated in this show includes: Adam Axel, Mattia Biagi, Charles Browning, Elijah Burgher, Steve Davis, Peter Eide, Scott Ewalt, Glen Fogel, Jonah Freedman, Paul Gabrielli, John Wayne Gacy (WTF don't know if this is the same  infamous child/boy serial killer/rapist who was executed on May 10, 1994), Joe Graham-Felsen, Adam Helms, Lisa Kirk, Karine Laval, Michael Magnan, Paul McCarthy, Adam McEwen, Bob Mizer, John Monteith, John Ensor Parker, Johnny Moreno, Luc Sante, Ryan Schneider, Tara Sinn,  Hank Willis Thomas, Wolfgang Tillmans, Karlheinz Weinberger and Eric Yahnker. While I did feel that some of the work didn't fit into this shows theme it still was a great show, overall; I'll leave it up to you to figure out what I felt didn't quite fit in or deserved to be included at all. P.s. Hey John Wayne Gacy I hope you're rotting in H-E-L-L along with Der Fuhrer, the self proclaimed Last King of Scotland, twin towers smashing, turban wearing, skirt hiding Osama bin Laden (who hid behind a woman when cornered and caught by U.S. Navy SEA L's) (read top 10 evil men and top 10 evil women)! See the show before August 12th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

Mark Wagner: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

Famed collagist Mark Wagner's current show Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death on view at Pavel Zoubok til August 12th. Mark's unique and highly inventive forethought into creating "money art" was quite genius. Using sheets of  the U.S. dollar, Mark creates his magic; creating the Statue of Liberty and many other subject matters. Mark wows us with his smarts and his highly creative intelligence. See it at Pavel Zoubok til August 12th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

The Tiger and the Sunflower: Japanese Art: Group Show

Masami Teraoka "AIDS Series/Geisha in Bath," 2008

Ken Matsubara "Winter Dreams-Letters," 2011

Noriko Ambe "A Piece of Flat Globe," 2010

Masami Teraoka "Sarah and Octopus/Seventh Heaven," 2001

Masami Teraoka "AIDS Series/Samurai Twist," 1988

The Tiger and the Sunflower: Japanese Art on view at Schroeder Romero & Shredder til July 29th includes a wonderful mix and variety that includes works of art and artists from "the land of the rising sun."This exhibit showcases decorative and contemporary art by various artists that include different genres. My favorites include: "A Piece of Flat Globe", "Winter Dreams-Letters", "AIDS Series/Geisha in Bath", "AIDS Series/Samurai Twist" and "Sarah and Octopus/Seventh Heaven". See it at SR & S before July 29th. - Madame J.

Janice Pena Art Blog

Jason Polan: Living and Working

Jason Polan's Living and Working exhibit currently on view til July 29th at Nicholas Robinson is a uniquely interested and creative mix of installation art and drawings both pen and charcoal. Jason Polan would (until the end of this month will be available at the gallery to talk with fans and also play a little ping-pong (table tennis) with the artist. Jason has ping-pong tables with books, magazines, typewriters and tchotchke's as his source of inspiration stacked for all to see. I loved the black circles rendered in different sizes; reminded me of the cosmic universe. This quirky and fun show is a cannot miss. - Madame J. 

Janice Pena Art Blog