Joyce Pensato: Batman Returns

Joyce Pensato Batman I, 2011

Joyce Pensato Installation (Batman Returns)

Batman Returns alright and certainly with a vengeance; I think Joyce (Pensato) cleaned out Bruce Wayne's garage, Robin's, butler Alfred, police commissioner Jim Gordon; not to mention the Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face, Poison Ivy and Catwomans houses and it's "contents". For those of you that are new to reading my blog may say "hmm sounds like an insult to Joyce" or "jeez she (Madame J) didn't like the show" but in actuality it's more about confusion than anything else. Joyce has black-and-white paintings of famous pop culture images and fictional icons on the walls. I still can't figure out the mixing of both artwork and dirty childhood toys, pictures of famous actors, milk crates, brushes and "memories" of long ago. I was totally distracted by all of the toys and I was too busy reminiscing about my own childhood to really "get it" if there really is a point to this show and "Batman Returns". There's too much "stuff" not to mention too much confusion going on; I must admit I liked the show but I don't get it. The show should have been titled "Dirty and Soiled Toys, Childhood Memories and Paintings of Fictional Characters (A La Batman)" I really liked it I was just totally confused. Somebody, anybody write and explain this show to me please... Batman Returns is on view at Friedrich Petzel thru (of all days my birthday) February 25th. - Madame J.