Tag: appropriation

Sturtevant at Matthew Marks Gallery

In a 1971 letter, American artist Sturtevant declared her art practice not as anti-art but anti-great artist.  Her trademark practice of making artwork resembling pieces by renowned artists including Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and here, Robert Gober, upends expectations and interpretation when artwork easily recognizable to an art-savvy audience turns out to be something else.  In that moment of realization, she explained, “you’re either jolted into immediately rejecting it, or the work stays with you like a bad buzz in your head.” A selection of six pieces from the ‘60s to 2014 at Matthew Marks Gallery includes a reconsideration of Robert Gober’s own meditation on doubling.  (On view in Chelsea through Oct 22nd).

Sturtevant, Gober Partially Buried Sinks, plaster, wood, wire lathe, enamel paint, and artificial grass, sinks: 24 1/8 x 23 7/8 x 2 ¾ inches, platform: 2 x 322 7/8 x 208 5/8 inches, 1997.

Thomas Ruff at David Zwirner Gallery

Gunships approach, bombers fly overhead and the Gemini spacecraft blasts off in old press photos and artist renderings gathered by German photographer Thomas Ruff, now on view in Chelsea at David Zwirner Gallery. Ruff scanned both sides of each photo – all of which relate to the U.S. aeronautics and space program in the 20th century – then merged them to merge private notes and public image. (Through April 30th).

Thomas Ruff, press++ 01.65, chromogenic print, 91 ½ x 72 ½ x 2 ¾ inches, 2015.
Thomas Ruff, press++ 01.65, chromogenic print, 91 ½ x 72 ½ x 2 ¾ inches, 2015.

Sherrie Levine at David Zwirner Gallery

Iconic appropriation artist Sherrie Levine pairs monochrome paintings replicating colors found in Renoir’s nudes with colorful SMEG refrigerators in groupings that might serve to remind or warn snacking art collectors of Renoir’s voluptuous figures. (At David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea through April 2nd).

Installation view of ‘Sherrie Levine’ at David Zwirner Gallery, March 2016.
Installation view of ‘Sherrie Levine’ at David Zwirner Gallery, March 2016.

John Riepenhoff at Marlborough Gallery




How can an artist pay homage to his/her influencers? John Riepenhoff’s ‘Group Show’ walks the line between flattery and offense by recreating artworks in the style of his contemporaries and predecessors. At the show’s entrance, legs make a stand for a space-bending geometric abstraction (actually painted) by Susie Rosmarin. (At Chelsea’s Marlborough Gallery through Feb 6th).

John Riepenhoff, Art Stand (legs), wood, wire, cloth, shoes, fiberglass and clamp, 50 x 14 x 26 inches, 2014. Susie Rosmarin, Grey and White (painting), acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 inches, 2015.