Roger Steffens & The Family Acid at Benrubi Gallery

Wild abandon meets danger in this 1974 photo by counterculture photographer Roger Steffens, though what appears to be a fatal leap is an illusion – the young woman landed safely on the ledge directly beneath her. Under the titled ‘The Family Acid,’ Steffens’ photos chronicle the lives of his friends and family as they embody the changing mores of an era. (At Benrubi Gallery in Chelsea through Aug 26th).

The Family Acid, Roger Steffens, Big Sur Plunge (Clare’s Leap), March, 1974, edition of 8, archival pigment print, 24 x 20 inches.
The Family Acid, Roger Steffens, Big Sur Plunge (Clare’s Leap), March, 1974, edition of 8, archival pigment print, 24 x 20 inches.

Karin Laval at Benrubi Gallery

Glass, mirrors and distorted perspectives turn nature into a candy-colored wonderland in new photos by Paris-born, NY photographer Karin Laval. This hyped-up version of nature literally moves into the gallery space as Laval presents an image on the wall and as sculpture. (At Chelsea’s Benrubi Gallery through July 1st.)

Karine Laval, Untitled Sculpture, direct ink on plexi, two way mirror, maple frame, 74 x 50 inches in front of Untitled #46 from the ‘Heterotopia’ Series, chromogenic print (three panels), 2014.
Karine Laval, Untitled Sculpture, direct ink on plexi, two way mirror, maple frame, 74 x 50 inches in front of Untitled #46 from the ‘Heterotopia’ Series, chromogenic print (three panels), 2014.

Christopher Payne at Benrubi Gallery

Toothbrushes hang in neat rows, labeled with the names of patients at a now-closed psychiatric hospital in Poughkeepsie in this arresting photograph by Christopher Payne. Payne traveled to hospitals around the country over several years, creating a moving document of life in a bygone era. (At Chelsea’s Benrubi Gallery through March 26th).

Christopher Payne, Patient Toothbrushes, Hudson River State Hospital, Poughkeepsie, New York, digital chromogenic print, 20 x 30 inches, 2005.
Christopher Payne, Patient Toothbrushes, Hudson River State Hospital, Poughkeepsie, New York, digital chromogenic print, 20 x 30 inches, 2005.

Corinne May Botz at Benrubi Gallery




Corinne May Botz’s photos of medical actors, simulating illness in trainings for medical students are simultaneously moving and not-quite-believable. Though they don’t depict real scenarios, Botz’s photos nevertheless strongly tap a sense of dread and helplessness when our bodies fail to function as they should. (At Benrubi Gallery through Feb 6th).

Corinne May Botz, “Louise” from Bedside Manner, archival pigment print, 30 x 24 inches, 2013.


Eric Cahan at Benrubi Gallery

Starting with a solarized photo of water in which the dark tones have turned light, Brooklyn artist Eric Cahan scans and prints each image, attacking it with bleach and altering it in Photoshop. In a time when web users spend just seconds looking at images, Cahan’s practice questions what abstract art should offer the viewer. (At Benrubi Gallery through Aug 22nd).

Installation view of Eric Cahan, ‘Data Mining’ at Benrubi Gallery, July 2015.