Jacob Hashimoto at Miles McEnery Gallery

At first glance, the entrance to Jacob Hashimoto’s installation at Miles McEnery Gallery appears to be blocked by a super abundance of paper and bamboo disks, his signature material.  No one pauses for a moment though, before climbing the gallery stairs and whipping out a phone to photograph the strings of shapes that form a cloud overhead.  Called ‘kites’ by the artist, the forms are heavier than the airborne toys but resemble them in their paper on frame structure, sense of lightness and potential for movement.  Austere in black and white tones that echo the gallery architecture, the installation is restrained yet exuberant, balanced yet dynamic.  (On view through Oct 21st).

Jacob Hashimoto, installation view of ‘The Disappointment Engine,’ at Miles McEnery Gallery, Sept 2023.

Miguel Luciano in ‘Crossing Brooklyn’ at the Brooklyn Museum

A shaved ice cart, community notice board in the form of an equestrian sculpture and more project-based artwork characterizes Brooklyn Museum’s brief survey of some art trends coming from local artists. Miguel Luciano’s ‘Amani Kites’ – pictured here – originated in a kite-making workshop he directed for kids in Nairobi, Kenya. (Through Jan 4th).

Installation view of ‘Crossing Brooklyn: Art from Bushwick, Bed-Stuy and Beyond,’ at Brooklyn Museum, Nov 2014. Featuring: Miguel Luciano, Amani Kites, paper, string, wooden dowels, photograph on vinyl, Kanga cloth, video, 2012-14.