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.

Maayan Strauss at Andrea Meislin Gallery

With few exceptions, ground floor Chelsea storefronts are occupied by galleries, so young Israeli artist Maayan Strauss’ installation of sinks at Andrea Meislin Gallery – looking like a showroom for kitchen fixtures – comes as a momentary surprise. The installation of seven running sinks, connected in one huge countertop is pristine (for now) and attractive, and effectively turns the gallery into a  commercial showroom. (In Chelsea through Feb 28th).

Maayan Strauss, installation view of ‘Seven Sinks’ at Andrea Meislin Gallery, Feb 2014.