Ricco Maresca Gallery’s summer group show, ‘American Vernacular: Art and Objects by Unknown Artists’ ignites curiosity with a selection of folk-art objects and quirky functional forms by unknown makers. Dominating one wall, a Venetian blind from the late 50s – early ‘60s post-dates McCarthyism but nevertheless suggests patriotic peeping. Nearby, a unique red, white and blue voting booth curtain documents the addition of a decorative touch to a polling station while a sample flag display featuring nesting flags predates Jasper Johns’ avant-garde flag paintings by c. forty years. (On view in Chelsea through Sept 13th. Note holiday hours and summer hours.)
