Elias Sime, ‘Final Drop’ at James Cohan Gallery

Titled ‘Final Drop,’ Elias Sime’s show at James Cohan Gallery of gorgeous new assemblage art created from row upon row of braided electrical wire and other end-of-life electronics continues his theme of human impact on the environment.  Sime’s past work occasionally resembles aerial views of landscapes and in this piece, a central oval shape could be water seen from above, surrounded by contour lines of land.  If the blue is water, it is surprisingly geometric – formed from stacked cube shapes – and suggests an imposed order on the landscape by humans, not natural forces. Clusters of earphone components give texture to the areas of ‘land’ while also repeating the recurring droplet shape that appears in multiple works, symbolizing the life-giving importance of water (and nature) and its precarity.  (On view through March 21st).

An abstract pattern featuring a round blue form at center.
Elias Sime, FINAL DROP 11, woven electrical wires on wooden panel, 66 x 112 inches, 2026.
An abstract pattern made with colorful braided electrical wire.
Elias Sime, (detail) FINAL DROP 11, woven electrical wires on wooden panel, 66 x 112 inches, 2026.

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