Tag: art tour

Jake Kean Mayman at Candace Madey

Though isolated and spare, the objects in Jake Kean Mayman’s painting in his current solo show at Candace Madey tap into complex histories and conversations about technology today.  Surprised by how ubiquitous microprocessors are, yet how little the average person knows about them, Mayman carefully renders a processor next to extra-lush raspberries and a sticker representing Raspberry Pi, a project intended to boost programming skills in schools. As such, the painting represents growth – raspberry vines have a lifespan approximating the time a young person takes to get through the educational system – and potential.  (On view on the Lower East Side through Dec 4th).

Jake Kean Mayman, Brambles of Industry, Druplets of Education (Raspberry Pi Foundation), oil on linen, 43 ¼ x 37 ¼ inches, 2021.

Kyle Staver at Zurcher Gallery

Beyond a circle of big cats, claws extended and mouths open, a dazzle of wide-eyed zebras sprint across the grass in this dramatic nature scene by New York painter Kyle Staver.  Now on view at Zurcher Gallery, Staver’s paintings continue to upend traditional European art historical iconography (Susanna’s pet tigers keep her safe from molesting Elders, for example).  Edward Hick’s folk art, harmony-between-creatures ideal ‘Peaceable Kingdom’ comes to mind with ‘Zebra Pass,’ but differs from that arcadia thanks to the menace of waiting predators.  (On view on the Lower East Side through July 24th).

Kyle Staver, Zebra Pass, oil on canvas, 70 x 52 inches, 2019.

Tara Donovan in ‘Material Matters’ at pacegallery.com

Whether she’s transforming plastic cups into glacial landscapes or Styrofoam into clouds, Tara Donovan has a knack for turning masses of everyday materials into wondrous installations.  In this June ’14 image from New York Art Tour’s archives, index cards become termite mounds or stalagmites at Pace Gallery.  The gallery’s current on-line group exhibition, ‘Material Matters,’ features a delightful artwork by Donovan crafted from Slinkys that appear to have massed together and come to life.  (On view through April 21st).

Tara Donovan, Untitled, styrene index cards, metal, wood, paint and glue, 12’ 5 1/2” x 22’ 4” x 22’ 11 1/2”, 2014.

Jim Campbell at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery

New media artist Jim Campbell is known for deliberately low-res projections of crowds and individuals in movement. The focus of his current solo show at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery – images and video from January’s Women’s March in DC – is serendipitous subject matter for the artist. In this layering of still images on a lightbox, many people (and metaphorically, points of view) come together to suggest a mass action. (At Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery in Chelsea through June 17th).

Jim Campbell, Untitled, c-print, Plexiglas, light box, 32 x 48 x 5 inches, 2017.

Nathaniel de Large at 247365

The chemical smell of ‘Stockpot’ – a Porta potty on rockers – hits immediately at Nathaniel de Large’s solo show at 247365 on the Lower East Side.   This surprising sculpture opens a show inspired by de Large’s time spent camping in a Brooklyn parking lot. Further in, the artist displays a puffer jacket the size of a camper (which serves as a screening room) and freshly poured concrete ‘sidewalks’ into which friends have carved their marks. (On view through March 10th).

Nathaniel de Large, Stockpot, Porta potty, steel, aluminum, motor, shirt, concrete, 42 x 82 x 99 inches, 2017.