Jose-Carlos Martinat at Marc Straus Gallery

Peruvian artist Jose-Carlos Martinat transplants bold graphics from the streets of Lima into Marc Straus Gallery’s Lower East Side space in an impactful show that coincides with his country’s contentious election. Working in his signature technique, Martinat applies resin and fiberglass to outdoor walls that have been painted with political symbols and slogans, peeling away the paint in sheets that hang from the gallery ceiling or on the walls.  Here, a giant pencil originated as a message of support for former school teacher Pedro Castillo, the apparent winner of this month’s runoff.  (On view through June 30th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Jose-Carlos Martinat, installation view at Marc Straus Gallery, June 2021.

R. Luke DuBois at Bitforms Gallery

Using voter machines from the 40s, 50s and 60s, Luke DuBois presents gallery-goers with some more esoteric choices than the U.S. public faces in today’s election (us vs them, water vs fire, nature vs machine). Once visitors have locked in their votes, a unique video response interprets the data. (At Bitforms Gallery through Dec 23rd).

R. Luke DuBois, Learning Machine #2: Image, AVM voting machine (instruction model, blue, ca. 1955), voting booth, computer, camera, lights, screen, 11.75 x 13.5 x 13 inches, 2016.
R. Luke DuBois, Learning Machine #2: Image, AVM voting machine (instruction model, blue, ca. 1955), voting booth, computer, camera, lights, screen, 11.75 x 13.5 x 13 inches, 2016.