Ana Pellicer in ‘Shades of Daphne’ at Kasmin Gallery

Titled ‘Shades of Daphne,’ Kasmin Gallery’s current group exhibition celebrates ‘resistance and revolt’ of figures who’ve changed forms, a la Daphne of Greek mythology, who morphed into a tree before being accosted by Apollo.  Mexican artist Ana Pellicer’s ‘Purepecha Rattlesnake,’ a giant chain and pendant, is intended as jewelry for the Statue of Liberty, a conceptual aspect of  the work that changes our idea of the statue’s identity.  Crafted using 500-year-old copperworking techniques from Michoacan, Mexico, Pellicer suggests that Lady Liberty has sophisticated tastes.  (On view in Chelsea through Feb 22nd).

Ana Pellicer, Purepecha Rattlesnake, woven copper chain with cast copper pendant, 185 x 25 ¼ x 7 7/8 inches, 1995.

Amanda Ross-Ho at Mitchell-Innes & Nash

At over four feet tall, this huge earring may be designed for a giant…but what kind of giant would wear it, or the enormous black t-shirts sliced to ribbons and hung from the gallery walls?  Amanda Ross-Ho blows up cheap fashions to attention-grabbing size, but her intention seems founded less criticism of the merchandise than in curiosity at what happens when banal products were presented as monumental.   (At Chelsea’s Mitchell-Innes & Nash through May 18th).

Amanda Ross-Ho, Gone Tomorrow, aluminum and steel plated in gold and brass, 2013.