Brookyn-based sculptor Carolyn Salas’ wonky minimalism hides a surprise – what appear to be metal sculptures are Aqua-Resin covered in graphite and Styrofoam cut-outs are Hydrocal. Stepping down the production values on ‘metal’ sculpture and upping the ante on Styrofoam make for a light-hearted game changer. (At Chelsea’s Koenig & Clinton through July 10th).
Carolyn Salas, installation view at Koenig & Clinton, June 2015.
This mystery object (Exercise machine? Seesaw? Giant snowshoe?) by Diane Simpson is a humorous stand-out in Sikkema Jenkins’ summer group show of minimalism-inspired objects. It depicts an oversized sombrero. (In Chelsea through July 24th).
Diane Simpson, Sombrero, acrylic paint, MDF, polyester spunbond fabric, metallic cord, 34 x 90 x 25 inches, 1995. (Background wall cover: Matt Keegan, double-wall cardboard, dimensions variable, 2015).
‘All I’m doing is putting Brancusi’s Endless Column on the ground instead of in the sky,’ explained Minimalist sculpture Carl Andre in reference to ‘War & Rumors of War,’ a sculpture composed of 90 Australian hardwood timbers. The piece opens Paul Kasmin Gallery’s exhibition of two elegant Brancusi sculptures and works by the major American mid-century artists they inspired. (In Chelsea through June 20th).
Carl Andre, War and Rumors of War, 90 Australian hardwood timbers, overall: 35 ½ x 149 x 138 inches, 2002.
Sol LeWitt, Wall Drawing #992: Left Panel: 10,000 straight red lines; center panel: 10,000 straight yellow lines; right panel: 10,000 straight blue lines. The lines are of any length or direction. Red, yellow, blue markers. Dimensions variable. Foreground: Carl Andre, Dracut, 11 Western red cedar timbers, each 36 x 12 x 12 in, 1979.
In the past, British artist Anya Gallaccio has left red gerbera flowers to rot, covered walls with chocolate and placed a 32-ton block of ice to melt in a disused pump station, all as part of an art practice based on experimentation and manipulation of natural materials. In these stone pieces, she considers longer spaces of time – the effect of heat and pressure on minerals over the millenia. (At Lehman Maupin Gallery on the LES through Feb 15th.)
Anya Gallaccio, installation view at Lehman Maupin Gallery, (foreground) Lay my head, lavignes (stripes), mount ashen, texas cream, black granite and green chirt, 51 x 56 x 48 inches, 2014.
