Tag: Nazi

Marti Cormand at Josee Bienvenu Gallery

This painting of a sculptural fragment by German modernist artist Emy Roeder, a man puzzling over an abstract sculpture, and a portrait head by German artist Edwin Sharff are all meticulously paintings by Marti Cormand of artworks labeled ‘degenerate’ by the Nazis during WWII. Displaying the images as a series of 5 x 7 inch ‘postcards’ downplays their radicality but emphasizes the fact that their aesthetic has been wholly assimilated into contemporary art. (At Josee Bienvenu Gallery through July 22nd).

Marti Cormand, installation view of ‘Postcards A – Z’ at Josee Bienvenu Gallery, through July 22nd.
Marti Cormand, installation view of ‘Postcards A – Z’ at Josee Bienvenu Gallery, through July 22nd.

Susan Philipsz at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

In British sound artist Susan Philipsz’s new installation at Chelsea’s Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, boldly redacted FBI documents overlay quickly penciled archival scores by composer Hanns Eisler. An LA-based refugee from Nazi Germany, his branding as a communist prevented his scores from accompanying Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Circus.’ Here, wall-mounted documents like this one are joined by a 12-channel sound installation that plays selections from his film compositions, daring viewers to find a note of sedition. (Through Feb 14th).

Susan Philipsz, from the Part File Score series, digital print and silk screen print on canvas, 74 ½ x 59 x 1 2/3 inches, 2014.