German artist Florian Maier-Aichen blurs the boundaries between painting and photography in his latest series of abstract images, created by pouring paint, transferring images to transparent film, backing them with other paintings and ultimately photographing the final product for presentation as a photograph. (At Chelsea’s 303 Gallery through July 25th).
Florian Maier-Aichen, Untitled, c-print, 81 ½ x 64 ¾ inches, 2014.
Polish artist Pawel Althamer opens up his exhibition at the New Museum to contributions from the public by providing paint, paper and smocks to the many, many visitors who want to leave their mark. (On the Lower East Side through April 13th).
Pawel Althamer, installation view of ‘Draftsmen’s Progress’ at the New Museum, March 2014.
Leslie Wayne’s new series ‘Paint/Rag’ demonstrates how it’s possible to make a painting made from paint alone. By troweling colors one on top of the other on a surface of wet paint, then folding the sheet, Wayne creates gorgeous drapes of solid color. (At Jack Shainman Gallery’s 24th Street location through March 22nd).
Leslie Wayne, Paint/Rag #31, oil on panel, 14 x 9 x 4 ½ inches, 2013.
Exposed in its confining crib, this body-sized stick of butter (actually beeswax) by American sculptor Robert Gober is perfectly formed but slightly repulsive. Scattered apples, meticulously crafted in wood are all-American (recalling apple pie or Johnny Appleseed) but suggest that temptations lurk from the earliest days of life. (At Matthew Marks Gallery’s 523 West 24th Street location).
Robert Gober, Untitled, wood, paint, beeswax, 50 ½ x 53 ¼ x 28 inches, 1993-2013.
British artist Gary Hume made his name by painting hospital doors like these in the 90s, as England controversially debated public vs private health care. Here, he had doors constructed that lead in to a second gallery housing attractive glossy enamel paintings featuring disquieting subjects, including versions of an off center wheel derived from a sniper’s sight that reference conflict in Iraq. (At Matthew Marks’ 522 W. 22nd Street location through Dec 21st.)
Gary Hume, Installation view of ‘The Wonky Wheel,’ at Matthew Marks Gallery. Wheel: The Wonky Wheel (Red), enamel on aluminum, 2013. Door: How to Paint a Door, gallery door, 2013.
