Beijing-based artist Li Hongbo has applied the concept behind Chinese paper gourd decorations – made of paper glued together – to classical sculpture to shocking effect in his latest sculpture series at Chelsea newcomer Klein Sun Gallery. What at first appear to be marble sculptures reveal themselves to be flexible stacks of paper when activated by a gallery staff member. (Through March 2nd).
Li Hongbo, Bust of Marseilles, paper, 23 5/8 x 14 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, ed of 2, 2012.
Ever see an artfully arranged piece of trash? A piece of soap balanced just-so on the edge of the sink? German photographer Thomas Demand had captured these moments and thousands more when he decided to apply his signature art-making technique to the scenes, recreating select photos as sculptures constructed entirely of paper and card then photographing them. The resulting series is a homage to the still, transformative moment. (At Matthew Marks Gallery’s 526 West 22nd Street location through Dec 21st.)
Thomas Demand, Daily #18, framed dye transfer print, 2012.
Fran Siegel’s monumental aerial view of Los Angeles defies standard views of the city that emphasize the grid, instead glorying in the expansive notion of the place as a fragmented network of systems and communities. (At Lesley Heller Workspace on the Lower East Side through December 1st.)
Fran Siegel, installation view of ‘Overland 16,’ cyanotype, ink, pencil and pigment on cut paper, 96” x 140,” 2013.
Korean artist Sungsic Moon’s skinny characters look unsubstantial, but their range of emotional states – from mournful to ecstatic – is powerful. Here, a young woman walks the line between having and losing control as her fingers snap, arms pump, and her hair and scream look like she’s entering a primal state. (At Chelsea’s Doosan Gallery through Oct 4th)
Sungsic Moon, Dancing Girl, acrylic on paper, 2013.
If it isn’t obvious that New York artist Aric Obrosey’s paper artwork ‘Hand Production Lines’ involves a lot of work, hand cut motifs repeated to form lace-like chains come together to depict a giant work glove. Created for the Museum of Art and Design’s ’09-’10 exhibition featuring cut paper artworks, the piece involves a mind boggling amount of detail and took nine months to complete. (At McKenzie Fine Art on the Lower East Side through Aug 17th).
Aric Obrosey, Hand Production Lines, cut paper, 41 ½ x 59 ½ inches, 2009. Photo courtesy of McKenzie Fine Art.
