Tag: rugs

Yto Barrada in ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ at Pace Gallery

Is abstraction less political than representational art?  ‘Hiding in Plain Sight,’ Pace Gallery’s summer group exhibition, argues for abstract art’s capacity to embody resistance.  Yto Barrada’s ‘Geological Time Scale,’ a selection of monochrome Moroccan rugs arranged around a custom-built table, recalls how an early 20th century French general’s catalogue of traditional rugs excluded single-color pieces, his bias impacting his audience’s understanding of Moroccan textile production.  (On view in Chelsea through Aug 20th).

Yto Barrada, Geological Time Scale (assembled group of primarily monochrome Beni Mguild, Marmoucha, and Ait Sgougou pile rugs from Western Central, Middle Atlas, Morocco), Mid-20th Century, mixed media, dimensions variable, 2015.

Baseera Khan at Simone Subal Gallery

A broken column constructed of foam core and covered by custom handmade silk Kashmiri rugs in Baseera Khan’s current show at Simone Subal Gallery suggests an empire toppled, its segments like gears in a massive, defunct machine.  Instead of dominating visitors with its huge size though, the pillar entices thanks to its decorative patterns and appears mysteriously futuristic due to its liquid-looking resin core.  Fascinating remnants entice us to consider the historical past as complicated and unknown, suggesting new legacies for the future.  (On view on the Lower East Side through Dec 22nd).

Baseera Khan, installation view of ‘snake skin’ at Simone Subal Gallery, Nov 2019.

Nevet Yitzhak at Yossi Milo Gallery

Inspired by Afghan women who modified traditional rug patterns to include weapons and war vehicles after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Israeli artist Nevet Yitzhak creates digital war rugs featuring tanks, airplanes, and helicopters. Here (seen in detail), helicopters direct missiles at each other, causing explosions and devastation that belies any idea of weaving (even digitally) as a peaceful art. (At Yossi Milo Gallery through July 10th).

Nevet Yitzhak, detail from the series WarCraft, War Rug #2, projection of FHD video and animation, 8:00 min loop, stereo sound, 2014.

Kour Pour at Untitled Gallery

As a kid, LA-based British artist Kour Pour grew up watching his dad repair and work with carpets in his rug shop.  He continues the tradition, after a fashion, by silkscreening carpets from auction catalogues onto canvas, then painting and sanding the images into something entirely new.  (At Untitled Gallery through Feb 23rd).  

Kour Pour, detail from ‘Kour Pour’ at Untitled Gallery Jan 2014, acrylic on canvas over panel, 96 x 72 inches.