Alicja Kwade at 303 Gallery

Starting with a 3D scan of a boulder, Berlin-based artist Alicja Kwade gradually transforms the large rock into a sphere and a square, morphing through different materials along the way and separating each phase by a mirror.  At rear, a steel framework supports three more stones, identical in mass and weight but shaped and positioned to look otherwise.  Kwade’s intention – to challenge viewers to question what they perceive – results in a puzzling and provocative exhibition.  (On view at 303 Gallery in Chelsea through May 18th).

Alicja Kwade, installation view of ‘ParaParticular’ at 303 Gallery, April 2019.

Victoria Sambunaris at Yancey Richardson Gallery

Tankers arrayed like a minimalist piece of land art in this photograph by Victoria Sambunaris turn an otherwise drab landscape near Salt Lake City into study in form and function.  Ringed by a barely visible mountains and spread out under voluminous clouds, the trains in their tight formation dominate the natural world in this image.  (On view at Yancey Richardson Gallery through May 11th).

Victoria Sambunaris, Untitled (Tankers), Salt Lake City, chromogenic print, 40 x 56 inches, 2018.