Young Danish artist Alexander Tovborg painted one abstracted image of a dinosaur, turned it to the wall and from memory painted the next, creating this row of images that rely on memory and depict now extinct – yet gorgeously colored – creatures. (At Nicelle Beauchene Gallery on the Lower East Side through Dec 21st).
Alexander Tovborg, Eternal Feminine (I), felt, pastel crayon, acrylic and imitated gold leaf on wood panel, 48 x 36 inches, 2014.
Known for his computer-created virtual photos, New York artist Takeshi Murata’s latest solo show at Salon 94 Bowery includes this quirky character, whose dripped frame and the appearance of stickers suggest the touch of a human hand but whose red smiley face is all about mechanical distortion. (On the Lower East Side through Dec 21st).
Takeshi Murata, Jogger (Red), pigment print mounted to plexi with powdercoated unibody aluminum frame, 40 x 44 x 2 inches, 2014.
The tale of Moby Dick as metaphor for a doomed, obsessive quest, specifically the U.S.’s military involvement in the Middle East, was the subject of Robert Longo’s stunning show at Chelsea’s Petzel Gallery last spring. Now at the same gallery, Sean Landers’ takes up the subject in a more narcissistic way, depicting the great whale as a stand-in for the artist’s pursuit of a lasting artistic legacy. (Through Dec 20th).
Sean Landers, Moby Dick (Merrilees), oil on linen, 112 x 336 inches, 2013.
Angels sleep under rainbows in Francesco Clemente’s ‘Angels’ Tent,’ while top-hatted men act oppressively (one enslaves two figures) in the ‘Devil’s Tent.’ The lushly decorated Mughal style tents signal Clemente’s nomadic lifestyle while making a strong contrast between good and evil. (At Chelsea’s Mary Boone Gallery through Dec 20th).
Francesco Clemente, installation view of Angels’ Tent and Devil’s Tent at Mary Boone Gallery, Nov, 2014.
Glitzy sequins compete with more down-to-earth hand woven hemp fabric in a sculpture by San Francisco artist Josh Faught titled ‘Greg’ after a past romantic attachment. The clock suggests that time ran out on this relationship while a spilled drink and two tins of cookies (all food made of plastic) implies the unexpected upset of something delicious. (At Lisa Cooley Gallery on the Lower East Side through Dec 21st).
Josh Faught, Greg, hand woven and crocheted hemp (hand dyed in colors to match the 2013/2014 color forecast, Indigo, gold spray paint, sequin trim, silk, wool, giant clothes pin, spill (resin) with Cathy mug, chocolate chip cookies (plastic), and tin of butter cookies (plastic and metal) on Cedar support, 76 x 74 x 12 inches, 2014.