Chicago-based conceptual artist William Pope. L continues to consider how people separate themselves by race; in this wall of drawings, potentially offensive generalizations are neutralized by their opaqueness. (At Mitchell-Innes & Nash in Chelsea through Oct 26th).
William Pope. L, detail view of ‘Wall of Skin Set drawings,’ 2010 – 2013.
Famed British street artist Banksy arrived in Chelsea on the third week of his New York City ‘residency,’ presenting a two panel collaboration with Brazilian brothers Os Gemeos inspired by the Occupy movement. Featuring a grid of riot police joined by one person in a headscarf and a grid of masked or scarf-wearing people joined by one policeperson, it’s a straightforward juxtaposition that asks who is battling whom. The crowd loved it.
Like graphic design come to life, Sven Lukin’s minimal abstractions involve sensuous, curving lines moving in surprising ways. Here, an anthropomorphic, flesh colored line pushes into the gallery’s corner like it’s trying to hide, through the title, ‘SNUG,’ suggests it’s happy to do so. (At Robert Miller Gallery in Chelsea through Oct 26th).
Sven Lukin, SNUG, enamel on Masonite and wood construction, 85 x 75 x 6 inches, 2010.
From the largest pilgrimage towards water in the world (see the Kumbh Mela on left) to the petered out end of the rerouted Colorado River (next right) to the greening of the Arizona desert using pivot irrigation (next right), Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky has spent the last few years documenting the human relationship to water around the world. In turns alarming and alluring, the photos are a powerful catalyst for safeguarding one of our most precious resources. (At Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery through Nov 2nd).
Edward Burtynsky, installation view of ‘Water’ at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, Sept 2013.
Inspired by the tradition of Americans finding escape in wilderness living, northern Minnesota-based artist Aaron Spangler’s latest work suggests totems for the modern frontiersman. ‘Idol’ is based on the form of a boli, or sacred object, and Spangler’s abstract designs suggest a secret language between human and the divine. (At Horton Gallery on the Lower East Side through Oct 20th).
Aaron Spangler, Idol, carved and painted basswood with a touch of graphite, 2013.