The concept behind the Bruce High Quality Foundation\u2019s third New York solo show is more engaging than the artwork, which comes as no surprise.\u00a0 The anonymous artist collective\u2019s move to start its own free, unaccredited school is a gutsy and overdue reaction against the pressure on artists to complete costly MFA programs.\u00a0 But just as student work generally hasn\u2019t had time to mature, the sculpture created by the artists known as \u2018the Bruces\u2019 in response to the past semester\u2019s discussions and plans for the future is more a collection of ideas than a profound statement.<\/p>\n
Sculpture in the form of chalkboards summon the spirit of Beuys, while unusable desks fashioned from broken drywall resemble post-apocalypse Bauhaus furniture; neither looks meant to last.\u00a0 Literally erasable, the chalkboards epitomize the experimental, non-product-driven nature of the Bruces\u2019 approach.\u00a0 Humor is rampant, from a blackboard reading \u2018in the future everyone will be a foundation,\u2019 a twist on Warhol\u2019s famous 15-minute bon mot, to a study of art world gender disparity with a female superhero mask and hairdryer balancing a beer stein with a fake breast.\u00a0 Obviously, these artists are having a good time inspiring each other and now a larger audience of \u2018university\u2019 attendees.\u00a0 The resulting artwork may not stand the test of time, but it\u2019s an enticing invitation to join the fun.<\/p>\n
Originally published in Flash Art International, March – April, 2010.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The concept behind the Bruce High Quality Foundation\u2019s third New York solo show is more engaging than the artwork, which comes as no surprise.\u00a0 The anonymous artist collective\u2019s move to start its own free, unaccredited school is a gutsy and overdue reaction against the pressure on artists to complete costly MFA programs.\u00a0 But just as … <\/p>\n