Nicholas Kashian

I came across these New American Gothic paintings by Nicholas Kashian yesterday. Among other issues, his work seems to ask questions about what happens when something is erased from an image. This is especially interesting in the context of the familial situations he depicts. His work can be seen at the Green Lantern Gallery in Chicago from 10.19.07 thru 11.17.07. He will also be featured in New American Paintings this fall. Check out his website... www.nicholaskashian.com

My First Review

Check out this review by Jason Foumberg of New City.

"Several of the artists in "Involving Violence" remake and reconsider iconic media images of aggression and murder, from brutal lynching scenes to Eddie Adams’ blunt photograph of a Vietnamese prisoner shot in the head point blank. The lynching scenes from newspaper sources are rehashed courtesy of Krista Wortendyke. Her way of re-presenting violent imagery is to block out the tortured and bloodied victim with a pastel rectangle or stripe. This introduces a decorative element to the image, which is off-putting because it interrupts our expectations of the image ingrained in our memory. Wortendyke then traces a slight and careful outline of the victim’s twisted body. These lines serve to just barely remind us of the body hidden underneath, entombed in the image forever, and shielded from the violence that is re-enacted each time the picture is viewed or remembered. Wortendyke seems to be in conversation with Warhol’s legendary appropriations of violence; both make use of strong design elements in contrast to bleak scenes of murder, and where Warhol sought dissociation through repetition, Wortendyke’s distancing effects stoke our fascination with mourning."

The whole article can be seen at http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/6942.html

Saturday Night

Here are a few images from the opening of Involving Violence at Lasso Gallery at the Butcher Shop on Saturday night. It was a great time. Carrie and Karin put together a great show for their first endeavor in their new space. I suggest going to see it before it comes down next month.

Involving Violence Opens Tonight

Come out tonight and join me at the opening of Involving Violence at the Lasso Gallery
at the Butcher Shop.
6pm – 10pm.

Lasso Gallery at the Butcher Shop
1319 W. Lake St., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60607

Artists included in this show are Joan Dobkin, Dara Greenwald,
Benjamin June, Dustin Klare, Masaco Kuroda, Alan Lerner, Regina Mamou,
Sari Maxfield, Jessica Peterson, Chelcie Porter, Jason Stec, Cordell
Thurman, Josh Winegar and Krista Wortendyke.

Images of aggression and violence constantly bombard our society from
the New York Times to evening television programming. Violence
permeates around us, yet most find ways to navigate daily activities
by distancing confrontation and hostility.

For many artists, these images reoccur in the mind's eye. The artists
presented in Involving Violence have disentangled violent imagery from
"real life" and addressed their responses in the "controlled"
environment of the studio.

The artists included in this exhibition attempt to negotiate
contemporary, historical, and personal events, hoping to resolve and
come to terms with the violent actions of society.

Hope to see you all there!

Concerning Tomorrow

This show, curated by Jason Lazarus opens tonight. Looks like it is going to be good. If you are in Chicago, you should definitely go check it out. See you there.

Adam Cruces

These cool pieces from Adam Cruces are from his Museum Series. Each sliver of information is fragmented from a picture taken at the museum. The images are reconstructed to create a portrait of each museum. More of his work can be seen at www.adamcruces.com

Regina Mamou

I met Regina Mamou at the 13th Annual Women's Exhibition at SoHo20 Gallery this summer. I was excited to hear that she is one of the artists featured with me in the upcoming Involving Violence show at Lasso Gallery at the Butcher Shop. You can see more of her work at www.reginamamou.com

Julia Peirone

I came across this work and really dig it...




Julia Peirone's work is a cross- fertilisation of straight documentary photography and arranged photography. By using the computer, Julia Peirone cuts, draws, adds, takes away, backwards and forwards and little by little constructs, destroys, and reconstructs the photographic sense of reality.

RELOCATION...any ideas?

So, as some of you have heard, Cheetah Gym has abruptly closed it's doors. What that means is that I need a new gym. Preferably one that is in Wicker Park/Bucktown that is good, cheap and within walking distance...is that too much to ask? Anyone have any ideas?

Involving Violence

Come join me at the opening of Involving Violence at the Lasso Gallery
at the Butcher Shop.

Opening reception is on September 15, 2007 from 6pm – 10pm.

Involving Violence runs from September 15th – October 20th
Saturday gallery hours: 12pm – 5pm or by appointment

Lasso Gallery at the Butcher Shop
1319 W. Lake St., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60607

Artists included in this show are Joan Dobkin, Dara Greenwald,
Benjamin June, Dustin Klare, Masaco Kuroda, Alan Lerner, Regina Mamou,
Sari Maxfield, Jessica Peterson, Chelcie Porter, Jason Stec, Cordell
Thurman, Josh Winegar and Krista Wortendyke.

Involving Violence, curated by Lasso co-directors, Carrie Ruckel and
Karin Patzke presents work by artists addressing the violence and
hostility portrayed on television, movies, newspapers, and other
media, and acted out in real life.

Images of aggression and violence constantly bombard our society from
the New York Times to evening television programming. Violence
permeates around us, yet most find ways to navigate daily activities
by distancing confrontation and hostility.

For many artists, these images reoccur in the mind's eye. The artists
presented in Involving Violence have disentangled violent imagery from
"real life" and addressed their responses in the "controlled"
environment of the studio.

The artists included in this exhibition attempt to negotiate
contemporary, historical, and personal events, hoping to resolve and
come to terms with the violent actions of society.

Contact info:
Lassogallery@gmail.com
www.Lassogallery.net
773-343-9146 or 773-793-1767