The show at Artist’s Space felt, rather unfortunately, unfinished. The idea of the projectors with nothing displayed felt very done before. Many artists have played with the idea of tech and how that influences our mindset, so there was nothing particularly fresh or exciting about this unassuming commentary on technology. Of course, this is written with the assumption that that would indeed be the meaning of this display. Presumably, it was the idea that although we are surrounded by screens we are not truly seeing anything. If this is the case, then what a shallow, depressing depiction of what technology has turned our world into.
Of course, it is entirely possible that this piece had nothing to do with technology. This theme was certainly disrupted by the bottles of urine that were placed around the gallery. These, too, fit the theme of making me wonder “what in the world was the artist thinking” as I made my best efforts to avoid them while trying to enjoy the art that was on display by the other artists.
It was a shame because the rest of the exhibition felt very cohesive. It forced me to think, it inspired emotion. But the bottles and the projectors merely inspired vague annoyance, a prick of irritation whenever I barely avoided wandering into them. It was wholly underwhelming for the space.
I think it would be valuable to the reader to include that the show at Artist Space was a Group show made up of 4 separate artists, Danica Barboza, Jason Hirata, Yuki Kimura, and Duane Linklater. The two works you focus most of your attention throughout the review happen to be made by the same artist Jason Hirata, but this connection is not made. I understand that you were unimpressed with his work, and i have no problem with that, but being specific I think will elevate your critique. I enjoy the part of the review where you are working through the possible meanings behind Hirata’s projector piece. It might be valuable to include that the projector’s piece is called “Floaters” from 2020. The bottles of urine scattered throughout the gallery is entitled “Why Not Lie?”, 2020. The gallery exhibition booklet featured a description of Hirata’s two works, perhaps this description can provide a little more context, “The projectors on view were loaned to Artists Space by 80WSE Gallery. They are projecting a white test pattern which is part of their factory programming. The bottles on view were found in public spaces in New York. Both artworks are finished when they have been returned.” That final sentence suggests the possibility that Hirata’s artworks are a performance of some kind, which dramatically alters the context and meaning of these pieces. Both were borrowed and will be returned, something to think about.
ReplyDeleteThe other three artists in the show are not given attention in your review, nor have you examined any overarching themes of what binds all these artists together. You write in your final paragraph, “It was a shame because the rest of the exhibition felt very cohesive. It forced me to think, it inspired emotion.” I would like to know more about why you felt the rest of the exhibit was cohesive, what did the show force you to think about, and what emotions were inspired by which pieces…? I know you only have so many words for your review, but perhaps you can consolidate your critique of Jason Hirata and balance it with what you felt worked about the exhibit- contrasting what worked against what didn't work...