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Art Sat Apr 30 2011
Britt's Artropolis Picks
It's never a good sign when you spend more time checking out the crowd rather than the art. The scene at this year's Artropolis opening was as festive as ever, and the joining of Art Chicago and NEXT on the same floor provided ample opportunity to move back and forth between more established galleries and emerging spaces. However, much of the appeal of Artropolis lies in the activities, discussions, and other assorted events that will continue to take place throughout the weekend. The opening was only a taste of the culture of this year's event and I highly encourage guests to spend time exploring all that the two events have to offer.
Caitlin Arnold (represented at Johalla Projects): Arnold's images document adolescent girls at their most curious and questioning stage. Her subjects understand and are fearful of the world they are quickly being thrust into; this much is evident as each subject stares with longing at the camera.
Aron Gent (represented at Johalla Projects): One does not need to learn that Jennifer, the subject of Gent's photographs, is an ex-model and singer. The emotional heft of a past life and her new venture as a young mother is evident in images that are at once emotionally revelatory and uncomfortable.
Coke Wisdom O'Neal (represented at Mixed Greens): The smashed, morphed, and manipulated bodies in O'Neal's images are ugly yet beautiful, putting on display the similarities and imperfections of the human body from one subject to the next.
Jettison Quarterly debuted the first print edition of their magazine with a disco ball, roller skate rap, and slinky tunes from Hercules and Love Affair. In terms of a debut to the tangible, Jettison Quarterly's physical product is effective, even collectible.
Hyun-Ahn's work must be seen in person to equate it's visual and physical allusions. Combining elements of sculptural art, painting, and installation art, the numerous pieces chosen for C. Grimaldis Gallery's exhibition were popular and visually stimulating.
Gurkovska's work was one of the standouts of The Renaissance Society's New Insight exhibition. Her visceral combination of viscous paint and fabric is breathtaking in scale.
