Only Hours Left to See This One
ONE OF THE PLEASURES of living in a city with excellent commercial art galleries is the occasional bonus exhibition of works by historically significant contemporary artists. One pops up every now and then.
Such a show closes Saturday at Dunn and Brown Contemporary in Dallas, with works by mostly living legends: John Chamberlain, Jim Dine, Isamu Noguchi (who died in 1988), Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen, Joel Shapiro and Kiki Smith.
Joel Shapiro's two untitled bronzes contribute the largest piece in the show (above, right) and one you could hold in your hand (15 x 11-1/4 x 7-1/2 inches). For those unfamiliar with Shapiro's work, don't be embarrassed if you can't help but see dancing people in his geometries. Shapiro's stated intent is to base his work on the figure. Gee how unhip.
In feminist Kiki Smith's bronze and aluminum "Red Standing Moon" (above, left) a female form is proffered on a haphazard scaffolding, perhaps to simulate wood laths and slats that couldn't hope to support the full weight of her being. At least that's how I see it. Possibly my favorite.
With "Rev. E. Piscpalian Swifty" (below), Chamberlain may have been taking his trademark car wreck of twisted steel on a side trip to anthropomorphia ("Rocket Ralph" and "Mr. Mumblecrust," from the same year but not in this show, seem to support the possibility). But the illusion of crumpled ribbon candy remains.
Above: John Chamberlain, "Rev. E. Piscpalian Swifty" (2005) Painted and chromed steel, 90 x 29 x 21 inches. In the background, "Soft Shuttlecock, Study".
Even for a maquette, "Soft Shuttlecock, Study" (below), by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, does a great job of foretelling the flaccid irreverence of the massive final work. That one was created specifically for the rotunda of the Guggenheim in New York, where the museum's Joan Young said it "humorously deflates the imposing structure" of my second-favorite Frank Lloyd Wright.
Above: Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, "Soft Shuttlecock, Study" (1994) Canvas and wood painted with latex, 13 x 80 inches (diameter)
In Jim Dine's "The Mountains in the Distance" (below), he appropriates yet another amputated Venus, and this time knocks her off her pedestal. Despite what we might want to read into it, however, it's doubtful it's about beauty being put out for big trash day.
Above: Jim Dine, "The Mountains in the Distance", Bronze, 34 x 93 x 47 inches
The single posthumous presence in the show is Isamu Noguchi's "Two Dependent Pieces" (below), one of his rarely seen early sculptures in Aji granite, and one of a body of zen-ish works which might seem to belie, but may also be explained by, a life that was both prolific and tumultuous.
Above: Isamu Noguchi, "Two Dependent Pieces" (1979), Aji granite, 16 x 10 x 19 ½ inches
All photos courtesy of Dunn and Brown Contemporary.
Sculpture
(through June 30)
Dunn and Brown Contemporary
5020 Tracy Street
Dallas, Texas 75205
214-521-4322
