May 2- 8, 2002
first friday focus
 : Paul Sirochman  |
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Clay Studio
Adelaide Paul was distraught. As many might be, if they stopped to think long and hard about the numbers. Paul began to consider the statistics she so frequently received from animal-welfare agencies. Nationally, animal shelters destroy approximately 6 to 10 million pets per year. Paul boiled that down to what that meant for her local shelter in Lubbock, Texas: They told her 5,184 per year. That's 432 every 30 days. She decided to translate these numbers into a visual statement: a long, cold, chrome veterinary surgery table, 432 white porcelain urns (each bearing a number) and photos of 432 dogs on "death row" that she took with permission from the Lubbock shelter. All have been assembled this month at the Clay Studio. An unusually conceptual piece for this gallery, 30 Days was installed in two other venues over the last three years, one in Texas and one in Gettysburg. It will be dismantled and dispersed after this show, as the Clay Studio show will also serve as a fundraiser for the Pennsylvania SPCA: The urns will be sold for $100 each, $30 of which will be donated to the North Philadelphia branch of the society.
Reception, Fri., May 3, 5-9 p.m., through May 24, 139 N. Second St., first floor, 215-925-3453.
Exhibit 231
Two years ago at this time, photographer James B. Abbott first let Philadelphia know what he'd been up to: documenting its beloved Ben Franklin Bridge. We learned about -- and saw the magnificent results of --his exclusive access to the structure's architectural interiors and grand super-structure. Since then, the photographer has contributed significantly to academic pursuits related to the bridge, such as a Philadelphia magazine piece and a WHYY production. Now, after yet more research and more investigation of the big blue bridge's arches and suspension cables, Abbott gives the city "Bridge Works/Constructed Photographs," a collection of often large-scale gelatin silver prints that overlap and underline the panoramic beauty of the bridge. Rutgers' Stedman Gallery has a concurrent show, "Suspended in Time," a historical examination through photos, architectural and engineering drawings, and vintage postcards (call 856-225-6350 for more information).
Reception, Sat., May 11, 1-4 p.m.; late hours: Fri., May 3 and Fri., June 7, 12-9 p.m.; through June 29, 231 N. Third St., 215-925-7576.
Nexus
The static unpredictability of nature might well be the basis of all three shows at Nexus this month. In "Cross Section," sculptor Maureen Ciaccio uses materials that remain rough around the edges when she's finished: wax, wire, netting, even concrete. Yet her creations remain airy and delicate -- fragile testaments to the union of the biological and material worlds, what she terms "the world we construct." Ahmed Salvador presents "Stare," photographs that mesmerize with his own brand of "fabricated heavens," solar and lunar imagery that pulses and fades. Inspired among other things by the nooks and crannies of Mediterranean architecture, artist Elizabeth Doering composes structures of found wood from the Delaware River banks, making icons out of muddy wood. Her show, "Midstream: Homages to Change," reflects entirely handmade work, favoring rustic peg constructions over the glossy mechanism of power tools.
Reception, Fri., May 3, 5-9 p.m, through May 26, 137 N. Second St., 215-629-1103
And Then There’s…
Snyderman Gallery's Fiber Biennal 2002, full of brocades and jacquards, continues with a reception on Fri., May 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Through May 30, 303 Cherry St., 215-238-9576. Wanna see some "Hooters and Peckers"?... Schmidt/Dean's show about birds continues through May 18. 1710 Sansom St., 215-569-9433.... Da Vinci Art Alliance celebrates its 70th anniversary this month with a show of members' artwork and Alliance memorabilia. Reception, Sat., May 11, 1-3 p.m., through May 26, 704 Catharine St., 215-829-0466.... Artist Leonardo Drew will give a lecture in conjunction with an exhibition of his collaborative work with the Fabric Workshop. Lecture and reception, Fri., May 10, 6 p.m., 1315 Cherry St., 215-568-1111.
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