Wendy Mceahern Photography
Love Armor Humvee cozy, collaboration of more than 70 artists, 2007-08 |
Ice Box Project Space
Just because you support a peaceful resolution to conflict doesn't mean you don't support the troops. Enter the "Love Armor Project," a serious, compassionate tribute to the military's efforts and to the plight of innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. The central piece, a knitted cover for a Humvee — a kind of cozy for the war vehicle — floats in midair, rubber and steel giving way to cotton and string. Reminiscent of Claes Oldenburg's soft sculptures, the Humvee cozy takes the edge off a cold, hardened object and wraps it in love.
After they conceived the project, Shirley Klinghoffer and Sarah Hewitt enlisted more than 70 artists to create the sculpture; Molly Sturges wrote an original composition, "Salve," specifically for the project. All three did their research, interviewing members of the military about their experiences to inform their work. Sturges' piece is influenced by the difficulties encountered by veterans returning to their previous lives after war. The Ice Box show will include video footage of interviews with returning soldiers called "Trauma Testimonials." Preparatory drawings, photographs, schematic drawings for a Humvee and a reading table with books from the Warrior Writers Project round out the show.
Opening reception Thu., Feb. 12, 6-9 p.m., exhibit through Feb. 26, 1400 N. American St., 215-232-3203, lovearmorproject.com.
Clay Studio
Who knew plates could be so revolutionary? Two out of the three artists showing this month at Clay Studio have done more with decorative plates than the Franklin Mint could ever dream of. In the '60s and '70s, the late Howard Kottler placed kitschy commercial decals on plain, white, store-bought plates and called it art. It was remarkably bold for the time, ahead of the Pop Art curve and certainly not in line with the ceramic world. With
American Gothic on one and
Mona Lisa on another, Kottler had fun with masterpieces but also took the time for other commentaries. He depicted a deconstructed American flag, Jesus alone at the Last Supper table and a line of anthropomorphic revolvers. Clay Studio is showing a nice little retrospective in the Reed Smith Gallery. In the spirit of Kottler's work, Garth Johnson also uses standard-issue plates but instead creates his own computer-generated decals that appropriate everything from Norman Rockwell to Hummel figurines. Check out Johnson's refreshingly fun blog,
extremecraft.com, for a look at what fine arts-and-crafty types have up their handwoven organic-wool sleeves. Pavel Amromin leaves the plates to Kottler and Johnson, pouring his talent instead into tabletop-size sculptures that deal with the tradition of the boy-soldier. Amromin plugs a strange hybrid of a dog and a boy into the role, shoving a rifle into its paws, combat boots on its hind legs and a knowing sneer on its snout. The artist achieves the jarring effect of decidedly unpretty subject matter in materials traditionally used for beautiful things, but the impact goes further. Amronin says the work speaks to the "socialization of war" and the turmoil inherent in "such a conflicted character." The pieces are provocative as well as expertly executed.
Opening reception, Fri., Feb. 6, 5-9 p.m., exhibit runs through Feb. 22, 139 N. Second St., 215-925-3453, theclaystudio.org.
And Then There's ...
Robert Raczka explores store displays and the joy of a good find in the
Painted Bride Art Center's "Cultural Artifacts" show. Through photographs of displays, sculpture assemblages, found paintings and other objects, Raczka muses on his role as artist and curator, giving the viewer a chance to see the world through the eyes of a shopper and a voyeur. When the exhibit is over, three viewers will win found pictures so the cycle can start all over again.
Opening reception Fri., Feb. 6, 5-7 p.m., exhibit through March 21, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914, paintedbride.org. ... The Fabric Workshop and Museum is showing "Voom Portraits," video works from one of the most genre-busting, prolific artists in the world, Robert Wilson. Wilson taped celebrities like Johnny Depp and Isabella Rossellini and animals like a regal snow owl and a horned frog in vivid high-definition video with luscious costumes and backdrops. What at first look like stills jolt with a sudden, slight gesture, all to the soundtrack of musicians like Tom Waits and Bernard Hermann. Don't miss this.
Opening reception Fri., Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m., exhibit through March 22, 1214 Arch St., 215-561-8888, fabricworkshop.org.
(l_hill@citypaper.net)
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