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SURFACE TENSION

April 21– June 19, 2004

Opening Reception Wednesday, April 21, 6 – 8 pm

Curator: Manon Slome

Introductions: Surface Tension In the Spirit of His Times
Artist Jin Meyerson April 24, 1-2 pm

Introductions: Through Multiple Lenses
Artist Uri Dotan, May 22, 1-2 pm

"Surface Tension" seeks to investigate how our environmental saturation in technology, the omnipresence of digital and computer imaging, have informed the question of surface and pictorial space in contemporary painting. Both artist and viewer can be classed as visual nomads: Internet browsing, channel surfing, cruising through a media/electronic surplus, allows for a simultaneous access to disparate levels of visuality, informational systems and emotional experience. The viewing body itself becomes part of the exchange, a transparent space where images pile up, distort, overlap and intersect.

In much of the work under discussion, the surface of the painting is one of passage, a transparent screen leading toward a multiplied field of pictorial space where several systems can be operative. While the issues might be one of space, this layering of process or imagery, this hyper-textual surface, also creates a time/space continuum both of process and interpretation. The visual impetus to penetrate the layers of information creates an activated viewer who is sucked into the visual energy of the painting. Internal "framing" elements are often found in these paintings, suggesting the need to "mine" the painting for information rather than the unification of image/experience afforded by, for example, photography.

Paintings’ response to digital media manifests itself formally in two distinct (though often hybrid) languages which can be roughly divided into "hard edged" layering, and biomorphic aggregation. As suggested, neither form is necessarily exclusive of the other, nor tied to choices of abstraction or figuration which are often appear as forces working together to explore and depict the landscape of contemporary experience. The common denominator of this painting is visual complexity, a complexity that merges in a syncretic way with our realities.

Artists featured in the exhibition include:

Jon Berzinski
Steve DiBenedetto
Lydia Dona
Uri Dotan
Benjamin Edwards
Carl Fudge
Torben Giehler
Changha Hwang
Shirley Kaneda
Giles Lyon
Fabian Marcaccio
Jin Meyerson
Sarah Morris
David Reed
Raimundo Rubio
Mette Tommerup
Darren Wardle

RECEPTION IS GENEROUSLY
SPONSORED BY

Jon Berzinski
Interior III, 2003
Acrylic on linen
63 x 96 in.
Courtesy Plus Ultra Gallery

Steve DiBenedetto
Igloo, 1999
Oil on canvas
106 x 89 in.
Courtesy of the artist and Derek Eller Gallery, NY

Lydia Donna
Heat, Temperature, Light and Air, 2003
Oil, acrylic and sign paint on canvas
60 x 66 in.
Courtesy Michael Steinberg Fine Art

Uri Dotan
Disintegrating Sphere 5, 2003
Digital Projection with 6 channel sound
Dimensions Variable
Uri Dotan DVD, Courtesy Paul Rodgers/9W, NY

Benjamin Edwards
Approach and Immerse (West), 2003
Acrylic, texture media, landscaping foam and spray paint on canvas
18.75 x 26 in
The Palou Family Collection, Courtesy of Artemis Greenberg Van Doren Gallery, NY

Carl Fudge
Overflow (Pink) 2003
Acrylic on canvas
82 x 72 in.
Courtesy Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, NY

Torben Gieler
From Dusk to Dawn, 2003
Acrylic on canvas
84 x 84 in.
Courtesy Leo Koenig Inc. NY

Changha Hwang
Sabado Gigante, 2003-4
Acrylic on canvas
84 x 96 in
Courtesy of the artist and Massimo Audiello Gallery

Shirley Kaneda
Cold Heat, 2004
Oil on canvas
48 x 45 in
Courtesy Feigen Contemporary

Giles Lyon
Aftermath, 2001-2004
Acrylic on canvas and mixed media
76 x 74 in.
Courtesy Feigen Contemporary

Fabian Marcaccio
Paintant Misery, 2004
Pigment based inks, oil, acrylic and silicone polyoptics on canvas
72 x 96 in.
Courtesy the artist and Gorney, Bravin and Lee, NY

Jin Meyerson
Slingshot, 2004
Oil, acrylic and reflective tape on panel
120 x 156 in.
Courtesy LFL Gallery

Sarah Morris
Pools - Villa Paradiso (Miami), 2002
Household gloss on canvas
84 1/4 x 84 1/4 in
Collection of Lori and John Reinsberg

David Reed
Untitled, 2004
Oil and alkyd on canvas
40 x 160 in.
Courtesy of Max Protetch Gallery, NY

Raimundo Rubio
Untitled, 2004
Acrylic and oil on canvas,
60 x60 in.
Courtesy of the artist

Mette Tommerup
Vertical Passage, Green 2004
Digital Painting, Lambda Print in Di-Bond Aluminum
Unique
48 x 24 in.
Courtesy of the artist

Darren Wardle
Jail Break, 2002
Oil on canvas
48 x 120 in.
Courtesy Stefan Stux Gallery

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