March Art

March 18th, 2010

This article originally appeared on March 18, 2010 in The Island. Michele Ellson, editor.

“Seeing is Forgetting,” painting, photography, and performance art by Brett Amory, Robert Jankowski, and Noah Krell at Autobody Fine Art 

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting…. 

– “Oh! The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss 

“Waiting #23” (detail) by Brett Amory, Oil on Canvas

The people in Brett Amory’s “Waiting” series are so passive that they are not captured in the act of waiting; they are doing nothing at all. He places them far off center of the canvas, suggesting that in their lack of activity their presence becomes negligible and they cease to be the subject of the piece. At the same time, each seems so ill at ease that they do not blend into the background. This accentuates the impression that this work is mixed-media photo collage, and you need to get up close to satisfy yourself that they are indeed oil paintings.

Robert Jankowski’s best photos are those where he documents events with genuine poignancy, rather than attempting to manufacture pathos. His “Louisiana Project” series succeeds with an image of a beached ship with a “No Parking” sign in the foreground which, in other circumstances, might have been humorous. The other standout is “The Toll Taker,” a stone-faced little girl standing before a sign that reads “Please Do Not Block Bridge.” 

“Hit for Hit” by Noah Krell

Photographer and performance artist Noah Krell wears his flaws like badges of honor. In his self-portrait “Hit for Hit” he cradles his arm, emblazoned with a fist-sized bruise. In one of his videos he stumbles around a basketball court in a demonstration of his utter lack of athletic prowess. And in the diptych “30th Birthday Shave” — shot before and after he shaved his head, face, and body — he is unabashedly naked, standing front and center, arms at his sides. He stares straight at the camera challenging the viewer to judge him (or perhaps he is above all that). 

“Seeing is Forgetting” runs through April 4, but the artwork will be removed on March 26 for “Hi Performance,” which takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Krell will be among the performers that evening, baring it all, and the event is 18 and over only. 

Autobody is at 1517 Park Street, and their phone number is 865-2608. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 

“Tommy’s Point” at Rhythmix Cultural Works 

"Waiting #23" (detail) by Brett Amory, Oil on Canvas

Alameda artists d’Arci Bruno, Pons Maar, and Marc Ribaud present the spoils of their quixotic expedition to the former Naval Air Station in “Tommy’s Point” at Rhythmix Cultural Center. Collages made of such treasures as a comb, spark plug, and bits of rusted metal are exhibited along with an elaborate display of beautifully backlit sea glass and more driftwood than you can shake a stick at. These found objects are supported by photographs, meticulously crafted, authentic-looking, pseudo historical documents, and more than a few inside jokes. The artists clearly had a lot of fun creating this lighthearted exhibit together and this translates into an enjoyable experience for the viewer. 

“Tommy’s Point” runs through April 2. 

In the K Gallery. Rhythmix is at 2513 Blanding Avenue, and their phone number is 865-5060. 

Michael Singman-Aste
Postdiluvian Photo 

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