Cédric Delsaux @ Project 4

Cory Oberndorfer



Cédric Delsaux's show Landscapes/Star Wars on Earth reminded me why I love art. It made me smile. Sounds so simple, doesn't it? Here's a segment from the press release:

Delsaux's digital photographs combine myth and reality. The work is subtle and serene in his Landscapes series, and overtly humorous in his Star Wars on Earth Series, in which Delsaux photographs toy figurines and then digitally places them in Parisian suburbs. His training in commercial photography is evident with his play on branding in the Star Wars on Earth series. Conversely, in Landscapes, traces of human existence are either remote or totally absent. In both series, the expansive and dream-like scenes combined with colors that contrast the washy with the bold is what captivates.

If you have the opportunity, check it out.
Project 4 Gallery is located at 903 U Street NW in Washington, DC. Wed-Fri 2-6pm, Sat noon-6pm

Introductions3 @ Irvine Contemporary

by Cory Oberndorfer

This past Saturday, Irvine Contemporary closed its Introductions3, their annual exhibition of recent art school graduates. From their national call, the selection committee chose 12 artists from over 250 submissions. The eclectically curated show included paintings, sculpture, installation, photography and animation. Some of the highlights for me were Maura Brewer's meticulously starched tuxedo shirts folded into an origami-like structure, Erin Colleen Williams's hybrid sculputral items which blend the look of patent-pending inventions using technology culled from the last 150 years, and the collaborative video project of Stephanie Williams & Jesse Thompson. With imaginative and highly styled sculptured figures and miniature set, the pair create an animated video story of a child creating a story from an overheard conversation and phrases found in the bible.
Overall, the show presented a positive outlook for the future of emerging artists, but my major point of interest in this show lies in Irvine's selection committee. There are many shows that curate recent grads, but most are chosen by gallery directors or a juror who is usually an artist, critic, curator or one who is linked to arts management. Irvine instead chose a panel of area collectors. These are art enthusiasts who promote the creation of new work and support the success of artists through their own purchases. Through this process, these collectors have a direct influence on the work that is introduced to the public. Whether their decision-making is based on long-term investment or a simple matter of taste, they have the ability to give us an idea of the appeal and marketability of these chosen artists.

OPTIONS 2007

SEPTEMBER 13 - OCTOBER 26, 2007

Pepco's Edison Place Gallery
702 Eighth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Curated by PAUL BREWER

Originally developed in 1981 by the WPA board of directors, the first
WPA OPTIONS biennial was curated by legendary artist Gene Davis and Washington Review editor Mary Swift. Continuing with this historic and eagerly anticipated exhibition, OPTIONS 2007 curator Paul Brewer, Director of the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, has selected 10 emerging artists who represent the creative diversity of the region. 2007 marks the 12th year of OPTIONS and the ongoing dedication of the WPA\C to support, promote and encourage new and emerging talent, as well as to stimulate dialogue between established and emerging artists, and the regional community.

2007 OPTIONS ARTISTS:

TAYLOR BALDWIN
ANNE CHAN
NEIL FEATHER
ELI KESSLER
CORY OBERNDORFER
PAT O'MALLEY
SIOBHAN RIGG
KATHLEEN SHAFER
SAYAKA SUZUKI
RENE TREVINO

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, September 13, 6:30-8:30 pm
CURATOR TALK: Sunday, October 7, 2:00 pm
ARTIST TALK: Friday, October 26, 6:30-8:30 pm

In the Flesh

American University's own Katherine Knight will be showing at the Torpedo Factory's Target Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia.

In the Flesh
September 13 – October 13
Reception: September 13, 2nd Thursday Art Night 6-8pm
Gallery Talk: Tim Doud, 7pm, September 13
In the Flesh is an all media juried exhibition that focuses on the current trends in contemporary figurative art. This exhibition is open to all artists nationally and internationally. The show was juried by Tim Doud, professional figurative painter and Professor of Art with American University.