My Time at Sacramento's Art Street 2/16/2017

      When I first heard about Art Street in Sacramento I wasn't sure what to expect in the slightest. My good friend Kevin had mentioned it to me as well and we both expressed our interest in going. Being an art history major and focusing on area 1 (Greco-Roman to the Baroque), I knew that this event that awaited me wasn't going to be the type of conventional thing that I was used to. Which I admit in the end made it all the more fun and exciting.

This was one of the first pieces that really caught my eye. It was towards the entrance and I was unable to find any plaque or title to describe the work. The person in the work somewhat resembled Harry Houdini, the early 20th century illusionist- though I was certain that was not who it was. I really liked the gold leaf in the work as it reminded me of Gustav Klimt's masterpiece The Kiss (1908). I also noted how the artist used red yarn to sew together the lips of the mysterious figure in the work, which also comes out of the portrait and is scattered about the gold leaves. What could this red yarn which sew his lips say about this person?

                                                                                                   

                                              

Me in one of my favorite pieces of the night.

This work was probably one of my favorites of the show. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the installation as I was allowed to walk in and immerse myself in the scene. Walking into work the viewer seems to have a very calming presence, and one of which is very meditative as well. The installation also seems to have been very influenced by Arabic tales and legends such as that of Scheherazade and the tales of Aladdin and Ali Baba. I have always been very drawn to Orientalism and the exotic, so loving this work came as no surprise to me. Behind me in this photo featured two ghostly and haunting figures in the work which resembled grim reapers. This was one aspect of the piece which didn't settle so well, as it really added a sense of macabre to a very calming and exotic installation.

Detail of the work.Very ornamental and oriental in its design.

 

This was a work off to the side that also didn't have a title or artist plaque. My friend Kevin who I had gone with, is a contemporary artist and is studying sculpture and installation had introduced me to the artist Andrew Thomas Huang not too long ago. Huang is an artist filmmaker who studied fine art at USC. Andrew's work primarily consists of film and experimental projects as well as collaboration works with other artists like the Icelandic singer Bjork. Kevin had brought his work to my attention and while at Art Street we both agreed that this sculpture really seemed to captivate a very "Huang-esque" style. The sculpture was rather quirky, which I think might have drawn people to it. If you didn't know any better, one might think this was a performance piece- as the figures looked so realistic!

         Another work that really left an impression on me was Lily Mott's Slightly Smudged (above). This w as another installation piece and was one that really caught my attention. It is a rather new work (dated 2017) and consisted of conceptual photography, nylon, poly-fil, plaster of Paris, yarn and acrylic paint. The red yarn reminded me of earlier work which I first posted in this particular blog. The yarn can can be seen running from the right side of the installation out of what looks to be a pipe line and also runs from the sides into the center of the work. Mott's piece was somewhat erotic and yet very subtle. The walls featured partially cut off photographs of women's bodies. Go-go boots are also seen in the work as well as what looks to be a used condom and a long black pony tail. There is definitely a deeper meaning behind this work, and perhaps the viewer is supposed to come up with their own interpretation of what this deeper meaning might be.

This installation piece was definitely very minimal, a movement which my friend Kevin has always been a fan of. There wasn't much to this work as it mainly featured several different geometric 3D shapes made out of black rods which were placed randomly in this small space. This minimalist installation very much reminded me of The Green Gallery Installation by Robert Morris (1964). 

 

 

 

  

         This work titled Pill Battles by artist Rachel Madrigal (pictured above and below) features pill bottles with succulent plants growing within them, as well as 3 canvas paintings depicting these bottles. In her work, she wants the viewer to understand the struggle of those who face mental illness. It is important to note that one is unable to see this type of illness, unlike those who may have physical illnesses. Madrigal wants her work to demonstrate that we should not fear those with mental illnesses and disorders, nor should we stigmatize it due to our own ignorance and misjudgements. We pass by people in our life every day who struggle with these issues and yet most of the time we may have no way of knowing. But the piece is a reminder that we should not fear something which we have not taken the time to fully understand. 

 

         My time spent at Art Street is something I will always value. It was truly a unique experience and a very unconventional way of getting to see art in the sense of what I am used to. Contemporary art is something I am constantly learning to observe and appreciate. This exhibition definitely made it worthwhile and incredible. It was great getting to go with a friend who is very knowledgeable in this type of artwork and who I was able to talk with and share my thoughts. 

 

My visit to Belvedere Palace in Vienna!

 The gorgeous Belvedere Gardens.

 Part of the Upper Belvedere.

 Overlooking the gardens (facing the lower Belvedere).

Copy of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (since I couldn't photograph the real one).