ALTMAN SIEGEL - K IMPERIAL - STEPHEN WIRTZ

WENDI NORRIS - ANDREA SCHWARTZ

MERIDIAN - ELECTRIC WORKS

01.09-10.13

(with assistance from RWM)



Wondering what the SF art scene was like in 2007? Click Here.

***

Altman Siegel Gallery : New Year's Day Swimmers.

Artists: Laeh Glenn, Sanya Kantarovsky, Sara VanDerBeek, Emily Wardill.

Comment by AB: Partially framed paintings, abstract figurations, screen prints on fabric, color field work, photography (one of which is a c-print of a mirror), and a steel sculpture surfaced in mica comprise this gratifying glimpse at the innovative brink of creative endeavor. Sidle on by.

***

K Imperial Fine Art : Thinking Like the Universe Opens.

Artists: Miguel Arzabe, Gina Borg, Fritz Chesnut, Claire Colette, Bryan de Roo, David Fought, Desiree Holman, Adam Sorensen, Andy Vogt, Lena Wolff.

Comment by RWM: Cosmic, but not galactic. Fascinating places visited. Alien. Outlandish.

Comment by AB: This "investigation into psychedelic landscapes and geometric cosmic patterns" is presented in conjunction with a similar show at Hatch Gallery in Oakland.

***

Stephen Wirtz Gallery : Catherine Wagner - trans/literate.

Comment by AB: Braille texts of important literary classics are photographed by Catherine Wagner in diptych fashion-- solemn and contextless-- one image with the book closed, and the adjacent image with the book open. In the lower righthand corner of each image is the braille title and author of the tome in question printed one superimposed over the other. Cogitate on the history, evolution and permutations of the written word here. Plus special added bonus-- a show statement that easily qualifies as a masterpiece of grandiloquence. Good art; go see.

***

Gallery Wendi Norris : Dorothea Tanning - Unknown but Knowable States.

Comment by AB: Impressive retrospective survey of the noted Surrealist Dorothea Tanning (1910-2012) consists of works dating from the period 1960-1979 when she was living in Paris, mainly paintings, but also including several rather striking sculptural works. By this point in her career, she has evolved into semi-representational forms of expression while retaining her distinct surreal feel. Definitely worth a visit.

***

Meridian Gallery : Regarding Configurations - Dennis Parlante & Matt Gonzalez.

Comment by AB: This mega collage-a-thon features an extensive and choice selection of works by veteran artist Dennis Parlante in the first floor gallery. Parlante is known for his adeptness at combining vintage and contemporary elements in his art. In second floor gallery, enjoy recent work by Matt Gonzalez. Particularly notable is a small group of complex brightly colored pieces. He's also added polychromed reclaimed scrap wood assemblages to his repertoire. It's all good here.

***

Electric Works : Tuning For The Edge Of The Line - Elaine Buckholtz.

Comment by AB: Elaine Buckholtz creates art with light-- and exceptionally well at that. Options here include chromogenic prints, sculptural works incorporating light, a pattern print with undulating light patterns projected over it to produce the illusion of a moving "painting", and a kinetic assemblage with vintage television and whirring cylinder, the totality of which she cryptically refers to as a self-portrait. Nicely done; check it out.

Comment by RWM: Beautiful color schemes. Interesting post-production for designs that shimmer. Beautiful and psychedelic light shows.

***

Andrea Schwartz Gallery : 3+2+1.

Artists: Tom Bolles, Andrew Burgess, Luis Garcia-Nerey, David Jansheski, Barbara Kronlins, Emilio Lobato.

Comment by RWM: Nice group show of artists past and present. Interesting variety, abstraction, and stylizations of the big city. Fun time and wonderful music.

***