January 2008 SeeSaws – Wk 1

First Night Austin – 2008
I got closer to seeing it this year. I told the kids we were going, they said they wanted to go. Between going to the office, taking naps and buying fireworks, we never made it. Maybe next year : /

Stamps of Approval – George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
Haven’t seen it yet.

Michael Abelman, Shawna Mouser, & Meg Stone: Maximalist – Else Madsen
Paintings that look like 3D topographical maps? Even Meg Stone’s drawings can’t activate the show. BAD

Sandra Langston – Davis Gallery
I read it wrong and expected to see Sarah Higdon. Oops. Nice landscapes pleasantly amusing characters, but level of engagement is bland. BAD

(C) John Trippe: GOLD RUSH – Okay Mountain
If landscapes are sofa paintings for old people, then these works are futon paintings for the youngin’s. Too harsh? There was a subdued character to the presentation. There were lots of people, but it didn’t reach feverpitch for me. There was a magazine feel to the works, mos def. More like pinups, less like paintings.  Droppin Drawers was better. NOT BAD

A Grand Affair – Wally Workman
Looks like Workman cleared out the second floor tenants. The works varied from tightly rendered scenes, to abstract designs, to expressive colors. My ARTHive mentor, Nathan Jensen’s colors felt richer, more concentrated/ dedicated. Ali Cavanaugh caught my eye. Photorealistic, but with soft, almost dreamlike aura. Maybe the opposite of Erin Cone? Overall, most of the works were colorful. More exciting than Davis gallery landscapes, but still not engaging enough. BAD

Donna Huanca: Secret Museum of Mankind – WTW
I was taken by the razzle-dazzle, the smoke and mirrors, whatever you want to call it. It was big and bright and looked good. It was crowded and actually made the space seem inadequate. But, a number of voices have pointed out some discrepancies that I did not notice. What does that mean? I’m going to look again. But I was going to do that anyway. GREAT

I’ll tell you ’bout what I sees.