55 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002 212 989 5467 fax 212 989 5642
55 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002 212 989 5467 fax 212 989 5642 |
Horror Vacui |
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Does nature really abhor a vacuum? Scientifically, this Aristotelian theory regarding the "fear of open space" was disproved centuries ago. But for artists, the desire to create work where all (or nearly all) the space is filled stems from a number of motivations. Largely eschewing figure/ground relationships and employing an "allover" compositional format, the works in the exhibition embrace a visual denial of open space and celebrate complexity and obsessive execution through dense mark making or intricate patterning and ornamentation. The works express a range of emotions, from a joyful generosity of spirit to an almost paranoiac claustrophobia. While denying open space can be interpreted as the denial of the unknown, or the mitigation of the fear of death, it is also a stance against minimalist reduction and an embrace of richness and complexity. Ironically, in the obsessive creation of some of these works, a Zen-like state of mind can be achieved. The exhibition features works on paper by the following artists: David Ambrose, Astrid Bowlby, Jacob El Hanani, Lori Ellison, Lee Etheredge IV, Adam Fowler, Kevin Hart, David Kinast, Maureen McQuillan, James Nelson, Aric Obrosey, Heidi Pollard, Emily Stern, Philip Taaffe, Barbara Takenaga, Don Voisine, Sarah Walker, Andrea Way, and Laura Sharp Wilson. | |||||||
 Lori Ellison To the Center, 2003 Ink on paper 11 1/2 x 8 inches |
 Lori Ellison Curtain of Bees, 1998 Ink on paper 11 1/2 x 8 inches |
 Lee Etheredge IV Untitled, 2002 Typewriter ink on paper 20 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches |
 David Kinast Untitled, 2008 Ink on paper 11 x 15 inches |
 David Kinast Untitled, 2008 Ink on paper 11 x 15 inches |
 David Kinast Untitled, 2008 Ink on paper 11 x 15 inches |
55 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002 212 989 5467 fax 212 989 5642
email info@mckenziefineart.com |
