A Wildness of Edges and Superfreaks at Western Exibitions
by Jared Weiss
Two new shows are currently on view at Western Exhibitions: Melissa Oresky A Wildness of Edges and Eric Lebofsky Superfreaks. Not only do these artists’ names rhyme, but their work also presents a dialogue of similar artistic visual language. This language speaks of simplicity, ambiguity, color, and apparent lightheartedness.
one of Eric Lebofsky's Superfreaks
Both shows consist, with the exception of one large piece, of identically sized canvases and drawings. Oresky’s being 14” x 7” paintings on linen and Lebofsky’s being 10” x 10” drawings on paper.
works from Melissa Oresky's A Wildness of Edges
I guess you could say that Oresky’s work is abstract, taken that they are experiments in edge, color, and composition. But when I saw the show what interested me most was their ambiguity of space. I just couldn’t figure them out. These are not still life paintings, though they could be. Space within them can seem equivalent to their size on the canvas or much smaller. They could even be architecture, possibly Chinese carry out box-like buildings, whatever. Oresky herself professes an interest and inspiration in gardening. Western Exhibitions’ website states that “[i]n her work, Oresky places herself into the role of the painter as gardener of shapes, marks, images and thoughts.” This makes me think, what do people garden for? To work with their hands investigating materials and for the fun of getting results! Oresky plays with paint by collaging here, creating a hard edge there, putting a think streak of paint there. It’s fun. Wipe that frown off your face.
more of Eric Lebofsky's Superfreaks
In a more overtly facetious way, Lebofsky creates vignetted characters that he calls “Superfreaks”. These characters are accompanied by a brief description scribbled near by. Some are made up like “The Practicer” who has a flying V guitar protruding out of his face with a subtext of ‘They say the goal is to ‘become one with the instrument,’ but is it really? For instance, this kind of merge will prevent our faithful practicer from reaching the fretboard. Speaking literally.” While others are more real to life: “Allen Ginsberg” wears a bizarre day-glowesque space suit. The show at Western presents a selection of drawings from a year long project (from Lebofsky’s 32nd to 33rd birthdays) where he will draw one “Superfreak” per day and post them to his blog: superfreaks.tumblr.com/ Quite amusing to say the least.
Oh and by the way, if you go check these shows out (which will be on view until November 13th) you have to be buzzed in at the door. The door has to be pulled incredibly hard to open. It took me several tries. Hopefully now it will only take you one.
