Local collective, Avant Car Guard, recently showed in New York. I'm not too sure how it went, as airfare to the Big Apple is prohibitively expensive, not to mention the problems I have at customs because of my large beard. Nevertheless, Avant Car Guard sent me the show, which is now visible in ArtHeat ProjectSpace. Entitled Volume II: Africa Biennale (Volume I being the publication and book signing held at Bell-Roberts last year, and various places since), it's a series of staged photographs, featuring the three artists. They play with many of the problems with making art in South Africa (funding, isolation, the influence of Europe, the ghost of Kendell Geers, lack of interest, etc), and they do it without encountering many of the problems facing young artists making art in South Africa (funding, isolation, the influence of Europe, the ghost of Kendell Geers, etc). The mock drama of the photographs drips with irony, which perversely make them appear fresh and engaging, as opposed to cynical and aloof. In fact, I would go so far as to say a playful sarcasm defines the work, along with a sort of art world political awareness. The only thing that worries me, is does it make sense to have this show in New York? A bit out of context maybe, like that Congolese chap asking you for money, after getting help into the parking you really didn't need. Anyway as this blog can hardly claim to have a problem with playful sarcasm or a sort of art world political awareness, what more can be said... check out the ProjectSpace.

Labels: avant car guard