Shit, is this show even still up? A bit slow on the posting here, but rather late than never, right? Around two weeks or so ago I attended the opening of Power Play at the Goodman Cape.

In ice-hockey, a power-play is a period when one or more of the opposing teams players is in the sin bin, and you have a player advantage. Well, it felt like this show was a man or two down. The show was dominated by the Essop twins, newcomers, who I'm afraid, have overstretched their one idea. I wander if their meteoric rise has pushed them a little too hard, without letting them have time to develop. Or even edit for that matter. Two works would have been as successful as the ten on the show. For example, the bizarre fun and politics of their pit-bulling training machine was lost in the clutter. Perhaps it could have worked better as a sculpture. I worry these guys aren't exploring enough. Formula + Money = Glass Ceiling.

I was so distracted by the pricing on the Moshekwa Langa's that I barely looked at them. The impression that lasts is that they were good and not very challenging or playful.

I missed the performance by Anthea Moys. But the documentation of her previous performances was confusing and incomplete and vaguely embarassing. I didn't feel like sitting around and waiting for one of the two lukewarm headphones attached to her videos. Maybe the answers were in there. Same problem with the video by Jean and Zinaid Meeran. What's wrong with sound?

Dan Halter's work was the highlight, a mielie pip engraved with the words: "When the Belly is Full The Brain Starts to Think." Lying on the floor, it was pathetic, unassuming and moving.

In cricket, a powerplay is when their are limits put on the fielding side with only two fielders allowed outside the 30 yard circle. This show kinda felt like that. Restrained, a little action outside the circle, but no one really in the outfield.

I also attended, the prints and editions show at Whatiftheworld, which I really enjoyed. Only two points to give:
1. Avant Car Guard, I like your work but: Formula + Money = Endless fucking Repetition
2. My work was the best on the show.

Labels: anthea moys, avant car guard, dan halter, Essop Twins, Goodman Gallery, jean and zinaid meeran, Moshekwa Langa, What if the world

On the subject of Avant Car Guard selling out, I just read this in an interview with them and pissed myself.

IAS: My final question is one which every band needs to answer at some stage or another: would you ever sell out?

ACG: Maybe. If it’s, like, a really tiny venue.

Labels: avant car guard

Labels: avant car guard

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

International Art Stars. Fame. Glamour. New York. Does it get better? Well done Avant Car Guard. Now make sure you show here still too.
Sites: Pure Projects NY
Avant Car Guard

Labels: avant car guard, listings