Thursday, June 30, 2011

Plus Gallery intern Ida Chorney on Allie Pohl's "Mirror, Mirror"


        Being a student and resident of Colorado for three years now, I have been familiarized with Allie Pohl's work, and ideal woman icon. However, it was not until spending the last few weeks with Pohl's newest exhibit, Mirror, Mirror at the Plus Gallery that the meaning behind her work really came to life. Not only does Mirror, Mirror offer beautiful aesthetics through the combination of reflection and light, but as is consistent with all of Pohl's work, it speaks to and questions vital contemporary societal values and ideals.
        Growing up in the age of Barbie dolls and Disney princesses combined with the progression of digital enhancement, we find ourselves living in a time of grossly over exaggerated standards, where idealized perfection has become impossible to obtain. By utilizing the classic Barbie doll torso and further digitally enhancing the image, Pohl has created an icon that highlights our societies absurdities in a raw and honest way. The graphicness of Pohl's ideal woman icon, and the way in which she presents it, allows for the transformation of our societies physical ideals away from something we strive for, towards something dehumanized, and separated from reality. It is in this way that Pohl's work hits home for me, especially after spending so much time with her new exhibit in the gallery. The ideal woman becomes something to admire, to reflect upon, and not something to attempt and obtain. Mirror, Mirror shows the impracticality of aspiring to look like something, or be something that only exists through digital creation.
         Unlike previous exhibits, Mirror, Mirror includes a strong emphasis upon personal reflection and the value our society has put upon finding the "perfect mate". The exhibit displays a caryatid of five chrome ideal woman figures, surrounded by a variety of rectangular mirrors displaying words that are most commonly used in online dating profiles, as well as a neon ideal woman. Through her exhibit, Pohl emphasizes the juxtaposition between how we present ourselves to the public, and how we see ourselves in private. The mirrors display words such as "creative", "witty", "smart", etc. adding to the idea that in our contemporary world, even our personalities are open to digital enhancement. The experience of Mirror, Mirror cannot be experienced in a greater way than through interaction. Experiencing the exhibit first hand, one can see themselves, the ideal woman, and the ideal personalities we project, resulting in a culmination of a beautiful visual experience, and a forum for societal criticism. A truly unique experience.
         The Plus Gallery provides the perfect setting for Pohl's new exhibit, due to the gallery's ideological contemporary-progressive nature, and how the simplistic beauty of the space accents the inherent simplicity of Pohl's work. I have never seen an artist speak to and criticize societal issues in such a unique, beautiful way as Allie Pohl. Pohl has successfully taken the absurdities of our society and brought them into a new light, a light that allows us to move past unattainable goals of perfection, and begin to see ourselves in reality. I look forward to sharing Pohl's work and the creation of social change that will undoubtedly ensue. 


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

IMAGES FROM ALLIE POHL'S EXHIBITION "MIRROR, MIRROR" NOW ON PLUS WEBSITE

We had a couple of excellent photo shoots at the gallery last week, one to document the incredible vibe created by the interaction of the works in "Mirror, Mirror" as well as the individual components, and another to oriented around Allie's new line of necklaces.  We've posted images from the exhibition on our website, nothing will replicate the experience of viewing the work in person, but this will give you some idea as to why we are so excited about the show.





PLUS GALLERY ARTIST SIGHTING AT DENVER ART MUSEUM OPENING FOR MARVELOUS MUD

The Denver Art Museum has rarely been as vibrant in one single evening as last weekend's opening for "Marvelous Mud" including the contemporary component "Overthrown: Clay Without Limits."  Plus Gallery artists Tsehai Johnson and Brendan Tang are featured in the exhibition and were on hand for the opening to greet fans and bask in the extraordinary textures of this wonderful show.

Brendan Tang with his "Manga Ormolu" works




Tsehai Johnson with "To Dust she Returns" at the DAM

Johnson's new installation features a clever performance element that plays on the essence of her work as well as the clay medium.  You can check out footage from that evening's performance online at

Otherwise, we encourage making a visit to the Museum to absorb the show, it should be a huge crowd pleaser throughout the summer.  We also recommend picking up a copy of the  catalog that accompanies "Overthrown: Clay Without Limits."  The DAM is putting a nice emphasis on their contemporary publications, offering well-designed guides to accompany their historic recent exhibitions.




DREAMY PERFORMANCE BY SMALL DREAM ADA LAST SATURDAY AT PLUS

Thanks to those who came out and supported one of the best musical performances ever in the space.  Small Dream Ada's music was a perfect complement to the gallery and Allie Pohl's exhibition.


Small Dream Ada performs at Plus Gallery



You can see clips from the evening's performance on our youtube page at:


Several of the members of the band are also in the local ensemble "Ninth and Lincoln" who just this week released their first CD "Static Line."

FINAL WEEK FOR JENNY MORGAN'S "ONE AND THE MANY" IN BROOKLYN

This is the final week for Jenny Morgan's latest solo exhibition "One and the Many" at Brooklyn's Like The Spice.  The gallery will host a closing night celebration for the highly successful show this Friday, June 17th.  Should you be in NYC, we recommend attending and catching up with Jenny, and also catching the musical performance that evening by Tim Pourbaix who will be performing live onsite.

LENKA KONOPASEK DISASTER SERIES WORKS SET TO TOUR THE COUNTRY LATER THIS YEAR

Works from Plus Gallery artist Lenka Konopasek's "Disaster" series are finally starting to get serious national attention.  A few of the paintings were recently accepted into the next Western Edition of New American Paintings, and 5 of the extraordinary paper cutout pieces that correspond will travel nationally to the following venues:

Space 301, Mobile, AL
Exhibition Dates : October 14 - December 11, 2011 with the opening
reception Friday, October 14 as part of Mobile's Art Walk.

Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Confirmed dates for The Ernest G Welch Gallery January 12 - February3, 2012.

Columbus State University, Columbus, GA
March 24 - April 24, 2012.

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
January - February 2013.
The works are part of group exhibition curated by Reni Gower, Professor in the Painting and Printmaking Department at Virginia Commonwealth University.  "Papercuts" features an international roster of artists using all manner of tools and paper to create works that range from narrative commentaries to complex structural abstractions. The works are bold contemporary statements that celebrate the subtle nuance of the artist's hand through a process that traces its origins to 6th century China. Light, shadow, and color play key roles, transforming this ancient technique into dynamic installations filled with delicate illusions.

Congratulations to Lenka for continuing to pursue a distinct and relevant body of work that is a bold reflection of our contemporary times.

MORE CONTEMPORARY ART TOPICS TAUGHT BY RON JUDISH STARTING SOON AT FRONT RANGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Anyone who wants to get insight on the contemporary realm of art would be wise to look into the new classes being taught by long-time art dealer Ron Judish, who will be teaching three workshops at Front Range Community College this summer.  They include:

* The Commerce of Art -  how the art world works 
* The Artist's Lives - their sensibilities,  personalities and faults
* Iconic Americana - a review of Rockwell, Wyeth, and O'Keefe

Registration is now open at http://wcicpd.frontrange.edu or by calling 303-404-465.

Each class is two sessions and begins June 21.  They promise to be fun, relaxed and, of course, irreverent!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

ALLIE POHL'S "MIRROR MIRROR" IS SPECTACULAR!

Allie Pohl's Plus Gallery exhibition "Mirror, mirror" opened last week with a huge bang, already becoming one of the most memorable exhibitions of the year and truly a spectacular contemporary experience for the community.  The newly elected Mayor of Denver, Michael Hancock, made an appearance last Thursday night for a rally on his behalf that also served as a preview of the show, with photo opportunities that couldn't have resonated more fully as he spoke about the importance of arts and culture in front of Pohl's "Leader" mirror.


Denver Mayor Michael Hancock shows he's a true leader last week at Plus Gallery




The opening reception on Friday was a robust and fascinating affair, the onslaught of reflective surfaces within the exhibition creating a playful dynamic that simply gets better the longer one stays immersed, all bathed in the neon glow from Pohl's new "Ideal Woman: 2 ft. neon" piece.  We are extremely pleased and proud of Allie, this is a major step forward for her career, a thoughtful experience for all who enter the gallery and indulge in the strong visual and conceptual nature of the work.


Read what the Westword had to say about the show in last weeks Night and Day section:

http://www.westword.com/events/mirror-mirror-1814705/

And another interview with Pohl for her current group show in LA from Blu Magazine:

http://www.blu-magazine.com/site/events/the-delta/

Images from the exhibition and opening will be posted on our website soon!



Allie Pohl - "Mirror, mirror" partial installation view

ROBIN SCHAEFER FEATURED IN "IRONTON AT THE BUELL" OPENING RECEPTION THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 9th

Plus Gallery's Robin Schaefer is one of seven artists with work on view at the Buell Theatre as part of "Ironton at the Buell," an exhibition curated by Rudi Cerri of Arts & Venues Denver.   The opening reception for the exhibition and artists will take place this Thursday, June 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The Buell Theatre is in the Denver Performing Arts Complex at 14th & Curtis, downtown Denver.  Schaefer contributes several of her strongest works from recent years, a  precursor to the new body of work she will be featuring at Plus Gallery this coming fall.  Stop by for a visit to say hello to Robin and catch up with one of our favorite artists!


Select Schaefer's on view at the Buell

MARVELOUS MUD and CLAY WITHOUT LIMITS OPENS THIS WEEKEND AT THE DAM!

The hot museum ticket this Friday, and all summer long, is the expansive exhibition "Marvelous Mud" that finds all of the divisions within the Denver Art Museum putting their attention on clay and it's many facets, both historically and in a wildly contemporary context.  The contemporary portion "Clay Without Limits" will feature an array of international talents that break the traditional boundaries of the medium, including Plus Gallery artists Tsehai Johnson and Brendan Tang.  Tang's sculptures, previously featured at Plus Gallery as well as the Scripps 67th ceramic annual exhibition, though small in scale still pack a major punch and are a terrific entre into one of the hottest ceramic-based artists on the international market.  Tsehai Johnson's contribution is her most compelling in the region yet, a wall-to-wall installation filling one of the small rooms at the DAM with an adjunct performance "To Dust She Returns" to be featured on select hours during scheduled days as follows:


June

Fri. 6/10: 6 and 7pm
Sat. 6/11: 1, 2, and 3pm
Wed. 6/15: 12:30
Sat. 6/18: 4pm
Wed., 6/22: 12:30
Fri. 6/24: 7pm
Sat. 6/25: 4pm
Wed., 6/29: 12:30

July

Sat, 7/2: 4pm
Wed., 7/6: 12:30
Sat., 7/9: 4pm
Wed., 7/13: 12:30
Sat. 7/16: 4pm
Wed., 7/20: 12:30
Sat., 7/23: 4pm
Wed., 7/27: 12:30
Sat., 7/30: 4pm

August

Sat. 8/6: 4pm
Wed., 8/10: 3pm
Fri., 8/12: 3pm
Wed., 8/24: 3pm
Fri., 8/26: 3pm
Fri., 8/26: 7pm

September

Sat. 9/3: 4pm
Wed., 9/7: 12:30
Sat., 9/10: 4pm
Wed., 9/14: 12:30
Fri., 9/16: 5pm
Sat., 9/17: 12:00



A preview of Tsehai Johnson's new installation at the DAM


Museum members are welcome to attend the opening reception this Friday evening from 6:30-8pm, with the general public tours starting the following day June 12th.  Certainly not to be missed!

RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT ART SAFARI THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 11th FROM NOON - 5PM

Art enthusiasts and thrill-seekers take note:  this Saturday is the annual River North Art tour, with most of the galleries, studios and cooperative spaces within the district open for tours from noon to 5pm.  Our neighborhood and the district is continually expanding in a positive direction, slowly becoming the most prestigious realm for art and creative activity in the city.  For information on who is open, download the district map at

"SMALL DREAM ADA" POETRY AND MUSIC EVENT TAKES PLACE AT PLUS GALLERY THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 11th at 7PM

"The touring group "Small Dream Ada" will present a reading series featuring fiction writer Danielle Vogel, and poets Gregory Howard, Sara Veghlan, and Roxanne Carter,  followed by new music from their album "Golden Propeller" (funded by the Longmont Council of the Arts).

A little bit about the readers:

Danielle Vogel's writing has appeared most recently in The Denver Quarterly, Trickhouse, The Collagist, Caketrain, and Sidebrow.

Greg Howard's work has been featured in Birkensnake, Tarpaulin Sky, Trickhouse and Elimae.

Sara Veghlan has published "Another Random Heart," Letter Machine Editions, 2009, and "Falling Forward," Braincase Press 2003)

And Roxanne Carter's "Glamorous Freak: How I Taught My Dress to Act," is forthcoming from Jaded Ibis Press in 2011.

Check out Small Dream Ada's music and other info on their website, http://www.smalldreamada.com/

Join us for this unique event! A suggested donation will be in place at the door, with adult beverages and good camraderie happening throughout the evening.




SHANNON NOVAK UNVEILS HIS LATEST LARGE-SCALE WORK "MELODIC FLOURISH"

Plus Gallery recently featured two paintings by New Zealand artist Shannon Novak in the exhibition "Peaking the Edge."   Novak continues to hit high-notes with his career in New Zealand, take a look at his latest installation "Melodic Flourish" online:

http://www.britomart.org/whats-on/luminous-new-art-work-shines-light-matariki

http://www.shannonnovak.com/light/Pages/Melodic_Flourish.html

MAJOR SAVE THE DATE: PLUS GALLERY 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY COMING THIS JULY!

That's right, Plus Gallery turns 10 this summer, and we'll be celebrating through the month of July!  The opening reception for Gabriel Liston's "Still on the Wrong Side of the Water" will take place on July 15th and will serve as the official public 10-year anniversary celebration for the gallery.  Stay tuned for more details, but we'll be pulling out some gems from throughout the history of the gallery, including a major sculpture from our original namesake and dear friend Cordell Taylor!


Remember when?  Our very first exhibition back in 2001, featuring Kelli Scott Kelley