From the Eyes of a Newcomer at Plus - Allie Pohl's "Peacocking"

       Bearing in mind the intriguing physical presence of Allie Pohl's artwork, the importance lies in the details. The layered meanings behind the works that you encounter provide insight into the artists thought process, the depth and breadth of her research, and the smart way she chooses to represent the topics that interest her. Known for her widely popular "Ideal Woman" series, Pohl's new body of work, currently on view at Plus Gallery, takes a look at the world through a different set of eyes. The show entitled "Peacocking" embodies the way in which men view themselves today, the traits they believe to be their most ideal and desirable. Through the various media Pohl uses, the artist is able to present a coherent and clever take on cultural identity for today?s men. In all of this some larger questions arise. Why is it that we (both men and women) are so susceptible to society's demands? Why are we always fighting to fit these unrealistic expectations? And perhaps most crucially, what do we stand to gain from these ideals?

       Pohl addresses these questions in a smart, in-depth and fun manner. In the digital age we currently live in, our incessant need to document and engage with an online, virtual environment comes through in a multitude of ways and Pohl uses this to her advantage. The do's, don'ts, how to's and what's cool of western society are as easy to trace as 1-2-3. Pohl meets these ideas head on and cleverly assumes the roles of both embracer and exploiter. Capitalizing on the online, body conscious and consumer hungry world which we inhabit.

        In order to understand the ideal image of man in modern times Pohl gathered information through interactions on online dating sites. In addition to that she worked hand-in-hand with reputable male mannequin manufacturers, and lastly, instituted the creation of larger-than-life merit badges. Not only does this body of work serve up interesting subject matter on a less explored topic but Pohl does it in a subtle yet striking way through the various media she chose to use. You really have to look to understand what is happening in front of you.

        What I find most interesting is just how much is buried in the seemingly simple stacks of torsos, pecs, legs, and arms ("Abs 1", "Pecks 1" , "Legs 1", and "Arms 1" ). The different colors and features of the mannequins represent decades that have come to pass (80s, 90s and 2000s), matching the most popular car colors for those decades, and most crucially, how society has come to view the physical image of man. The evolution of the male body through time seems to mirror the social and cultural expectations that have been set forth.

 

       Moving away from the physical body, the viewer is presented with the photographic series entitled Date with Jon Doe #1-16 where the artist documented the various wallets of the men whom she met online and went out on dates with. The odd size of the framed images in addition to the metallic media which they are printed on, adds yet another layer to this already intriguing series. The small size of the images reflect cell phone culture, reiterating our need to document everyday occurrences. The notions of repetition and reflection that are present here are integral to Pohl?s practice.

        The merit badges on the facing wall represent the seven most ideal traits of a man that Pohl gathered from going on dates and visiting online dating sites. The representation of such traits like success, confidence, and athleticism are matched with images that appropriately suggest the same. Like the necklaces she created for the "Ideal Woman" series, Pohl had these same merit badge images put onto hats. This translates from something you would exclusively find in a gallery into something you easily take with you anywhere you go. Again Pohl is implementing her artwork into everyday consumer culture, making the ideas expressed through her work come full circle, branding them as her own.

      Through this body of work Pohl created a strong sense of how it is men view themselves today. Just as the male peacock fans his feathers to attract a mate, men feel the need to create a spectacle around themselves, to present a "total package" image that society tells them is desirable. Pohl teaches us that cultural expectations, although they may not be the same, do not solely pertain to just one sex. It is through the various media Pohl uses that the viewer is able to read into and reflect upon these larger themes, to understand what is really at work here by contemplating the familiar objects transfixed in the gallery space. Pohl's ability to translate these ideas in such an intelligible and creative manner is ever present, making one wait in eager anticipation to see what she has in store next.


Nicki Maggiore is a gallery assistant at Plus Gallery.