Posts By david muenzer

In focus

Gallery 339’s 10-artist summer show, In Review, doesn’t quite come together as a statement about contemporary photography—the fluffy press release extols the work’s “lively, complex, and intelligent dialogue about meaningful issues.” Nonetheless, the uniformly polished work is attractive and occasionally insightful.

Art, With A Chance of Attitude

Little Berlin’s group show, Forecast, places work by newly admitted members of the collective alongside pieces by founding members. As the press release notes, with a moderating dash of sarcasm: “Get a glimpse into the future through the artwork we make. Hence the clever title, FORECAST.” Indeed, the show gives a sense of what’s happening—some good, some still coming along—here in Philly. New collective member Leslie Rogers’ video account of a mugging, “The Meeting,” is undoubtedly the highlight of the show.

Science Times

Philadelphia artist Jordan Griska’s ambitious solo show, Nowhere Fast—his first since winning the 2008 International Sculpture Center Outstanding Student Award—showcases his ability to turn an understanding of industrial fabrication into seriously high-impact sculpture. Unfortunately, whether due to the particularities of the University Science Center’s Breadboard space—more of a corporate lobby than an art gallery—or attempting to combine older work into a new theme—Griska’s ISC Award-winning Ad Infinitum piece is back—Griska’s show does not live up to the potential the best work suggests he has. Griska’s title, Nowhere Fast, sets a tone just this side of mid-20th century existential angst. His choice ... More » »

Fairey Good

On April 23rd, Shepard Fairey, of Obama-poster fame, rolled into Philly, taking a break from installing his show at Deitch Projects. The Mural Arts Program found him some sanctioned walls, and by Friday afternoon, Fairey’s team had begun wheatpasting on West Girard Avenue with a crowd of excited onlookers: students from Mural Corps, community business owners, and the local media.

Old City, Same Old

Old City brought the crowds on first Friday. The five o’clock crawl gave way to 6 o’clock jams, and by 7, the 20 and 30 somethings outnumbered the slightly older early-birds. So what’s the draw? The Clay Studio’s flagship exhibit for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts annual conference has a ponderous name: “Of this Century: Residents, Fellows, and Select Guest Artists of The Clay Studio, 2000-2010” (through May 2nd). Like the title, the show is large, organized by convention, and conveys less than its ought to for its length. As a survey show, it might seem ... More » »

Art in Chinatown north – the Good, the Bad and the Slippery

Vox Populi’s Dead Flowers—guest curated by Lia Gangitano of PARTICIPANT INC, New York—invites us to consider the spirit of the underground through little known director Timothy Carey. A vintage poster for The World’s Greatest Sinner! at the entrance of the exhibition proudly announces Carey’s film as—and suggests that any other work in the show should aspire to be—the “Most condemned and praised […] of its time.”