On Thursday evening, March 10, a little over 25 artists, critics, and art lovers all came together to discuss three contemporary shows across the city. Hosted at The Galleries at Moore College, “The Review Show Live!” featured commentary and criticism from artist and curator Kelsey Halliday Johnson, artist Martin Peeves, and artist and critic Walter Robinson. Moderated by artist and academic Suzanne Seesman, the panel discussed the meaning and merit of Rodney McMillian’s The Black Show, Pepón Osorio’s reFORM, and Usha Farey Lingappa and Ian Etter’s Blueshift. “Review Show Live!” was organized by the Artblog, The St. Claire, and the Galleries.
Fun, games, and critical art discussion
Organized like a TV gameshow, the panel was divided into three rounds of word association, discussion and lightning-round questions. Each round was separated by upbeat and eclectic tunes provided by artist/DJ Anthony Campuzano, including a rare Keith Richards cover of the Everly Brothers’ “All I Have To Do Is Dream”. Johnson, Peeves, and Robinson offered kind and critical words on each exhibition, illustrating and elaborating on larger themes of political and social engagement, imagination, and the storytelling power of art. During the lightning round, the panelists answered questions from the St. Claire Forum Review. A subdued Q&A followed. Afterwards, audience members and the panelists schmoozed.
Getting the audience involved
The word association round offered the most lively interaction between the audience and panelists, with audience members voting for the best word with loud applause. Some of the words matched the thoughtfulness and effort put into the exhibitions considered, while some fell flat. Peeves won this round with two of his words—”black” for Rodney McMillian’s Black Show and “fun” for Lingappa and Etter’s Blueshift. The panelists showed their wit in the lightning round, with critic Walter Robinson suggesting the best gift for the science-minded Lingappa and Etter would be a telescope. Johnson, a longtime resident of Philadelphia, expressed her love for the city during discussion of Osorio’s reForm, bemoaning the deplorable treatment of public education and the eroding of Philadelphia’s character by the closing of 24 schools in 2015.
Stay tuned for more Live Review Show panels coming later this year. Find out more by signing up for Artblog’s newsletters and by following Philly Artblog on Facebook, where upcoming events are announced.
