Reflection for exhibition
Charles Ray at Matthew Marks
On Thursday, we went as a group to see a lot of amazing galleries in Chelsea. The one I have interested in and did introduction for classmates was Charles Ray at Matthew Marks. I did some research on this artist. Charles Ray is widely regarded as one of the most significant artists of his generation. He is best known for his sculptures of altered and refashioned familiar objects. Ray has exhibited at Documenta IX (1992), Venice Biennales in 1993, 2003, and 2013 and five Whitney Biennials, and he has had one-person museum exhibitions in Basel, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Bern, Vienna, and Oslo, among other cities. Ray lives and works in Los Angeles.
Now Matthew Marks was announced an exhibition of two new sculptures by Charles Ray, in his gallery at 523 West 24th Street. Ray has divided a gaunt gallery, into three rooms and installed a single sculpture in each one. In the center of the main room, is machined from solid stainless steel. It presented in a relaxed pose on a rectangular steel base almost at eye level, the figure is slightly larger than life-size. The subject’s body has not been idealized, and every detail, from the toes on her feet to the mole on her cheek, is carved with a directness matched by her frank facial expression. Also, that’s my favorite piece from the show. From visiting his gallery, I feel that the artist wanted to put his emotion and goal on his sculptures he created by using special materials and steel machines. Charles Ray as a great artist has shown visitors his incredible art works.
The second show that I was interested in was Ha Chong-Hyun at Tina Kim. Ha Chong-Hyun, is one of Korea’s most acclaimed artists. Ha has consistently used material experimentation and innovative studio processes to redefine the role of painting. In his most recent work Ha has expanded upon his practice of transforming three-dimensionality into a two-dimensional surface by experimenting with new ways to add materiality to color. By the first time I looked at Ha’s exhibition at Tina Kim, I really like the way he created to paint. When I looked at the painting in a long distance, it seemed that he drew it on the canvas, but when I looked it closer, I found that he actually painted it on a special material. The way that Ha painted his artwork was interesting. All the paintings he did look in one style which is simple and relaxable.
He seems to challenge the very definition of the artwork.Ha utilizes the way this naturally occurring color blends with the burlap.This exhibition at the gallery provides an invaluable opportunity to experience an artist whose work has challenged the traditional definition of painting.
