"Among the paintings, I felt waves of existential unease. The feeling was sufficiently strong that I longed for language. I wanted to wash up against the shore of the press release and hear what someone had to say about all this, even if everything they said was wrong." .... This stands out so much to me. I am someone who always reads the words about a work of art before I look at the art, except when I consciously make the effort not to do that, and a lot of that has to do with issues of control and anxiety. GREAT ARTICLE.
Thank you, Kathryn! I did eventually allow myself to read the press release, and it felt like putting a cool compress on my forehead even though I forgot everything it said as soon as the words passed my eyes.
What a great description. I actually find it intriguing that words can soothe what images trigger at times .... Of course there's lots of other goodness in this article and it's an artist I didn't know of, so there's lots I love here. But that stood out especially.
Phenomenal essay, Sal. You have such a gift for writing about art. I appreciate how you personalize it. Feels like visiting a show with a super knowledgeable friend. I’m glad you made the story about “Open Casket” an epilogue. If it had been first, I think I would’ve felt very differently about the rest of the piece.
"Among the paintings, I felt waves of existential unease. The feeling was sufficiently strong that I longed for language. I wanted to wash up against the shore of the press release and hear what someone had to say about all this, even if everything they said was wrong." .... This stands out so much to me. I am someone who always reads the words about a work of art before I look at the art, except when I consciously make the effort not to do that, and a lot of that has to do with issues of control and anxiety. GREAT ARTICLE.
Thank you, Kathryn! I did eventually allow myself to read the press release, and it felt like putting a cool compress on my forehead even though I forgot everything it said as soon as the words passed my eyes.
What a great description. I actually find it intriguing that words can soothe what images trigger at times .... Of course there's lots of other goodness in this article and it's an artist I didn't know of, so there's lots I love here. But that stood out especially.
I really appreciate your reading!
Phenomenal essay, Sal. You have such a gift for writing about art. I appreciate how you personalize it. Feels like visiting a show with a super knowledgeable friend. I’m glad you made the story about “Open Casket” an epilogue. If it had been first, I think I would’ve felt very differently about the rest of the piece.
Thank you, Julie! It would be such fun to visit a show together sometime.
Let's do it! I have my eye on this one. https://www.cooperhewitt.org/channel/es-devlin/
That looks amazing!
I heard about it from Adam Nathan.
I absolutely love her work