“Schlaraffenland”
new work by Allison Sommers
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“III”
new work by Joao Ruas
Opening Reception: Fri, May 7th 7-10PM
May 7th -June 4th, 2010
Both artists will be in attendance.
Allison’s Statement for ‘Schlaraffenland‘:
In these works, I want to engage with the metaphor of Schlaraffenland, the world of plenty, to explore the facets of gross abundance and to complicate what it means to take pleasure in the flesh. In Schlaraffenland, everything and everyone is part of a grotesque banquet of plenty, and consumption of others is not a transgressive act but rather a necessary engagement of the world around them.
There is an eroticism – consumption is, after all, the taking-in of the external– that charges Schlaraffenland with excitement and danger; while some creatures give themselves freely for consumption, others are trapped, tricked, or cajoled into giving bits of themselves up to the feast. I’m fascinated by the uncertainty this creates in the relationships between my creatures, who are at once both so cheerful and dangerous. It’s the tension created by this ambiguity that invigorates the world of these creatures: seductive, dangerous, peculiar Schlaraffenland.
Allison’s main site:
http://allisonsommers.typepad.com/
Allison’s sneak peek set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157623393138819/
Joao’s Statement for ‘III‘:
What divides the sacred from the mundane? Is that an universal or a personal matter? Can a moment, a place, a person in your life ever be sacred? These questions were the starting point of obsessive and transforming thoughts and drawings which resulted in this series of works. Iconography obviously plays a big part in the aesthetic being explored but so does everyday life, everyday dreams and everyday fears.
Sacred can give you hope and happiness. Sacred can bring you disillusionment and tears.
Joao’s website:
http://feral-kid.com/
Joao’s sneak peek set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157623517671516/
Expect a new print from each as well opening night. More details announced soon!
Both exhibitions taking place at our new Culver City location:
Thinkspace
6009 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Wed-Sat 1-6PM
#310.558.3375
www.thinkspacegallery.com
