Art. Word. Thought.
by Allyn Aglaïa Aumand
On the coherence of fracture
an essay in fragments on fragments
*
I had a lover once, who self described as a volcano, but fully encased.
Make space to let it out sometimes, I told him.
That’s why I wanted to see you today, he said.
at David Kordansky Gallery (Through May 19, 2018)
Reviewed by Emily Nimptsch
Viscous black liquids cascade down the picture planes as scrawled drawings of agonized grimaces and anxious eyes confront the viewer at every turn. Indeed, Brooklyn-based multimedia artist Rashid Johnson’s current David Kordansky exhibition, The Rainbow Sign is a masterclass in haunting and subtly violent imagery. Extracting its title from an often-cited passage in James Baldwin’s 1963 bestseller, The Fire Next Time, this eclectic collection of wall sculptures, ceramic cups, mosaic portraits, and psychedelic collages presents a poignant reflection on notions of cultural identity and protest. [Read more…]