Dan Fischer | Derek Eller Gallery

Derek Eller Gallery in Chelsea presents several meticulously rendered, detailed, and realistic drawings by New York native, Dan Fischer. The title of the show, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, is borrowed from a sculpture by Umberto Boccioni which Fischer skillfully depicts in the exhibit along with various other 20th-century masterpieces and their creators. All created within the last 3 years, the drawings "are devotional homages to artists and images that have had a profound impact on him. Through an exacting process, his works are executed with meticulous attention to detail. He makes photocopies of images from books and journals, overlays them with a grid, and carefully recreates them in graphite. Were it not for the grid, which he often leaves visible, Fischer’s drawings might be mistaken for photographs" (from the exhibit's press release).

I was amazed by Fischer's photo-realist drawings. Each piece looks like a black-and-white photo—faithfully recreating details, features, light, and shadow—until you look closer and see the faint grid marks. I like that the grid marks are visible - it gives the viewer an idea of Fischer's work process as well as a feeling of casualness. If the grid marks weren't there, I feel the drawings would look too perfect (if that makes sense) - and their presence feels as if Fischer is letting the viewers in on his secret.

See for yourself in my pics below, though you should definitely check them out in person as well if you can. Learn more at Derekeller.com. Through December 19th.

Boccioni's Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, 2009