Art Hag

Michael Joo's current and fifth solo exhibition at Anton Kern Gallery features recent sculptures and paintings by the New York-based artist. According to the show's press release, Joo "continues to investigate the symbolical significance of the physical world by engaging with a wide range of often incongruent materials, mixing high- and low-tech, nature and artifice." I'll admit, I was a bit confused by Joo's eclectic mix of three zebra sculptures, antler casts, scientific/medical-type paintings, a hanging steel drum, and creepy figure dressed in a flight suit with an orb of video cameras hovering around where his head should be. The show's press release didn't aid my confusion at all. Aside from the statement I culled from it above, I couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Though I'm unaware of the reasons behind his multiple uses of zebras in this exhibit, I did like these pieces the most, including his life-sized polished bronze sculpture and its miniaturized version placed on a large silver tray on the floor, and the mold used to produce the larger model sloppily covered in Pepto-Bismol-pink paint. The painting of four dismembered zebra hooves titled A Pair of Boots sandwiched between a painting featuring a zebra skin called Husbands and another abstract painting titled A Woman Under the Influence shows Joo's humor as well as a possible influence from the late director John Cassavetes.

While a clearer explanation of the connection of these works would have been appreciated, it is not necessary in recognizing Joo's talents and varied interests and inspirations. See Antonkerngallery.com for more info. Through December 5th.

A Pair of Boots (left) 2008, Consistent-Seen-Touched (center) 2009, Husbands (right) 2008