Extinction

November 20, 2018

In an urban environment like NYC or Paris, where staring out of the window and seeing a sky of high-rises is the norm, it’s not hard to feel out of touch with nature—but don’t worry, you’re not alone.

That’s the overwhelming sentiment in Extinction, a new exhibition at the Artemis Fontana Gallery in Paris, on view now through December 2. With work from a wide array of artists, including Edgars Gluhovs, Katarzyna Przezwanska and Gaia Vincensini, the various interactions between humans, their surrounding nature and the inevitable impending doom resulting from the long term relationship between the two, are examined and displayed through every imaginable medium, from embossed leather and painting to digital engraving and video, to name just a few.

Text by Caroline Brown

“Everything is artificial, everything is artifice. Nature no longer exists,” reads the gallery’s press release about the show. “We always start from the contemplation of artifice. That’s why everything’s so chaotic. So false. So desperately confused.”

And while we can’t argue with that, we can use it as a rock bottom realization to begin conversations about a much needed sustainable future—or else, we will be extinct.

View some pieces from the exhibit, below.

‘Extinction’ is on view now through December 2 at Artemis Fontana Gallery in Paris.

Photos courtesy of the gallery.

Art

Back to the Book Fair

In its 12th year, Printed Matter's New York Art Book Fair at MoMA's PS1 is as busy — and as hot and humid — as ever. (I always wonder how teachers were able to keep their students focused on their studies within these walls).

I stopped by the emporium on Friday evening to check out what some of my favorite purveyors were showcasing and to hopefully discover a new publisher or two. Here's some of the best of what I found within the mere two hours I allocated to the great maze...

You Get Me

The cover of You Get Me? is an attention grabber. The man in the photograph has such a look of pride and strength, and his eyes seem to just look through you. He’s also a total babe. The book is a collection of images that British photographer Mahtab Hussain shot over the course of nine years. Published this month by Mack Books, it focuses on the everyday lives of working-class British Muslim men. At an incredibly divisive time for Muslims in the West, Hussain was surprised to find a lack of representation of the community within galleries and institutions in the city. With this project, he sought to remedy that and insert himself into the historical narrative.

Like a Fresh Pack of Newports

Like a Fresh Pack of Newports is a colorful offering by artist Devin Troy Strother. Launched in time for NYABF by Coloured Publishing, his publishing company with buddy Yuri Ogita, the book presents the usual satire and visual vibrancy that Strother is known for.

Portrait of a Generation

Portrait of a Generation, published by Anteism for The Hole Gallery, is a flashback to the summer of 2012. The book includes imagery from over 100 artists and creatives, including Clayton Patterson, Lizzi Bougatsos, Erik Foss, Eric Yahnker and Leo Fitzpatrick, who created the likenesses of their peers with paint, pencils and cameras. My favorite was writer and gallery owner Bill Powers by his wife, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley — who knew she was such a talented painter?

Walls & Bridges

In anticipation of photographer Gregory Bojorquez’s upcoming show Walls & Bridges at Little Big Man, the gallery published a hand-numbered run of 350 copies of the series for their mini line of affordable collectibles. The book is comprised of images that Bojorquez shot in East LA between the early ’80s and 2000s that are part an ongoing series called Eastsiders. Growing up and beginning his career in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood troubled by gang violence, many of the subjects in his photographs that were involved in these nefarious networks were friends and family to him. The show is slated for this upcoming spring at the Downtown Los Angeles gallery.

Preston Bus Station

Over at Dashwood Books — my favorite stop — among many exciting items was Jamie Hawkesworth’s upcoming title and first monograph Preston Bus Station. The Brutalist station first caught the eye of Hawkesworth back in 2010 when he was living in Preston. After hearing about the demolition of the building, he later returned and spent every day for a month capturing portraits of various train-goers. The anticipated volume will be released mid-October at Dashwood … previous plans to print the book with London-based Loose Joints back in 2015 were cancelled by the artist. The book was “pulped in early 2016 at the request of the artist,” according to LJ’s website.

Art

Noelle Lee and the International Hope Counterfeiters

Where do you think inspiration stems from?

I’ve always been fascinated with extraterrestrial life, horror films, sex culture, satanic rituals, sci-fi, paranormal phenomena, serial killers, that sort of stuff. My interest in these themes probably started from watching shows like The X-Files, Law and Order: SVU, and the Twilight Zone growing up.

Where do you believe your interest in cults started?

I was raised Christian with my mom telling me things like, "Marilyn Manson was Satan," so everything taboo interested me even more.

Do you find faith or belief childish?

Absolutely not. Faith and belief can mold your identity, and for many people, it gives them purpose in life. People typically associate faith and belief with religion, but it does not necessarily have to be. We all need something to believe in, especially in each other. So it's not childish at all; it's vital for survival.

Which cult leader do you relate the most to? Would you join their cult?

Definitely Heavens Gate. They believed Earth was visited by Aliens 2000 years ago and Jesus was controlled by an Alien. Members needed to board a UFO space ship in order to reach the Next Level by leaving their temporary containers (bodies) behind by committing suicide. It’s the perfect combination of extraterrestrials and religion—two things I find creepy/fascinating.

Have you ever been friends with a cult member?

Actually, I went to high school with a couple of classmates who were members of the Unification Church (Moonies). I didn’t know it was a cult until I asked my mom about it. I remember one of my friends was dating a boy who was a member of that cult/religion. His mom sent him to a Moonie camp in Korea for the summer, so he wouldn’t see her because Moonies have arranged marriages. He wasn’t even Korean. He had to climb a hill every day just to have service on his phone to text her.

How much money would you be willing to pay for Nike Decades?

Probably not that much. I see them going on Ebay for almost 7k right now, so I won’t be owning a pair anytime soon but if Nike decides to re-release them, I’d definitely buy a pair.

What was your favorite thing to draw as a child? Doodle in high school?

I would always draw cute little monsters and characters on the side of my test papers.

Where does the name International Hope Counterfeiters come from?

The cult leaders I’ve selected are from all different parts of the world, but the common thread between them is that they prey on people's desire for belonging, sell them false hope, and push forward their own agenda. I wanted to portray this criminal aspect.

What do you think is the hardest form of art to work with?

I hate working with charcoal—just the feeling when using it and getting it everywhere irks me.

What are your favorite mediums to work with?

For the past two years, my favorite mediums to work with when I’m drawing has been colored pencils and turpenoid as well as watercolor.

What do you think is the most peaceful way to die?

Maybe dying of happiness. I read somewhere that too much happiness can trigger a heart attack.

What do you think heaven looks like?

Unlimited buffet of all your favorite foods.

What was your last meal?

Korean BBQ with my mom.

What are words to live by?

Eat some food first and then figure it out.

Art

Thank You, Josh Cook.

When Fashion Week wraps, each couture HQ has 2-3 days of clogged noses— even the best of us become depressive divas. This season's detox was especially hard, and desperate for a medicinal meme— I returned to Josh Cook. It was wonderful. Wanting to know how he can help us all, I asked him. In drawings and DMs, here it is: be human, be ugly, be branded.

Can you remember your first drawing?

I always used to draw as a kid, so I can’t exactly pin point my first drawing. I remember I drew a picture of Mickey Mouse and my mum got it printed onto a t-shirt for me and I wore it to death as a child. I still have that t-shirt somewhere.

You say your work is mainly focused on subjects in the human condition, how do you use your medium to channel such a complex topic?

People often find my characters quite awkward, as they seem quite distressed. Although to me, there's a sense of humor in awkwardness. I feel like we should laugh more about the things that make us feel uncomfortable. I also explore my own social anxieties in day-to-day situations through the people I draw. Sadly, people still treat mental health issues as though they are a taboo subject, but drawing really helps me communicate and express things I feel, that I often can't put into words or feel comfortable with discussing out in the open.

Sex and fashion are an important aspect in your drawings. What draws you to incorporate this into your work?

I try to explore people's identity in my work hence why I label them as characters. They all have their own personality. I think that generally, sex and fashion are two of the most desired things on earth, yet often the most unattainable. Everyone is in some sort of struggle to find happiness and those two things seem to be the temporary quick fixes to make someone feel better. In terms of incorporating fashion, the characters always wear knock-off fashion to reflect society's often elusive aspirations.

In your illustrations, man is always portrayed frightened and insecure. Is this a reference to a disturbed society?

To a certain extent, yes. The characters reference our need to fit in, but I don't necessarily think this is a new thing. Before the internet, we were still obsessed with class and outward appearances but more on a local level. Now it's just more apparent because you can judge someone's character and influence by looking at their Instagram feed. I find it fascinating how we're sometimes too scared to be ourselves because we fear that other people won't like us, so we're naturally more reserved online and offline.

How would you literally translate the word ‘ugly’?

Interesting, unique, beautiful.

What was the best thing you got out of Bristol?

There's so much diversity here and people are way less judgemental. It has a really strong creative atmosphere and supportive communities. All the different characters within the city are constantly inspiring me.