Chelsea In The Rain

Chelsea in the Rain, saw me taking in some exhibitions today, and without a doubt the best show on right now is the stunning Ralph Humphrey exhibition at the Gary Snyder Gallery. I've always liked his work, big colorful yet subtle with rich sculptural like textures. His colors are beautiful, very tactile and luscious and they sure have a presence. Also having a presence is the Thomas Hirschhorn spectacular installation inspired by the sinking of the cruise ship Costa Concordia at the Gladstone Gallery. You can't help but be amazed at this work, sort of like being on a movie set but not being allowed to walk around in it, and it does grab you and as the artist says he wanted to do something big, but big doesn't always mean good. It does come with the prerequisite wow affect, and it does startle, but what really are with left with? Maybe just another razzle dazzle Chelsea installation piece. I wish I had something good to say about the Lucas Samaras and Richard Tuttle shows both occupying the lavish spaces of Pace. Tuttle once again gives us large scale fussy sculptures that are just there, they don't control or command they simply sit there on ugly brown like platforms that look like a last minute thought. I don't know why he persists in making these dull works (maybe as a poet and critic said to me at the show that Pace needs big works so they can sell them). Shameful. There are 3 of his very nice small pieces but they look like they were just thrown up on the wall also as a last minute thought, the same goes for his wispy drawings. The Samaras show of cold and unfeeling computer generated works pretty much just take up wall space and offer nothing in terms of innovation, from this once innovative artist. They are so dull that I almost took a nap right there on the gallery's floor. And finally if you love Robert Frank (like I do) there is a nice exhibition of his photographs from 1949 to 1962 at the Danziger Gallery.