Jack Pierson: Abstraction at CHEIM & READ

James Kalm makes a walking tour through the recent exhibition of Jack Pierson. Known for his poetic wall constructions in which he uses found letters from commercial roadside signage, this new body of work investigates the formalistic aspect of these shapes without regard for their linguistic meaning. The resulting accumulations resemble totems or snippets of calligraphy. The weathered and faded surfaces evoke a romantic nostalgia yet Piersons arrangements remain elegant, humorous and formally satisfying.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• James
• Kalm
• Jack
• Pierson
• Cheim
• Read
• Gallery
• art
• opening
• painting
• drawing
• sculpture
• signs
• letters
• Chelsea
• neon

[claureic]

Interestingly, the Lasker piece reminds me, but in an inverted way, of the use of colored panels in Mike Kelley's latest works that you point out in your newest video. I find Lasker much more powerful...

[claureic]

I liked your comment on the imposssibility of reproducing a certain type of natural patina in the studio. I'm interested also in the importance and meaning of titles in Pierson works (the pieces at 4.30 or at 6.12 for example). I wonder if they have the same misleading function as Magritte's.

[CheseaArtGalleryWalk]

As always great video and talk and thanks for going into the other room for a peek

[chandru1103]

especially in those uniforms.

[MrWowforever]

Hitler Youth

[thePhilep]

just dicovered this work for myself! Wonderful compositions static and gestural "movements" in each piece. Thanks for posting!

[jcjim99]

good looking show, but really rather lightweight work. artists the world over do this kind of exercise in their studios everyday -composing bits of this & that. nothing wrong with it except in this case it's not great art.

the Frank Stella show a few blocks away was much more

visually and conceptually interesting, and extremely well crafted.

[LawrenceCharlesMille]

Another keeper.

Thank you James Kalm!

Best -

[jameslour]

well said

[pab1020]

I loved this exhibition... it is ready made and conceptual blabbering with enough design and composition to keep my attention... lovely objects!!! america is very lucky to have that tradition of comercial signage and richness in graphic design... thanks to this Pierson has enough material to put an exhibition like this together... great video, thank you very much...