Published in the Weekly Volcano, Jan. 8, 2015
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| Barbara De Pirro’s “Metamorphosis,”detail, photo courtesy the artist |
Elise Koncsek’s “Sneak Peek” in the Woolworth
Windows is an impressive and fun work of art. It consists of flat, cut-out images in a
pop style not unlike children’s book illustrations. There are stylized trees
and animals, and each one has peep holes at adult and child levels. What you
see when you look through the peep holes is surprising as each one is something
totally different yet thematically and stylistically consistent. This work is
playful and should be fun for both adults and children.
Next to Koncsek’s windows heading toward 11th
Street on the Broadway side is Barbara De Pirro’s “Metamorphosis,” which is
also impressive. Whereas Koncsek’s “Sneak
Peek” is playful and light-hearted, De Pirro’s “Metamorphosis” is an elegant and
solidly built wall-hanging sculpture. It comprises, according to the
description on the Spaceworks website, a “series
of sculptural forms, each representing a metamorphosis, a transformation
from the humble into the exceptional.” There are groups of tall, pod-like
structures, each made from reclaimed plastic bottles that have been cut into
cell-like shapes and sewn together. Inside each cell is a single Christmas tree
light, some white and some yellow. Seen in person in daylight, each light is
visible. In the photograph I saw before visiting the installation the
individual lights are not visible but the whole thing has a translucent amber
or golden glow. I suspect that may also be the case when seen at night,
although I have not seen it at night.
Anastasia Zielinski’s “Bright
Light Heavy” fills the next set of windows all the way to and around the corner
of 11th and Broadway. It is an abstract scene of a river running
along a steep bank with a mountain range in the background. The entire scene is
made of various types of cloth with glitter and mirrors and gold paper on the
background. The idea is good, and all the glitter and sparkle is impressive. It
probably looked fabulous lighted up for First Night, but the construction is
rather tacky and reminds me of nothing so much as a cheap theatrical set.
In the Commerce Street window is a
group exhibition by a group called Generis 01T: Zip Code consisting of poetry
by Hozoji Matheson-Margullis printed on walls and windows and
boards that hang in front of or lean against walls, and photography by Evan Soto and
Michael Vahrenwald. The poems are esoteric, as are the photographs. One of
ghostly crosses (possibly but not clearly a graveyard seen in heavy fog) is
mysterious and moody. Overall this installation left me cold. If there was any
consistent message or any unifying principle, I could not see it.
Woolworth Windows, Broadway and Commerce at 11th Street
through April 16, on view 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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