Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tragedy in Pop: Joshua Gage


"So, what are you doing tonight?"

Until January 09,

Gage’s vibrant depictions of tragic events in history portray ominous scenes in a startling palette suggesting the iconography of the events. In one scene, KKK members are taking a stroll during the day—the idea is alarming by automated response, however in bubble gum pinks and powder blues, the image triggers confusion of the senses. The automation of response in an unorthodox approach to style, color and subject matter facilitates a questionable reaction.

The artist is presenting an approach of how intellectual and emotional expectations of [tragic events] influence our perceptions. By prompting the viewer to explore expectations of automated response, he is questioning what happens to the subject so routinely experienced in the language of gravitas when it is presented in frivolity. It is the proposition of the series that the human experience can be at once both powerful and perfunctory visceral and dismissive. While the power and viscera may be appropriate, they may not be genuine. His goal is not a more accurate perception, it is not even necessarily a different perception—it is simply a more endogenous perception.


Tue-Sat 10-6
West 20th Street, New York, New York, 10011
212.741.0007

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