| Ripped and Torn is an arcade of unique artworks that appear to be sliced and diced with a scalpel, torn and ripped by hand, and assembled from non-logical parts by 24 whimsical artists who set out to create the aesthetic illusion of a magical world conjured up from the depths of their subconsciousness. Today collage has re-emerged as an exciting challenge to contemporary painting, recreating and reinventing the techniques of chance operation, cut and paste, image poetry, and computer manipulation. Destroying, deconstructing, and reassembling imagery produces new, totally different, and amazing results. These post-surrealist collagists use media sampling for their uniquely crafted artwork, often experimenting in the fourth dimension with words and strong textures of textiles, handmade paper, and objects. |
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Valery Oisteanu and Jeffrey Cyphers Wright
Sali Taylor Sali Taylor, Venus Envy, 2008. Mixed media on panel, 21 5/8 x 21 5/8 inches. Courtesy of the artist.
Ripped & Torn, a group collage and assemblage show, was on view at 532 gallery Thomas Jaeckel from December 6 to 21, 2008.
Ripped and Torn is an arcade of unique artworks that appear to be sliced and diced with a scalpel, torn and ripped by hand, and assembled from non-logical parts by 24 whimsical artists who set out to create the aesthetic illusion of a magical world conjured up from the depths of their subconsciousness.
Today collage has re-emerged as an exciting challenge to contemporary painting, recreating and reinventing the techniques of chance operation, cut and paste, image poetry, and computer manipulation. Destroying, deconstructing, and reassembling imagery produces new, totally different, and amazing results. These post-surrealist collagists use media sampling for their uniquely crafted artwork, often experimenting in the fourth dimension with words and strong textures of textiles, handmade paper, and objects. The curators are Valery Oisteanu and Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, both poets, art critics, and artists from the East Village who have helmed controversial group exhibits before, showcasing local talent, and mentoring many new artists in the form of collage through exquisite corpses workshops and numerous publications.
Participating artists in Ripped and Torn include John Evans, the dean of East Village collage, displays his exquisite compositions of found objects alongside the works of his daughter India Evans, a new star in the collage constellation. Amy Ernst comes from four generations of artists, and has a knack for producing phantasmagorical collages and books. Charles Mingus III combines digital imagery with political satire, and creates surreal sculptural works. Angelo Jannuzzi’s erotic collages light up the mirrors of our desires and ignite our suppressed urges. Rakien Nomura experiments with different handmade colored papers as a field for Van Gogh’s black birds. Allen Sheinman offers multilayered dreamscapes via curiously sculpted paper. Sali Taylor combines clusters of Cycladic images embracing sensual females. Micci Cohan’s colorful 3D assemblages open a Pandora’s box of spirits and laughter. Lucien Dulfan paints cosmic encounters, and adds collages of textiles and paper with a playful theme. Valery Oisteanu presents surreal assemblages of object trouve as time capsules of the East Village.
Star Black’s style is meticulous and figurative in the Max Ernst tradition. Bob Heman’s collages are also meticulous and composed of black-and-white etchings and illustrations. Bruce Weber believes in putting words into his collages since he is a poet. Lewis Warsh uses cut-out letters to form jostling grids that reflect both obsession and meditation. David Shapiro’s collages often begin with an object such as a simple fan, which he then covers with motifs that reflect a theme like New Orleans. Jeffrey Cyphers Wright’s collages reflect the excitement of the East Village. Using rock and roll stickers and markers to imitate graffiti, he mixes antique graphics and rubber stamps in vibrant compositions. Other artist-collagists contributing original works include Judy Rifka, Luigi Cazzaniga, and Madeline Weinrib. Overall, Ripped and Torn is a collage circus where images abundantly amuse and confuse the viewer in an ever-replenishing world of limitless possibilities.
