KINDLING

11Jan09

Ok.  I went to James Jean’s opening at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery yesterday despite the crazy weather, and so did everyone else. The place was so mobbed it was like being caught in a constant riptide of art students. 

I took some pictures, which are universally crappy because I could stand no more than 1 ft away from pieces that took up the entire wall. Overall, I really enjoyed seeing the work in person. I think the show’s design was extremley well done, and very smart to continue using James Jeans “process/recess” ethos.

 

The works I responded to the most were the ones that looked like life size recreations of his sketchbook, like the one on the main wall. It was awesome to see his elaborate kinetic drawings done to that scale.

If I were to have any critique, it would be that I simply do not understand his continued use of weird bobble headed children running amok in his compositions. Jean excels at drawing things few artists could execute as deftly (never mind conceive of in the first place.) Knowing this, its hard for me to really fall in love with works that rely on these rote figures. I hope saying that doesn’t make me an asshole.

After the show I happily came home to the one of the few things that I would run back in to save if my apartment was on fire. Above my desk hangs a signed print of James Jean’s cover for the Animal Farm collection of Fables. According  to Jean this is his favorite out of all the covers for  Fables and I totally agree!

A)JJ’s Rad print that looms over me whenever I procrastinate

B)I’m totally procrastinating by watching Rachel Maddow on iTunes

C)Neat new wacom tablet (totally not mine… mine’s busted) 

D)Kindling poster from the gallery

E)Sweet macbook pro, also not mine…neither is the other mac

F)mmm a big cup of tea ’cause i don’t drink coffee 

G)Oh, those are my glasses

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