Notables during NY gallery stampede starting next week.

Separated at birth??

A different kind of Neo Rauch - Arsen Savadov at Daneyal Mahmood Gallery.

Of course, Neo Rauch had more apparent technique with oils - but what I might call as the 'narrative enigma' inherent in these pan-surrealist works compete admirably. I included a couple of Neo's pictures at the end to contrast. In all fairness, truth be told, I fall for surrealist works easily... (all pictures ripped from the gallery website(s).

Arsen Savadov, 'Volchok', acrylic on linen, 97" X 156", 2006 - 2007

Arsen Savadov, 'Oxygen', acrylic on linen, 86" X 68", 2007

Arsen Savadov, 'Untitled', acrylic on linen, 116" X 78", 2006

Arsen Savadov, 'Untitled', acrylic on linen, 96" X 68", 2007

Neo Rauch, 'Der nächste Zug (The Next Move The Next Draw)', 2007, Oil on canvas, 59" x 78"

Neo Rauch, 'Warten auf die Barbaren (Waiting for the Barbarians)', 2007, Oil on canvas, 59" x 157"

Visit to Max Protetch and Freight - Volume galleries in Chelsea

Introspection, spirituality and surrealism were the themes covered by two gallery shows that I went to this week in Chelsea.

The concept of spirituality and asking oneself questions about the nature of the individual thus figuring out larger answers about the world was the angle probed by the group show at Max Protetch. The show curated by Aaron Williams and Stuart Krimko does not disappoint. Some of the pieces installed were very reflective and lived up to the deep emotions probed while some were the usual painted doormats that are typical of shows in and around Chelsea these days.

I liked the following (all of the pictures were ripped from the gallery sites as I did not get my camera along).

Saul Chernick CURE ALL 2007 ink on paper 15 x 18 1/4 inches

Saul Chernick IMMACULATION 2007 ink on paper 24 x 19 3/4 inches

Alfred Jensen MAYAN HEAD 1963 oil on wood 19 x 18 x 18 inches

Ed Blackburn Saul and David 2006 colored pencil and ink on paper 22 x 30 inches

At Freight – Volume (a dingy looking room on West 24th - they seem to have some amazing lineup of shows in spite of the 'dingyness') Marlene Mocquet, a recent graduate of the School of Fine Arts in Paris uses a combination of surrealistic imagery, outsider art influences and some doses of primitivism to produce some fantastical images that are compelling. Her painting technique seems slapdash but on closer inspection is very controlled considering that most of the canvases are fairly small (all her canvases have an aged and mottled look and I am sure she has a secret recipe for giving them this faded look) and pretty detailed in a strange way. I liked the following from the show. I wish she had made her paintings a little larger.

Little Red Riding Hood Pees (Le petit chaperon rouge fait pipi) 2007 39 x 63 in mixed media on canvas

The Bird Fingered Hand (La main aux doigts d’oiseaux) 2007 13 x 9.5 in mixed media on canvas

The Hair Caught by the Clouds (Les cheveux attrapés par les nuages) 2007 23.6 x 28.7 in mixed media on canvas

The White Vampire (Le vampire blanc) 2007 9.8 x 9.8 in mixed media on canvas