On the time, Matta-Clark was already a well known determine in New York’s downtown artwork scene; along with his avant-garde artwork apply, he cofounded White Columns (then referred to as 112 Greene Road) as a substitute artwork area, in addition to the legendary artist-run restaurant FOOD. Right here, his gelatin silver prints of graffiti artwork, a lot of them hand coloured, actually reframe the imagery as institutional artwork.
Documentation of Gordon Matta-Clark’s “Graffiti Truck” (1973) printed on vinyl
White Columns isn’t capacious sufficient for a complete survey on the topic, however in a approach, that is an asset: The exhibition has the texture of a time capsule that by no means veers too far into didacticism — nor does it overly valorize Matta-Clark’s function on this historical past regardless of his centrality to the area. The pictures are extra necessary as historic information than artworks. Because the latter, they stroll a nice line between drawing consideration to the graffiti artists and co-opting their work via the elder artist’s modified photographs. To this finish, the press launch attracts consideration to the alliance between that artwork kind and conceptual artwork, however what comes throughout most within the exhibition is the dynamic vitality and creativity of the graffiti artwork. Higher- and lesser-known names fill the partitions of the most important room with work and marker drawings in vivid, glowing blues, cherry reds, yellows, and different jewel colours. An early sketch by Futura 2000, one of many present’s greatest names, sees an 18-year-old Futura experimenting along with his tag in icy blue hues.
Didactics provide background on artists who have been foundational to graffiti’s improvement as an artwork kind, however didn’t turn into artwork world figures. One standout piece is an experimental marker drawing by SKJ 171 (1973) that locations his tag on a white cloud-like form sandwiched between irregular sky blue and purple zones. The textual content explains that he was an unique member of United Graffiti Artists (UGA) and documented his and others’ artworks early on. Likewise, guests study that Topcat 126 introduced the influential “Broadway Elegant” fashion of writing from Philadelphia to Manhattan in 1971. The thick ruby purple letters on the backside of his 1973 drawing are incandescent.
Vitrines crammed with sketchbook pages, spray paint, and different objects are much more intimate glimpses into the artists’ worlds. It’s these drawings, sketches, and work that make you’re feeling such as you have been there.
SJK 171, work from 1973, marker on canvas
Marker on paper works by numerous artists with corresponding images of tags
Ephemera by numerous artists
Tagged partitions and subway automobiles photographed by Gordon Matta-Clark
Snake, work from 1973, spray paint and marker on canvas
Ephemera by numerous artists
Gordon Matta-Clark: NYC Graffiti 1972/3 continues at White Columns (91 Horatio Road, West Village, Manhattan) via Might 17. The exhibition was curated by Roger Gastman and Jessamyn Fiore.
