Muir Vidler Featured in Curiosity

Contemporary photographer, Muir Vidler is featured with nine internationally-acclaimed artists in a MASS MoCA sponsored exhibition entitled, Curiosity. The art work presented in Curiosity represents a wide range of creative materials used to explore themes that many children might be curious about, such as dinosaurs, superheroes, ninjas, cowboys, monsters and dream inspired fantasy.

Muir Vidler, Adrian Delgoffe, Photograph

Muir Vidler travels to far away places in the hopes of uncovering the unconventional that exists below the norms of acceptable societal existence. Thought provoking, playful and stylized, Vidler’s photographs present a passport that apprehends the senses.

Muir Vidler, Isobel Varley, Photograph

Kidspace is a collaborative project of The Clark, WCMA, and MASS MoCA—three museums with outstanding exhibitions, public programs, and deep commitments to the community. Kidspace is integral to all three organizations’ educational programming and access strategy, helping to build bridges between the local community and professional artists and their artwork. Now on exhibition. Read more: Hyperallergic.com review and Mindy Solomon Gallery ‘Candor and Provocation.’

Muir Vidler, Danny Lynch, Photograph

Muir Vidler featured in Art in America

London based, Muir Vidler has been attracting plenty of world attention to his photographic works documenting worlds less traveled. Israeli Death Metal, Libyan Beauty Pageant, Istanbul and Rebles Without a Pause are all mini documentaries that capture life’s essence in the darkest corners and hard to access  people who live out  against preconceived notions. Muir Vidler is currently showcased in, “Contradictions,” now on view through November 12, 2011. Muir Vidler, in compliment to Steve Jobs’ most successful ad campaign for Apple Computer “Think Different” expresses a photographic eye like no other.

Learn more about Muir Vidler here or experience his work up close. Look out for Muir Vidler in the November issue of Art in America and look forward to seeing you soon.

Day Greene “Contradictions” Review

Gallerista Mindy Solomon weaves seven artists into a tapestry of powerfully poignant, yet lighthearted social commentary in her latest show “Contradictions.” From the de la Torre brothers’ monumental colonial triptych “La Reconquista,” through the ironic narratives of Muir Vidler’s unlikely portraits, the exhibition subconsciously seethes with a satirical warning of a cynical civilization edging on kitschy unrest.

Two pieces in particular caught our fancy as encapsulating the thematic gist of a show that spans the spectrum of emotional volume: from explosive intensity through a taciturn whisper…With “Biblebomb #1907,” Gregory Green delivers mixed media with a literal bang. A double pipe bomb sits sinisterly ensconced inside a hollowed out Bible, surrounded by enough potential shrapnel to make a demolition expert shiver. There’s no other way to put it…As art, this piece is so scary it’s witty (or vice versa). Having been dubbed a “conceptual terrorist” by some critics, Green not only calls into question the idea of violent revolutionaries as indulging the ultimate in public spectacle (Guy Debord must be spinning as we speak), but the artist also succeeds in triggering a visceral psychological tension in the unsuspecting individual viewer.

Meanwhile, at the far side of the gamut, we find Bonnie Smith’s “Heaven and Earth”… A hushed assemblage of doll-sized ceramic artifacts arraigned in an enigmatic, diamond-shaped tableau. Bits and pieces, heads and hands, like the dreamy detritus of an antique childhood, Smith’s work is gently whimsical and nostalgic, yet like her colleague Green, it also packs a deeply psychological punch.

Once again, Mindy Solomon has used her space to showcase serious artists with an insouciant flair… For the gallery-hopper looking for fun, it’s there for the taking, while simultaneously, the slow and discerning eye will find so much to see. “Contradictions” is now on exhibit through November 9, 2011 at the Mindy Solomon Gallery.

Written by Day Greene—Art Activist and Enthusiast—Sunday, 10/2/2011

Hyperallergic Reviews Muir Vidler at (e)merge Art Fair

Mindy Solomon presented the dynamic talents of Muir Vidler, Becky Flanders and Jeremy Chandler at the Capitol Skyline Hotel in Washington D.C. this past weekend. Fortuitously, critics who visited were impressed by the thought-provoking, culturally evokative pieces created by three contemporary photographers.

Earlier in the week, we reported immediate response to Becky Flanders work by the DCist and today we’re excited to report a feature story and review of Muir Vidler by Hyperallergic. The article, written by Claire Breukel reports, “ I was curious if anything would “stand out” among the many of exhibitors. I then came across a curious series of six standard size loose photographic prints simply pinned to the wall, by Edinburgh-born, London-based photojournalist Muir Vidler.”

We are honored and excited that our contemporary photographers are receiving critical notice. Muir Vidler is currently showcased in our most recent show, “Contradictions” and you can see more of his work here. Read the Hyperallergic review of Mindy Solomon at (e)merge and visit Hyperallergic.com

 

 

Contradictions is Now Open

Mindy Solomon Gallery is pleased to introduce a provocative showcase of eight contemporaries in a themed exhibition entitled, “Contradictions.” Taking a close look at worldly themes and opposing viewpoints, “Contradictions” allows each artist to freely explore life’s nuances through the lens of humor and irony.

“Contradictions” will be on exhibit September 24—November 5, 2011 with artist talk with Russell Biles on Saturday, September 24, 12—2PM and opening reception on Saturday, October 1 from 6—8PM. (Please join our guest list). 

Richard Bassett presents two needlepoint pillows to represent the over sensationalism of visual violence, the dulling of our senses as a result, and our ambivalent response. “And, can the shock of seeing these images on pillows momentarily snap us back to their reality?” Courtesy of the Jack Fischer Gallery in San Francisco.

Russell Biles works in porcelain crafting figurations that explore race, politics and sexuality. Biles’ sculptures provide humor and commentary about subjects that are often difficult to discuss.

Einar and Jamex de la Torre work in hot glass and mixed media to create spirited sculptures that disrespect cultural and religious institutions. The combination of such enlightened narratives form a strong and thought provoking exhibition that both will repel and fascinate the viewer.

Muir Vidler travels the world utilizing a camera to capture cultural ironies. His narrative photographs travel the world and satirical in nature. He explores the contradictory nature of his subjects versus the environments in which they live in order to document the way in which unique individuals define themselves in even the most oppressive of conditions.

Gregory Green juxtaposes sculptural elements to convey fear and uncertainty. Artist Gregory Green states: “In contemporary society, we have reached a state of perpetual over-stimulation. We are surrounded by ever-increasing sources of information, from the printed word, to television, and now the Internet. Our societies move and change at an eternally increasing pace and the level and the role of spectacle seems to grow exponentially…”

Chris Riccardo utilizes the language of scale and form to address serious societal concerns in his sculpture Consequences. He comments on the epidemic of childhood obesity in our country and how the disease affects our children’s ability to play, leading to low-self esteem, inability to interact and work with others and possible future psychological abnormalities.

Bonnie Smith works, Kingston, NY, is a stylized ceramics artisan who unites mythological and dream symbols with themes of home and childhood memory. Bonnie’s compositions are made up of combinations of human and natural formations that convey a feminine approach to concepts of loss and isolation. Victorian aesthetic and proportion of scale help to deliver her delicate, emotional perspective that can be described as, “otherworldly.”

Bonnie Marie Smith featured in Contradictions

Mindy Solomon Gallery is pleased to introduce “Contradictions,” a provocative showcase that features: Richard Bassett, Russell Biles, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Muir Vidler, Gregory Green, Chris Riccardo, Bonnie Marie Smith September 24 through November 5, 2011. (above, Cigarette Girls, 25 pieces total, 48″ shelf, earthenware, glaze, paint, found objects, 2011).

“Contradictions.” takes  a close look at the irony in opposing viewpoints celebrating humor and irony. Group exhibitions promotes a thought provoking platform that introduces emerging artists. Kingston, New York based artist Bonnie Marie Smith will be premiering her multi-pieced ceramics and earthenware sculptures. (above, postcard featuring Muir Vidler designed by Murphy Design + article).

We are pleased to introduce Bonnie, as she writes: “My work is inspired and informed by myth, dreams, and symbols. Most often I explore in my art themes of home, childhood, loss, nature, and the feminine experience. In these small sculptures, I work intuitively to reveal something of the inner world of each figure. Each piece is made of fired earthenware or porcelain clay with applied glazes, stains, paints, and the occasional found object.” (above, Watchdog, 13x11x5,” earthenware, glaze, paint, found objects, 2011).

“Contradictions” begins September 24 and on display through November 5. You are cordially invited to attend our artist reception on Saturday, October 1, 6—8PM and please contact the gallery for additional information about Bonnie Marie Smith and Richard Bassett, Russell Biles, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Muir Vidler, Gregory Green and Chris Riccardo. Join the Facebook guest list here and take advantage of the Oct. 1 opening reception and the Sept. 24 artist talk with Russell Biles. (above, bell hop and cigar girl, earthenware, glaze, paint, found objects, 2011).