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An exhibit that explores connection

James Horner's photo
Manhattan Fine Arts Examiner

In Chelsea, New York, "SYMBIOTAXIPLASM: action as interconnectedness," opened recently. The show looks at how we connect in an age where we are bombarded with facebook and other social media outlets. At the opening recently, the show's curator, Savannah Spirit, was more than happy to take you on a tour of all the sites. 

First stop, Bradford Reed's room of sound which was ignited when you tapped the wall or plucked the bars on a painting rack. Reed's installation is meant for public spaces to play with noise of every day life. Next, a wall where she tells us to place a hand and make eye contact with someone you love, a performance peace by Man Bartett. The handprints left behind represent peoples connection to one another. Then, one for the sense of smell by Olfacere, some small glass jars filled with scents like Old Spice and Jack Daniels to wake up our memories of the past through our noses.   

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Next, some photos by Anne Arden McDonald that study light and shadow and take you to another world. McDonald exposes everyday objects on photographic paper to create images of cells. At the end of the room a fortune teller was reading a lady's future.
 
On the left wall was "The Fragonard Room," an installation by Mary Ann Strandell, based on a classical room from The Frick Museum painted with a sumi-brush. The installation includes lenticular drawings, like curious spots of the future, creating a dialogue of east meets west. There's movement that brings you in and out of the piece, but sometimes leaving you afloat. 
 
Also on that wall, a group of abstract untitled oil paintings by Colin Kilian, reminiscent of the stormy seas of Turner. Kilian's paintings are a two dimentional experience of what someone might be going through, mentally and physically. There's a turbulence, but also a calmness to confuse the eye and delve deep into your mind. 
 
Savannah gave me the lowdown on her show.
 
JH: How long did it take to pull this show together? 
 
SS: This show took about seven months to plan from concept to execution.
 
JH: What's your show about?
 
SS: The show deals with the connection we have to ourselves, each other, nature and the world around us. A deeper sense of self in relation to our circumstances comes with interconnectedness and a desire to feel harmonious while so much chaos and disorder fill us everyday.
 
JH: How did you pick the artists?
 
SS: I chose the artists because their works truly resonated with me. I choose to look at my own experiences when I curate a show.
 
JH: Does this relate to you also?
 
SS: Yes, for me this directly relates to what I experience as well. I choose to look at these experiences for the basis of the shows I curate. 
 
See the work from the show and view Savannah's curatorial statement. And stop by the show and explore some unique experiences through a diverse mix of works.
 
"SYMBIOTAXIPLASM: action as interconnectedness" runs through February 16 at 547 West 27th, SS Projects #210, New York, NY. 
Mary Ann Strandell's "Curve" at "SYMBIOTAXIPLASM: action as interconnectedness"
Mary Ann Strandell's "Curve" at "SYMBIOTAXIPLASM: action as interconnectedness"
Photo credit: 
Savannah Spirit

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, Manhattan Fine Arts Examiner

An artist for over 25 years, James Horner exhibits internationally and attends Lehman College for an MFA in Painting. View his art at www.jameshornerart.com. James also writes an art blog, www.jamesandthelovelies.blogspot.com. Contact James at jhorner1@nyc.rr.com.

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