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Lower Haters brings found art to the forefront with 'Consumer Confidence' show
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Swiss-born artist Romanowski
Lower Haters Gallery will present a collection of new works by Romanowski in an opening reception tomorrow night for “Consumer Confidence,” followed by an after party at Triple Crown.
Characterized by found object assemblages that draw from his keen eye for collectibles, his latest works promise to deliver a taste of his sense of style and humor. “Consumer Confidence” represents the fourth solo show the San Francisco based artist, DJ and producer has had in the last 12 months.
But it’s never been just about visual arts for this multi-talented Swiss transplant.
He’ll also pop eardrums with his musical skills at the after party alongside friends DJ Enki (Oakland Faders/Citizens) and Cool Chris (Groove Merchant Records), and the evening promises to be packed with old school classics.
Just two months ago Romanowski co-curated “The Mater Maid Studies” show at Lower Haters. Poking fun at that group of civil servants we all love to hate, that collection featured works from 27 artists who were invited “to express their feelings about meter maids and the DPT over all.”
Romanowski’s other recent solo events showcased his signature works, including “Small Works for Great Minds” (fabric8, Nov/Dec 2008), “Orchestrated Oddities” (Upper Playground, May 2008) and a 10-year retrospective (Third Street Grill, July 2008).
For the fabric8 show, his artwork included stenciled found objects -- such as “Soul Suitcase” that layered neutral colors and musical imagery with playful portraits -- and shadow box installations that the gallery said “are coveted by music and design aficionados around the world.”
During his participation with The Curators -- a San Francisco art collective specializing in guerrilla marketing -- Romanowski splashed his stylings across boom boxes, Adidas sneakers and even the archetype of modern interior design -- an Eames chair.
“His creativity and style are unmistakable,” gallery owner Janice Myint said in an email announcement for the event.
Romanowski is perhaps best known for his turntablism and music production, spinning everything from hip hop and electronica to funk and dub.
“If you can dance to it, I play it,” he said in an interview with SF Weekly.
After moving to the Bay Area from Zurich in the early ‘90s, Romanowski set to work immediately, quickly building his reputation through his co-productions and DJ sets. His discography includes releases on Future Primitive Sound, and now his own label, Trouser Trout Records.
The link between his musical and visual intuitions is fused by his collection of more than 15,000 records, drawing inspiration from the cover art.
“Each record, besides the musical content, is a lesson in art, graphic design, photography, lettering, etc,” Romanowski said in the same interview. “Even the bad ones, on how not to do something.”
And the cost of all that vinyl -- which likely exceeds college tuition -- also proves more valuable for the artist, who said the covers are “better than art and music school combined into one.”
Opening reception:
Lower Haters Gallery (597 Haight St., at Steiner)
Friday May 8, 2009
7p.m. - 11 p.m., free
After party:
Triple Crown (1760 Market St., at Octavia)
Doors 9:30 p.m., 21+, $5
For more info: Romanowski, Lower Haters, Triple Crown, Trouser Trout Records, The Curators,
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