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by James Rhines
The “Weaving In and Out Show” was an energetic compilation delivered at The Tapestry in East Harlem. The featured artists presented their pieces with a thorough understanding of the space within the building, as well as, the building in relationship to the neighborhood.
David Antonio Cruz’s “everything I said…”, aggressively presented it’s themes of desire and a longing to relive the past. The piece involved a ladder smothered in candy syrup laid against a wall supporting a huge canvas of a man swinging into oblivion. Conquering his space, his use of the entire cinder block wall as a continuation gave the experience a fullness of completion.
Helen Dennis’ “Merge on the Triboro Bridge” was an ambitious multilayered work utilizing technology and print. It reflected the multilayered contingencies that converge in East Harlem. It emphasized the silent fact that East Harlem sits at a magor crossroad in our metropolitan landscape, a melting pot or merging , of geography, culture, and politics.
Crhistobal Lehty’s “El Norte 2005″ a mixed media installation of (3) C prints and )2) markers were laid abruptly at 45 degree angles demanding their viewer to engage. The prints were deeply resonant, magnifying the abbitious labor that transforms the neighborhood lot into a lush garden or serene veranda. It was charming, delivering the theme that comfort has an universal simplicity.
Manuel Mansylla’s installation: “tashpatch” was a prophetic discourse on the pollution of our oceans and waterways. The piece hung from the ceiling, a chandelier of detritus and garbage. His political statement “nonbiodegradables”n was strong, coming together namely as “trashpatcvhes (According to Mansylla, “There is a trshpatch as large as Texas floating in the Pacific.” Manuel, a Guatamalan, who naturally has an affinityu for the ocean. Guatamala is sandwiched between both the Pacific and the Atlantic It is as large as the state of Georgia. He made note that Harlem is also sandwiched by the East and Hudson rivers.; therefore, this piece breathes rhythmically as well as naturally, in this present moment. His installation hab begun well before the unfortunate crisis in the Gulf if Mexico. Prophetic and politically au courant, the piece haunted the space like a spectral revelation. The placement of a broken umbrella hung like a dagger from the sculpture echoing the rainy days inNew York when umbrella, torn and discarde, litter the streets.
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an organization that provides a forum for creating innovative art and media programs that inspire people to take an active role in social justice
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Summer Hours: T/W/F/Sat 1-6
Basement North
New York, NY 10029, USA
(212) 348-7044
info@artforchange.org
Summer Hours: T/W/F/Sat 1-6
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