Harpo’s Wig, Mona Lisa’s Mustache, Black Nudes, Hamburger
In “Duck Soup,” Groucho Marx sang: “If any form of pleasure is exhibited,/ Report to me and it will be prohibited.”
The quote is written on a wall by the entrance of 303 Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea district and sets the mood for “Marxism,” a summer exhibition inspired by the Marx Brothers.
The show, curated by Jacob and Jens Hoffmann, combines posters, photographs, film and radio with works by Marcel Duchamp and four contemporary artists.
Harpo’s fright wig sits on a pedestal under glass, looking surprisingly diminutive. Another vitrine displays the prankster’s trumpet and knives.
In one corner, a makeshift, five-seat movie theater screens five Marx Brothers films all day long. In another, a 2010 installation by Rodney Graham pairs a film projector with an oversize cartridge that fills up with tape as the 16mm footage of a sink it shows on the wall fills up with foam.
In keeping with the Marx Brothers’ mischievous spirit, the curators hung Duchamp’s famous 1919 photo collage featuring the mustached Mona Lisa postcard upside-down -- a gesture Harpo would have undoubtedly appreciated.
The Marx Brothers paraphernalia isn’t for sale; prices for contemporary works range from $35,000 to $500,000. “Marxism” runs through Aug. 3 at 547 W. 21st St. Information: +1-212-255- 1121; http://www.303gallery.com.
Artnet Artists
Walk across the street to Haunch of Venison where Walter Robinson, an artist and until recently editor-in-chief of Artnet online magazine, organized a group show called “Claxons.”
“I picked three of my friends who I thought needed some attention,” Robinson said in a telephone interview; he also has works in the show. “You’ve got to make some noise to make things happen.”
All three artists have written for Artnet, which was closed last month after 16 years.
Robert Goldman’s abstract paintings bring to mind star constellations, fireworks -- or white powder scattered over sleek surfaces.
Robinson’s four figurative paintings seduce whether their subject is a hamburger or a barely clad sex kitten. In “Dallas BBQ,” the burger looks sizzling, its cheese melted just so and tomatoes deliriously red.
The floral and geometric patterns of Elisabeth Kley’s fabulously colorful ceramic pots are echoed in her large watercolors and ink drawings hanging on the walls.
John Drury works with material as fragile as glass and as sturdy as steel. The two come together in his 1995 piece “Bucket o’Taters (for Gramps)” which includes an old steel pail filled with 44 blown-glass potatoes.
Prices range from $950 to $18,000. “Claxons” runs through Aug. 17 at 550 W. 21st St. Information: +1-212-259-0000; http://haunchofvenison.com.
Black Odalisque
A block north, at Yancey Richardson Gallery, I lingered in front of Zanele Muholi’s photograph of a black person in a revealing red bathing suit.
Its reclining pose, come-hither look and perfect hairdo made me think it was a woman. The overly muscular physique and flat chest suggested otherwise.
Ambiguity is a common thread in “Tete-a-Tete,” a group show curated by artist Mickalene Thomas. The 11 artists are black; the prevailing medium is photography. Most explore and shatter the perceptions and stereotypes surrounding the black body.
Clifford Owens, sporting nothing but a Mohawk haircut, is stretched out on a bed of rumpled white sheets, like a male odalisque.
Xaviera Simmons’s 2008 “Untitled (Pink)” depicts a scene in the woods: A black woman in a pink dress charges a mound of dirt with a wooden spear -- like a bare-chested warrior princess.
Prices range from $2,800 to $21,000. The show runs through Aug. 24 at 535 W. 22nd St. Information: +1-646-230-9610; http://www.yanceyrichardson.com.
Muse highlights include Richard Vines on dining and James Pressley on business books.
To contact the reporters of this story: Katya Kazakina in New York at kkazakina@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
"Dallas BBQ'' (2001)
Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
"Dallas BBQ'' (2001) by Walter Robinson is part of ``Claxons,'' a group show at Haunch of Venison gallery in Chelsea. Robinson, former editor-in-chief of Artnet online magazine, selected three artists who have written for Artnet.
"Dallas BBQ'' (2001) by Walter Robinson is part of ``Claxons,'' a group show at Haunch of Venison gallery in Chelsea. Robinson, former editor-in-chief of Artnet online magazine, selected three artists who have written for Artnet. Photographer: Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
Harpo Marx's Fright Wig
Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
Harpo Marx's fright wig is part of "Marxism," an exhibition inspired by the Marx Brothers, at 303 Gallery in Chelsea. The item is on loan from the estate.
Harpo Marx's fright wig is part of "Marxism," an exhibition inspired by the Marx Brothers, at 303 Gallery in Chelsea. The item is on loan from the estate. Photographer: Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
Marx Brothers Movie Posters
Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
Marx Brothers movie posters are on view at 303 Gallery in Chelsea as part of the ``Marxism'' exhibition.
Marx Brothers movie posters are on view at 303 Gallery in Chelsea as part of the ``Marxism'' exhibition. Photographer: Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
Works by Elisabeth Kley
Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
Glazed bowls and watercolors by Elisabeth Kley are on view at Haunch of Venison gallery, in Chelsea, in a show that runs through Aug. 17.
Glazed bowls and watercolors by Elisabeth Kley are on view at Haunch of Venison gallery, in Chelsea, in a show that runs through Aug. 17. Photographer: Katya Kazakina/Bloomberg
``Tinky II" (2010)
Yancey Richardson Gallery via Bloomberg
``Tinky II" (2010) by Zanele Muholi. The work is part of a show that includes works by 11 black artists.
``Tinky II" (2010) by Zanele Muholi. The work is part of a show that includes works by 11 black artists. Source: Yancey Richardson Gallery via Bloomberg
``Anthology (Jacolby Satterwhite)"
Yancey Richardson Gallery via Bloomberg
``Anthology (Jacolby Satterwhite)" (2011) by Clifford Owens. The work is part of the ``Tete-a-Tete" exhibition at Yancey Richardson Gallery in Chelsea, curated by artist Mickalene Thomas.
``Anthology (Jacolby Satterwhite)" (2011) by Clifford Owens. The work is part of the ``Tete-a-Tete" exhibition at Yancey Richardson Gallery in Chelsea, curated by artist Mickalene Thomas. Source: Yancey Richardson Gallery via Bloomberg
``Untitled (Pink)" (2008)
Yancey Richardson Gallery via Bloomberg
``Untitled (Pink)" (2008) by Xaviera Simmons is on view at Yancey Richardson Gallery in Chelsea.
``Untitled (Pink)" (2008) by Xaviera Simmons is on view at Yancey Richardson Gallery in Chelsea. Source: Yancey Richardson Gallery via Bloomberg
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