|
Pulse of the Twin Cities Login |
|
If you do not have an account yet
Create One.
|
|
|
Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
|
|
|
|
Into Thaiowaland @ Rosalux Gallery
Thursday 11 September @ 14:23:17 |
 by Natilee Harren
The way David Whannel and Neil Rasmussen treat their homelands—Iowa and Thailand respectively—could hardly be any more different. Whannel depicts Iowa farmland in his abstract landscape paintings with a deceivingly reckless yet loving hand, while Rasmussen presents Thailand through impersonal, postcard-perfect 35mm digital prints that were taken during a three-week vacation.
While Whannel and Rasmussen’s work make an odd pair, viewers are certain to find pieces to connect with. Whannel’s paintings draw viewers in with their overflow of frenetic energy, and diligent viewers are rewarded by the discovery of curious fragments of images and objects embedded in their surfaces. Rasmussen’s photographs capture a more conventional beauty—crystal-blue waters, the enchanting ruins of historical monuments, and charming scenes of locals in their daily routines.
It is clear that Whannel has a more personal connection with Iowa than Rasmussen has with Thailand. Whannel’s references to Iowan landscape-particularly cornfields and silos-slip into his compositions nearly undetected among loosely figural, excitedly rhythmic forms. On the other hand, Rasmussen’s Thailand is pretty but detached from a personal narrative. He did manage to steal some startlingly mesmerizing moments, particularly in two close-ups where huge schools of fish crowd into surface water. In one photo, the brightest fish’s blazing orange color sings electric against its darker neighbors, and in the other, the whiskers of dozens of catfish brush against each other like the antennae of lobsters, invoking fearful fascination.
Whannel and Rasmussen both have a studied sense of design that reveals their art school backgrounds. Rasmussen’s photos are pleasantly balanced and framed despite being taken on-the-fly. They become less impressive, however, when it is discovered that he selected the best images from a collection of 200 to 300 others taken during the same trip. In Whannel’s few collage-heavy paintings, he deftly arranges and relates awkward materials, including fabric, wallpaper and pieces of wood and hard plastic.
Rasmussen draws on his natural talents to create pleasing photographs, but they are essentially a set of sophisticated-looking vacation snapshots. Meanwhile, Whannel presents a confident personal style that offers a surprising twist to the Midwestern landscape genre.
Rosalux Gallery is owned and operated by a 25-member artist collective. Rosalux opened the doors to its new location next to Open Book on Washington Avenue in May 2003. The collective uses the gallery’s three floors to show its own artworks in the format of two- and three-person shows, as well as group exhibitions. In addition to “Into Thaiowaland,” there is currently a group show on view at the gallery at this time.
“Into Thaiowaland” is on view through Sept. 29. Open Tue.-Fri. 11–7 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 12–5 p.m. Rosalux Gallery, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls. 612-252-0124. www.rosaluxgallery.com
|
|
 |
|
|
Comments -
Post Comment |
|
The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content.
NO comments yet! Be the first!
|
|
|
