Right Roads and The Wrong Ways

by Art Fag City on September 18, 2008 · 8 comments Reviews

ron-amstutz.jpg
Ron Amstutz, Installation view, Right Roads and Wrong Ways Image via: Wallspace

What is the worst show currently on view in Chelsea?

Eliminating B and C list galleries from this group, I nominate Ron Amstutz’s Right Roads and The Wrong Ways at Wallspace as the strongest contender for that title this month. A performance and video artist, Amstutz creates confined sets resembling theater props which he then runs around on while documenting the process. He works with only 7 sets and repaints them continually. Exciting right?

It’s less interesting than it sounds. While watching someone climb up and down five stairs continuously may not be the most riveting art experience, the artists decision to match every prop and costume choice by opposition creates aggressively boring symmetry. Every visual scenario has a predictable resolution. A Black and white set, with a black and white costume, and even black and white Converse shoes; the only variation proposed is the performative act, which in and of itself is a stereotype of 60’s and 70’s performance work (particularly endurance.)

My biggest qualm with this piece however ties to the increasingly popular use of name brands in art, which then disrupt the reading of the work by communicating the message of the product. In the case Amstutz, his videos end up looking like Converse ads for artists. That’s a problem for a number of reasons not the least of which being that the viewer is left wondering whether it’s the value of the art that determines its worth or the branding of the shoe.

{ 8 comments }

Tristan September 18, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Yeah, I read about this guy a few months agao and I totally agree, the sort of show where you would kinda feel bored and used….simultaneously!

Nice blog,

Tris.

Tristan September 18, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Yeah, I read about this guy a few months agao and I totally agree, the sort of show where you would kinda feel bored and used….simultaneously!

Nice blog,

Tris.

Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blo September 19, 2008 at 12:24 am

Vito Acconci knows endurance. Ron Amstutz knows shoes. 😛

Brian Sherwin @ Myartspace Blog September 18, 2008 at 7:24 pm

Vito Acconci knows endurance. Ron Amstutz knows shoes. 😛

Richard September 19, 2008 at 4:37 pm

i think you meant…
http://www.wallspacegallery.com

Richard September 19, 2008 at 11:37 am

i think you meant…
http://www.wallspacegallery.com

reportage September 21, 2008 at 11:25 pm

gonna have to see this one for myself before i make up my mind…

reportage September 21, 2008 at 6:25 pm

gonna have to see this one for myself before i make up my mind…

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