The Protest Art Show opened at Time & Space Limited (TSL) on Aug 31. The exhibit was curated by Arte4A, a collaboration by artists Pauline Decarmo, George Spencer and Tom McGill.
This exhibition is a din of about 100 works in diverse media, by approximately 50 artists (most local). Works in this show protest everything that begs to be protested--war, capitalism, corrupt leaders, sexual harassment, homophobia, racism, pollution, income inequality. The list goes on and on, because these problems are relentless. Thankfully, the works are not hung in particular/separate groupings, acknowledging that social and political problems overlap, often arising from a common source. So the show is fabulously chaotic and alive. It take place in a large hall and adjacent room, between which is a revolving door labeled on either side COLORED ONLY and WHITES ONLY. The space is reminiscent of coffeehouses in the 1970's, inviting and funky.
A horde attended the opening-- all races, all classes, all ages, forming talking nodes around pieces and actually looking at the art. For example-- Alosa Sapidissima by Lydia Rubio--a river fish drawn with white paint and chalk on a black panel is erasable by the viewer, except for the plastic garbage inside the fish. There are Mrs. Butterworth bottles--with wicks. There are redacted documents. There's far too much artwork here for a single viewing. And POTUS might be disappointed to know that, although referenced, his image is not front and center.
The curators state that "most art promotes the status quo. This show is about tearing down the status quo". So there are no rarified and hushed white cubicles here, no strategic spot lighting, no strong-arming subject matter. The curators aim for a show that is "direct, speaks to people and is not buried in verbiage that sounds like badly translated French" (if you've suffered through Artforum you may get the reference here). The curators have hit their mark, as has the hard work of so many artists. Time & Space Limited is to be applauded for supplying the venue and supporting this effort. Such shows could, and should be held everywhere. The show comes down after September 28, so try to take it in before then.
by Sandra Moore
Micheal Tong : “Domestic Trouble”