8 Sept - Eric Tillinghast in Art in America

LAUNCHPROJECTS - Eric Tillinghast received a fantastic review in this month's Art in America, written by Jan Adlmann. In the review he discussed Tillinghast's solo exhibition Water at LAUNCHPROJECTS and his site-specific installation Rain Machine at the Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe (pictured right).

Adlmann references David Hockney's L.A. pool paintings when describing Tillinghast's works on paper, a flattering reference that we heard frequently in addition to comparisons of the work to Ed Ruscha's swimming pools. Connections to past artists places Tillinghast within a significant art historical trajectory, while his explorations and works remain innovative and unique.

When discussing Eric's Rain Machine installation Adlmann recalls an installation by the same title that neither Eric nor I had known, Andy Warhol's Rain Machine (pictured left) created in 1969 for a LACMA exhibition Art and Technology. "Reminiscent of Andy Warhol’s 1971 installation Rain Machine (Daisy Waterfall), the concept here might well be seen as a present day rethinking of the impluvia (court- yard rainwater catchments) in the villas of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Crucial to the viewer’s apprehension of the work was the faintly audible plashing of the piece, which lulled us to the verge of reverie" (Adlmann).

This parallel represents a remarkable confluence of art ideas and eras. Without prior awareness of Warhol's installation, Eric Tillinghast draws a close parallel between the past and the present - a fusion of art and technology in the form of making rain.

To read the full review, click here: TILLINGHAST REVIEW - ART IN AMERICA

22 July - Patrick McFarlin's Art in America

LAUNCHPROJECTS - Studio visit today with Patrick McFarlin. Patrick is such an incredible painter and it is always a treat to see his latest projects. This trip blew our minds and prompted us to schedule a solo show for McFarlin this September, 2010.

Two years ago he began creating drawings based on Art in America's annual obituary section. The "all-stars" of the recently deceased, the practice was a sobering homage to the artists who had passed away that year. Patrick recently folded the project into something he had long wanted to do - painting covers of some of the most notable painters and paintings in modern history. As a musician covers timeless standards, this series "covers" such iconic artists as Francis Bacon (pictured above, Joan Mitchell, Robert Motherwell, Allan Kaprow, Theodoros Stamos, and Larry Rivers. This new body of work is such a testament to his skill, and these little paintings are unquestionably masterpieces in their own right.

8 July - Clayton Porter Opening at LAUNCHPROJECTS

LAUNCHPROJECTS - The reception for Clayton Porter's exhibition Deer Hart, Dog Dick was packed with friends, collectors, and peers to see his latest body of work. Porter's focus and dedication, in combination with extraordinary skill, culminated in four breathtaking paintings. Working for Bruce Nauman has furthered Porter's conviction not to cater to audience expectations, a fickle market, or external trends. The show received previews and mentions in Art in America, the Santa Fean Magazine, and Adobe Airstream and we look forward to more press to come. It is inspiring to witness Porter's evolution as he continues to challenge himself, his audience, and surpass all of our expectations.

1 July - Clayton Porter Studio Visit

LAUNCHPROJECTS - Art critic Kathryn M Davis joined us today at Clayton Porter's studio for a sneak preview of his upcoming exhibition Deer Hart, Dog Dick. In four new paintings, Porter explores the contemporary grotesque through influences including Gruenwald’s Temptation of Saint Anthony, the stag hunts of Paul de Vos (pictured above), the Baroque allegories of Peter Paul Rubens, and the surrealist imaginings of Max Ernst.

Porter's paintings are grotesque by the original definition of the word (as explored in detail in Robert Storr's 2004 SITE Biennial, Disparities and Deformations: Our Grotesque). Coined in 1490's Renaissance Rome upon the discovery of Emperor Nero's "grotto" paintings, the grotesque described the excessive and titillating imagery of Nero's cave paintings, "florid caricatures of unnatural man / beast combinations that decorated the long-hidden walls of the grottoes " (Peter Eleey for Frieze Magazine).

Porter's solo exhibition Deer Hart, Dog Dick opens at LAUNCHPROJECTS on Thursday, July 8th from 6:30 - 8:00. Previews of this exhibition have been published in Art in America, the Santa Fean Magazine, and Adobe Airstream.

Special Thanks to James Bristol for his great shot of Clayton's paint palatte (pictured above).