Barnaby Furnass Opening At MCA Denver

October 5, 2009

On Friday September 25, I attended the Barnaby Furnas opening at the MCA Denver. I hadn’t been to the MCA before, so it was quite an experience for a newcomer. There was a great mix of people and an overall sense of excitement in the air. I haven’t had the chance to get to many art events in Denver yet, and this reminded me how great openings are.

Kevin O’Connel’s photography was prominently displayed on the first floor. Images of large industrial objects in the landscape, such as wind turbines and power towers are the focus of the work. I have to say that I was quite taken with these very aesthetically pleasing views of something that many would consider monstrous intrusions on the landscape. In addition to the photographs, a room of three video projections was also on view. The video installation gave greater insight into the environment in which these objects inhabit. To me, it is a timeless space where these elements of power exist seemingly beyond humanity. These being things crafted by human hands, and engineered by human minds, yet without the presence of anyone creates this timeless feeling. The imagery gives the impression of vastness and incredible scale.

Not only was I drawn to the imagery, but the presentation was excellent. The frames were beautiful, and nicely lit. I was however slightly confused… no evidence of any paintings on the first floor. Still, a newbie to the MCA Denver I forged a path upstairs.

The second floor brought me several more artists. The first, Jim Green, had an installation of Whoopee Cushion machines, which trigger at different times letting out the signature Whoopee Cushion noise. I registered it as “interesting”, read the wall text which informed me that Green feels he is a sound artist, and carried on. Not to do a disservice to Green, but after having heard about the opening I was getting antsy to see the paintings I knew were close by.

The next turn on my journey brought me to a room filled with work by Arlene Shechet. Many of the objects in the room were either textile or cast fiber. What caught my attention were the pieces that were essentially three dimensional topographical maps cut from wood. I assume these were cut from one piece of wood, because upon closer inspection the grain and subtle nuance of each layer began to appear. Adam Fotos, a graduate student I studied under at the University of Illinois, did something very similar with acrylic sheeting. Really though, the similarity ends at the flat forms being built up to reveal something more akin to terra. Mr. Fotos’ work was more in line with a fantasy realm than revealing the landscape imbedded within a piece of wood.

Around the corner and down the hall, I finally found what I had come for (with an added bonus). Before seeing the new Barnaby Furnas paintings, I was confronted by a large work by artist Rex Ray. At first it appeared to be painted, but upon closer inspection the colorful, patterned work was comprised of printed elements that had been reassembled onto a canvas. An attempt at reconciling contemporary digital art practices with traditional presentation? Whatever the intent, the outcome was a whimsical composition with a surprise in store for the ‘expert’ art viewer.

The Rex Ray piece was nice, but in the next room I identified my target. A large room filled with gawkers, and of course new work by Barnaby Furnas. The installation was entitled ‘Floods’, which was enough of a lead in for me.What I witnessed on each massive canvas was just that, a gory, sanguine spray of the full spectrum of blood colored paint. These pieces followed nicely on the heals of work I had already seen by Furnas. There was an energy evident in the new work that was in a way, less overt than other work I had seen. Where before, compositions were explosive and extremely dynamic, these had the subtlety of and power of natural phenomena. Even in the piece that appeared at first glance to be entirely black, there was a high degree of detail. Minute changes in coloration, and built up flecks of paint became evident upon closer inspection. The only drawback to the exhibition was the number of people. It being the opening there was of course a large number of attendees. Hopefully, I will be able to go back during regular hours to spend more time gazing and analyzing this exciting new work.

The MCA Denver had more to offer. Before leaving, I ventured upstairs and outside to the top of the building which offers some great views of Lower Downtown. I also had a chance encounter with a marching band on my way out!

-JN

LINKS OF INTEREST:
Kevin O’Connel
Jim Green @ MCA
Arlene Shechet
Adam Fotos
Rex Ray
Barnaby Furnas @ Saatchi
MCA Denver

OTHER IMAGES: