Modern art and African forms converge, East blends West, and form challenges function

By Melody Mock

In the early 20th century, European and American artists became influenced by African sculpture . As these artists reached beyond traditional representation, they flattened planes and created stylized forms that were neither proportionate nor realistic. In Paris, Pablo Picasso’s African period preceded his cubist period ; his famous painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” (1907) depicted women wearing African masks. Formerly considered ethnographic objects, they became recognized as pieces of fine art as African-influenced imagery appeared in modernist art and photography.

In 1914, an exhibit at Alfred Stieglitz’s New York Gallery 291 introduced African sculpture to American modernist artists, one of whom was Man Ray(1890-1976). He worked in a variety of media in New York, then Paris, although he is best known as an avant-garde photographer. As he experimented with new techniques and styles, he was also captivated by this subject matter and became the most prolific photographer of African art of his period.

Man Ray, Noire et Blanche, 1926

“Man Ray, African Art, and the Modernist Lens,”
a traveling exhibit opening at the University of New Mexico Art Museum on Feb. 5, explores this defining connection between photography and African art. Photographs by Man Ray and 21 of his international contemporaries such as Charles Sheeler , Walker Evans, Cecil Beaton , Alfred Stieglitz , Clara Sipprell and James Latimer Allen are exhibited alongside the original sculptures. The pieces in the show are seen not only from an art history perspective, but also through cultural perspectives of identity, gender and colonialism. Also addressed are issues of mechanical reproduction, surrealism and fashion.

With significant loans from private and museum collections in Paris, Copenhagen, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, among others, this show makes its only appearance outside of the East Coast here in Albuquerque.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to see these masterworks of photography and African art—it’s a coup that UNM will have this on view and for a good period of time. We plan to continue bringing this level of work to our public,” says Director E. Luanne McKinnon.

Capturing clouds

Chika Matsuda, Cloud - I have captured a cloud and am keeping it in a tank

Artist Chika Matsuda uses technology and common objects that address the balance of nature and blend Eastern philosophy with Western concepts. “Cloud—I have captured a cloud and am keeping it in a tank” is an aquarium filled with water. A silicone cloud floats at the top of the water, attached by thread to a rock at the bottom of the tank. In her kinetic sculpture, “I cannot be in two places at the same time,” a motor pushes a tiny drop of water to the top of a tube, then retracts before it spills.

Born in Japan, Matsuda has lived in New Zealand and Arizona for the past seven years while studying art.

Last year she received first place at the Harwood Art Center’s “Crossing,” a juried exhibition for Southwestern university graduate students. One of her awards was a solo show at Richard Levy Gallery.

A closing reception for the exhibit, “Melt into the Atmosphere,” takes place on Saturday, Feb. 6.

A new take on function

Julia Barello, Abcisio from the series Flowers of Rhetoric

Next door to Levy Gallery, 516 ARTS also holds a reception on February 6 for the opening of “Form & Function,” an exhibit featuring artists whose work has a practical as well as aesthetic role. Revolving around Joan Weissman’s rug sample sale, the show is a fundraiser that also includes furniture, lighting, jewelry and other eclectic art objects.

Artist Julia Barello creates jewelry from MRI film and monofilament; Angelo Arnold makes furniture pieces that inspire emotion and conversation but aren’t necessarily functional.

An upstairs shop area offers visitors the opportunity to purchase works by the artists.

“Man Ray, African Art, and the Modernist Lens”

Opening reception: Friday, Feruary 5, 5–7 p.m.
Show runs through Feb. 6 – May 30

University of New Mexico Art Museum
505.277.6773

Chika Matsuda: “Melt into the Atmosphere”

Through Feb. 5
Closing reception: Sat., Feb. 6, 6–8 p.m.

Richard Levy Gallery website
514 Central Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102-3142
505.766.9888

“Form & Function”

Opening reception: Feb. 6, 6–8 p.m.
Show runs February 6 – April 3

516 ARTS
516 Central Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505.242.1445

—Melody Mock is a writer, musician, artist and a contributing editor to albuquerqueARTS.