Volume 37, Issue 46
Published November 15th, 2006
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November 10th, 2006 - December 3rd, 2006
Exit (a gallery space)
2688 W.14th St. Cleveland Oh, 44113
330-321-8161
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Consumerism is the ostensible theme of these mixed-media images by California artist Nathan Haenlein. But that rationale seems forced; in the end, they're simply objects of great luster, depth, and visual complexity. The formula behind them is consistent, which isn't to say that they're formulaic. Haenlein starts with thick, rectangular slabs of plywood, then applies thin stripes in groups of four enamel colors. Over this goes a thick layer of hard, semi-transparent resin, into which looping lines are etched and then painted in repetitive geometric patterns conceived on a computer. The artist claims to be modeling the way advertising works: A flashy gimmick catches the eye and leads us toward identification with a brand and a deep-seated need to explore further. Okay. The opaque pink resin, faint white lines, and floral surface pattern of "Pinkish" do sort of evoke the color scheme of Victoria's Secret. But without meaningful titles, no viewer would reach that conclusion unaided. The more likely pleasure here is instinctive and visceral, a relishing of each object's uniquely sharp contrasts in texture and pattern. By these measures, Haenlein hits a perfect trifecta with "Triple Half Hurtin'." The combination of straight, warm-colored vertical stripes against wavy wood grains and a jarring T-shaped design in brilliant white is magically disorienting, as if the image were manually crossing your eyes. It's a powerful effect, one that requires no theoretical justification.