New American Landscape
May 10, 2010
New American Landscape Invite
On Friday, I attended an opening for New American Landscapes at Las Manos Gallery in Chicago. This group exhibition showcases the work of twenty-seven artists featured in the upcoming book New American Landscapes, which will be published this May by Sprocketbox entertainment.
Allison Rae Butkus, Rollercoaster in Fog
The project explores the ambiguity behind the concept of America, which in its broadest context includes the nations and people that occupy the two continents of North America and South America. In particular the work explores how the term American is often misconstrued around the world to suggest something that is synonymous with the United States.
Scott David Johnson, Getting Ahead
This misconception becomes the focal point for the book and it is used as a point of departure for a broader investigation of the people, land, culture and ideals that make up the United States. It is also important to point out that this book is not simply a collection of landscape painting or photography. The term landscape refers to something more cultural rather than physical, and the primary intent of the book is to open a dialogue on the meaning of America, and its impact on artistic production.
Melissa Wilkinson, Deconstructed Landscape (Boat)
Both the exhibition and the book feature work by a number of emerging artists living in the United States and Canada. What intrigues me most about this project is that it is was initiated and run by artists. The artist David Downs and his wife Lydia Krupinski organized this project, and they have chosen to publish New American Landscapes independently through their company Sprocketbox Entertainment.
David Linneweh, Re-Assembled Landscape (New Orleans 4)
The book is currently available for viewing and pre-sale throughout the duration of the exhibition. For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.lasmanosgallery.com. To inquire about purchasing a copy of the book, visit www.sprocketbox.yolasite.com.
