nonsite

Richard Artschwager presents himself as a very traditional artist. I liked him and his work immediately. I appreciate his dry sense of humour. He’s older than I thought, but once he started showing his work his age makes sense. I knew him as this mythic artworld carpenter who fabricated Claes Oldenburg’s 1963 Bedroom Ensemble. He didn’t talk about that. 

He showed a brief, twenty year chronological retrospective of his work starting in the late 50’s. The work changed as he received more recognition and acclaim and began showing with Leo Castelli. The architectural drawings on these textured grounds, and the swirly formica sculptures that look like they should be paintings, all of which have these elaborate oversized frames incorporated as part of the works seem smart.

I’m particularly struck by these small lozenge shaped objects that he first showed for the opening of PS1 in 1971. I love the idea that he can place them anywhere, they were installed in various ‘non’ locations throughout the building.