[November 9 2010]
Concurrent with the opening of his incredible survey show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Los Angeles artist John Baldessari also presents a new body of work at Marian Goodman’s 57th Street gallery. Sediments marks a noted departure for Baldessari. In recent years his works explored fragmented bodies, color and bizarre amalgams meant to create new narratives for his viewers. In the current exhibition, it appears that Baldessari appropriates the palate and straightforward approach to subject developed by Robert Longo and gives it his own Pop Minimalism touch. The colors are limited to blacks, whites and grays. Space whether empty or colored in challenges the viewers to perceive subject matter within these limits. Along the bottom of each canvas, Baldessari writes a descriptive text guiding our eyes to understand the image given the most brief of details. John Baldessari’s exhibition runs until the 4th December at Marian Goodman, 24 West 57th Street, New York. Photo and Text Juliana Balestin