Just Dust, David Salkin Creative

Chicago, IL

Solo, April 12 - July 13, 2024

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View(s) on/about/viewing: Historically, sculpture has required if not requested a more Formal Approach. Layers of language on material that summate to what is the work doing and why is it doing it? Stilted and cold with marginal if not infinitesimal levels humor has been the norm. Anonymous comparisons for names have not nor will they be spoken because here there is no need. We all have been taught better via our institutions of higher learning, respectively. As a viewer doubt is allowed even encouraged however, only through discourse. One could even venture to say that contemporary sculpture requires a discourse. As the maker contradiction is fine, perfection is not necessary but allowed. These are not rules or suggestion just a Formal Approach. Ari has made what I would refer to as a successful body of work. How is this you may ask?! Location, location, location! Ari keeps a foot in Chicago while moving the other foot briskly about in other spaces thus avoiding our local crab barrel politics. I view this work as a successful experiment that allows room for discussion, humor, and growth. There’s more than a possible duality here. Yet, I certainly hope there’s no labels but for some a label is necessary. And in all fairness labels aren’t a bad thing. But a label could cause these works to possibly forfeit their diplomacy or better yet their neutrality. They (the works) are free, open and jokey. They’re not mired in the Boys Club Culture that can dominate sculpture with an all but admirable willful ignorance. The work will leave you feeling roused from suspended animation and ushered into a world of light and minimal color where there’s enthusiasm sans its reference to academia. To put it plainly, despite their attempt…the works remain digestible and serious. The only question is: can you see yourself in them?

 

-Esau McGhee