#TheARTivist at Ash Studios — Apr. 4, 2-9 p.m. 3203 Ash Ln. Dallas, TX 75226.
As taken from Ben Davis’ great volume 9.5 Theses on Art and Class:
“The work of political artists usually harms no one, and I would defend their right to make it; what I cannot support is their self-serving assumption that it ‘somehow’ has a political effect in the real world,” the artist Victor Burgin said in a 2007 interview.
Here’s why I like what the folks at Ash Studios are doing this weekend. They are registering voters and raising awareness about the issues at stake in the May Dallas city council elections. Because while any gallery frequenter is familiar with the usual political posturing and provocating of contemporary artists, we can lose sight of the fact that these political dispositions and opinions are generally tepid and limp if they do not follow through with political action. That’s why it’s good to take a moment to put down the art supplies and “organize, organize, organize,” as Martha Rosler once put it.
Chivas Clem: Desperate to Appear Sophisticated and Other Titles at Erin Cluley Gallery — Apr. 4, 6-8 p.m. 414 Fabrication St. Dallas, TX 75212.
Glamour, abjection, vomit, glitter, and materials that are reminiscent of bodily fluids of all sorts: Chivas Clem’s first solo exhibition in Dallas promises to ooze and secret its considerations of art, fashion, and the desecrated state of humanity. The artist is a native of Paris, Texas, but during his decade or so in New York, he managed to achieve some acclaim, participating in the Whitney Independent Study Program, exhibiting at Deitch Projects in New York and Galerie Almine Rech in Paris, and being collected by the Museum of Modern art and the Centre George Pompidou in Paris. He also helped launch the artists space The Fifth International.
Human Occult Powers at Circuit 12 Contemporary — Apr. 4, 6-10 p.m. 1130 Dragon St. Ste. 150 Dallas, TX 75207.
The local galleries are gearing up for the Art Fair rush, and so Circuit 12 gets in on the action by mounting a very market-palatable group exhibition of fashionably degenerate art, featuring Jacin Giordano, POSE, Manny Prieres, Brian Rochefort, Anne Vieux, TM Sisters, Super Future Kid, and Amy McGirk.
Jesse Meraz: HAUTE FAUXX at Ro2 Art — Apr. 4, 7-10 p.m. 110 N. Akard St. Dallas, TX 75201.
Via the release: “In his recent body of work, Jesse Meraz’s interests lie in the ambivalent relationship between art and fashion.” Starting to spot a trend? Yep, it’s Art Fair April in Dallas, and so our minds turn to all the blurring of pomp and circumstance. But this is an exhibition you should hit, especially since it is Jesse Meraz’s first solo show in a decade. Meraz was a member of Denton’s Good/Bad Art Collective, and he currently dwells in Fort Worth.
And here are all of the openings:
THURSDAY
One Must Have a Mind of Winter at UNT Art Building — Apr. 2, 5-7 p.m. 1201 W. Mulberry St. Denton, TX 76201.
The Idyll by Ryder Richards at Carillon Gallery, Tarrant County College South Campus — Apr. 2, 6-8 p.m. 5301 Campus Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76119.
FRIDAY
Pale Imitations and Training Video at Union Studios/Pariah — Apr. 3, 7-9 p.m. 1509 Gano St. Dallas, TX 75215.
SUBJECT:DISABILITY at The University of Texas at Arlington — Apr. 3, 5:30-8 p.m. 701 S. Nedderman Dr. Arlington, TX 76019.
Whole Body Exposed: Preview and Artist Talk at Alan Simmons Art+Design — Apr. 3, 6-9 p.m. 1415 Slocum St. Ste. 105 Dallas, TX 75207.
SATURDAY
#TheARTivist at Ash Studios — Apr. 4, 2-9 p.m. 3203 Ash Ln. Dallas, TX 75226.
Susan Barnett, Jeff Baker & Vincent Ramos at Conduit Gallery — Apr. 4, 6-8 p.m. 1626 Hi Line Dr. Ste. C Dallas, TX 75207.
Chivas Clem: Desperate to Appear Sophisticated and Other Titles at Erin Cluley Gallery — Apr. 4, 6-8 p.m. 414 Fabrication St. Dallas, TX 75212.
Human Occult Powers at Circuit 12 Contemporary — Apr. 4, 6-10 p.m. 1130 Dragon St. Ste. 150 Dallas, TX 75207.
Jesse Meraz: HAUTE FAUXX at Ro2 Art — Apr. 4, 7-10 p.m. 110 N. Akard St. Dallas, TX 75201.
