OTMA’S BODY at GAVIN BROWN’S ENTERPRISE and Barry McGee at CHEIM & READ

James Kalm slides by a couple of exhibitions that present different modes of installation and “display”. “OTMA’S BODY” by the collaborative Women’s History Museum is a combination of feminist art statement, and a pop up fashion mart. Amanda McGowan and Mattie Rivkah Barringer have teamed up to produce several collections of garments, jewelry, furniture, paintings and sculpture to illustrate a fanciful family of Russian noble women. Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia are depicted through their absence. The eccentric gowns, furniture and jewelry, are redolent of decadence and abject exuberance. Barry McGee fills the gallery with paintings, pottery, found objects with artistic additions, and classic surf boards to submerge viewers into a world of rustic hippsterism. Amongst the clutter are examples of major paintings depicting West Coast “Hobo Art” a vernacular version of street art, with inserted sections of brightly colored geometric patterned fields, and blocky text. A musical introduction is provided by Desmond Ivey. This program was recorded February 19 and 21, 2018.