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Thomas Huber, Ed Smith and Michael Zansky Exhibit at Van Brunt Gallery Thoughout March
 | | Work by Thomas Huber |
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The line between Human and Nature has all but disappeared. True, most of us still think of ourselves as independent beings living in the world. We're used to seeing things that way. But science and philosophy will tell us otherwise. There's no more inside and outside. It's all one big indeterminate web of being and we're just a very small part of it. To view this web of being from the point of view of politics is to reject the notions of us and them.
Of course, current events would seem to demonstrate the contrary. There seems to be nothing but conflict 24/7 and plenty of round the clock news sources to make sure we don't forget it. But for many people, this seeming endless cycle of violence is the result of a fundamental misunderstanding of reality. In their view, to attack another is to attack ourselves.
So what does all this mean for Art? The work of three strong artists: Thomas Huber, Ed Smith and Michael Zansky reflects upon these issues in the new show opening at Van Brunt Gallery in Beacon March 1.
Huber, a Cold Spring resident, is the most abstract of the three. His paintings appear to capture a moment of balance in an ongoing process of chaos. Biomorphic forms jostle for attention with distinctly human artifacts such as shopping lists and doodles. Those who stay with Huber's work for a while will find themselves alternating between trying to take in the overall picture from a distance and "nosing-up" to the incredibly rich surfaces Huber creates. Advertising photos sprout from cellular forms. Pine cones hang from cell towers. What the heck? Huber is in no rush to provide answers, he's much more interested in pregnant questions. The viewer will have to take responsibility for conclusions reached. In time, the attentive observer may discover an overall feeling of peace evolving from the near and far process of seeing what Huber has offered for our contemplation.
Ed Smith is somewhat more direct in his approach. There are worlds within worlds of subtleties in the masterful technique he brings to his prints and sculptures. But there is no mistaking the outrage and anguish his work expresses. What have we wrought and why? Gallery goers will be reminded of Goya's Disasters of War and Rodin's Burghers of Calais. There is a powerful unflinching quality to Smith's work, like looking into the eye of one tough hombre. The easy irony of much current political art is nowhere to be seen. This is raw, unfettered emotion evoked by the consequences of human hubris. Ed Smith ain't kiddin' around. Yet in the midst of his creative fury, Smith still finds beauty and he shares this with us.
Michael Zansky is another veteran artist of serious intent. His work on view in this show is definitely political with a dash of sardonic humor that will evoke the kind of laughs that hurt. Zansky's work occupies the gallery's New Hudson Room with a series of related prints surrounding a central kinetic sculpture of George Washington as you've never seen him before. While Ed Smith's angst is expressed on a mythic level, Zansky is working multiple levels rooted both in popular culture and high art. The central theme is an actual dream of Washington's, with which Zansky has taken some liberties. Yes, that is one of the Three Stooges next to George and someone, I won't say who, is wearing a pink tutu. The visual outrages found in his work mirror Zansky's moral outrage at what has become of the country of our Founding Fathers. As with Huber and Smith, Zansky's passionate response to our 21st century world is masterfully done. No cheap shots here. This is the real deal: art at its best.
The work of Thomas Huber, Ed Smith and Michael Zansky is on view from March 1st through March 31. Van Brunt Gallery is located at 460 Main Street, Beacon. Gallery hours are Thursday - Monday or by appointment. For more information, call 845-838-2995 or e-mail info@vanbruntgallery.com.
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