Thursday, November 7, 2013

Peter Sabbeth, Ross Watts, In Stereo, Opening Reception: Saturday, Nov. 9, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.


Peter Sabbeth addresses the rapidly changing information culture by preserving and honoring obsolete artifacts, in this case handwriting. While acknowledging the abundant creativity of our time, he laments the loss of longstanding staples of culture such as newspapers, home telephones and the intimacy of the handwriting of loved ones. Yet there is actually no real handwriting or meaning in the paintings at all. The spectator is removed from the responsibility for translation or literal engagement. Data becomes pattern. The energy and beauty of line become an epitaph for the future moment when handwriting will be so rare that it has earned a place on the wall.

Ross Watts creates minimal, conceptual paintings, sculptures, and installations. The repetition of simple activities, such as alterations of paper, and engagement with surrounding architecture are motifs that inform Watts' study of urban architecture and the grid. Recent work, influenced by a move to Sag Harbor, NY, has involved a turn toward the natural world — stones carved from the pages of books and paintings made from stencils of layered fishing nets stretch the grid into more organic forms. Conceived as minimalist paintings, the wall sculptures are composed of hundreds of strips of paper, torn or cut by hand and held to the wall by compression. The "paintings" become constructions dependent upon the wall itself for their existence.

For more information and images contact Sara Nightingale at sara@saranightingale.com or 631-793-2256. The gallery will be open on Friday, Nov. 8th, from 6 - 8 p.m. to accommodate those visiting the Parrish Art Museum's Members' Preview for Artists Choose Artists. The Parrish will host another reception for members on Saturday from 6 - 8 p.m., so those wishing to visit the museum the same evening as the gallery opening will be able to do so. It is suggested that attendees rsvp for the Parrish event. rsvp@parrishart.org. Join the Parrish: http://parrishart.org/join-parrish Ashley Dye's HANG gallery and artisan market will be open as well and serving libations. 

The exhibition runs through Dec. 10th.