October 13 - November 12
Andrew Kreps Gallery is pleased to present Robert Melee's In Between False
Comforts, the artist's fourth solo exhibition at the gallery. For this
exhibition Melee builds upon his previous investigations of the suburban home,
yet by limiting himself to grayscale, has yielded a room full of objects that
are simultaneously psychological and nostalgic.
For In Between False Comforts Melee has covered the floor in his
signature "marbleized" wood paneling and hung three of his plaster and enamel
coated curtain paintings, all in black, white, and gray. Melee describes "marbleization"
as an effect in which the artist simultaneously channels Martha Stewart and
Jackson Pollack. Melee has also created large grayscale versions of his bottle
cap paintings: bottle caps nailed to wood panels in a grid, then coated repeatedly
in plaster, and finally covered in high-gloss enamel paint. Masquerading as
minimalism and op-art, these works play with the boundaries between painting
and sculpture.
Works reflecting the artist's continued interest in human behavior have also been included in the show. Throughout his career Melee has shot over thirty short videos, always focusing on the human body, which is often transformed or in drag. Recently, he created a dance performance with a group of five dancers at Judson Church, and in 2005 curated a two-night event at The Kitchen where he invited nine performers to perform for eight minutes each, on a stage Melee designed. The event also included a live "marbleization" of Melee's mother.
The figures that Melee has created for In Between False Comforts
add a hauntingly grotesque presence to the installation. By coating mannequins
in canvas, then plaster and enamel paint these figures become imposing, featureless
masses. The figures are spread throughout the space, in various positions
and scales (child and adult), creating a silent dialogue between Melee's invented
characters.
The exhibition will be on view from October 13th ¥ November 12th, 2005. A reception, which will feature a performance by Julie Atlas Muz, will be held for the artist at the gallery on October 13th from 6 - 8 PM at 558 West 21st St., New York City. For information call 212-741-8849. Robert Melee's Stage Works and Substitutions will be on view at Sutton Lane Gallery in London from October 18th - November 18th, 2005.
September 5-October 5, 2002
Andrew
Kreps Gallery is pleased to present You Me and Her, Robert Melee's third solo
exhibition at the gallery. Melee has previously exhibited works using various
mediums such as film, video, photography, sculpture and painting. This exhibition
seeks to further Melee's investigation of the dynamics and aesthetics of the
American suburban home. The exhibition will divide the gallery into three
spaces: The Gallery, The Viewing Room,
and The Backroom.
During the opening reception the artistís mother will be on display; referencing previous work. After the reception, this performance will be replayed on a video monitor, in place of Melee's mother.
The first space, The Gallery, contains works painted in colors of yellow and white. This work, "Substitute Homage Substitution," references Josef Albers "Homage to a Square."
The second space, The Viewing Room, is lit with red light and features two videos, "You Me and Her" and "Popcorn Mommy." The first video work challenges the notion of intimacy, the second depicts an interaction between the artist and his mother that is simultaneously disturbing and humorous.
The
third space, The Backroom, is completely covered from floor to ceiling in
an alternating pattern of fake wood paneling and marbleized paint. Everything
in this room is color coordinated in blue, green, and white. On display, there
will be a curtain sculpture, and a circular home entertainment unit which
holds vintage televisions
featuring five new silent video works and photographic stills.
This exhibition further develops the concept "Baloneyism." The exhibition will be on view from September 5 to October 5, 2002. A reception will be held for the artist in the gallery on September 5 from 6-8 PM at 516 West 20th St., New York City. For information call 212-741-8849. Andrew Kreps Gallery would like to thank Sony Electronics for their generous support.
Unit
March 25-April 29, 2000
Andrew Kreps Gallery is pleased to announce Robert Melee's second solo show entitled Unit at the new location.
Unit, is an oversized entertainment module (or unit), hand crafted and designed by Melee. Enameled in green and adorned with pressed wood paneling, this piece, 10' x 16' contains 14 televisions and numerous framed photographs. Each of the TVs features its own short film and the photographs serve as snapshots. These nostalgic films, primarily produced as B/W Super 8 and then transferred to video, are all silent, emulating a home movie format. Most of movies star the artist's mother. "Melee's short movies are immediate and caricatured. The final products are quick, blurry and out of focus, notes of something that has been deeply experienced and seriously examined". (Goran Tomcic)
The
exhibition will be on view from March 25 - April 29 2000. A reception will
be held for the artist in the gallery on March 25 from 6-8 PM at the new location
518 West 20th St. New York City. For information call 212-741-8849
