Sept–October 2007 - Preview

An-My Lê: Small WarsHENRY ART GALLERY, SEATTLE WA– Aug 18-Nov 4 An-My Lê cameto America in 1975 as a refugeefrom the Vietnam War. Hertravelling exhibition, Small Wars isa reflection of the wars that haveshaped the last half century inAmerica; the war in Vietnam andthe current war in Iraq andAfghanistan. Composed from twodifferent series of photographs, Lêdoesn’t document the actual war inIraq – she was denied permission.Her eloquent black and whitephotos capture reenactments andrehearsals of war, giving the term“theater of war” a new meaning.previewwww.henryart.orgAn-My Lê, 29 Palms: Marine Palms [detail] (2003-2004), gelatin silver print[Henry Art Gallery, Seattle WA, Aug 8-Nov 4]At a military base located in the California desert where soldiers train before being deployed Lêcaptures fictional accounts of war that appear to be documentary. In this series 29 Palms (2003-present), named after the military base, vistas of the American landscape dominate over themilitary activity that is her subject. This approach mirrors the sanitized perspective of the Iraqiwar that is filtered into the American public and makes one question the authenticity of suchseemingly objective media coverage.In contrast, the graphic terrors of the Vietnam war were largely broadcast into American eyes,creating an iconic remembrance of the horrific events. Lê’s Small Wars series (1999-2002) depictsmen who reenact battles from Vietnam in the forests of Virginia. Some are veterans and some arehistory buffs: Lê is sensitive to the complex psychology of what motivates these men and crafts herimages without any parody. Rather, Lê’s pictures resonate with perception about how a war isremembered, examining the premise of accurate experience and corporeal histories. Allyn CantorBlock, Rajie Cook, AbdelaliDahrouch, Hanah Diab, Michele Feder-Nadoff,Nick Fox-Gieg, John Halaka,Kanaan Kanaan, John Pitman-Weber, Jenny Polak, Amie Potsic,Joyce Dallal, “Piece Process” is amultimedia, national travelling exhibitionof painting, photography, sculptureand film created by artists of MiddleEastern decent working in America,Europe and the Middle East; JoshArseneau, “BLAM” explores spectacleand futility using wall painting and anengine as a sculptural focal point, partof an ongoing process of combiningappropriated imagery from currentand historical contexts with personalexperiences, memories and opinions;LIGHT & SOUND GALLERY Mack McFarland,“Preparations” experiments incolour, touch, sound and smell in thespirit of multi-media mania, Albers,Munsell, synesthesia, Smell-O-Vision,72 PREVIEWThe Mysterium were all inspirationsfor this work; OPEN SPACE COMMUNITYGALLERY Chuck Nakell, Lorna Nakell,Noah Nakell, Susan Sumimoto (pdx),“The Family Dynamic”, painting,sculpture, photography by this familyof full-time artists; Jacob Vercouteren(pdx), “From Burden to Bliss”, mixedmedia paintings; MAIN GALLERY Oct 4-26 Aili Schmeltz, Molly Reilly,Stephanie Dotson, “Console”, a collaborativeeffort by three womenartists who are reacting to the changesoccurring both stylistically and conceptuallywithin the evolving disposable,consumerist society; Jim Neidhardtand Kerry Davis, “Crybabies, orA Sad State of Affairs”. Video installationexplores the act of regressing toan infantile state; LIGHT & SOUNDGALLERY Colin Ives, “Swimmer”, videoprojection of a swimmer swimmingacross the floor, up a wall, across theceiling, then down to the floor in anendless loop; OPEN SPACE COMMUNITYGALLERY Michael Magrath, AlexanderRokoff, Allan Stephenson, Alan MerrisBell, John Van Dreal, Gary Faigin,Li Tie, Ignat Ignatov, Fred Harwin,Juliette Aristides, Martin Eichinger,Zifen Qian, John Rizotto, ElizabietaOsiak, John White, “New HighRenaissance”, exhibition by a group ofcontemporary artists who believe inideals and the high standards of the oldmasters.★ Portland Art Museum1219 SW Park Ave ✆(503)226-2811www.portlandartmuseum.orgtues, wed, sat 10am-5pm thurs, fri10am-8pm sun 12-5pm Admission:members free adults $10seniors/students (19 +) $9, students(15-18) $6. Thru Oct 7 “Camouflage,”an exploration of the use of★ OPEN LATE ON FIRST THURSDAYS