grouping group shows into two groups
Summer shows are of two varieties. One, described nicely by Edward Winkleman is the “put on a smorgasbord of the gallery’s artists plus some potential newcomers” approach; the other is a theme group show.
While the first pretty much is what it is, and could definitely be a fun survey (as I hope the one I’m in is!), the second provides a nice chance to be meaningful, while maintaining a summery lightness. Like a beach read selected from NPR’s Must Read recommendations rather than from, say, either a subway ad on one end or the New York Review of Books on the other. So far I’ve seen two that I enjoyed like Campari sodas:
“Freeing the Line,” at Marian Goodman, curated by Catherine de Zegher (which we’ve written a lot about); and
“Data Mining,” at Wallspace, curated by Joe Scanlan. This one includes a carpet design by Gerhard Richter and some cool embroidered forms by Karen Reimer all emerging from a consideration of identifying patterns and exerting influence.
Got anything else to recommend?

Invitation to “Data Mining” (detail)
July 15th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
[...] Enjoy this sample of one of the summer theme shows I mentioned here. [...]
August 4th, 2006 at 6:47 am
[...] The Wall Mountables show at DCAC gives each participant a 2′x2′ square. I always liked this kind of summer group show. It borders on an action, it helps fundraise for a good organization, and the grid appeals to my own sense of order in the universe. Kudos to DCAC for all their great programming including juicy art lecture and panel topics. [...]