One must speak reverentially of masterpieces, that’s well understood. But does
the pleasure of aesthetic contemplation really compare to the satisfaction of
knowing you’ve just scored a great bargain? We may praise works displaying outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship, but when we vote with
our feet it seems that what we really love is a cheap-knock off… Hey, no one
needs to know you got your ‘Louis’ bag on Canal
Street , right?
Canal Street
Boogie-Woogie, Dirk Westphal’s
new series of nail-polish Mondrians (more images), makes no attempt to resolve the internal
conflict between high and low. The work plays on this tension; and, even
better, it’s one of those beautiful things that let you have it both ways. Kind of like
Jimi Hendrix playing The Star-Spangled Banner, which goes down like a frosty
mug of patriotism but with a nice jolt of rebellion as a chaser, Westphal makes
cover versions of works that aspired to Neo-Platonic purity out of tacky bargain
bin materials. They’re clean and dirty all at once. You can high five yourself
for being a culturally sophisticated art-world know-it-all and a savvy shopper who just got a bargain.
Works from Canal Street Boogie-Woogie and Westphal’s new artists’ book (in
an edition of 50 signed and numbered copies) will be featured at the 6
Decades/Boo-Hooray Holiday Shop, open 11-6 Monday-Saturday from December 10th
through the 23rd, with opening night festivities on Saturday,
December 10, from 6-8pm.