The Nuclear Innocence of Fuco Ueda
Posted in Exhibitions / Openings / Signings, Eyecandy, Tentacles / Cephalopoda by Suzanne on January 23rd, 2008 | BBC Wikipedia
Memory of Afternoon by Fuco Ueda, 2004
I’m unspeakably happy that Jon Beinart finally offered me a fine excuse to re-feature the works of Fuco Ueda – after what has been over three years!
It’s beautiful to see how she has refined her style and perfected her technique – without betraying her artistic heritage – since then.
She’s still obsessed with marine flora & fauna, lizards, cephalopoda, skeletons, nasobema, minotaurs, pregnant hybrid creatures, reddened knees, shoes, hair, stairs, merry-go-rounds, the anonymity and gleichschaltung of the education system, peculiar medical examinations, dripping nectar.. and other sinfully sticky liquids..
A keen observer of (dream) anatomy and shadows, Fuco Ueda knows that shadows are never black or grey, but shimmer in the most surreal colours. She cunningly hides them in her protagonists’ palms, under their chins, behind their necks, in their noses and under their school uniforms – their graceful bodies eternally shining under golden nuclear hailstorm skies.
What I love most about her artworks is the way she deliberately stains them. Unlike ordinary tea or paint stains, they somehow manage to create a feeling of erotic force and thanatal discomfort – similar to what I felt when I first saw Marcel Duchamp’s Paysage Fautif – a composition made entirely out of his own semen.
Mother by Fuco Ueda, 2002
Ermm.. anyway… so it turns out that Fuco Ueda will be amongst over 60 artists to participate in the group show Deep Pop – curated by Andrew Michael Ford.
The exhibition will take place at The Brother Kenneth Chapman Gallery Iona College Arts Center and is due to open this Sunday afternoon (further details below).
I must admit that I find the list of artists rather random and I would have wished for a smaller, more sophisticated selection and a clearer profile. About 1/6 of the list are remarkably talented artists whose works belong to an entirely different league than the rest and without being elitist, I really don’t see what benefit is gained by putting them in the same context. Oh well… in 2046, I’ll finally be ready to curate my own group exhibition and you’ll see what I mean.
Opening reception: Sunday, January 27, 1 – 3 PM
Closing reception: Thursday, February 21, noon – 3 PM
Artists: Click here for full list of featured artists
Place: The Brother Kenneth Chapman Gallery Iona College Arts Center, 715 North Avenue , New Rochelle, NY 10801
On view: January 27 to February 21, 2008
EDIT: Hey, I said the WurzelSite turns 5 today two posts ago! Is anyone still reading?! Hmmpf!
Jon Beinart says:
Thanks Suzanne.
January 24th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Barnaba says:
Still reading, still enjoying. Thank you Suzanne.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Suzanne says:
Thanks, Barnaba. So far, you and Jon are the only ones invited to my tea party.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Jon Beinart says:
Ill be there in a top hat and a bib.
January 24th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
mmgilbert says:
Your blog is and has been a bright light. Here’s to another five. And, many fives beyond that.
And, BTW, the art reviews lately have become ever more incisive and knowing. On top of that, where else would I have encountered thanatal discomfort and ideas on what to do with spare semen?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
melanie says:
still reading, still enjoying and being happy to see you post so often this month!
best wishes to your birthday dear wurzeltod.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Thomas says:
Wonderful review, Suzanne. I’ll keep an eye out for her on this side of the pond.
And I bow deeply to you and the wonderful Wurzelsite on its fifth anniversary. You are indeed a pearl in the … varied … landscape of the Web.
January 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
kid37 says:
Happy, happy number Five! Immer noch und immer wieder eine meiner absoluten Lieblingsseiten mit der charmantesten Gastgeberin und Tentakel-Dompteuse, die man sich vorstellen kann.
January 24th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Suzanne says:
Okay.. okay.. so you’re all invited then.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Suzanne G. - Giving Taste A Bad Name Since Kindergarten says:
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June 7th, 2008 at 12:52 am