What’s Cooking in the Lobster Pot?

 After getting a twitter message about this new space called Shoot the Lobster, I added it to my March 22^nd Chelsea gallery run. Just the name alone intrigued me and it will be interesting to go to an art space named after a succulent shellfish.

Shoot the Lobster is an independent project space found at the back section of the Martos Gallery on West 29^th Street. There was a group show up front called New Traditionalists but I wanted lobster. With a helpful assist from Jillian  at Martos and a gallery guest, I found the space organizer and curator, Mary Grace Wright. She directed us all the way to the red enclave of the lobster for the debut installation of works by Brooklyn based artist, Chris Martin.

The intense red wall resembled the hue of a cooked lobster and I was skeptical of how the art will stand up to such an intense shade. However my worries were put to rest as Chris Martin presented an equally bold & unique set of artworks. Upon asking the featured artist what the whole idea was – he simply put it as confronting the wall painted the vibrant distinct red and gathered together a body of work. There were panels inset with electric green evoking a Dr. Seuss psychedelic play against the red interior, textured paintings, mixed media assemblages, and a cornerstone piece in a gilt frame pointed out by Martin himself. In a very enthused tone, he recounted just flipping through a National Geographic magazine then found the source material that Martin Kippenberger based his 1984 painting called “Return of the Dead Mother with New Problems”. It is quite rare to find the original image where inspiration comes from and this was prominently encased in a traditional frame as most of his pieces were unframed. Quirky and clever as the name of the space itself, Martin will be the first in a string of artists and other projects slated for this space.

When it comes to surprises and conceiving something really out of the box, Shoot the Lobster might be the meaty claw that grips your attention and indulges you with its offerings. For its premiere debut, it doesn’t need the slick of drawn butter to let you glide in easy and dig your mouth into something delectable.

Shoot the Lobster (at the back space of Martos Gallery): Chris Martin and you might as well see the “New Traditionalists” (front) of Martos Gallery

On view: March 22 – April 21, 2012

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday (10 am – 6 pm)

Martos Gallery – 540 West 29^th Street. New York, NY 10001

article by: Oscar A. Laluyan

 

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