Laurence Hegarty’s “Untitled” (2008) at Jack the Pelican Presents

I’m consistently impressed with Jack the Pelican Presents‘ bold taste. The gallery shows art that should’ve been included in New Museum’s “Unmonumental” exhibition instead of the overwhelming number of weak pieces (sometimes by bad artists).

Today, I stopped by to check out the “HEADSetera” show which featured three artists: Peter Drake, Laurence Hegarty and Mark Mennin. It was a little uneven though Peter Drake’s paintings were perfectly suited to hang across from Laurence Hegarty‘s sculptures.

Hegarty’s large “Untitled” installation (2008) is witty and well choreographed. A teddy bear walks a tight rope with a cloth sack on its head. Underneath a toy-scaled missile is constructed of banker boxes. It is seemingly being filmed by miniature 1930s Hollywood-style movie cameras. Figures on wooden children’s pull toys reveal bolts behind the figurative facades. On the wall, small flames peak out. The work’s bare bulb lighting augments the starkness and adds drama. It’s easy to spot subplots everywhere in the installation. The narrative possibilities go on and on.

Late 19th C. imagery easily mixes with contemporary corporate materials.

Has the teddy bear been captured or made a hostage? Is the teddy escaping from the flames…high above…as media attention is focused on the weaponry?

See my Flickr set here.

Detail of Laurence Hegarty's Untitled

Detail of Laurence Hegarty's Untitled

Detail of Laurence Hegarty's Untitled

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