The Apex is Nothing at the PRATT MANHATTAN GALLERY Curated by Ken Weathersby and John O’Connor

James Kalm is always on the look out for art that strays beyond the comfortable confines of conventional figurative and commercially viable abstraction, where it enters the realm of the eccentric/compulsive. “The Apex Is Nothing” has collected together some of contemporary painting’s enigmatic practitioners who have been influenced by the master system maker Alfred Jensen. Curated by John O’Connor and Ken Weathersby this show presents works by: Mel Bochner, Becky Brown, Mike Cloud, Charles Gaines, Steffani Jemison, Xylor Jane, Alfred Jensen, Ellen Lesperance, Chris Martin, John O’Connor, Bruce Pearson, Leslie Roberts, Jorinde Voigt, Melvin Way, George Widener. Although varied, many of these pieces share common structures like; the grid, number patterns, word games, weaving and text. These works seem to ride the border between academic conceptual mathematics, and obsessive outsider urgency. This program was recorded May 22, 2024. #jameskalmreport #jameskalmroughcut #lorenmunk
Below are links to a conversation with the curators, and a video stroll through and interview with Melvin Weigh from his exhibition “Melvin Way Cocaine Files Dossier (1989 2017) at Andrew Edlin Gallery”.
NSE #1067 | Bruce Pearson, Chris Martin, John O'Connor, Ken Weathersby and Amanda Millet-Sorsa
• NSE #1067 | Bruce Pea...
Melvin Way Cocaine Files Dossier (1989 2017) at ANDREW EDLIN GALLERY
• Melvin Way Cocaine Fil...

[@tonsfocus]

I agree with @RealCatholicServant - you really have been on fire this season. The last several shows and your tours have been just wonderbar, thank you. Seeing John O'Connor's work again makes me wonder how much your respective art universes were intertwined? (Particularly, if you'd ever exhibited together.) I looked up the Marlborough Gallery "World as Diagram" show you mentioned. It was amazing, but I couldn't find a corresponding JK video, unfortunately. This Pratt show was solid, and it's terrific seeing Melvin Way get boosted with so much attention recently. Also seeing Mel Bochner - what a blast from the past. Thanks James, thanks Kate!

[@TD-qi2rw]

Your last presentation is still on my mind and I'm in love with this one too. Thank you Kate.

[@johnjones3714]

Listing the artists is a great feature of this channel. Thank you Kate

[@artboy2]

Another great one James! Do you or anyone know where one can get the type of frame for paper works similar to the ones for Charles Gaines works? I see these shadow box frames with the very thin face/front all the time in galleries and art fairs but I cannot find any readymades like this or even a frame shop that makes them custom. All the ones I see are thick and gaudy. If I show anyone working in a frame shop an image of this type they say that that type of frame doesn't exist or they cannot make a large frame with such a thin profile. But I see it everywhere in contemporary spaces. Its like a hidden secret or something. Any thoughts?

[@bonnyleibowitz3044]

Thank you... !

[@cliffdariff74]

Love Mel Bochner stuff

[@Polgxttt1]

Great show, was there a week ago, and wanted to return, but sadly am not able. Thanks for the walk-through! I appreciate your videos and the time you spend digging the details of the work.

[@tralexan]

The text in the Bruce Pearson piece doesn't need to be deciphered. It's the title. "And Who Hasn't Dreamed of Growing Up to Become a Princess"

[@painterhead]

love al jensen

[@fastpastgonebye]

Great coverage and commentary Mr. Kalm! Question: do you take your helmet off before entering or just leave it on? Thank you Kate!!

[@jazw4649]

Am I hearing your stomach growling? Around