Calendar
Disasters of War
March/2007/
(New)
Disasters of War. The title of this exhibition
organized by Simon Zalkind refers to etchings done in
the early nineteenth century by Goya titled
"Desastres de la Guerra," or "Disasters of War." Goya
depicted the tragedies associated with the occupation
of Spain by Napoleon's French troops; Zalkind invited
artists to create work in response to these etchings
and sent each a copy of Goya's "Disasters" to use as
a reference for their own work -- and with a handful
of exceptions, they did. The resulting pieces fall
into various categories, though everything is
essentially representational. Contemporary realism
predominates, and some of the great painters working
in that style here are featured, including John Hull,
Jerry Kunkel and Margaretta Gilboy. Also intriguing
are figural abstractions by Bill Stockman, Steve
Altman and Margaret Neumann, while Enrique Chagoya
and Eric Zimmer make pieces that look like comics.
Some of the best things are the photos, notably those
by Edie Winograde and Jimmy Sellars. Using Goya to
inspire new anti-war pieces is a timely topic, given
the ongoing events in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through
April 6 at the Singer Gallery, Mizel Center, 350
South Dahlia Street, 303-316-6360. Reviewed February
22.