Opening Fri 6/7 @ 6pm
This Fri 6/7 Loren Naji Studio Gallery presents two unique exhibitions. First, The Incredible Painting Machine and The Eyeball Magician is a two-man show featuring a painting machine and an artist who paints like a machine.
Waste Management: A Gap in the System is a group exhibition raising awareness of Gap Clothing Company’s (and its affiliates like Old Navy and Banana Republic) wasteful policy regarding their plastic clothes hangers. It is estimated they have thrown away millions of plastic hangers.
The Incredible Painting Machine and The Eyeball Magician evokes many of the ideas of Modernism and incorporates them into contemporary terms. Corey Herynk has created a painting machine. The creative process itself becomes part of the work of art. James March’s paintings combine precise geometry with abstraction and elements of Op Art. March’s work has a unified quality despite his experiments within the boundaries of his particular style. His work’s mathematical precision creates the illusion of being created by a machine.
“The focal point of my recent work is on the Concentrically Revolving Jig, an interactive apparatus I have invented for the purpose of ‘manufacturing’ (often in the form of public performance) circular paintings” says Herynk. “Here I have certainly devised an apparatus that produces paintings, but the idea of this jig couldn’t have arisen without the idea of a certain kind of painting in mind. So in the conceptual sense it was the painting that produced the apparatus.”
The story of Waste Management began innocently enough with Loren Naji taking his daughter shopping at Old Navy. While at the check-out, Naji noticed the large bins of plastic hangers. While talking to the clerk he quickly realized that the hangers were neither reused nor recycled. Each new item came into the store with a new hanger and they were thrown away after the item was purchased.
This type of wastefulness doesn’t make sense from a business perspective, let alone an environmentally conscious view. It’s almost like they’re trying to waste money. I’ve tried very hard, but I can’t think of a single excuse to justify this practice. In an official statement, Gap Inc. said that reducing waste and recycling is important to them and that they are currently exploring recycling options for their plastic hangers.
“Art can produce change,” says Naji. “That’s what I’m all about. I want people to know the truth and I hope Gap Inc. will respond.”
Waste Management is sure to give Gap’s policymakers plenty of recycling options — a diverse group of sculptural and installation artists each incorporate the hangers… hundreds donated by local Old Navy stores.
My personal advice to the executives at Gap Inc. is that a little common sense goes a long way. The solution is almost too simple to even explain. Reusing the hangers saves money and resolves the larger social issue.
Kudos to Loren Naji for recognizing an opportunity to affect social change through artistic expression. I hope to have a follow-up regarding the progress of Naji’s campaign and Gap Inc.’s response in a future article. As of now Gap Inc. has yet to make any policy changes regarding its hangers.
These events are both FREE and open to the public.
Opening receptions for both The Incredible Painting Machine and The Eyeball Magician and Waste Management: A Gap in the System occur Fri 6/7 from 6pm – midnight @ Loren Naji Studio Gallery – 2138 W.25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113. Additional Hours: Fridays Noon-6pm. For More Info:216-621-6644 or Loren.Naji@gmail.com. https://facebook.com
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.