Biswas at Reed

There are several important shows closing this weekend so make certain to catch any of these that you may have missed:

The Portland Art Museum's 2006 Oregon Biennial. A good, if elegantly tame show by Portland's new standards. Yes, that is a good development on the elegance factor and the tame problem stems from the too abbreviated installations (Brittany Powell is the biggest victim, girl needs more than one wall) and an overabundance of works under glass. Portland has one of the most spatially activated scene's out there and we normally only see this much glass at the Affair Art Fair. Next time everyone will expect major installation "environments" and video art that isn't ghettoized in the back. Still, it's a good show especially if you arent an avid art scene aficionado, a good bit of catch up. Just know that installation art in Portland isn't normally so limited space wise. The show succeeds as the dignified museum show everyone had been asking for. Next time the museum needs to challenge expectations not just meet them. Ends Sunday October 8th.

Sutapa Biswas: Birdsong at Reed College's Cooley Gallery. I really enjoyed the first video "Magnesium Bird"... it is perfection, and although the new dual channel video "Birdsong" has its moments it feels a bit overcooked. The purposefully out of synch video images in Birdsong work particularly well when zoomed in close to the child's face but by actually showing the horse it spoils the mystery and uneasy mood, more Bruckheimer than Hitchcock. The narrative seems to have imbedded imperatives that are choking the art. It is worth seeing though, I loved the green room with bird paintings as one enters the gallery as well. Ends Sunday October 8th.

Also, don't miss the PICA TBA holdovers. If you miss Harrell Fletcher's The American War, you've missed one of the best contemporary art shows on the planet. Maria Abramovic's Balkan Erotic Epic may be the weakest art she has ever produced (by turning director, the performance artist is branching out) which gives you some idea of how great she is because this rates well as good festival fodder (still more tolerable than anything Bill Viola has done). Theo Angell, Red 76, PORT's own Katherine Bovee and Philippe Blanc and Matthew Day Jackson's work are on display through this week as well. Ends Friday October 6th except Blanc and Bovee on Saturday October 7th.

Jeff,

The Corberry Press Bulidings on 17th and Northrup (Jackson, Fletcher, Angell, Campbell, Abramovic and Billing) , Red 76 and Bovee + Blanc's installations are open Wed - Sat 12-6pm. All are open until Sat Oct 7th. Red 76 has some special events planned in their space as well, check their site for details.

Thanks for the post!

Kristan