Naked City - Volume 1 Issue 2 - (Page 33)

>muse We all know what Valentine’s Day is supposed to be: candy hearts with cute little sayings, secret messages to our crush(es), a romantic dinner with that special someone. But how often does it turn out that way? Who lives the Hollywood ideal of a perfect relationship, replete with passionate kisses betwixt cupid’s arrows with wedding bells at the end of the day? If you’re much like most of us, that idealized vision of love just isn’t out there—or can’t be achieved for long. But why? chump love written by > della P. PhotograPhed by > mande braden Love Is for Chumps—an exhibit that runs Feb 1–15 at the CommerCe GaLLery— explores this theme. Featuring a series of new work by Chris Trenary, Jacki McElroy, John Pirtle, Mary Streepy and Brandon Smith, the show takes a critical and often cynical look at love, casting light on preconceived notions and providing a cathartic experience for anyone who has experienced the pangs and pleasures of a relationship. “We all have our own romantic issues and entanglements,” said McElroy, who has a husband and two kids of her own. “It’s a good theme for a show because it’s wide open. It doesn’t have to be valentiney, or anti-valentiney. You can take the show title any way you like.” nakedcity Trenary, who curated the show, is no stranger to the ups, downs and you’re-tugging-my-heartall-arounds of dating life. His cynical perspective pervades his work, with imagery that ranges from a box of chocolates filled with shit (no, we aren’t talking mixed media, folks) to a naked woman with a bloody “X” over her heart. Taken together, one might wonder if Trenary is giving or taking the brunt of the abuse. Methinks it’s always a bit of both. For a more political slant on why these artists are voicing their perspective in Love Is for Chumps, look no further than the mile-wide candy aisle at WaL-mart. “Valentine’s Day is the worst holiday; it makes you feel so bad because, if you’re single, you feel like shit because you are single, and if you’ve got someone, you feel like shit because you’re obligated to do something for that person,” said Trenary, who also disclosed that there is nothing wrong with being romantic, per se. Thank goodness. More directly, Love Is for Chumps was to be a response to CIty arts’ annual SweetArts Show, which (believe the luck) got canned this year due to less-than-desirable attendance in the past. Instead, CIty arts will be hosting Year of the Rat (a fortune cookie show) in its second-floor gallery February 1–28. It looks like all you suckers who are semi-romantic will have to settle for a semi-jaded perspective. What I like best about Love Is for Chumps, as if I had a say in the matter, are the time and date and place. The CommerCe GaLLery is the right kind of place to host this crowd who tout a less-than-conventional perspective. It would be hard to imagine them expressing such a raw interpretation of their emotions (and feeling at home while doing it) at other local galleries. While the CommerCe GaLLery might not be the place where dreams are made, it will provide an alternative space for hooking up or hanging out during these precious few weeks that surround Valentine’s Day. Unlike many of its February counterparts, Love Is for Chumps will circumvent the chaos of fInaL frIday with an opening reception February 1 and a closing reception February 15, both beginning at 7 p.m. Consider it a private showing with these sexy, talented young artists. Or a good place to have intimate conversation about life, love and art. >>> Opening reception: Feb. 1, 2008 @ 7p.m. Closing reception: Feb. 15, 2008 @ 7p.m. Love Is for Chumps: Feb 1–15, 2008 Commerce Gallery 508 S. Commerce 33 nakedcitymag.com > volume 1 issue 2 http://nakedcitymag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Naked City - Volume 1 Issue 2

Naked City - Volume 1 Issue 2 Contents Mí Casa - Calling Out The Senseless Make Me Blush - Natural Beauty Tonic - Absinthe Mí Casa - First Mortgage Meal Juiced - Interface-to-Face Uncommon Threads - 9 ½ Hours Muse - Chump Love Noise - Morland & Arbuckle Spin - It Never Came Here: Shortbus Noise - Hip to the Lip Noise - Murder By Death Muse - Remain in Light Street - Bar Beat

Naked City - Volume 1 Issue 2

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