Continuing through May 10, 2014
“GRFALWKV" (an invented word) is the title of Christopher Russell's ambitious and impressive exhibition that includes a hand bound artist's book as well as numerous scratched photographs. Each of the photographs are of lens flare — the bright spots that appear when the camera is pointed toward the sun — turning the original image (in this case the natural landscape) into an abstraction. Russell carefully scratches away parts of the emulsion decorating the surfaces with intricate patterns, animal silhouettes and tree branches, further obscuring the image below.
A hand bound book sitting in the middle of the gallery is the anchor of the exhibition. In it Russell creates a narrative that juxtaposes his images and writings that unfolds over a series of chapters. The book is an object to be read as well as looked at. Russell is an artist for whom text and image function visually as well as narratively. The multiple ways they influence each other is central to Russell's work.
Published courtesy of ArtSceneCal ©2014
