Dan's Papers -December 19, 2008 -

The art is beautiful at Surface Library's current show, but there's something else going on. While the space is filled to the brim with a myriad of art objects, from ceramics to paintings to sculptures and even a costume, peace and serenity prevails. Perhaps it's because the pieces are mostly small and well arranged. No, that's not it.

Perhaps it's the Asian-influenced style that evokes such qualities. Maybe. And then again, perhaps it's the delicate nature of the works' design. Whatever the reasons, this is one of the first times that this critic wanted to buy everything in sight.

A primary theme is the idea of coordination, either combining art forms and/or aesthetic efforts by gallery co-owners James Kennedy and Bob Bachler. For example, there are envelopes - like pieces that include landscape configurations on their surfaces. As envelopes, the works can be employed as a container for papers or as a purse. Many ceramic pieces and miniature landscapes also come with their own silk cases, another way of combining diverse media. This multi-functionalism is carried out in other ways as well, including a sushi dish, which doubles as a casserole.

(It's interesting to note that Bachler characterized objects holding other objects, like a package or case, as a "wrap," reminding us of a sandwich wrap. The idea also recalls Matthew Barney's film, Drawing Restraint 9, which opens with an elaborate ritual of wrapping a present.)

Kennedy and Bachler often combine their talents by each creating part of an artwork: consider the sushi piece with its dishes and decorated tray. A Geisha-girl sculpture, wearing a gorgeous dress, is also designed and constructed by both Kennedy and Bachler.

There are other works that are not about "coordination" but rather simply about exquisite craftsmanship, like James Seffens' paper mache masks and figures done in the old-world tradition. Pat Swyler's ceramic heads and torsos similarly take us back to another culture and time.

Kennedy's ceramics, on the other hand, use geometric contemporary design for vases (containers of another sort) and abstract paintings. Moreover, the artist employs mixed media on linen and wood to create not only diverse textures but also mythic images as well; such images seem "otherworldly" with their circular forms amidst hardedge configurations.

Kennedy's wooden wall clocks are other shapes that combine geometric patterns and a utilitarian purpose. The clocks are positioned in "another world" where time is not only temporal but spatial, too. Is it possible that this kind of "Coordination " relies on metaphysics rather than aesthetics?

"Gift of Art" will be on view at Surface Library until Dec. 21. Call 631-291-9061 for information.