a review of Luis Maldonado’s exhibit, It's All About Things: Barter Days
Opening the door to Luis Madonado’s exhibit, It’s All About Things, reveals a sort of waiting room. There’s a reception desk, a television, and several chairs. But the door to the exhibit is made out of a plastic tarp stretched around a frame, the reception desk is made of plywood, and there’s no receptionist; Luis Maldonado is there himself.
Maldonado introduces himself to visitors and happily provides a guided tour of his own exhibition. One is a welcome guest here in a space lined from floor to ceiling with colorful paint, furniture, and objects. In the main room paintings are hung salon-style, with more collectible objects interspersed. There are several separate rooms, including a private room for people to view the paintings, an entertainment room complete with a television and videogames, and a room Maldonado where shows off his collection of objects that he has received from viewers.
At the heart of Maldonado’s exhibition is the exchange he has with viewers. Everyone is welcome to barter for one of his paintings. One can trade another artwork, an object, even a performance in order to take home one of his handmade creations. Amongst many things, Maldonado has received a handmade scarf, a chemistry paper, and house keys. Eventually, he’ll put all of these objects, as well as the stories that go along with them, on display as part of a separate exhibit.
The title of the show encourages people to engage in trades with Maldonado, but it might be deceiving; he seems most excited about the narrative that accompanies the objects. A scarf is interesting not because of it’s exquisite beauty, but instead because of how it was made, by whom, and the tale of the person who eventually brought it to It’s All About Things. The same goes for a plain metal house key, given to Maldonado with only the rough location of the home it will open. Here the narrative is created on the spot, and has the potential to go on; Maldonado isn’t certain he’ll try to track down the house and waltz in, but he’s thinking about it.
Maldonado imbues each of his own paintings with his personal stories, ideas, and visual language. However, these cute, energetic objects function almost more like candy that lures people into exchanging something of their own. Even so, it is rare for many gallery goers to expect to take any object from an exhibition home. There’s an almost overwhelming impulse to riffle through pockets, run home and return with something to give, or even dance on the spot. There are plenty of good stories for people to take back with their new possessions, like “I sang a song for this painting.”
In a small room where paintings are set aside for purchase, it becomes clear how much value Maldonado attaches to interaction with viewers. Even the smallest painting is priced at several hundred dollars.
Right now, Maldonado has created an atmosphere where exchange with viewers can flourish, manifesting itself in surprising ways. His project is like a living, breathing organism. Its growth depends a lot on the people who visit and feed it.
Maldonado introduces himself to visitors and happily provides a guided tour of his own exhibition. One is a welcome guest here in a space lined from floor to ceiling with colorful paint, furniture, and objects. In the main room paintings are hung salon-style, with more collectible objects interspersed. There are several separate rooms, including a private room for people to view the paintings, an entertainment room complete with a television and videogames, and a room Maldonado where shows off his collection of objects that he has received from viewers.
At the heart of Maldonado’s exhibition is the exchange he has with viewers. Everyone is welcome to barter for one of his paintings. One can trade another artwork, an object, even a performance in order to take home one of his handmade creations. Amongst many things, Maldonado has received a handmade scarf, a chemistry paper, and house keys. Eventually, he’ll put all of these objects, as well as the stories that go along with them, on display as part of a separate exhibit.
The title of the show encourages people to engage in trades with Maldonado, but it might be deceiving; he seems most excited about the narrative that accompanies the objects. A scarf is interesting not because of it’s exquisite beauty, but instead because of how it was made, by whom, and the tale of the person who eventually brought it to It’s All About Things. The same goes for a plain metal house key, given to Maldonado with only the rough location of the home it will open. Here the narrative is created on the spot, and has the potential to go on; Maldonado isn’t certain he’ll try to track down the house and waltz in, but he’s thinking about it.
Maldonado imbues each of his own paintings with his personal stories, ideas, and visual language. However, these cute, energetic objects function almost more like candy that lures people into exchanging something of their own. Even so, it is rare for many gallery goers to expect to take any object from an exhibition home. There’s an almost overwhelming impulse to riffle through pockets, run home and return with something to give, or even dance on the spot. There are plenty of good stories for people to take back with their new possessions, like “I sang a song for this painting.”
In a small room where paintings are set aside for purchase, it becomes clear how much value Maldonado attaches to interaction with viewers. Even the smallest painting is priced at several hundred dollars.
Right now, Maldonado has created an atmosphere where exchange with viewers can flourish, manifesting itself in surprising ways. His project is like a living, breathing organism. Its growth depends a lot on the people who visit and feed it.
Luis Maldinado's "It's All About Things" was on display at Three Walls Gallery in Chicago, in February and March of 2007
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