Bullet resistant glass, brushed stainless steel and stickers
36 x 12 x 108.5 inches
Three panes of bullet resistant glass sit side by side on the floor. The glass is divided into three segments each with a hole cut in the center of each where a intercom system is, so that people on either side can talk to each other. They are housed in a stainless steel case that holds them together and separates them into three panes. The glass in the first pane (left) is spiderwebbed and cracked in various places. There are what appears to markings where bullets were shot at the glass, causing the glass to crack and dent, but not break. You can see the multiple layers of glass that go into making the thickness of the glass and you can see how a bullet could never make it through that much glass. Still there are multiple webs and holes in the pane. Each has its own distinct personality and characteristics size and shape. And the hole cut in the center for the intercom system remains undamaged. The second (middle) pane is similar to the first. Looking at it closer you can see that the "bullet impressions" do not seem like a bullet caused them. But maybe they were caused by a blunt object being slammed against the glass. Again there are multiple gouges and breaks each in its own right interesting to look at. Also the center com is in place still as well. But there is a sticker in the upper right hand corner of the glass. This sticker has a checker pattern on it. The frame around the glass is thick steel and on the base in the middle of each pane there is a slot to pass items from one side to the other. There are scratches on the framework. The third pane (right) is shattered and abused like the other panes, but this pane is missing the center com. allowing you to see all of the panes of glass that make up the thickness and safety of the glass. To add to this there is another sticker in the upper right hand of the corner of the pane and this one says "Not Sorry." This is also the title of the peace and brings you to further question and think about the piece. Was it the person(s) who destroyed the glass that are not sorry? Did they get away with it. Who were the people on the other side? What happened to them? Questions without answers, only what the viewer can come up with.
Nate Lowman is thirty years old and lives in downtown New York. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from New York University in 2001 His previous work involved screen-printed bullet holes and ironic bumper stickers turned into devious linguistic assaults.
Lowman collaborated with Dan Colen on a masterpiece that was exhibited at Maccarone titledWet Pain. The artwork consists of a 1971 whiteJaguar car that has been trashed. Electronic wires fill the interior of the car, and the hood, trunk and doors are open wide.
Apparently he is dating Mary-Kate Olsen
Link to an Interview with Nate Lowman:
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/media/video/5117
This description feels accurate, but a bit dry, especially for such an evocative piece. It seems like it leaves out the fact that these panes of glass can be immediately understood to be tellers windows at a bank or maybe a pawn shop or check-cashing operation, and that all these holes pretty clearly signify some kind of violence, implying a narrative.
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear more about what your thoughts were on the piece? What did you think had happened in the place where these bullet proof windows had been placed then shot at?
ReplyDelete