{"id":2648,"date":"2001-11-01T12:53:43","date_gmt":"2001-11-01T19:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/i81.a52.mywebsitetransfer.com\/?p=2648"},"modified":"2010-08-04T13:55:32","modified_gmt":"2010-08-04T20:55:32","slug":"mike-piscitelli-devolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dactylfoundation.org\/?p=2648","title":{"rendered":"Mike Piscitelli, Devolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

November 3 <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Curated by Neil Grayson<\/p>\n

November 3 – December 8, 2001<\/strong><\/p>\n

Curated by Neil Grayson<\/p>\n

In \u201cDevolution,\u201d artist Mike Piscitelli has re-rendered photographs in a striking collection of red and black painted bitmaps. Bitmaps are commonly used in image-editing computer programs to represent images through a grid of small squares known as pixels. Piscitelli has appropriated the bitmap technique to create paintings that reveal their images by breaking them apart.<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, the works in \u201cDevolution\u201d follow a controlled pattern of deteriorating detail. As pixels are added and removed, the images they represent are surrendered and re-rendered at varying distances.<\/p>\n

The paintings take their images from Piscitelli\u2019s photographs of friends and models. The figures are starkly androgynous, suggesting a sexual, as well as graphic, retrogression. Thin and free from curves or irregularities, their bodies recall the innocent and straightforward, though nonetheless charged, eroticism of adolescence. Simple, direct poses and a preference for anonymous parts over expressive eyes reveal a decided rejection of the innuendo and role playing typical of the figure in art and fashion photography.<\/p>\n

Piscitelli is a young, New York-based artist. Rather than the university or art school, Piscitelli came up through the ranks of porn, fashion photography, and music videos. His photography and video work displays an unusually perceptive connection to youth culture. A series of promotional video shorts Piscitelli directed for MTV earned him an Art Directors\u2019 Club award for Outstanding New Talent. <\/p>\n

The connection between popular and fine art is undeniable in contemporary culture. Rather than apprenticeships and a mastery of classical painting techniques, today\u2019s sharpest talent digests a canon of music videos, movies, television, and fashion magazines. \u201cDevolution\u201d examines the source and product of a contemporary artistic lineage.<\/p>\n

\u201cDevolution,\u201d curated by Neil Grayson, contains Piscitelli\u2019s first collection of large-scale paintings, an interactive installation, and a limited-edition hand-made chap book. <\/p>\n

Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001 6-8pm
\nExhibition Hours: Tuesday \u2013 Saturday 1-6pm<\/p>\n

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[nggallery id=38]<\/p>\n