New York, Art, and the Universe: This Side of Paradise

This Side of Paradise is the title for a series of site-specific works and video installations currently on display at the Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx. According to the exhibition's website, the exhibition “references the past and reconnects the vision of Andrew Freedman to today’s Bronx and its realities. The exhibition ... draws together the economic and social history of the home with the present day realities of the Bronx and its residents.”

The Andrew Freedman Home, Bronx, New York

I heard an enthusiastic review of this exhibition on the local news channel, and was intrigued by the concept. One of the most seductive aspects about the exhibit is the location. Nic-named “Palazzo di Bronx”, the Andrew Freedman Home was opened in 1924 with the unusual purpose of providing an opulent free-of-charge life-style for the formerly wealthy, turned elderly poor, of society.

The architectural design is reminiscent of the Farnese Palace designed by Antonio de Sangallo the Younger and begun in 1525 (Below). Upon the architect's death, Michelangelo completed the project. Notice the detail on the window pediments– some are angled and some are rounded to create variety and visual interest on the facade of the building. The Andrew Freedman Home above shows a similar approach.

Farnese Palace, Rome, Italy

Entering the Freedman Home, the elegant promise of the exterior gives way to the reality of the present. Even though in its hey day, the home boasted the finest furnishings and interior design, the sense of loss is palpable throughout. Imagine the indignity of having to share a bathroom with another person if you had been accustomed to having your own mansion. The current decrepitude of the interior echoes the loss felt by those first inhabitants, or “members” as they were referred to at the time. Beauty destroyed always makes me sad. Think of the former glory of the Titanic and its remains lying on the floor of the Atlantic, or Gone with the Wind.

Some of my earliest memories include sadness for people who once had wealth, but lost it. For example, at 7 years of age, I was distraught at the idea that Mrs. Kennedy could be evicted from the White House on the heels of the loss of her husband. I didn't realize of course, that she was set financially, but I thought she would have to live someplace absolutely awful filled with cockroaches. Is it worse to be consistently poor, or to be rich, lose everything and then experience poverty?


Detail of “The Formerly Rich” by Sherezade Garcia

The Formerly Rich
Moving from the novelty of Mr. Freedman's charitable leanings and on to the exhibition itself, I found myself enjoying some of the site specific work more than others. My absolute favorite work was not an installation at all, but a series of oil paintings of delicately rendered jewelry and accessories, unfortunately not easily photographed because they were under glass with a black background. This series was by Bruce Richards brucerichardsstudio.com

But I do digress... “The Formerly Rich” brought to mind the scene from Mary Poppins in which she visits her uncle and all of the furnishings wind up on the ceiling. Like the other installations, it occupies one of the bedrooms of the mansion. Encouraged to use artifacts left in the house, the artist has affixed the table and lamp upside down on the ceiling. Her painting in the background, possibly of Mr. Freedman himself, shows the room’s actual orientation. It's whimsical and entertaining, however the idea of loss and having one’s world turned upside down is an obvious message.


Daze and Crash, “Further”, 2012

Further
You read it right. This artist’s name is Daze and Crash. This room made an impression! It was like walking into a beauty shop intended for the occupants of the Yellow Submarine. It had a groovy vibe, too. Seated under the hairdryer incongruously, is an image of the Virgin Mary. In his own words, the artist hoped to overcome the dilapidation of the mansion and the daily grind of scheduled dining and doctor visits by creating an energetic burst of pink clouds. Perhaps it is “further evidence” that looking good is important when you have lost everything. I liked this room, and the artist had obvious drawing and painting skill. He could be referencing the devotion to Mary of the Bronx’s current Hispanic population, linking the two worlds.

The highlights of the exhibition include, but are not limited to, the following:

Ramos-Fermin, Hatuey and Elizabeth Hamby

www.hatmax.net

Elizabeth Hamby and Hatuey Ramos-Fermín
IRT, 2012
“Shove” by Cheryl Pope is in the far distance.
See detail further down.


No information could be found on this work which makes it appear that the residents are"in."

“Dream It, ” 2012 by Princess Alexander, Kristen McFarland and Jimmy Smith.

Uribe, Federico

http://www.federicouribe.com/

Detail, Persian Carpet, 2012
Mixed media 22ft x 12 ft


Located in the “Princess Ballroom,” along with the Persian Carpet, title and artist unknown

Detail from the photo above showing deterioration .

Detail of “Shove” by Cheryl Pope

Chamorro, Mario and Daniel Paluska

touristattitude.com

The Happy Post Project and Playing Games, Ongoing
Post-its, video, mixed media

Uribe, Federico

http://www.federicouribe.com/

Persian Carpet, 2012
Mixed media 22ft x 12 ft


Detail from the fireplace. Glass shards in orange and red emulate fire imaginatively.

This Side of Paradise runs through June 5, 2012. The mansion is located at 1125 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Hours are Thursday through Sunday 1 to 7 pm. It is sponsored by No Longer Empty and is the result of a collaboration between multiple arts organizations. 30 artists are featured. It is well worth the trip! This Side of Paradise

Artists:

All photography, with the exception of the Farnese Palace, is by Denise Laurin.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

This Side of Paradise

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