Bar of Contemporary Art Opens with New Works from Nathalia Edenmont
After sitting through a particularly entertaining and modernized rendition of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost (we’re talking choreographed dance to music from the Killers) at the Exit Theater on Friday, we were looking for a cozy spot with stiff drinks and a little respite from the rain. Serendipitously, we stumbled upon the Bar of Contemporary Art (BOCA), the latest artspace/bar/restaurant from the folks at blasthaus.
The atmosphere inside was pleasant enough albeit a bit stark, but what won us over was the stunning large-format photography of Nathalia Edenmont. Strikingly brilliant in color and equally unsettling in imagery, Edenmont’s subject of choice is flowers, but inside each one she gently places a slick, glossy eyeball. What happens next is essentially a staring contest between the viewer and the artwork. We lost every time, but it didn’t stop us from wondering just who was looking at who and if we should have worn a hipper jacket.
The flower motif has been an important one for artists throughout history, partly for its accessibility in still lifes, but also because of its symbolism for a multitude of things such as sensuality, exoticism, beauty, transience, death, love, sexuality, artificiality, virtuosity and femininity. Buds for example, symbolize the untouched female and archetypal male dominance. Edenmont’s images suggest that the traditional motif is no longer about the study of beauty, but about self-examination and female empowerment.
SFist Shelly (who also took the picture of Nathalia Edenmont's Marriage, above), contributing
Our favorite piece in the show, Marriage, presents a pea pod, cracked open and displaying a row of tiny eyeballs. They are peeking out from the fracture and gazing in opposite directions, setting up a mild critique of the institution. Not the only piece in the show which questions the idea of matrimonial bliss, there is also a photo of a white wedding cake with the traditional bride figurine hitching up her skirt and sneaking away, stepping over a concealed white snake that has wrapped itself around the confection. Not being a huge proponent of marriage ourselves (sorry, mom), we were suddenly a fan of Edenmont’s work.
If you should happen to find yourself darting between awnings during a torrential downpour as we did, try and make your way to BOCA, we promise nothing cures rainy day blues like a dirty martini and some thought-provoking discourse about eyeballs and your fear of commitment.
Located in an alley across from the historic Mint Building, BOCA is a spacious gallery and music venue with a full bar and cafe. Open for lunch and light dinner during the week and special events at night, BOCA will also feature rotating contemporary art exhibitions curated by blasthaus including a video art program and special project room.
BOCA
414 Jessie Street
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.