The Miguel Abreu gallery is currently presenting the exhibition “Waclaw Szpakowski in Continuity with Paul Pagk”.

I find the Szpakowski’s drawings on tracing paper from the 1920’s fascinating. These are geometric and continuous line drawings on tracing paper, all using straight lines and right angles to create wonderful patterns.

The drawing “F13” from 1926 has endpoints near the upper right and the lower left corners . The line travels an  intricate route filling most of the plane.

“A00000” from 1927 has a more open feel with endpoints at the upper corners . The line follows a more straightforward path creating three stepped mountains.

Although these were drawn almost 100 years ago, they seem quite fresh and contemporary. Not only did the artist limit each work to a single continuous line the path of the line was ruled by right angles hinting at the concept of minimalism and geometric  grids.

Susan Happersett

The Signs and Symbols gallery on the Lower East Side is currently presenting Sharon Louden’s solo exhibition “Barriers to Entry”. 

This mixed medium installation makes use of both the floor and the walls of the space. The floors are covered with colorful linear geometric shapes. Sculptural curved mirrored surfaces are propped against the walls.

The straight geometric shapes are reflected into the mirrors and the lines are  morphed into organic waves and curvilinear shapes. As you walk through the room your vantage point changes. The images in the reflection surfaces become kinetic.

Susan Happersett