NEW ORLEANS, LA.- Jonathan Ferrara Gallery presents Anarcadia, New Photographs, Video Works and Perfomances by Generic Art Solutions (G.A.S.) in their first solo exhibition at the gallery. The exhibition opened on August 6, 2011 in conjunction with Whitney White Linen Night, the annual New Orleans Arts District event that draws over 40,000 people to Julia Street.
With "Anarcadia", the art duo Generic Art Solutions (G.A.S.) aimed to stir things up a bit at the hot but typically docile White Linen Night this year. With a mix of photography, video, "silkscreen painting" and an interactive performance on opening night, G.A.S. provided the necessary elements for a thought-provoking (and crowd inciting) demonstration with the help of willing members of the art-going public. There was an assortment of "protest signs" in the gallery with different slogans printed on them for those in the masses wishing to make a statement during the evening's event,. White Linen Night draws over 40,000 people and Generic Art Solutions (G.A.S.) acted as "crowd control" in front of Jonathan Ferrara Gallery (in full riot gear); a variation of their well known Art Cops (officially International Art Police) that has been presented in New York, London, Belfast, Dublin, Venice, Italy and New Orleans.
G.A.S explains: "There is a time for discourse, and there is a time for action; this show celebrates the spirit of change, and the passing of the torch to all of those who possess a commitment to their cause whatever it may be. When we are faced with things that are beyond our control faintheartedness is to be despised." Anarcadia celebrates the spirit of change. From a billboard-sized homage to Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People" under a black flag to their pair of statuesque photographs inspired by Bernini's "David" hurling sticks and stones at an implied Goliath. Generic Art Solutions (G.A.S.) latest exhibition illustrates that there is an art to sustaining a revolution that is both perpetual and harmonious.
Generic Arts Solutions (G.A.S.) is an "art team" consisting of artists Matt Vis and Tony Campbell, who make concept driven artwork, often with humor and/or mischief at its core. Matt Vis holds an MFA from the University of New Orleans and Tony Campbell has an MA from The Royal College of Art. Their works blend art history and humor to comment on present-day concerns such as immigration, capital punishment and man-made disasters. Their goal is not to merely replicate past works, but to foster dialogue between the past and the present.
Hot on the heels of their recent solo exhibition, Deja Vu All Over Again, at the New Orleans Museum of Art, Generic Arts Solutions (G.A.S.) latest show explores a conceptual and philosophical landscape that resides between the "old regime" and new horizons.
In the words of the artists: "It has been said that the only constant is change, and it is change that either excites us or creates fear. That which we cannot control ruthlessly illustrates our position of involvement in this perpetual revolution weather we like it or not. This show is a call to action. It represents our belief that faintheartedness is to be despised." - Generic Arts Solutions (G.A.S.), 2011
