Art Dec 8

First stop was the studio museum in harlem where there is an exhibition by the LA artist Kori Newkirk. It presents works form the last 10 years (1997-2007) and focuses on the beaded images as there are numerous works from the bead series in the exhibition. These works translate photographic images of the skyline, trees and landscape into threads of plastic beads. The beads become pixels and while the images are indentifiable, they are also disentegrated. Works in other mediums, pomade, video, collage and neon sculptures are also on view.

From there it was back to Chelsea to see Nina Katchadourian's video installation at Sara Meltzer. Inthe back room a 14 screen multi-channel work explored human and animal relationships, the confines zoo animals are kept in, and the attempt to make their domesticated habitats similar to their natural environments.

At Silverstein an exhibition entitled HOW TO HUNT features work by and Trine SondergaardNicolai Howait who photograph hunters in the lush Danish landscape. At first glance it seems possible but on close examination it becomes evident that each image is a composite of numerous shots that have been photoshopped together. The use of photoshop ...how dows it change things and with images that are heavily photoshopped...does it become more about that than the picture?

At Zwirner there was Jason Rhodes final work an installation entitled Black Pussy. It seems to be more about the happening that ocured than about the individual works left to view. A second visit to Thomas Ruff's blown up jpg images was a treat. They are beautiful and while they are about digital manipulation, it seems to be the point.

It was tragic to visit two exhibitions of young artists who recently died. Jeremy Blakes work continues to draw me in and appears fresh no matter how many times I see it.