"Ruskin talked of the innocent eye, but what of the innocent ear?" Lucien Smith's new show at Half Gallery features tricked-out guitars that, as the statement from the exhibition's statement suggests, ask that judgment and associations be left at the door. See what Lucien had to say when I wanted to find out more.
Sofia Cavallo: The opening for this show was scheduled to happen despite downtown NYC having lost power from Hurricane Sandy. Were you guys ready to make it a candlelit affair?
Lucien Smith: We had lanterns and flashlights all rigged up but the power came back on an hour before the opening. It was a weird mix of feeling relieved and also disappointed, because the blackout version would have been quite memorable.
SC: How was your Hurricane?
LS: Wet and dark.
SC: Do you play the guitar, or any instrument?
LS: Does the theremin count?
SC: Where did the concept for the show come from?
LS: A generation where the impulse to play an electric guitar has become an aesthetic choice.
SC: You talk about Ruskin's "innocent eye." What does it take to consume a work without the oppression of references and pre-established language terms?
LS: Dave Hickey says that pattern is survival.
SC: The statement for your show articulates the power of music. What music was on high rotation in your studio while working on these pieces?
LS: The Cable Band
SC: Which is your favorite piece in the show, and why?
LS: Sugar Rush was the first guitar I made. The first one's always special.
SC: If the works in your show could make a sound, what would it be?
LS: Crash! Boom!! Bang!
Good Vibrations is open through November 25, 2012.
HALF GALLERY
208 Forsyth St.
New York, NY 10002
MAP
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Lucien
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Lucien's fave, Sugar Rush
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Sofia Cavallo: The opening for this show was scheduled to happen despite downtown NYC having lost power from Hurricane Sandy. Were you guys ready to make it a candlelit affair?
Lucien Smith: We had lanterns and flashlights all rigged up but the power came back on an hour before the opening. It was a weird mix of feeling relieved and also disappointed, because the blackout version would have been quite memorable.
SC: How was your Hurricane?
LS: Wet and dark.
SC: Do you play the guitar, or any instrument?
LS: Does the theremin count?
SC: Where did the concept for the show come from?
LS: A generation where the impulse to play an electric guitar has become an aesthetic choice.
SC: You talk about Ruskin's "innocent eye." What does it take to consume a work without the oppression of references and pre-established language terms?
LS: Dave Hickey says that pattern is survival.
SC: The statement for your show articulates the power of music. What music was on high rotation in your studio while working on these pieces?
LS: The Cable Band
SC: Which is your favorite piece in the show, and why?
LS: Sugar Rush was the first guitar I made. The first one's always special.
SC: If the works in your show could make a sound, what would it be?
LS: Crash! Boom!! Bang!
Good Vibrations is open through November 25, 2012.
HALF GALLERY
208 Forsyth St.
New York, NY 10002
MAP
Lucien
Lucien's fave, Sugar Rush
