Last week Half Gallery inaugurated its new uptown space with Louis Eisner's new show, Leviathan. The title refers to Thomas Hobbes' famous book in which the English philosopher sheds light on the structure of society and government. The main piece of the show is a mobile, made of classic American cartoon characters, that duplicates Hobbes' diagram of social organization. Louis was kind enough to give me a few comments on the mobile piece's juxtaposition of cartoon and philosophy.
"I always enjoy this high/low aspect of art. Especially in this case, where both parties are dealing with empirical observation of society––one in a scientific light and the other in a satirical light. Both derive conclusions on the pessimistic side, and both are easily quotable––Hobbes says, 'Life is nasty, brutish, and short,' while MAD just says, 'What me worry?' (of which my translation has always been, 'Fuck it!'). The philosopher and the fool, they make good bedfellows."
Through March 13, 2013
HALF GALLERY
43 East 78th St.
New York, NY 10021
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Leviathan show poster. "I made the poster for the show using a diagram of the mobile and bits of text taken from Hobbes, which I doctored a little. The text in the poster talks about an artificial man made out of springs, strings, and other artificial substitutions for anatomical components. The poster also talks about a large singular body comprised of smaller individual bodies, which, connected to the larger body, make up the whole. I think it hints at other political philosophical connections, and if pressed, I would be able to deconstruct the mobile using Hobbes' philosophy as a guide––but that is all analogous and sort of indulgent on my part. Besides, anytime you invite Alfred E. Neuman to the party, it's hard to say anything of meaning and still keep a strait face."––Louis
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Miles, Dylan, Brendan, Nick, and Bill
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Grear (center), Jack (right), and friend (left)
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Brendan and Louis
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Erin (right) and friend
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Happy
"I always enjoy this high/low aspect of art. Especially in this case, where both parties are dealing with empirical observation of society––one in a scientific light and the other in a satirical light. Both derive conclusions on the pessimistic side, and both are easily quotable––Hobbes says, 'Life is nasty, brutish, and short,' while MAD just says, 'What me worry?' (of which my translation has always been, 'Fuck it!'). The philosopher and the fool, they make good bedfellows."
Through March 13, 2013
HALF GALLERY
43 East 78th St.
New York, NY 10021
MAP
Leviathan show poster. "I made the poster for the show using a diagram of the mobile and bits of text taken from Hobbes, which I doctored a little. The text in the poster talks about an artificial man made out of springs, strings, and other artificial substitutions for anatomical components. The poster also talks about a large singular body comprised of smaller individual bodies, which, connected to the larger body, make up the whole. I think it hints at other political philosophical connections, and if pressed, I would be able to deconstruct the mobile using Hobbes' philosophy as a guide––but that is all analogous and sort of indulgent on my part. Besides, anytime you invite Alfred E. Neuman to the party, it's hard to say anything of meaning and still keep a strait face."––Louis
Miles, Dylan, Brendan, Nick, and Bill
Grear (center), Jack (right), and friend (left)
Brendan and Louis
Erin (right) and friend
Happy