It is a curious fact that the most powerful international galleries of our times are presenting exhibitions that are rare, rich and effectively gifts to art audiences. Intimate Infinite at the Lévy Gorvy townhouse on the corner of 73rd Street at 909 Madison Avenue is a formidable and enticing offering. The show is the brainchild of Brett Gorvy whose motive in conceiving a ‘dream show’ resulted in a tour de force of remarkable works relating to each other. More a museum show than that of a commercial gallery, most works are on loan from museums and private collectors. What makes these three floors of thoughtfully assembled works so powerful is how they are expressive of feelings rather than thinking about art.
In an interview Gorvy explained the genesis of the exhibition: I investigated the forces that drive me to appreciate art, and how particular works draw my focus. How do those artists have the ability to concentrate their energy into a work of art? I’ve often witnessed the phenomenon of a small work of art that has the extraordinary, even magical power to hold a whole wall or an entire room. What is it about that picture? What has the artist invested in that work to create such an effect? In terms of its internal power, but also in the way that the viewer, as an active participant, engages with the work. These questions began the personal journey leading to this exhibition. It’s a journey that I would very much like to invite our viewers to take.
The diversity and intensely palpable quality of these works are a catalytic force. On the second floor masterpieces by women artists from the 60s and 70s are presented with those of their male peers. The exhibition opened the fall season and runs from September 6—October 24, 2018.Make a special trip to the upper east side to see this exhibition, it will resonate with you and it demonstrates that gift culture in art remains a living experience; a journey.
CY TWOMBLY, Untitled, 1967. Oil-based house paint and wax crayon on canvas,
57 x 68 inches (144.8 x 172.7 cm). Private Collection. © 2018 Cy Twombly Foundation.
Photo: Stephen White.
ROBERT RYMAN, Untitled, 1962. Oil on linen, 69 1/2 x 69 1/2 inches (176.5 x 176.5 cm).
Courtesy of the Whitney Museum of American Art. © 2018 Robert Ryman / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Photo: Whitney Museum, NY.
JEAN DUBUFFET, Le Strabique (The Cross-Eyed Man), 1953.
Collage with butterfly wings and gouache on paper board, 9 3/4 x 7 inches (24.8 x 17.8 cm). Private collection, courtesy Pace Gallery.
© 2018 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris.
Photo: Tim Nighswander / IMAGING4ART.
Installation view including Johns, Ryman and Bontecou. Intimate Infinite: Imagine A
Journey
Installation view of Intimate Infinite: Imagine A Journey. Photo: Elisabeth Bernstein.
Installation view of third floor: Intimate Infinite: Imagine A ourney, collage and sculpture.
Photo: Elisabeth Bernstein.
Installation view of third floor: Intimate Infinite: Imagine A Journey, collage and sculpture.
Photo: Elisabeth Bernstein.
L. Brandon Krall is an Artist-Filmmaker-Curator-Writer