February 2010 — Landscape Edition
The start of the new decade brings a slew of new art shows to North Brooklyn in which landscape plays a central role. Here are some of our favorites.
Bennett Morris’ photos “Territory 07,” “Inception 01,” Photos courtesy of Bennet Morris
BENNETT MORRIS, “CLIMATE UNTAMED”
Like the Spice Gallery
224 Roebling St.
through 2/14
Bennett Morris conjures phosphorescent beauty from post-apocalyptic landscapes in his photographs of sculptural models. At his studio, Morris constructs elaborate sets out of found objects and submerges them under water. He then adds pigments to the water, creating smoky swirls of color around the topsy-turvy structures. Finally, he photographs the results, the finished products resembling dystopian versions of Romantic landscape paintings from the 19th century.
The debate over whether chain stores in Williamsburg are good for the neighborhood is nothing new. Indeed, Reverend Billy (a crusader for sustainable consumerism whose 2009 mayoral campaign was endorsed by L Magazine) launched a massive protest in 2001 when it was rumored a Starbucks was opening on Bedford Avenue. For nearly ten years, however, the main drag of the ‘Burg has remained relatively chain-free. Until now. Duane Reade opened a store at the Northside Piers on Kent Avenue in September, and recently a “coming soon” sign from Duane Reade appeared on Bedford and North 3rd Street— right across the street from Kings Pharmacy.
