Willful and wry – these problems are not just surreal. In New Zealand, the increasing manipulation of landscape is a pressing problem. Hood makes his point elegantly and well. A subtly reconfigured old (inch to the mile) map of Otira framed on the end wall makes the same point. And a looped DVD, Coupland’s Waterfall (from the corner of Buchanans and Curletts Rds in Christchurch) explores similar territory. Never has this water feature looked so good. Two storeys high in concrete, fibreglass and generous planting – if you can’t get out into nature then at least, while waiting at the lights on one of Hornby’s busiest corners, you can see it recreated in all of its splendor – feel good and feel free.
This show is Hood at his pared back and elegant best. It can in its entirety be taken in whilst sitting on Donald’s Pew. Throughout his oeuvre, Hood has riffed on Modernism’s best. Smithson and de Maria are acknowledged in the smashed windscreen and road-marker works, and Klein’s leap has been echoed by one of his own. Here his clean lines, angled planes and scrupulous working of radiata pine ply offer antipodean thanks to Donald Judd.
On ya Rob.
JS
Press release courtesy Jonathan Smart Gallery.
52 Buchan Street
Sydenham
Christchurch, 8023
New Zealand
www.jonathansmartgallery.com
+64 3 365 7070
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Sat, 11am - 3pm