Mental

Sam Gordon: The Twinkie Defense
Ratio 3

Sam Gordon's 'art maps' lead you slowly up the stairs; art show posters, New York happenings and his own alluring psychokinetic photographs. This is in itself an interesting exercise in making connections between artists, galleries and places, never quite sure where it is actually leading you. Allowing this to gently prod and nudge, you slip into the epicenter of Gordon's domain, his mental space.

The completely covered walls create a crazy yet strangely contained wallpaper of notes, symbols, sketches and thoughts - the cumulative efforts of ten years worth of sketchbook entries. The scans are simply pinned to the walls, some bow, others curl creating an entity that almost breathes. Four paintings of ink, ballpoint pen, acrylic, enamel, spray paints, studio sweepings and gold & silver leaf on canvas are strategically placed on opposite sides of the room. These mystical marks serve as contemplative zones, taking you to another metaphysical level. Crossing and reflecting they pull you into Gordon's psychic mid-point.

Bringing together "all this content" as Chris Perez describes it is a result of mindful editing and knowing when to stop, a process which Perez and Gordon collaborated on. It's solid and cohesive and never overwhelms. These are not incoherent ramblings but play out as repetitions and imaginings borne of an obsessive mind.