Featuring Lainie Love Dalby, Elisa Garcia de la Huerta, Andrae Hinds, Anya Liftig, Irvin Morazan and Dawn Frasch
Like the maid at the churn or the epicure at supper, Butter Digger concerns a metaphorical state of spiritual inquiry and a transformation of matter through consciousness. Butter Digger utilizes strange appropriations of ritualism to comment on contemporary forms of worship both public and private and the way that our cherished ‘popular’ beliefs entail a system of symbols that although finite, might also serve as gateways into the infinite. Edible totems, incantatory hymns and grisly chic raise the stakes for these young New York City based artists who embrace the aestheticism and carnality of cognitive capitalism with alchemical outcomes.
Sinewy, bulbous, and even sludge-like appears the work – the artists in this exhibition seem to follow a primordial decorative impulse. The supernatural aspects of perversity and the sensuality of spirituality reign in these hybrid works of video, performative sculpture, textile and painting. Pleasure is the operative principle, acting as lubrication against capitalism’s golden rule of deferred gratification. In an age when even ‘criticality’ becomes codified into an easily consumable style, these artists embrace the lyricism of luxury, barbarism and superstition, asking: In what ways does pleasure inform the political? How does imagination act on matter? What is the operative value of Art’s narcotic belief in the endless pursuit of an elusive essence? Doubly in revolt against alienated, passive consumption and the artist as celebrity-fetish-maker, these provocative, savvy producers play musical chairs in an abyss were sweat is akin to gold.
Additional press for Butter Digger can be found at:
Paniko Comidas y rituales en Cuchifritos
Blouin ArtInfo Butter Digger: Curated by Katie Cercone
Cuchifritos is FREE to the public and handicap accessible. Located inside Essex Street Market at the south end nearest Delancey.
Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space is a program of Artists Alliance Inc., a 501c3 not for profit organization located on the Lower East Side of New York City within the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center. Cuchifritos is supported in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. This program is made possible by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. We thank the following for their generous support: Foundation for Contemporary Arts, New York City Economic Development Corporation and individual supporters of Artists Alliance Inc. Special thanks go to our team of dedicated volunteers, without whom this program would not be possible.