Sideshow Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of abstract art curated by Kat Griefen, director of A.I.R. Gallery, from the membership of the American Abstract Artists. Material Matter will be on view from September 8th – October 8th 2007. The Opening reception will be held on Saturday September 8th from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Since its inception in 1936, American Abstract Artists has played a pivotal role in the evolution of abstraction in America. The artists in Material Matter affirm the group’s openness to difference, both in form and theory, and its non-party line approach. Here, the organization’s legacy is manifested in the artists’ use of unlikely materials or use of traditional materials in unlikely ways. In itself, each work holds a multiplicity of meanings. Some challenge an aspect of American culture that privileges the answer over the question. Some choose the means over the ends. Each work is literally or figuratively open ended, subscribing only to its internal logic and suggesting one important aspect of abstraction’s currency – its potential to counter-balance the dogmatic.

The artists in the exhibition are Alice Adams, Sharon Brant, Susan Bonfils, James O. Clark, Matthew Deleget, Gail Gregg, Lynne Harlow, Phillis Ideal, Marthe Keller, Stephen Maine, Nancy Manter, Rossana Martinez, Creighton Michael, Ray Oglesby, John Phillips, Lucio Pozzi, Leo Rabkin, James Seawright, Edward Shalala, Clover Vail, Rob van Erve, and Don Voisine. Works on view cover a range of mediums including painting, video, installation, and sculpture.

Events at Sideshow in conjunction with the exhibition are free and open to the public:

Sept. 14 & 15, 7:30 pm – Rob List presents a silent highly reductive abstract performance piece, “Folly No. 1”.

Sept. 22, 7:30 pm – “A Shiny Night for Sleep: An Evening of Abstract Video Art” curated Kat Griefen and Meredith Drum with work by Thomas Dexter, Zach Layton, Lucio Pozzi and LoVid. Videos by Megan Biddle, Margarida Garcia and Sabrina Gschwandtner will be shown and will be on view for the duration of the exhibition.

Oct. 7, 3 pm – A panel discussion, “Material Matter: The Currency of Abstraction” moderated by Kat Griefen with panelists Lynne Harlow, Rossana Martinez, Stephen Maine and Robert C. Morgan.