Garin Pirnia

Jamisen Ogg derives his art from archetypal architecture--such as houses with swimming pools redolent of David Hockney and famous architect Richard Neutra--but adds severe contrasting elements to the works. Now residing in New York, Ogg is no stranger to the Chicago art scene as he graduated from the School of the Art Institute and has shown his work in past shows around town.

Currently, his exhibition at duchess, entitled "Theoretical Nail in Your Art Coffin," delves into architectural prints with a 1960s twist. He works in mediums of installations and drawings. "Protest Rock Drawing" contains an airbrushed photo of a group of protesters holding a sign saying "God bless heroes" with fine-colored pencil lines encasing the image, creating a woozy psychedelic effect. "Muzak" takes rock music in the literal sense with two rock objects depicting speakers hooked up to a record player. More audio visuals include "Icicles," a vague outline of sorts set against a blackened background with shimmering icicles hanging off the side. Using mediums of Lamdba print, wood, plexi and CMYK, "Terrace" both protrudes from the wall and concurrently morphs back into it.

Ogg's most intriguing works are the ones exploring suburbia. In his previous show, "Adventure Capital," Ogg's images of lawn chairs, pools and a speed boat symbolize the good life. "Lawn Chair in Hippy Yard" contorts a picture of a lawn chair stuck in a 3-D cube. Another visual encrusts a poolside image on an actual urinal. Besides his solo shows, Ogg occasionally collaborates with others. He and Tyler Cufley created "Alma Mater," repeated images of a house outline and a vivid display of different tie-dyed colors integrated over the image.

Ogg currently has a group show in London, "Citadel 1 Front Room / Killing Room," where each artist contributed a set piece to a makeshift gallery living room. Ogg's art appears minimalistic with mundane photos and drawings, but it's when he shuffles these visuals into an incongruent context that the art becomes something unrecognizable and something greater, evoking the past while breathing into the present.

Jamisen Ogg shows at duchess presents, 1043 West Grand, (312)933-5317. Through June 13.

(2007-05-22)

Also by Garin Pirnia

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Portrait of the Gallerist
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Profile of the Artists
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Art Break
(2006-09-19)

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Tip of the Week
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