Macho Bullshit
July 23rd through August 27th, 2005
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 23, at 7 PM
Black Maria Gallery announced a new exhibition, entitled “Macho Bullshit,” which will present works reflecting issues of contemporary male identity.
Artists participating in the exhibition are: Thomas Lee Bakofsky, Jack Howe, Gary Garay, Dave Leamon, Sam Saghatelian, Gin Stevens and Chris Ryniak.
“In our time, and especially since the sexual revolution of the 60s, masculinity as both social role and frame of mind has become increasingly problematic,” said Zara Zeitountsian, owner of Black Maria, commenting on the theme of the exhibition. “While boys and men are still led to believe in notions of gender-based entitlement and invincibility, the realities of our world have long overshadowed such beliefs, with women continuing to gain in economic and political power.”
Sam Saghatelian, Black Maria curator, added: “Many men today are stuck in a referential no-man’s-land, quietly nursing an identity crisis yet unable to ultimately overcome a traditional macho mindset. Should they remain steeped in anachronistic male behavioral patterns, or should they get with the program of radically transformed inter-gender relations? “Macho Bullshit” is an exploration of that particular disconnect.”
According to Saghatelian, the exhibition as a whole will underscore the tragicomic nature of what he terms the macho ethos. “A bona fide macho can be offensive and comical in equal measure,” he explained. “There is also something pitiful, even endearing, in the way a typical macho man interacts with others. Our exhibition will be a no-holds-barred look at the phenomenon, with plenty of commentary on the irony and nuances of the macho way of being, and also the inner conflict of not being able to deal with fast-evolving gender roles and societal values.”
“Macho Bullshit” featuring new and recent works by seven artists, will kick off on Saturday, July 23, at 7 PM, and will remain open until August 27.