Entering the Maccarone Gallery in the West Village, the simple, uncomplicated and minimalistic space is punctuated by bright, colorful paintings of exotic birds – lots of birds.
The wide space accentuates the two triptychs, drawn in different years, displaying the same African Gray Parrot. Triptychs are three works of art presented side-by-side. A third triptych of the parrot, drawn in 2013, is displayed on the opposite side of the building.
The exhibit, “Hello, Hello, Hello,” by Ann Craven chronicles the artist’s fascination with birds and mimesis, or the imitation of reality in art. According to the kind woman at the reception desk, Craven became interested in birds when she happened upon her grandmother’s book about taking care of caged birds.
According to the show’s press release, the three triptychs inspired the title of the show. “Hello, Hello, Hello” imitates the three works being produced, while also mimicking the parrot’s vocalizations.
The woman at the reception desk said that at an event, Craven compared her repetition of art to prayers; something people come back to, but is slightly different each time. According to Craven in the press release, “each painting is both a continuation of that which came before, and a response.”
The most interesting aspect of the triptychs is that, like pointillism, a technique using small dots to paint, the portraits’ flaws cannot be seen from afar – the imperfections of the strokes are what make the paintings whole.
But can the birds actually say hello? How many times can one person say Hello before it becomes awkward? Let’s ask Adele. Or Lionel Richie. Do not forget music is art, too.
“Hello, Hello, Hello” runs from January 21 – March 5, 2016: 10 AM – 6 PM.
630 Greenwich Street & 98 Morton Street
New York, NY 10014
You can follow Michael Bong on Snapchat @mikeybong to see more of his art adventures.
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