32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 11-17, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com ART Two rooms, about 35 pieces—all contemporary California artists, all funny, satirical, or at least absurd. A new exhibit at the Monterey Museum of Art showcases a lot of eye-pleasing, lighthearted, colorful treasures, such as David Gilhooly’s “Food Descending the Staircase,” which is, well, exactly what it sounds like—a hand-colored etching of eggs and cheese and ham and bacon and a lot of sliced bread on a short staircase. These donations reflect the taste of the area, and the fact that Monterey County was smitten by a Bay Area arts movement that, by the late 1960s, was named funk art. “One of the donors was friends with Gilhooly growing up,” MMA Collections and Exhibitions Director John Rexine explains. “The artist would send him things all the time.” Rexine has been looking at these “funny” pieces in the museum’s magazine for years, and meaning to finally share them. The core of the exhibit is made up of work by Gilhooly (19432013), William T. Wiley (born 1937), Robert Arneson (1930-92) and Clayton Bailey (1939-2020). The first has the largest number of pieces within the exhibit, while the last has just one piece— “Robot” (2002)—which was chosen for the exhibit cover. Not all funk art is funny—some is satirical commentary. Examples include Valentin Popov’s “St. Batman,” where a superhero meets traditional Orthodox iconography, and Arneson’s provocative “Study for a War Memorial” (mixed media on paper, 1983). Among these Bay Area giants of absurdity sit two pieces made by a Monterey artist. As opposed to visual jokes about contemporary culture, Gail Hodin Reeves developed her own art of portrait—see “Portrait #68 (Steve and Dolores Gunia).” “She takes actual people and does portraits,” Rexine says. The faces are theirs, but the rest is the artist’s imagination. “When they meet, she decides: ‘Oh, I see these people as Civil War heroes,’ or something like that.” The couple in this large acrylic on canvas were Monterey residents and the first owners of the painting. They can be seen until the end of July—him in a navy blue uniform with epaulets and shiny buttons, her with a parasol and in a Victorian pink dress. “It’s very funny,” Rexine says. You’ve Got to be Kidding: Humor and the Absurd in California Art runs May 11-July 30. Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Ave., Monterey. $15 general admission. 372-5477, montereyart.org. DANIEL DREIFUSS Funk It Up A new exhibit showcases Monterey County art collectors’ strong proclivity for the absurd. By Agata Pop˛eda MMA’s John Rexine with Clayton Bailey’s “Robot,” a fantastic mixed-media sculpture the size of a human 6-year-old, made of aluminum, chrome and electric lights. “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY May 13th & 14th SPRING AFTER THE RAINS 10AM-4PM CARMEL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley Village 3 Multi-category flower competition d Large plant sale with expert advisors 3 Plant Photography competition d Experienced local docents 3 Food, music, children’s garden d 20+ gardening & craft vendors 3 Silent auction www.cvgardenclub.org $1 parking FUN FREE Carmel Valley GARDEN SHOW istuYZ + Sun - Thurs 12PM– 8PM Fri & Sat 11AM – 9PM 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE Call 831-899-1762 to order DINE IN / TAKEOUT / DELIVERY Using fresh, quality ingredients The Oven continues a tradition of New York style pizza, alongside signature San Francisco sourdough pizza. Come enjoy a slice today. Great Dough Great Pizza is Thin crust & Sourdough pizzas Salads & Calzones • Pasta • Subs Draft beer on tap • Wine • Dessert
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