260 Utah StreetSan Francisco, CA 94103Google Map »
In his fifth solo exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery, Lordy Rodriguez presents new works on paper that utilize the map as a framework in which to experiment with unorthodox combinations of familiar visual languages from a variety of sources, including advertising, reality TV, fashion, gift-wrapping, and signature images associated with celebrity artists. With humor, craft, and adept analysis of popular culture, Rodriguez shrewdly subverts the fundamental purpose of design - to create something in the most beautiful and functional way - and the fundamental purpose of maps - to locate and transport ourselves in the world.
In linguistics, "code-switching" means mixing languages or patterns of speech in conversation. Rodriguez applies this concept to the visual languages of popular culture, using the vocabulary of cartography as a 'grammatical backbone.' In this process, he has developed his own lexicon and 'signature style,' while disrupting our conditioned expectations of the function and meaning of symbols and design.
Maps describe a place, and by extension an identity. Brand-name patterns and logos are also symbolic of identity, in terms of culture, class, and status. In Gangnam, America, Rodriguez remaps the country by 'cultural capitols' - i.e. entertainment districts in the US as defined by Wikipedia. In most cases, these were historically gay or ethnic neighborhoods, now branded and transformed, through appropriated, watered-down 'culture' from elsewhere, into centers of pop culture - essentially shopping and nightlife. America here is an ostentatiously elongated island floating in a Burberry sea.
The work in Code Switch represents Rodriguez's experiments in 'code-switching' the visual languages of popular culture in an ongoing exploration of real and virtual place and identity.
DATE/TIME:
28 May - 13 July, Reception: Saturday 8 June, 4-6pm
LOCATION:
Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco
260 Utah Street
San Francisco, CA, 94103
415-495-5454
http://hosfeltgallery.com
COST/REGISTRATION:
Free
MORE INFO:
Website: http://hosfeltgallery.com
Email: info@hosfeltgallery.com
Phone: 415-495-5454
Contact: Nicole Lampl
About Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco:
Hosfelt Gallery has shown international emerging to mid-career artists since 1996 in San Francisco. In fall 2012, Hosfelt expanded into a new 8,900 sq ft San Francisco venue. Our program is built around artwork with a refined level of execution that addresses critical inquiries in relation to the history of art, culture, politics, and intellectual discourse.
