Chicago, IL
Imagine the therapeutic participatory sculptures of Brazilian modernist Lygia Clark, her so-called relational objects, and cross them with the junk combinations of Robert Rauschenberg, then pass them through the sieve of forced migration and its obligation that one be ready to pack up and go at a moment’s notice. Do that and you might, if you’re very lucky, end up with Noa Ginzburg’s marvelous “Extra Ocular Objects.” Three of these impermanent constructions will be on display at the Langer over Dickie gallery, and the intrepid visitor will not simply look at but with and through them. “EOO Number Five,” a hanging clump of ribbons, twine, crocheted yarn and sequin threads, is my favorite of the lot, especially when a person sticks their head into the mix, extending the sculpture to the length of their body, funneling their eyesight through two suspended viewfinders, allowing the EOO to transform into a puppet, a mask, a kinetic construction, and themselves into a performer. What do they see? You’ll have to try it to find out.
—Lori Waxman 2020-02-15 5:49 PM