Confronted by the astonishingly energetic recent output of artist David Hockney in “Painting and Photography,” on view at L.A. Louver Gallery, I was struck by how dancerly were the images, framed though they were in rectangles.
The artist’s distinct consideration of bodies – and objects – arranged in space evoke avant-garde dance. In particular: a series of figures, all shapes, sorts, and ages, co-habit a room with chairs and a potted plant. Interspersed on these canvases, tThe artist repeats the presence of a particular figure, facing different directions. Hockney conjures this through his use of advanced photo technology. But with the exception of a very few choreographers working in film and hologram, it’s a trick dance is unable to achieve. Think of Martha Graham appearing five times in her own dance! She would have enjoyed that.
David Hockney
Sparer Chairs, 2014
Photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on Dibond
42 1/2 x 69 1/2 in. (108 x 176.5 cm) Edition of 25
David Hockney
The Chairs, 2014
Photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on Dibond
42 1/2 x 69 1/2 in. (108 x 176.5 cm) Edition of 25
David Hockney
Two Chairs with People, 2014
Photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on Dibond
42 1/2 x 69 1/2 in. (108 x 176.5 cm) Edition of 25
David Hockney
4 Blue Stools, 2014
Photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on Dibond
42 1/2 x 69 1/2 in. (108 x 176.5 cm) Edition of 25
David Hockney
The Potted Palm, 2014
Photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on Dibond
42 1/2 x 69 1/2 in. (108 x 176.5 cm) Edition of 25
David Hockney
The Red Table, 2014
Photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on Dibond
42 1/2 x 69 1/2 in. (108 x 176.5 cm) Edition of 25