Masks1
Around here, Byron Kerman is the guy who makes us look good by penning stories like "Just Beachy," "The Days of Wine and Reeboks," "Modernist Man" and "Extreme City Makeover". And though I quite enjoyed Byron's twisted portraits of Minnie Mouse at RAC's Holga Polka Exhibit, I didn't know he was such a shutterbug: this Friday, a selection of Byron's photos will christen PSTL Gallery's new space at 3842 Washington. If you read any of the linked stories above, you realize Byron is a witty writer, all the better to include his artist's statement here:
"Shopping in the grocery store is about as normal as it gets. But if you place a gallon jug of cheap vodka, a box of diapers, a copy of Lowrider magazine, and a pineapple into your cart, shopping becomes a funny and somewhat frightening photo op.
It’s not hard to see what’s normal as funny and frightening. Sometimes it’s looking right at you, begging to have its picture taken, like a blue toilet left by the side of the road, dignified and embarrassing all at once. Sometimes it needs a little help, like a Minnie Mouse doll who’s so sweet and innocent she clearly wants to be defiled and photographed. Other times it’s not what it appears to be, like the forgotten bleachers behind the high school, which say more in the haunt of neglect than they ever could in use.
Creepy and funny, funny and creepy. You see, they were there all along."
Byron says his mom is baking so many sweets for the opening, the table will be "groaning under their weight." And you know that crowd will be interesting. The reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. If you anticipate being on an airplane or working the swing shift that night, note that the show will be up till March 28. --Stefene Russell
