Artists Space

Salad Days 2

July 12 – August 4, 2006

A person’s “salad days” are the days of youth, when he or she is “green” (without experience), but fresh and hopeful.... the important connotation of the phrase is the sense of crisp, fresh youth, tossed with abandon and topped with the tangy vinaigrette of boundless optimism.

– The Word Detective, Evan Morris, 1998

Two small tomatoes arranged side-by-side against a blank, white backdrop. Text placed directly underneath the tomatoes reads, "Salad Days 2006 ~Second Course~."
[Two small tomatoes arranged side-by-side against a blank, white backdrop. Text placed directly underneath the tomatoes reads, "Salad Days 2006 ~Second Course~."]

In 2004, Artists Space Associate Curator Letha Wilson and then Program Coordinator (Associate Curator in 2006) Jennifer Moon organized the first Salad Days exhibition with the intention to present the work of twelve emerging artists selected by twelve emerging curators, all at a particular moment in their artistic career described as their “salad days.” The 2004 curators were each asked to select one new emerging curator. Organized by Hillary Wiedemann, Gallery Manager, with the guidance of Jennifer Moon, these new curators each selected one artist, beginning the biannual tradition of the Salad Days exhibition. The curators met several times to address conceptual and organizational aspects of the show. Each bring to the table unique perspectives and experience, which are reflected in their choice of artists. The end result is an exhibition that showcases an exciting group of emerging artists and offers them the opportunity to present their work to a broad audience.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a public “Salad Potluck.” In keeping with the spirit of collaboration and discourse, Artists Space will open the gallery for an informal picnic, and asks each guest to bring a dish to pass as well as ideas to share. This event will be held Wednesday, July 19 from 6-8pm.

Artists: Ronnie Bass, Carla Edwards, Mauricio Guillen, Kosuke Ikeda, Lara Kohl, Philip Maysles, Mamiko Otsubo, Fay Ray, Ania Soliman, Chris Taylor, Amy Westpfahl

Curators: Stacey Allan, Yaelle Amir, Tairone Bastien, Naomi Beckwith, Anna Gray, Matthew Lusk, Anthony Marcellini, Courtney J. Martin, Amie Scally, Elisabeth Schneider, Shinya Watanabe, Hillary Wiedemann

A microphone connected to a stand and an amp sit on the floor of a gallery space. The microphone stand has been adjusted such that the microphone is pointed down and hovers directly over a small answering machine on the ground. Wall vinyl installed on the wall directly behind the microphone stand displays a phone number: "+1 (212) 226-2786)."
Salad Days 2. Installation view, Artists Space, 2006. Photo: Bill Ocrutt. [A microphone connected to a stand and an amp sit on the floor of a gallery space. The microphone stand has been adjusted such that the microphone is pointed down and hovers directly over a small answering machine on the ground. Wall vinyl installed on the wall directly behind the microphone stand displays a phone number: "+1 (212) 226-2786)."]
Bright red milk crates arranged on top of one another in descending height in a gallery space. Wooden planks are balanced on top of the crates and supported by longer wooden planks that rest against cinderblocks along the side of the structure.
Salad Days 2. Installation view, Artists Space, 2006. Photo: Bill Ocrutt. [Bright red milk crates arranged on top of one another in descending height in a gallery space. Wooden planks are balanced on top of the crates and supported by longer wooden planks that rest against cinderblocks along the side of the structure.]
A set of five paintings, prints, and other works on paper hang in a horizontal line across a white gallery wall. The compositions each depict one or more figures. Some sit, as if for a portrait, while others appear to play basketball. One of the gallery columns is situated in the image
Salad Days 2. Installation view, Artists Space, 2006. Photo: Bill Ocrutt. [A set of five paintings, prints, and other works on paper hang in a horizontal line across a white gallery wall. The compositions each depict one or more figures. Some sit, as if for a portrait, while others appear to play basketball. One of the gallery columns is situated in the image's center.]
A metal desk with each of its legs perched on top of four vertical cinderblocks. The side of the desk is decorated with a dark blue and aqua blue stripe. A bright red ball rests on top of the desk.
Salad Days 2. Installation view, Artists Space, 2006. Photo: Bill Ocrutt. [A metal desk with each of its legs perched on top of four vertical cinderblocks. The side of the desk is decorated with a dark blue and aqua blue stripe. A bright red ball rests on top of the desk.]
Five photographic collages installed in white frames arranged in a horizontal row along a blank wall.
Salad Days 2. Installation view, Artists Space, 2006. Photo: Bill Ocrutt. [Five photographic collages installed in white frames arranged in a horizontal row along a blank wall.]
A slide projector sits in a dimly lit corner of a gallery space. The device projects an image of rocks and other debris onto a poster hung on the wall, which lists various statistics related to The Letchworth Village, a residential commuinty in Rockland County, New York. A second poster hangs on a wall to the left of the slide projector. A stack of papers rests on a small support below the poster.
Salad Days 2. Installation view, Artists Space, 2006. Photo: Bill Ocrutt. [A slide projector sits in a dimly lit corner of a gallery space. The device projects an image of rocks and other debris onto a poster hung on the wall, which lists various statistics related to The Letchworth Village, a residential commuinty in Rockland County, New York. A second poster hangs on a wall to the left of the slide projector. A stack of papers rests on a small support below the poster.]
    A figure in a white military uniform shirt approaches a group of women on a city street. She holds out a platter of small cookies wrapped in small plastic wrappers to one of the figures, who has taken the cookie, unwrapped it, and reads a small note attached to it.
    Amy Westpfhal, still from The Informational Cookie Project, 2006. [A figure in a white military uniform shirt approaches a group of women on a city street. She holds out a platter of small cookies wrapped in small plastic wrappers to one of the figures, who has taken the cookie, unwrapped it, and reads a small note attached to it.]