Richard Prince's now all legal Canal Zone series is on display at the Gagosian.
Richard Prince, and his Canal Zone series were the source of some controversy. Most of the images used in the show were appropriated (taken) from Patrick Cariou's book Yes, Rasta. Mr. Cariou was upset about their inclusion in Prince's exhibition, feeling that his images had just been taken and painted over by Prince, then put on a wall and called art. They had, they were. Prince cited Fair Use, a court disagreed and the show was cancelled. Art appropriation, fair use; that old chestnut. The decision was overruled, with the exception of five paintings, and we finally get to see the series.
The debate over fair use is mostly finished, and with good reason. What Prince does with Cariou's work is entirely removed from the original concept. Prince's work is multimedia, found object, and paint. The result is chaotic. Prince has said before that his largest influence was Jackson Pollock, and this shows. Splattered schizophrenic collage. It's exciting. And is far more interesting than something that has been stuck in judicial review for years sounds.
The show will run until June 14th
