Susan Brockman: Contained Illusions | Soft Network
Title unknown, ca. 1990, C-Print
Written by Lauren Levesque
‘Contained Illusions’ is the second exhibition at Soft Network Gallery with the Estate of Susan Brockman (1937-2001). It will display the artist's work from the 1990s and include the films she developed during the 1970s and 1980s. The show will begin on April 6th and conclude on May 11th, 2024.
Brockman was a multifaceted artist who was highly private and did not outwardly seek critical attention. Her photographs and films are inviting, alluring, and suspense-driving. She is proficient in isolating complex emotions that are both playful and soul-wrenching. The photographs allow diverse perspectives to consume the viewer as they hold the concrete elements of photography and film, including the satisfaction of gazing and admiring.
Brockman was deeply passionate about the way she used space to capture specific moods and feelings. She wanted to be able to create or feel that there was another dimension of photography and the world around her. Brockman had many life circumstances that impacted her work, from the ideas she was witnessing as an active figure in art scenes, to how she lived her daily life. In her life, Brockman only exhibited her photo-based work on five occasions, which makes thickmans showing of her work that much more insatiable.
Title unknown, ca. 1990, C-print
In 'Title Unknown, 1990 ', Brockman's mastery of color tinting creates a haunting atmosphere that draws the viewer in. Her lens offers a unique lens, inviting the viewer to ponder the meaning behind the window. The interplay of light on the delicate white curtains, whether moonlight or sunlight, adds to the intrigue and emotional depth of the piece, leaving the viewer with a sense of wonder and appreciation for Brockman's artistry.
Documentation of the interior of 72 Calcutta (from Box series), 1965, Ink-jet prints made from 35mm slides for exhibition, 2024, Mirrors, paper, objects, collage inside metal and glass box, Collection of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden,Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Brockman's concept of pleasure of looking is validated in her Documentation of the Interior of 72 Calcutta (from Box series), 1965. Brockman's playful personality creeps through her lens as the viewer gets to experience the feeling of being inside the box and peering out to see what is happening in the outside environment. Brockman perceives the living space as having multiple colors and facets. The transparent glass incorporated into the environment allows light to flow and be manipulated by Brockman.
Title unknown, 1991, C-print, acrylic paint
In Brockman's "Title Unknown" artwork from 1991, the comical relief is well-deserved and satisfying. The influence of East Hampton is evident in this piece, as Brockman played an essential role in the art scene in downtown Manhattan and East Hampton during the 1960s. The quirky and regular kitchen objects that get to be photographed in a fun, dynamic way connect with simple, quiet suburban life rather than the daily battle in the concrete jungle. In the photograph, the background evokes the early morning sky, with its pale colors fading away and the scent of warmer weather filling the air.
Hothouse Flower, 1978, 16mm film transferred to 4K, Color, sound, 13 min.
