Philly Caj

Steve Basel, Nadine Beauharnois, Emily Elliott, Morgan Hobbs, Lucan Kelly, Julia Owens, Marcelle Reinecke, Jillian Schley In an effort to open up discussions with other artist-run spaces, especially those beyond New York, Ortega y Gasset Projects is pleased to announce an exhibition exchange with Automat Collective in Philadelphia. The exchange begins with Serious Play, an exhibition* of works by the directors of Ortega y Gasset Projects at Automat, opening Saturday, December 2. Soon to follow, Ortega y Gasset Projects presents Philly Caj, a group exhibition of works by members of Automat. It is tempting - and very difficult - to locate a unifying theme in the work of artists whose main collaborative project is not collaborative art-making itself, but the launching of an artist-run gallery. The 8 artists in Philly Caj work on a variety of styles and approaches. So, what is the link between the work, if one exists at all? We venture to suggest a certain casualness. Paintings show loose gestures and edges that soften and blend; forms sag and embrace their own irregularity. By eschewing the monumental, the artists in Philly Caj question the notions of artistry and beauty. In doing so, they connect with a relevant emotional poignancy expressed in hand-made form. A fresh sense of playfulness is expressed in upbeat colorfulness and a commitment to off-beat tactility. Automat is a new force in the Philadelphia art scene. Opening its doors in April 2015, the collective has since put on 12 exhibitions. Curatorial themes have included the amorphous nature of identity; gender; class; and a curatorial response to the building in which the gallery resides. Automat members are Steve Basel, Nadine Beauharnois, Emily Elliott, Morgan Hobbs, Lucan Kelly, Julia Owens, Marcelle Reinecke and Jillian Schley. *Serious Play at Automat runs from December 2 - January 8, 2017 and includes works by the directors of Ortega y Gasset Projects: Eleanna Anagnos, Clare Britt, Joshua Bienko, Catherine Haggarty, Eric Hibit, Will Hutnick, Leeza Meksin, Sarah Rushford, Zahar Vaks