BY
SUSAN MARQUEZ "It just fell out of the sky," said Geoff Dorn, co-owner of Pacific Bridge Contemporary Southeast Asian Art. Dorn was referring to the title of the gallery's latest show, "Rien Car Nation," which includes a 1961 Cadillac Eldorado that has been "reincarnated" into a new work of art named "Icarus." Dorn and partner Beth Gates run the only gallery in the country that exhibits contemporary art from Southeast Asia. They have brought together three acclaimed artists from Vietnam to participate in their artists-in-residence program: Vu Dan Tan, Le Hong Thai and French-born Eric Leroux. The number of paintings these three have produced for the show is as remarkable as their stylistic and technical range. As multi-faceted as the painting portion of the exhibition, "Icarus" is a Cadillac-driven installation piece in three distinct parts. Named after the Greek character who flew too close to the sun with his wax wings, "Icarus" celebrates and deconstructs the Golden Age of car culture in all its chrome-laden, lacquered grandeur. What once used to be a car is now much, much more. You'll have to see for yourself why this exhibition is so aptly named.
Through January 29: Rien Car Nation, Pacific Bridge Contemporary Southeast Asian Art; 95 Linden, #6 (@ Third Street), Oakland; Tue.-Sat. 11 am-6 pm; free; (510)451-8840.
CLICK HERE FOR "RIEN CAR NATION" Pacific Bridge Contemporary Southeast Asian Art, 95 Linden Street #6, Oakland CA 94607 Tel. (510) 45I - 8840 Fax. (510) 45I - 8806 email. pacificbridge@asianartnow.com Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 am - 6 pm.
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