Alice Zinnes : Entropvisions (Blog)

The title Entropvisions is in homage to my mother, the poet and art critic, Harriet Zinnes. In 1990 New Directions published a collection of her poems titled Entropisms, a word she made-up combining entropy - the tendency toward disorder - and tropism - the growth towards or away from a stimulus. Similarly, my short reviews combine entropy and tropism by suggesting growth towards a vision of art from the chaos of the art world. Through the back door, my title also pays homage to my physicist father, Irving Zinnes, whose long discussions with my mom got her thinking about entropy and tropism in the first place.

11 Women of Spirit at the Zürcher, New York

2022.5.23

I'm glad I was able to see a few shows just before they closed this weekend, and will post some of the highlights over the next few days. First I'd like to spotlight the energetic exhibition, 11 Women of Spirit, at the Zürcher, New York / Paris Gallery. Carol Diamond's inventive transformations that turn street junk into sparkling, often beautiful but always emotionally poignant sculptures stood out to me. Here I found metamorphic connotations of animal heads, expensive gems, and writhing constructions with hidden treasures buried deep within. Also of interest were Margaret Watson's collages and somewhat AbEx abstractions, and Jennifer Riley's circular explorations. The other artists, all strong in their own right, were Judith Braun, Claire Crawford, Fredericka Foster, Joy Nagy, Debra Pearlman, Esther Podemski , Francine Tint , and Marjorie Welsh.

Carol Diamond

Carol Diamond. Inside view of the large

globe-like construction on a pedestal.

Note the hidden treasures

Carol Diamond. I keep seeing this

as royal gems constructed into

a flower

Carol Diamond. This reads as

an animal head to me,

with a looming eye

Carol Diamond. Maybe a Wheel of Life,

suggesting the hardships of that life

Margaret Watson

Jennifer Riley

Entropvisions (Blog)