The Cute Show at Salon 91

Show Dates: Opens 25 Feb 2010
: Closes 25 March 2010

Show Title: ‘The Cute Show’

Venue: Salon91 Contemporary Art Collection.
: 91 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

Participating Artists: Geraldine Fenn, Francois van Reenen, Jaco Haasbroek, Eric Loubser, and Tracy Lee Lynch

‘The Cute Show’, a group exhibition of painting, print, sculpture and jewellery, opens at Salon91 Contemporary Art Collection on 25 February 2010. The exhibition features a host of multi-disciplinary artists including Artist/ Jewellery Designer Geraldine Fenn, Illustrator/ Artist Jaco Haasbroek, Sculptor/ Painter/ Animator Francois van Reenen aka Frank, Deco Stylist/ Artist Tracy Lee Lynch, and Artist/ Jewellery Designer Eric Loubser.

An aesthetic of ‘cuteness’, and in some cases a particular brand of Japanese cute, known as ‘kawaii’, unifies their diverse practice throughout the exhibition, and their respective artistic styles in general. On the surface the works may be described as adorable, precious, playfull, quirky, fun, whimsical, colourful, self-deprecating, pretty, humourous, diminutive, endearing, and toy-like, all qualities generally associated with ‘the cute’. However an understanding of the origins of the word ‘cute’, that is, a shortening of the word ‘acute’, meaning ‘keenly perceptive’, ‘shrewd’ or ‘clever’, is perhaps far more helpful in unlocking the hidden layers of meaning, key to interpreting and appreciating these artworks, as well understanding the artists’ intentions.

Denis Dutton, a philosopher of art at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, examined the rapidity and promiscuity of what he calls ‘the cute response’ in his studies on Darwinian aesthetics. Dutton explains that, "Cute cuts through all layers of meaning and says, Let's not worry about complexities, just love me". He suggests that this may result in the feeling of being manipulated or taken for a sucker, a sense of cheapness, which leads many to reject ‘cuteness’ as low or shallow."

The artists participating in this exhibition, all share an acute awareness and understanding of the so-called ‘cute response’, which allows for a shrewd yet subtle form of expression, enabling them to grapple with virtually anything they choose in their art-making from subliminal tensions, fears and desires; observations of daily life; satire and innuendo; religion and consumerism to mortality, all packaged as ‘super-cute’ palatable parcels. Very clever indeed…

‘The Cute Show’ embodies a very specific aspect of the Salon91 ethos, that is, to examine and to bridge [wherever relevant] the divide between varied creative disciplines.

Contact Person: Gallery Director: Monique du Preez

Email: info@salon91art.co.za
Call: 082 679 3906
021 424 6930

Gallery Hours:
Tue-Fri: 10am - 6pm
Sat: 10am - 2pm
Sun; Mon: Closed

www.salon91art.co.za