First Class/Second Class

The group show First Class/Second Class at Asya Geisberg Gallery, co-curated by Geisberg and Leah Oates is fantastic -- it is complex and dynamic, with each of the works resonating and dialoguing with the others.

Exploring class from different perspectives, this show features a number of photographers as well as other artists who investigate poverty, wealth, resentment, alienation, pop culture and materialism, and conflict.

Pictured here is a detail from Holly Jarrett's installation, "Pig's Palace", a kind of shack created from found materials ornamented with kitschy wall paper and many images of Justin Beiber. Literally stepping into the piece I felt both overstimulated and cramped -- an important sensation, I think, for a piece about working class lifestyle and, perhaps, limited possibilities.

The photographs in First Class/Second Class depicted different elements and visions of class: rural and urban poverty, rendered compassionately and without a sense of voyeurism. A work by Miles Ladin, capturing wealthy people at what I think was a gala, was particular striking, conveying a surreal sinister alienation. It made me think of Larry Fink's Social Graces (I think that's the title of the book).

Particularly poignant were Rebecca Morgan's self portraits depicting self-loathing, resentment, fear, isolation and aspiration. These were beautifully rendered pieces that spoke to me on the most personal level.