This week’s Weekly has my short review of Handjob at Space 1026. Below’s the copy with some pictures. More photos at flickr and here’s Andrea Kirsh’s post on the show.
Anyone who’s ever raged against the machine will appreciate the human vs. machine battle in “Handjob.” The handmade objects prove anything a machine can do a human can do merrier. Take the free downloadable ringtones by Fereshteh Toosi. This singing of the Nokia jingle—a capella, with great vibrato—deserves a Grammy at least. Melissa Kramer’s Peanut Chews smell and look divine.
Aryon Hostleton and Alison Macrina’s “Thank You” shopping bag—a knit knockoff of the real plastic item—is poignant and fantastical. And Jake Hockel’s Philly—a lumpy, sawdust-and-glue imitation of Ikea’s Billy bookcase—is a riot.
Best is Caitlin Perkins’ Photo Booth, which reminds you that one of the joys of DIY art is its slow, nonfactorylike pace. In Perkins’ Booth the artist sits opposite you, separated by a clear Plexiglas window.
She draws your photo on a handmade photo strip as you pose and chat. It takes a while, and it’s great. The booth—made from scrap wood, cardboard, Plexiglas and 20 yards of $1-a-yard fabric—is quiet, the ambience is confessionlike and the whole thing, like the entire show, is delicious.
“Handjob”
Free. Through March 20. Space 1026, 1026 Arch St. 215.574.7630.
