An exhibition review can be a potent tool, as it helps shape impressions of the works on view for a broader audience. That said, viewing art is a highly subjective experience, and misunderstandings occur as often as moments of great insight. With that in mind, Shotgun Review strives to frame its reviews as simply the opening statement in a dialogue, rather than the final word. The following is just such a dialogue, in response to the review of Wunderflater by Anuradha Vikram posted on June 10th. In it, Michael Arcega, one of the participating artists, clarifies misattributions in the original... Read More

Typically these days, an MFA thesis show is less exhibition than art fair, with each newly minted graduate almost climbing over one another in order to attract more attention than his or her peers. These shows are crowded and incoherent, and difficult places to connect meaningfully with art. Rejecting all this, Stanford's 2009 MFA graduates opted instead for an experimental and collaborative model that strives for something different. Wunderflater, 2009; installation view, Thomas Welton Stanford Gallery. The five graduating artists--Michael Arcega, Reed Anderson, Cobi van Tonder, Kazumi Shiho and Jina Valentine--could not take more different approaches in their practices. Arcega... Read More