Above – Woman: “Can I get a selfie with you?” Vaginal: “Well, I don’t know what a ‘selfie’ is, but sure!”
Dear Shaded Viewers,
Tout New York showed up for the art opening of the fall season: Vaginal Davis’ one-woman show, Come on Daughter Save Me at Invisible-Exports on the Lower East Side.
“The sixteen clay-and-nail-polish frieze sculptures (which also feature perfume, hairspray, and various other products of “traditional” femininity) comprising this exhibition were all made in Berlin this past year. They range in width but are uniform in height and blood-red color. They depict a series of ghostly, ghastly, beautiful, emotive faces and masks, Goddesses, historic and mythical women, perhaps even a self-portrait or two. The sculptures mark a movement from two-dimensional to three-dimensional work for Davis, with their wall-mounting an additional nod to displays of prehistoric ceramics found in historic institutions the world over. Together they represent a step into deep history for an artist who has been consistently and constantly all over it.”
The rumor I heard is that half the pieces sold during the first hour of the opening. Vag is now a blue-chip artist! I’ve known her for over 20 years—I should have bought some of her art years ago when it was cheap or free because no one wanted it. I’ll bet her Lesbian Domesticity Paper and Various Hag series are worth quite a pretty penny now.
Earth angel: Vaginal emitted a supernatural glow in her new Rick Owens dress. Rick designed it especially for her.
For this exhibit, Vaginal created a limited-edition of 10 clear vinyl records. Each feature a unique work by Vag, nail polish and ink on paper. I think there are some left and you can buy them here.
It was difficult to hear the recording on the vinyl because of the noise levels at the opening, but it seems to document a journey through the dark recesses of Vaginal’s mind. Yes, I know you’re thinking of the notorious 2-CD set, Judy Garland Speaks! I am sure it’s something similar to that.
Some of the sculptures from the show.
A harmonic convergence: Vag with poet Katie Degentesh. My friend Camille Paglia thinks Katie looks like Françoise Hardy.
The amazing and multi-talented Bibbe Hanson and Stevin Azo Michels. Stevin is the official archivist of the Glennda Orgasm Archives.
Power couple: Susanne Sachsse with Vag.
Susanne and artist/writer/dissident Slava Mogutin.
Straight To Hell publisher/editor Billy Miller steals a smooch with the Vagimule.
Performer and activist Viva Ruiz with Stevin. Back in the ’90s they had a naked performance group/rock band called Fresh Fish!
My friend Katie Degentesh art-directed this because she liked the way the color of the wine complemented the image of Vag’s sculpture.
Thanks for reading.
Love,
Glenn Belverio
