When A Trip to Home Depot Becomes Art

Last week's First Thursday artwalk in Pioneer Square was notable for several reasons. First, there were a gazillion people milling about, which was very cool to see, given our unhappy times. Not that I saw anyone purchasing art, mind you, nonetheless it was somehow buoying to note that people were looking to art for kicks. Second, the free wine that is customarily flowing from seemingly bottomless casks at these events was more of a trickle. At two galleries I witnessed someone hold an empty bottle up in front of a light to see if there were any remaining dregs, shake it a little, then set it back down disappointedly. At two others there were simply no beverages or cheeses offered. (See above re: the economy.) But that didn't seem to damped people's spirits (in fact several people were spied bringing along their own spirits, in flasks). Thirdly, there was some genuinely fun art on display by local artists. 

Mike Simi's exhibit at 4Culture (through February 27th) demands special note. Entitled, "The Guy that Bought Your Van," it features a phalanx of 45 identical figures in gray sweatshirts, khaki Dockers, yellow gloves and white sneakers. Their heads are obscured by white plastic trash cans, each of which has a yellow rope sticking out the top, pulled straight up to the ceiling. The trash cans cover audio devices that emit a funny and bizzarro soundtrack, which "draws its inspiration from a psychological (and physical) trip to Home Depot, Huey Lewis and the News' "If This Is It," and Phil Collins' song, "Against All Odds." (And you thought artists were inspired by an ethereal, wavy-haired muse.) The result is an amalgamation of comedy and suburban dystopia. Walking among the figures and listening to their chant feels both surprising and all too familiar. If you're in the Pioneer Square area, definitely stop in to 4Culture to experience it for yourself. 

And while you're there, walk down the block to Punch Gallery for a quick hit on another amusing installation. Edison, WA industrial artist Ries Niemi has taken over the gallery space with guns (nonfunctional ones, that he forged from various metal scraps), underpants (some embroidered with jokes, some made from blue tarp) and old-man handkerchiefs (intricately embroidered with iconic beer and liquor brands). It all has something to do with what he calls, Invisible Forces, but mostly it feels like a an unabashed--but artful--embrace of the more unseemly side of manhood. It's up through February 28th, so take a look.