If someone had told me at the beginning of last week that I’d be doing three consecutive, breakfast-related posts, I wouldn’t have believed it. But I guess stranger things have happend. So here’s my third and (I think) best breakfast post…
Cerealart has been on the scene for quite a few years now producing high-quality artist multiples. Whether or not the name rings a bell, you’re probably familiar with some of their projects- maybe the Marcel Dzama action figures or the Allan McCollum “Thanks” bars. Cerealart has been a pioneer in terms of rethinking the relationship of art and commerce… taking artists whose work would normally be priced beyond the average person’s means and finding ways to create interesting (and often affordable) objects that exist in a limited edition.
Located in Philadelphia’s Old City, their gallery/office on Third Street is really worth a visit. The staff is extremely friendly and willing to take a break from business to share info about their artists and projects. The space is mixed use which adds to the overall experience. Rather than a cold, white-walled gallery, evidence of working and planning mingles freely with the finished products.
There are no shortage of noteworthy pieces to spotlight at Cerealart but since Taylor McKimens’ plant sculptures were in the front window, they get the nod. Each sculpture consists of handcut inkjet prints that are assembled with wire, wood, and glue. McKimens’ striking visual style and the strange relationship of two and three dimensions is reminiscent of Red Grooms. My first encounter with McKimens was in the book Hidden Track: How Visual Culture is Going Places but I’ve been seeing his name regularly since then. Looking at these wierd and engaging plant sculpture/multiples, it’s no surprise why.
Oh. And in case you’re wondering about the name “cerealart,” here’s a quick explanation from thier site…
We wanted to find a name that symbolized art multiples and ran across the term ‘serial art’in a Warhol catalog. It sounded a little sinister, like a serial killer so to lighten it up my son Max threw the homonym at us. Also, the cerealart.com domain was available which is so important to business today.
