Brian Rutenberg's Low Dense Exhibition at Forum Gallery Blends Landscape and Abstraction
The exhibition titled Low Dense by Brian Rutenberg was held at Forum Gallery in New York City from January 13 to February 19, 2011. It showcased paintings that intertwine landscape elements with abstraction, drawing inspiration from the lowlands of South Carolina. Rutenberg's earlier pieces featured foggy tree trunks, which transitioned into abstract voids adorned with ethereal tree patterns. His color palette became more vivid, utilizing dynamic shapes and thick applications of paint to create luminous surfaces. Influenced by the Luminist movement, especially Martin Johnson Heade, Rutenberg combines nostalgic natural themes with Modernist abstraction. The display featured the significant work Low Dense (2010), highlighting bright colors and geometric designs. His art resonates with Abstract Expressionism and historical figures like J. M. W. Turner and Claude Monet. The review was written by critic and artist Diane Thodos.
Key facts
- Brian Rutenberg's exhibition Low Dense was held at Forum Gallery in New York City from January 13 to February 19, 2011.
- The artist's inspiration comes from the South Carolina lowlands, focusing on dreamlike light, water, and humidity.
- Rutenberg's early paintings depicted tree trunks fading into fog, while later works featured abstract central voids with ghostly tree symbols.
- His palette brightened over time, with thick paint layers creating glowing, viscous surfaces.
- Rutenberg cites the Luminist tradition, especially Martin Johnson Heade, as an influence.
- The exhibition includes bold rectangular and triangular forms, as in Low Dense (2010), with vibrant color blocks and staccato grids.
- His surfaces reference Hans Hoffman's push-pull planes, using palette-knife slabs and delicate glazes.
- Rutenberg's work connects to American Abstract Expressionism forerunners like Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley, and Charles Burchfield.
Entities
Artists
- Brian Rutenberg
- Martin Johnson Heade
- J. M. W. Turner
- Claude Monet
- Arthur Dove
- Marsden Hartley
- Charles Burchfield
- Hans Hoffman
- Diane Thodos
Institutions
- Forum Gallery
- Pollock-Krasner Foundation
- Kouros Gallery
- Alex Rivault Gallery
- Traeger/Pinto Gallery
- Thomas Masters Gallery
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- South Carolina
- Evanston
- Illinois
- Paris
- France
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Chicago