Don Christensen's Geometric Paintings at Sideshow Gallery Challenge Visual Perception

Don Christensen presented vibrant geometric paintings at Sideshow in Brooklyn from September 11 to October 10, 2010. His works, characterized by intense colors and bold compositions, initially overwhelm viewers before revealing complex movements after extended viewing. The exhibition featured pieces like Silver Button (2009), which reduces painting to its fundamentals with a multicolored stairway leading into a silver void, and Santa Santa (2010), a canvas with triangles and horizontal bands evoking Christmas themes through conflicting spatial cues. Christensen's approach is described as masculinist, with paintings that jump out from the wall without nuance, yet achieve a sense of freedom from historical associations. His background includes studies at the Kansas City Art Institute and involvement in New York's 1970s underground scene, influenced by his older brother Dan Christensen, a color field painter. The show included three-dimensional objects installed near paintings, such as stools painted in patterns, which act like speech bubbles to convey the works' messages. Charlie Ringo's Crown (2009) exemplifies a playful, wild aesthetic with spiky green shapes and wacky color combinations. The exhibition highlights Christensen's intentional tabula rasa effect, making painting appear fun and easy while challenging viewers to see beyond initial reactions.