James Scarborough's Artcritical Reviews: Burkhardt, Slavin, McMillian

James Scarborough, author at artcritical, reviews three Los Angeles exhibitions from 2003. At Jack Rutberg Fine Arts (357 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, July 11 to October 25, 2003), Hans Burkhardt responds to war with rage, horror, and disgust, expressing these feelings with a sure hand that takes viewers to the brink of annihilation. At Patricia Correia Gallery (2525 Santa Monica Avenue E2, Santa Monica, California, July 19 to August 23, 2003), Helene Slavin presents eight large paintings that create instant patina, looking aged and well-used, resembling maps dipped by mischievous schoolchildren. At Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects (5363 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, May 31 to June 28, 2003), Rodney McMillian's work limns absence as an unmitigated presence, taking a sensuous rather than cerebral approach. Scarborough describes the sculptures collectively as death masks cast from Aztec sacrifices, embodying the magical absurd realism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez.