David Kramer “Hooking up with Dave”

LMAKgallery

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LMAKgallery presents David Kramer’s Hooking up with Dave created specifically for our third floor. For this unique installation, Kramer turns the 3rd floor into his own pied-à-terre. The installation takes on the form of an alternate bachelor pad; an ideal man-cave set in Americana reliquary.

Upon entering the space the viewer encounters a homemade bumper pool table set against a whitened faux stonewall, and a hook-rug tiger skin hung on the wall. These troupe standards give the room a nostalgic feel to the setting, referring to the halcyon days of the 70’s “high” décor. The sensual texture connotes a bygone era when these elements were meant to impress with their strive. However, much like the sunder in the 70’s of a decomposing idealism, the installation does the same. It becomes apparent that Kramer’s homemade surrogates for quality products are rough stand-ins for better days. This becomes especially clear as you enter the second room.

On the wall another tiger ‘skin’, this one pinned on the wall, facing an unmade bed on milk cartons like a despairing male response to Tracey Emin’s My Bed, however this version too small for one person let alone company. On the bedside table sits a computer that plays a You-Tube video that introduces ‘Dave’, and it becomes clear that this is his domain.

A fictional character played by Kramer, explores the need to belong and escape loneliness. Kramer used how-to YouTube videos to learn the craft techniques needed to construct much of his installation. His video here is in some ways an attempt to reach back into the social network and connecting, encouraging anyone watching to join in the spirit of his new found hobbies.

In front of us we see a white male lost in his own world, and trying to grab hold of it as the world outside is clearly changing. The upbeat attempt turns into a mundane drone of despair, and soon we realize that we are witnessing the “white male effect” - a cultural status anxiety. Kramer’s installation is a humorous response to the phenomena that has clearly grasped the Western world as the voices of minorities are materializing and causing change. To this Kramer bravely asks; “What is it that we were so desperate to hang onto in the first place?”

David Kramer is a New York City based artist who has shown throughout the US and Europe, such as Galerie Tanit, Munich, Thierry Goldberg Gallery, NYC, Laurent Goding Gallery, Paris,
Le Maison Rouge, Paris, Torch Gallery, Amsterdam, Aeroplastics, Brussels, and Shizaru Gallery, London curated by Beth deWoody. His work was recently on view and is in the collection of Centre Pompidou, Paris. His work can also be found in the collection of the London Museum and Galleries, Ontario and the Lower Eastside Printshop, NY.