Plastisol

Oct 02 Grant Hall Gallery Las Vegas, NV Silkscreens on Linen

“Plastisol” review by Laura Jenkins October 8, 2002

Todoran takes from his photographed art-portraits super-imposed onto pictures in black and white that attempt to defy authority. Such pictures from his gallery show him in uniform with protesting banners and other displays of angry sentiments to authority, there were some photographs that depicted people holding what looked like cue-cards with various expressions. The art resembled the elements seen on an alternative or punk rock album cover engrossing a teenager with the obvious stupidity of some (2+2=5 picture), or the angry individual defying authority (Todoran in his uniform against defiant backgrounds).

The walls of the art show were painted in gray and white with a concrete floor giving the viewer the feeling of being imprisoned. The art was pasted on the wall or hanging in portions of three from the ceiling. From a small portable stereo music sets a scene of punk rock individualism shouting against repression and dictating angry threats.

Ironically, the setting for this artist's work is framed in the city of Las Vegas . This particular region is known for its lack of oppression and authority. The artwork seems displaced in a city that is built on sin where prostitution is legal in near counties and drinking is permitted twenty-four hours a day, at what authority could one possibly be angry with?

The viewers idly strolled through the exhibit enjoying Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in cans while they discussed the art works. Much like the attempt of the artist to leave the negatives with scratches or dust to convey that garage feeling, he has succeeded in producing it in his closing reception.

The viewer can leave the essence of their teenage years behind in a garage band album cover reception and go back to the confines of life feeling a little better for having visited.