Ad Reinhardt, David Zwirner, New York

The eclectic and multi-form work of Ad Reinhardt (1913- 1967) comes into focus in this inaugural exhibition of the artist’s work at David Zwirner, from 7 November until 18 December. Opened in conjunction with the centennial anniversary of Reinhardt’s birth, this new show, drawing together works on loan from private and public collections, makes a great celebratory party of this artist’s most surprising and significant pieces.

Organised by curator Robert Storr, in collaboration with Ad Reinhardt Foundation, the David Zwirner Gallery showcases the very first room of Reinhardt’s iconic black paintings to be seen in New York since the 1991 retrospective at MoMA. Here the dark and formless matte canvases create a vacuum of light and space, a self-conscious foray into the abstract, which Reinhardt described as “transcendent, aware of no thing but art (absolutely no anti-art)”.

Accompanying these cavernous dark holes is a series of cartoons, portraying his more satirical, politically-minded observations on the art world, culture and society as a whole. Created for a variety of publications, his works for the progressive daily newspaper, P.M., as part of the How to Look series, are of especial note.

His prolific collection of photographic slides- over 12,000 created from the last two decades of his life- also form a key part of the exhibition. Stamped with colour and mixing travel snaps with magazine shoots, these works complete this comprehensive collection, offering a unique insight into the fascinating world and continuing legacy of Ad Reinhardt.

Ad Reinhardt, 7 November- 18 December, David Zwirner, 537 West 20th Street.

Credits
1. Photo by Marvin Lazarus. Art © 2013 Estate of Ad Reinhardt / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.