The industrious installation “other thans” features multiple collaborative works as well as singular works by Mitzi Pederson, Laurie Reid and Alexander Wolff; the three artists worked with each other and without each other, brought work to the space and installed it together and separately.  Some work hangs in expected places at eye level, while other works inhabit the floor or awkwardly lingering on the side of the staircase. The space has been transformed with integrated and site specific works that when viewed as a whole resemble a fragmented and disjointed, yet tragically glamorous residence brimming with rituals of a bygone era and lingering memories.  Slightly worn vintage lamps are placed around the room as ambient lighting, and most of the house lights are turned off except for one fixture that is hazed by a gauzy material.

“Not right now” is a mural collaboration between Pederson and Wolff. To the right of the mural the column of the gallery wall which has been painted grey and to the left is the column’s inverted mirror imprint. The imprint creates an illusion as if the column to the right was painted, removed from its place and then pressed on to the other side, leaving behind a blotchy stamp of itself on the wall.

Laurie Reid, “Lead the Way to My House”, 31″ x 22″, oil on linen. Image courtesy of the Et al.

Laurie Reid, “The Keys to the Empty Room”, 2013, 40″ x 24″ x 3.5″, plywood, ceramic. Image courtesy of the Et al.

Nearby the mural on the floor are several screen printed works on paper by Wolff that seem to emulate an irregularly shaped fake marble floor or vintage linoleum. Wolff created 200 prints total, in four patterns and in edition of 50 each. Over the “flooring” and are several sculpture and small installations by all three artists using a combination of fragile and hard materials such as glass, tulle and concrete. In the far end of the floor piece is a curious assemblage by Reid made of ceramic pieces arranged atop a white oval platform. The ceramic pieces are small, irregularly formed stick-like and round shapes and a triangular shard arranged in a ritualistic manner. The Title “The Keys to the Empty Room” alludes to a spiritual and remembered place.

Mitzi Pederson, Untitled, 2013, 31″ x 41″, tulee, acrylic on muslin. Image courtesy of the Et al.

Also on view are several formal paintings and assemblages by each artist. Two “Untitled” works by Pederson are delicate signatures of layered and swaging tulle. They must be viewed very close-up to notice the subtle details. Two (also) “Untitled” works by Wolff are mysterious and haunting dyed canvas piece-works, stitched with thread. Reid’s “Lead the Way to My House” is a gestural and intimately painted canvas situated high in the far-most corner of the gallery near the ceiling, causing the viewer to look up.

Alexander Wolff, Untitled, 2011, 48″ x 33″, fabric dyes and yarn on drop cloth, canvas, linen. Image courtesy of the Et al.

Throughout the exhibition visitors must look up, down and stoop to examine, or step around strange objects, negotiate the lamps and the floor piece, get lost in gestures of color, gingerly approach fragile things that might break at a bump or a breath. Each mark of the hand in this exhibition is a study in poetic, visual language marked by time and play. Careful and at once care less, the exhibition is worthy of sustained viewing time, offering more than can be readily imagined or understood at first glance.

“other thans” is on view through March 1, 2014.

For more information visit Et al., San Francisco.