(An Appropriate Distance)

 

FROM THE MAYOR'S DOORSTEP

May 30, 2017 1:36 PM EDT

Magdalen Series - 17 is clearly marked in the artist's hand as a horizontal. That Clem chose to hang it in his home as a vertical does not change the painting into a vertical. Ken Moffett did a wonderful job with his monograph in 1980, but there are errors. In the case of this work he didn't include the full title, omitting "17" and he had the dimensions listed incorrectly, as well. I can tell you that Jules first started working with plexiglas after finding a broken plexi sign on the road during a bike ride in Florida after a storm. He took pieces home with him and painted on them. That was in late 1985 or early 1986. He then set about making a series of work on plexi for the next two years, paintings and sculptures and returned to the medium in the 1990s. He created hundreds of work using plexiglas. I don't know when John did his first, so can't say if he is right in his assertion. I do congratulate him on his show and wish I could get to Germany to see it. The three dimensional paper work he was doing a few years ago was fantastic!

- Lauren Olitski Poster

Jun 05, 2017 12:59 AM EDT

Greenbergs vertical hanging of "Magdelene 17" as reproduced by Moffett, is spot on. It is great art that way up but horizontally looks like a pot-boiler. Christies and yourself state that it is signed as a horizontal painting.But Greenbergs judgemant as Olitskis critic and friend should also be given due respect. Thankyou for telling us about your fathers' first and inspired use of plexi. They deserve to be better known, but recognition for that great master of American art proceeds at a snails pace.

- David Evison. Berlin 5.6.17