The Artist as Magician and Trickster

Have you ever watched a magician perform an amazing trick and then, with confidence and even bravado, reveal the mechanisms behind his trick?

If that is not enough, he gives a repeat performance and, though now you know the secret, you still find yourself buying – wholeheartedly— into his magic once more.

Installation, Zadok Ben-David, The Other Side of Midnight, 2012, Hand painted stainless steel, Dia. 9' 10," Image courtesy Shoshana Wayne Gallery.

Zadok Ben-David (now living in London), whose work is currently on display at Santa Monica’s Shoshana Wayne Gallery. A few years ago, he covered the gallery floor there with a thick layer of sand and plunged into it 12,000 flat metal sculptures in the shape of various plants. Seen from one side, the installation appeared as a colorful, blossoming field. From the opposite side, it looked mournful – each flower painted matte black.

Detail verso, Zadok Ben-David, The Other Side of Midnight, 2012, Hand painted stainless steel, Dia. 9' 10," Image courtesy Shoshana Wayne Gallery.

Zadok Ben-David, The Scratch, 2012, Hand cut painted aluminum, Ed. 1/3, Image courtesy Shoshana Wayne Gallery.

(L) Jeff Koons, Coloring Book, 1997–2005, High chromium stainless steel with transparent color coating, Ed. 2/4.

(R) Jeff Koons, Gorilla, 2009–12, Black granite, Ed. 1/3.

Image courtesy of Gagosian Gallery, Photo by Douglas M. Parker Studio.

sculptures by Jeff Koons. The first, in the shape of a standing gorilla, looks rather aggressive. Your first impression is that it’s an oversized version of a child’s toy, cast from cheap black plastic. When you learn that it’s been carved from a single block of black granite and weighs several tons, you are filled with surprise and genuine wonderment at yet another successful trick from master magician Koons. But, unfortunately, this feeling doesn’t last. His other sculpture on view, Coloring Book, is another matter. It appears to be made of translucent material –you could swear that your eye travels straight through – but you’ve been tricked! It’s made of polished, reflective chrome, and even after you learn the true nature of the work, yours eyes still can’t believe what your brain tells you. This is the first time in many years that I have encountered a work by Jeff Koons that has fully engaged me.

Frank Gehry, Untitled, 2012–13, Metal wire, ColorCore formica and silicone with wood base, © Frank Gehry, Image courtesy of Gagosian Gallery, Photography by Josh White/JWPictures.com.

new sculptures by Frank Gehry. Throughout his long, illustrious career as an architect, Gehry has never abandoned his passion for making sculptural objects. Here, in a large, darkened gallery, there are a dozen or so graceful (though far from precious) sculptures in the shape of twisting and flying fish, each one made from roughly broken pieces of formica. Each fish has a light inside it, so it can be used as a lamp. Expensive, a very expensive lamp indeed, but boy, it’s worth it.

Frank Gehry, Untitled (Los Angeles III), 2012–13, Metal wire, ColorCore formica and silicone, © Frank Gehry, Image courtesy of Gagosian Gallery, Photo by Benjamin Lee Ritchie Ha.

So, if you’re in the mood for some smart, interesting tricks spiced with a little bit of magic, see the work of these three artists who, like the proverbial Magi, come bearing gifts."

Banner – Detail, Zadok Ben-David, The Other Side of Midnight, 2012, Hand painted stainless steel, Dia. 9' 10," Image courtesy Shoshana Wayne Gallery.