Don Perlis
April 20, 2018 to June 14, 2018
Reception Friday, April 20, 6 to 8 pm

In the artist’s words:
“Times Square is a metaphor for the American Empire in a decadent phase dominated by overblown symbols: Coca Cola, Budweiser and others. Donald Trump, the emperor of this land, floats above the crowd in a huge, fragile, transparent balloon, which according to critic Donald Kuspit “will burst at any moment.” Appearing in profile like a visage on coins minted by some forgotten Roman emperor, Trump simultaneously recalls the classical deus ex machina and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. That is to say both tragedy and comedy. A jingoist Uncle Sam tethers his and a second balloon-blank, as Trump is a one man band-by a slender, tenuous, and easily ruptured restraint.”