“War and Peace and Quiet”

MANUAL duo splits to show how they do it solo

Comments (0) By Troy Schulze Thursday, Sep 20 2007

Since 1974, artists Suzanne Bloom and Ed Hill have been creating unusual works under the name MANUAL. The multimedia pieces combine photography, video and animation, and they often delve into ironic, referential territory, examining and deconstructing art icons like the Mona Lisa and the cult movie Blade Runner. The two mostly are known for their collaborations, but for the first time since their inaugural 1980 exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, both artists’ solo work will be displayed alongside MANUAL’s output with “War and Peace and Quiet.” Alongside some classic photos by MANUAL, Bloom’s “graphic music” pieces combine imagery, text and musical notation – When? utilizes pistols and Russian-language characters, while Enjoy ironically employs a skull motif. Hill’s drawings of soldiers evoke confusion and trauma. Together, with the image-and-text works by MANUAL, it’s clear these two artists share a distinct (if abstract) political and cultural message. 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Moody Gallery, 2815 Colquitt.
Tuesdays-Saturdays. Starts: Sept. 8. Continues through Oct. 13, 2007