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 artistsย solo work will be displayed alongside MANUALยs output with ยWar and Peace and Quiet.ย Alongside some classic photos by MANUAL, Bloomยs ยgraphic musicย pieces combine imagery, text and musical notation ย When? utilizes pistols and Russian-language characters, while Enjoy ironically employs a skull motif. Hillยs drawings of soldiers evoke confusion and trauma. Together, with the image-and-text works by MANUAL, itยs 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
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2007.