Sam Davis and Josh Mannis: Macrosolutions to Megaproblems

M+B is pleased to announce Macrosolutions to Megaproblems, a two-person exhibition with new works by Sam Davis and Josh Mannis. The show runs from June 30 to August 25, 2018, with an opening reception on Saturday, June 30 from 6 to 8 pm. 

The title Macrosolutions to Megaproblems is appropriated from a song by Voivod (the seminal French Canadian prog/thrash metal band). The sci-fi absurdity of this, and all their songs, seems appropriate when attempting to grok the megaproblems of our own moment. Very implausible, very disgusting, and very real. Dystopian Future or Everyday Life? When we say something like "I can't believe this is happening," we fail to acknowledge the falseness of this distinction. 

It's gonna be... hostility
Hypothetic is liberty
Anti-being society
As directed reality


The hermit crab without a shell is better served by the discarded Diet Coke can than the Coca Cola Corporation is by the crab’s occupation of it. The crab doesn’t struggle with problems of “I can’t believe,” and crawls right into “this is happening.”

My point of view (that's for sure)
Is septic and insecure
Evolution isn't a shame:
Each member stays in the game...


We bond on the level of fetishy, gnarly detailing, a somewhat cruel sense of humor, and a zest for the underlying organic horror of all life. A positive visualization of the show presented an undulating psychic storm of alarmism, paranoid speculation, and physical comedy. With our eyes open, we see necessity and contingency, survivalist hybridity, life and trash. No more band-aids, this is Live Aid.
The big liar on his side
Hiding, hearing inside:
No more! control!!
Leave minds!!! alone!!!!

 

 

Sam Davis (b. 1987, Los Angeles, CA) received his MFA from Yale University and BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. His work has been presented in the exhibitions The Daily Show at Bureau Inc., New York; Gnotts's Gneedles: Poor Gnotts, LA><ART, Los Angeles; Joshing The Watershed, Del Vaz Projects, Los Angeles; Tunnel 99 with Paul Salveson at AWHRWAR, Los Angeles, 0.5 MOMMY MAN at Topless, New York; and The Last Straw of Our Carrying, Species, Atlanta. Davis has performed at Los Angeles Contemporary Archive and the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. Curatorial projects include Louie, Louie at Human Resources and Science Fiction & What It Feels Like To (Already) Live In The Future, Actual Size (both in Los Angeles). Davis lives and works in Los Angeles.

Josh Mannis (b. 1976, Boston, MA) received his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and BFA from the University of Michigan. Recent solo and two person exhibitions include Now, EARTH at Galerie Éric Hussenot, Paris; KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUTURE ESTATE at M+B, Los Angeles; and Nothing but Trouble at Know More Games, New York. Recent group exhibitions include Geranium, organized by Adrianne Rubenstein at Stems Gallery, Brussels; On the Verge of an Image: Considering Marjorie Keller, organized by Los Angeles Nomadic Division, Los Angeles; and Bad Boy Bail Bonds Adopt a Highway, Team Gallery, New York. Mannis' work has been reviewed in ArtforumFriezeLos Angeles Times and The Boston Globe. In 2017, he was the recipient of the NADA Artadia Award. Josh Mannis lives and works in Los Angeles.

 

For inquiries, please contact info@mbart.com.