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Eric will be showing this short video of a digital camera zooming in and out on a table. Filming camera also goes in and out of focus.

Look at Karin Campbell’s video projection. What do you see immediately and what do you see eventually? What’s closer, your mind or your eye? And which do you chose to trust? Which lends itself to your whim? The shadows you see ask for your interpretation. The shadows of the birds become bigger and more human. The shadows allow you this necessary step of remove to see through to your imagination. But what happens if you find yourself abandoned by a piece of work? Find the words “Touch Me” written in Braille with nails on the wall. What is more isolating than sensory deprivation or more paralyzing than harbored desires? Can irony really appeal to your senses? Consider Eric Baudart’s video, Pump. How different is the effect of a surprising observation vs. the presentation of a sequestered idea?

Frank O'Toole, Yuji Oshima, Eric Baudart

One of the important concepts for semi-essentialism is that of second nature. Human beings have second nature. It's the nature we make for ourselves versus the nature we’re given. The structures of social life are the structures of human nature. But second nature isn't always easy to acquire. It's an achievement.

The works of Frank, Yuji, and Eric explore the ways in which the process of naturalizing our own cultural products can sometimes create weird after-effects. The process of achieving second nature sometimes gets stuck in overdrive and can’t turn itself off.

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Eric's show at Valentin

Eric made many photographs of the corner of rooms and empty hallways, blowing them up almost larger than life size. Non-places, empty nothings became huge in their presence. In this recent work he makes modifications to walls, almost imperceptible until you notice the bulge.