As a question and a title, WHAT IS A HAMMER?, featuring Ilia Ovechkin, Leah Patgorski and Jared Madere, functions as a metaphor for an imagined conversation riveted in encountering meaning. What things are and can be is not only debatable for this mix of emerging artists, but the very nature of questioning can be perceived as their medium. The gallery’s second exhibition navigates an imaginative investigation capable of coloring our collective understanding. The question as title acts as structural fodder in advancing an illustrative critique.

Indications of research brought out in Ilia Ovechkin’s mediated documents encompass the appearance of a past correspondence about the research itself. Gestures emerge from the archiving of proof allowing formulations the opportunity to meet with composition. Tent 1, 2010 by Leah Patgorski investigates form and space through modes of nomadic architecture and preservation, customizable by scale, material, and purpose. Through rationalizing a design-to-purpose methodology assistance is offered in specifying an ulterior point to fathom our context in question. The work of Jared Madere affectively focuses on the interpretation of found variables. Madere pays close attention to the sensational register of works in the show and the context they are part of by manifesting a field to re-write our own experience. WHAT IS A HAMMER?, encourages multiple processes for reassessing not only a platform for understanding, but looks towards a demonstrative foundation to begin again.

Ilia Ovechkin was born in Perm, Russia and currently lives and works in New York City. Selected exhibitions: Moving Shapes and Colors, 179 Canal, New York, NY, mybiennialisbetterthanyours, Xth Biennale de Lyon, Lyon, France, Abstract Abstract, Foxy Production, New York, NY

Leah Patgorski was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and currently lives and works in Chicago. Selected exhibitions: Not Just Another Pretty Face, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL, Promise of This Moment, Sinoway Alternate Space, Chicago, IL, Knit One Then What, In Process Gallery, Chicago, IL

Jared Madere was born in New York City, NY and currently lives and works in New York City. Selected exhibitions: Spring, New York City Pilsen, Chicago, IL, Whole (this was the best one) Foods, Chicago, IL, Give Up, Guertin’s Graphics, Chicago, IL