OK As Is

2004 - The Future Perfect, Brooklyn, New York

William Morris once said, "If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." A good rule indeed, yet, there are other objects in our houses. Objects we don't display, but don't discard. Objects to which we have become attached, beloved objects not fit for proper display. We use these objects to furnish the basement. These objects are our objects. They may be old or worn or mismatched. They may be haphazardly fixed or even homemade. They are imperfect and it's their imperfections that give them their charm, their soul.  They have transformed from impersonal necessity to intimate relic. That is why we keep them. We see ourselves in each piece. They are our ersatz heirlooms. Pretense is for upstairs. The basement is our place. And we enjoy it without consideration. I would guess Mr. Morris' basement was pretty much the same. "OK As Is" was an exhibition of new work that takes its inspiration from that which we consign to the basement.