ANDREI MOLODKIN show Crude at the Station Museum of Contemporary

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ANDREI MOLODKIN
show "Crude" at the Station Museum of Contemporary
by Todd Camplin

It is quite absurd that we are still using gasoline, diesel vehicles, and oil run power
plants. Andrei Molodkin's show "Crude" at the Station Museum of Contemporary
Art highlights the continued insanity of this resource on American politics.

These sculptures of clear acrylic just fascinated me. One work spelled out the word “Justice.”
Each letter had tubes running oil in and out of the letters. The noise from the pumps made
the gallery space a little creepy, but drove home the power behind oil. Displayed on a saw-
horse was the reproduction of lady liberty’s arm, half way filled with oil, and was
accompanied by a video of her face. An acrylic block encased the arm and torch.
These works are sublimely beautiful in there motion and words.

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The problem is the irony of the whole show. Yes, the US is guilty of some pretty tough oil
politics across the globe. However, I hope Molodkin is mindful of all the other bad players
in this circus of grabbing resources. Russia using oil against the Ukraine comes to mind.
On the other hand, from my research, Molodkin does seem to take into account some
of the global perspective. Maybe, he was focusing the show for the local audience.

REVOLUTION, 2011, acrylic block and plastic hoses filled with crude oil, pump, compressors

previous articles
by Todd Camplin

As an outside observer from Russia, Andrei Molodkin seems to have an easier time cutting
through the fog of our local politics. He can see that very little changes in oil policy from
one US President to the next. Molodkin’s marker drawings of President Obama and Bush
look to be taken from political posters. The fact that they were drawn shows he meditated
on these two men. His portrait of President Bush shows him holding a Bible while stretching
out his arm, the words below read, “The Empire at War.” Though, you can’t really tell from
the poster unless you see through the fog irony, Molodkin is being critical of Bush and his
policies. His portrait of President Obama shows him smiling over the words “Yes We Can.”
Mr. Obama’s portrait is accompanied with a few choice words, spelled out in clear
acrylic sculptures filled with oil. Clearly, Molodkin thinks Mr. Obama is no better on oil policies.

LIBERTY, 2011, acrylic block and plastic hoses filled with crude oil, pump, compressor, Dedolight,
video camera, projector

Installation

LIBERTY, 2011, acrylic block and plastic hoses filled with crude oil, pump, compressor,
Dedolight, video camera, projector

When you visit the Station Museum of Contemporary Art, don’t be surprised to see something
politically or socially charged. The last show was “Witness to War,” by George Gittoes. I was
a little taken back by the violent imagery, but it was powerful work worth seeing. Andrei
Molodkin’s show, “Crude,” is up until February 12th.

Station Museum of Contemporary Art
1502 Alabama St. Houston Texas 77004
713.529.6900
stationmuseum.com