Sideshow Nation III: Circle the Wagons – a short review by Ron Schira
Sideshow Nation III: Circle the Wagons, now viewing through March 5 at Sideshow Gallery (319 Bedford Avenue) in Williamsburg has nearly tipped the scale for this yearly extravaganza with a whopping 600 plus artworks snugly fit into the space’s two large rooms. Master of ceremonies Rich Timperio refers to this impressive number as “reaching critical mass,” and for a personally run gallery is one of the largest shows of the of its kind to have such a widespread unadvertised appeal and continual growth factor.
Surprisingly, or not surprisingly, more than 100 pieces were added than last year. Of course, not much can be said of the show that the artwork does not say for itself as the sheer amount of diversity and puzzle-like salon installation becomes an incredible act of space organization, and as an exhibit is an artwork all its own.
Walking into the show is near overwhelming as artworks both large and small tower above you on the 20 foot high walls. The reception is highly attended, and even in freezing January temperature had people waiting outside for an hour to enter the packed exhibit of primarily Brooklyn artists with a few exceptions (yours truly, for one) from outside the city.
Every manner of art can be seen here, and with quite a few big name players. The variety is simply staggering, and without unjustly name dropping only a portion of the participants, every work is equal to the next as Timperio and crew endeavor to pack everything into an inevitably limited space, critical mass, as he said.