October 9th, 2002

Russell Crotty

By Leslie Camhi

The Malibu-based artist, soon to be included in MOMA’s highly anticipated “Drawing Now” show, offers a sneak preview with this engaging exhibition. Eight variably shaped Lucite spheres hang from the ceiling, covered with insanely detailed ballpoint pen drawings, based on views from the telescope in Crotty’s home observatory. Abstract forms shade into scenes of pine forests and the night sky. The whole suggests an astronomer run amok or a madly doodling scientist.