YES is one of several recent additions to Over-the-Rhine’s art gallery culture that combines exhibition space with working studios. The backend of YES (1417 Main St., Over-the-Rhine) is equipped for screen-printing and a large portion of the gallery is given over to prints, ’zines, chapbooks, printed clothing, bags and a cleverly curated array of artist-made goods. YES is sleek and raw, elegantly understated but with a playful branding that permeates everything beyond the front door.
The space's current exhibition, Tonight we are stars aligning, features the West Coast-based artist Mark Warren Jacques, who is showing small works on paper, wall paintings and in an installation. Jacques’ work is precise and personable. In his vision, star patterns are really just geometry — simple, mystical, human means to understand our mysterious surroundings. Triangles are pinnacles of hipster New Ageism, as in his black obelisk-lantern with constellations pierced across its surface. This simplified world lacks the specifics of religion and possesses instead the loveliness of yesteryear’s science fiction illustrations.
Tonight we are stars aligning is on display through Feb. 18. Go here for gallery hours and directions.
