CAM Review: 'Franco and Friends' at Retromex

Franco Mondini-Ruiz selling it. "Franco and Friends," at Retromex, March 11, 2012

Related stories

• CAM Review: Danville Chadbourne at Gallery Nord
• CAM Review: 'New Works' at David Shelton

Franco Mondini-Ruiz made his name a dozen years and more ago when he was the proprietor of Botánica Infinito, an herbalist with junk store with art gallery confabulation that hosted artists, antiquaries, and those seeking spiritual healing. Since then, he has enacted his particular take on the hi/lo specialty of SA rasquasche with a series of his own artworks made of reproduced brick-brac, paintings that mix factory art made to top working-class sofas in the 1960s with fashion design of the same era, pinatas, and other delightful foolishness. But the sale's the thing, as Mondini-Ruiz enacts the role of Franco the Peddler at art exhibitions that roll out like trunk shows in museums and art galleries.

Last Sunday at the venerable Retromex antiques store on Hildebrand's antiques row, Mondini-Ruiz brought back that old-time feeling with an exhibition/party featuring his own work and works by his friends — many of them artists in SA. Some had work in the show, which is snuck amongst the peculiar changing stock of the Retromex store. It's the closest think, says Mondini-Ruiz, to the high times of the Botánico days. He'll continue the show, with much bantering, haggling, and treats throughout this weekend. Everything is negotiable.

> Email Scott Andrews