When we first heard that Andries Loots and Fred de Jager, 34Long's wonderfully friendly and accommodating gallerists, were showing real Takashi Murakami's at their 'Multiples' exhibition earlier this year, we hopped, skipped and jumped down there to be met, admittedly, by a beautifully crafted Murakami print (from an edition of about 10 000). The piece, however, was lost amongst the general disarray of work in a typically haphazard and commercially-orientated curatorial effort. This time, however, the gallerists not only haul out very expensive high gloss works from both South African and international artists, but they manage to bring together an impressive and thematically sound showcase of their new acquisitions - demonstrating the investment opportunities available to contemporary South African art buyers, drawing interesting parallels between local and international tendencies, as well as between super famous and as yet unestablished artists.

Setting the tone for the exhibition is a bowl of distinctly Koons-esque flowers in the entrance foyer, sitting pretty beneath the gallery's impressive chandelier. Inside, the iconic sculptural works seem to dominate the space, with Norman Catherine's hard to swallow 80s Totem and Koons' Blue Balloon Dog (Edition 2300) lending themselves to the kitschness that is integral to the show. Koons' dog, however, even amongst all his glittering reflections, seems a little tragic in his glass vitrine when seen next to young South African Francois van Reenen's simple poignant puppy, Fetch, who occupies the middle of the gallery space, not quite interacting with his other nearly faceless human prototypes such as Sweet Surrender Boy. Completing this set of sculptures is Takashi Murakami/KaiKai KiKi's Mr. DOB, an unlimited edition soft toy made by Murakami's Japanese production line. Arms outstretched and, like Koons' dog, alienated in his class cage (when he seems better suited to a 10 year old's bedroom),Mr DOB seems to be begging to be less valuable, and less generic, to be allowed to play on the floor with van Reenen's lonely puppy (an edition of only 10).

This theme of the beautiful vs. the tragic, sentimental vs. sad and the mass-produced vs. the handmade is continued throughout the exhibition, creating an overriding theme of darkening camp and a pathos that is often tacky, but affecting all the same.

Yoshitimo Nara's work epitomises this particular trademarked sadness with his big-eyed Manga waifs and often violent schoolgirl fantasies. His lithographs for the show 'Over the Rainbow' fail to disappoint in this regard. The unusual 1984 Marlene Dumas piece The Magic Garden 'Exotische dood' as well as Robert Hodgins' unexpected strip club painting Three Dark Doorways are also highlights in their singular dark eroticism.

Also effective are some of the gallerists' seemingly simple, yet often unusual, curatorial choices. Kentridge's somber shadows in Zeno writing (Chorus) hung between Norman Catherine's gaudy Dog Squad permeate all three works with a menace that might well be lacking otherwise. Peter Eastman's tiny oil paintings Crying Portraits hold an overwhelming sadness when placed next to Marlene Dumas' monumental lithograph Supermodel, while Murakami and Koons make unsurprisingly good bedfellows.

There are still, however, a few works that seem out of place. Though the colour and slickness of the Willie Bester paintings on show allow them a valid place in the exhibition, The Music Plays On, Bester's wall-mounted recycled metal guitar seems decidedly old fashioned and out of place amongst the gallerists' more contemporary minded acquisitions. Matt Hindley's small and unimpressive oil painting, Madonna of the Sweet Pea, seems to just lack either the quality of completion, honest consumerism, or, at least, some kind of sincerity of intent present in the rest of the exhibition. Instead, Hindley's painting displays the tired paint-by-numbers trendiness that has become this talented artist's trademark since his paintings became so popular.

34Long has already established its role as the premier trader in high end contemporary art in Cape Town. This exhibition begins to define the character of the gallerists and also suggests an important step towards establishing their exhibition space as a significant gallery platform for viewing and understanding some interesting contemporary trends.

Opened: May 9
Closes: June 3

34Long
34 Long Street, Cape Town
Tel: (021) 426 4594
Email: fineart@34long.com
www.34long.com
Hours: Tue - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 2pm