A simple mark in graphite or ink on primed canvas or paper set in a grid pattern reflects both the perfection and imperfection of the human hand. A drawn lower Case u mark is repeated loosely held within the lighter shade grid. It is gestural - free flowing within the constraints of lines. Darker in color, the marks at a distance merge into a pattern similar to the texture of the canvas while grommets across the top play into the diagram. An abstract shading appears forming nuances of forms. Maybe this is my eyes and mind involuntarily searching for familiar shapes... The pristine perfection lures you in for closer examination revealing the human hand.
for more information
contact;
Galerie Lelong
528 west 26th Street
NY NY 10001
http://www.galerielelong.com/
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Breathscapes by White Rabbit Culture
A one night multi-media performance "Breathscapes"
by White Rabbit Culture
Agni Gallery
170 E. 2nd. Street
NYC NY
The universe in the process of becoming makes its first sounds.
In one breath, the origins of life are heard.
Breathscapes by White Rabbit Culture was a multi-media performance, which transformed Agni Gallery at 170 E. 2nd. Street into an environment of multi dimensions. Opening with Professor Ristic playing his original compositions on the sitar, set the tone for the audience. You are now relaxed, swaying to the music, feeling it run through your body. Cultures’s piece began with “Invocation – The first act of our existence is inhalation and the last act of our existence is exhalation.” Combining sound, lights and video produced with iTUNES, White Rabbit Culture moved the audience through the dimensions of existence. Using his voice his breath invoked the first sounds of the universe, the video shown on white sheets covering the wall reacting to the sound, a strobe light flickers in time, your eyes are open yet you are now in the place where the unconscious and the conscious converse. The audience surrounds the work, standing or seated in chairs or pillows on the floor, they no longer care, they are caught within the metamorphosis of the space and the collective journey with each other. It is a spiritual awakening, taking you from the hustle and bustle of the street to the center of our true selves. With every breath, a chant, you feel your transformation. The crowd applauds, the lights are raised and on this night you are weightless within your body. Draks work has flowed through you within your cells, through your soul, leaving a memory to carry with you.
Speechless, all you can do is breath deep and “be” within the moment, blessed – exhaling gratitude.
by White Rabbit Culture
Agni Gallery
170 E. 2nd. Street
NYC NY
The universe in the process of becoming makes its first sounds.
In one breath, the origins of life are heard.
Breathscapes by White Rabbit Culture was a multi-media performance, which transformed Agni Gallery at 170 E. 2nd. Street into an environment of multi dimensions. Opening with Professor Ristic playing his original compositions on the sitar, set the tone for the audience. You are now relaxed, swaying to the music, feeling it run through your body. Cultures’s piece began with “Invocation – The first act of our existence is inhalation and the last act of our existence is exhalation.” Combining sound, lights and video produced with iTUNES, White Rabbit Culture moved the audience through the dimensions of existence. Using his voice his breath invoked the first sounds of the universe, the video shown on white sheets covering the wall reacting to the sound, a strobe light flickers in time, your eyes are open yet you are now in the place where the unconscious and the conscious converse. The audience surrounds the work, standing or seated in chairs or pillows on the floor, they no longer care, they are caught within the metamorphosis of the space and the collective journey with each other. It is a spiritual awakening, taking you from the hustle and bustle of the street to the center of our true selves. With every breath, a chant, you feel your transformation. The crowd applauds, the lights are raised and on this night you are weightless within your body. Draks work has flowed through you within your cells, through your soul, leaving a memory to carry with you.
Speechless, all you can do is breath deep and “be” within the moment, blessed – exhaling gratitude.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
“Art Attack” at The Pool Art Fair in the Chelsea Hotel
The Deep End of the Pool(image (c) Chris Twomey
This years Pool Art Fair held at the historical Chelsea Hotel on 23rd street was the highlight of the weekend. Artists took over hotel rooms from the 1st to the 5th floor displaying their work throughout the rooms. Like an old fashion Easter egg hunt, droves of people wandered through the corridors list in hand recommending their favorite rooms. The Pool provides an intimate informal viewing experience between the artist and the public. It was a feast of art, and I was absolutely intoxicated by some of the work
Chris Twomey – presented her series of work exploring “the XX chromosome (female).” She states; her interest lies in the XX’s ability to heal a flawed mutation in the DNA by combining and backing –up since there are two X’s. It is symbolic of the ancient fertility goddess of seasonal renewal; this series proposes an archetype for change, inspired by genetic realities. Toomey’s painting” Triumph of the XX: XX : Xya,” mixed media on aluminum, the female and male seem to be in the process of mutating into another form. The red haired XX goddess is in an entwined embrace with her lover reminiscent of Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” with a subtle twist. The mating of the praying mantis seems to come to mind… In her film shown on the wall which was also reflected onto a sheet of mylar on the bed underneath she creates another dimension. The XX goddess is succulent, passionately kissing her lover as the male, “mutates – morphing” into diverse races. She is the center of power, the constant in the equation. The constant combining and recombining eventually results in becoming “one”.
Lindsey Nobel – presented her series of work in which she uses drawing, paint, and photography sealed under resin. Nobel creates organic forms-creatures-organisms with tendril lines reaching out across the shiny black spaces from which they reside in search of connection. “Life form seeking life form”, they feel microscopic in size. She presents a glimpse into a world invisible to the naked eye floating within the liquid-like black surface. Nobels’ larger work “the black orchid” the surface is textured by wrinkles in the black plastic on the surface. The resin is allowed to pool into areas creating a dual existence of the visceral surface for the form. The work itself noble states is titled “the black orchid” when seen one way while becoming something else when turned another necessitating a different title. Human beings like Nobel’s forms succumb to their primal need for connection to others.
Peggy Cyphers presents her paintings and works on paper exploring the universe inspired by recent images from science. They are the deepest recesses of space, earth’s seas and the human mind coming together within fields of color. You are drawn into them as a lone astronaut floating in space guided only by natural forces occurring around you. Slowly your mind begins to wander into deeper intellectual thoughts and questions spurred by fossil like imprints of plant life and nebulous swirls. These traces of life leaving clues further the conversation.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ring Dome
Storefront for Art and Architecture
97 Kenmare Street
between Cleveland and Lafayette
NY NY 10012
http://www.storefrontnews.org/
Gazing at the stars through a dome of circles. The city takes on new meaning.
A night of music, art, performance, and a women with a large snake wrapped around her. The Ring Dome is constructed of circles made from plastic tubes almost like hula hoops are bound together and attached to a metal frame in flesh tones, and glowing white colors. Geometric Patterns form like the constellations and I am a child again staring into the skies with wonder. If you are in New York City don’t miss this ongoing event. Many noted artists present work within the dome including Barbara Held and Vito Acconci, for one night each. Storefront for Art and Architecture transforms the tiny triangle into an urban oasis.
(text from website)
Performance Z-A: a Pavilion and 26 Days of Events at StorefrontSep 21 200721 SEPTEMBER - 16 OCTOBER Twenty-five years ago, in September 1982, Storefront's first public event got underway in its original Prince Street location. Performance A-Z, organized by the gallery's founders Kyong Park and R L Seltman, and artist Arleen Schloss, was a 26-day sequence of performances by New York-based artists. Each of the 26 performers was allocated one evening slot. The event became a manifesto for the gallery's future programming: as Kyong Park wrote in his introduction, "Storefront supports the idea that art and design have the potential and responsibility to affect public policies which influence the quality of life and the future of all cities." In late September 2007, Storefront will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a new edition of its first event. Entitled Performance Z-A, this 26-day celebration will be hosted in Petrosino Park, adjacent to Storefront, in a specially built pavilion designed by Korean architect Minsuk Cho. Organized by the three directors who have led Storefront over the past 25 years (Kyong Park, Sarah Herda and Joseph Grima), Performance Z-A will be an inclusive event involving not only performance artists but also representatives of all the disciplines that have participated in Storefront's program in the past decades: architects, artists, writers, researchers, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and more. For 26 days, from September 21 to October 16, 2007, the protagonists of Storefront's past, present and future will host 26 evening events including performances, concerts, open discussions, film screenings and interviews.
All events held in Ring Dome (located in Petrosino Park, adjacent to Storefront), at 7pm
97 Kenmare Street
between Cleveland and Lafayette
NY NY 10012
http://www.storefrontnews.org/
Gazing at the stars through a dome of circles. The city takes on new meaning.
A night of music, art, performance, and a women with a large snake wrapped around her. The Ring Dome is constructed of circles made from plastic tubes almost like hula hoops are bound together and attached to a metal frame in flesh tones, and glowing white colors. Geometric Patterns form like the constellations and I am a child again staring into the skies with wonder. If you are in New York City don’t miss this ongoing event. Many noted artists present work within the dome including Barbara Held and Vito Acconci, for one night each. Storefront for Art and Architecture transforms the tiny triangle into an urban oasis.
(text from website)
Performance Z-A: a Pavilion and 26 Days of Events at StorefrontSep 21 200721 SEPTEMBER - 16 OCTOBER Twenty-five years ago, in September 1982, Storefront's first public event got underway in its original Prince Street location. Performance A-Z, organized by the gallery's founders Kyong Park and R L Seltman, and artist Arleen Schloss, was a 26-day sequence of performances by New York-based artists. Each of the 26 performers was allocated one evening slot. The event became a manifesto for the gallery's future programming: as Kyong Park wrote in his introduction, "Storefront supports the idea that art and design have the potential and responsibility to affect public policies which influence the quality of life and the future of all cities." In late September 2007, Storefront will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a new edition of its first event. Entitled Performance Z-A, this 26-day celebration will be hosted in Petrosino Park, adjacent to Storefront, in a specially built pavilion designed by Korean architect Minsuk Cho. Organized by the three directors who have led Storefront over the past 25 years (Kyong Park, Sarah Herda and Joseph Grima), Performance Z-A will be an inclusive event involving not only performance artists but also representatives of all the disciplines that have participated in Storefront's program in the past decades: architects, artists, writers, researchers, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and more. For 26 days, from September 21 to October 16, 2007, the protagonists of Storefront's past, present and future will host 26 evening events including performances, concerts, open discussions, film screenings and interviews.
All events held in Ring Dome (located in Petrosino Park, adjacent to Storefront), at 7pm
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Huma Bhabha at Salon 94 downtown and uptown, NYC
The Philosophy of listening.
Silence has sound and a texture. Stillness leaves it’s traces, you carry them with you evermore… Huma Bhabha’s work uses a formal language to convey these thoughts.
Salon 94 presented her work at both the opening of their new location at 1 Freeman Alley on September 12 and their original location on 94th street. NYC on September 13th.
The new location is a bit off the beaten track, tucked away from normal view. You make a quick right, down the narrow, old, New York street. A quick glance to your left and there before you gleam the new contemporary glass doors. Working with the original structure of the building, it is an open space with fresh white gallery walls, which allow the original brick to peek from behind. Overhead loom huge wood beams now white washed and wonderfully incorporated into the new design.
Bhabha’s sculptures constructed from wire, clay, styrofoam, petals, ashes, acrylic paint, rust and a myriad of other materials reflect a marking of time through the process of decay, scratches, burns and layers of paint and materials. The figure is entombed in the layers and remnants. Body fragments such as large feet or the half man, half god-like Vishnu figure created from the urban materials are remains from an ancient time yet absolutely contemporary. As you slowly move around the works you begin to hear the subtle conversation between the work and the space.
On view at the 94th Street gallery, her large-scale installation piece sat on a wood plank platform in the middle of the large room roughly 10” off the ground. Two figures stand at opposite ends of the piece with their backs to each other facing outwards towards the viewer. On the left side a figure with Cubist-like features. Clay, wood, Styrofoam, wire chicken wire form the body, electrical metal tubing runs down it’s back exposed at varying points reminiscent of umbilical or spinal cords into the work. A thin wire appears as you begin to survey the intricacies of the piece. The artist burns, gauges, draws and paints symbols, wounds, marks, or a handprint on the pieces of styrfoam. The Vishnu like god figure is seated as if on a thrown on the right side giving the appearance of a regal relic in a museum. Layers of paint, glue, string, wire, dust like plaster, a sprinkler part and other materials lay on the floor of the piece bring to mind fallen leaves allowed to collect and build. Using wood she creates the feeling of a floor plan from a gutted or abandoned building. Vertical paned windows across from the piece brought the outside environment in for a chat. The lines and materials of and in the work began to converse with the architecture of the buildings, garden, and construction going on just outside in a formal language. Huma is clearly at home in the space. As I continued to walk around the work, I became completely immersed and fascinated by her work. Sinking into it, quietly listening, the world slipped away. …and I have become the remains of the day.
Silence has sound and a texture. Stillness leaves it’s traces, you carry them with you evermore… Huma Bhabha’s work uses a formal language to convey these thoughts.
Salon 94 presented her work at both the opening of their new location at 1 Freeman Alley on September 12 and their original location on 94th street. NYC on September 13th.
The new location is a bit off the beaten track, tucked away from normal view. You make a quick right, down the narrow, old, New York street. A quick glance to your left and there before you gleam the new contemporary glass doors. Working with the original structure of the building, it is an open space with fresh white gallery walls, which allow the original brick to peek from behind. Overhead loom huge wood beams now white washed and wonderfully incorporated into the new design.
Bhabha’s sculptures constructed from wire, clay, styrofoam, petals, ashes, acrylic paint, rust and a myriad of other materials reflect a marking of time through the process of decay, scratches, burns and layers of paint and materials. The figure is entombed in the layers and remnants. Body fragments such as large feet or the half man, half god-like Vishnu figure created from the urban materials are remains from an ancient time yet absolutely contemporary. As you slowly move around the works you begin to hear the subtle conversation between the work and the space.
On view at the 94th Street gallery, her large-scale installation piece sat on a wood plank platform in the middle of the large room roughly 10” off the ground. Two figures stand at opposite ends of the piece with their backs to each other facing outwards towards the viewer. On the left side a figure with Cubist-like features. Clay, wood, Styrofoam, wire chicken wire form the body, electrical metal tubing runs down it’s back exposed at varying points reminiscent of umbilical or spinal cords into the work. A thin wire appears as you begin to survey the intricacies of the piece. The artist burns, gauges, draws and paints symbols, wounds, marks, or a handprint on the pieces of styrfoam. The Vishnu like god figure is seated as if on a thrown on the right side giving the appearance of a regal relic in a museum. Layers of paint, glue, string, wire, dust like plaster, a sprinkler part and other materials lay on the floor of the piece bring to mind fallen leaves allowed to collect and build. Using wood she creates the feeling of a floor plan from a gutted or abandoned building. Vertical paned windows across from the piece brought the outside environment in for a chat. The lines and materials of and in the work began to converse with the architecture of the buildings, garden, and construction going on just outside in a formal language. Huma is clearly at home in the space. As I continued to walk around the work, I became completely immersed and fascinated by her work. Sinking into it, quietly listening, the world slipped away. …and I have become the remains of the day.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Hooowwlling Back!
The Howl Festival
Hooowwlling back! This years Howl festival brought out the best of the East Village this week. Walking through Tompkins Square Park this past Sunday reminded me why I love my neighborhood. It’s a fight for artists to stay in the East Village but, one artists are ready willing and able to take up. The Gauntlet is thrown and they’ve responded with amazing murals by local artists in “Art in the Park”, music, performances and readings in the center stage or at venues such as The Bowery Poetry Club and Tribes Gallery. The roots and heart of the East Village have thrived through adversity. Bravo to the Howl Festival’s staff, volunteers, supporters, artists and organizers. The East Village remains the cutting edge for innovative work in the art scene.
Hooowwlling back! This years Howl festival brought out the best of the East Village this week. Walking through Tompkins Square Park this past Sunday reminded me why I love my neighborhood. It’s a fight for artists to stay in the East Village but, one artists are ready willing and able to take up. The Gauntlet is thrown and they’ve responded with amazing murals by local artists in “Art in the Park”, music, performances and readings in the center stage or at venues such as The Bowery Poetry Club and Tribes Gallery. The roots and heart of the East Village have thrived through adversity. Bravo to the Howl Festival’s staff, volunteers, supporters, artists and organizers. The East Village remains the cutting edge for innovative work in the art scene.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Tribes Gallery
Tribes Gallery
285 E. 3rd. Street #2
between ave C and D
NY NY 10009
I will present work from my current series.
please drop by.
Back to the beginning and begin again...
Opening reception;
Thursday, September 20th, 2007
6 - 9pm
contact the gallery for further information
(image: Swing Out Sister !, 76" h x 50" w x 4" d on paper, 2007 (c) dianne bowen)
in conjuntion with the exhibition, North Fork Bank will have 2 paintings on view through October. Corner of E. 3rd Street and Ave C. NY NY - stop in to view the work.
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Cue Art Foundation presents an exhibition of the Joan Mitchell Foundations 2006 MFA grant recipients. Group Exhibition
From the most basic material – paper- Andrew Scott Ross brings us back to the beginning of humanity with his cut out piece Rocks and Rocks and Caves and Dreams on cardstock.
Like cave paintings the cut outs on the wall seem to tell an ancient tale while on the floor below tiny figures, mythological half man half beasts and forests stand in a world before time. Fleeing for cover, grasping their heads, as if it is the end of the world. The crumpled paper from which the forms are cut out transform into a landscape of mountains and valleys. Your sense of placement in the universe is questioned. What of humanity now? What has all our so-called advanced civilization come too? Flood into your thoughts, wondering what now, what now…..
With an industrial color palette and simple forms Emmy Cho’s work Every one needs an editor searches for location. Lines, texture, drips, color landscapes appear and disappear. A large cloud like shape with diagonal stripes of a familiar construction site orange with another battleship grey color cloud behind it rumbles, poof! Demolition of a structure occurred. Texture peeks out from the surface. A line in grey springs out with a wild movement yet absolutely controlled. The elements are in an active conversation across the canvas speaking out loud.
The magnitudes of the consequences of human kinds actions are evident in William Cravis’s work, In Ten Seconds, 10 attaché cases. The cases are open containing varied paper from news articles and images of currency. Displayed in a circle on columns made from rolls of toilet tissue the darker side of humanity is revealed.
Participating artists include;
Shalini Bhat, Emmy Cho, William Cravis, Regan Golden-McNerney, Joseph Gottlieb Kopfler III, Maya Onoda, Tivon Calder Rice, Andrew Scott Ross, Brian Scott Shaw, Jared Steffensen
The Cue Art Foundation is a non-profit organization which offers many programs in support of artists needs. The seminars for artists program was a catalyst for navigating the art world for my work. I attribute much of my successes to the information I've used from their programs. A fertile ground for artists seeking necessary information in order to grow.
For further information;
The Cue Art Foundation
511 W. 25th Street, ground floor
NY NY 10001
Tel: 212-206-3583
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10-6
Like cave paintings the cut outs on the wall seem to tell an ancient tale while on the floor below tiny figures, mythological half man half beasts and forests stand in a world before time. Fleeing for cover, grasping their heads, as if it is the end of the world. The crumpled paper from which the forms are cut out transform into a landscape of mountains and valleys. Your sense of placement in the universe is questioned. What of humanity now? What has all our so-called advanced civilization come too? Flood into your thoughts, wondering what now, what now…..
With an industrial color palette and simple forms Emmy Cho’s work Every one needs an editor searches for location. Lines, texture, drips, color landscapes appear and disappear. A large cloud like shape with diagonal stripes of a familiar construction site orange with another battleship grey color cloud behind it rumbles, poof! Demolition of a structure occurred. Texture peeks out from the surface. A line in grey springs out with a wild movement yet absolutely controlled. The elements are in an active conversation across the canvas speaking out loud.
The magnitudes of the consequences of human kinds actions are evident in William Cravis’s work, In Ten Seconds, 10 attaché cases. The cases are open containing varied paper from news articles and images of currency. Displayed in a circle on columns made from rolls of toilet tissue the darker side of humanity is revealed.
Participating artists include;
Shalini Bhat, Emmy Cho, William Cravis, Regan Golden-McNerney, Joseph Gottlieb Kopfler III, Maya Onoda, Tivon Calder Rice, Andrew Scott Ross, Brian Scott Shaw, Jared Steffensen
The Cue Art Foundation is a non-profit organization which offers many programs in support of artists needs. The seminars for artists program was a catalyst for navigating the art world for my work. I attribute much of my successes to the information I've used from their programs. A fertile ground for artists seeking necessary information in order to grow.
For further information;
The Cue Art Foundation
511 W. 25th Street, ground floor
NY NY 10001
Tel: 212-206-3583
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10-6
Annual International Exhibition of Women's Art SOHO20 Gallery
Sitting quietly on the floor, a small black pillow tucked under her in the middle of the room artist Gardiner C. Funo O'Kain slowly created a circle made from small folded rice paper boats as viewers slowly began to fill the room around her. Working from the outside towards the center eventually filling the circle. Her meditative, repetitive process gently lured you in to the work. I sat with her for a moment just watching it, the moment of becoming itself. As I asked her about the piece, she continued without pause taking the small squares of delicate paper from their box, folding them into form then gracefully placing them into the work.
When asked about why and how she decides the shape of the finished work she replied, "They are really site specific, the environment really makes that decision. It's interesting how they change from place to place." She stated there would be 100 boats total in this piece. The fragility of the material and the installation brought a soothing calmness to the room. With each person passing it they moved as the air stirred around them. In a moment they could be blown away, scattered to all points. Reminiscent of sand paintings she methodically went about the task while they precariously interacted with air currents in the room.
There is something more, something deeper going on which draws your attention, makes you want to sit and fold them with her without speaking within her thoughts in hopes of finding a sense of harmony and balance.
Annual International Exhibition of Women's Art Group Show of 29 artists.
Soho20 511 w. 25th Street, NY NY
July 17th - August 11, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Elizabeth Murray
On an August summer afternoon Elizabeth Murray began her next journey. As a female artist, I was fortunate enough to have met her during my college years in my women in the arts class with May Stevens. At that time I was also beginning to raise a family. Her inspiring words on the issues surrounding being both mother and artist were a conversation I have kept with me ever since, as it has given me strength through times of adversity. Learning the news of her passing was a great loss. People come and go in your life and then there are those that leave a mark on your soul. With a simple conversation a mark was left, Thank you, where ever you are.
Friday, July 13, 2007
The Betty Bowen Award
I was recently in a benefit auction with PONCHO in seattle which helped raise funds for this grant, it's a great opportunity for Visual artists living in Washington, Oregon or Idaho, sorry no performing arts.
contact the Seattle Museum at the link below;
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/bowen.asp
I have a fondness for Seattle, support art!
contact the Seattle Museum at the link below;
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/bowen.asp
I have a fondness for Seattle, support art!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
SMALL WONDERS (image from (c)apexart's brochure)
You never know what little gems can be found at a small works show. With the summer season upon us, there have been quite a few recently. Nurture Art recently had there "nurturing the edge 07"small works exhibition hosted by the Cue Foundation which brought a large number of eagar collectors.
apexart's "the most curatorial biennial" benefitting the Robinhood foundation featured a wide range of work considering the 8" x 10" size constraint. There were table top sculptures, prints, and photographs, works on paper, collage, paintings, drawings and a light box displayed on 3 levels of wall rails throughout the gallery.
There's always a great piece to found at these exhibitions if you have the patience and time to wander through them.
contact:
apexart gallery
291 Church street btn white and walker
for further information or to bid on a piece. www.apexart.org/biennial/
Tequila Don Julio and The Mexican Museum
The exhibition is traveling before landing in it's final destination, The Mexican Museum.
Tequila Don Julio and the Mexican Museum premieres
Nuevo Arte: Colección Tequlia Don Julio at White Box gallery in Chelsea, NYC January 12-February 2, 2007
The Exhibition will be traveling nationally continuing on to Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Tequila Done Julio is gifting Nuevo Arte: Colección Tequlia Don Julio to the Mexican Museum which is awaiting the construction of it’s new building in the Yerba Buena arts district near downtown San Francisco
The show highlights contemporary and original art work selected by Tere Romo, Curator of exhibitions at The Mexican Museum, San Francisco, CA.
Featuring new works by some of today’s most innovative Mexican and Mexican- American artists the work ranged from teacups to translucent encaustic paintings to car rim drums and blown glass. “This collection captures the cutting –edge vitality and original content of contemporary Mexican and Chicano artistic expression,” Romo says.
I made my way down the long entrance to White Box with great expections. As a whole, the exhibition lived up to all my hopes. The work was engaging and impressive. Clear tongue like sculputural pieces filled with a variety of materials from mushrooms to seeds to rice hung on the wall. One tongue included a bud-like flower made from feathers sitting “on the tip of the tongue”. The visual connected to your sense of taste which started to make my mouth water.
A series of five Encaustic Monochorome Paintings titled, Cinco Elementos,(The Five Elements), by Jorge Rojas were very powerful in their subtlties. I found my self completly submerged in the contemplative nature of the surfaces and their varying colors. Muted under the wax, green, grey, blue, sienna and natural wax tones conversed in a quiet dialogue of surface material and color while creating a sculptural depth for further exploration. I felt the sense of a “human element” within the natural wax tone and texture.
Jorge Rojas stated, “My fascination for art derives essentially from the process of exploration, which demands a constant investigation and experimentation between technique and materials. In this series, I continue my exploration in a minimalist vein in an effort to discover new ways to observe and interpret color, and to reduce the line that exists between painting and sculpture. Consequently, I try to capture and communicate some of the ethereal qualities inherent in color. The way I work with encaustic allows me to achieve simultaneously a certain form of transparency, depth and fluidity. Through this specific process, the layer of wax functions as a portal or window through which the viewer can rediscover and reinterpret the essential colors existing on the other side. The subtle texture on the surface reflects the effects of the environment in which it is created.”
Artists: Ray Abeyta / Tania Candiani / Caleb Duarte / Camille Rose Garcia / Dr. Lakra / Michael Hernandez de Luna / Franco Mondini-Ruiz / Julio C. Morales / Tatiana Parcero /Viva Paredes / Marcos Ramirez ERRE / Jorge Rojas / Betsabeé Romero / Arturo Romo / Taka / Einar & Jamex de la Torre /
If you missed this exhibition at Whitebox, you have a second chance.....
Tequila Don Julio and the Mexican Museum premieres
Nuevo Arte: Colección Tequlia Don Julio at White Box gallery in Chelsea, NYC January 12-February 2, 2007
The Exhibition will be traveling nationally continuing on to Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Tequila Done Julio is gifting Nuevo Arte: Colección Tequlia Don Julio to the Mexican Museum which is awaiting the construction of it’s new building in the Yerba Buena arts district near downtown San Francisco
The show highlights contemporary and original art work selected by Tere Romo, Curator of exhibitions at The Mexican Museum, San Francisco, CA.
Featuring new works by some of today’s most innovative Mexican and Mexican- American artists the work ranged from teacups to translucent encaustic paintings to car rim drums and blown glass. “This collection captures the cutting –edge vitality and original content of contemporary Mexican and Chicano artistic expression,” Romo says.
I made my way down the long entrance to White Box with great expections. As a whole, the exhibition lived up to all my hopes. The work was engaging and impressive. Clear tongue like sculputural pieces filled with a variety of materials from mushrooms to seeds to rice hung on the wall. One tongue included a bud-like flower made from feathers sitting “on the tip of the tongue”. The visual connected to your sense of taste which started to make my mouth water.
A series of five Encaustic Monochorome Paintings titled, Cinco Elementos,(The Five Elements), by Jorge Rojas were very powerful in their subtlties. I found my self completly submerged in the contemplative nature of the surfaces and their varying colors. Muted under the wax, green, grey, blue, sienna and natural wax tones conversed in a quiet dialogue of surface material and color while creating a sculptural depth for further exploration. I felt the sense of a “human element” within the natural wax tone and texture.
Jorge Rojas stated, “My fascination for art derives essentially from the process of exploration, which demands a constant investigation and experimentation between technique and materials. In this series, I continue my exploration in a minimalist vein in an effort to discover new ways to observe and interpret color, and to reduce the line that exists between painting and sculpture. Consequently, I try to capture and communicate some of the ethereal qualities inherent in color. The way I work with encaustic allows me to achieve simultaneously a certain form of transparency, depth and fluidity. Through this specific process, the layer of wax functions as a portal or window through which the viewer can rediscover and reinterpret the essential colors existing on the other side. The subtle texture on the surface reflects the effects of the environment in which it is created.”
Artists: Ray Abeyta / Tania Candiani / Caleb Duarte / Camille Rose Garcia / Dr. Lakra / Michael Hernandez de Luna / Franco Mondini-Ruiz / Julio C. Morales / Tatiana Parcero /Viva Paredes / Marcos Ramirez ERRE / Jorge Rojas / Betsabeé Romero / Arturo Romo / Taka / Einar & Jamex de la Torre /
If you missed this exhibition at Whitebox, you have a second chance.....
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
More Than A Tree Is Growing In Brooklyn !
image; Untitled, the home series (c) Chris Coffin
15" x 60", digital C-print
Brooklyn’s BWAC Red Hook and Carroll Gardens open studios June 9-10, 2007 created a garden of art and dialogue through out the borough. I down loaded a great self guided tour map, which included 32 destinations and headed back to my hometown. Artists of all calibers and disciplines are leaving their marks as Brooklyn’s Open studios weekend made evident, they have found fertile ground in the borough to create innovative and interesting work.
On foot I navigated through myriads of studio buildings, galleries and artists project spaces. In a large warehouse building at 98 4th street in Carroll Gardens, I visited artist Chris Coffins studio, which he shares with fellow artist and curator Jennifer Burbank. Coffins intense personal connection to water and his urban environment are evident in his triptych photographic works, which seek a deeper understanding of the connection within the two “places”. They are contemplative images finding their own dialogue in which to converse. Abandoned buildings and underwater shots of jellyfish, which he shoots looking up from under the water find, and connect within reflective abstract space and color. Jennifer Burbanks large black and white wall drawing solicits conversation through line and form. A large black circle collaged to the wall seems to be in the process of moving out of the space and off the wall, grounded to it’s environment by thin elegant lines leading back through the work. Vince Contarino also in the 4th street building presented works on paper, which he may use for larger paintings. Contarino painstakingly collages tiny bits of colored and patterned paper into highly controlled lines, which are released into organic flowing gestures reminiscent of plant life, or a diagram of some strange unknown organism.
These artists capture your attention with a quiet ease, simply giving over something of yourself in order to sit with them for more time then you realize, suddenly hours go by... and your wishing you had more time.
15" x 60", digital C-print
Brooklyn’s BWAC Red Hook and Carroll Gardens open studios June 9-10, 2007 created a garden of art and dialogue through out the borough. I down loaded a great self guided tour map, which included 32 destinations and headed back to my hometown. Artists of all calibers and disciplines are leaving their marks as Brooklyn’s Open studios weekend made evident, they have found fertile ground in the borough to create innovative and interesting work.
On foot I navigated through myriads of studio buildings, galleries and artists project spaces. In a large warehouse building at 98 4th street in Carroll Gardens, I visited artist Chris Coffins studio, which he shares with fellow artist and curator Jennifer Burbank. Coffins intense personal connection to water and his urban environment are evident in his triptych photographic works, which seek a deeper understanding of the connection within the two “places”. They are contemplative images finding their own dialogue in which to converse. Abandoned buildings and underwater shots of jellyfish, which he shoots looking up from under the water find, and connect within reflective abstract space and color. Jennifer Burbanks large black and white wall drawing solicits conversation through line and form. A large black circle collaged to the wall seems to be in the process of moving out of the space and off the wall, grounded to it’s environment by thin elegant lines leading back through the work. Vince Contarino also in the 4th street building presented works on paper, which he may use for larger paintings. Contarino painstakingly collages tiny bits of colored and patterned paper into highly controlled lines, which are released into organic flowing gestures reminiscent of plant life, or a diagram of some strange unknown organism.
These artists capture your attention with a quiet ease, simply giving over something of yourself in order to sit with them for more time then you realize, suddenly hours go by... and your wishing you had more time.
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Exhibitionists at A.I.R. Gallery June 26-July 21, 2007
installation, opening night, Emily Bicht with topic sticker
Gallery III: WISH YOU WERE HERE 6, A.I.R. Gallery benefit exhibition
incorporated an installation and interactive project by “the EXHIBITIONISTS”
On view June 26, 2007 to July 21, 2007
YES, I AM an exhibitionist and have been for roughly 4-5 years… but memory is as fickle as fate. With that said, it was great to be part of this interesting collaborative project. If you have seen the show, I welcome your comments. If you haven’t, please drop by.
WISH YOU WERE HERE 6 includes original works by over 400 artists. The 4 x 6 artworks are created and donated by A.I.R. Gallery Artists, Founders and Fellowship Artists as well as hundreds of other national and international artists. These cards range widely in style and media and encompass a broad spectrum of themes. Postcards will be priced at $40 each.
As a special addition to this year’s benefit exhibition A.I.R. Gallery offered a series of 10 dot drawings by Yoko Ono & 15 wooden postcards by Jenny Holzer. The ten new works by Yoko Ono were produced for the occasion of the exhibition. Jenny Holzer's works on wood included selections of text from the Truisms series (1977-1979) and the Survival Series (1983-1985). These were almost sold out immediately!
Much to my misfortune the postcard piece's I had my eye on by artists, Carolee Schneeman and Phyllis Ewen were both quickly snapped up. Allow yourself a good amount of time to wander through the entire exhibition. It's worth every minute.
THE EXHIBITIONISTS, is a New York City-based group of professional women artists, working in a variety of disciplines, who host monthly salons in pursuit of fresh dialogue about the arts. Using the postcard format, "the exhibitionists" visually address an array of important and pertinent issues surrounding the state of the art world and women artists past, present and future. The topics are culled from their meetings over the last 6 years.
The interactive part of the project took on a life of it’s own during the opening. Printed stickers with an assortment of topics worn on random body parts instigated quite a number of responses. Everything from interest in the group, open discussion on the topics to the obvious…
Personally, I had a bit of fun with this part. An artist from the show informed me she was the “pecker” lady as she painted a lot of "peckers". Taking my arm she proceeded to point out her work and others addressing the representation of the female body, which led into discussions on feminism, the gap between the generations, art history, women’s rights, understanding where we’ve been and where do we go from here. Naturally I then introduced her to fellow exhibitionist, Alexandra Jacoby who has been working on a photographic book, Vagina Verite for the past five years. And so - the night’s discourse that began with the topic The nude in art successfully opened dialogue to a wide range of ideas and thoughts.
25 topics were written on the left side of a large wall, painted sea green cellular bubbles, which seemed in the process of moving in a strange silent rhythm past the confines of the green band (which contained the rest of the shows hundreds of postcards) slide around the wall at 2 points. Each varied sized bubble contained postcards addressing the correlating topics.
The work ranged from the humorous to the very disturbing. Genius vs. mental illness, don’t quit your day job to the portrayal of violence in art, eroticism and beauty, the self as portrait, personal and national identity are a few of the issues explored. There are many interesting pieces to choose from, of note were Nikki Johnson’s, Street fight, photograph which haunts me in a wonderfully disturbing way, Mor Erlich’s skillfull and humorous pen drawing, V- day, Brynna Tuckers creepy yet also humorous fake sparkly pink toenail piece and Robyn Desposito's Shame pieces which struck a nerve. I may need to seek professional help after contemplating that one....
exhibitionist artists included: Dianne Bowen, Brynna Tucker, Emily Bicht, Nikki Johnson, Robyn Desposito, Alexandra Jacoby, Jane Kratchovil, Jenny Walty, Christa Toole, Agni Zotis, Kathrine Dolgy, Barbara Monoian and Mor Erlich.
Current Exhibitions at A.I.R. Gallery also include;
Gallery I; WOMEN TOUCH: CERAMICS
curated by Sylvia Netzer and in collaboration with Loveed Fine Arts
Gallery II; SIGNS OF DESIRE an exhibition of new work by Nancy Morrow
for information about “the EXHIBITIONISTS’ go to the website;
http://www.exhibitionists-nyc.com/
or For more information about these exhibitions or A.I.R. Gallery contact; the director, Kat Griefen at 212.255.6651 or kgriefen@airgallery.org. A.I.R. Gallery is located at 511 West 25th Street, NYC. website; http://airnyc.org/ Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11am-6pm. A.I.R. Gallery was founded in 1972 as the first artist run, not for profit gallery for women artists in the United States. These exhibitions are part of the year-long calendar of events.
It was my pleasure to work on this project with the A.I.R. Gallery staff, and all my fellow “Exhibitionists” in particular Brynna Tucker, the Exhibitionists installation crew, Emily Bicht, Robyn Desposito, Alexandra Jacoby. Special thanks to A.I.R. Gallery Kat Griefen, Director and Emily Harris, Assistant Director
“Signs of Life”
Jordan Eageles solo exhibition,
“Signs of Life” at Merge Gallery
Minute flecks of metallic flakes, intricate cracks within dried blood are sealed in resin on purewhite sheets of plexiglas. The core of existence expands and contracts within the work. Organic forms skillfully controlled by Eagles flow and pool onto the surface. Layers upon layers of blood and materials interact caught in varied points of the process evoke both silent contemplation and the explosive energy of worlds evolving. His work explores life, transcendence and connection of both our spiritual and physical existence
Merge Gallery
205 West 20th StreetNew York, NY 10011
Cass Zielinski(t) 212-929-7505 info@mergegallery.com
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Minute flecks of metallic flakes, intricate cracks within dried blood are sealed in resin on purewhite sheets of plexiglas. The core of existence expands and contracts within the work. Organic forms skillfully controlled by Eagles flow and pool onto the surface. Layers upon layers of blood and materials interact caught in varied points of the process evoke both silent contemplation and the explosive energy of worlds evolving. His work explores life, transcendence and connection of both our spiritual and physical existence
Merge Gallery
205 West 20th StreetNew York, NY 10011
Cass Zielinski(t) 212-929-7505 info@mergegallery.com
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
image: phase 1-2, ©Jordan Eagles
The Beholder’s Eye
The Beholder’s Eye, first annual Contemporary Art invitational curated by Katherine Chapin opened at The Salmagundi Club Art Club Friday night on Fifth Avenue and 12th street in NYC, NY. Featuring work by 40 artists, some of which are; Hugo Xavier Bastidas, Germaine Brooks, John Bowman, Jennifer Coates, Jane Irish, Charles Yoder, David Humphrey, Ryan Scully and Julia Marchand.
On an absolutely freezing evening, I maneuvered my way past the crowd of people checking in all their layers opting to keep mine with me and get to it. Much of the work harked back to a classical history with an underlying uneasy twist. John Bowman’s piece “Volley”, depicting a seemingly traditional battle scene in very subdued raw umber brown tones with a sparse number of soldiers left you feeling unsure if the battle had just begun, just ended or not all parties were notified of the event. The answers are open to your interpretation. It was the ambiguity of the moment, which I found most fascinating about the work.
Charles Yoder’s large scale forest scene looking through the woods towards a sun lit intimate little clearing is a child’s hidden secret spot now on the brink of being discovered by the viewer.
I felt I could either be the child coming back to the spot with glee or a stranger happily anticipating claiming the spot for myself.
Offering many interesting interpretations, the work led me through on it’s own time from one piece to another and back again.
www.salmagundi.org
On an absolutely freezing evening, I maneuvered my way past the crowd of people checking in all their layers opting to keep mine with me and get to it. Much of the work harked back to a classical history with an underlying uneasy twist. John Bowman’s piece “Volley”, depicting a seemingly traditional battle scene in very subdued raw umber brown tones with a sparse number of soldiers left you feeling unsure if the battle had just begun, just ended or not all parties were notified of the event. The answers are open to your interpretation. It was the ambiguity of the moment, which I found most fascinating about the work.
Charles Yoder’s large scale forest scene looking through the woods towards a sun lit intimate little clearing is a child’s hidden secret spot now on the brink of being discovered by the viewer.
I felt I could either be the child coming back to the spot with glee or a stranger happily anticipating claiming the spot for myself.
Offering many interesting interpretations, the work led me through on it’s own time from one piece to another and back again.
www.salmagundi.org
“Where You’ll Find Me”??, Karen Marston Solo Exhibition
“Where You’ll Find Me”??
In her solo exhibition, Karen Marston re-examines and interprets the childhood story “The Wizard of OZ”. This series of paintings was inspired by her travels through Vietnam and to the Cao Dai temple in the Mekong Delta built in the 1920’s by a Vietnamese visionary who blended Eastern and Western religious and occult philosophies.
Rich, luminescent layers of paint lore you in as the narrative slyly pricks your finger. The tin man is depicted with head in hands in the midst of a forest with his now still human heart on the ground. The lamenting metal man got his wish, but there was a catch… In The Shoes, Marston paints only the disturbingly tranquil shins of Dorothy lying toe up in the lush grass. They are delicate little shins, with precious gold toned shoes with bows. Did the house land on her in Marston’s twist of fate? When speaking to her about the work, her mother pointed out, “Do you see the shoes Karen is wearing”? Low and behold! They have come to life on Marston’s own feet! Like Dorothy herself! The Witches hat floats in a rich, eerie bog of black and cobalt blue, ripples of water surround it leaving you feeling strangely sorry for the old gal. Maybe she was just misunderstood.
Though there is a sense of dark humor at first glance, deeper questions lay within the works, embedded in metaphor, narrative and layers of paint. Her works draw on the history of folklore which entertain while simultaneously address more serious concerns of life. Karen Marston’s works are skillfully executed and beautifully—disturbing.
Pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain…..
Karen Marston, "Where You'll Find Me"??
Opening Reception Wednesday, June 20th, 6-9 PM. Through July 27.
Cheryl McGinnis Gallery
1287 Madison Avenue
New York, New York, 10128
?212-722-1144?
Summer Hours:?Monday thru Friday 10am - 6pm
http://www.cherylmcginnisgallery.com
In her solo exhibition, Karen Marston re-examines and interprets the childhood story “The Wizard of OZ”. This series of paintings was inspired by her travels through Vietnam and to the Cao Dai temple in the Mekong Delta built in the 1920’s by a Vietnamese visionary who blended Eastern and Western religious and occult philosophies.
Rich, luminescent layers of paint lore you in as the narrative slyly pricks your finger. The tin man is depicted with head in hands in the midst of a forest with his now still human heart on the ground. The lamenting metal man got his wish, but there was a catch… In The Shoes, Marston paints only the disturbingly tranquil shins of Dorothy lying toe up in the lush grass. They are delicate little shins, with precious gold toned shoes with bows. Did the house land on her in Marston’s twist of fate? When speaking to her about the work, her mother pointed out, “Do you see the shoes Karen is wearing”? Low and behold! They have come to life on Marston’s own feet! Like Dorothy herself! The Witches hat floats in a rich, eerie bog of black and cobalt blue, ripples of water surround it leaving you feeling strangely sorry for the old gal. Maybe she was just misunderstood.
Though there is a sense of dark humor at first glance, deeper questions lay within the works, embedded in metaphor, narrative and layers of paint. Her works draw on the history of folklore which entertain while simultaneously address more serious concerns of life. Karen Marston’s works are skillfully executed and beautifully—disturbing.
Pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain…..
Karen Marston, "Where You'll Find Me"??
Opening Reception Wednesday, June 20th, 6-9 PM. Through July 27.
Cheryl McGinnis Gallery
1287 Madison Avenue
New York, New York, 10128
?212-722-1144?
Summer Hours:?Monday thru Friday 10am - 6pm
http://www.cherylmcginnisgallery.com
Havidol: when more is not enough
Justine Cooper’s solo show featured “her little blue pill” the solution to all modern day ills. The big blue pill sculpture was like a beacon in the middle of the gallery. A monument to societies quest for the quick fix and the pharmaceutical companies joy to provide the product. A little blue pill was enclosed in a clear plexi box on the wall, nestled ever so regally on a tufted pillow with gold. Large scale photographs depicting serene fields with the slogan, Havidol: when more is not enough were like the myriad of commercials, which saturate the airwaves. Consume, Consume with a Cheshire cat grin. Most disturbing is the pills actual existance!
Opening night was packed with people holding handfuls of little blue pills made of chocolate, which were given out during the evening. It will all be better, take one take a handful. Those little beauties made their way around Chelsea to other openings as people passed them around with big grins on their face, HAVIDOL? Why yes, Thank you.
Daneyal Mahmood Gallery
511 West 25th Street3rd Floor
New York, New York 10011 USA
Tel:
212 675 2966
Fax:
212 675 3966
Contact: Daneyal Mahmood
http://www.daneyalmahmood.com/
Opening night was packed with people holding handfuls of little blue pills made of chocolate, which were given out during the evening. It will all be better, take one take a handful. Those little beauties made their way around Chelsea to other openings as people passed them around with big grins on their face, HAVIDOL? Why yes, Thank you.
Daneyal Mahmood Gallery
511 West 25th Street3rd Floor
New York, New York 10011 USA
Tel:
212 675 2966
Fax:
212 675 3966
Contact: Daneyal Mahmood
http://www.daneyalmahmood.com/
Friday, April 06, 2007
Phyllis Ewen at A.I.R. Gallery and Alice Attie at Foley Gallery
A.I.R.Gallery
511 W. 25th Street
NY NY
Phyllis Ewen, Turbulent e/Motion
in gallery 2
art and science fuse as Ewen creates organic form and line in materials and shadows. In some cases the seemingly fragile work is surrounded by found dictionary texts refering to scientific meanings or explorations. Her use of latex and resin creates the appearance of glass making them stronger than they look yet still maintaing their "fragililty".
Foley Gallery Gallery
547 W. 27th St. 5th fl
NYC, NY
Alice Attie, Mother Tongue
Attie composes her drawings from words found in literature that she has been inspired and chanllenged by. They form shapes, coffins, orbes, squares, almost in a mantra like prayer across the page.
511 W. 25th Street
NY NY
Phyllis Ewen, Turbulent e/Motion
in gallery 2
art and science fuse as Ewen creates organic form and line in materials and shadows. In some cases the seemingly fragile work is surrounded by found dictionary texts refering to scientific meanings or explorations. Her use of latex and resin creates the appearance of glass making them stronger than they look yet still maintaing their "fragililty".
Foley Gallery Gallery
547 W. 27th St. 5th fl
NYC, NY
Alice Attie, Mother Tongue
Attie composes her drawings from words found in literature that she has been inspired and chanllenged by. They form shapes, coffins, orbes, squares, almost in a mantra like prayer across the page.
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