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.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
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.
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