JULIAN SCHNABEL greets guests at the opening reception, Jan 8th, 2008, of 'Navigation Drawings' - his exhibit of new oil painting on vintage nautical maps. He is in his signature 'Pajama' top. SPERONE WESTWATER, JANUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 16, 2008

STEVE BUSCEMI hits the opening. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008.
Steve Buscemi used to hang at the RED BAR - with the late comic ROCKETS REDGLARE, way back, in the Lower East Side - 80's glory days.

AL PACINO. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

that's Julian's wife ... actress OLATZ LOPEZ GARMENDIA in the red coat & black spike heels.

BEN GAZZARA, JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

HARVEY KEITAL and DAPHNE KASTNER, JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER,
Jan 8, 2008

STELLA SCHNABEL, Julian's oldest daughter, with DICK CAVETT, at the reception, JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER,
Jan 8, 2008

DAVID SALLE showed up. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

at center in leather jacket, JEFF KOONS, was having a great time.JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

ERIC FISCHL was there, too. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

ROSS BLECKNER, JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

PETER BRANT, (in signature pin striped suit & tie), who recently deposed INGRID SISCHY, and replaced her with GLENN O'BRIEN, as the new INTERVIEW EDITOR, was there. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

Julian's eldest son, a great kid, VITO SCHNABEL, with legendary dealer MARY BOONE, JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER,
Jan 8, 2008

Julian's wife, actress OLATZ LOPEZ GARMENDIA. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8 2008

OLATZ plays MARIE LOPEZ, in Julian's presently acclaimed film, 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' (2007). if you saw Julian's 'Before Night Falls' (2000), (and if you didn't - get it !!) - you'll remember her as Cuban poet REINALDO ARENAS' (played by Javier Bardem) mother. She was also in Julian's first, and also g-r-e-a-t movie - 'BASQUIAT' (1996) where she played the role of Christine.

an oil paint on vintage map 'drawing' in the show, JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

another drawing, oil paint on vintage map, in JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER ,Jan 8, 2008

individually, I guess, if you have nouveau disposable income, and missed the early SCHNABEL plate painting days - these drawings will look pretty ok. ok, more than just - ok, very elegant !!, on your wall, and you can claim to own a Schnabel original. but they are more decoration status symbols - than ground breaking projects. in the gallery, there were SO, SO many presented, wall after wall - it kinda looked like Julian had his own 'cash producing' printing press going - the show was obviously timed to exploit his current - and huge - break-out directorial explosion - a truly deserved and authentic success. no hype there. much congrats from the artworld, Julian.

at left, holding the catalog - you'll recognize CHARLIE FINCH - and, yes, that is: AL PACINO, in the foreground. Charlie later told us - that he was told, that ... "they", (meaning JULIAN and SPERONE WESTWATER) - were a little disappointed with the catalog, because the deep toned paper, it was printed on - had adversely affected the brilliance of the reproduced drawings. JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER,
Jan 8, 2008

and, take that !, CHARLIE FINCH naysayers - as proof positive, that artnet scribe FINCH - does indeed, show up, (at least) to some of the openings he opines about.

JULIAN SCHNABEL oil paint on vintage map 'drawing', JULIAN SCHNABEL 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

'C.V.J' - our favorite JULIAN SCHNABEL book - from the very first day it was published - in the glass case at JULIAN SCHNABEL, 'Navigation Drawings', SPERONE WESTWATER, Jan 8, 2008

in an abrupt change of pace - another art world veteran, AA BRONSON opened 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS' at JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, an equally crowded, albeit totally different crowd, on Jan 12, 2008. the show runs through FEBRUARY 16, 2008

AA BRONSON is currently, (and since 2004) the Director of Chelsea non-profit art bookshop, PRINTED MATTER, INC, He is perhaps best known for his participation (1969-1994) in the 3 person Canadian art collective, GENERAL IDEA.

AA BRONSON collaboration with TERENCE KOH - a double toilet cubicle joined by a "glory hole". 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

exiting the cubicle, AA BRONSON and TERENCE KOH, 'The painter looks through to the other side of the hole/In search of the White Knave', edition 2 of 3, ($67,500.) 'AA BRONSON'S FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

AA BRONSON and SCOTT TRELEAVEN, 'Cabine', 2008, cotton, wood, gold-leaf ($32,000.) A truly beautiful "soothsayer's tent", which acted as the site of an opening night performance by MICHAEL DUDECK. 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

MICHAEL DUDECK, a performance artist from WINNIPEG, CANADA, in the soothsayer's tent, 'AA BRONSON"S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

he was good, at first impression he was definitely not! animate or of this world.

ITEM IDEM, 'Midasphaltarmacoat' 8002 (for Joseph Beuys), 2008. embellished coat made of gold Louis Vuitton bags, melted car tires, tar, and COMME des GARCONS Sythentic tar. lifesize. ($10,000.) in 'AA BRONSONS SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS', Jan 10, 2008

BRUCE LABRUCE, 'Photo of Christophe Chemin', 2007, unique digital Giclee print ($1,250.) in 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

SCOTT HUG. Scott had work, a lenticular print, in the show. 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

SCOTT TRELEAVEN, now working out of Paris, collaborated on the soothsayer's tent. 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

KATHY GRAYSON chats with New York-based Russian artist, writer/poet, SLAVA MOGUTIN ('Lost Boys') 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS, Jan 10, 2008

SLAVA MOGUTIN - co-founder of SUPERM - the art performance duo, was recently denied entry to the UK,
check out: his blog !!

OLIVER HALSMAN ROSENBERG, 'AA BRONSON'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SHAMANS', JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS,
Jan 10, 2008

we first encountered Oliver's work in a brilliant jewel of a show (2007) at HANNA FUSHIHARA ARON'S LITTLE CAKES LITTLE GALLERY - check it out, here !!
and . . . YES !! - follow the link to more pix from the show.

MICHAEL BELL-SMITH, at the opening of his 'BOUNCING LIGHTS FOREVER', FOXY PRODUCTION, Jan 10, 2008 - the show runs thru FEBRUARY 16, 2008

'BOUNCING LIGHTS FOREVER' - MICHAEL BELL-SMITH'S "second solo show at FOXY PRODUCTION, comprises a series of screen-based works that simultaneously establish and dissolve the issue of the digital sublime" - press release. well said !!
FOXY PRODUCTION, Jan 10, 2008

MICHAEL BELL-SMITH will present a 'TALK + SCREENING' at ELECTRONIC ARTS INTERMIX (EAI) - 535 WEST 22ND ST, 5Th FLOOR, CHELSEA, NY on WED, FEB 6th at 6:30PM
be there - or - be square !!

MICHAEL BELL-SMITH, video loop, Dimensions variable. 'BOUNCING LIGHTS FOREVER', FOXY PRODUCTION,
Jan 10, 2008

MICHAEL BELL-SMITH lives and works in PHILADELPHIA.
he holds a BA in Semiotics from Brown University, Providence, RI (Rhode Island)

MICHAEL BELL-SMITH, 'MOVING, ENDLESS (SAMPLES)', 2008, digital lightboxes with digital files, edition of 3 + 2 AP, in 'BOUNCING LIGHTS FOREVER', FOXY PRODUCTION, Jan 15, 2008

MICHAEL BELL-SMITH, 'MOVING, ENDLESS (SAMPLES)', 'BOUNCING LIGHTS FOREVER', FOXY PRODUCTION, Jan 15, 2007

at right, LANCE TURNBOW, artist, and curator of a beautiful little sleeper of a show, 'MYTH: BEDTIME STORIES AND BULLSHIT' - that came out of WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN, McCAIG-WELLES GALLERY. the opening reception was Friday Jan 11th, the show ran until Jan 29, 2008.

tattoo artist, JOSH LORD, with work in the show. 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

see more about the show: here !!

great tattoo artists don't necessarily make for great artists, and likewise; great artists don't make great tattoos - JOSH LORD rolls up his pant leg, to show us how "awful" (his words!!) a tattoo artist, WES LANG is - the little monkey drawing a 'jesus' face - is Wes' stab at tattoo. 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

KEITH LANG (Wes Lang's brother) with a beautiful little piece - in terms of both rendering & concept - in the show, 'MYTH: BEDTIME STORIES AND BULLSHIT', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

SWEETY, with again, just beautiful ink and watercolor work, in the show. 'MYTH', McCAIG -WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

Sweety, a tattoo artist who lives and works in NYC, received his BFA from SVA, the School of Visual Arts, and has worked for DC Comics and the Blue Man Group.

SWEETY, PATRICK CONLON, and JOSH LORD have gotten together to re-open the EAST INK TATTOO SHOP - 97 AVE B bet 6Th & 7TH ST, NYC - their site isn't fully up, yet - but their home page is a knock-out !! - drips of ink that turn into animated eyeballs - staring right at ya - you gotta,
check it out !!

PATRICK CONLON with amazingly lyrical penmanship, in the show, 'MYTH'. McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2007

you gotta check out, his website, too . . while you are there make sure to click on those little angels, it's a riot - link here !!

WES LANG, 'There Is No God In Mexico', pencil on paper with unique frame, 28 x 42 ins. ($7,000.), 'MYTH: BEDTIME STORIES AND BULLSHIT', curated by LANCE TURNBOW, McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

detail, WES LANG, 'There Is No God In Mexico', 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

detail, WES LANG, 'There Is No God In Mexico', 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

LANCE TURNBOW, 'We Destroy The Family #1', acrylic and mixed media on canvas. 57 x 44 ins. ($5,000.), 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

LANCE TURNBOW, 'Crazy Beer, and Whiskey', acrylic on canvas, 18 x 93 ins. ($5,000.), 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

detail, LANCE TURNBOW, 'Crazy Beer, and Whiskey', 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

KEITH LANG, 'Tell The Children The Truth', ink and typewriter on paper, unique frame, 19-1/2 x 16-1/2 ins, ($750.) wow - somebody better go buy that, cause I can't !! 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

detail, amazing isn't it - KEITH LANG, 'Tell The Children The Truth', 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

detail, KEITH LANG, 'Tell The Children The Truth', 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES,
Jan 11, 2008

it says: capacocha - (n)
the incan practice of child sacrifice to make peace with the gods or to mark the death of the sapa inca (emperor).
the child was fed a cocaine-laced maize drink, then killed by a blow to the head, strangled, or buried alive.
(illus. opposite page)

PATRICK CONLON, 'Theseus + The Centaurs', drawing, 33 x 27 ins. ($800.), 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

SWEETY, 'Apollous The Python', ink and watercolor on paper, 25 x 19 ins. ($800.), 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

detail, SWEETY, 'Apollous The Python', 'MYTH, McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

JOSH LORD, 'Euridice', oil on wood, 15-1/2 x 28-1/2 ins. ($2,000.), 'MYTH', McCAIG-WELLES, Jan 11, 2008

round the block, FRONT ROOM GALLERY had a great huge group show and a great opening: 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2' curated by ETHAN CRENSON. The opening took place Jan 11, 2008. The show ran til January 27, 2008.

at the opening: TRAVIS LINDQUIST, TIM HUNT of the ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION, and poet, LAURA DYER.

TRAVIS LINDQUIST, 'SAVE THE TROOPS', each $25. 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM,
Jan 11, 2008

detail, MATT RICHARDS, 'Gellochio Project', 2007, individual Gellochio puppets, $80/a piece. 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM, Jan 11, 2008

check out pix of the artist, MATT RICHARDS & MORE PIX OF THE WORK, here !! and see: below!

Edie Winograde, 'Optimism Peak', 2007, folio of 9 inkjet prints on watercolor paper. 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM, Jan 11, 1008

SARA CHING-YU SAN, 'Is', digital prints in plastic boxes, ($15 per unit) - one unit shown above - they are tiny, 1 x 1 x 3/4 ins., but sweet. 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM,
Jan 11, 2008

Radio Rudio, (Tom Mulligan), two 33rpm vinyl phonograph records, 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM, Jan 11, 2008

CELESTE FICHTER, 'P.S.: 28 Afterthoughts in Search of Before', NTSC-DVD, 6 min 47 sec., 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM, Jan 11 ,2008

'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2' curator, ETHAN CRENSON, with his own multiple - 'EROTIC INFORMATION' - at the opening, FRONT ROOM,
Jan 11, 2008

TYRA BOMBETTA, who made the porcelain shotgun shells, shows us her name on the 'beef', 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', FRONT ROOM,
Jan 11, 2008

from left, PHILIP SIMMONS with work in the show, and FRONT ROOM DIRECTOR/FOUNDER DANIEL AYCOCK, at the opening, 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2' curated by ETHAN CRENSON, FRONT ROOM, Jan 11, 2008

MATT RICHARDS who made the amazingly wild and detailed 'Gellochio Project', 'MULTIPLES AND EDITIONS, VOL. 2', outside the FRONT ROOM, WILLIAMSBURG, Jan 11, 2008

from left: STEVEN STEWART, ARTHUR COHEN and SARAH MATTES, at the opening of 'CHANGECASE' a wonderful and very smart group show, right on the cutting edge of plastic/visual arts today, curated by independent curators, YASHA WALLIN and STEVEN STEWART, running thru FEBRUARY 10, 2008 at 94 PRINCE ST. #2 / HOURS: SAT + SUN 12 - 7 PM and BY APPOINTMENT - see more pix and get contact info: here !!

and last, but certainly NOT !! least - JUDGE - who with G. KELLY has an a-m-a-z-i-n-g group of silkscreened band posters and art prints on exhibit in: 'AMERICAN HANDSCAPE' at THE ARM LETTERPRESS - 281 NORTH 7TH ST - WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN !! the show opened Jan 19, 2008 - and - is up until FEB 5, 2008 - so you miss it only at your own great loss.
JUDGE (KATHERINE JUDGE) at the opening, Jan 19, 2008

G. KELLY, 'ANDREW BIRD', silkscreen, edition 69/85 ($45.), 'AMERICAN HANDSCAPE', THE ARM, Jan 19, 2008

JUDGE, one of many silkscreen posters made for the equally a-m-a-z-i-n-g girl singer NEKO CASE. ($40) 'AMERICAN HANDSCAPE', THE ARM, Jan 19, 2008

for more pix/info, and ARM GALLERY HOURS,
check out: 'AMERICAN HANDSCAPE' !!