‘DUKE RILEY: TWO RIPARIAN TALES OF UNDOING’
opened FRI FEB 25, 2011
the show runs thru SAT APRIL 9, 2011
MAGNAN METZ GALLERY – 521 WEST 26TH ST – CHELSEA
PIX FROM THE OPENING NITE RECEPTION – FRI FEB 25, 2011
DUKE RILEY at the opening of his 3rd solo show at the gallery . . .
he’s standing in front of my favorite piece of all, a large drawing on canary paper . . talk about artifacts, icons, code. and history.
not to mention pirates, women, guns and flies-on-the-wall. the Great Depression. hobos and serial murder on squatter’s territory.
buried water sources. islands turned into toxic dumps.
and wake up. where the hell are we going ?
DUKE RILEY, ink drawing on canary paper.
DUKE RILEY, detail. some houseboat . . . or what.
DUKE RILEY, detail. a damsel fishing . . . in the sea of imagination, is what.
DUKE RILEY, detail
DUKE RILEY, detail
DUKE RILEY, detail
DUKE RILEY – barbed wire – that great 19th C. invention of the American west !!
DUKE RILEY, yo. evil invader – stay outta here !!
yeah NYC artists want – guns. but it’s no joke. where the hell are we going, world. Brooklyn’s ok. – it’s ok over here for now, it’s all role play here. but if you raise your head and look out . . . bad news all over the globe. the middle east is friggin blowing up.
guns. war. if you ruled the seas, you once ruled the land. weaponry = might. might = right. fortification = safety.
big big guns and sharp ramming weaponry – rule these imaginary seas !! are these gentle folk art drawings – cautionary fables ?
well, its also a metaphor for art. intellect over malls. clean air over pollution. green over processed. whatever. squatters over the landed elite. the list goes on and on. the free spirited vs the entrenched. in Riley’s world.
or maybe he’s just spoofing – an ordinary day’s newspaper headline, ca 2011 – war somewhere. ugly war for real. blood and guts. ambulances blowing up. assassination. today Libya. Afghanistan. tomorrow Pakistan ?
hey, give me back that big oil spill. there’s no winning. and its getting fierce. it’s a really violent world – out there. past Brooklyn.
du du duality. maybe that’s why Brooklyn is so sweet . . . gotta be somebody taking a stand for the good. taking a cue from the early American ideals. of peace, equality. freedom and liberty to pursue . . . the artisan life, for sure.
DUKE RILEY, detail
and, then there are these great big flat, and fat ‘flies-on-the-wall’ everywhere . . . the imagery must have archival roots – but only take me as far back – as when those TAYLOR McKIMENS ‘flies’ – hotlinked to his website – used to grace these pages, anybody else remember ?
DUKE RILEY, detail. just love his draftsmanship.
love the fluid, spontaneous, and even sometimes corrected line of his hand, running in blue ink, telling stories – on that thin parchment-like canary paper.
DUKE RILEY takes a lot of the inspiration behind his line drawing technique – from folk art, nautical folk art – specifically the art of scrimshaw. SCRIMSHAW: “handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of the other whales . . ”
the engraving was rubbed with pigment to highlight the designs . . . “The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ship between 1745-1759 on the Pacific Ocean . . ”
in fact, in his last show at the gallery – ‘AFTER THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN’ (2007) – there we go again – !! – locavore history buffs – there was a display of replica scrimshaw made by Duke on synthetic composite material – that looked just like the real thing – bawdy themes and all . . . though Mr. Riley’s cannot be denied as contemporary – up close his (bawdy) humor is just a little bit – too darn edgy !!
the opening was packed, and the crowd – dynamic !!
it was as if – all of BROOKLYN had come to the motherland of all islands: Manhattan – first and foremost a small bit of land – surrounded by water.
KITTY JOE STE-MARIE – DUKE RILEY’S long time project manager . . .
sporting some DUKE RILEY skin – ink . . .
KITTY JOE STE-MARIE and her DUKE RILEY ink.
not sure how that still works, but DUKE RILEY used to run his own tattoo shop.
I hear tell it is very difficult for an artist to be both good at drawing on paper, and drawing on skin. very few make the transition – Duke is one of the few – who does.
MEG with her Duke Riley . . .
Chrysler Building tattoo.
loved this white flower petal dress in the crowd.
and quelle great – hat !!
the way fashionable dude is standing in front of my other fave piece – a big mosaic . . .
DUKE RILEY, ‘Spero Meliora’, 2011. ceramic, glass & composite tile on panels. 82-7/8 x 84 in.
bye the way, DUKE RILEY – is this year’s – MTA – as in subway – artist of the year – and supposedly his nautical !! images just started going up on the trains – watch out !!
I know he also was commissioned to do the tile designs for a subway station out by the sea – you know, where the Island of Manhattan meets the sea . . .
DUKE RILEY, detail . . . ‘Spero Meliora’ – folk art speak – to me, oh yes !!
DUKE RILEY, detail mosaic work – ‘Spero Meliora’
DUKE RILEY, detail mosaic work – ‘Spero Meliora’
DUKE RILEY, detail mosaic work – ‘Spero Meliora’.
around a kind of alleyway to a kind of smaller ‘project room’ – in the back – was an alcove where 2 folk musicians played live music.
the guy on the left – turns out to the gifted BRETT NELSON aka SWEET TOOTH NELSON, a bonafide musician from down south, North Carolina, to be exact. accompanying him to-nite on the banjo was BRETT LAND.
I don’t think Brett Land would be terribly insulted if I were to tell you – he wasn’t exactly a terror on the banjo – ok give him 6 more months and then, tell me that. but he did graduate from SVA and he is the cameraman and assistant filmmaker to DUKE RILEY – on those wonderful archival looking video loops, that adorn that back alleyway. way to go, dude !!
He also rode the train tracks – as a modern day hobo – with Duke – across the country. . .
but that’s a story – for another day !!
but wait, before we got to the videos, there was this fascinating well, or I guess hidden sewer entrance to that closed off underground river . . .
that created a kind of grotto – where the musicians played and that still remains – as part of the exhibit.
someone stuck their hand in it while I was there – and came up with a fistful of water !! but an overhead projector beams down the eerie copper coin-like writing – on the well, or I guess sewer-top. dedicated to the hobos of the Great Depression – that used to populate ‘Kingsbury Run’ – “a prehistoric stream now buried beneath the streets of Cleveland.” and whose story narrates the ‘Lubberland’ part of the exhibit.
while overhead – hung some of the hobo clothes . . . not sure if this was a deliberate reference to the big ANSELM KIEFER show – ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’ – that obviously made a big impact when Gagosian put up – that mammoth undertaking this past Nov – Dec 2010. History, artifacts, narratives from the past – and not to forget: looking up !! – Kiefer also had clothes hung from the ceiling – Kiefer’s past-looking narrative – artifacts and all – code and all – is proving to have been not only mighty pre-sentient, but to have left a dynamic and living artistic legacy, among the city’s next generation artists . . . in its wake. Old Stone House included.
ok. so talking about artifacts, history and code – the DUKE RILEY videos that BRETT LAND worked on – all started with codes – like this !!
yo, momma.
they were more like shorts. archival grainy historical records . . . brief vignettes that silently looped on small screens.
“The man claimed that the ancient creek was cursed . . . ”
with titles – that drove the narrative – just like Charlie Chaplin shorts . . .
and then you’d see DUKE RILEY, in period costume in the ‘Landlubber’ condemned and covered-up Kingsbury Run River sewer system – that once was a hobo life-sustaining creek . . .
and yeah, there were rats . . . scurryin’ about.
big inner city – sewer rats !!
the short films – were a new departure for Mr. Riley – and were really well done. re-created time capsules.
in a salute to his new filmmaking effort – his Charlie Chaplin-like period film costume – hung over the receptionist’s desk.
another element new to this show – was the inclusion of actual artifacts: in this case a vintage cork-board display of archival photos and newspaper clippings that supported the ‘Lost Kingdom of Laird’ narrative – that shared the exhibition billing with ‘An Invitation to Lubberland’.
Margaret Katherine Waterhouse with adoptive parents William Henry Morgan and Margaret Laird. ca. 1940s.
.the related ‘commemorative’ portrait porcelain plates . . .
while fillmmaker BRETT LAND, and BRETT ‘SWEET TOOTH” NELSON – take up their instruments again, this time in front of the big mosaic. . .
ALBERTO MAGNAN, the gallery’s co-owner and co-director – also enjoying the musical goings on. . . . and why not. he’s got a hit show on his hands.
on the right, performance artist LARA ALLEN, who sang some witty nautical ditties dedicated to Duke – at the opening. with
her friend, REBECCA GOYETTE – in the Education Department at MoMA/Musuem of Modern Art . .
at the center, sculptor MATT CRANE, originally from Missouri, been here in the Big Apple going on – 15 years now.
ok. one last shot – BRETT LAND – the banjo playing, SVA grad train-riding – assistant to Duke Riley filmmaker . . .
BRETT NELSON aka SWEET TOOTH NELSON, and yeah check him out !!
SWEET TOOTH NELSON & more SWEET TOOTH NELSON !!
and p.s. he has a record launch at Northeast Kingdom – in Brooklyn – Bushwick – next week – Wed March 9. his set starts at 9 pm.
and he’s got 2 young filmmakers following him around for – VANS !!
ADAM MEADS . . .
and AUSTIN PEELER.
of course the very last word goes to the man of the moment himself, DUKE RILEY. savoring the night at the near conclusion of the opening – amid the ‘fruits’ of some pretty incredible Americana time travel -.with one eye looking back, and the other looking straight ahead, under a black pirate’s patch. ha.
DUKE RILEY EAST RIVER TATTOO/IMAGE FROM HIS WEBSITE . .
yeah, most def check out: DUKE RILEY / ARTIST – PATRIOT
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
~DUKE DUKE DUKE RILEY !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | March 3rd, 2011, 2:11pm
FROM DU DU DUALITY . . . TO SING SING SINGULARITY !!
(Yeah Josh Harris’ favorite word, I know. . . and he should know, he did a nice flame-out, himself.)
(just saying . . . )
. . . taking about spectacular flame-outs – RICHARD HAMBLETON, CHARLIE SHEEN and all . . .
last year MR. BRAINWASH just just missed the ALEXANDER McQUEEN – FLAME-OUT BY SUICIDE . . . which happened the very afternoon of MR. BRAINWASH’S – NEW YORK CITY debut solo show – called “ICONS” – what else ?
we called him out on it, at the opening. yeah, he got a little pissed. but, hey maybe he was just – way way ahead of the game.
. . . cause he did catch this year’s JOHN GALLIANO – FLAME-OUT by ANTI-SEMITIC TIRADE !! !!
could it be just a coincidence that Mr. Galliano’s big boss – CHRISTIAN DIOR CEO SIDNEY TOLEDANO – is Jew . . .
if you read between the lines – the fashion insiders are saying Galliano was already under the gun – “past his creative peak” and getting the red flags of an imminent heave-ho, and good bye ole pirate. and maybe . . . that was why he was under such stress. as to play out.
see: INSIDE JOHN GALLIANO’S DEMONS/Fashion pals reveal how the eccentric designer lost his mind /NEW YORK POST/MARCH 2, 1011
hey. we know one biggie in the art world – no names – he has one more than four drinks – and the games up. he starts seriously punching.
hard. even at gala Met openings. no joke. no I wasn’t there – but I have it from an indisputable – firsthand source. who, yeah. did get punched hard, in the shoulder.
MR. BRAINWASH, ‘JOHN GALLIUANO’, silkscreen on canvas, 42 x 42 in.
MR. BRAINWASH aka THIERRY GUETTA. a wall of icons . . . in his NYC debut solo show last year.
‘MR. BRAINWASH PRESENTS ICONS’ – FEB 11 – MARCH 3, 2010
in a pop-up gallery in the western-most fringe of the Meatpacking District.
for more opening night pix: including an appearance by SWIZZ BEATZ, check out: A NIGHT of PORTRAIT CONTRASTS/artlovers archive/scroll down . . .
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
~FLA FLA FLAME-OUT/MR BRAINWASH !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | March 2nd, 2011, 8:08pm
BANKSY/WHERE’S HOLLYWOOD/IMAGE COURTESY/GRAFITTERS
well . . . that about says it all. no more words, necessary, except maybe – amen.
and, going nowhere fast – unless of course – you count in Charlie Sheen . . .
BANKSY/DUALITY/IMAGE COURTESY: GRAFITTERS
one of the most interesting aspects of Banksy’s work is his: duality !!
visually: its found most simply in his ability to marry realist stencil work – with free form gestures . . .
street-wise: its his ability to marry social commentary – on property not belonging to him – and come up smelling roses. as opposed to thug. or vandal.
movie-wise: of course the stroke of brilliance regarding his film – ‘EXIT FROM THE GIFT SHOP’ – was how he turned around a documentary on himself – to one that featured the original doc – archival cameraman/would be filmmaker/documentarian – THIERRY GUETTA – aka MR BRAINWASH – as the artist. and the turn around – wasn’t that hard to follow, either. in fact – it was huge fun. everybody got the joke !!
BANKSY RAT/IMAGE COURTESY: BookFreeq
BANKSY RAT/IMAGE COURTESY:GRAFFITERS/ORIGINAL SOURCE APPEARS TO BE: UNURTH
RICHARD HAMBLETON, NOVEMBER 2009, NYC. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH/artloversnewyork.com
now, I don’t have a photo of BANKSY, but I do have some (recent) pix of RICHARD HAMBLETON aka the SHADOWMAN . . .
as yes, some people do call him: THE RAT !!
he surfaced at VLADIMIR’S art event of last year – on the LOWER EAST SIDE.
RICHARD HAMBLETON. NOV 2009. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
he surfaced like some latter day MARAT – out of the sewers – of drug use and extreme hardcore lifestyle – to put it mildly – just like a rat !!
the proverbial inner city rat. some people might call that: crackhead in short – streetwise parlance.
you couldn’t really say Richard has the same depth of intellectual range or talent as Banksy – but if Banksy paints the inner city rat – Richard Hambleton – is the rat – and that’s enough duality for me !!
and hey, read on – I’m not hating on him !!
I’m starting to see that as a big YES !! YES on the street cred & authenticity . . yes – on the dark side of the moon.
off and running – back into the shadows of the night.
RICHARD HAMBELTON, NOV 2009. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
now don’t get me wrong.
I never really got into Hambleton’s work – until I witnessed the OSCARS of 2011. when a light when on.
briefly put:
when things are really bad – and even Banksy statements – no matter how succinct – seem like a happy pill – maybe, just maybe – you really do need a real inner city cartpetbagger – a true night time stalker !! to take the world down – !!
RICHARD HAMBELTON, NOV 2009. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
THE SHADOWMAN returns to the – dark side. the dark anonymity of the night time city streets. the mean streets . . . the dark side of the street. where the evil – truly lurks.
ARTWORK BY RICHARD HAMBELTON aka THE SHADOWMAN/IMAGE COURTESY: MIX206
of course his work, through pretty much one dimensional visually, and all pretty much the same – does have its own half-witted duality.
his dancing in-the-flames gypsy-like cowboys and hardcore street denizens – are dancing. in the flames.
get it ?
5 RIVINGTON ST, EAST STOREFRONT just off the BOWERY, LOWER EAST SIDE, NYC – PHOTO: NANCY SMITH, NOV 2009.
5 RIVINGTON ST – EAST STOREFRONT: now home to THIERRY GOLDBERG GALLERY – this used to be a hardcore artists’ storefront – first RICHARD HAMBELTON’S – when he was as the peak of being – THE SHADOWMAN – and, of course FORREST GUMP of the artworld, that I am – don’t ask, just go figure – – you know just like that woman who knit all the way through the FRENCH REVOLUTION while MARAIS took hot baths – as Paris burned – – it was I who lived there next, with SIMON CERIGO and our 2 small children – Kate and Theo . . .
5 RIVINGTON – THE DOOR TO THE 5 STORY MULTIPLE DWELLING. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH, NOV 2009.
RICHARD HAMBELTON sublet it to us – in 1987 – and we promptly put a concrete wall up -in place of the plate glass storefront window.
it was a rough and wild frontier at the time. drug wars on the roof !! battle-scared and sleazy disease-ridden 2 dollar hookers on the corners. idiots OD-ing outside – on the sidewalk night and day. (but we had a beautiful garden, goldfish pond and all – in the backyard !!)
and Jean Michel lived just around the corner.
so the story is: RICHARD took our money for the rent – something like $400/mo. !! – but never gave it to the landlord.
what else do you expect from a true prince of the night.
5 RIVINGTON – TODAY, WITH THE GATE – DOWN. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
and it put us at serious jeopardy. the landlord threw eviction notices at us – and we ended up in landlord tenant court.
because of course Richard was nowhere to be found – to set things right. and I guess he didn’t have the dough, anymore either.
but funny thing is:
one: NYC courts don’t take kindly to families, even artist families – (never mind without ‘documentation’ – a story for another day) – with small children being evicted for such nefarious goings-on . . .
two: turns out long story short – the storefront didn’t have the proper C. of O. (certificate of occupancy) to rent out as residential – and we were in landlord tenant court for 8 years – all the while living there rent-free – til the landlord paid us $50,000 to get out.
the ‘5’ at the top of the -notorious – door. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
so I’m thinking, all in all – hey, maybe Richard wasn’t such a bad guy after all . . . ??!!
5 RIVINGTON ST – BUZZER. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
on the left you can see the original buzzer – it hasn’t changed in all the these years – over 20, almost 24 yrs. !!
5 RIVINGTON ST. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
its frozen in time – a veritable cultural artifact !!
and probably broken just like it was, even back then.
I say – artifact – because . . .
5 RIVINGTON ST/BUZZER UP-CLOSE. PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
R. HAMBELTON – is still – !! – listed as the occupant of APT # 1 !!
THE NEW AGE – !! – IMMIGRANT – LOWER EAST SIDE – ‘ARTIST’ FAMILY of the EAST STOREFRONT – 5 RIVINGTON ST.
LOWER EAST SIDE. NYC /1990. PHOTO BY NANCY SCOT ROBINSON.
SIMON CERIGO and NANCY SMITH – the scribbler of these pages – with KATE & THEO . . . ca. 1990.
and yeah, pretty much if you are gonna resurrect RICHARD HAMBELTON, I guess eventually, you’re gonna have to resurrect SIMON – the first T-SHIRT & HARDCORE POSTER COLLAGE ARTIST !! – and his pal, the incredibly talented artist & photographer – DAN ASHER & I guess, when finality finally does come push – to shove – ME !!
SO FILE UNDER: what goes around comes around – or – HA. what’s mightier ?
he holds the gallery lease – or he who has the poetic voice ?
the du du duality of NYC – 2011. in a nutshell.
~DU DU DUALITY/BANKSY VS SHADOWMAN !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | March 2nd, 2011, 12:19pm
and finally L.A. – gets it.
or at least the LOS ANGELES TIMES – DOES !!
in a nice post dated FEBRUARY 24, 2011 by ALEXANDRA LE TELLIER – is that name for real ? – they have got some great great pix – apparently BANKSY leaves a pictorial trail – wherever he goes – and, he must be in L.A. cause his ‘EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP’ is up for an Oscar !!
maybe they got their cool – a lesson learned (?) from the recent over-reaction to, and censorship of L.A.’s MOCCA – over their dollar bill-draped . . . mural by BLU – that got white-washed over within 24 hrs of the making, and stirred up a big backlash.
see: GOOD-BYE FREEDOM of SPEECH/artlovers
ALLEGED RECENT BANKSY MURAL IN L.A./PHOTO COURTESY: LOS ANGELES TIMES
THIS IS THE LEAD PHOTO . . . COOL or WHAT. and, if you can’t figure out the pictorial irony – you are a lost cause.
and just like the best, which he is – Banksy nails it. not just metaphorically – but in real-time.
yeah, damn straight. if you are gonna have terrorists plotting to “plant explosives in dolls and place them in strollers” – you are gonna have to start arming – the kindergarten set !!
see: FEDS FOIL TOY TERROR/NEW YORK POST/FEB 25, 2011
am I joking ? I just don’t know.
besides which, it is a great ironic image – and everybody finally got it – that Banksy doesn’t mean: kids – go out and shoot everybody up.
but: kids, so sad. so sorry for the world we are bringing you into.
there are so many great new L.A. – BANKSY forays – chronicled in the article, I can’t resist grabbing a few more:
PHOTO COURTESY: LOS ANGELES TIMES
NYC POSTERBOY – EAT YOUR HEART OUT.
(in fact POSTERBOY is languishing in a NYC jail for defacing subway ads.)
PHOTO COURTESY: LOS ANGELES TIMES
PHOTO COURTESY: LOS ANGELES TIMES
the accompanying text – is pretty street smart, too !!
it starts:
“the elusive graffiti artists Banksy, whose film, “Exit Through the Gift Shop” is nominated for an Academy Award . . . made his mark in the underground art scene by developing an anti-establishment persona — one that’s shrouded from the public eye. So it’s not surprising that, while the rest of of the Oscar nominees prepare for Sunday’s Academy awards with interviews and appearances . . . Banksy has gone counter-culture. Forget full-page ads in Variety. He’s building buzz with new graffiti art popping up all over L.A.”
and concludes with the question: has Banksy gone too far ?
“Not at all, says our editorial board:
Oscar campaigns are all about visibility – – a carefully calibrated amount, of course – – and self-promotion. But Banksy is managing to mock the rituals and the self-seriousness of the Academy Awards even as he promotes himself. As best we can tell, he doesn’t crave true invisibility nor is he issuing any Garbo-esque demands to be left alone. He’s playing a coy “Where’s Banksy” game, and so far, it’s been fun to watch.”
{you can just detect the warning, or the pre-empting legal stance between the lines:
ok. it’s been fun, Banksy – but, don’t go overboard – don’t cross the line with too much property damage or deface anything really serious !! ha. no dollar bill-draped vet coffins.}
and the final words:
“If Academy officials are worried that Banksy might do something bizarre on Oscar night, our advice is not only to get over that, but to invite him back next year as a presenter.” amen.
well, at least they know what side their bread is buttered on.
a whole lot more people are gonna be watching to see what happens if Bansky actually wins – since he has never shown his face in public. ever. and what are they gonna do – jump up and arrest him – like they did to Shepard Fairey in Boston ?
OBEY THE RULES.
OH, if only to be in L.A.
I bet there are a whole bunch of conniving, scheming young punk wannabes, a whole new crop of next generation MR. BRAINWASH-ES with cameras, even if just cell phone cameras, stalking the scene – hanging out maybe even around Mr. Brainwash’s house, 24/7 – trying to pick up on, to divine – a new ‘stranger’ on the block – is that Banksy ?
or, are you gonna tell me Bansky walks around in disguise 24/7 ??!!
yo, if you’ve got it – send me the money-shot !! that must be the most-wanted paparazzi shot of the decade, if not the century. that photo would bounce around the world – in a nano-second !! forget Alfredo Martinez at Exit Art in 1999.
read: the LOS ANGELES TIMES / OPINION – piece – ‘Hollywood: Banksy redefines the Oscar campaign’ & check-out the rest of the cool Banksy mural sightings – here !!
UP-DATE: MON FEB 28, 2011 – 11:29 AM
yeah, well the OSCARS were the pits.
the only fun bit – was when JAMES FRANCO lightened up – in drag !! he makes for a beautiful woman. even next to ANNE HATHAWAY.
and RUSSELL BRAND was the only incandescent presenter – next to Helen Mirren’s French.
and oh yeah, that auto-song HARRY POTTER and THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – bit – was sweet too, loved that movie.
but Banksy got snowed out. no play whatsoever. not even one shot of MR. BRAINWASH in the audience, so we could see if anyone Banksy-like was seated beside him. who knows, maybe Banksy is going around – in drag.
and yeah the Academy pretty much toed the institutional line – alluded to the LOS ANGELES TIMES above – and only showed a ‘legit’ photo from ‘EXIT’ – in its don’t blink nominated moment. and I do mean moment. as in nano-second. so disappointing.
only next to ‘NOWHERE BOY’ – not getting any recognition – at all.
this was the only image that flashed on screen:
PHOTO COURTESY: LOS ANGELES TIMES
the ‘elephant’ in the room’ – from his legit 2006 L.A. warehouse show.
and I am willing to bet my last dime – that that lounging laughing, grinning ‘random’ guy reading a paper – on the couch – is Banksy himself. . . aka ‘the elephant in the room’.
the Oscars was so bad – it actually made Banksy’s delightful and gently chiding – wall ‘murals’ – seem way passe, last generation. and thank god they do not show up in New York City. grit time in the severely wormy Big Apple.
in fact I’m so turned off – I’m even beginning to think – maybe VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD and ANDY VALMORBIDA – have a point in resurrecting that dark, evil, and scuzzy scabby rat-like RICHARD HAMBLETON – aka the shadowman . . .
bye the way, VLAD – just happened upon your fab – and I do mean that – fashion statement piece in the NEW YORK TIMES SUNDAY STYLE SECTION of FEB 20, 2011 . . . ha. well written dude. congrats – its hard not to come off as a pretentious rich kid – and still talk about “my Armani black jacket, black shirt, Hermes scarf, some black jeans and black vintage boots” !!
you are doing all right, by me.
all the power to ya – oh truly – hip and young – 26 yr. old !!
VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD – in the NEW YOUR TIMES STYLE SECTION – WITH WHAT LOOKS TO BE A ‘NEW’ – CAUSE IT’S SLIGHTLY MORE CHARMING & UP-BEAT – AS OPPOSED TO SOUR, DARK, THREATENING & BITTER – RICHARD HAMBLETON aka THE SHADOWMAN – CANVAS – BEHIND HIM !!
BUT THEN YO, WHAT’S THE POINT ?!!
just joking, dudes !! fire is fire. most of his work – is dancing gypsy cowboy shadows – erupting out of the flames . . . I know. I get it. calm down. you
PHOTO: BY HIROKO MASUIKE for the NEW YORK TIMES
READ: ‘WHAT VLADIMIR WORE’ – CHLOE MALLE/NEW YORK TIMES/STYLE SECTION/FEB 20, 2011 !!
~BANKSY PAINTS THE TOWN/and finds the dark side of the moon . . . aka THE SHADOWMAN |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 27th, 2011, 12:28am
DUKE RILEY: Two Riparian Tales of Undoing
opens to-nite: FRI FEB 25, 2011/6-8
the show runs: FEb 28 – APRIL 9. 2011
MAGNAN MERTZ GALLERY – 521 W 29th St – at 10th AVE – CHELSEA, NYC
you remember DUKE RILEY, right ?
he’s the guy who scored the NEW YORK POST cover – a Saturday cover no less, back in AUGUST of 2007 – for his tiny wooden submersible that surfaced in the New York City harbor – right next to the QUEEN MARY – a huge ocean liner !!
his home-made submersible, which he called ‘The Acorn’ – was in fact a replica based on the first military ‘submarine’ ever – ours of course – ‘The Turtle’ – which went into operation during the Revolutionary War. boy, President’s Week – is having a great show of support – this year.
yep, the cover heading was: SUB MORON !!
read more: DUKE RILEY scores NEW YORK POST cover !!
read more: DUKE RILEY/After the Battle of Brooklyn !!
note: PIX !! – FROM THE AMAZING – PACKED – AND SUPER-CHARGED – FUN – OPENING – POSTING EARLY – NEXT WEEK !!
OH, YEAH !!
~DUKE RILEY NYC OPENING: TO-NITE !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 25th, 2011, 9:20am
ALFREDO MARTINEZ: New Work After China
FEB 24- APRIL 9, 2011
Althingsproject @ Neighborhood Church of Greenwich Village/NCGV
269 Bleecker St – bet 6 & 7th Ave, West Village, NYC
PIX – FROM THE OPENING – FEB 24, 2011
ALFREDO was in fine form – and in good spirits.
(and nice haircut, dude !!)
ALFREDO MARTINEZ – our earth – aka – the world . ‘drawing’ on hand-made collaged paper.
. . . perhaps inspired by showing in a Church storefront gallery – Alfredo took a new tack – and went global – as if to talk to world peace ?
it was a neat departure from the guns – yet just as evocative. and yep, pretty much every artist who works within the ‘gun’ genre is for peace, not terror. it’s just well – everything in this world, and even this country – is settled by violence and force – is it not ?
yeah Alfredo – it’s a great piece – really love it.
but let’s start at the beginning, it’s a nice narrative. and it was a sweet place to find our recent political escapee from China – !!
as you walk west down Bleecker St – you see the NCGV/NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWICH VILLAGE CHURCH – banner.
so, it turns out – the NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH GREENWICH VILLAGE is essentially a storefront church – and the first floor is devoted to a gallery for the visual arts – how nice. it was a fun opening – they actually served some really good white wine.
checking out Alfredo’s big gun collages . . .
ALFREDO makes his gun drawings on big sheets of paper he hand collages together himself.
another sense of the scale of the work – on the wall.
ALFREDO MARTINEZ (seated) with the show’s curator: SAMUEL W. KHO.
(I’m curious about how they first crossed paths – gonna make a point to ask Alfredo bout that – next time I see him . . . )
artist – SETH “they call me Daddy” McBRIDE !!
Alfredo Martinez (R) – with his friend – T.J.
ADAM TYSON, a big fan of Alfredo’s and a friend of SAM KHO – the show’s curator.
Adam is a painter and a writer – you can follow him: here – Adam Tyson
one of Alfredo’s small robot drawings . . .
Alfredo was looking kinda Buddha-like . . . at the opening . . .
but no doubt, he had one of his “Saturday nite specials” at his side. actually he told me it was “street legal” – a piece of metal blocked the barrel – so it could not fire – and he had brought it to the opening in that cardboard box.
look, Alfredo just has an innate ability to build and assemble guns – and that about sums it up – in a nano-nutshell. in a different time & place – that would be a good thing – or: just wait and see.
or look back.
to the brave young Maryland soldiers of the Revolutionary War of 1776 – who fought and died – at the Old Stone House – in the Battle of Brooklyn !!
same genes, dude. amen.
guns and Americans – it’s our history. get it ? it’s in our blood. dude.
in fact later, in his ‘artist’ talk Alfredo said he had been raised in SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN !!
He said his dad had owned a junk shop – and often guns, most likely illegal and real Saturday night specials – would turn up for trade and sell.
there’s nothing more natural than seeing Alfredo handle a gun.
he told me – he made it from a kit. according to Alfredo – apparently you can buy the parts online for $50 – or was that $450 !!???
it’s a PPS43 – whatever the hell – that is. but it’s an assault rifle – period.
actually Alfredo was looking for a pretty girl to hold it – and up first was – BRIGID !!
and yeah. she got the hang – of it !!
KATE wanted a try, too. anybody evil thinking of invading Williamasburg – look out !!
never mind terrorists plotting to – plant bombs in baby dolls – in baby carriages – throughout the city, but in particular at the Empire State Building.
see: a blood-thirsty Saudi Arabian college student was busted in Texas for a sickening plot to pack baby dolls with explosives, put them in strollers and set them off . . . / aka ‘the toy terror’ / NEW YORK POST/FEB 25, 2011
aka – ‘FEDS FOIL BABY-DOLL PLOT’ – !! – you just can’t make that stuff – up !!
and that was just yesterday’s !! headline. so . . .
so. don’t ask me again – why I think artists, esp NYC artists – and the kids who grew up here post 9/11 – are fascinated by guns.
enough said.
yikes. SETH McBRIDE – poster boy for – NYC artists – want guns !!
ok. time for the serious stuff. curator SAM KHO, on the right – asks Alfredo about his secret incarceration in China.
and it was sobering.
According to Alfredo – he spent 3 years in China – and the last 3 weeks of that 3 year span – in secret detention.
According to Alfredo he was tortured by the Chinese secret police. things like he was made to stand 24 hrs a day. he was put into stress positions – where you are told to hold a small object – like a book – but are not allowed to put it down – for hours. he was allowed no sleep.
he was in fear of losing his life, for real. He was kept in conditions just warm enough that he would not get hypothermia – i.e. ‘the cooler’. he was eating food that was supposed to be ‘steamed’ hot dog buns – but was in reality – he thinks – ‘crushed’ cardboard. he was terrified – that’s for real. he was held improperly – that’s for real.
watching Alfredo’s talk – American/Chilean filmmakers – NICO and KATIUSHKA. now based in Brooklyn, they were in China – when Alfredo was there, 2007-08. and they have footage of Alfredo in China – talk about video gold, dude. they are currently working on a documentary about Alfredo and that time . . . hope to keep you up-dated on that !!
also dropping by – JACK CASTILLO – an Alfredo pal from the notorious GREENEHOUSE SQUAT – days . . . in Soho – pre-China.
(need we say more ??!!)
and long-time Alfredo pal: EMIL MEMON. he let Alfredo stay in his house in the Lower East Side in 1991.
along with the big gun pieces on huge sheets of thick hand-made paper – Alfredo also had a few of his ‘rough’ sketches up on the wall . . .
it was fun to see how Alfredo “thinks” – visually – and how ‘collage’ in his case – is more of ‘note’ taking – than a decoration . . .
(apart from the collaging of his big sheets of hand-made paper – that is . . . )
super loved this one !! so funny, and whimsical – from such a big tough guy !!
and, what about this one – a “folding submachine gun” – a “personal defence weapon” – !!
(defence – sic !!)
and, note the date – 2009 B.C. !! – is that for: BEFORE CHINA ??
one of his robot – studies . . beautiful or what. elegant. fluid. realistic. dimensional. the whole 9 yards.
and yes. he did make them life-size. showed them at P.S.1 and in several Chelsea galleries – back in the day – pre-2001.
(the most notable – was called: PIG MAN !! a story – for another day.)
and yep. just as you would expect from a convicted art forger – Alfredo copyrights – and codes !! – his signature !!
yeah. calligraphy and code. amen.
just as we were leaving – we note the proverbial !! – “writing on the wall”:
For of Him
and through Him
and to Him
are all things
to whom
be glory forever
Amen.
ROMANS 11:36
Adam Tyson told us – this Bleecker St. Church is currently considered extremely happening & relevant, esp to young people in the city seeking spiritual guidance.
JESSE PETERSON – who gives popular weekly lectures at the NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH GREENWICH VILLAGE/NCGV – on Sunday nights at 7 PM.
JONATHAN COWAN – who had the show previous to Alfredo’s in the storefront gallery.
he hails from SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – and told me he has many quilt makers in his family.
and what’s this beside the door – some archival magazine articles – on Alfredo !!
and yes – that is MY photo . . . meaning, I took it.
ALFREDO MARTINEZ at EXIT ART – MARCH 1999.
as Kate said: “you guys – were so young, at the time”.
what, only 13 years ago – how time flies.
my photo of Alfredo’s – large scale ‘gun’ drawing on collaged paper – also from about the same time.
one of the BASQUIATS – Alfredo copied – that was shown as – ‘evidence’ – in his 2002 BASQUIAT FORGERY trial !!
what a caper.
it was my photos of Alfredo – that kick-started my photo-journalist career – I just sort of backed into it – from taking casual snapshots of my friends at work. When Alfredo got convicted of art forgery, technically – wire fraud – and was sent to jail for 2 years – you can imagine how that rocked the art world, esp the blue chip – big money secondary market art world !! esp as regarding hotter-than-hot as in serious dough – as in BIG !! BIG !! money – Basquiats !! ha. the story got lots of ink. lots of media coverage. plus it was funny. like the Three Stooges.
The Man Who Would be Basquiat !!
Since I was the only one – with any photos – of him and his work – I had a nice little cottage industry going on there for a little while – sending, make that: selling !! pix of him – all over the world – !! magazines, tabloids, you name it.
not half bad for a quilt maker. make that archival quilt restorer.
and well . . . as regards the art world.
you just never know. do ya ?
GUNS & QUILTS . . . AMERICA IN A NUTSHELL – OR WHAT ?
ALFREDO MARTINEZ. POLITICAL PRISONER ?
anyways – just to turn the nite around, a little more skewed our way – afterwards me and Kate went to check out the newest hot spot – THE BROOKLYNEER . . .
a new bar and restaurant on lower West Houston . . . just around the corner from Bleecker St. actually pretty much opposite the FILM FORUM.
it aims to bring the best of the must-have Brooklyn ‘artisanal’ dining-out experience – closer to home for Manhattanites . . .
(the collaged “dimensional” Brooklyn Bridge mural . . .”is the brainchild of Wiiliamsburg’s DOMESTIC CONSTRUCTION”, and the “30-foot long bar top – was once part of the old Coney Island boardwalk”.)
so we don’t have to go running all the way over Brooklyn. funny thing was – Kate’s friends were coming all the way over here, from Brooklyn !! – to meet up – to say good-bye to a pal – who was departing NYC – for L.A.
go figure.
and, yeah, the food and the drinks – were that – good !!
THE BROOKLYNEER – 220 WEST HOUSTON ST – TAPROOMS, SPIRITS & BROOKLYN FARE
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH – except for the one – THE BROOKLYNEER WEBSITE PHOTO – ABOVE/OBVIOUSLY – !!
~ALFREDO MARTINEZ: NCGV/THE OPENING – NEW PIX JUST POSTED !! – SAT FEB 26/6:15 PM !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 25th, 2011, 9:07am
‘ALFREDO MARTINEZ: NEW WORK AFTER CHINA’ / FEB 24 – APRIL 9, 2011
CURATED BY – SAMUEL W. KHO
OPENING RECEPTION: 7-9 PM, THURSDAY, FEB 24, 2011
ALLTHINGSPROJECT @ NCGV/NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH OF GREENWICH VILLAGE
269 BLEEKER ST – bet 6th & 7th AVE – NEW YORK CITY, NY
note: PLEASE CALL FOR GALLERY HOURS – or – TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
1-626-757-5600 / 1-212-691-1770
ALFREDO MARTINEZ will be giving an ‘artist’ talk – at the opening reception to-nite – FEB 24, 2011 – scheduled to begin at 8 PM !!
with LIVE MUSIC by – HELIOTROPES at 8:30 PM – SUGGESTED ADMISSION: $5.
‘ALFREDO MARTINEZ: NEW WORK AFTER CHINA’ – is “the first exhibition of Allthingsproject in 2011, the third year of exhibitions organized by curator SAMUEL KHO. The curatorial appointment is made possible by a generous grant from the Mustard Seed Foundation, matched by individual gifts. Allthingsproject and its gallery are part of the Neighborhood Church of Greenwich Village (NCGV), a house of worship that unabashedly supports cutting-edge visual practices, thoughtful lectures, as well as music and spoken word performances.”
more info at: allthingsproject.wordpress.com and ncgv.net
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares . . . Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Book of Isaiah 2:4)
“Beat your plowshares into swords
And your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.'” (Book of Joel 3:10)
Allthingsproject is “pleased to present a solo exhibition with ALFREDO MARTINEZ, the first after his three-year experience in China. Martinez was missing the ol’ “True Grit” of New York City, and so he went to work overseas.He brought back homey tales, such as of donkeys carrying coal in Beijing streets, but he also barley escaped, after three weeks of harrowing detainment by their secret police. His friends include those in the highest levels of China’s cultural elite; but true to form, his recent travails supersede his previous, news-making incarceration for forging Basquaits.”
tell me about !!
ALFREDO MARTINEZ just barely escapes with his life – from secret detention in CHINA – and arrives safely back home – to the sanctuary of the new JOSH HARRIS headquarters – in WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN – where he savors the comfort & laughs of his first NEW YORK POST – in a long long time !!
ALFREDO MARTINEZ – or – THE BIG BEAR – as some of his friends like to call him – looking like a puppy – glad to be home – after months in secret detention in China.
he has JOSH HARRIS (L) to thank for – for tracking him down, and getting him out – with the help of the well-connected Canadian arts writer BYRON HAWES – who is stationed in CHINA . . .
these photos were taken at Josh’s loft in Williamsburg – less than 24 hrs after Alfredo was unceremoniously deported – and sent home on a one-way QATAR AIRWAYS flight.
you’ll note: Alfredo is still wearing his QATAR flight pouch !!
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. JOSH HARRIS LOFT/WILLIAMSURG, NY. AUGUST 15, 2010
read more: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ALFREDO ?/artloversnewyork
read more: ALFREDO/LOST & FOUND !!/artloversnewyork
so, people are asking me – why did ALFREDO GET IMPRISIONED In CHINA ?
well the first thought – that comes to mind – is: how did a convicted felon ever get to China in the first place. never mind the gun skills. (and the authority issues !! ha.) Alfredo served 2 years for FELONY FRAUD regarding that BASQUIAT CAPER, which, yes is all too real – and, as one wag expressed at the trial – “he makes some preety damn good Basquiates !!”. . .
(he also claims to have some ‘KEITH HARINGS’, floating about – out there in the secondary art market . . .)
second: he was no longer living with the NYC artist collective that had sponsored him but was haunting a Beijing Internet cafe – much like he does now – when he is in NYC – and “squatting at a friend’s countryside hut that he calls ‘my little TED KACZYNSKI (aka the unabomber !!) setup” . . . as reported in no less than a NEW YORK TIMES article by DAN LEVIN on ex-pat artists in China !! (published & posted the net – JAN 8, 2010.)
does that help ?
if not, how about this classic little Alfredo chestnut – from the same article: “One Afternoon in August 2007 the Beijing police burst into Alfredo Martinez’s hotel room, which was filled with drawings of guns and bombs, and demanded to know if he was a terrorist. The maid had found the sketches, which looked very much like blueprints, and the hotel alerted the authorities.
Mr. Martinez, a 6-foot-2-inch, 300 pound Brooklyn native, stood his ground. “You idiots,” he said, “I’m an arrtists. Either arrest me or get out”. The men in uniform left (that time !!) , but Mr. Martinez, 43. did not.”
see: FOR EXPATRIATES IN CHINA, CREATIVE LIVES of PLENTY- by DAN LEVIN. NEW YORK TIMES/JAN 8, 2010 !!
the article was accompanied by a couple of pix:
ALFREDO MARTINEZ – DRAWING in CHINA.
PHOTO BY: MIKE MATTILA/COURTESY: NEW YORK TIMES
PHOTO BY: MARC HUNGERBUHLER/COURTESY: NEW YORK TIMES
this one was accompanied by the following succinct caption – a quote by Mr. Martinez:
“In China there’s a certain kind of lawlessness,” he said, fingering the barrel of a mock assaultrifle he built from parts bought at Beijing feal markets.” “The whole countrys on the hustle. It’s like New York in the 70’s. I fit in here.”
yep – and no wonder you almost didn’t make it – alive – to tell the tale !!
and, if you still haven’t got the picture – here’s a few pix – of ALFREDO in CHINA – & – the guns he was building . . . and drawing !!
PHOTO COURTESY: ALFREDO MARTINEZ
PHOTO COURTESY: ALFREDO MARTINEZ
yep, ALFREDO is giving an ‘artist’ talk -to-nite !! – don’t know nobody who can talk the talk – and walk the walk – better than he !!
amen.
~ALFREDO MARTINEZ GIVES ‘ARTIST’ TALK/TO-NITE !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 24th, 2011, 11:34am
G-TRAIN SALON: ‘THE OLD STONE HOUSE, NEW HISTORIES’ . . .
featuring intense new graphite ‘Lodge Portrait’ drawings by BORIS RASIN, and a new site specific collaborative video by BORIS RASIN & KENNY KOMER – ‘OLD GLORY’ – as well as – bringing to the table – some really interesting works in various media – by ANDREW ZAROU, KAREN SCHOELLKOPF, MASON SALTARRELLI, HENRY CHUNG, and ROBERT WALDEN – all of whom are artists residing in and working out of BROOKLYN.
the show runs: FEBRUARY 1 – 27, 2011
and takes places on the 2nd floor – of the OLD STONE HOUSE – a restored colonial Dutch farmhouse – an actual site of a famous War of Independence skirmish which is now a small, but wonderfully maintained New York City – landmark museum.
5th Ave at 3rd St – in PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN.
this show is presented & curated by: JILL BENSON & KRISTA SAUNDERS of G-TRAIN SALON
note: they’ve got a closing party scheduled for this SUNDAY FEB 27 from 4-6 PM !!
OLD STONE HOUSE – WASHINGTON PARK/J J BYRNE PLAYGROUND
5th AVE at 3rd ST – PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN
F TRAIN to 4th Ave/9th St
G-TRAIN SALON is a “roving, conversation-based exhibition series that made its debut in FEB 2009 – and is a collaboration between two independent curators – KRISTA SAUNDERS and JILL BENSON . . . the G-TRAIN SALON presents a series of intimate exhibitions in which each artist leads a discussion with the audience . . . . ‘The Old Stone House, New Histories’ is an opportunity to showcase talent around PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN.”
you can also follow them on twitter: twitter.com/gtrainsalon
yep, check out both links – !! – a way fun way to spend a dark snowy day in NYC !!
see: G-TRAIN SALON
see: OLD STONE HOUSE, BROOKLYN
HERE’S SOME PIX – FROM THE WONDERFUL & FUN OPENING NITE RECEPTION !! – FEB 1, 2011.
so, BORIS RASIN, a young artist we have followed, along with his frequent collaborator KENNY KOMER – for a long long time – invited us to the opening of the newest roving G-TRAIN SALON show . . . . ‘G-TRAIN SALON: NEW HISTORIES’, at the OLD STONE HOUSE in PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN. FEB 1, 2011.
how fun to find ourselves – in a snowy snowy park at dusk – at a historic site – in a corner of Brooklyn – we had never happened upon – before !!
the landmark sign that greeted us, said:
During the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn – (the Battle of Independence from the colonial Brits) – Maryland Continental Soldiers under General William Alexander waged a crucial battle at this site. This Dutch farmhouse has been reconstructed.
and it is known as: the OLD STONE HOUSE, City of New York, Parks & Recreation
yah, it w-a-s: magical.
the first floor was chockfull of historical information and colorful displays.
hi, Kate !!
being an immigrant myself – I vowed to go back & skim, if not read that book – one day.
DAVID McCULLOUGH – 1776.
The British Plan / The American Defense.
. . . and take the time to carefully read the beautifully presented – history.
there was even a most fun & intensely detailed diorama – of the Battle of Brooklyn at Old Stone House . . .
wow.
when all of a sudden, in strolls our host – BORIS RASIN (L), with his pal, WALKER FEE.
check out: BORIS RASIN/ronkom !!
WALKER FEE turns out to be a very interesting artist too, check out: his website/walkerfee.com !!
and don’t miss his: WALKER FEE – TAPE ART – LESSON !!
upstairs where the exhibit is – Boris introduces us to – the G-TRAIN SALON curators: KRISTA SAUNDERS (L) and JILL BENSON.
right off the bat – the BORIS RASIN & KENNY KOMER collaboration – a video projection – titled: ‘Old Glory’ 2011, catches our attention.
very simply, but very effectively, esp history-wise and graphic design-wise . . .
this video chronicles the transformation & evolution of the American flag, from its earliest days – even before the American revolution – when it actually referenced the Union Jack . . .
through – 40 incarnations. . .
the video was projected just above a reproduction Dutch colonial fireplace !!
note the wooden shoes.
and the Delft tile around the mantle.
on either side of the BORIS RASIN & KENNY KOMER video – is the work of HENRY CHUNG.
like all the artists in the show – Henry Chung lives in Brooklyn, albeit off the beaten path – G-Train Salon, get it ?
HENRY CHUNG.
he lives in South Slope, Brooklyn, and maintains a studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
his portraits are historical in nature – based on vintage phootographs he finds in flea markets and antique shops.
you can see more of his work & thoughts: on his website – henrychung.com !!
across the way – this historical-looking painting by MASON SALTARRELLI – catches our attention – next.
but it wasn’t quite typical of his work – which was way – wild !!
as seen here behind: Beatrice, Forever-Young Cho, and Alexandra W.D.K.
painting by MASON SALTARRELLI – all his paintings are dated 1979 – his birthday. as he explained in his brief remarks.
MASON SALTARRELLI, painting on a found canvas, the figure in the foreground – is his.
Mason Saltarrelli resides in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
see: MASON SALTARRRELLI/ArtSlant !!
MASON SALTARRELLI and photographer KAREN SCHOELLKOPF.
Karen Schoellkopf resides in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn – and contributed 3 very beautiful photos to the show . . .
you can follow her – here: Karen Schoellkopf !!
(behind them – collage design constructionist works by – ANDREW ZAROU)
KAREN SCHOELLKOPF, ‘Waterfront, Buffalo, NY (Boat)’, 2006 – present.
digital c-print 30 x 20 in. ($350)
. . . of her hometown – Buffalo – apparently the “2nd most populous city in the state after New York City”.
and apparently Buffalo has seen better days, economically – since its early days of glory during the opening of the famed Erie Canal in 1825 . . .
but seems to have a great deconstructionist rusty historical edge – for a photographer with a sensitive eye !!
KAREN SCHOELLKOPF, ‘Waterfront, Buffalo, NY (Bethlehem Steel)’, 2006 – present.
KAREN SCHOELLKOPF, ‘Waterfront, Buffalo, NY (Red and Green)’, 2006 – present.
photographer KAREN SCHOELLKOPF with friend JEFF BAILEY, at the opening reception.
that collage constructivist piece mentioned above is by ANDREW ZAROU, here with his pal, BLAISE KEARSLEY.
Andrew Zarou hails from Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
wall by ANDREW ZAROU.
WORK BY ANDREW ZAROU.
ANDREW ZAROU, aluminum + paper on paper, approx 19 x 19 in. (in the range of $800 ea.)
ANDREW ZAROU, detail.
ANDREW ZAROU, detail.
check out more of his work: ANDREW ZAROU !!
kind of taking the complete opposite tack – mysterious drawings by ROBERT WALDEN – very soft & very splintery and fluid at the same time – these monotone line drawings were a little hard to catch by camera . .
though this detail is a little more graphic.
Mr. Walden calls them – ‘onotological road maps’ – onotological means – the branch of metaphysics that deals with – the nature of being !!
he resides in “the burgeoning artistic community” of South Slope, Brooklyn.
you can see his work more clearly: here – Robert Walden !!
a little late due to work – in walks KENNY KOMER, who collaborated on that great flag video with Boris Rasin.
they both hail from Midwood, Brooklyn – though I believe they both grew up in the Coney Island area.
they have a wonderful website: KENNY KOMER + BORIS RASIN !!
and this is CINDY CHOUNG – a close friend of Boris.
speaking of which – BORIS RASIN also contributed some totally great, right-on drawings – that he initially got off the web – but brought to life – in a wonderful grainy hand-wrought graphite style.
BORIS RASIN – he said his aim was to keep in mind – the weird and often mystic, as well as politically incorrect – associations – of our earliest founders.
BORIS RASIN, ‘LODGE PORTRAITS’, 2010 – 2011, pencil on gessoed MDF ($200 – $400 ea … a steal, if I ever did see one !!)
BORIS RASIN, ‘LODGE PORTRAIT’.
BORIS RASIN, ‘LODGE PORTRAIT’.
male and . . .
female.
think we’ll give the BORIS RASIN + KENNY KOMER – ‘OLD GLORY’ – flag video the last word . . .
especially as that’s Boris’ sister – MARINA RASINA – a young architect – in the photo !!
and a first generation American – to boot. their parents immigrated here – from Russia !!
back outside in the snowy mystical winter night – my own first generation American – Kate – lobs a . . .
snowball – yah !! another great NYC night, historic Battle of Independence Old Stone House landmark, and all !!
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
UP-DATE: SAT FEB 26, 2011 – 2:57 PM – MORE ABOUT THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN & THE OLD STONE HOUSE . . .
BATTLE OF BROOKLYN/IMAGE COURTESY: OLD STONE HOUSE
from the OLD STONE HOUSE HISTORICAL RECORDS & BROCHURES:
THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN: in August of 1776, the American Revolution erupted in Brooklyn.
The FIRST and LARGEST conflict of the revolution, the Battle of Brooklyn engulfed areas that are now familiar to all Brooklynites, including sites now occupied by the OLD STONE HOUSE and PROSPECT PARK.
3,000 American soldiers were surrounded by 25,000 British and Hessian soldiers intent on quickly ending the American rebellion. After a swift attack by the British, many Americans, in the hills of what would later become PROSPECT PARK, and along the GOWANUS ROAD near today’s Green-Wood Cemetery, were trapped behind enemy lines. Those who could, fled through muddy swamps and the Gowanus Creek in hope of reaching the American forts at BOERUM HILL, BROOKLYN HEIGHTS and FORT GREENE, but they came under fire from British cannons at the OLD STONE HOUSE.
To save them, an American general, William Alexander, Lord Stirling, led 400 young soldiers from MARYLAND and DELAWARE to cover the retreat.
Six times they attacked the 2,000 British soldiers at the Old Stone House. They captured the house twice, but with heavy casualties they had to give way. Their comrades ad safely escaped the British trap, and the remaining soldiers of the American army – 8,000 men watching from BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – were inspired by the young men’s sacrifice. There were 256 killed or captured at the OLD STONE HOUSE, part of the more than 1,000 casualties the Americans took during the battle. General Alexandr surrendered and was taken prisoner.
Despite the losses, Washington’s army remained largely intact, and two nights later was able to escape from BROOKLYN HEIGHTS to fight on and eventually prevail, die in large part to the history of the patriots at the OLD STONE HOUSE.
see: an interactive map – of the BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, here.
THE OLD STONE HOUSE – Site of the BATTLE Of BROOKLYN in 1776 & FIRST HOME of the BROOKLYN DODGERS in the 1880s.
J.J. BYRNE PARK/Fifth Ave at 3rd St – BROOKLYN
IMAGE COURTESY: THE OLD STONE HOUSE
. . . Originally built by CLAES ARENTS VECCCCCHTE in 1699 – this house – constructed solidly of stone, with high brick gables and a tile roof – is a landmark in American military and sports history, during the BATTLE Of BROOKLYN in August 1776, a regiment of about 400 volunteers form Maryland engaged a superior force of British and Hessian soldiers in a desperate defensive maneuver to enable other American troops to flee across the Gowanus marshes to the safety of Washington’s encampment on Brooklyn Heights. The Marylanders’ sacrifice became legend – a storied moment in a long war.
After the war’s end, the Cortelyou family owned the house for 1790 to 1850. In the following years, the land surrounding the old Vechte-Cortelyou farmhouse was filled to provide level building lots for fashionable row houses.
The square block around the battle shrine remained intact and became Washington Park in 1883. Its lawns were the summer home of the Brooklyn Baseball Club – later known as the Brooklyn Dodgers – which used the House as its first headquarters. In 1889 and 1890, the World Series was played at Washington Park, establishing the tradition of Brooklyn baseball.
Today, reconstructed from original stones near the original site, the OLD STONE HOUSE serves as an interpretive and educational center dedicated to Brooklyn history, as well as a cultural resource for the community.
Old Stone House is owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, operated by the Old Stone House of Brooklyn Inc., and is a member of the Historic House Trust. ~ above text from: historichousetrust.org
.
~OLD STONE HOUSE/BROOKLYN |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 21st, 2011, 1:40pm
of course the other absoluto brilliant show – in town is the:
JACK EARLY: JACK EARLY’S EAR CANDY MACHINE
which opened on Jan 21, 2011
and runs thru MARCH 5th, 2011 – at DANIEL REICH GALLERY – 537A W 23RD ST. CHELSEA
JACK EARLY – at the opening, which was yes. quite m-a-g-i-c.
cause you walked right into another black tunnel – the entire front room of the gallery – pitch black – bathed in black light !! except for a neon rainbow and a vintage victrola – the Ear Candy Machine !! – playing music composed and performed by Jack Early and a few friends.
quite beautiful entirely on its own . . .
with a white on white front panel !! yes.
it played music – wonderful and yet strange music – made by Jack and friends – on hand-pressed vinyl.
like the recent – over-played – and over-wrought – almost kinda desperate – ANSELM KIEFER show at GoGo’s – this show also spoke to the ceiling – but was so way – more succinct and well, cool. to the point. on point. and mysterious all at the same time. yet with so few elements . . and a true understated grace. much feeling frozen in time.
not to mention – great design elements. the rainbow around the ceiling.
the rainbow arc – down one wall.
and I guess you could say it was: interactive – how the black light played upon the crowd.
if you were wearing white – how fun !!
SECURITY !!
so, in strolled FLORIAN ALTENBURG . . .
FLORIAN ALTENBURG and his wife MAIKA POLLACK run Brooklyn’s SOUTHFIRST GALLERY. Maika is the curator and Florian is the man of all else. SOUTHFIRST gave Jack’s EAR CANDY MACHINE – its first showing about a year ago, in 2009.
they were standing in front of a big JACK EARLY canvas in the back room – his first in a new series of “combine” paintings.
JACK EARLY, ‘Not Yet Titled’, 2011.
Dimensions variable (panel 50 x 97 x 8 in.,barrel 15 x 18 x 13 in.)
wood, paper, printed linen, paper mache, wood cabinet, wallpaper, turn of the century wood beer barrel, farm rope.
yes, that is PAUL McCARTNEY at the left.
JACK EARLY, detail
JACK EARLY, detail
JACK EARLY, detail
it actually had a real live rope . . .
connecting to a vintage beer barrel !!
and a way strange little “medicine cabinet” – right in the middle – that contained . . .
a sort of cute nasty funny very green – gnome !!
giving the “finger” – is that an apple he holds ? you know. take the Big Apple & shove – it ??!!
LUCY ADELMAN, a friend of Jack Early’s from back home – North Carolina – now in NYC studying studio arts at SVA – is enjoying the show – too.
ok – so yeah – once upon a time JACK EARLY and ROB PRUITT were PRUITT-EARLY and this was one of their early pieces . . . Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk, oh yeah. 1992.
well, that would be: Captain Kirk and Dr. Spock !!
DANIEL McDONALD and DANIEL REICH – mortals among the legends – or, is it – the other way around ?
Daniel Reich and AMY GARTRELL.
both ROB PRUITT and JACK EARLY seem to share a knack for graphic design – as well as concept, cultural branding, and ingenuity.
JACK EARLY – ‘JACK STACK’ – ’19 stories’ – “this Jack Stack includes: The one about his dad telling him just ‘not to be gay’ / The Piggly Wiggly Ham Story. / When Jack had ESP for a whole summer !”
some contain music and lyrics by Jack. but the graphic design – is what got to us.
packaging. most def.
JACK EARLY (center) and pals, at the left DANIEL CASPERA, and on the right, friend and musician, JAMES PHAM.
Mr. Pham plays guitar on many of Jack’s compositions, including those currently playing the gallery – on the custom pressed vinyl – on the victrola.
JACK designed a really cool poster for the show – Big Apple. great tone of green, too. and he did sign some for fans !!
the signing of art, posters or books by any artist – always fascinating to watch.
JACK EARLY – smiley face !!
JACK EARLY – an intense – kinda laid-back combo of a super edgy talented musical kinda guy. great graphic designer. very interesting painter, and top-notch conceptualizer – on the rise, again.
JACK EARLY – JACK EARLY’S EAR CANDY MACHINE – up thru MARCH 5, 2011.
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
UP-DATE: TUES FEB 15, 2011 – 1:20 PM
P.S. DANIEL REICH just told me they posted a video for the show on YouTube – it’s quite the video – very vintage sounding !!
here’s the link: JACK EARLY’S EAR CANDY MACHINE/YouTube !!
~JACK EARLY’S EAR CANDY MACHINE !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 14th, 2011, 10:42pm
RETNA – at the opening of his first ever NYC solo show – last night – THURS FEB 10, 2011 – in a pop-up downtown west side New York City space – presented by ANDREW VALMORBIDA and VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD – and, yes they did BLOW everyone away – it was that great !!
it was beyond great – it was: MAGIC.
ANDY VALMORBIDA & VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD PRESENT:
RETNA: THE HALLELUJAH WORLD TOUR
FEBRUARY 10, 2011 – FEBRUARY 21, 2011
560 WASHINGTON ST – WEST SIDE, NYC
DAILY HRS: 10 AM – 6 PM
the magic started from the get-go – with a long black tunnel – entrance. it felt like a museum show already – yep. the production, the design, lighting, and concept of the show, the venue itself large with high ceilings – was that great. but this time around VLADIMIR and ANDY – had the most important element down too – the work. the work was superlative, cutting edge and well, damn well – historic.
and this is just a pop-up, dudes. better get over here this weekend – it comes down Monday Feb 21, 2011.
something about art – rhymes with fashion week !!
yeah he’s happy. no doubt about it. great show.
co-presenter (ANDY) ANDREW VALMORBIDA.
the very first impression – it reminded of the KEITH HARING shows – when he was at his peak.
wow. candle. calligraphy. mid-eastern, Hebrew, Persian, global ethnic LA tag – all the way !!
the paintings looked amazing in the space. great lightning. great spacing. nice title cards. beautiful beautiful lighting.
the artist – RETNA greets his fans !!
RETNA aka MARQUIS LEWIS is a native born and bred in Los Angeles, California in 1979. that makes him something like 32. a bonafide street artist – who came up from the streets – and made his “debut” in the mid-1990s – he has “participated in over 30 international exhibits” with “countless works in the public realm” – i.e. on the streets.
“An integral fixture in the Los Angeles art scene – since an early age the transcendent nature of RETNA’S work has allowed him to seamlessly transverse from the unregulated urban landscape to institutional galleries across the globe.”
this is his first – debut – solo show in New York City.
CARINE RESTOIN ROITFELD – VLADIMIR’S MOM and I think- one of his biggest fans.
(L) PM TENORE with RCHARD SACHS.
PM TENOT RE is credited with being acutrator int he shows ppaperwork – but whn presed – he diad no he “only brought them altogther’. good job from the man who does such a brillant job g for RVCA !!
the man himself – young curator VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD – with clothing designer STACEY BENDET.
VLADMIR has an eye for detail and design, that’s for sure. even the typography on the painting title cards – is ace.
STAVROS NIARCHOS – an integral part of this dynamic art ‘production’ crew.
and yah – there were a lot of beautiful women swirling around, for sure.
RETNA, Los Ninos De La Calle, 2011. 96 x 72 in., mixed media.
this piece of RETNA’S stood out, pun intended !! – as it was one the few, maybe the only – that was multi-dimensional. it’s image elements raised from the canvas in a shallow relief, as well as painted.
RETNA. Midnight Stalker (dipych), 2010. 72 X 120 in., oil & enamel on canvas.
hand-wrought calligraphy and ‘code’.
most were flatly painted . . . which is not to say they didn’t have their contrasts !!
the art of the muted color contrasts: silver on white. white on gray. gray on white. white on white. black on white. shiny on matte.
that’s about the sum of what’s interesting us all – at the moment. esp. calligraphy.
RETNA. It Doesn’t Hurt, 2011. 96 X 64 in., Acrylic on canvas.
Bradley, Raspa and Cheeto.
Chris Brown made the opening.
Cheeto showed me a photo – he had caught of him – earlier on in the evening. damn.
R.D. – visiting from L.A.
also in from L.A. – REVOK !!
also making the scene – on the left: PATRICK GRIFFIN – one of the best of the best of the local underground NYC scene.
don’t believe me ?
check out: PATRICK GRIFFIN
GREG LaMARCHE with his wife MIKEALA.
Greg LaMarche is also a big fave of mine – as well as alot of other people’s – for his own brand of ‘tagging’ and ‘block’ calligraphy – which although very stylized and visually compelling – both from a design and ‘fine art’ point of view – is very very different from Retna’s take.
MIKAELA – told me Greg has shows coming up in TORONTO and BOSTON.
you might know him better as S.P.ONE back in the day.
check out: GREG LaMARCHE
JULIAN GONZALEZ and MATT LALANDU
independent filmmaker and apparently big artlovers fan: ALLEN CORDELL
a wild new addition to the scene: COLIN T. McELROY – just 4 months into life in the East Village – from San Francisco. the West Coast. and yes, he says he misses surfing and can’t believe the snow – but is digging life in the big apple. and was here with a nice video camera.
COLIN told us L.A. based RETNA works with 2 West Coast crews – MSK and AWR. MAD SOCIETY KINGS and ANGELS WILL RISE. sometimes when they all work together – its MSKAWR – and they add the 7th letter – G (for God).
something about COLIN – speaks out – VOLCOM !! his dad designed their famous rock . . . logo.
check out: VOLCOMICS RELEASE PARTY/FUSE GALLERY/MAY 19, 2007 – scroll down – YOUNG CELEBS !!
RETNA
RETNA, detail
RETNA, detail
RETNA, detail
one last look . . . KNOW THY CODE.
VLADIMIR RESTOIN & ANDY VALMORBIDA PRESENT – RETNA: The Hallelujah World Tour/NEW YORK CITY/FEB 10-FEB 21, 2011.
then back through the looking glass . . .
even – the signage was great. like I said at the top: looked more like a museum show – than a pop-up.
if this is the way things are going – get in, and get out, make a big impression . . . and spread some lasting magic.
I would say – things are definitely heating up.
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
~RETNA TAKES NEW YORK BY STORM |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | February 11th, 2011, 9:27am
