. . . forget about next year in Jerusalem !! – it’s a big big par-tay !! to-nite in PHILLY !!
or FILE UNDER : SPEAKING ABOUT . . . . RELICS FROM OTHER REALMS !!
it’s the huge ‘PHILADELPHIA OUT OF PHASE’ – BOOK RELEASE PARTY & GROUP SHOW !!
to-nite FRI DEC 17, 2010 / 8PM – 11:30 PM
BODEGA GALLERY – 253 N. 3rd St. – PHILADELPHIA, PA (PENNSYLVANIA)
CURATED BY JUSTIN SAMSON
WITH PERFORMANCES BY:
DARREN FINIZIO, CHARMAINE’S NAMES, HOTT TUBB, ATHENA LLEWELLYN, MISS JANNEKE RAAPHORST & ERIN DUNN
‘PHILADELPHIA OUT OF PHASE’ – is PUBLISHED BY JUSTIN SAMSON
the book & the show features the artwork of PHILLY’S PROFOUNDLY & PROUDLY OFF-THE-WALL VIBRANT UNDERGROUND ART SCENE
INCL ARTWORKS BY:
LOGAN WHITE, DREW GILLESPIE, MATT BERRIAN, SAMANTHA GURRY, SIENNA CORDOBA, COLT HAUSMAN, MIKKI OLSON, RAUL DENIEVES, RELICS FROM OTHER REALMS, JUSTIN SAMSON, PINK HOUSE, HOWARD KLEGER, BOBO (!!), ANDREW SUGGS, KATIE MILLER, BRENT COWLEY, RYAN TRECARTIN, LIZZIE FITCH, JESSE GREENBERG, APRIL GLASER, BRANDON JOYCE, REDEMPTION CENTER, LINDSAY KOVNAT, ALEXANDRA GORCZYNSKI, BEN PHELAN, JONATHAN STEVENS, SOUTH PHILLY BIENNIAL, MULTIFACETED FEMALE, SLOW MO, BRIAN BELOTT, ANNIE PEARLMAN, ERIN DUNN, NICK PAYNE, PIFAS PLACE THE QUEUE, LINDSEY DICKSON, JONATHAN SANTORO, NETTLE FIZZ, PHIL COTE, LINDSEY BEEBE, and BRIAN MCKELLIGOT . . . over 40 artists altogether.
the e-poster was designed by DREW GILLESPIE
here’s the cover of the book:
and here’s just one page – but you gotta love that message . . . talk about writing on the wall.
HELLO GOD / ARE YOU THERE ? IT’S ME / SPACE 1026 !!
JUSTIN SAMSON . . . IS POSTING A BLOG ON THE SHOW:
YES !! CHECK IT OUT: OUTOFPHASEPHILADELPHIA.BLOGSPOT.COM
it’s already – h-a-p-p-e-n-i-n-g !!
PHOTO COURTESY: JUSTIN SAMSON & PRINT LIBERATION
and there’s a wonderful totally h-a-p-p-e-n-i-n-g off-the-wall p-i-c-t-o-r-i-a-l !! interview with JUSTIN SAMSON
recently posted – DEC 14, 2010 – on – INTERVIEW BY KATIE MILLER – on – PRINT LIBERATION – !!
most def, check it OUT !!: JUSTIN SAMSON INTERVIEW / PRINT LIBERATION
(just scroll down a few entries !! you’ll find it !! ha.)
here’s few examples – from the interview !! . . . for the lazy guys.
IMAGES/COURTESY: JUSTIN SAMSON & PRINT LIBERATION
~to-nite in PHILLY !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 17th, 2010, 8:33am
. . . yep. how time flies when you are having fun . . .
these are the very last few days to catch that ANSELM KIEFER show at GAGOSIAN on 24th St – that everyone is talking about. and, yes it is the blockbuster, that everybody says it is – so better get your sorry Miami busted-out partied-out self up in time to get there in person – because there is only one way to see this show – and that is in person. it’s a huge 3-D production – the artworld equivalent of movie IMAX – magic. in fact pretty much the scope and scale of this production is bigger and better – than the art works individually themselves . . . not necessarily saying that’s a bad thing. either. just saying – it’s not about standing still and looking at. it’s about moving around and seeing through, looking up and feeling . . . lost among !!
talk about magic. I didn’t expect such a thrilling perceptual experience from all the wailing and goings-on about biblical “wasteland” – what wasteland ?
it’s more like the battle zone after the fact – and you are walking through it. looking up at the ceiling – and wondering how they measured all these
glass cases to fit in the space exactly so. so compactly. so densely, and yet so soaringly – and, well – where will they fit next ?
the paintings themselves are the most boring part of this standing still action – though I guess they might be the commercial product, more like by-product !! – most easily moved, i.e. so forget that damn stupid and boring installation video they have posted on the gallery’s website. it does the show more harm, than good. I wasn’t even gonna go after viewing it – so go figure. so, just in case you are relying on that – and the still installation pix – that’s a no-no. ya gotta get there, on your own two little feet. even as a photographer myself – ya just gotta love the kind of art and action – that defies archival intention. ANSELM KIEFER – ‘NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM’ – 3-D experience. period.
well, my first thought was, at least you don’t need a haz mat team – to keep it up and running, in your living room.
but then the DAMIEN HIRST tank pieces could cast a definite startle – all on their own, individually. I mean here you might have to buy a more than a few to catch the game – to throw to your impressed house guests and/or staff – but then again it might even out. the haz mat team overhead vs. the huge huge industrial-sized, museum-sized ? viewing room ? maybe you could, you know build your own specialized townhouse, in the city – or your very own museum on your country retreat – for housing these rusted relics in glass vitrines – how collector- friendly can you get ?
ok. they were still awesome. the vitrines. the contents left me a little underwhelmed. but who am I ?
you’d have to buy the whole thing. who knows – maybe, that’s the way it is being sold ?
of course the gorgeousness of the gallery. didn’t hurt. esp the skylights !!
the ceiling and tops of the vitrines – the glass cases – were the most fascinating part of the show – for me.
though I loved this particular one. this is the one – I would buy. and watch dangle – in space. as I contemplated my good fortune with a cocktail in hand.
anybody else bring ATM mobile artist – ANNE EASTMAN – to mind ? and big time.
how could a painting on canvas – esp these pompous thugs – compare with the complexity and mobile-like delicate and ever-changing beauty of a 4 walled glass transparency ?
so, do you have a maintain a thin layer of water at the bottom ?
I mean I am thinking of when I first saw Damien’s ‘OB GYN’ chair in a tank full of water – and this comes up a bit short – although maintenance- free ? unless of course, you need a lot of unspoken text and biblical reference, not to mention gruesome footnotes to even grimmer history – to go with your visual experience. and I don’t. well – only as a footnote.
see, it starts to get better, when the glass and metal case – comes into the picture.
and wow – the overview – is best. esp as it changes – infinitely !!
see why – you gotta see it in person ?
and, when you go, don’t forget – to look – up !!
wow. action movie. wasteland – not so much . . .
it’s actually a marvel – of a gallery installation.
and of course, right smack in the middle – a bunker.
I found this to be – a bit of STERLING RUBY game plan.
just like I found the fading dresses to be too much of a KIKI SMITH hand print. the glass and metal ‘tanks’ – cases Hirst-like. the over-all profoundness Gavin Brown-like. whatever. at least we know the guy looks at contemporary art – and doesn’t just live in a shell. wants to be part of the dialog.
but wow. it was more than just a box – it was so cool. it housed a series of hardened canvases hanging like frozen dead meat carcasses – which reminded me of that GBE – meat locker show – last summer.
if you walked around it – you found a series of doors. that you could not enter – just like Alice in Wonderland. well physically you could, if the security guards had let you.
yes. I tried, of course. it was an experience begging to be had . . . to bad I’m not on personal friendship terms over there – or I would for sure have gotten in. it was like a magnet. a dark hole – for intelligent researching . . .
esp for someone like me – archivist that I am – as it held hanging canvases with images !!
curious and curiosity foiled – even, driven mad – come to mind.
a view of the artist as a young rebel. from one entryway – into hell ?
an archival school photo – that almost got our hero – expelled. yes we get it. politically incorrect.
the joke is on you and lucky – you lived long enough for the generation that gets it – to get it.
whatever were they thinking back in the old days ?
now we have cyberbullies. malicious hackers . . . not to mention ridiculous DMCA copyright laws that defy their very purpose. digital death threatens to jump from the future and fry us en masse again – like a million of these Hitler bad guys – in clone formation – wait and see. mark my words.
(or: if you are gonna be TMZ – ya shoulda been a lawyer).
there is such a stark beauty to evil – or is it just – that wonderful sky behind him.
all my mother’s mother’s side of the family – fried in the WW II ovens – they just couldn’t let go of their up-scale Austrian, Vienna lifestyle. my grandma was just 16 and the poor relative – so it was easy for her – she just left. and so, here I am – but you can see my Viennese intellectual roots sometimes, can’t ya ?
and didn’t I just read a Chinese sonnet – that said something like: I am unfettered to this life and its material goods – but I would miss the sight of sky – if I were to die – or something like that. the master plan – is the universe.
this is profound, esp when you step back – and let the art – and installation design – take over !!
but I also kept coming back – to that ceiling view. 3 D, sides, top and bottom. and lighting. and cold metal.
meat locker anybody ?
what about – hurt locker ?
I actually did get pulled into this doorway, like a moth to a flame – I thought it was logical to enter . .
wow. an archival photo – of an ancient ROME !!
but the guard told me I couldn’t enter. hey, I was just happy they were letting me take pix, at all !!
so, it remained – the bunker from hell.
where else did I hear that ‘charming’ phrase – as in ‘underground bunker’ – oh yeah – WE LIVE IN PUBLIC !!
(and in the early WE LIVE In PUBLIC promos – Josh did compare – our sleeping 24/7 wired & stacked sleeping accommodations – it with archival pix – of the American GI’s first stumbling upon the horror of rows of starving concentration camp victims in bunker formation – rather than the (stacked) pod hotels of contemporary Japan.
but we’ll give a glass case – the last word – as these hi-tech glass and metal cases – skewer the show – with their ever-shifting perceptual magic . . . and meaning . . .
and don’t let the star wars monster – bite. for heavens sake – look up.
PHOTOS: COPYRIGHT NANCY SMITH
ANSELM KIEFER – ‘NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM’
NOV 6 – DEC 18, 2010
GAGOSIAN GALLERY – 555 WEST 24th ST.
~ANSELM KIEFER/NEXT YEAR ?/LAST WEEK !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 15th, 2010, 10:59am
the KENT DORN painting show and the concurrent JENNIFER SULLIVAN video at FREIGHT+VOLUME, up thru Jan 4, 2011 – received a really nice review by KEN JOHNSON in the NEW YORK TIMES, last FRIDAY, DEC 10, 2010. I really liked it, not only for it’s take – but because instead of a bunch of descriptive text – it actually offered up – a lot to think about.
the take – was that: “Many young artists these days seem to be haunted by the legacy of their parents’ – and now grandparents’ – hippie revolution. Some like the group Assume Astro Vivid Focus, try to keep the tie-dyed euphoria of the ’60s alive. Others, like the painter Kent Dorn and the video performance artist Jennifer Sullivan, who are perfectly matched in this affecting show, obliquely and sadly reflect on the lingering memories of these bygone days.”
I’m not sure that is a perfect end-all encompassing summation of Kent Dorn’s work – it would be interesting to ask the artist for his take !! – but it is an intriguing sentiment for both – and it definitely serves Ms. Sullivan’s work – esp. this particular video anyways – well.
I personally enjoyed Ms. Sullivan’s video visually – but was hard put to frame the experience in words. Mr. Johnson did an excellent job of illuminating the context of the short clip, as follows:
“In her charmingly slight, bittersweet video ‘One-Week Walden’, the winsome Ms. Sullivan narrates her attempt to emulate Thoreau with a childlike voice. That meant a week in a pop-up camper in the weedy far end of her father’s suburban backyard. Nicely understated and deadpan funny, Ms. Sullivan’s video is a canny satire of foolishly romantic, extended-adolescent narcissism.”
right on.
Jennifer’s pop-up look at Walden – included a glance at contemporary litter . . . and culture . . .
Ken Johnson was right – Jennifer’s video – was understated. and that’s a funny thing to carry off – when you’ve donned a come-hither wig, not to mention – a revealing go-go get-up !!
JENNIFER SULLIVAN at the opening, a very different persona in reality. (or maybe not.)
nice job, Jennifer.
KENT DORN, ‘Untitled (Van)’, 2010. Mixed media on canvas. 45 x 65 in.
Ken Johnson’s take on Mr. Dorn’s work was also intriguing:
“Mr. Dorn’s painted scenes of feral youth in forest settings similarly evoke baffled nostalgia for back-to-nature counterculturism. Color is muted, creating a dank, gloomy atmosphere that dims the feebly glowing sun. Broad areas of the paintings are rendered in watercolorlike staining, while selected parts are built up into crusty, greasy, absurdly thick impasto. The image of an abandoned, broken-down van titled ‘Van/Hideaway2’ suggests that we are closer to the world of ‘Kids’, Larry Clark’s mordant paean to juvenile delinquency, than that of ‘Woodstock’. It is a mental landscape of loss and repressed grief where the promises of yesteryear hang in the air like fading echoes. One painting depicts a rustic signboard bearing spray-painted letters. They spell, fittingly, ‘The End.’ ”
. . .
KENT DORN, ‘Fall’, 2010. Mixed media on canvas, 54 X 36 in.
read KEN JOHNSON’S FULL REVIEW: NEW YORK TIMES/ART IN REVIEW/ART & DESIGN/FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2010
KENT DORN – ‘Remains’ & JENNIFER SULLIVAN – ‘One-Week Walden’ – up thru JAN 4, 2011
FREIGHT+VOLUME – 530 + 542 W245th St.
~KENT DORN & JENNIFER SULLIVAN, in NEW YORK TIMES |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 14th, 2010, 9:44am
ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST photographed at the recent KENT DORN opening. FREIGHT+VOLUME, this past Nov 4, 2010.
PHOTO: COPYRIGHT NANCY SMITH
EMILY SMITH & PAGE SIX report this morning that: ‘ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST fell flat on his face in the middle of a packed party the other night at Wall at W South Beach hosted by VITO SCHNABEL, ALEX DELLAL, STAVROS NIARCHOS and ABY ROSEN. “I tripped over my shoelace,” the accident-prone author and bon vivant told us. He previously broke a finger after tripping over the same shoes – “and I’m still wearing the bloody pair.” But Haden-Guest admits, “I did have a fair amount of wine. Maybe I was over-celebrating my new book, IN THE MEAN TIME.” He partied until 3 am with SEAN PENN, ALBER ELBAZ and SUSAN SARADON.’ !!
told ya. one hot potato.
and, if you think he trips over his shoelaces – you should see him, ‘tripping’ around some pretty young thing . . .
ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST – ‘IN THE MEAN TIME’ – ‘THE OTHER ENDS OF THE WORLD’ – ‘CARTONS & DARK LIGHT VERSE’
published by FREIGHT+VOLUME – 530 WEST 24th ST – NEW YORK. PAPERBACK EDITION of 2500. ($20)
~and trips over his shoelaces !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 6th, 2010, 8:03am
ha. speaking of which – comix, of course & art books, for sure – and, festivals !! – the news from MIAMI is that FREIGHT+VOLUME is debuting ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST’S new volume In The Mean Time – “a sparkling compilation of recent drawings and verse tackling the art world” to great acclaim. The slim illustrated tome has already been heralded by JERRY SALTZ, JAY McINERNEY, and JOHN RICHARDSON among others – as “a satirical tour-de-force”. Edited by YASHA WALLIN and designed by EMILY ANDERSON, the FREIGHT+VOLUME book was launched last nite – with a big party at the STANDARD HOTEL.
ANTHONY will be reading and signing copies in the FREIGHT+VOLUME BOOTH at the PULSE ART FAIR, DEC 2-5th, 2010 – Booth E-305 and at several other venues. yeah – go get yourself a signed copy.
see: PULSE MIAMI – THE ICE PALACE – 1400 NORTH MIAMI AVE, at NW 14th ST – MIAMI !!
FREIGHT+VOLUME FOUNDER NICK LAWRENCE and MANAGING DIRECTOR KEVIN KAY are really excited by the southern splashdown of Anthony’s new book – which they produced – as well as the warm reception their gallery booth has been garnering. featured artists include: TATIANA BERG, KENT DORN, whose current show in NYC – is wowing everybody, ANDREW GUENTHER – a personal fav, DAMIAN STAMER, PETER HUCHISON of ‘ROBOT CITY’ fame, and ALI SMITH. as well as works by TRUDY BENSON, ERIK DEN BREEJEN, PETER HOFFMAN, RUSSELL TYLER, CHAD PERSON and DAVID BASKIN.
as well FREIGHT+VOLUME is proud to announce that the OKAY MOUNTAIN ART COLLECTIVE . . . a really happening 10 person artist collective outta AUSTIN, TEXAS – who they profiled with a gallery show this past summer 2010 – has one of the featured artist installations at PULSE MIAMI – an EXTREME TRAILER !! aka the “customization of automobiles and barbecue pit trailers” !! which is a kind of low-key or down-low way of saying – wow, as these few pix easily attest to. or as we call it here in the Northeast – tailgating !!
IMAGES COURTESY: OKAY MOUNTAIN & FREIGHT+VOLUME
and p.s. a little bird told us that: Le Baron is still the raging insider party of choice – 6 or 7 PM or was that am ?? – ha – every nite – in the basement of the DELANO – aka – the LENNY KRAVITZ FLORIDA ROOM !!
OMG !! – I asked for confirmation – and – it is 6 or 7 – in the AM !! WATCH OUT – PARTY HEARTY MIAMI DOESN’T BREAK OFF !!
AND HEAD OUT TO – SEA !! or as our source says: “ARTWORLD REVELRY – TO THE MAX !!”
. . . but the big deal is – we got the very first advance copy of ANTHONY’S new book, In the Mean Time fresh off the presses – and air freighted to NYC – just for us – today !!
ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST – IN THE MEAN TIME – THE OTHER ENDS OF THE WORLD – CARTOONS & DARK LIGHT VERSE
Published by FREIGHT+VOLUME / VOLUME EDITIONS 2010
Publisher: NICK LAWRENCE / ART DIRECTION + DESIGN: EMILY ANDERSON / EDITOR: YASHA WALLIN
Printed by Apex Printing, Atlanta, GEORGIA – in an edition of 2500 paperback. ($20).
additionally a limited hardcover edition of 26 signed and lettered copies with an original drawing will be available ($500).
‘WELL, I’M BACK . . . DESPITE POPULAR DEMAND !!!’
‘COPYRIGHT, ED? THAT IS SO TWENTIETH CENTURY OF YOU’.
‘When aliens from beyond the stars
Thought to check out the human race
They knew they would need a welcoming space
A dive you can find just about any old place
Where they can probe our parts at a leisurely pace
So they’re here as Irish bars
Those shamrocks and harps are decoys designed
By an evil galactic mastermind
As I’m sitting here over a Jameson or three
Everything’s crystal clear to me.’
“SO I DIED
ALL MY DEAR OLD FRIENDS WERE SURROUNDING ME !
I WAS IN HEAVEN !
THEY TOLD ME WHAT THEY REALLY ALWAYS THOUGHT OF ME !
I WAS IN HELL.’
‘I AM NOT NORMALLY A CRUEL VINDICTIVE PERSON. BUT I’LL MAKE AN EXCEPTION
IN YOUR CASE !’
‘ . . . AND SOMETIMES I THINK SO QUICKLY THAT MOST PEOPLE
DON’T REALIZE THAT I AM THINKING AT ALL
CONFESSIONS OF A SECRET THINKER’
‘IT’S OKAY TO BE A DIRTY OLD MAN BUT
NOT A NEEDY OLD MAN’
‘IT DOESN’T COUNT IF…
ONLY ONE OF YOU REMEMBERS IT / IT’S A CRY FOR HELP / … IF NEITHER OF YOU KNOWS WHO THE OTHER IS !
‘IT WAS ONLY AN ACT OF MERCY’
‘THE HUMAN RACE : WINNERS + LOSERS’
‘ME ? I’M JUST A GIGOLO
BUT I’M BETWEEN GIGS RIGHT NOW’
‘I SHOULD HAVE HAD A BETTER EXIT STRATEGY’
‘SO ! I WAS WRONG’
ha.
PHOTOS – UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED: COPYRIGHT NANCY SMITH
~ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST STEALS MIAMI !! IN THE MEAN TIME !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 4th, 2010, 12:37am
POSTER BY: ANDERS NILSEN
the 2nd annual BROOKLYN COMICS and GRAPHICS FESTIVAL is tomorrow. one day only !!
SAT – DEC 4, 2010 from 12 – 9 PM – FREE ADMITTANCE
OUR LADY OF CARMEL CHURCH – 275 NORTH 8th ST – WILLIAMSBURG
see: THE BROOKLYN COMICS & GRAPHICS FESTIVAL WEBSITE for details, incl FEATURED GUESTS & PROGRAM of EVENTS !!
see: GOOGLE MAP/DIRECTIONS
THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANIZED BY: DESERT ISLAND, PICTUREBOX and BILL KARTALOPOULOS.
EXPANDED TO A LARGER VENUE, THANKS TO THE GREAT SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR’S INAUGURAL EVENT – SOME OF THE FEATURED GUESTS INCL:
GABRIELLE BELL,
CHARLES BURNS, who will debut his new book – Johnny 23.
BRIAN CHIPPENDALE, yes !!
SAMMY HARKEN,
MARK ALAN STAMATY,
and ANDERS NILSEN, who did this year’s poster.
among the scheduled events:
at 6:00 – HOW NANCY IS: THE SEMIOTICS of THE GAG
ERNIE BUSHMILLER’S iconic comic strip Nancy has been described as “a mini-algebra equation masquerading as a comic strip” drawn by “a moron on an acid trip.” BILL GRIFFITH (Zippy the Pinhead, MARK NEWGARDEN (How To Read Nancy), and JOHNNY RYAN (Angry Youth Comix) will discuss the unshakable appeal of Nancy and the essence of gag humor in their comics.
at 7:00 – CHAOS and PATTERN
Artwork that is dense with compositional detail, line, pattern, and texture encourages a lingering, wandering eye. How does this kind of drawing work in comics ? BRIAN CHIPPENDALE, JORDAN CRANE, KEITH JONES, and MARK ALAN STAMATY will consider the relationship between densely made drawing and the propulsive concerns of visual narrative.
~BROOKLYN COMICS & GRAPHICS FESTIVAL/THIS SAT !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 4th, 2010, 12:15am
C.F. is also known as – MARK LORD of the band: DAILY LIFE
check out: MARK LORD (LA 2009)/YouTube
CHIPPENDALE is 1/2 of LIGHTNING BOLT – he is the drummer.
check out: LIGHTNING BOLT at all tomorrow’s parties (2006)/YouTube
check out: LIGHTNING BOLT PEEL SESSION/YouTube
BRIAN CHIPPENDALE is also all of: BLACK PUS/myspace
~C.F. & CHIPPENDALE/MARK LORD & LIGHTNING BOLT |
Posted in Indie Music Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 3rd, 2010, 1:25am
right off the bat: the two books were awesome – and as diff as day is from night . . .
there was time for a little signing – before the presentation began.
that’s C.F.
booksignings by comic artists are really fun: they don’t just sign the books, they usually draw and scribble in them too.
they always bring, or are given alot of colorful pens, pencils and sharpies. markers.
(except for the guys who only use rapidographs, and such. you know, fine point sharpies. and only sign, or really print – their names – like R. Crumb !!)
BRIAN CHIPPENDALE at work on If ‘n Oof !!
you can just get a glimpse of the shiny decal work – and the swirl of painted impression, as if made with white glue . . . on the cover.
got to see it – to believe it. need to hold it in hand. its not digital.
ok. if we are talking covers – here’s the coppery line drawing – imprinted on the back of the C. F. tome !!
C.F. at work.
C.F.
C.F.
CHIPPENDALE.
green & orange – my fav. CHIPPENDALE.
for KATE.
C.F. gives his presentation first.
C.F. drawing.
the format at the STRAND for presentations . . . is projected images, kind of like slides – on a screen. accompanying the talk.
C.F. was very serious. in his approach.
actually if you spend any time around comic artists – as opposed to ‘gallery’ artists – you’ll find it’s the so-called comic artists – who are the more serious . . in manner and intent. about getting their ideas and context across. C.F. really wanted to span the distance.
he said: the best way to make art – was to turn your back on “your own life’.
he said: composition always comes first, then line, then color.
C.F. was really into trying to explain his influences and how he felt he worked more from the stance of an artist – as much as anything else. he questioned why comic artists are labeled. or boxed in. just because they also make (funny) books with narratives – and so he chose to show a lot of his freestanding – art, drawings and paintings.
Chippendale . . also questioned that comic book artist label. or rather being boxed into a label. . . when he and his friends wear many hats. and of course – he and his friends do show their freestanding work artwork, paintings, collages and silkscreen prints – in gallery settings. so maybe just like craft vs art – the irony is – in the computer generation – all these boundaries – are being crashed. I don’t know why people in this past century didn’t let anybody – wear more than one hat. that’s so dumb – its beyond dwelling over. welcome to the club. I’m not just a ‘blogger’ – though that’s how I get pegged. just cause I love to explore other people’s art and break it down for other people to understand. and I often wonder why my own photos – just cause they are posted so casually on the web – aren’t ever seen in frames on gallery walls. or aren’t included in any number of contemporary photography shows. whatever. like I said: I stitch, as in – repair quilts, and paint, and draw. and knit.
C.F. – fooling around. artwork.
I could see C.F.s work – large scale on canvases. no doubt.
I have seen Brian Chippendale’s work on canvases, and as screen prints in gallery settings.
this is actually the first time I’ve encountered C.F. and his work. so I don’t know his history and comings and goings as well.
but it sure looks like C.F. is a painter.
if you look around the art scene – just maybe, not the comic scene so much – there are many artists who explore very different media, successfully. and there always have been – throughout history, looks like C.F. – will be one of them.
and now he’s also into furniture !!
this the first chair he ever built, from reclaimed wood – off the barred up windows in the, I guess, ramshackle house he just bought !!
so that was a really nice way to end a very serious talk on creativity – and, not wanting to be labeled.
then it was time for Chippendale’s presentation.
bye the way – that’s PICTUREBOX founder, DAN NADEL on the left. PICTUREBOX published both of these books.
if C.F was earnest and compelling – Chippendale was a little bit funnier, maybe because he has been recognized as a visual artist in his own right, as well as a cartoon artist ? esp here in New York. esp at CINDERS GALLERY in Brooklyn. and probably elsewhere.
though that was also a dominant theme in his talk. as well. the struggle to wear many hats – not the the struggle to do it – that’s the easy part . . but to be allowed to do it . . to be recognized in multi- disciplines, and not labeled, not boxed in: and somehow ‘comic book artist’ seems to have a certain built-in doom to it – or maybe just for these guys. I don’t know. other comic book artists have been able move in and out, like GARY PANTER. for example. others are very content to be just that. it’s a big world . . . go for your dreams. inside the box – or not. and hope the rest of the losers out there can follow you, and if not – too bad, they’re losers anyway.
just to show you how funny Chippendale was – he started off with this picture of truly young self – with his colorful, I’m thinking hippy ? parents.
his early inspiration goes way back !!
both Chippendale and C.F. cited DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI – as a major influence, and visual arts – hero.
Chippendale: one of his earliest books.
another funny archival photo. when young really meant young. not artworld young.
Chippendale on the left with his college freshman roommate – MATT BRINKMAN !!
I think he said Matt had a head full of dreadlocks under the hat !!
Chippendale: early comic sketchbooks.
Chippendale: I think he said ca. 1991. just as C.F. talked about the importance of composition – Brian talked about how he evolved his snaking back and forth narrative pattern – from early on.
Chippendale: and then at some point there was also black outs. flat out deconstruction & real depth graphics.
Chippendale: then came – color.
Chippendale – if you’ve seen his recent artwork – esp the screen prints and collaged screen prints on canvas – than you know this !! wow.
what a trip. from all black to fairy wizard flash-out. tripped-out world. light.
Chippendale still works in all black too. in fact he runs a web version of PUKE FORCE – as a weekly cartoon installment on PICTUREBOCX.
see: PUKE FORCE / PICTUREBOX
Chippendale. and that was the end of the slide presentation. everyone was transfixed, not just me.
DAN NADEL really seemed to be floored by these guys – live – as well.
and so, let the signing resume !!
C.F. and Chippendale had a lot of fun signing books – and interacting with their fans. everybody enjoyed the show . . and the new books.
everybody was thrilled to have a drawing scribbled . . into their newly purchased copy.
nothing can beat that . . . maybe not the even the thrill of the million dollar high-end art auctions. close enough – just from different P.O.V.
C.F. scribbles hardy, too.
a fan, BEN, introduces himself . . .
and hands both C.F. and Chippendale a copy of his CD. I guess with his own art work on it.
Ben’s CD – is titled: tumbleweave.
nice.
here’s the link: tumbleweave/porn stars built the pyramids/myspace
in the crowd: MELISSA BROWN and MARIE LORENZ !!
and CINDERS’ KELIE BOWMAN. Cinders has given several shows to Brian Chippendale’s work.
so here’s the down low – to not being in Miami this weekend – you can probably still get over to the Strand . . .
in time – to score a signed, drawn-in and scribbled-upon copy !! for yourself. look for the red sticker !! they did quite a few for the store before the presentation – get one while you can.
CLASSIC – NEW YORK CITY – NIGHT. . . at – IT’S BEST.
BRIAN CHIPPENDALE & C.F. – BOOKSIGNING & PRESENTATION – OF THEIR NEW – PICTUREBOX BOOKS.
STRAND BOOK STORE – 828 BROADWAY at 12TH ST.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010.
PHOTOS: COPYRIGHT NANCY SMITH
~C.F. & CHIPPENDALE/STRAND PART II |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 3rd, 2010, 12:51am
C.F. (CHRISTOPHER FORGUES) and BRIAN CHIPPENDALE launched two new illustrated books at the STRAND BOOK STORE in Manhattan – last Thursday, Nov 18, 2010.
. . . I’m not sure calling them comic books, or graphic novels does – or does not do them justice !! – but considering the sorry state of the art world – it just might be better to label them – comic artists – though clearly both wear many hats – including comic book artist, artist, and musician. and both are basically wizards in all realms they touch !! who better to take over the parched scene – and storm over the vast wasteland – then these young masters of the graphic arts, not to mention – the imagination.
it was such a top drawer nite, not only because the product was sooooo good, and the artists sooooo interesting – but because intense as they are – and they are both Providence-based – the books, put out by PICTUREBOX – were completely opposite in format and take. and style. and story. how fun.
that’s Brian Chippendale signing a pile of books for the Strand in the background.
C.F.’s slim tome – in the foreground.
CHIPPENDALE’S book was wide and thick – like a little phone book or an over-size pocket dictionary – yeah. a pocket dictionary thru his head, alright !! it’s titled ‘If ‘n Oof’ – yes !! and, it goes for $23.95 at the Strand.
it has a soft but solid-bound cover – and feels really great to handle. it is exactly 2 in. high. yes, I just measured it.
of course I bought one – to take home. it’s beautifully made. no doubt about it. it’s an artist’s book.
the cover is shiny with parts that stand out – as decals !!
the back is a trip – see it for yourself !!
inside in the front page – it says the book was designed by Brian – and that’s the way it feels.
with production credits, and well deserved to: Jon Vermilyea & Raymond Sohn.
I don’t know how many pages it has – alot. but the pages not being numbered feels damn right too – it’s like an infinity book.
you know, infinity pool, infinity book. in the head. on the page & now you are in there, too.
it’s way fun to flip through too.
the Strand has it down right on the bar code sticker: art-comics/graphics !!
there’s an explosive, wild range of style and narrative – not one dull moment. both dense and linear. hyper inventive. just what you would expect from Chippendale – if you have been so lucky as to have followed his stuff . . . going back to his early days – as one of the founding ringleaders of the legendary Fort Thunder . . .
each page is a story . . .
each page is a gesture . . .
each page is an artwork. a travel into the mind as well as an adventure into the dimensions . . .
just when it gets classic . . .
it blows up – funny !!
a flip to another page brings up this thought:
who’s here! – Just a fan of the lingering light that fades into the greed of the splintered one above . . .
and 2 pages, later:
do you know how me and my friend got here ? – There’s a screw in the front door to the Almost Oasis !
dig dug !!
get yourself your own copy !! and re-enter this Chippendale universe – at your own whim & wonder !!
now C.F.’s book is more like code – really dig that cover, dude.
that’s: POWR MASTRS – 3 !!
in iridescent raised copper lettering imprinted on a beautiful opaque as opaque can be – dull green – as green as grass.
also, with a totally wild back . . .
also with the unmistakable look & feel of an artist’s book – C.F. designed his own book, too. of course.
with production credits going to: Jon Vermilyea, Tumoni & Raymond Sohn.
likewise listed as: art-comics/graphics.
it sells for $14.40 at the Strand.
I am hard pressed to compare the two books. it’s like night and day – both beautiful. hey, do what I did. get both.
the C.F. book is slim – 109 pages – in comparison – and yet also with a wonderful weight in the hands. but instead of a flip effect – it’s got more of an open to page and look into it – feel. it’s kind of, more ‘luna’ – is that descriptive word ?
it has a wonderful elegantly linear technical graphic stance . . . but it’s completely nuts . . . . as you dig deeper.
it gets very unpredictable, and even dark. the visual range also goes very deep, way deeper than I am showing ya . . .
kind of an introverted exuberance ?
but trust me – it also travels to alternative universes . . . and unknown reaches . . .
and gets pretty far out there.
chasing Moebius, along the way . . .
journeying . . . into pure graphics.
and coming back to center.
and then, going completely whacky . . .
I don’t scare easily . . .
but you do make me laugh !
O>K> next up: the SLIDE PRESENTATION !! yep – it was that good !!
ALL PHOTOS: COPYRIGHT NANCY SMITH
BRIAN CHIPPENDALE & C.F. – BOOKSIGNING & SLIDE PRESENTATION – THURS, NOVEMBER 18, 2010/7PM
If ‘n Oof – & – Powr Mastrs 3
STRAND BOOKSTORE – 828 BROADWAY at 12th ST. – NYC
PICTUREBOX
~C.F. & CHIPPENDALE STORM THE STRAND |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 1st, 2010, 10:00am
FILE UNDER: CRACKULA MEETS DUMBLEDORE !!
. . . UNDESIRABLE No. 1 – GHOST OF NANCY PAST – AKA CRACKULA – WANTED . . .
CONTACT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION . . . . CONCERNING HER WHEREABOUTS.
FAILURE TO REPORT WILL RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT. REWARD 10,000 GALLEONS
THE GHOST OF DUMBLEDORE PAST !!
wow – “these are dark times – there is no denying . . ”
straight up from the intro – we are off and running . . .
and for love-starved, action-starved artists of all kinds – the magic literally begins with the first title graphics. the letters – grow large and eerie – rusted old iron gates – and we are inside the action and transported right up – onto the big screen – ourselves – before we knew it. talk about absolutely thrilling, perfectly calibrated animation. nice fonts, too. the whole production ticks this way – brilliant, and subtle. fire on the lowdown. it almost plays out in black and white – as the fingers of evil, entwine their clammy little paws – around your throat.
helping make this, the 7th in the series – esp earmarked for visual artists – are the huge horizontal screenshots of unbelievably breathtaking mythical British landscapes – and the gorgeous light that subtly changes from day to night, and flickers – albeit with an eerie cold heart – from season to season. a shout out has to go to EDUARDO SERRA – the film’s Director of Photography. in fact this is the first film in the beloved franchise – to take our 3 heros away from Hogwarts and its familiar surroundings. in fact Hogwarts is never seen, Dumbledore is referenced but with growing conflict and doubt, and so – the film casts its spell in a whole new realm of sets, and mind-sets !! this is esp powerful and haunting – as it lets the 3 young Brits – Danile Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – who we’ve watched grow up – through the series – really ‘grow’ into, or ‘become’ as they say – the fictional characters who may have taken over their real lives, or is that visa versa . . . hard to say. what’s most def – is that their new dynamics still hold forth on the big screen, larger than life – and most magically telling the story. Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry has become more of a nerd !!
trying to become more of man-boy and less of a wizard. but still just as intuitive. and ready to go for it. all. Hermione Granger is just awesome. Emma Watson, even . . . Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander – brilliant as she is – has nothing on you. where you walk in the film – there goes my heart – on tiptoes of fear. and Rupert Grint – oh my god – what a hunk, Ron Weasley grew up to be !! of course Alan Rickman scores as the dark Severus Snape, and Brendan Gleason, is the sad Mad-Eye Moody – straight out of Mad Max – or Brooklyn’s own Black Label tall bike club – whichever comes first to your mind – who gets knocked out pretty much from the get-go. does that guy remind of me – of the Enger bros – or what ? kind of a twisted out made evil but good – version of a midwestern Army brat – gone underground and highly skilled – who likes to party hard – gone batty and mad – but brilliant, street-wise and military hardened.
. . . but my absolute fav is the long haired – straight to his shoulders, white-haired and gorgeous – RHYS IFANS – as the new character – XENOPHILIUS LOVEGOOD, the father of the moonstruck for real – Luna, who else ? what a name . . . what a brilliant stroke of casting. absolutely eccentric, creative, revealing, and deceiving – it is he – whom the whole story turns on . . . at this point. we first meet him at the wedding . . . where is just slightly dwelt on – as the father of Luna. but turns out his was wearing the symbol – yes, the code !! – a circle within a triangle with a line through the middle – the symbol of the DEATHLY HALLOWS – as a charm on a chain – around his very neck.
p.s. talk about production details – for artists – not just kids – there is a credit to GUCCI – “for letting the filmmakers base Fleur’s wedding dress – on the work of ALEXANDER McQUEEN” !! I thought there was something unearthly and absolutely fashion-forward happening there – as soon as I saw it . . .
p.s.s. Luna makes some small talk at the wedding – that would make many a gallery-goer blush !!
did I mention – he is also an editor !!
yes, Xenophilius Lovegood – is the editor of THE QUIBBLER an “underground publication that bravely champions Harry . . .” and in their search for the answer to the code – of the DEATHLY HALLOWS – that they remember as the pendant he wore around his neck – Harry, Ron and Hermione journey to his house. another great part of the visual impact of the film – are these ghostly eccentric patchwork houses conjured up on lonely moors – where we are treated to the detailed chaos of a creative mind – a storehouse of fable and witchery – gone the more crazy as we are to learn – by the dark side – suits if suits were bad wizards – who have kidnapped his precious Luna. oh no. oh yes !!
there is his early century printing press on the tumbling-in topsy-turvy ground floor – the walls lined with art work by Luna. (the equally magical in real life too,we suspect – EVANNA LYNCH. yep. real name . . in fact I believe it was she who wrote the winning essay – in a contest to gain a role in the film – and thus: Luna Lovegood – comes to life most strangely, is it not) . . . but, back to Xenophilius – did I mention – several people have already told me – his hand knit garments, some patched and most creative to say the least – and esp his knit fringed overcoat – reminded them of my handiwork – 0 what a babbler. and he is one too. not just an editor and writer. keeper of secrets. champion of good. he draws.
. . . he draws and explains the code – with a nib pen in ink – the symbols. the magic symbols of the Deathly Hallows and it is he – who opens the way for the most beautiful animation almost ever – the fable of the Deathly Hallows – itself – the ancient tale of three men who try to cheat death. done in animated hand puppets – ala Kara Walker – if she hadn’t already mined the genre – the invisibility cloak being the most sublime graphic to come to mind, almost forever . . . while all the while – seeping tea in pots without water – he is thinking that when push comes to shove – Harry Potter aside – justice does just trickle down to him, and beloved lost Luna. his daughter.
the very last thought: XENOPHILIUS LOVEGOOD – the very first blogger !!
if I ever did see one – weren’t those guys who ran the early one-man printing presses – bloggers ? come on. yes, they were.
and he drew. and he told stories. and made tea. and held keys to secret codes !! not to mention wore hand-knit eccentric one-of-a kind pieces !! and had a talented lovely daughter he loved and doted on – to no end.
(hope Kate doesn’t read this. don’t tell her I said so.)
how great that J.K. Rowling – let this guy wear so many hats !!
and that long white hair – is so divine – I think he’s gonna start a trend . . . oh how I yearn to change my name from Smith to Lovegood – though it’s close. Brit like. and all.
but, what do you think – should I change artlovers for . . . . THE QUIBBLER, or what !!
so o.k. – long story short:
action junkies and young men, even older men film reviewers, I’ve found – might find the telling a tad extended, and maybe too intense – “get me to the finale” !! the big face-off.
but, anybody with even half-an0artist in their souls – will be lost spellbound . . . up to the very last blood drop. if not even the very last font of the closing credits.
and oh yeah. I did see two quilts in the movie !! yes. real antique ones – a testament to the great and ingenious British handicraft tradition that came with the very first wave of colonists to
populate our country of USA. the first was an old patchwork bed quilt – looked to ca. colonial times – a tiny diamond pattern – kind of genre we call – postage stamp. the othr was a victoan era Crazy quilt.
and I liked the music too. just brooding enough. chilly and underplayed, yum . . . here’s a final and closing shout-out to the movie’s composer – ALEXANDRE DESPLAT.
the whole production team & esp the animators and graphic artists, set designers. you name it, they did it.
check it out: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1/official website !!
all pix – generated from the official HARRY POTTER WEBSITE.
yep, look around – you too, can make an interactive WANTED poster !!
archival photo of NANCY SMITH – ENEMY No. 1: copyright NANCY SMITH
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS/PART I |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | November 30th, 2010, 12:58pm
