JOE BRADLEY – ‘Shmagoo Paintings’ – OPENS To-NITE – SAT OCT 25, 6-9 PM !!
the show runs: OCT 25 – DEC 3, 2008
CANADA – 55 CHRYSTIE ST – btwn HESTER & CANAL – CHINATOWN/L.E.S – NYC
this Joe’s second solo show at Canada – is that all – !! – so much has happened to this guy since then – he has shot up like a flame !!
this show comprises: work “drawn with grease pencil on white canvas – the boldness of the ‘one shot’ method is undermined by the absurdity of the subject matter: scrawls and doodles that move in and out figuration . . . They are a waste of time to try to understand and a pleasure to pursue. . . .
“For the past two and a half years, Mr. Bradley (!!!! love that, Mr. Bradley !!) has reconstituted monochromatic painting into a kind of composite building block. By combining stacks of brightly colored panels, Mr. Bradley made paintings that were simultaneously abstract and figurative.”
“I came across the word ‘Schmagoo’ in a book about New York City drug culture in the 1960’s, it was (is?) used as a slang for Heroin. This struck me as kind of funny, that a narcotic as deep and dark as Smack could end up with such a goofy nick name. Sounds like a Jewish super hero or something. The word stuck with me, and i began to think of ‘Schmagoo’ as short for hand for some sort of Cosmic Substance … Primordial Muck. The stuff that gave birth to everything. Base matter. The Bardo. in approaching this body of work, I have been thinking of Painting as a metaphor for the original creative act. The word made Flesh. The transmutation of Schmagoo into Alchemical Gold” – Joe Bradley
– press release.
see: artlovers’ coverage of Joe’s first show at CANADA/KURGAN WAVES/Jan 2007
CANADA
UP-DATE: TUES – NOV 4, 2008 – PHOTOS FROM THE OPENING !!
JOE BRADLEY arrives and greets Sarah Braman’s youngest son, JODY.
Joe is show and telling him, something – delightful !!
next to be meet and greeted . . . JOE BRADLEY and DASH SNOW !!
JOE BRADLEY and DASH SNOW – 2 talented characters – if I ever did see one.
charmingly attired in formal wear – DAN COLEN makes a rare appearance.
MIKE PARE – came by. he has one of his big Navajo Blanket Drawings in the new ATM Galley space show – ‘East Moves West’ . . .
see: ATM GALLERY/EAST MOVES WEST
likewise – GORDON TERRY – also has some beautiful small pieces in the new ATM show.
see: ATM GALLERY/EAST MOVES WEST
JUSTIN SAMSON and PETE PEZZIMENTI.
PETE will have four new small paintings in the next MONYA ROWE group show – which will inaugurate her new space.
She is relocating to 504 W 22nd St – 2nd FL.
the opening is this Sat, Nov 8, 2008 – 6-8pm; and the show runs thru Dec 20, 2008
see: MONYA ROWE
Pete brought along a friend, SCOTT KIERNAN, just in from the West Coast – San Francisco.
at left, FRANKIE MARTIN, at right, PETE PEZZIMENTI.
PETE PEZZIMENTI and A-Ron, cross paths for the first time at the Joe Bradley opening.
another meeting of kinetic minds !! from left: JUSTIN SAMSON; PAUL H-O, co-director of ‘Guest of Cindy Sherman’ fame; NICK PAYNE of BOBO; and PHIL COTE also of Philly’s notorious dynamo art goup/band – BOBO
BRENDAN CASS.
JASON FOX. word on the street is Jason Fox just left FEATURE and will show with PETER BLUM,
in Soho, in January 2009.
JOE BRADLEY just included a wonderful drawing by Mr. FOX . . ‘Negrodomus’, 2006 – in his recent curatorial stint of SALON XXIV – in the newest THE JOURNAL, ENTRY NO. 24 !!
see: LEIGH JOHNSON & JOE BRADLEY/THE JOURNAL – there is a photo of Mr. Fox’s drawing !!
JULIA DIPPELHOFER and MICHAEL NEVINS of THE JOURNAL MAGAZINE and GALLERY.
see: THE JOURNAL !!
but onto the art !! – the overwhelming consensus was – JOE BRADLEY outdid even himself – with this newest rendition of his cerebral magic – and right-on-the-edge mark – signature – Joe Bradley – in-your-face and yet human !! show of work, nobody – but, Joe coulda woulda thought up !!
JOE BRADLEY, ‘On The Cross’, grease pencil on canvas, 2008.
JOE BRADLEY, ‘Superman’, grease pencil on canvas, 2008
JOE BRADLEY, ‘Neil’, grease pencil on canvas, 2008
JOE BRADLEY, ‘Neil’, grease pencil on canvas.
the girl in the coat ? PAIGE PERRIN, who happens to be a production assistant at MARC JACOBS, and yes, that gorgeous coat is a MARC JACOBS.
what a great design/art combo – JOE BRADLEY -& – MARC JACOBS !!
see, the abstract painting really does take on a human persona !! look its alive and smiling.
JOE BRADLEY, ‘Neil’, grease pencil on canvas, 2008.
JOE BRADLEY, ‘Manmade Dirigible’, grease pencil on canvas, 2008
JOE BRADLEY, ‘Number 23’, grease pencil on canvas, 2008
NOAM RAPPAPORT, also with work, in the ATM – ‘EAST MOVES WEST” inaugural show.
. . . and, in the back room 2 pieces from the last show at CANADA, a wonderful little huge show by EUNICE KIM, Joe Bradley’s GF/BFF & soul sista !! since forever, called ‘Moon the Magic Loser’ (Sept 19-Oct 19, 2008).
for wonderful installation shots, see:EUNICE KIM/MOON THE MAGIC LOSER/gallery website
EUNICE KIM.
EUNICE KIM, ‘Stumped’, 2008
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~JOE BRADLEY/CANADA/to-nite !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 25th, 2008, 3:15pm
“GODDESS, MOUSE, AND MAN” – TOM HART, LAUREN WEINSTEIN & MATTHEW THURBER
at 92ST. Y TRIBECA – 200 HUDSON ST at CANAL – WEST SIDE, NYC
the show opened OCT 18th but, the opening par-tay is to-nite !! SAT, OCT 25, from 7-9 PM
UP-DATE: TUES – NOV 4, 2008
check out this link: IN THE STUDIO WITH LAUREN WEINSTEIN – on PICTUREBOX !!
PICTUREBOX just posted a whole series of photos of LAUREN WEINSTEIN – in her studio in honor of her new book !! – and PICTUREBOX’S latest release: ‘THE GODDESS OF WAR’.
see: ‘THE GODDESS OF WAR’/PICTUREBOX !!
PHOTO: STUDIO VISIT/SOURCE MATERIAL/LAUREN WEINSTEIN/’THE GODDESS OF WAR’/COURTESY: PICTUREBOX
~TOM HART/LAUREN WEINSTEIN & MATTHEW THURBER |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 25th, 2008, 3:13pm
BLACK LABEL BIKE CLUB PRESENTS: the 6TH ANNUAL !! BIKE KILL – 2008 !!!
going-to-be-stormy – NYC weather – notwithstanding !!
SATURDAY – OCT 25, 2008 – starts at 2 PM
. . . & is guaranteed to get – increasingly wild, as the day progresses !! not sure, what will happen – if they are rained out !! know it will have to be a total storm to down these guys !! – but looks like that just, could be – it is getting – just as black outside, right now – as their graphics !!
WHERE ? – SANFORD St. & WILLOUGHBY AVE. in, where else !! B-R-O-O-K-L-Y-N !!!
these guys are among the rowdiest of the mutant bike clubs, that is – bikers that make their own mutant bikes, mostly tall bikes – but also trick bikes, tandem bikes, midget bikes & whatever, including jet bikes !! from discarded scraps & spare parts. Their riders are just about as mutant looking as their incredible bikes – street artist heroes, no matter how you cut out – straight outta MAD MAX !!
see: BIKE KILL 2004 on YouTube !!/ RACHEL MEYRICK . . . – & – one of my FAVE YouTube clips, ever !!
also, FOR SURE, check out: NYC BLACK LABEL/BIKE KILL/myspace
THE BLACK LABEL – BIKE KILL 2007 – POSTER !! PRETTY GREAT, or what !!
see all their posters on that myspace link, above !!
TOD SEELIE was at the 2008 Bike Kill – and posted a whole bunch of great photos & some commentary,
some a little depressing re: par-tay rip-offs, aka theives. there are always a certain low-down, the worst element that are always there to really crash & burn a wild, but otherwise good time. watch yer back.
we had tons of that at QUIET !! turned out to be the young super – feeding a big hungry H habit off our belongings. talk about biting the hand that feeds ya.
any-ways back to the pix – YES they are great !!
check them out: TOD SEELIE/SUCKA PANTS/ITS A HARD KNUCKLE TOWN !!
~BIKE KILL 2008 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 25th, 2008, 2:28pm
CRISTINA TORO – ‘in my room’, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 120 in./IMAGE COURTESY: LAMONTAGNE GALLERY
CRISTINA TORO – ‘THROW AWAY THE LIGHTS AND SAY OF WHAT YOU SEE IN THE DARK’
OPENING TO-NITE !! – SAT OCT 25 !! – 6-8 PM
the show runs: OCT 24 – NOV 26, 2008
LAMONTAGNE GALLERY – 555 EAST 2nd STREET – SOUTH BOSTON , MASS
GALLERY HRS: WED-SAT 11am-6pm/TUES by appointment
see: LAMONTAGNE GALLERY, BOSTON
CONGRATS, to our dear young friend CRISTINA TORO, (born 1983. PUERTO RICO), now based in upstate NY !! wish we could be there !!
the show looks —— F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C !!
CRISTINA TORO – ‘Nocturnal Tree Dwelling Octopus’, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 in./IMAGE COURTESY: LAMONTAGNE GALLERY
CRISTINA TORO – ‘Moon Fruit’, 2008, acrylic on panel, 24 x 24 in./IMAGE COURTESY: LAMONTAGNE GALLERY
CRISTINA TORO – ‘Nest’, 2008, acrylic on wood, 24 x 24 ins./IMAGE COURTESY: LAMONTAGNE GALLERY
see: more images from the show/gallery website !!
artlovers was lucky enough to met Cristina in person, when her work was first exhibited in NYC, at HANNA FUSIHARA ARON’S
(now gone, upstate !!) LITTLE CAKES LITTLE GALLEY on EAST 6th STREET !!
At the time – Hanna told us, Cristina had sent her some jpegs, unsolicted !! – and it was love at first sight !!
see: CRISTINA TORO/’The More She Saw – The Less She Spoke’ – a 2 part show, FEB-MARCH 2007
LAMONTAGNE GALLERY, BOSTON/PHOTO COURTESY: LAMONTAGNE GALLERY
Founded in 2007, LaMontagne Gallery is a 2,300 sq. ft. exhibition space located in South Boston on East Second Street. . . . founded to create an environment in Boston for the display and sale of emerging contemporary artists – the gallery features visual, sound and performance artists based in Boston and beyond. Gallery directors are: RUSSELL LAMONTAGNE & EMILY ISENBERG .
Russell LaMontagne was previously a co-founder of LFL Gallery in New York City.
LAMONTAGNE GALLERY
~CRISTINA TORO/BOSTON |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 25th, 2008, 12:52pm
MATT LEINES – ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ – BOOK RELEASE PARTY & SIGNING !! – TO-NITE !!
FRI – OCT 24, 2008 – 7-9 PM
DESERT ISLAND – 540 METROPOLITAN AVE – BETWN UNION & LORIMER – BROOKLYN !!
AND, YES !! CHECK OUT !!: DESERT ISLAND
‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ – the first monograph by MATT LEINES – is a ‘lavish’ hardcover book featuring more than 100 color illustrations and including an introduction by GARY PANTER and an essay by TAYLOR McKIMENS !!
A limited edition silkscreen print will also be released at the event. MATT LEINES will be on hand to sign both the book and the print.
” . . . MATT is mapping the collective art of a none-existent tribe in a no-mans-land far away. Exotic and invincible. A magnanimous people, yet possessed of a fierce and independent spirit, forged and tempered by age after age of adversity or clam, calamity and advantage. Centuries of plenty and eons of famine – everlasting warfare and subterfuge. Maybe he will tell us everything about these nations and maybe not. Yet, we can learn much about them by observing the artifacts produced by so great and tenacious peoples. – GARY PANTER
” . . . MATT is relentlessly inventing extraordinary characters and the scenarios that envelop them. The imagery has the strangely familiar look of medieval or archaic artwork. But as much as it appears to have been unearthed in some archeological dig in the ruins of an ancient lost civilization wrought with mysterious powers and gods, very little of it is directly referencing any specific historical artworks or imagery. The intricate line work and patterning lends a timeless quality which is then shaken up by a clash with subject matter that seems to reference multiple times and dimensions.” – TAYLOR McKIMENS
PUBLISHED BY: FREE NEWS PROJECTS – 1026 ARCH ST, 2nd FL – PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
FORMAT: HARDBACK, 9.5 x 10.925 in. / 144 pgs / 125 full color
ISBN: 978-0977652358 – PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/2008 – PRICE: $45.00
and, YES !! CHECK OUT !!: FREE NEWS PROJECTS
UP-DATE: TUES NOV 4, 2008 – PHOTOS FROM THE DESERT ISLAND BOOK LAUNCH !!
MATT LEINES was on hand to sign copies – at the book launch – of his first major hardcover book, ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’
at DESERT ISLAND, the new comic, zine & print store in Williamsburg.
behind him is one of his banners – the flag of an imaginary MATT LEINES nation – I’d like to live in.
these banners first surfaced in his CLEMENTINE GALLERY SHOW – ‘The Righteous Age’, of last spring,
Feb 21-March 29, 2008. brilliant graphic designs, produced by dye transfer release on woven polyester –
there were 3 of them – of very different design – on yellow, red and white backgrounds – each edition of 50
and selling for $300 a pop.
our only gripe back then – was that for a multiple they were so high priced, esp considering the edition number – that the young hard core fan base for his work – could not benefit from the chance, a multiple usually allows them – to get their hands on the art at hand. . . looking back. and, re-considering the fact of their size and excellent technical format – well – I was just mad – I didn’t have the $300 to buy one !!
to see a photo of the banners, and the rest of that awesome show, check out: GO FIGURE !! 2008-03-20
this book launch was all about multiples ‘value’ – at $45 the book is a way solid buy – a beautiful art product – large scale, hard cover, good quality & weight paper, excellent full color reproduction – 144 pages of MATT LEINES artwork – presented full page – straightforward & unadorned or messed with. PUBLISHED BY FREE NEWS PROJECTS – an artist community-centric PUBLISHING HOUSE out of PHILLY.
plus, at the launch – he didn’t just sign the book – he inscribed it – for his fans – slowly and carefully – with one of his signature gestures.
capping off – the night of opportunity – MATT LEINES and DESERT ISLAND produced a limited edition (60)
silkscreen – for $25 ea. – signed and numbered !!
and, basically a hand-out/thank-you to his hard-core fans !!
DESERT ISLAND – is one of the newest additions to a thriving art book and multiples, as in zines and prints, even limited edition artist T-shirts – in BROOKLYN. located at 540 Metropolitan, it’s just between Union & Lorimer – where the L train – Lorimer St. exit is – don’t let the storefront’s original use/historic sign !! – fool ya.
DESERT ISLAND is owned and operated by entrepreneur and comic/graphic screenprint artist GABRIEL FOWLER,
with a little help from his friend, KERI BUTLER. Mr. Fowler seems to be downplaying his own artistic ambitions,
in the goal of promoting the artists whose work he is selling – but his own brand of creative impulse is undeniably driving the store’s unique rush of visual and highly animated energy.
case in point – the store’s business – postcard !! and, I believe a GABRIEL FOWLER design/production !!
the DESERT ISLAND logo & screenprint store poster – is by MATTI HAGELBERG.
at the MATT LEINES book launch – comic ‘doodler’ artist – and, just managing to keep a straight face, JEFF LADOUCEUR at the left, and comic book artist – straight up – and cracking up – MATT THURBER !!
JEFF LADOUCEUR has a big one man show coming up, at the very beginning of the New Year 2009, at ZieherSmith.
you can check out his work, here: ZieherSmith/website !!
and don’t miss his large inflatable installation – ‘floater’ 2008 – that caused a big sensation, this past summer when it was hung a outside the VANCOUVER ART GALLERY, see: inflatable !!
MATTHEW THURBER actually has a comic book, 1-800-MICE – available at DESERT ISLAND. this is issue #2.
MATTHEW THURBER, 1-800-MICE, issue # 2, is a PICTUREBOX PRODUCTION, published Spring 07,
comic book, black & white, 24 pgs. ($3.99)
back cover, MATTHEW THURBER, 1-800-MICE, issue # 2.
speaking ’bout PICTUREBOX – at right: WILL LUCKMAN, an assistant publisher/editor at PICTUREBOX, drops by the MATT LEINES – ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ – DESERT ISLAND book launch. with him at left, MATT THURBER – PICTUREBOX artist/comic book author.
also at the launch – PAUL BRIGHT – of COMMUNITY OUTREACH GALLERY, Toronto, ONTARIO,
which represents MATT LEINES, (and Taylor McKimens !! & MISAKI KAWAI ..) in Canada.
note: COMMUNITY OUTREACH seems to have morphed into a new gallery, the new – PAUL BRIGHT GALLERY – 1265 Bloor St, Toronto. in fact – the inaugural exhibit, illustrated cartoon videos by MARC BELL, opens this Thursday, Nov 6, 2008.
see: PAUL BRIGHT GALLERY
the comic book offering at DESERT ISLAND
BLACK HOLE – uh huh. next time I’m in there – I’m gonna check that one out..
what about – OPTIC NERVE ?
what about: PAPERCUTTER ?
this looks to be a canvas by the DESERT ISLAND founder, himself – GABRIEL FOWLER
how do I know ? well, check out the store’s buttons !!
in-store project by LAUREN WEINSTEIN
as part of the same project – LAUREN WEINSTEIN also did the DESERT ISLAND store window – an open community invitation to bring in cartoon figures drawn on paper. no dimension specified.
MATT LEINES – OUTSIDE DESERT ISLAND, BROOKLYN. ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ book launch.
Oct 24, 2008
MATT LEINES – ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ – PUBLISHED BY: FREE NEWS PROJECTS
FORMAT: HARDBACK, 9.5 x 10.925in. / 144 pgs / 125 color
ISBN: 978-0977652358 – PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/2008 – PRICE: $45
THE PUBLISHER’S NOTE – SAYS IT APTLY:
” ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ provides a vivid retrospective of the past several years of Leines’ detail-obsessed and process-driven work. Through his graphic and illustrative techniques, Leines blends imagery from his suburban American youth with iconographic visual traditions from far-flung civilizations, creating a highly original, modern psychedelic stew. ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ offers an in-depth look into the world of MATT LEINES, beautifully assembling his diverse and intricate body of work into a lavish hardcover book.” right on.
MATT LEINES – from: ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’, PUBLISHER: FREE NEWS PROJECTS, Philadelphia
MATT LEINES – from: ‘YOU ARE FORGIVEN’ – PUBLISHER: FREE NEWS PROJECTS, Philadelphia
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~MATT LEINES/YOU ARE FORGIVEN/DESERT ISLAND !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 24th, 2008, 2:37pm
THE NY ART BOOK FAIR – BENEFIT PREVIEW – BENEFITING PRINTED MATTER, INC
at PHILLIPS de PURY & CO – 450 WEST 15 STREET – 3rd FLOOR – CHELSEA, NY
TO-NITE !! – THURSDAY – OCT 23, 2008 – 6-9 PM
ADMISSION: $20 & $150 – see: NY ART BOOK FAIR
THE FAIR CONTINUES: FRI OCT 24 – SUN OCT 26 – FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC !!
HOURS:
THURSDAY OCT 23 – 6-9PM (preview)
FRIDAY OCT 24 – 11AM-7PM
SATURDAY OCT 25 – 11M-7PM
SUNDAY OCT 26 – 11AM-5PM
THE ONLY FAIR OF ITS KIND – THE NY ART BOOK FAIR – SHOWCASES 143 PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS, AND ANTIQUARIAN DEALERS FROM BERLIN to BEJING – PRESENTING A DIVERSE RANGE OF THE BEST IN CONTEMPORARY ART BOOKS, ART CATALOGS, ARTIST’S BOOKS, ART PERIODICALS & ZINES !!
see: NY ART BOOK FAIR
see: PRINTED MATTER
UP-DATE: FRIDAY OCT 24, 2008
the 3rd annual ART BOOK FAIR OPENING – was hot !! said to be their best showing yet, at the new location.
the fair is hot hot hot – makes the GRAMMERCY & ARMORY art fairs look like dog poop. fun is in the air !!
you gotta get yourself over there, and while you are there don’t miss the NOAH LYON, CINDERS, BOBO, THE JOURNAL & PICTUREBOX BOOTHS !! at PICTUREBOX – ask to see the MELISSA BROWN, limited edition (100), hand screened and numbered tabloid playing card desk !! at $30 ea, a steal. another best buy – for the least bucks – the BRIAN CHIPPENDALE SCREENPRINTS at CINDERS, full color ($60).
some pix from the opening night:
AA BRONSON OF PRINTED MATTER.
NICK PAYNE of PHILLY’S art band collective – BOBO – helps amp up the watts.
BOBO POSTERS – LARGE FULL COLOR PRINT POSTERS ENCASED IN BUBBLE WRAP ON BOTH SIDES.
PRICE RANGE: $300-$500.
this one says: “MURKY CHUD / EVER HEARD OF MURKY CHUD SACKS ? IT TURNS THE WASTE
YOU AMASS INTO THE PASTE YOU GRASP.”
BRIAN CHIPPENDALE PRINT, ($60) – just behind STO’s head – at the CINDERS ‘CAR’ BOOTH
MELISSA BROWN at the PICTUREBOX BOOTH – her ‘TABLOID’ DECK ($30) was a big hit !!
at left, DAN NADEL – head honcho of PICTUREBOX.
PAPER RAD – ‘BLACK LIGHT’ POSTER, from the DARK FAIR – on the wall behind.
playing MELISSA BROWN’S ‘TABLOID’ DECK – the goal is to make a TABLOID HEADLINE – with the cards you are dealt !!
MELISSA BROWN ,’TABLOID’ DECK, limited edition of 100 – hand printed and numbered.
A PICTUREBOX PRODUCTION.
NOAH LYON aka RETARD RIOT.
UP-DATE: SUNDAY OCT 26, 2008
it was so much fun – we had to return. we heard Saturday was so packed – it really was HOT !!
so hot – they had to get PHILLIPS to turn on the air conditioning !! so, Sunday turned out to be a good choice.
even better yet, MICHEL GONDRY was there at a 2nd PICTUREBOX BOOTH – signing copies
of his hand drawn COMIC BOOK !!
MICHEL GONDRY signs copies of his hand drawn comic book – ‘We Lost The War But Not The Battle’ – a PICTUREBOX PRESENTATION. ($5.99)
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~THE NY ART BOOK FAIR |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 23rd, 2008, 12:33pm
‘MARCH’. 2005, RUSSIA. DIRECTED BY OLGA CHERNYSHEVA/IMAGE COURTESY: MoMA
AN EVENING WITH OLGA CHERNYSHEVA – MODERN MONDAYS – FILM SCREENINGS
MONDAY – OCT 20, 2008 – 7 PM
MoMA – THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART – 11 WEST 53rd ST – BTWN 5th & 6th AVENUES
THEATER 2 – THE ROY & NIUTA TITUS THEATER 2
from the MoMA FILM CALENDAR:
“Moscow-based Russian artist OLGA CHERNYSHEVA, a graduate of the Moscow Academy and the Rijksakademie, Amsterdam, captures quotidian life in contemporary, post-Communist Russia using video, photography, drawing, and painting. For this presentation, Chernysheva discusses her artistic practice in the context of Russia today, and shows several of her video works.
In ‘The Train’ (2003), the director’s camera traverses the cars of an intercity Moscow train; ‘Anonymous’ (2004) portrays a middle-aged woman and a drunken man each having a private moment in a public park; and ‘March’ (2005) captures the dynamics between young male cadets, scantily clad teenage cheerleaders, and band members performing before a corporate event.
The program also includes her newest video, ‘Untitled. After Sengai’ (2008).
Special thanks to FOXY PRODUCTION, New York.”
and, YES !! OLGA CHERNYSHEVA – will be in attendance !!
UP-DATE: SAT NOV 1, 2008: PIX – FROM THE MoMA / OLGA CHERNYSHEVA – SCREENING !!
from left: JOHN THOMSON, Co-Director FOXY PRODUCTION, OLGA CHERNYSHEVA, and, MICHELLE KUO,
Senior Editor at ARTFORUM.
OLGA CHERNYSHEVA, and the evening’s curator, SALLY BERGER, Assistant Curator, Department of Film,
Museum of Modern Art. The ROY and NIUTA TITUS THEATER LOBBY, MoMA.
The ROY and NIUTA THEATER always has very interesting archival film & theater posters on display.
these were particularly of interest, esp. in regard to the work of contemporary artists, such as KARA WALKER and other, modern day paper cutters & silhouette artists – who walk in the steps of a proud American folk art tradition – brought here – by the earliest European settlers.
‘THE BOASTFUL BRAGGART’ – c. 1924-28. TEMPERA ON POSTER BOARD, THE MADALENA FAMILY.
“this poster publicizes a stage presentation created at the Eastman Theatre to accompany a film.”
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
‘BEAU BRUMMEL 1924’, USA, 1924. WARNER BROS. PICTURES, directed by HARRY BEAUMONT.
EXHIBITED THE WEEK OF MAY 18, 1924, TEMPERA ON BOARD POSTER. JUDITH & STEVEN KATTEN
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
. . . but, back to this evening’s star !! Russian-based FILMMAKER OLGA CHERNYSHEVA !!
In this day and age of soundbites – it is sometimes hard to recall – that words actually do have meaning,
and, reputations actually are built upon real accomplishment !!
Being focused primarily on NYC artists – when we encounter an international artist – we’re never really sure what we are headed in for – but MS. CHERNYSHEVA definitely deserves her international acclaim. Only a few minutes into the screening, it was not hard to see why. She combines the eye of a documentary cinematographer with the eye of an acutely inspired artist. Her brief narratives, while based in the absolute, unmanipulated reality going on about her – are like unfolding vignettes – peeling back to the individual specific – the modern post-Soviet urban landscape.
They are both lyrical and descriptive – richly visual and, often funny, or at least very curious. Her hand held camera’s subjects are captured, and crystallized from ‘found’ situations – encountered at random, stumbles upon – as she traverses her homeland city, seemingly, always in thought – about the world she lives in, and the way that her society – is playing out in contemporary terms.
. . . it was a definite treat to have MS. CHERNYSHEVA there in person. Though she herself expressed, that she felt her somewhat struggled-for English, was an impediment – it most certainly was not !! Her few words before each clip – illuminated about her world, her technique, her vision, her motivation – in ways that clearly augmented the sense that this was a very sensitive artist/ filmmaker – who saw her world, contemporary Russia – through very particular radar. Her artistry is very particular and yet very straightforward. Her clips speak for themselves, as she focuses in, and moves out away from her subjects.
She is a kind of artist/literary social scientist, philosopher/humanitarian – in the grand tradition and long history of introspective Russian cinematographers & writers – going way back. She spoke of the breakdown of the social order, and change in the new post Soviet era – where things seem to be hesitant and insecure, people a little lost. She spoke of searching for and finding the ‘individual’, the ‘particle’ of the whole society.
. . . and lastly, if you’ve seen her videos in small wall presentations, without sound – in art gallery situations – well – basically – you haven’t really, seen them at all. These are above all else films – made by a visual artist, and scale is key in her mind as she shoots. And to not experience her short films’ sound tracks – is to miss the point – entirely. The zen-like delicate music cannot be separated from the editing – they are one and the same. Haunting and beautiful. Revealing. As for art – she said: “. . . art can enhance human beings. art is pro-people. art enhances the meaning of human beings.” She went on to say: “Filming individuals is like … the ‘resonance’ principle – like doing something .. in the ocean” – is an inseparable part of an on-going narrative.
An interesting point that she shared with her MoMA audience – was how she never started off as a filmmaker, or even a photographer. She began, and pursued higher degree study – as a painter. I believe she said she began picking up a camera more often – when her daughter was born in 1986. At any rate, her first ‘real’ art ‘video’ – took shape in a moment of deeply felt inspiration & observation – in 1998, while her (now) 12 yr. old daughter was playing the piano – with “youthful intensity” in the background – she looked out upon a snowy street from her window, and addressed her camera to the shard of a world – below her. This first film, with her daughter’s piano as sound track – was presented as part of the MoMA screening.
video frame – OLGA CHERNYSHEVA, ‘Marmot’, Nov 7, 1999.
video frame – OLGA CHERNYSHEVA, ‘The Train’ with Mozart soundtrack.
a black and white hand held camera journey through a typical Russian city commuter train, including the off-limits baggage areas, etc. done.. “all the while – thinking about how it is told that MOZART wrote a lot of his music while traveling on trains”.
video frame – OLGA CHERNYSHEVA , ‘Anonymous Episode # 2’.
The man did not know he was being filmed – the camera actually pulls back at the end of the clip, to show the considerable distance she was filming him from. He was drunk and trying to open a beer bottle.
She said how she liked the way the bushes enveloped him. She also went on to say how this vignette expresses for her – her observation and feeling that, “the post Soviet system is breaking down, and each person is searching for their own individual direction” … , and some, in fact many – are invariably lost . . .
The sound track on this clip, as well as on all the others – is memorable – zen-like, integrated & spatial.
video frame – OLGA CHERNYSHEVA, inside a Russian museum.
catching contemporary gallery-goers amid the reflections of the glass framed – institutional state,
Russian master works, the glory of a bye-gone era.
video frame – OLGA CHERNYSHEVA.
MS. CHERNYSHEVA also said of her work, that she was . . .”a poet looking for treasures, not a critic looking for truth.”
It was interesting aside of the evening, because the films are based on actual observation – that one felt one was traveling through the contemporary Russian landscape – as well as the mindset.
video frame – OLGA CHERNYSHEVA – “March’, 2005
MS. CHERNYSHEVA told how she became fascinated by the interaction of the young boy cadets and the scantily clad, slightly older cheerleaders, at a parade – she just happened upon, one day, her video camera at hand.
video frame – MS CHERNYSHEVA”S most recent film, and in a departure, a street performance she set up – inspired by the square, circle and triangle of the late Edo period (1750s) Japanese Zen master philosopher monk artist,
SENGAI GABON.
Selling products in the street in Moscow is illegal, the girl is selling a small toy – etch-a-sketch – on which she repeatedly demonstrates it’s use – with triangles, circles and squares – and MS. CHERNYSHEVA – related how the girl, her real-world friend, was extremely nervous, because she had just found an apartment !! and, was worried, if caught,
she would lose it !!
this is the clip that looped in the recent FOXY PRODUCTION exhibit of OLGA CHERNYSHEVA’S work
see: OLGA CHERNYSHEVA/SEPT 9-OCT 10, 2008/FOXY PRODUCTION
at the small after party in the MoMA cafe/bar – artist ROB McKENZIE of AUSTRALIA, and FOXY PRODUCTION artist, ESTER PARTAGAS, originally from Barcelona, SPAIN – now living and working in Brooklyn.
see: FOXY PRODUCTION/artists
RON McKENZIE shows at UPLANDS GALLERY, in AUSTRALIA, see: his work, its very graphic & interesting, of course !!
also, check out: UPLANDS GALLERY, 249-251 CHAPEL STREET, Prahan, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
another FOXY PRODUCTION artist, VIOLET HOPKINS. Violet has a show coming up in the spring (2009).
see: FOXY PRODUCTION/artists
and last, but not least, and definitely in the news !! STEFAN RAK of ALPHA BETA – BROOKYN’s
newest, graffiti specialist art supply store, and of the moment – art & performance space !!
MR RAK currently produces/programs/promotes .. “a new music experimental” series at ALPHA BETA.
he writes:
“this experimental music series at ALPHA BETA . . . “is presented by the Body without Organs and is entitled: No New Body Music. This series is specifically dedicated to presenting and promoting new music of an exceptionally creative and innovative character, founded to showcase the new avant-garde, the truly original, progressive and refreshing.
Our first program took place last July 20th, 2008, and this past Sunday , Oct 19, 2008, we presented the sixth night of the series. (the series always runs on Sunday nights.)
I also program other events at ALPHA BETA, including Deviled Leggs 2 (an experimental electronic music/live performance/multi-sensory art dance party), in addition to more international/world music programming.
Last month we hosted a Fado performance (traditional Portuguese music); following our success with this event, we are presenting another night of Fado music, this time a more encompassing program of greater scope, featuring performances of Fado, Portuguese, Portuguese-Brazilian and Brazilian music.
that will happen this up-coming – SUNDAY – NOV 9th, 2008 at 8 PM.” !!!
see: thebodywithoutorganslive on myspace !!
ALPHA BETA doesn’t have a website – but we ran across this rather ‘charming’ little anti-graffiti rant
against ALPHA BETA – by New York City councilman, PETER VALLONE, JR.
see: ARTINFO/ALPHA BETA/JULY 3, 2008
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
MoMA/THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
~OLGA CHERNYSHEVA SCREENING/MoMA !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 20th, 2008, 1:15pm
‘CONTAIN’ – GREG LAMARCHE, MAYA HAYUK, ANTHONY LISTER & MONICA CANILAO
PROJECT: OCT 16 – 19, 2008 – CONTAINER VIEWING: 12 noon – 6pm
MAP AVAILABLE ON: WEBSITE
GALLERY EXHIBITION: OCT 23 – NOV 22, 2008
OPENING RECEPTION: THURS OCT 23, 2008 – 6-9PM
ANONYMOUS GALLERY – 329 BROOME ST – LOWER LEVEL – BTWN BOWERY & CHRYSTIE ST.
ANONYMOUS GALLERY will feature 4 temporary public art exhibitions, lasting 4 days, beginning OCT 16, 2008 and ending on SUNDAY, OCT 19, 2008.
FOUR 20 ft. x 8 ft. shipping containers will be placed curbside, near two separate
major art institutions. EACH ARTIST will be given a container in which to create an installation.
TWO CONTAINERS ARE PLACED in CHELSEA on 22nd ST & 11th AVE – and feature the work of: ANTHONY LISTER & GREG LAMARCHE.
TWO CONTAINERS ARE PLACED in the LOWER EAST SIDE on CHRYSTIE & RIVINGTON ST – and feature
the work of MAYA HAYUK & MONICA CANILAO.
THREE PEOPLE AT A TIME WILL BE ADMITTED INSIDE THE CONTAINERS TO VIEW THE ARTWORK.
THE CONTAINERS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – To-DAY, the last day !! – 12-6 PM !!
ANONYMOUS GALLERY
UP-DATE: MONDAY OCT 20, 2008
this was a great great presentation – super smart, super edgey, & super fun.
UP-DATE: THURS OCT 30, 2008
* * PIX FROM THIS 2 PART EVENT – GOING LIVE, NOW: * *
APPROACHING 2 CONTAINERS – ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE/CHRYSTIE ST./CORNER Of RIVINGTON.
THE POSTER FOR THE EVENT – ‘CONTAIN’ – LISTER. LAMARCHE. HAYUK. CANILAO./ANONYMOUSGALLERY.COM
ANONYMOUS GALLERY INTERN – NATHANIEL JOSLIN, ORIGINALLY OUT OF VERMONT.
ANONYMOUS FOUNDER/DIRECTOR JOSEPH IAN HENRIKSON, ORIGINALLY OUT OF WISCONSIN.
BLACK LABEL is here – they know MAYA. They thought she wanted musicians, but turned out she only wanted unamplified ones. Not really her fault – there was no electrical hook-up in the containers.
PAUL BOSCH, MAYA HAYUK, and JOSEPH.
PAUL BOSCH is a tattoo artist. . . . think he works at SAVED TATTOO – HOPE & ROEBLING
see: PAUL BOSCH/KRUSTOMKULTURE
see: savedtattoo.com
YO. STOP !! – CHECK THAT OUT, see: PAUL BOSCH – PORTFOLIO – !!
very good stuff. esp. the Japanese geisha winding down a shoulder hidden by a tree !! all 2 tone gray & sienna work – beautiful drawing – very fine details. looks like it is rendered on a smooth sheet of (slightly contoured) paper.
while the rest of his stuff – is really interesting too, all-in-your face – larger than life & in C-O-L-O-R !!
PAUL BOSCH IMAGE/COURTESY: saved tattoo
PAUL BOSCH TATTOO/IMAGE COURTESY: SAVED TATTOO
MAYA HAYUK’S CONTAINER.
CRAIG ANDERSON aka Mr. ANDERSONIC !! Mr. Andersonic played PIANOS on LUDLOW last Thursday – for the CMJ FESTIVAL – so did CONRAD CARLSON.
see: Mr. ANDERSONIC/myspace
see: CMJ MUSIC MARATHON NYC/OCT 21-25, 2008
see: 1100 BANDS In 5 DAYS/JON PARELES/ARTS BEAT/NEW YORK TIMES
MONICA CANILAO’S CONTAINER
looking into MONICA CANILAO’S CONTAINER EXHIBIT – ESSENTIALLY – A GLOBAL-TRIBAL ALTAR.
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER
detail, MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER. a visitor – . . . looking out – from within !!
MONICA CANILAO – CONTAINER – looking, back out.
. . . SWITCHING GEARS/SWITCHING GENDER/SWITCHING HOODS – GREG LAMARCHE & ANTHONY LISTER / ANONYMOUS CONTAINERS IN CHELSEA.
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER
YO, GREG LAMARCHE – AT HOME – IN HIS CONTAINER
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER
the tail end, of the mostly vintage & found wooden boxes & crates.
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER – PAPER COLLAGE
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER – A TAG – FROM BACK IN THE DAY ?
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER – the way, out …
GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER – … looking back out.
being inside and looking back out – is kind of like experiencing an exhibit in dimensions – the beginnings of a fractulated reality.
MATTHEW STEINBERG & GREG LAMARCHE – GREG LAMARCHE CONTAINER.
THE ANTHONY LISTER CONTAINER
ANTHONY LISTER – CONTAINER
inside the ANTHONY LISTER – CONTAINER – the big white (rat) painting on canvas had already been removed.
inside the ANONYMOUS GALLERY – the containers interior’s have been re-assembled for exhibit.
ANTHONY LISTER – CONTAINER INSTALLATION/EXHIBIT – WITH THE ORIGINAL WHITE (rat) CANVAS.
detail, ANTHONY LISTER
ANDREW SMITH – visiting from the U.K. – here in town doing research for a book on the early dot.com visionaries – his favorite ? – our hometown boy, himself – JOSH HARRIS !!! . . . of PSEUDO & JUPITER fame !! Andrew landed in NYC – after recently spending 2 weeks with Josh – in Ethiopia – where he says Josh is living on in his own compound – with 3 household employees, including his very own cook ..
In his book, ‘MOONDUST: IN SEARCH OF THE MEN WHO FELL TO EARTH’ (2005) – ANDREW SMITH – interviews the last remaining 9 (of 12) American astronauts – who actually went beyond the earth’s orbit – and literally touched base – with the moon (1969-1972). ASTRONAUTS WHO TOUCHED THE MOON – to – THE NEW YORK CITY HARD-CORE ART SCENE – JOSH HARRIS & CREW – no big leap, there !!! just joking. maybe NOT !!!
Andrew said Josh was “one of the most fascinating people – he had ever met – and he’s .. meet quite a few” – as he put it. moon-landing astronauts included.
see: THE SMELL OF MOON DUST/SCIENCE@NASA/01.30.2006
see: ‘MOONDUST: IN SEARCH OF THE MEN WHO FELL TO EARTH’
He really enjoyed this exhibit – he was also very intrigued by – the previous ANONYMOUS show – ‘PLAF: ELTONO & MOMO’ – and, he was totally thrilled when MOMO showed up & he could speak to him in person.
ANTHONY LISTER and GREG LAMARCHE – CONTAINER – EXHIBITS – meet at a gallery corner.
GREG LAMARCHE – PAPER COLLAGES
GREG LAMARCHE – new detail, CONTAINER EXHIBIT
GREG LAMARCHE – detail, CONTAINER EXHIBIT
ANTHONY LISTER SHOWS UP !!
Anthony Lister hails from Brisbane, Australia and recently relocated to NYC.
MOMO shows up !!
check out: MOMO TAGS HIS NAME – THE WIDTH of MANHATTAN !!
ELURA EMERALD and JOSEPH – co-founders & co-directors of ANONYMOUS GALLERY,
one of the best & certainly one of the the newest galleries – to pop-up – on the Lower East Side.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
ANONYMOUS
~ANONYMOUS/CONTAINER |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 19th, 2008, 11:37am
‘PLAF’ – ‘AUTONOMOUS MECHANISMS’
a collaborative project & exhibit by: ELTONO & MOMO
SEPT 1 – OCT 10, 2008 – the inaugural exhibit of one of NYC’S newest galleries:
ANONYMOUS GALLERY – 329 BROOME ST. bet THE BOWERY & CHRYSTIE ST.
LOWER EAST SIDE
HOURS: TUES-SAT 12-7 PM
Plaf is a word for . . . “splash in both Spanish and French and relates to this on-going project that features kinetic wooden sculptures that have been placed … in New York’s waterways. Constructed from used materials, the work will be left to the elements …”
– gallery press release
see: ANONYMOUS/PLAF: ELTONO & MOMO/video
see: PREVIEW/OPENING/PLAF
(this image & show was featured on the artlovers home page week of: OCT 7-15, 2008)
PIX FROM THE EXHIBIT:
the metal work doorway leads the way to one of New York City’s newest galleries:
ANONYMOUS. in fact this is their inaugural show.
a wall of graphic design & bold color – immediately grabs your attention.
78 PLAF MAKER PRINTS – $700. ea.
1 of 1 – meaning each one is a unique image and not repeated.
30 x 22 in on Lenox 100 paper.
Using a computer script designed by MOM – each print is developed by random selection. D Shapes, designed by both artists, are submitted to the computer program and the program
randomizes the shapes and completes each ensemble. therefore: “each print is an original design – produced by chance”.
PLAF MAKER PRINTS
PLAF MAKER PRINTS
PLAF MAKER PRINTS
PLAF MODELS – MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURES. PROTOTYPE FOR IN-SITU SCULPTURES.
Each MODEL is the replica used to create the full-scale kinetic sculptures that have been placed and fastened in several locations in the New York waterways. Constructed from used materials, the full-scale sculptures move and change shape with the rise and fall of the tides, the wake and undetermined circumstance. The sculptures were left to the elements as a way to explore the force and power of water.
PLAF – MODEL #1 – ($1,500)
PLAF – MODEL #2
PLAF – MODEL #3 – ($2,500)
PLAF – MODEL #5 – ($2,000)
detail, PLAF – MODEL #5
PLAF – MODEL #7 – ($2,700)
detail, PLAF – MODEL 7
in this dense city of people, skyscrapers and subways – it’s easy forget – we are a small island surrounded by ocean-fed waters. ELTONO and MOMO follow in the footsteps .. lifejackets !!? … of MARIE LORENZ and DUKE RILEY – in reminding us of the watery narrative close by and all around us.
MARIE LORENZ/PHOTO COURTESY: ANONYMOUS GALLERY
in fact, if you cruise the ANONYMOUS website – Marie’s photo pops up a few times, she also seems to have found a home here. In 2006 – MOMO and ZOSEN of Barcelona built a 12 ft. TOTEM POLE in the East River with Marie on a voyage of Marie’s ‘Tide and Current Taxi’.
In that project Marie has been “carrying people to the edge of civilization” for the past 3 years, in a boat she herself constructed.
see: ANONYMOUS/PLAF: ELTONO & MOMO
FLOATING PLAF MAKER #9 – ($900)
Painted wood-cuts. Added to Chelsea Piers floating debris and removed.
Each FLOATING PLAF MAKER was cut, painted, and placed into the sludge and debris that collects near Chelsea Piers. The wood pieces were then pulled from the debris and hung in selected order. Each piece includes 3-5 wood-cut pieces, painted on both sides – each piece is changeable.
FLOATING PLAF MAKER #10 ($900)
FLOATING PLAF MAKER #11
FLOATING PLAF MAKERS – on the gallery wall.
the exhibit also contained a wall of photo documentation of the projects.
PLAF – ELTONO & MOMO – in the New York City waterways.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH – unless otherwise noted.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE ARTISTS – FROM THE GALLERY PRESS RELEASE:
“The groundbreaking graphic interventions of the artist ELTONO, French born and residing in Madrid, have attracted attention in cities all over the world. He leaves his marks between Scotland and Brazil…. Eltono’s urban interventions are the result of a spontaneous reaction to confront the visual saturation of the urban space. Painting simple forms such as tuning forks, without an apparent message, is his way of countering the posters, advertising and signs that are imposed almost with force, to the eyes of urban pedestrians. In this context, his paintings propose a kind of visual rest, they do not sell or order anything, thy only exist in an aesthetic and composition proposal questioning mass communication.”
“MOMO is from the San Francisco Bay area. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, by way of 12 mostly adventurous years in southern climates: Jamaica, Spain, New Orleans, Key west, Taos, Georgia and North Carolina. He’s lived in tents, caves, cars and sheds. His ephemeral projects have sabotaged war advertisements, and he tagged the width of Manhattan (with his name in one long running line !!) … ”
see: ELTONO !!
see: MOMO’S SHOW PALACE !!
and, don’t miss: MOMO TAGS – THE WIDTH OF MANHATTAN !!
see: MARIE LORENZ !!
ANONYMOUS GALLERY
~ANONYMOUS/ELTONO & MOMO |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 19th, 2008, 11:23am
‘HOLD TIGHT’ – OPENS TO-NITE !! – SAT OCT 11 – 6:30-10 PM
the show runs: OCT 11 – NOV 5, 2008
GIANT ROBOT GALLERY – 437 EAST 9TH ST – BTWN 1st AVE & AVE A – EAST VILLAGE – NYC
more info: GRNY
a 12 PERSON GROUP SHOW – WITH WORKS BY: CALEF BROWN, JO DERY, JAD FAIR, MATTHEW FEYLD (who did the card’s illustration !!), KATHERINE GUILLEN, LIZZ HICKEY, CAROLINE HWANG, JORDIN ISIP, TAKASHI IWASAKI, CAT LAUIGAN, JEREMIAH MADDOCK & WILL SCHAFF
MANY, not all !! – of the ARTISTS – WILL BE AT THE RECEPTION.
~HOLD TIGHT/opens to-nite !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | October 11th, 2008, 1:51pm
