March Unblurred

Last night's Unblurred was just amazing! Tons of people out, and some small touches here and there to prove that Pittsburgh is coming out of its winter slumber.

Heaven Didn’t Want Them: New Works by Christian Breitkreutz and Mike Egan
ModernFormations



Well, the title of the show is a little misleading, depending on your definition of recent. I had already seen a few of Christian Breitkreutz's works that are included in this exhibit, and his site indicates that some of the works were created in 2011. I'm being too picky, right? To counterbalance that, I will also say that I enjoyed seeing the work; the ones that were new to me as well as the ones that were in the previous exhibit.

It is a well executed exhibit; Breitkreutz's and Egan's work compliment each other without being redundant. The works were well chosen, with an eye for color as well as being mindful of theme. Breitkreutz's works have an overt macabre quality, with lots of tongue in cheek gore. Egan's work tends to boldness of shape and flat shapes.

Christian Breitkreutz
Mike Egan

Abby Diamond at Image Box

Abby Diamond at Image Box

This is a very pretty show, with an emphasis on nice- sized watercolors of mostly birds. My favorite subject! I love birds, and have two avian companions that share my home.

My apologies for the quality of the above image: I took it with my cellphone. Although the other works in the exhibit were as beautiful, I really was very attracted to this one. The work was pieced together on the bottom third, which gave the work an interesting texture and dimension. Overall, Ms. Diamond handles watercolor very well, a media that I find difficult at best.

Abby Diamond

There is as much happening on Penn Avenue itself as there is in the many and varied venues that open their doors on First Fridays. Sorry for the poor quality of this shot, but it's nice to get a picture of this solar- and wind-powered street screen at night -

Solar illuminated street screen, Penn Avenue

There are several of these street screens along Penn Ave. There's something really appealing about them.

Another small detail from last night was this little snippet, taped to what remains of a parking meter. This one was outside of ImageBox. I spotted another one near Spak Bros, but I had a difficult choice to make. Take the time to find someone to help me take the picture or miss the bus. I am imaging these posted up and down Penn Ave. At least, I hope they are!

Faster than the stars blink on

Of Note:

Put aside some time to really explore the Center for PostNatural History. Because RATS!

Atomic Age Rodents at the Center for PostNatural History

Shameless plug! Coming in April to ModernFormations, Four Suites with
Susan Constanse
Jean McClung
John Morris
Laurie Trok

August Unblurred

The night was humid. I'm not kidding, here, it was stultifying in its denseness, it was a miasma heat and sweat, practically visible in its density. But that didn't stop the stalwart souls of Pittsburgh from making their way to Penn Avenue for the monthly Unblurred.

They were rewarded with some very fine shows. The regulars at Artica and Awesome Books were on hand, doors open and smiling in spite of the heat. If you missed the anniversary show at Modernformations in July, Friday was a great alternative to view the exhibit. It wasn't nearly so crowded.

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At Most Wanted Fine Art

Michael Galone, Untitled (flower)

Kati Burgess, Lost Love

 

Charcoal Drawings by Kati Burgess and Michael Galone are showcased at Most Wanted Fine Art. A small show, but well presented. The works by Ms Burgess and Mr Galone are clean and very well executed.

Most Wanted Fine Art
5015 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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At Image Box

Rebecca Spitler, Seahorse Study #2

These were a series of very small, very clean drawings. Kind of sweet, and charming.

LITTLE DRAWINGS
... a solo exhibition featuring a series of ink drawings by Ms. Rebecca Spitler.
Image Box
4933 Penn Ave
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At Assemble


Dana L Depew, Pleasure of Course

Oh, this was just an all around fun place. Tons of stuff going on, ranging from installation to more static forms. The work by Ms Depew (pictured above) got a lot of attention, with its tiny vignettes. Each of the suitcases contained a lit diorama, just a lot of fun to explore. I am looking forward to weeing what assemble will be binging us in the coming months.

assemble
5125 Penn Ave

Susan Constanse "Unreal Spaces" Opening at Image Box 10/1, 7-10

There are many things to see tomorrow night, with both the Gallery Crawl downtown and Unblurred going on. This exhibit "Unreal Spaces" (part of Unblurred)is a don't miss. I have seen some of the paintings in Susan's studio, and they are wonderful. I think it is best to let the artist describe the series, see below.

I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting works from my Unreal Spaces series at Imagebox. Opening in October, I’ll be exhibiting the newest work from this series. Hope you can make it for the reception on October 1.

Unreal Spaces series
Recent Works by Susan Constanse
October 1 – 29, 2010
Opening reception: Friday, October 1, 2010: 7-10PM
The show is available for viewing during the opening reception, all other times by appointment only. Contact Susan Constanse at susanconstanse@gmail.com to set up a meeting.
Imagebox
4933 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 441-0930

Artist Statement
Unreal Spaces series

I am a habitual pedestrian, using public transportation only for journeys further than two miles. In my walks through the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, I became very aware of the structure of the streets, with its triangle blocks, breezeways and alleys. The streets echo back to the birth of the city, when pathways evolved along the contours of the land, seeking always the path of least resistance. The city has an organic quality to its structure, with houses and buildings evolving and decaying in their use and function. Much of the architecture has strange, almost purposeless, features.

The geography implied in Unreal Spaces references the architecture and contours of Pittsburgh. The works do not reflect a physical landscape but are a recording of foot travel and its purpose; an abstract auto-geography. As I travel between my home and various points around my city, I am fully engaged, taking the time to observe building facades and the odd corners and spaces between structures.
The paintings take several sessions over the course of a month. In this respect, the works are like a portrait, not of a moment but of a time span. The difference between a portrait and a photograph is just this distinction; that the artist records their observations over a period of time, providing a denser and more meaningful representation.

Light features highly in the work, specifically referenced in adding dimension and depth through veils, shafts and implied reflection. Palette, which is a subtle and complex vocabulary, is integral to my work. Color, in all of its values, provides a way of creating a subtext within individual works.

I am influenced by the design and color characteristics explored by painters like Klee and Kandinsky. Klee’s compositions and palette are emotionally orchestrated, implying movement and space beyond the confines of the individual works. Kandinsky is a master at reconciling objective and non-objective elements.

Materials
Paintings. The paint is applied in thin layers, building from broad foundations to greater complexity in color and in hand. The paintings are allowed to mature and are finished with Dammar varnish.
Works on paper. The works on paper allow a casual exploration of themes and materials.

Garfield First Friday

Image Box

Vanessa German
Katherine Young

Marci Gehring

Marci Gehring (detail)

Here are few shots from my trip to the first Friday on Penn Ave., in Garfield. I know that I did a pretty half assed job of capturing it. Katherine Young had her closing and I wanted a chance to see her show again. Also The Clay Penn had a show of the fashion Art Pieces of Marci, an artist that you just sort of half to see to believe. I will have to get back to her later. A new gallery called Image Box had a show of the Photography of Vanessa German. Honestly, I spun through there way too fast to have much to say. The works were installed above a strip with writing that ran around the space and I didn't read it.

I just sort of feel lucky that I was able to see what I did since I had to rush from the Society to get up there. I haven't looked at the future schedules that well, but I expect the first friday drunk driving road show to be in full swing by September when no doubt everyone will plan stuff for the same night.