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

Pittsburgh Artist, Mike Egan: Life & Death Situations @ Yard Dog Gallery In Austin, Texas

You likely have seen Mike Egan's work at places like Modern Formations in Pittsburgh.

If you are in Austin, Texas check out his show and the gallery in general.

September 10 - October 9

"I've been working in funeral homes for the last five years and I've become quite familiar with all three subjects. Through funerals we tend to celebrate not only someone dying but we also celebrate that persons life. Through religion we hope that our loved ones are in a better place, that they are not suffering anymore. My inspiration comes from many different sources: The German Expressionists, stained glass windows, Halloween, Southern folk art, funeral homes, horror films, music, lowbrow/outsider art, Religious icons, etc. I am always adding and subtracting ideas and colors to my work to make each painting have it's own story. I like to think that each painting is in some way a good bye to somebody who passed away. A funeral portrait."


Yard Dog Art Gallery
1510 S Congress Ave Austin, TX
Sat, September 10, 7pm – 9pm

Monday – Friday 11 am – 5 pm

Saturday 11 am – 6 pm

Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm

Funerals, New Works by Pittsburgh Artist, Mike Egan @Anno Domini Gallery In San Jose, Through April 16Th

Since there is slightly better coverage of local shows around now, I feel more free to turn the blog more towards discussion and creating more awareness of out of town happenings.

If you have been around the scene here, particularly at Modern Formations, you likely know local artist Mike Egan. He's having what looks like a big show in San Jose right now at a gallery called Anno Domini.

"In his newest body of work, Pittsburgh, PA artist Mike Egan looks back on his time spent working in funeral homes. Surrounded by death and mourning, Mike started painting not only the stories of those who have passed, but the stories of those left behind after one's passing; the mourners, the lovers, the hurt and the relieved.

Funerals shows death in a tongue-in-cheek perspective of the one's who have passed, the ones who survived, and the people who deal with death on a day to day, the clergy. Devils and crosses, Clergymen spitting blood, and skeletons smoking pipes; Funerals shows satire in death and the rituals of saying goodbye."

Check ot all the images and instalation shots here.

More gallery info here
Show ends April 16th

Tuesday-Friday Noon-7 p.m.,
Saturdays Noon-5 p.m.
additional hours by appointment

Anno Domini

366 South First Street
(btwn San Carlos & San Salvador) map
San Jose, CA 95113
t: 408.271.5155

Plenty Of Sleep When We're Dead @ Fast Foward Gallery Opens Friday

Got this email from Christian Breitkreutz.

"Make sure you don't miss out on my latest art show, Plenty of Sleep When We're Dead, coming up this Friday, April 2nd! It will be at Fast Forward Gallery in Lawrenceville/Bloomfield area."

We have a very, very busy art weekend coming up another really totally insane number of shows/ events opening on Friday, with the coming together of The Green Arts & Technology Festival, along the Penn Corridor and a Three Part joint project aligning FE Gallery in Lawrenceville with Space Gallery downtown and AIR, on the North Side.

This show at Fast Forward is not directly related but will open with the Unblurred. It looks like a must see!

Fast Forward Gallery
3710 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
724.833.4537