Clues to the Swoon Mystery

So, I think I found some clues to what connects the artist Swoon to Pittsburgh. The shot above was taken outside of Swoon's jammed art opening at mega dealer Deitch projects in NYC. Look carefully through the bikes at that black shirt that says Kraynicks. Yes, it's that kraynicks on Penn Ave.

And here's another clue.

Never Souled Out

Another chance to Swoon in Braddock and to see her show too!!

The legendary Northern Soul party will do it's first all nighter ever in Braddock.

Never Souled Out - 9pm-6am, May 12-13 - will be held at the desanctified
First Presbyterian Church
416 Library St., Braddock, PA, 15104
(Resanctify this baby with SOUL!)

$8 in advance and ten at the door.

Other facilities on-site include the Elks Lodge, with full bar, located two doors up, and Dorothy 6 art gallery located next door, which will be open during the early part of the evening with a multi-artist show including newsworthy NYC artist SWOON.

Never Souled Out is a BYOB event - please bring the adult beverages of your choice to see you through the night. We'll supply a couple of free kegs initially, as a gesture of beer-drinkin' good will!

However, the good folks of Braddock, PA, will be staffing a cash-only coffee/Red Bull/snack/etc. bar until 2 or 3 a.m. Tip well!

Several record dealers of no-small repute will be on hand, including Des Parker, Dave Moore, "Philly" Dave Brown, and more. So bring cash for your 45 fix, too.

But why Braddock?

"Just as small otherwise forgotten industrial towns such as Wolverhampton and Stoke, Blackpool and Wigan, ( and Manchester!!!) provided the original Northern Soul scene with its fans and clubs, Braddock’s post-industrial legacy makes it the perfect setting for Never Souled Out. But what’s more, by bringing soul fans from around Pittsburgh and around the country to see the revitalization process underway in Braddock, we hope that people will make that connection and realize that, with the right support, Braddock can fulfill its destiny as Pittsburgh’s once and future king (neighborhood)!

On our first site-visit to check the possible Braddock location, we were greeted by members of the local Elks Lodge who were old-school Porky and Mad Mike fans, R&B and record folks just like their “northern” brethren – and with a similarly caustic sense of humor. Braddock Mayor John Fetterman and Deputy Mayor Jeb Feldman have supported Never Souled Out with the passion of devotees, and really, we can’t think of a better fit."

Images From the Philly Show

Here are some shots Thad put up on flicker of the Philly show.

After Party: Pittsburgh Artists in Philly

As far as I know, Thad Kellstadt, an awesome Pittsburgh artist put this show together in Philly.

Space 1026
1026 Arch St.
2nd Fl. Philadelphia
(215) 574-7630

"Visionary deer glimpse the future in the facets of a glittering stone. Burnt out freaks linger in the dawn's early rays. Fantasy characters are held captive amongst conceived decay. A simultaneous longing and dread for the inevitable future song. The weighting of universal truths versus the universes gravity.

In the month of May, Pittsburgh artists fill Space1026 with painting, sculpture, photography, video, screen prints, and taxidermy."

Artists include, Matt Barton, Jim Lingo, Jesse Jamaica McLean, Thad Kellstadt, Josh Tonies, Jesse Hulcher, ladyboy, Jae Ruberto And Josh Bonnett.

Reflections of the May Unblurred.

Spring is swingin' and folks have unleashed their A-game. All of that cooped up energy from winter is being released simultaneously. It's a fun and exciting time. This month's Unblurred was no disappointment. After a string of First Fridays that did little to excite me, yesterday was refreshing.

I started out with a visit to the Community Activity Center, where some of the galleries from Lawrenceville were represented by rows of Bingo-style tables. I'd never been to the location before (it's a former church on Pacific Avenue) and I was struck by the possibilities of the space. Manny T. told me that he booked a show there once. Unfortunately I believe that there are few people outside ofGarfield that know it exists. Anyway, I was pleased (in a vain sorta way) to note that John from the Digging Pitt had a portfolio of my work sitting out. It reminded me that I have to get some of my newer images into his files. Beth from Musee' de Monoian and the owner of the Trinity Gallery were hawking their wares as well. It's just a shame that everyone on Penn Avenue didn't make it to this setup.

It was nice to see Carolyn Wenning's SPACE with an active show of work by CMU students. It's a great looking studio, and run by a talented and gracious woman. Carolyn did say that it will be the last exhibition for awhile, as she wants to concentrate on her own work, and get a figure drawing session up and running (I am anxious to see that happen, as many of my regular spots are shut down for the summer).

The highlight for me last night was the Bigfoot-themed show at Modern Formations. You all should know of my pseudo-obsessive interest in the elusive, furry beast. There was ample quality work in the gallery. The "gentle giant" was represented in needlepoint, sculpture, collage, paintings, and illustrations. Initially I had difficulty trying to choose what I wanted to take home with me. It was curated by parties outside of the gallery, and for some reason the artists insisted on not listing any of their prices. Initially I was put off by this choice, but ultimately it worked to my advantage.

On my second look around the gallery, I noticed a wooden box upon a stool, with a peephole drilled in its front. When I bent down to look at the illuminated scene within, I was struck with joy and wonder. Inside was a diorama with a Bigfoot impersonator languishing in a bathtub with a hairy suit hanging on the wall like a bathrobe. The piece was inventive, lovingly-crafted, and had a lively sense of humor... and I knew I had to have it. I inquired about the price and was stunned by how reasonable the figure was. The artist (Beth Warner, if my flawed recollection is correct) was pleased to have made the sale- but not as happy as I was to purchase such genius. My friends may laugh at my penchant for being first at these events, but I am often rewarded by getting the opportunity to buy the best pieces. Anyway, I left lots of great stuff for them. Luckily for those who missed this, the gallery has a series of events scheduled for this month. It's well worth making a note of it in your schedule.

Another stop worth making is Garfield Artworks. Despite the resident curator's seeming disinterest in the visual arts, every once in awhile he comes up with some gems. My friend Marci Gehring continues her saturation of the local arts scene with her form-fitting afghan dresses and a retrospective of one of her earliest series of paintings. This month she is joined by Jenn Crawford, who displays some of her own slinky (?) fashion designs. Also notable are the Juxtapoz-y paintings of Cleveland resident Amy Casey. Illustrative colorful animals invade post-industrial urban spaces in her accomplished works. Particularly striking is a mural-sized canvas priced beyond my means at $3000. It's worth it if you have the cash. But it don't cost nothin' to see it.

Rounding out the night were exhibitions of the works of Vanessa German (@ The Clay Penn) and Jason Shorr (@ ImageBox). I had seen both bodies of work represented elsewhere around town, but they stood up to repeated viewings. From secondhand accounts, I learned that one very offended "art-lover" actually pulled one of German's pieces from the wall. Apparently he was enraged by its title- "Nappy-Headed Hos". It's really too bad he wasn't patient enough to learn the context of the work- not all art is meant to be decorative. On the other hand, Shorr's work (meanwhile) manages to be both decorative and packed with subtle hints of meaning and inflection. If you ever get a chance to talk to him about his paintings (which are inspired by both Pop Art, classical mythology AND medical illustrations), you should seize the opportunity.

A Mural Presentation in Edgewood.

Tonight I went to the Edgewood community to present my mural proposal. I can't say exactly what I expected to find there. I guess I figured it would be a politician, a gallery owner and a handful of neighborhood notables. Nope. If I were to have tried to conjure an audience least likely to be sympatico with my vision, I would have surely fallen short of what awaited me. It would have been the very first failure of imagination on my part during this entire process. Because I didn't realize that when I got to the Edgewood Borough building I wouldn't know a single soul. I also didn't know that I'd be making my presentation to the Borough Council- eleven (or so) very conservatively dressed people appearing to be anxiously awaiting the serious business of their bimonthly meeting.

When everyone was present they called the gathering to order, and then everyone rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a ritual I am oddly familiar with, so instead of unsettling me further, it gave me a sense of inevitability. Mercilessly I didn't have to sit through the whole proceedings, because the developer of the project kicked off the meeting by introducing the concept, and the proposals of the artists who wouldn't be showing up to explain their work. I knew there was going to be trouble as soon as he opened up the floor for questions from the panel. This was a very pragmatically-oriented council. They wanted to know about coatings for the work, which would ostensibly be used to keep them graffitti-free. What type of polyurethane covering was going to be employed? They were also concerned that the kids who would be working on the project would be safe from the reckless driving of PAT drivers. All practical considerations aside, they yielded the floor to teh "kooks". Luckily the other artist (who was actually present) went first. Unluckily for me, he knew ahead of time that he was going to be submitting his piece to the Edgewood neighborhood, and had painted an actual scene from the community.

Then it was showtime. I stepped up to the lecturn, introduced myself, and unveiled my 18 x 24" illustration board. I felt it was important to mention that I had not been told about any specific area for which my piece would be considered. I was resigned to my fate and launched into the spiel I have intermittently delivered to friends and onlookers over the past month or so. I figured there was nothing else I could do, but forge on ahead without reservation. I spoke about Meadowcroft and sacred Mayan symbology. I talked about our industrial past and the difficulty in envisioning the future. I even went ahead and mentioned human consciousness and stages of development. The response was a row of faces full of flat affect. I continued with all of that 2012 stuff. I tried not to read their thoughts as I heard myself sounding like a new age psychotic. And finally I made sure to point out that none of it had to be taken literally- that it was all an allegory for sustainability. That was my main concession. Besides that, I did get one laugh when I explained that the Mayan temple on the Hill in my picture was my failed proposal for a new arena. Never underestimate the power and universality of a sporting reference in Pittsburgh.

I thanked them for having us, and reclaimed my seat. We were able to make our escape shortly. As soon as I was outside I sought reassurance from my fellow artists. I asked them how crazy I sounded. They tried to console me by saying I sounded like "an artist". This was cold comfort. One (or maybe two) of the submissions will be chosen for the project. The council itself will make a recommendation, and then representaives from the community will have a chance to vote for their favorites. I wonder if it is a good or bad thing that they won't hear my conceptualization. In a way I think it's appropriate that the piece will have to stand or fall without explanation. That's the way most people will experience the mural if my work is chosen. I won't be there to talk about it. Maybe folks will like the colorful alien, and appreciate the mystery of the obscure references. Or perhaps not. I don't flatter myself with favorable odds. But at least I'll have more time to travel if I am not chosen!

Digging Pitt wants you...

Digging Pitt Gallery and Digging Pitt Too have a few volunteer internship positions available. There are a lot of benefits in working for a small gallery like Digging Pitt. You will be working directly with John Morris, the Gallery Director. All of the positions have a lot of meat to them, with real opportunities for applying what you know and expanding your skills. We are open to ideas in customizing an internship program that works for you. Please contact the gallery at 412-605-0450 or by email for more information. We are currently looking for interns in the following areas --

Art Registrant Intern
Assists the director in organizing art work in portfolios. The candidate will develop an inventory of work and log new works into the inventory. The inventory list will include cross referencing available images. In addition, the candidate will assist in the installation of exhibits. Digging Pitt is currently using Microsoft Excel for a database.

Public Relations Intern
Will assist in the maintenance of current internet initiatives underway at the gallery. Includes the maintenance of a MySpace page as well as several gallery blogs. Some writing for posts and press releases may be involved. Researching press contacts and maintaining a database of email addresses. Developing and maintaining addresses for the gallery email list. The gallery currently maintains an email list on Outlook.

Web Development Intern
Will assist in the maintenance and update of the gallery website. Will include experience in Macromedia Dreamweaver and related graphic programs.

The Mother May I Marathon @brillobox

Set up and ready to go...

This was immersion therapy for artists. The models were wonderfilly inventive. Time flew by as a handfull of artists labored on the second floor of the brillobox on May 5.

I really enjoyed Andy More-hole and his Mom. "Mom" was a wonderful model and a delight. Thank you all so much. For more information about the brillobox's Drink and Draw sessions, check out our MySpace page or email us.

Next session:
Christine Allen and her trunk-full of characters
May 15
6-9PM

First session models, from left: Andy More-hole, Christine Allen and Andy More-hole's Mom
Second session models: Al and Nikki
Paul LeRoy
David Grim

Leo Goode


Steve Dines



Renee Ruth Ickes
Kyle Pattison
Susan Constanse

More Marci Gehring Images

Here are more images of the amazing Paintings of Marci Gehring that are in my gallery right now untill June 2nd

New Monthly Series

LIQUID SUNDAYS is a new monthly gathering based in South Side Pittsburgh. One Sunday a month, they'll be showcasing local artists, bands, DJs, and writers, aiming to bring greater awareness and exposure to Pittsburgh talent. And the events are Free.

This Sunday, May 6th, the event will be held at the Rex Theater on Carson Street. For more info see their website: www.myspace.com/liquidsundays

This Spring, Cross-Pollinate!

Let’s hear it for cross-urban pollination! A posse of Pittsburgh’s writers, more specifically some local authors on Pittsburgh’s Six Gallery Press, are driving up to Cleveland this Saturday for a group reading at Mac’s Paperbacks, in Cleveland Heights. Writers such as New Yinzers Kris Collins and Scott Silsbe, “Pittsburgh’s Rimbaud” John Thomas Menesini, novelist Dana Killmeyer, outsider writer Che Elias, and myself, will be joining Youngstown’s Noah Cicero, Cleveland native David Hoenigman, and the notorious Kane X. Faucher for the literary onslaught.

A small press publisher from Columbus subsequently contacted me, asking was I reading in his city soon. And I thought, why wouldn’t I? Nevermind that I haven't had a driver's license in nine years, that's not stopping me from getting to Cleveland! I asked him if his press was interested in trading readings—we’d set one up for his people here, and he’d set one up for some of us there. I do think it always works best if, like John Morris has mentioned on this blog before, the readings themselves cross-pollinate local writers with the out-of-towners. I once booked myself a cross-country reading tour before I grasped that fact--booking myself solo readings the whole way. I don't recommend it! It’s not a good way to gather audiences for emerging artists of any genre. Face it: in the independent art world, audiences still flock to support their friends and acquaintances first, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Six Gallery Press Reading
May 5th 2007 at 5:00pm
Mac's Paperbacks
1820 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights

'In Full Bloom' thru May 12th

There's still time to see the downtown group show, "In Full Bloom," at SPACE Gallery, 812 Liberty Avenue, and I recommend it highly. Seen here are details from: (top two) Laura Jean McLaughlin, "Little Red"; Ashley Hodder, "Here Comes the Bride"; and Tim Kaulen, "Steel Heron #1" and "Steel Heron #2."

Through May 12th.
412.325.7723
Tues-Thurs. 11am-6pm
Fri/Sat 11am-8pm
Space Gallery Online

Sarah @Drink and Draw

Sarah was an inspiration. She performs with Zany Umbrella Circus. She did some pretty challenging poses and held them well. And her costume was pretty cool, too.

Don't forget that the Mother May I Marathon is this Saturday!! Want details?

Flat Out @ Unblurred on May 4

Digging Pitt Gallery, Trinity Gallery and the Musee' de Monoian will be joining forces for Unblurred on Friday, May 4. The table-top show will be housed in the Community Activity Center, one block off of Penn Avenue.

Flat Out @Unblurred
May 4, 2007
6-9PM
113 North Pacific Avenue
Pittsburgh PA, 15224

The galleries will bring a range of artists’ work. Digging Pitt will draw from its extensive flat file archive, bringing a sampling of the gallery’s artists to the Pittsburgh community. Trinity gallery will be presenting some of Dan Gaser’s fine photography.

The Mother May I Marathon

The Mother May I Marathon
Mother may I drink, Mother may I draw?

brillobox Drink and Draw has been going full-blast since October. The drop-in sessions have hosted models costumed from burlesque to drag. Drink and Draw will host a full day of drinkin’ and drawin’, the Mother May I Marathon, on Saturday May 5 from 1-8PM.

Look what Phat Man Dee has to say about Drink and Draw …

"I heard 'bout yinz, drinkin', drawin', like some kind of drunk drawers.... Suckin' dahn them fancy schmancy microbrewsn'at, dahn the bar in Lawrryville, gettin' all artistic n'at. Ain't natral" - Phat Man Dee

The models will be costumed and some props will be available for the sessions. The sessions are uninstructed, drop-in sessions. The brillobox will have paper and crayons on hand, but bring anything else that you want to work with. Water-based and dry mediums are welcome. (Sorry, no photography or oil-based mediums)

IMPORTANT STUFF

$25/day, $15/half day.
$20/day for students (must present valid id)
1:00 - 4:30 PM
4:30 - 8:00 PM
RSVP to (412) 621-4900 or by email

brillobox Drink & Draw
Mother May I Marathon
4104 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15224
drink specials + door prizes