Hello everybody,
Following is a guest post from Serendipity. Enjoy!
Years ago, when Pavement was still together playing vital music, frontman Stephen Malkmus used to wear a shirt that said, "Fuck Art. Let's Dance!". While I certainly understand the sentiment (and there are plenty of options to dance now that Spring is upon us), I'd rather not see y'all get zombified by the pollen clouds. Remember that there's nothing better to get you moving later in the night than looking at original art live in person. And there are some opportunities this weekend. Take advantage of them.
Friday
You could go downtown. Really, you could if you were of such a mind. No, it's not a crawl per se, but there are a couple of openings that seem like they might be worth checking out. With Potato/Tomato: The Cover Project, Future Tenant has organized a show around a potentially interesting concept- they've asked artists to riff on other creators' work. Those folks are always so adorably post-modern, and this presentation might just cause me to venture downtown early Friday evening (6-9PM). Or then again, it might not. If you do think you might be interested, check out their page here...
But perhaps you don't want to do too much driving. Maybe the idea of fighting the Friday Rush Hour snarl is too daunting to penetrate the Golden Triangle. If so, then I got sumptin' for ya. Go to the Zombo Gallery. It's your last chance to see Breitkreutz and Copeland in March- two up-and-comers worth keeping an eye on. Did you go to the opening? Was there too much going on that night (at 6-freakin' PM?!)? Don't just do a drive-by this time. Put your poison on hold and have a look at some paintings. There will be lots of time to go out later.
Saturday
This might just be some sort of freakin' typo... but is LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Exotic Cocktails) really hosting their Annual Women's History Month Closing Party at 7-ever lovin'-AM on Saturday morning? That's hardcore. I wonder what kind of strange rituals they will be perpetrating Friday night. Regardless of when it really happens, it's reported that they will be talking about cosmetics. That's even more appropriate at such an ungodly hour.
If you do get drunk that early in the morning, you might as well schlep your wares over to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts' Simmons Hall for the New Member Screening of the Pittsburgh Society of Artists. Bring three gallery-ready pieces and $35. Meet some ah-tists. Buck the trends.
As far as the night is concerned, I didn't find any gallery openings on Saturday. Of course there's the possibility that some swell space somewhere is having their special people over for drinks and show-and-tell, but I'm not privy to such rarefied society. So I'm considering taking my sass over to Pittsburgh Filmmakers for the Black Maria Film Festival (7:30PM- $7). For years I've made it a habit not to see films in theaters, and I've rarely challenged that resolve. But with this event there should be lots of breaks, which are essential to my viewing pleasure. I don't know what you'll see if you go, but the press release explains:
"Since 1981, the annual Black Maria Film & Video Festival, an international juried competition & award tour, has been fulfilling its mission to advocate, exhibit and reward cutting edge works from independent film and videomakers. The festival is known for its national public exhibition program, which features a variety of bold contemporary works drawn from the annual collection of 50 award winning films & videos."
Then again, maybe your tastes run more toward the lowbrow. In that case, I don't think you can afford to miss Tromatic Movie Night at the Obey House (1337 Steuben St.). That's in Crafton Heights. Where the f'n hell is Crafton Heights? It just might be real cannibals and toxic freaks that you encounter out that way. Sound like an adventure? It's $5, it starts at 6PM, and it features "Magic Hat Beer Specials And Troma Vendor". Alrite then...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The bearded lady is never behind the curtain ...
As the internet turns the world into short attention span theater I find myself juggling multiple outlets for short attention span creating. I have a livejournal, for the most part blocked off from the rest of the world and connected to nonlocal friends. I've puzzled over the 'artist's blog' and kept one since 2003; now I've rolled it into my own website.
Started playing with Twitter, which is turning out to be a heck of a lot of fun. I'm more of a conceptwitter person than telling the (illusion of) the world where I am all the time. My vox blog, the remnant of an artist blog, has become snippets or clippings of flickr photos, tweets, and links. mySpace? Yeah, its nice to go down to that dive bar once a week for the noise and sleaze, strange bands coming up and humping my leg for attention.
With its recent redesigns, Facebook became a combination of mySpace and Twitter. Much noisier, visually, but, its popularity means i've gotten back in touch with some people who I wanted to reconnect with.
Now, to the point of this post.
I can't stand the people who use social networks to pimp themselves constantly. Every tweet or every FB status post is a link to something they've done, or something they are doing.
Granted I'll post a link to this thing on Facebook. Its about proportion. You gotta give something, not be that hand out there begging for clickthroughs.
When people do this, they are being a non-profit organization that only talks to its members to sqeeze them for more money. This becomes very easy to ignore.
Be a beacon of content.
Don't be a series of promises that the content will somehow be there behind another door that you want me to open. I know you want me to click there. The constant stream of tiny URLs tells me you value the clickthrough more than giving me content - you value what I have to give you (my attention) more than what you have to give me (your content).
Maybe you want the control of making me look at your content on your terms. Not interested.
The internet means tolerating hucksters, viruses, popups. The carnival inside my computer, the cost of a click is only my time. You shout and beckon with empty invitations. The bearded lady is never there.
Don't be surprised if I unfriend you, or stop following.
Started playing with Twitter, which is turning out to be a heck of a lot of fun. I'm more of a conceptwitter person than telling the (illusion of) the world where I am all the time. My vox blog, the remnant of an artist blog, has become snippets or clippings of flickr photos, tweets, and links. mySpace? Yeah, its nice to go down to that dive bar once a week for the noise and sleaze, strange bands coming up and humping my leg for attention.
With its recent redesigns, Facebook became a combination of mySpace and Twitter. Much noisier, visually, but, its popularity means i've gotten back in touch with some people who I wanted to reconnect with.
Now, to the point of this post.
I can't stand the people who use social networks to pimp themselves constantly. Every tweet or every FB status post is a link to something they've done, or something they are doing.
Granted I'll post a link to this thing on Facebook. Its about proportion. You gotta give something, not be that hand out there begging for clickthroughs.
When people do this, they are being a non-profit organization that only talks to its members to sqeeze them for more money. This becomes very easy to ignore.
Be a beacon of content.
Don't be a series of promises that the content will somehow be there behind another door that you want me to open. I know you want me to click there. The constant stream of tiny URLs tells me you value the clickthrough more than giving me content - you value what I have to give you (my attention) more than what you have to give me (your content).
Maybe you want the control of making me look at your content on your terms. Not interested.
The internet means tolerating hucksters, viruses, popups. The carnival inside my computer, the cost of a click is only my time. You shout and beckon with empty invitations. The bearded lady is never there.
Don't be surprised if I unfriend you, or stop following.
Right Wing Video Of The Week
This may become a series of at least monthly posts of favorite videos, I find on line that support libery, financial rationality and Constitutional Government.
This particular one is of a Brittish, Conservative MP, delivering a brutal tongue lashing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. England, might be one of the few major nations in worse financial shape than we are, but most of this could be said about Barak Obama.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wheeling Tries To Bring Back The Jamboree
On a regular visit a new blog called Rust Wire, I found this story about Wheeling West Virginia's efforts to revive an important part of country music history and give the city a boost by bringing back Jamboree USA.
"For 72 years this Rust Belt city was widely known for something besides the steel and glass that was its economic foundation. It was home to Jamboree USA, the nation’s second-longest-running live country music show, beamed from WWVA’s powerful 50,000-watt AM radio station primarily to the northeastern United States and Canada."
The article has a lot of sad and hopefull thoughts about why Wheeling never fully capitalized on this huge event's potential to become a center for country music. The convention bureau recently bought the theater which housed the event to take a second shot.
"Like virtually every other city that has lost its industry, Wheeling, with a population of 29,000, has experienced many efforts to rejuvenate its downtown. One, in the early 1970s, would have turned much of downtown into a mall, but voters turned it down; another, five years ago, would have turned it into an outlet mall.
So can an old factory city find the key to revitalizing its downtown?
“I think so,” said Luis Rico-Gutierrez, director of the Remaking Cities Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “But it is more a matter of attitudes than a matter of scales or money. They need to understand that culture is as important as steel was.”"
The original Jamboree was always known as not just a gathering of major stars, like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, but also a launching point for lesser known acts. The promoters hope to get back to those roots. They have a strong, loved brand to start with.
I Am A Right Wing Blogger Now
People who followed this blog for a while would have seen more than a few "political type" posts, most of which had a libertarian spin. Anyway, I didn't feel I should keep on loading up this blog with posts with little relation to Art.
I may be in the future setting up a personal blog as an outlet for these views or even participating in a group blog with like minded folks.
For now, I have been posting a lot on Rust Belt Bloggers.
I will still put many political posts on here, particulary those that relate to free speach and other issues that touch on culture.
I may be in the future setting up a personal blog as an outlet for these views or even participating in a group blog with like minded folks.
For now, I have been posting a lot on Rust Belt Bloggers.
I will still put many political posts on here, particulary those that relate to free speach and other issues that touch on culture.
Robert Qualters @Borelli Edwards Gallery
Bob Qualter's work has always been a favorite of mine. His solo exhibit at Borelli Edwards is no exception. The work is highly detailed and layered, a real treat for the eye.
The exhibit is well documented on the gallery site. Hopefully, that will entice you to take a trip to the Larryville neighborhood.
Robert Qualters: Autobiographical Mythologies; A Life in Art
March 13-April 25, 2009
3583 Butler Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.687.2606 or begalleries@mac.com
Tuesday - Friday 11 - 6 / Saturday 11 - 5
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Director: Nick Nolte, Seeking 1500 Extras For Film In Pittsburgh
Actor/director, Nolte will be filming, Warrior about a Vietnam Vet training his son in ultimate fighting, will need 1500 extras to play student fans who crowd Pitt's Petersen Event Center to watch the climactic battle.
"Extras must be 18 years or older and will be paid $100 for 12 hours of work. Lisa Brennan, extras casting director, said there is no set schedule of how many extras are needed for any given day. Some days of shooting call for five to 10 extras and others call for 1,500.
Extras do not need to have prior experience or fulfill any set requirements. However, Brennan is looking for students and those who can pass for students.
“One of the scenes takes place in a high school classroom,” said Brennan. “We will need people to fit the bill.”
The Petersen Events Center is also a major character in the film “Warrior.” Brennan said that the Pete will be a gym and will possibly be transformed in to a Las Vegas set. The Pete will also be the setting during the film’s climatic scene, where the star battles opponents in a series of choreographed mixed martial arts tournaments. On that day of filming, more than 1,500 extras are needed to fill the Petersen gymnasium."
Seems like a few other extras may be needed for other scenes and that the bulk of the film will be shot in and around Pittsburgh
"Extras must be 18 years or older and will be paid $100 for 12 hours of work. Lisa Brennan, extras casting director, said there is no set schedule of how many extras are needed for any given day. Some days of shooting call for five to 10 extras and others call for 1,500.
Extras do not need to have prior experience or fulfill any set requirements. However, Brennan is looking for students and those who can pass for students.
“One of the scenes takes place in a high school classroom,” said Brennan. “We will need people to fit the bill.”
The Petersen Events Center is also a major character in the film “Warrior.” Brennan said that the Pete will be a gym and will possibly be transformed in to a Las Vegas set. The Pete will also be the setting during the film’s climatic scene, where the star battles opponents in a series of choreographed mixed martial arts tournaments. On that day of filming, more than 1,500 extras are needed to fill the Petersen gymnasium."
Seems like a few other extras may be needed for other scenes and that the bulk of the film will be shot in and around Pittsburgh
Christine @drink & draw
I know I am late in posting this. The session last week was really stupendous. As always, Christine was a wonderful model. Thanks to everybody that came out! We had a pretty full house, but some folks left before I could get images of their work. Below is a slideshow of some of the drawings done at the session. I usually ask drawers to have the piece they liked best ready to shoot. Funny how it almost always is from the longer poses.
drink & draw is moving to once a month! We will be meeting on the last Tuesday of each month. Sessions will start at 6:30pm. Next session is April 27, our model will be Paul.
Drink and Draw…
is an open studio live model drawing session that meets last Tuesdays on the second floor of brillobox, located at 4104 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. This session is relaxed, surprising, and inspiring. amazing models dressed in various themes, old timey music, great company, and decor. All mediums, except oils, welcome.
Drink & Draw
Upstairs | 6:30 - 9:30PM | $10
MySpace
brillobox
get on our mailing list. email us at brilloboxdrinkanddraw@yahoo.com
4104 penn ave
412.621.4900
Monday, March 23, 2009
No Longer Disturbing: Beneath The Paper Thin Surface At Unsmoke Systems
Saturday Night, I was able to get to Unsmoke Systems in Braddock and was treated to an amazing show which I didn't document visually. Zoe McCloskey, is an artist from, I think NY who done art projects in Belize, Argentina, Mexico and El Salvador and now moved to Pittsburgh. She and her brother started a residency program for writers called Cyberpunkapocalypse in Lawrenceville. She shares the gallery with a classmate from Cooper Union named Firelei Baez.
Firelei's work was mysterious, sometimes funny, and visually stunning. She's obviously got talent, imagination and skills to burn but these works go far beyond just visual display. Lush, ornate and often over the top, combinations of sensual, and biological images prevail many of which trace to Afro Caribbean folklore. But as she states, her purpose seems to always blur definitions and identities.
"My artwork consists of paintings, drawings, and prints that regard my physical self, my personal history, and Caribbean folklore. Afro-Caribbean folklore allows for malleability in the creation of the self, but I find my status as an Afro-Latina in the United States static and limiting in comparison. In response, I try to disrupt the current system of social categorization through the creation of characters that refuse definition. My artworks depict characters of indeterminate race, signified by their facial features, colorless skin, and hairstyles representative of ethnic hair. These men and women are interacting with predatory birds and finches: eating them, being plucked by them, admiring them, fighting them, scared of them, and unaware of them. In Caribbean folklore any part of the body represents the soul, especially hair. It is necessary to protect ones soul by making sure that any hair that is shed does not wind up in the hands of others. If a bird picks up ones hair and incorporates it into it’s nest, then the person’s soul is placed in limbo. I use this symbolically loaded scenario, among others, to metaphorically illustrate the multiplicities and hypocrisies that make up the current discussion about race and class within popular culture. "
Zoe's work which was mostly hung at the gallery's center had much less visual force. A lot of it seemed to involve large blowups of personal poetry/writing and several letters and notes written to her. A lot of the poems, in english or spanish were pretty strong and that gave it a slowly resonating power as the words linked to their arrangements on the page and interaction with her imagery. I felt I should have looked closer.
Luckily, the Post Gazette posted this video on the show.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sixteen Birds & Inflatable Architectural Body @ Wood Street (to April 4)
immediate impressions :
- kinetic sculpture
- robotics
- zen mechanics
- alienation
- pseudo-industrial & regulatory translation of natural processes
- computer - aided (mac minis in the cieling)
- white on white on white with silver accents, pseudo-surgical tubing, touches of lubricating gel
- oh! where's my patience. so i can really experience this.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Gallery 3
Inflatable Architectural Body
Gallery white-out, white covers the windows. White box with mechanical apparatus hanging from the ceiling at center. The puffs and grinds of this sculpture having an internal dialogue in front of the viewer. Hangs like -- fruit? squid? vines? many organic analogies for a clearly inorganic object.
Movement triggered by inflation and deflation of the white tubes tugging on the closed system. Hisses, noises, clicks whirs and breathing.
The gallery attendant lets me in on a secret: the argument its having with itself is tearing the thing apart.
I have a self-other clinical relationship with it. Then I ask if it is permissible to lie down under the thing and, in fact, do so. Only now am I vulnerable to it. Intellect knows its not going to hit me. Instinct tells me this is dangerous. I have a heightened awareness response. I think of some of the self-destructive delusions I have watched people bog themselves down with (including myself).
I have been reading a tibetan buddhist tract about the discursive mind, our ability to get into closed loops of thought, immediately before viewing this piece. Of course I project that notion onto this work. I find that idea fits in a satisfying way. I decide I understand this work.
Gallery 4
Sixteen Birds
The windows are uncovered.
Sixteen flying Vs. A flock. Oh the birds of appetite. White sculpture, white walls. They are flaccid, wings dangling down. My presences figures into, triggers inflation. Up. Cascade from front to back. They fly out the window.
Did the artists make the mechanical birds because they could. Don't we all make art because we can. Well its less destructive than any other way of existing, even in its uselessness. And it is beautiful.
Fourth floor of Wood Street. Birds fly past the windows. This is such a clean image, there are so many resonances in art history - Van Gogh's fields with black crows scudding across the sky, Saint-Exupery's Little Prince flying, his flock of wild birds carrying him. Intuitive, clean, immediately get it, sit, rest, watch the birds breathe, their wings inflate and deflate in some musical sequence scored to a rhythm I don't know.
Wood St. Galleries
- kinetic sculpture
- robotics
- zen mechanics
- alienation
- pseudo-industrial & regulatory translation of natural processes
- computer - aided (mac minis in the cieling)
- white on white on white with silver accents, pseudo-surgical tubing, touches of lubricating gel
- oh! where's my patience. so i can really experience this.
Gallery 3
Inflatable Architectural Body
Gallery white-out, white covers the windows. White box with mechanical apparatus hanging from the ceiling at center. The puffs and grinds of this sculpture having an internal dialogue in front of the viewer. Hangs like -- fruit? squid? vines? many organic analogies for a clearly inorganic object.
Movement triggered by inflation and deflation of the white tubes tugging on the closed system. Hisses, noises, clicks whirs and breathing.
The gallery attendant lets me in on a secret: the argument its having with itself is tearing the thing apart.
I have a self-other clinical relationship with it. Then I ask if it is permissible to lie down under the thing and, in fact, do so. Only now am I vulnerable to it. Intellect knows its not going to hit me. Instinct tells me this is dangerous. I have a heightened awareness response. I think of some of the self-destructive delusions I have watched people bog themselves down with (including myself).
I have been reading a tibetan buddhist tract about the discursive mind, our ability to get into closed loops of thought, immediately before viewing this piece. Of course I project that notion onto this work. I find that idea fits in a satisfying way. I decide I understand this work.
Gallery 4
Sixteen Birds
The windows are uncovered.
Sixteen flying Vs. A flock. Oh the birds of appetite. White sculpture, white walls. They are flaccid, wings dangling down. My presences figures into, triggers inflation. Up. Cascade from front to back. They fly out the window.
Did the artists make the mechanical birds because they could. Don't we all make art because we can. Well its less destructive than any other way of existing, even in its uselessness. And it is beautiful.
Fourth floor of Wood Street. Birds fly past the windows. This is such a clean image, there are so many resonances in art history - Van Gogh's fields with black crows scudding across the sky, Saint-Exupery's Little Prince flying, his flock of wild birds carrying him. Intuitive, clean, immediately get it, sit, rest, watch the birds breathe, their wings inflate and deflate in some musical sequence scored to a rhythm I don't know.
Wood St. Galleries
Monday, March 16, 2009
SketchCrawl
So, I think this is a pretty nifty idea. From the SketchCrawl site --The next step was making the SketchCrawl a World Wide event: having people from different corners of the world join in a day of sketching and journaling and then, thanks to the Internet, having everyone share the results on an online forum.
The events happen in a (casual) quarterly schedule. The next one, SketchCrawl 22, is scheduled for April 22.
I wish I could do something about coordinating one of these events here in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I work on Saturdays at my day job and Saturdays off is not really an option. I hope someone around here takes this up; the event is up to 90 participating cities around the world. Who knew there were so many folks interested in drawing?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Lit News: Novelist Michael Kimball Visits Pittsburgh This Week
I'm really excited that novelist Michael Kimball is coming from Baltimore to read TWICE in Pittsburgh this week. I could tell you that I loved his heartbreaking and tragicomic new book, Dear Everybody, in which we get to read the thank you notes and apologies a suicided young weatherman left behind, but why take my word for it when you could take the LA Times', Time Out New York's, The Believer's, New Pages', or Just Listen Book Reviews'. Dear Everybody has been getting non-stop rave reviews for several months, and you shouldn't miss this opportunity to see Kimball read from it.
For a taste of the readings, check out this beautiful video for the book, an excerpt in the author's voice that plays like a visual short story: Dear Everybody, the Book Trailer
Kimball is also the author of the ongoing blog and forthcoming book, "Michael Kimball Writes Your Life Story (on a Postcard)".
Michael Kimball reads on:
Monday, March 16th @ 7:30 pm
University of Pittsburgh English Department
Cathedral of Learning
5th floor, room 501
and
Wednesday, March 18th @ 8:00 pm
TNY Presents at ModernFormations Gallery
4919 Penn Avenue
$5 or free with pot luck item
with Kelly Ramsey, Andy Mulkerin, & Colin Baxter
Monday, March 02, 2009
St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church
In July of 2007, a couple Pittsburgh Arts - Digging Pitt contributors made a trek across the river to Millvale to view the Vanko murals at St Nicholas.
The author did document his field trip. The reason this has come up again is because the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has put up an extraordinary documentation of St Nicholas Church. Periodically, Steve Mellon sets up a 360 degree camera and shoots a location of interest in Pittsburgh. It's pretty amazing; you can navigate through the entire environment, zooming in at points of specific interest. Go see for yourself.
The author did document his field trip. The reason this has come up again is because the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has put up an extraordinary documentation of St Nicholas Church. Periodically, Steve Mellon sets up a 360 degree camera and shoots a location of interest in Pittsburgh. It's pretty amazing; you can navigate through the entire environment, zooming in at points of specific interest. Go see for yourself.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Angels in America at Pitt
This weekend marks the last two performances of Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches. University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theater, directed by Holly Thuma, made the commitment to Angels. They've assembled a wholly original staging.
Ted Hoover's review in the City Paper covers the historic nature & inherent difficulties of staging Angels. All the necessary Kushner details. I'm more interested in this particular staging, how its compact format and strategic transitions allowed the group to create a series of striking images for the audience.
The stage inside Stephen Foster Memorial Theatre (Forbes Avenue at Bigelow) is pretty damn small. If this were an apartment, it would be "charming" or "cozy". Monochromatic beige stone masonry in three layers, shallow levels that create zones for small set-pieces. The walls flip to become urinals. Stagehands bring out simple beds, couches, chairs, easily flipping the audiences attention from one stage 'zone' to another. Simple misdirection allows characters to appear magically.
Lighting, from strong color 'looks' to image projections over the entirety of the stage allow the set and the actors upon it to become the screen upon which we the audience projected the play. Moments like Ethyl Rosenberg's appearance, the dance of the diseased Prior and his fleeing lover in a tux, the shifting snows of the antarctic, all created indelible images that could become painting.
All in one intimate space. Of course the angel makes her appearance, in the way we are expecting her to. But the series of spells cast by the environments, the capable acting, draw one in. I was surprised to burst into tears when she fell from the cieling in her harness.
This group has overcome the difficulty of audience familiarity which poses a particular challenge in Millennium. Still, take advantage of the last two nights. That way you'll be prepared for Perestroika when they stage it this spring.
city paper review
university of pittsburgh information
for tickets call 412-624-PLAY
Ted Hoover's review in the City Paper covers the historic nature & inherent difficulties of staging Angels. All the necessary Kushner details. I'm more interested in this particular staging, how its compact format and strategic transitions allowed the group to create a series of striking images for the audience.
The stage inside Stephen Foster Memorial Theatre (Forbes Avenue at Bigelow) is pretty damn small. If this were an apartment, it would be "charming" or "cozy". Monochromatic beige stone masonry in three layers, shallow levels that create zones for small set-pieces. The walls flip to become urinals. Stagehands bring out simple beds, couches, chairs, easily flipping the audiences attention from one stage 'zone' to another. Simple misdirection allows characters to appear magically.
Lighting, from strong color 'looks' to image projections over the entirety of the stage allow the set and the actors upon it to become the screen upon which we the audience projected the play. Moments like Ethyl Rosenberg's appearance, the dance of the diseased Prior and his fleeing lover in a tux, the shifting snows of the antarctic, all created indelible images that could become painting.
All in one intimate space. Of course the angel makes her appearance, in the way we are expecting her to. But the series of spells cast by the environments, the capable acting, draw one in. I was surprised to burst into tears when she fell from the cieling in her harness.
This group has overcome the difficulty of audience familiarity which poses a particular challenge in Millennium. Still, take advantage of the last two nights. That way you'll be prepared for Perestroika when they stage it this spring.
university of pittsburgh information
for tickets call 412-624-PLAY
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Preservation Fair @Carnegie Museum
As if you didn't need a reason to visit the Carnegie Museum, here's another one! There will be a Preservation Fair at the Carnegie Museum this Saturday --
Over 30 individual conservators and vendors of conservation supplies and services will be on hand to address your conservation issues. Bring books, photographs, film, letters and other documents, paintings, textiles and family treasures for free conservation advice. No appraisals or valuations will be given.
The featured speakers will be Rick Prelinger, of the Prelinger Film Archive, speaking on the value of preserving film as a cultural artifact and Tom Clareson, of PALINET, with advice on preserving your family treasures in times of disaster. These talks will be held in the Museum’s Earth Theater, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
The fair has a broad appeal, with an emphasis on family treasures. But that covers a lot of ground, with exhibitors from local museums, galleries and universities. Here is a list of the exhibitors that will be on hand to discuss art conservation issues --
* Carnegie Museum of Art
Ellen Baxter (paintings)
Michael Belman (objects)
Carnegie Museum of Art, Conservation Dept.
* Christine Daulton (paintings)
* Concept Art Gallery (paintings, photographs, art on paper)
Charles Biddle
* Rikke Foulke (paintings)
* Rhonda Wozniak (fine and decorative art, ethnographic and archaeological materials)
In addition to art conservation, exhibitors will also be on hand to discuss film preservation, photography and furniture restoration. Check here for a full list of exhibitors. All in all it sounds like a really full day.
Preservation Fair
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 10 AM – 4 PM
Co-sponsored by Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Over 30 individual conservators and vendors of conservation supplies and services will be on hand to address your conservation issues. Bring books, photographs, film, letters and other documents, paintings, textiles and family treasures for free conservation advice. No appraisals or valuations will be given.
The featured speakers will be Rick Prelinger, of the Prelinger Film Archive, speaking on the value of preserving film as a cultural artifact and Tom Clareson, of PALINET, with advice on preserving your family treasures in times of disaster. These talks will be held in the Museum’s Earth Theater, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
The fair has a broad appeal, with an emphasis on family treasures. But that covers a lot of ground, with exhibitors from local museums, galleries and universities. Here is a list of the exhibitors that will be on hand to discuss art conservation issues --
* Carnegie Museum of Art
Ellen Baxter (paintings)
Michael Belman (objects)
Carnegie Museum of Art, Conservation Dept.
* Christine Daulton (paintings)
* Concept Art Gallery (paintings, photographs, art on paper)
Charles Biddle
* Rikke Foulke (paintings)
* Rhonda Wozniak (fine and decorative art, ethnographic and archaeological materials)
In addition to art conservation, exhibitors will also be on hand to discuss film preservation, photography and furniture restoration. Check here for a full list of exhibitors. All in all it sounds like a really full day.
Preservation Fair
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 10 AM – 4 PM
Co-sponsored by Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Monday, February 09, 2009
Blossom Dearie; Godspeed
I have spoken about my admiration of Blossom Dearie in the past. An incomparable vocalist and pianist, Blossom Dearie's voice has accompanied me through many changes.
I first became acquainted with her in college and because of that exposure have found myself drawn to other indefinable performers. I never saw her perform; I wish now that I had. The NYT announced today that Blossom Dearie has died. --
Godspeed, Blossom Dearie. You will be forever cherished.
I first became acquainted with her in college and because of that exposure have found myself drawn to other indefinable performers. I never saw her perform; I wish now that I had. The NYT announced today that Blossom Dearie has died. --
A singer, pianist and songwriter with an independent spirit who zealously guarded her privacy, Ms. Dearie pursued a singular career that blurred the line between jazz and cabaret. An interpretive minimalist with caviar taste in songs and musicians, she was a genre unto herself. Rarely raising her sly, kittenish voice, Ms. Dearie confided song lyrics in a playful style below whose surface layers of insinuation lurked. Read the article
Godspeed, Blossom Dearie. You will be forever cherished.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Literary Pittsburgh--Get Your Readings Here
There's lots for the literary audience to love this month. The following are only SOME of what's out there in Steel City in the next few weeks:
The ever-popular Gist Street readings happen tonight in Uptown. Emily Mitchell (who teaches writing at nearby WVU) is the featured fiction reader, and Jeffrey McDaniel (who has published on Manic D Press and University of Pittsburgh Press) will read from his poetry. The Gist Street readings start at 8:00 but doors close when the place hits capacity--go early to ensure your seat! Door charge, $5.00, held at James Simon’s sculpture studio, 305 Gist Street. For more info and directions: giststreet.org
On the other side of town, at the lovely Kelly Strayhorn Theatre in East Liberty (5941 Penn Ave on Penn Circle), you can see spoken word and music with performers like Human Nature hosts, Yah Lioness and Gene Stovall, Human Nature house musician Hambone Jenkins, DJ Omar Abdul in the front lobby, and more. The event is called KST Live, costs $5.00 and starts at 7:00pm.
Tomorrow, Saturday February 7th, there's a great lineup at Most Wanted Fine Art Gallery at 5015 Penn Avenue. Calling themselves the Six Degree Reading, emerging poets Renée Alberts, Sophie Klahr, Holly Coleman, Michelle Stoner, Jerome Crooks, Nikki Allen, and Jason Kirin will read starting at 7:00pm, also for $5.00.
Mid-month, the New Yinzer's reading series, TNY Presents, features Gist Street host Sherrie Flick with fiction, Patti Emory with poetry, and indie rocker and dramatist, Julie Sokolow with fiction. February 18th at ModernFormations, 8:00pm, $5.00.
Pittsburgh's own poetry powerhouse, Autumn House Press will host two readings for their anthology, When She Named Fire: An Anthology of Contemporary Poetry by American Women edited by Andrea Hollander Budy. A book launch will be held at Chatham University on Tuesday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m. in the James Laughlin Music Hall (Welker Room). Featured readers will be Andrea Hollander Budy, Toi Derricotte, Sheryl St. Germain, and Judith Vollmer. Then on Friday, February 27 from noon to 2:00 p.m., there will be a "Reading & Conversation" for the book at the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh at 305 Wood Street, Downtown. There will be readings by Andrea Hollander Budy and two residential clients of the YWCA. Both Autumn House events are free.
Six Gallery Press is running a showcase reading of their authors later in the month, called The Big Dig. Saturday, February 28th at ModernFormations Gallery on Penn Avenue, join Renée Alberts, Jessica Fenlon, Dana Killmeyer, Jerome Crooks, Nikki Allen, Karen Lillis, Che Elias, Jonathan Loucks, Kristofer Collins, John Thomas Menesini, Scott McClanahan up from West Virginia (he was a show-stealer last time), Alexi Morrissey, Scott Silsbe, Bill Hughes, and the inimitable Ed Steck for a combination of poetry and fiction.
Also, Pittsburgh press, Words Like Kudzu, thanks all who emailed and called on behalf of their poet, Richard Leck. He was buried with dignity in a modest military ceremony at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island on January 23, 2009, and the New York City Mayor's Office paid for it. You can read the follow up Village Voice article here.
Speak up
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is interested in finding out what our city's artists need --
They are sincerely interested in hearing what you have to say. The survey is primarily interested in nuts and bolts issues about the business and physical making of art. It is not a reflective survey, though, so it is difficult to qualify an answer with something like "Yeah, I need a studio, I know there are some available but I can only afford to pay $150/month for rent and from what I've seen for that amount I may as well work in a parking lot." or "I could use health insurance, but my income only covers my living expenses and some professional expenses." Hmmm. Take the survey here.
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council would like you to tell us how to make the Pittsburgh region a better place for the artists who live and work here.
They are sincerely interested in hearing what you have to say. The survey is primarily interested in nuts and bolts issues about the business and physical making of art. It is not a reflective survey, though, so it is difficult to qualify an answer with something like "Yeah, I need a studio, I know there are some available but I can only afford to pay $150/month for rent and from what I've seen for that amount I may as well work in a parking lot." or "I could use health insurance, but my income only covers my living expenses and some professional expenses." Hmmm. Take the survey here.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
"Did you feel guilty, crossing the picket line to get in?"
We were settling into the audience at the Benedum center when I saw E. a few rows down.
I went down to say hi. "Did you feel guilty, crossing the picket line to get in?" I asked her.
"A little," she said, "but this is art. What does art have to do with war?"
I smiled. We were here for Batsheva Dance Company, an Israeli dance troupe founded by Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva De Rothschild in 1964. Ohad Naharin, the current artistic director, began working with Martha Graham in 1980, at her invitation, after he began his study with Batsheva in the late 1970's.
Israeli dance troupe is all that some people heard. Hence, "Would you dance on my grave?" on one protester's placard. They marched in a steady loop in front of the Benedum's big glass doors. There were cops on every corner of the block.
Inside we were met with a spare stage, grey walls with multiple exits and entrances cut into them. White floors. A steady soft glow from upstage lights. Back of house inner architecture revealed - who'd have thought the Benedum had so many silver ventilation ducts?
Lights up. Dancers dressed in clothes one could order from J. Crew's summer catalogue, polo-necked tees and capri length shorts. Dancing barefoot on white marley, lit from above with 200 lights that shifted very subtly, highlighting the dancers' precise technique.
Bellus opens with a large group of dancers standing, in silence, facing the audience. With no audible cues, they move as one, most of them leaving the stage to that moment's primary dancers as the music starts.
An evenly balanced group of men and women, with bodies many shapes and sizes. They would be an ordinary crowd anywhere (though none of them are overweight).
Late in Bellus I was struck by how gesture was passed from dancer to dancer. Each dancer danced alone, yet expressed the same stories with their bodies.
How like us, in our illusion of aloneness, moving through our heartbreaks, sorrows, and joys isolated, yet just like every person's necessary journies ... The gestures of contemporary life, translated to dance, made into art.
Hilarious, true, small gestures - the male dancer sniffs the female dancer's ass in their duet of seduction (or its lack). Humor popped up elsewhere as the troupe surprised us. It took a few times for the audience to get comfortable laughing. You can laugh at a contemporary dance performance?
Humus : the power of female gestures. Only the female dancers worked together for this piece. They danced as a single organ, a single gender muscle. Stereotypes of walks - the tiptoes of high heels, the swing of jutting hips. Sexual postures placed next to everyday gestures. The rejection presented by this group of women on their knees, hips to the audience, their knees crossing their legs behind them. They look back at the audience, cold. They hold pose, then shift, stand up, flock into movements as birds.
Humus perfectly coordinated against a Brian Eno soundtrack containing no punctual rhythm. The soundtrack was so soft it pulled all of one's sensory perception into one's eyes.
By the time we reached Secus I was totally rapt. I trusted this choreographer, these dancers, completely. When they came to the moments of nudity, gestures exposing gendered difference (or its lack), gestures exposing the rump ... it made perfect sense in this context.
Yes, I cried when the mano-a-mano duet played out. Such emotional intimacy shared forthrightly by two men on stage. Yes the audience was palpably uncomfortable with it. I want so badly for us to get over that.
This is art, what does art have to do with war? What do we expect two men to do in a dance with each other on stage?
A language developed by a person with Pittsburgh roots circled the globe. It returned to us tonight in an extraordinary performance ...
* * * * * * * * * *
Batsheva dance company at the Benedum center 5 February 2009
Three
by Ohad Naharin
70 minute program of three pieces : Bellus, Humus, and Secus. No intermission.
http://www.batsheva.org
I went down to say hi. "Did you feel guilty, crossing the picket line to get in?" I asked her.
"A little," she said, "but this is art. What does art have to do with war?"
I smiled. We were here for Batsheva Dance Company, an Israeli dance troupe founded by Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva De Rothschild in 1964. Ohad Naharin, the current artistic director, began working with Martha Graham in 1980, at her invitation, after he began his study with Batsheva in the late 1970's.
Israeli dance troupe is all that some people heard. Hence, "Would you dance on my grave?" on one protester's placard. They marched in a steady loop in front of the Benedum's big glass doors. There were cops on every corner of the block.
Inside we were met with a spare stage, grey walls with multiple exits and entrances cut into them. White floors. A steady soft glow from upstage lights. Back of house inner architecture revealed - who'd have thought the Benedum had so many silver ventilation ducts?
Lights up. Dancers dressed in clothes one could order from J. Crew's summer catalogue, polo-necked tees and capri length shorts. Dancing barefoot on white marley, lit from above with 200 lights that shifted very subtly, highlighting the dancers' precise technique.
Bellus opens with a large group of dancers standing, in silence, facing the audience. With no audible cues, they move as one, most of them leaving the stage to that moment's primary dancers as the music starts.
An evenly balanced group of men and women, with bodies many shapes and sizes. They would be an ordinary crowd anywhere (though none of them are overweight).
Late in Bellus I was struck by how gesture was passed from dancer to dancer. Each dancer danced alone, yet expressed the same stories with their bodies.
How like us, in our illusion of aloneness, moving through our heartbreaks, sorrows, and joys isolated, yet just like every person's necessary journies ... The gestures of contemporary life, translated to dance, made into art.
Hilarious, true, small gestures - the male dancer sniffs the female dancer's ass in their duet of seduction (or its lack). Humor popped up elsewhere as the troupe surprised us. It took a few times for the audience to get comfortable laughing. You can laugh at a contemporary dance performance?
Humus : the power of female gestures. Only the female dancers worked together for this piece. They danced as a single organ, a single gender muscle. Stereotypes of walks - the tiptoes of high heels, the swing of jutting hips. Sexual postures placed next to everyday gestures. The rejection presented by this group of women on their knees, hips to the audience, their knees crossing their legs behind them. They look back at the audience, cold. They hold pose, then shift, stand up, flock into movements as birds.
Humus perfectly coordinated against a Brian Eno soundtrack containing no punctual rhythm. The soundtrack was so soft it pulled all of one's sensory perception into one's eyes.
By the time we reached Secus I was totally rapt. I trusted this choreographer, these dancers, completely. When they came to the moments of nudity, gestures exposing gendered difference (or its lack), gestures exposing the rump ... it made perfect sense in this context.
Yes, I cried when the mano-a-mano duet played out. Such emotional intimacy shared forthrightly by two men on stage. Yes the audience was palpably uncomfortable with it. I want so badly for us to get over that.
This is art, what does art have to do with war? What do we expect two men to do in a dance with each other on stage?
A language developed by a person with Pittsburgh roots circled the globe. It returned to us tonight in an extraordinary performance ...
* * * * * * * * * *
Batsheva dance company at the Benedum center 5 February 2009
Three
by Ohad Naharin
70 minute program of three pieces : Bellus, Humus, and Secus. No intermission.
http://www.batsheva.org
Artists Review Artists Project @Thinking About Art
Back in December, I posted the review of my work on Thinking About Art's Artists Review Artists project. Well, the second part of JT Kirkland's project has been posted, where I review another artist's work.
It was interesting to work on. I received one anonymous image; title, size and medium were the only information that I had to go on. What was really interesting about the process was reviewing the work without any context. No information about the artist's body of work, or a context provided by a group show. Anyway, the artist I reviewed is Alexandra Silverthorne. The work above is from a series in progress.
This has been a really great project, not only to participate in but to read. If you haven't checked out the project, haul on over to Thinking About Art and check it out.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
thank god february is a short month ...
The cranky "I'm stuck indoors with a giant gas bill" overwhelms my Superbowl afterglow. Its still too fricking dark outside. Still there's good stuff to be had ...
Documentary Salon met last night in the mini-Melwood theater at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Loosely organized by documentary filmmaker Will Zavala, a little social time with food precedes locally produced documentary film presented for post-show discussion.
Justin Crimone and Mark Staley showed a rough cut of a piece shot in Guatemala. Mark shot the footage while teaching in an educational program for underserved kids in this wild-west country. Since the program, and the film, is funded by Whole Foods, there was a lively discussion of everything from managing the content to concerns about 'slant'.
tENTATIVELY a Convenience was there; he told me a bit about his experimental orchestra, a "communal thought experiment", he recently performed? conducted? at the New Hazlett. He'll be screening the documentation of this event at the next meeting, which is March 3.
While in Filmmakers I got all the movie poster reminders I needed for films I'm looking forward to. Azure & Asmar, an amazing picture-book of an animated fairy tale (kid-friendly non-Disney/Pixar!), an old favorite, Easy Rider, and two servings of Oscar-nominated short films.
Oh, yeah, and Film Kitchen is next Tuesday at Melwood Screening Room in Oakland. Features a locally-made doc about squatters, among other things.
the blog for Documentary Salon
Filmmaker's february screening schedule
Film Kitchen's page
Jessica Fenlon
Documentary Salon met last night in the mini-Melwood theater at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Loosely organized by documentary filmmaker Will Zavala, a little social time with food precedes locally produced documentary film presented for post-show discussion.
Justin Crimone and Mark Staley showed a rough cut of a piece shot in Guatemala. Mark shot the footage while teaching in an educational program for underserved kids in this wild-west country. Since the program, and the film, is funded by Whole Foods, there was a lively discussion of everything from managing the content to concerns about 'slant'.
tENTATIVELY a Convenience was there; he told me a bit about his experimental orchestra, a "communal thought experiment", he recently performed? conducted? at the New Hazlett. He'll be screening the documentation of this event at the next meeting, which is March 3.
While in Filmmakers I got all the movie poster reminders I needed for films I'm looking forward to. Azure & Asmar, an amazing picture-book of an animated fairy tale (kid-friendly non-Disney/Pixar!), an old favorite, Easy Rider, and two servings of Oscar-nominated short films.
Oh, yeah, and Film Kitchen is next Tuesday at Melwood Screening Room in Oakland. Features a locally-made doc about squatters, among other things.
the blog for Documentary Salon
Filmmaker's february screening schedule
Film Kitchen's page
Jessica Fenlon
Second Elizabeth released
Full disclosure - Karen Lillis is one of Pittsburgh Arts - Digging Pitt contributors. We are ever so happy for her! The following is from Bill Driscoll's review --Lillis, writing in the first person, tells the (perhaps at least semi-autobiographical) story of a young woman named Karen E. Lillis as she spends a summer working in a deli in small-town Charlottesville, Va., while reeling from the fallout from an unspecified personal trauma. Anxious, introverted and hard-pressed to communicate with others, including a gutsy co-worker named Beth, Karen longs to become the title character -- the more confident, more assertive person she used to be. "My meanings are trapped inside my body, I have a body which is a wall between the words I mean and the words I say," she says. From the City Paper - Read the articleThe Second Elizabeth is available at Amazon.
Monday, February 02, 2009
>kaff::kaff::kaff<
Hello all of you lovely people!
Recently the Digging Pittsburgh Arts team had a flurry of emails about newly minted blogs. -Ah! the sweet ozone-tinted air of a new blog!-
Well, in the course of adding new blogs to our roll, I thought it might be time to take down bad links. If I inadvertently deleted your blog through some column a/column b process, please let me know.
Also, if you would like to recommend a blog that isn't in our blogroll, please feel free to leave a link in the comment trail.
Recently the Digging Pittsburgh Arts team had a flurry of emails about newly minted blogs. -Ah! the sweet ozone-tinted air of a new blog!-
Well, in the course of adding new blogs to our roll, I thought it might be time to take down bad links. If I inadvertently deleted your blog through some column a/column b process, please let me know.
Also, if you would like to recommend a blog that isn't in our blogroll, please feel free to leave a link in the comment trail.
Drink & Draw with Michael
We had a really nice session last Tuesday. I can't believe it's been nearly a week since our last session! It was really great, though. Our model was Mike Duray, of Synergy Bodyworks. He did these great action poses, using the walls and equipment to extend the length of some of the more challenging poses.
This particular session was a gesture intensive; all of the poses were under five minutes in duration. It was a pretty intense session because of that. The thing that's nice about a gesture intensive is that by the time you get to that five minute pose, you feel like you have all the time in the world.
Anyway, here are a few images of the sketches done that evening. Unfortunately, I was having some camera problems and there aren't as many images as there should be.
drink & draw is moving to once a month! We will be meeting on the last Tuesday of each month. Sessions will start at 6:30pm. Next session is February 24!
Drink and Draw…
is an open studio live model drawing session that meets last Tuesdays on the second floor of brillobox, located at 4104 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. This session is relaxed, surprising, and inspiring. amazing models dressed in various themes, old timey music, great company, and decor. All mediums, except oils, welcome.
Drink & Draw
Upstairs @ 6:30PM | $10
MySpace
brillobox
get on our mailing list. email us at brilloboxdrinkanddraw@yahoo.com
4104 penn ave
412.621.4900
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wearable art @Luke and Eloy
Last week, I took a trip up Butler Street to Luke and Eloy Gallery. The exhibit that is currently installed was well worth the trip. But the reasons for this galley to be on your must see list doesn't stop with this exhibit. The gallery houses an incredible selection of wearable art.
The above work by Michelle Pajak Reynolds is fom her Drawing series of wearable art. Each work is meant to be worn as an adornment; all of them can also be viewed as an artwork on either a platform as a a wall piece. The works are extraordinary as drawings.
The pins that Tod Padon have created are ensconced on small pedestals. The pins are masterfully created and ae more of art than the more pedestrian fare that is usual. The pins are generous in size and would hold a space well, either viewed as a sculpture or worn as an adornment.
There are several artists creating more whimsical works, like the above beard pins by Arthur Hash.
These delicate coils by Emanuela Aureli came as both rings and pins.
The above pins are from Brigitte Martin's Prunella Pins series. Ms. Martin, coincidentally, is the owner of Luke and Eloy Gallery. There weren't a lot of examples of her work on display, but what there was were exceptional. Actually, I could have done with seeing a few more of her works; they were stunning. Ms. Martin studied under a master goldsmith in Germany and has been creating her own wearble art ever since. You can definitely see this long and lustrous expeience in her works. One of the pieces that she had on display was knit from fine silver wire. It was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, I did not get an image of it, so you will have to go to the gallery and see it yourself.
All of these beautiful works were appropriately displayed in this gallery. Nothing was crowded, the cases and walls were installed with a respect for the space that individual works need in order to be properly considered. Ms. Martin has an excellent eye for exceptional and well-finished work.Luke and Eloy is a great addition to the Pittsburgh gallery scene. Definitely stop in.
LUKE & ELOY GALLERY
5169 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.784.1919
Opening Hours:
Tue - Fri 11-2
Sat 11-5
Michelle Pajak Reynolds
The above work by Michelle Pajak Reynolds is fom her Drawing series of wearable art. Each work is meant to be worn as an adornment; all of them can also be viewed as an artwork on either a platform as a a wall piece. The works are extraordinary as drawings.
Tod Pardon
The pins that Tod Padon have created are ensconced on small pedestals. The pins are masterfully created and ae more of art than the more pedestrian fare that is usual. The pins are generous in size and would hold a space well, either viewed as a sculpture or worn as an adornment.
Arthur Hash
There are several artists creating more whimsical works, like the above beard pins by Arthur Hash.
Emanuela Aureli
These delicate coils by Emanuela Aureli came as both rings and pins.
Brigitte Martin
The above pins are from Brigitte Martin's Prunella Pins series. Ms. Martin, coincidentally, is the owner of Luke and Eloy Gallery. There weren't a lot of examples of her work on display, but what there was were exceptional. Actually, I could have done with seeing a few more of her works; they were stunning. Ms. Martin studied under a master goldsmith in Germany and has been creating her own wearble art ever since. You can definitely see this long and lustrous expeience in her works. One of the pieces that she had on display was knit from fine silver wire. It was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, I did not get an image of it, so you will have to go to the gallery and see it yourself.
All of these beautiful works were appropriately displayed in this gallery. Nothing was crowded, the cases and walls were installed with a respect for the space that individual works need in order to be properly considered. Ms. Martin has an excellent eye for exceptional and well-finished work.Luke and Eloy is a great addition to the Pittsburgh gallery scene. Definitely stop in.
LUKE & ELOY GALLERY
5169 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.784.1919
Opening Hours:
Tue - Fri 11-2
Sat 11-5
Friday, January 23, 2009
Benedict Oddi @ Luke & Eloy
You know, I thought that I could get all of my thoughts about visiting Luke & Eloy into one post. I'm not even going to attempt it. It was a very rich experience. So, I think I'll start with Theater of the Mind, the exhibit currently in place at the gallery.
The work is by artist Benedict Oddi. The works a really quite stunning. From the artists statement --
Besides the really stunning paintings, Luke & Eloy's Brigitte Martin had the forethought to include drawings and constructs by Oddi in the exhibit. These supplemental works provide clear documentation of the Oddi's process in developing the works. Following is an arrangement of some of the constructs that the artist used in developing his paintings.
By itself, or even in combination as presented here, the constructs are only mildly interesting. It is only in the context of the paintings that these sketches begin to take on any significance.
While most of the panels are dark, Oddi's use of color is paramount. The panels glow with jewel-like colors, magnified by surfaces that appear to be wet. The works are small in scale, making them feel precious and even more jewel-like.
There is a nice balance of formal aesthetics and contemporary images in the works, like the image above, Not My Pony. There is a touch of fantasy, a touch of computer games. Is anyone else a fan of flash games? I play them a lot, probably too much. If there is a pop reference in these works it is in these games, with their blend of reality and fantasy.
Obviously, Oddi is referencing the later-day Surrealists, like Magritte and Dali in his works. The interposing of toys and figurines with constucted landscapes and the use of hyper-realism techniques are drawn from these particular surrealists. He has managed to bing his own contemporary viewpoint to the work, though. I was told by Ms. Martin that the following work is one of the artist's earlier works. I am including it because I felt that this piece was particularly beautiful.
The exhibit runs though February 21. It seems like a long time, but it is easy to put things off during cold weather. Keep this one at the top of your must-see list. You won't be disappointed. Next up - Luke & Eloy's fine wearable art.
Theater of the Mind
Benedict Oddi
January 17 - February 21, 2009
LUKE & ELOY GALLERY
5169 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.784.1919
Opening Hours:
Tue - Fri 11-2
Sat 11-5
Puppeteer Dreams
The work is by artist Benedict Oddi. The works a really quite stunning. From the artists statement --
My theater-like arrangements of figures in landscape are placed in situations of anxiety and peril, intervened by trace elements of otherworldliness. During the course of these works I have examined human natures, social and institutional conventions. While my reflection was approached through escapism related to utopian and dystopian philosophy, I have tried not to align with one thought or the other, but choose to respond to both concerning the nature of free will.
Besides the really stunning paintings, Luke & Eloy's Brigitte Martin had the forethought to include drawings and constructs by Oddi in the exhibit. These supplemental works provide clear documentation of the Oddi's process in developing the works. Following is an arrangement of some of the constructs that the artist used in developing his paintings.
By itself, or even in combination as presented here, the constructs are only mildly interesting. It is only in the context of the paintings that these sketches begin to take on any significance.
While most of the panels are dark, Oddi's use of color is paramount. The panels glow with jewel-like colors, magnified by surfaces that appear to be wet. The works are small in scale, making them feel precious and even more jewel-like.
Not My Pony
There is a nice balance of formal aesthetics and contemporary images in the works, like the image above, Not My Pony. There is a touch of fantasy, a touch of computer games. Is anyone else a fan of flash games? I play them a lot, probably too much. If there is a pop reference in these works it is in these games, with their blend of reality and fantasy.
Caesar
Obviously, Oddi is referencing the later-day Surrealists, like Magritte and Dali in his works. The interposing of toys and figurines with constucted landscapes and the use of hyper-realism techniques are drawn from these particular surrealists. He has managed to bing his own contemporary viewpoint to the work, though. I was told by Ms. Martin that the following work is one of the artist's earlier works. I am including it because I felt that this piece was particularly beautiful.
The Horde
The exhibit runs though February 21. It seems like a long time, but it is easy to put things off during cold weather. Keep this one at the top of your must-see list. You won't be disappointed. Next up - Luke & Eloy's fine wearable art.
Theater of the Mind
Benedict Oddi
January 17 - February 21, 2009
LUKE & ELOY GALLERY
5169 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.784.1919
Opening Hours:
Tue - Fri 11-2
Sat 11-5
Friday, January 16, 2009
Is This How We Treat Our Poets? Is This How We Treat Our Vets?
Richard Leck (1933-2008)
Words Like Kudzu Press poet, Richard Leck died in New York on December 19, and the Pittsburgh-based small press has been working non-stop to try to get him buried. He was a vet, a poet, a storyteller, an artist, an actor, a Greenwich Village cafe habitue, and a sanguine soul, but he died with no next of kin; his body is still in the New York morgue; WLK has been appalled at the amount of red tape involved and at the callousness of Veterans Affairs.
The Village Voice ran a great story yesterday and it got some attention from the NYC Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs. If all goes well, the city may pay for a proper military burial after all. But they are waiting to hear whether the VA cares to approve this burial, which may put the process back to square one.
Richard was drafted and served in the US Army during peacetime between Korea and Vietnam. He saw young men die in combat training at Fort Dix, and served at the first Nike anti-aircraft missile base in New York. He wanted and deserves a dignified military burial in a national cemetery. The VA has been a stone wall: "This person is out of luck," is what one VA official told Richard's friend, Ms. Winn, when asking for the VA's help.
Digging Pitt implores our Pennsylvania readers to write a short note to Senator Arlen Specter, who sits on the Veterans Affairs Committee in the senate. We implore our New York readers to write to the Mayor's Office for Veterans Affairs. The politicians need to know that the bad press is indeed getting out: The Veterans Administration lets its vets fall through the cracks in life and in death.
Links for both Pennsylvania and NYC and suggested message are as below:
Pennsylvanians: For Arlen Specter's contact form click here.
New York City voters: For the Mayor's Office for Veterans Affairs contact form, click here.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A suggested message you can cut and paste is here:
[Issue: Veterans; or Subject: US Vet languishes in city morgue]
I read an article in this week's Village Voice online about recently
deceased US Army Veteran, Richard Leck. It's shameful to hear about
any of our vets enduring homelessness, and I hated to hear that Mr.
Leck may go to Potter's Field, or that his burial may be delayed any
further. Is this how we treat our vets? I hope you will see to it that
the VA gives him a proper burial.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Words Like Kudzu Press thanks you.
Three Rivers Arts Festival to return
Not bigger than ever, but maybe better. Could be.
This year's festival has been shortened from its seventeen day run to ten days. The festival will have all of the same components that previous festivals have had. Including the rain! Yep, TRAF is scheduled to begin on June 5. Historically, this area experiences quite a bit of rainfall at that time of year. With the weather that we're experiencing now, I'm wondering if we'll see snow...
The Artists Market, performances and children's area are all on the docket. The visual arts will return too, although there are no details available on the website that explain what form it will take. Last year's container exhibits had some problems. Actually, there have been several problems facing this component over the last several years, foremost being where to install the exhibit.
This seems like an elegant solution to the problems that have plagued TRAF in recent years. I think it might actually be for the best.
TRAF anticipates the return of gallery row and the emerging artists program to the Artists Market. I am not too sure about gallry row. The participation and interest of local galleries in this program has waned. However, the emerging artists program seems like a keeper. This program is not limited toyong artists but rather to artists new to TRAF that have never exhibited with the festival. I think that this program is a great way of introducing newcomers to the festival scene as well as bringing individual artists to the festival who otherwise might not have considered showing in this format.
More details about the festival are available on their website and the application for both the Artists Market and the Emerging Artists program is already up.
This year's festival has been shortened from its seventeen day run to ten days. The festival will have all of the same components that previous festivals have had. Including the rain! Yep, TRAF is scheduled to begin on June 5. Historically, this area experiences quite a bit of rainfall at that time of year. With the weather that we're experiencing now, I'm wondering if we'll see snow...
The Artists Market, performances and children's area are all on the docket. The visual arts will return too, although there are no details available on the website that explain what form it will take. Last year's container exhibits had some problems. Actually, there have been several problems facing this component over the last several years, foremost being where to install the exhibit.
This seems like an elegant solution to the problems that have plagued TRAF in recent years. I think it might actually be for the best.
TRAF anticipates the return of gallery row and the emerging artists program to the Artists Market. I am not too sure about gallry row. The participation and interest of local galleries in this program has waned. However, the emerging artists program seems like a keeper. This program is not limited toyong artists but rather to artists new to TRAF that have never exhibited with the festival. I think that this program is a great way of introducing newcomers to the festival scene as well as bringing individual artists to the festival who otherwise might not have considered showing in this format.
More details about the festival are available on their website and the application for both the Artists Market and the Emerging Artists program is already up.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Secretary of the Arts
The following short email plea came through my email this week. If you haven't had a chance, I would urge you to go and sign the petition.
Quincy Jones has started a petition to ask President-Elect Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, The United States has never created such a position. We in the arts need this and the country needs the arts--now more than ever. Please take a moment to sign this important petition and then pass it on to your friends and colleagues.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
WHAT SURPLUS?
The 2008 Drink Tax was reportedly such a success for the Allegheny County coffers, that County officials were eager to migrate some of the funds earmarked for the Port Authority over to other transportation-related uses—like bridge and highway repairs. By now you’ve probably heard this story, and its follow-up: the courts ruled the fund migration a no-go, and the money will remain to be used by Port Authority only. What I want to know is, Why is $12 million considered a "surplus" for a bus and light rail system that recently laid off drivers, axed routes, reduced service on existing routes, charges prices disproportionately high for the city’s wages, and didn’t have impressive volumes of busses running before the latest cut-backs.
I’ve been deeply underimpressed, in fact, by three trips I’ve taken out of my usual routine in the last four days: Saturday I ran an errand on a bus route whose Saturday schedule is EVERY TWO HOURS. Sunday my beau and I were invited to an early supper at a friend’s in Lawrenceville—we left her house at 6pm but just missed a 54C to
Brain-drain no-brainer: Where do young graduates go when they leave
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
December's drink & draw
Oh! We have a very dedicated group of artists here in Pittsburgh! Leslie posed for a very full house last night for the drink & draw session at brillobox. It was so nice to see all of the regulars as well as all of the new faces. Pictured below is Leslie who did some really classic poses.
Everybody seemed to have a good session last night. It's great to see te kinds of challeges artists set for themselves in theses sessions. I am especially impressed when artists bring color into these short poses. That seems to be a real challenge when none of the poses last longer than thirty minutes. Below is a slideshow of the work done during last night's session --
We have a special session coming up in January. I would like to call it a gesture intensive. But it may be more of a perpetual motion session. The model, Michael, practices a martial art. He did tell me which one but I am afraid it has slipped my mind. Anyway, he will be doing slow-motion exercises for January's session. Believe me, after going through a session like this, you'll think a five minute pose is a lifetime!! See you on January 27!
drink & draw is moving to once a month! We will be meeting on the last Tuesday of each month. Sessions will start at 6:30pm.
Drink and Draw...
is an open studio live model drawing session that meets last Tuesdays on the second floor of brillobox, located at 4104 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. This session is relaxed, surprising, and inspiring. amazing models dressed in various themes, old timey music, great company, and decor. All mediums, except oils, welcome.
Drink & Draw
Upstairs @ 6:30PM | $10
MySpace
brillobox
get on our mailing list. email us at brilloboxdrinkanddraw@yahoo.com
4104 penn ave
412.621.4900
Everybody seemed to have a good session last night. It's great to see te kinds of challeges artists set for themselves in theses sessions. I am especially impressed when artists bring color into these short poses. That seems to be a real challenge when none of the poses last longer than thirty minutes. Below is a slideshow of the work done during last night's session --
We have a special session coming up in January. I would like to call it a gesture intensive. But it may be more of a perpetual motion session. The model, Michael, practices a martial art. He did tell me which one but I am afraid it has slipped my mind. Anyway, he will be doing slow-motion exercises for January's session. Believe me, after going through a session like this, you'll think a five minute pose is a lifetime!! See you on January 27!
drink & draw is moving to once a month! We will be meeting on the last Tuesday of each month. Sessions will start at 6:30pm.
Drink and Draw...
is an open studio live model drawing session that meets last Tuesdays on the second floor of brillobox, located at 4104 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. This session is relaxed, surprising, and inspiring. amazing models dressed in various themes, old timey music, great company, and decor. All mediums, except oils, welcome.
Drink & Draw
Upstairs @ 6:30PM | $10
MySpace
brillobox
get on our mailing list. email us at brilloboxdrinkanddraw@yahoo.com
4104 penn ave
412.621.4900
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Piano Crash
One of my favorite economics websites reminded me that before there was the American car industry-- there was the piano business. Pianos were once the largest consumer purchase in most housholds, people saved and borrowed to get them, supporting an industry that employed tens of thousands.
"With the rise of this industry came a vast marketing apparatus. Piano ads were everywhere, as a tour of old magazines shows. It was widely believed that spending money on a piano wasn't really spending. It was an investment. The money you paid would be embedded right there in this beautiful and useful item. You can always sell it for more than you paid for it, and this was generally true. So people would make great sacrifices for these instruments.
With the growth of this manufacturing came an explosion of shops that served the piano market all up and down the industry. Piano tuning was a big-time profession. Retail shops with pianos opened everywhere, and the sheet-music business exploded with them. Ever notice how in big cities the music stores are typically family owned and established 40, 50, and even 100 years ago? This is a surviving remnant of our industrial past."
"With the rise of this industry came a vast marketing apparatus. Piano ads were everywhere, as a tour of old magazines shows. It was widely believed that spending money on a piano wasn't really spending. It was an investment. The money you paid would be embedded right there in this beautiful and useful item. You can always sell it for more than you paid for it, and this was generally true. So people would make great sacrifices for these instruments.
With the growth of this manufacturing came an explosion of shops that served the piano market all up and down the industry. Piano tuning was a big-time profession. Retail shops with pianos opened everywhere, and the sheet-music business exploded with them. Ever notice how in big cities the music stores are typically family owned and established 40, 50, and even 100 years ago? This is a surviving remnant of our industrial past."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Artists Review Artists Project @Thinking About Art
I am very excited to participate in JT's newest endeavor, Artists Review Artists. JT Kirkland has conducted several of these online projects on his very fine Thinking About Art blog.
Rob Hitzig is the artist that reviewed my work for this project. In return, I reviewed another artist. My review hasn't been published yet, but I will let you know when that happens and I will publish that very fine artist's name then.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The floodgates open at the Viaduct
To avoid the sick trap of getting the Petula Clark pop song "Downtown" stuck in my head whenever I think of downtown Pittsburgh, I give my internal voice a solid yinzer accent, rendering it "dahntahn." So it is with care for others with the same affliction that I mention that there will be art dahntahn today.
Like many, I don't come dahntahn on the weekends except when preapproved to chug gallery beer until I'm reduced to a crawl. Today, however, I'm going to make it there for a triple shot of entertainment: an artists' open house, the screening of the 3 Rivers Film Fest movie "The Speed of Life", and performances by acoustic rockers. The self-described "holiday open house extravaganza" looks to be the first of many for Viaduct Studio. More information can be found on thisishappening.com.
Like many, I don't come dahntahn on the weekends except when preapproved to chug gallery beer until I'm reduced to a crawl. Today, however, I'm going to make it there for a triple shot of entertainment: an artists' open house, the screening of the 3 Rivers Film Fest movie "The Speed of Life", and performances by acoustic rockers. The self-described "holiday open house extravaganza" looks to be the first of many for Viaduct Studio. More information can be found on thisishappening.com.
Friday, December 12, 2008
World Turned Upside Down Part 3
As usual, Cleveburgh Diaspora had a great post about migration trends which brought me back to my "world turned upside down" theme. I need to honestly state that, i'm a bit obsessed with the Indian subcontinent since making a few great investments in Indian mutual funds in the late 1990's.
When people were leaving India, few thought about the huge potential crop of people who might spring back with world class skills and connections. But now the benefits of this brain flow are now evident.The number of resumes flooding into India is taking off.
"Five months ago, Pankaj Dinodia was on top of the Wall Street boom: At age 25, the Indian immigrant had made it through one of the top U.S. business schools and held an important investment banking position with Goldman Sachs.
Then, in the middle of the summer, he felt the calling. The future didn't look so good in the big Western markets, he decided. Those calls from his family in New Delhi, urging him to come back and help out with the family accounting business, sounded more sensible. So he gave up his huge bonus and got on a plane.
At the time, his move from the world's most successful investment bank to the poky New Delhi offices of S.R. Dinodia & Co., Chartered Accountants, bewildered his friends and colleagues: It was as if he had abandoned his future.
Now they're all phoning him."
A few more quotes:
"The reversal is particularly dramatic in India, where human resource managers for finance firms are reporting hundreds of résumés from New York and London arriving on their desks each week.
Mr. Dinodia has found himself at the centre of this phenomenon. After he arrived in India, he set up an online community for Indian-born graduates of the Wharton School - the acclaimed University of Pennsylvania business college where he'd earned his degree - to help them find positions in India's thriving financial sector if they wanted to move back.
He thought he would end up helping out maybe a couple of dozen people. Then the markets collapsed. In the past six weeks, his network has helped 350 Wharton grads move back to India, using its circle of 50 India-based mentors and "industry captains" to place them in high-level positions in an economy that looks more promising, if a lot smaller, to many of them."
Lots of other countries from China to Turkey, Maylasia and Australia are aggressively working to bring people back home.
Of corse U.S. immigration policies which make it very hard to obtain permanent status have really contributed.
"Mr. Wadhwa worries that U.S. immigration policies are pushing the best minds out of the country's economy: Because the Green Card system only gives residency status to immigrants who have permanent jobs, and does not allow them to stay through a downturn, he believes the system is destroying the competitive advantage of the United States. He estimates that one million skilled foreign workers awaiting permanent residency visas in the U.S. are likely to leave."
But a lot of these recent migrants are people with U.S. and British citizenship. Similar trends played out after the dot com boom turned sour but India at that time had much less opportunity. The recent bust has also exposed much deeper flaws in the American economy.
When people were leaving India, few thought about the huge potential crop of people who might spring back with world class skills and connections. But now the benefits of this brain flow are now evident.The number of resumes flooding into India is taking off.
"Five months ago, Pankaj Dinodia was on top of the Wall Street boom: At age 25, the Indian immigrant had made it through one of the top U.S. business schools and held an important investment banking position with Goldman Sachs.
Then, in the middle of the summer, he felt the calling. The future didn't look so good in the big Western markets, he decided. Those calls from his family in New Delhi, urging him to come back and help out with the family accounting business, sounded more sensible. So he gave up his huge bonus and got on a plane.
At the time, his move from the world's most successful investment bank to the poky New Delhi offices of S.R. Dinodia & Co., Chartered Accountants, bewildered his friends and colleagues: It was as if he had abandoned his future.
Now they're all phoning him."
A few more quotes:
"The reversal is particularly dramatic in India, where human resource managers for finance firms are reporting hundreds of résumés from New York and London arriving on their desks each week.
Mr. Dinodia has found himself at the centre of this phenomenon. After he arrived in India, he set up an online community for Indian-born graduates of the Wharton School - the acclaimed University of Pennsylvania business college where he'd earned his degree - to help them find positions in India's thriving financial sector if they wanted to move back.
He thought he would end up helping out maybe a couple of dozen people. Then the markets collapsed. In the past six weeks, his network has helped 350 Wharton grads move back to India, using its circle of 50 India-based mentors and "industry captains" to place them in high-level positions in an economy that looks more promising, if a lot smaller, to many of them."
Lots of other countries from China to Turkey, Maylasia and Australia are aggressively working to bring people back home.
Of corse U.S. immigration policies which make it very hard to obtain permanent status have really contributed.
"Mr. Wadhwa worries that U.S. immigration policies are pushing the best minds out of the country's economy: Because the Green Card system only gives residency status to immigrants who have permanent jobs, and does not allow them to stay through a downturn, he believes the system is destroying the competitive advantage of the United States. He estimates that one million skilled foreign workers awaiting permanent residency visas in the U.S. are likely to leave."
But a lot of these recent migrants are people with U.S. and British citizenship. Similar trends played out after the dot com boom turned sour but India at that time had much less opportunity. The recent bust has also exposed much deeper flaws in the American economy.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tony Buba / Film Kitchen last Tuesday
Kudos to Matt Day for assembling a fantastic Film Kitchen last Tuesday night at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Getting the blatantly obvious out of the way, he wangled the best food ever out of Chipotle grill - whole burritos. Bill O'Driscoll passed the Film Kitchen torch last year, after five years of curating and hosting the event he founded. I'm glad to see its still burning.
I snuck a photo of the 1968 film Jazz from a Very Special Hotel, produced by Laurence Taylor's 11th-grade lit class at Braddock High. Perhaps this offering is what brought out all the 'oldsters' Tony Buba gently teased throughout the night. In Hotel, Taylor's dry narrative voice-over tells the story of a new teen love forged in typing class and walks down quiet railroad tracks. Its a black & white, poetic glimpse into bustling Braddock of 1968.
Buba's Shut Down (1973) was itself shut down by a break in the film stock itself. I didn't care, I got a minute or two of his editing style and actually got to meet the man himself!
With a q&a at the end of the night featuring all the filmmakers, and a treat of an opening short film (Chia-Pi Choa's Where Do Fish Go In Winter, a treat of a slipstream fairy tale) Film Kitchen remains an intimate, regular, local film event well worth a visit.
The monthly film event is hosted by Pittsburgh Filmmakers and sponsored by City Paper. Film Kitchen online.
The author confesses to having screened work at this event in the past.
I snuck a photo of the 1968 film Jazz from a Very Special Hotel, produced by Laurence Taylor's 11th-grade lit class at Braddock High. Perhaps this offering is what brought out all the 'oldsters' Tony Buba gently teased throughout the night. In Hotel, Taylor's dry narrative voice-over tells the story of a new teen love forged in typing class and walks down quiet railroad tracks. Its a black & white, poetic glimpse into bustling Braddock of 1968.
Buba's Shut Down (1973) was itself shut down by a break in the film stock itself. I didn't care, I got a minute or two of his editing style and actually got to meet the man himself!
With a q&a at the end of the night featuring all the filmmakers, and a treat of an opening short film (Chia-Pi Choa's Where Do Fish Go In Winter, a treat of a slipstream fairy tale) Film Kitchen remains an intimate, regular, local film event well worth a visit.
The monthly film event is hosted by Pittsburgh Filmmakers and sponsored by City Paper. Film Kitchen online.
The author confesses to having screened work at this event in the past.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Rust Belt bloggers Public Art Post: Waffle Shop: A Reality Show
Josh Rubin's contextual art class at CMU struggles to find new and interesting ways to combine "art" and ordinary life. Each Semester, the class has been renting a different storefront in town as a base for an art project. See the projects on the Tent Show site.
The current one seems like a home run combination of yummy food and Reality TV and actually seems like a decent business model(it's CMU!). Of course one can sit there and ask if it's art, but that is hardly the point.
"Waffle Shop: A Reality Show," is truly a working waffle shop, offering plain and chocolate waffles garlanded in whipped cream for $3. But the interior also features a brightly lit photo booth and, at any given time, there might be a discussion being filmed on the week's chosen theme.
I haven't yet experienced this. Waffle Shop is well located next to The Shadow Lounge in East Liberty. Videos of the discussions will eventually be posted on line and are shown in the window.
"As for where this particular idea came from, Rubin says that as with a good waffle, when it comes to art, "We start from scratch. There's no syllabus. We research the area, pay attention to the surrounding culture and what else is going on around us. Students go with ideas -- it's a classroom in the world."
The waffle shop is just the latest version of what Rubin calls the "Tent Show." According to its Web site, www.tentshow.org, it's "a forum for experimental public projects that respond to the social, physical, and cultural dynamics of specific contexts and audiences." Previously, the class has operated a coffee shop, hodgepodge storefront and taco stand.
East Liberty was an appealing place to explore, Rubin says. The Penn Circle area crumbled decades ago due to a combination of bad luck and bad planning. But today it's re-emerging as a tony shopping district. As a result, Rubin says, the waffle shop is located on the site of "two different ecosystems."
And it draws energy from both. Steve Pham and Jennifer Lin of Shadyside still wore the telltale wristbands from just having danced their faces off at the packed Girl Talk show, the evening's earlier and sweatier entertainment at Club Gravity in Cheswick. What brought them in?"
Posting this a day early and I may post another tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Is News Now A Charity?
Can't say I was entirely surprised, but two recent stories about the health of major newspapers really hit home. The Tribune Company, owner of the Chicago Tribune, LA Times and several other major papers has filed for bankruptcy after piling on debt last year to go private. The NY Times is mortgaging it's new headquarters to head off a cash crunch and Several other major papers have suspended debt payments.
One force at work is clearly the credit crisis, but the other is the continuing slide in industry fundamentals. We seee less and less cultural coverage in most papers. Bloggers can fill a lot of this as new informal networks emerge but we all must admit that a lot of us rely on links to news articles.
What new networks and media empires are emerging? Several great networks of blogs like The Implode-ometer have done the hard grunt work in covering the financial crisis. ArtCal, The James Kalm Report and Culture Pundits might be the be the new trend in arts coverage. I'm also very excited by the new Streetsblog Network aimed at linking bloggers who write about urban design and transit issues.
One big problem is that these networks rely much more on an ever changing pool of grass roots writers, most of whom are not well known. The old formal model of issuing media passes and sending press releases to a small group of approved elite is breaking down. The Carnegie was nice enough to offer all our contributors media passes this year but what about the potential new bloggers and those not on the radar and those in other cities and countries?
Anyway, I will end this with a pitch for more people to contribute content to this blog and help expand arts coverage in Pittsburgh.
One force at work is clearly the credit crisis, but the other is the continuing slide in industry fundamentals. We seee less and less cultural coverage in most papers. Bloggers can fill a lot of this as new informal networks emerge but we all must admit that a lot of us rely on links to news articles.
What new networks and media empires are emerging? Several great networks of blogs like The Implode-ometer have done the hard grunt work in covering the financial crisis. ArtCal, The James Kalm Report and Culture Pundits might be the be the new trend in arts coverage. I'm also very excited by the new Streetsblog Network aimed at linking bloggers who write about urban design and transit issues.
One big problem is that these networks rely much more on an ever changing pool of grass roots writers, most of whom are not well known. The old formal model of issuing media passes and sending press releases to a small group of approved elite is breaking down. The Carnegie was nice enough to offer all our contributors media passes this year but what about the potential new bloggers and those not on the radar and those in other cities and countries?
Anyway, I will end this with a pitch for more people to contribute content to this blog and help expand arts coverage in Pittsburgh.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
The Wise Chinese
As the U.S. and the west's bubble economy implodes, exposing the thin air at it's core, the political players and crony capitalists have grasped at the hope that they can pull the world's last solvent countries into one last "collective" effort to save themselves.They need a bigger rug to sweep the dirt under. Luckily, it looks like China, which was already burned on U.S. investments will not be in on this. This is wise.
"Asked whether China might pursue economic policies aimed at saving the world, Mr. Lou said that the country’s leaders had a narrower focus. “China can only save herself because the scale of China is still rather small,” he said, adding that while China has more people than any other country, economic output is still low enough that the Chinese economy is not yet big enough to have a big effect on the global economy.
“If China can do a good job domestically, that is the best thing it can do for the world,” he said.
Mr. Lou’s comments represent the clearest statement yet that as global financial markets have plunged this year and economies have slowed, the attention of China’s leaders is turning inward."
The Chinese government seems to have a grip on how small it's economy still is and how much it needs to retain it's currency reserves and savings to boost it's own productivity.
They also are rightly afraid of the ever changing legal and financial environment in America with it's ever changing soup of programs and bailouts sold as way to "instill confidence in the markets."
"Mr. Lou said that the sheer pace of new initiatives and new rules issued by Western regulatory agencies was disconcerting and made it even harder for him to choose worthwhile investments. “If it is changing every week, how can you expect me to have confidence?” he asked."
That leaves the government ever more reliant on the printing press to fund it's schemes.
"Asked whether China might pursue economic policies aimed at saving the world, Mr. Lou said that the country’s leaders had a narrower focus. “China can only save herself because the scale of China is still rather small,” he said, adding that while China has more people than any other country, economic output is still low enough that the Chinese economy is not yet big enough to have a big effect on the global economy.
“If China can do a good job domestically, that is the best thing it can do for the world,” he said.
Mr. Lou’s comments represent the clearest statement yet that as global financial markets have plunged this year and economies have slowed, the attention of China’s leaders is turning inward."
The Chinese government seems to have a grip on how small it's economy still is and how much it needs to retain it's currency reserves and savings to boost it's own productivity.
They also are rightly afraid of the ever changing legal and financial environment in America with it's ever changing soup of programs and bailouts sold as way to "instill confidence in the markets."
"Mr. Lou said that the sheer pace of new initiatives and new rules issued by Western regulatory agencies was disconcerting and made it even harder for him to choose worthwhile investments. “If it is changing every week, how can you expect me to have confidence?” he asked."
That leaves the government ever more reliant on the printing press to fund it's schemes.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
What do you think?
I have been avidly following JT Kirkland's most recent blog project on artists reviewing artists. The project is hosted on his Thinking About Art blog. Artists Review Artists started about six months ago, with several posts a week. I must say, when JT took some time off for his honeymoon, I missed reading these posts. Fair to say, though, that it was just as interesting reading about his Paris trip!
Anyway, it's a great way to get acquainted with some artists with whom you may not know. Sondra Arkins work is up with its review right now. I loved the work that was posted and thought that the reviewer, Imants Ozers, made some very keen observations. Take a moment and check it out.
The Streetsblog Network
I know there's a lot of of optimism out there about the new administration, most of which I don't share. Partly, I'm more than a little concerned about our ability to pay for ambitious new projects and partly aware of how badly misguided previous government efforts, like the national highway system have been.
Anyway, since Obama is from an urban center, a lot of folks are hoping that this round of capital investments is spent wisely. Streetsblog is working to better link bloggers with interests in cities, urban planning, pedestrian issues and transit through it's new Streetsblog network.
Streetsblog Network (streetsblog.net) brings together more than 100 blogs from 31 states — and counting. Its purpose is twofold: to create a place where people who blog on smart growth, livable streets and sustainable transportation issues can come together and learn from each other. And to provide a clearinghouse for information related to the transportation bill, or "TEA," that directs the spending of hundreds of billions of federal dollars. The next such bill is set to come up for reauthorization in 2009.
Anyway, since Obama is from an urban center, a lot of folks are hoping that this round of capital investments is spent wisely. Streetsblog is working to better link bloggers with interests in cities, urban planning, pedestrian issues and transit through it's new Streetsblog network.
Streetsblog Network (streetsblog.net) brings together more than 100 blogs from 31 states — and counting. Its purpose is twofold: to create a place where people who blog on smart growth, livable streets and sustainable transportation issues can come together and learn from each other. And to provide a clearinghouse for information related to the transportation bill, or "TEA," that directs the spending of hundreds of billions of federal dollars. The next such bill is set to come up for reauthorization in 2009.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
A Cold Hard Look At Braddock
I know I have given the town of Braddock a lot of good press, it still has some wonderful buildings, a good location, tons of history and a tiny number of very committed backers. But Null Space did us the favor of posting the cold data on Braddock's home price numbers.
2007: # of sales = 46, median price = $15K
2008: # of sales = 39, median price = $8K
39 sales in 2008 with an average sale price of $8,000 !
He also gives the brutal math on the cost of just maintaining utilities as the area depopulates.
"Why is it so hard to fix Braddock? Even being someone who has looked at the issue for a long time, just the other day I learned something new about how intractable the situation is there. I was talking with someone who lived in Braddock for over 50 years until very recently. Born and raised in Braddock and probably would have lived there longer if they could.. but it just became impossible for them to stay. Why did they have to leave? First their immediate neighbors moved out. They could live with that. Then the plumbing from the neighbors house was stolen, copper being pretty valuable until lately. Still, that wasn't a problem itself, but it turns out that the water was supplied collectively to a group of houses. The water meter being in the house which had it's plumbing mined. No plumbing there meant no water for the group of houses. Still, even that didn't force them to leave, they really were going to stay and pay to have some plastic plumbing put back into the vacant neighboring house. But since the house with the meter was unoccupied, the water company would not restart service to what was essentially a vacant and abandoned house. Makes sense sort of... but it meant that the occupied houses next door couldn't get water. The water company's cost of putting in a new water line and meter was far too exorbitant an investment, probably several orders of magnitude more than the house was worth to begin with so that wasn't an option. No water, you pretty much have to move out. If you can't keep folks like that who very much want to stay, what hope is there of rebuilding population there. In the end the house was sold for a dollar to a 'redeveloper' who mostly stripped out the remaining plumbing and other semi-valuable pieces of the property. Probably had a decent return on the $1. Just unbelievable, and seriously not something that is allowed to happen elsewhere in the developed world."
Obviously, I see some value in the place, perhaps as a highly affordable creative community which is something sorely needed in America. But, one has to admit that as each year passes, there is less and less of Braddock to save.
2007: # of sales = 46, median price = $15K
2008: # of sales = 39, median price = $8K
39 sales in 2008 with an average sale price of $8,000 !
He also gives the brutal math on the cost of just maintaining utilities as the area depopulates.
"Why is it so hard to fix Braddock? Even being someone who has looked at the issue for a long time, just the other day I learned something new about how intractable the situation is there. I was talking with someone who lived in Braddock for over 50 years until very recently. Born and raised in Braddock and probably would have lived there longer if they could.. but it just became impossible for them to stay. Why did they have to leave? First their immediate neighbors moved out. They could live with that. Then the plumbing from the neighbors house was stolen, copper being pretty valuable until lately. Still, that wasn't a problem itself, but it turns out that the water was supplied collectively to a group of houses. The water meter being in the house which had it's plumbing mined. No plumbing there meant no water for the group of houses. Still, even that didn't force them to leave, they really were going to stay and pay to have some plastic plumbing put back into the vacant neighboring house. But since the house with the meter was unoccupied, the water company would not restart service to what was essentially a vacant and abandoned house. Makes sense sort of... but it meant that the occupied houses next door couldn't get water. The water company's cost of putting in a new water line and meter was far too exorbitant an investment, probably several orders of magnitude more than the house was worth to begin with so that wasn't an option. No water, you pretty much have to move out. If you can't keep folks like that who very much want to stay, what hope is there of rebuilding population there. In the end the house was sold for a dollar to a 'redeveloper' who mostly stripped out the remaining plumbing and other semi-valuable pieces of the property. Probably had a decent return on the $1. Just unbelievable, and seriously not something that is allowed to happen elsewhere in the developed world."
Obviously, I see some value in the place, perhaps as a highly affordable creative community which is something sorely needed in America. But, one has to admit that as each year passes, there is less and less of Braddock to save.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Obscurae Fundraiser For Braddock Arts Projects
I know I told everyone to stop shopping, but if you have any reasonable amount of money at all, I suggest going to this fundraiser in at Unsmoke Systems to support arts projects in Braddock.Change is underway in Braddock as groups working with and within the community bring renewed energy to a town that many wrote off. Artists, social entrepreneurs, community organizers, urban homesteaders and others with a pioneering spirit are inspired by the town's potential for grassroots urban renewal and are using the inherent energy in Braddock to fuel their creativity. It is with this spirit that OBSCURAE views the maligned town – turning a photographic eye towards the borough's oft-overlooked beauty amidst the former grandeur and "urban blight" that Braddock has come to represent for many.
Curated by Braddock residents Jenny Fremlin and Jodi Morrison, with special guest curator John Ryan Brubaker, OBSCURAE pays homage to Braddock's unique post-industrial urban beauty. From the borough's Victorian and industrial-era construction to particulars of its natural surroundings, each photograph captures a unique perspective of the town. Works are mounted and framed with found-materials from the community. In creating OBSCURAE, curators Fremlin and Morrison hope to encourage others to look deeper and appreciate the small wonders that drew them to Braddock. "The energy in Braddock is amazing, from the support of our neighbors who are long-time Braddock residents to curious people dropping in there is always something happening in this town. All of that activity and more is captured in the photographs that have been submitted by these brilliant photographers who have explored here and chosen to help the town that inspired their art by participating in this event" said Fremlin.
Join us for a two-day photography exhibition/fundraiser, The event, OBSCURAE, will occur on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6, 2008. Benefiting Braddock Redux and their continuing revitalization efforts of this historic steel mill town, OBSCURAE features more than 125 donated and framed photographs of Braddock from over 25 photographers that ticket holders will win and take home at the OBSCURAE art photography lottery. Public viewing of the work, open to all and free of charge, begins Friday from 7 – 11pm and continues Saturday at 2pm; the art lottery commences at 4pm Saturday. Those attending OBSCURAE, held at UnSmoke Systems Gallery at 1137 Braddock Avenue, are invited to take part in the gallery's interactive photo booth designed by installation artist Merissa Lombardo and taste fresh-baked pizza by Josh Tonies made in Braddock's very own outdoor wood-fire community oven located next to UnSmoke Systems. There is no charge to attend OBSCURAE and view the exhibition; visitors wishing to take home a work of art can purchase lottery tickets for $45 through the website, www.obscuraegallery.org, or for $55 at the door. The lottery offers supporters the opportunity to contribute to Braddock art and community projects with a partially tax-deductible ticket purchase. At the same time, supporters will be able to enjoy the exhibit, local food and drinks, the photo booth installation, AND leave with a limited edition framed art photograph that will sell in OBSCURAE's online gallery for up to $125. Photographs included in the lottery range from 8x10 to 13x19 and are mounted and framed using a variety of reclaimed materials. All pieces are stunning to display or give as a gift this holiday season.
How does the Art Lottery work?
Donated pieces are exhibited throughout the gallery, and all pieces displayed will go home with a ticket holder that evening. Lottery participants are encouraged to browse the gallery before the lottery begins and compile a list of at least their first 25 favorites. The lottery begins with the first ticket being randomly chosen. When a ticket holder's number is called, he or she has up to 60 seconds to choose a piece. Once a piece is selected an art handler removes it from the wall and packages it for the winner. After approximately 35 pieces are selected there will be a break so that the remaining ticket holders can browse through the available artwork to select their next series of choices. The lottery continues, with appropriate breaks, until all the ticket holders have chosen a one-of-a-kind framed photograph and all the work is off the walls.In addition to the show, OBSCURAE's online gallery, launching Friday December 5, offers the chance to purchase limited edition prints and frames. During the weekend of the show, December 5-7, the online gallery will offer a gallery launch 10% discount. Proceeds from the gallery will support both the continued efforts in Braddock as well as the photographers who donated pieces for the exhibition. Some photographers participating in the show have also contributed additional pieces for purchase only available online. Visit www.obscuraegallery.org to view the work starting December 5th .
Fundraiser sponsored by Braddock Redux hosted at the UnSmoke Systems Gallery
1137 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA
Curated by: Jenny Fremlin & Jodi Morrison, with special guest curator John Ryan Brubaker
Friday, December 5, 2008: Public Viewing /
Preview Reception 7pm-11pmSaturday, December 6, 2008: Public Viewing: 2pm ;
Art Lottery: 4 – 7pmLottery Tickets: $45 through website; $55 at the Door
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