Join us for our new series on the first Friday of every month featuring film and video screenings, art performances, music and other special events!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2008, 6:00 to 10:00 pm First Fridays! Say it Loud! I'm Black & I'm Proud Celebrating Black History Month: A Tribute to James Brown South Building—Lower Gallery Admission: Free
First Fridays! celebrates Black History Month with a showcase of independent artists paying tribute to black music and the late James Brown.
Featuring the work of local artists: Bernard Collins, David Lawrence, Jose Sebourne, Kayode Malomo, Ronald Padgett and Pauline Houston McCall, all presented in Gallery 4, with works that explore identity within as well as beyond the African American community.
Feb. 1 ~ Mar. 16, 2008 OGGIE OGBURN Backstage Pass
Oggie Ogburn grew up in Brooklyn, and Queens, New York. He presently resides in the Washington, DC area and has family in Philadelphia. Ogburn is deeply rooted in the African American musical tradition and the music industry. He is touted as a celebrity photographer due to his unique ability to capture a backstage perspective through his lens – often of the moments not captured by those documenting the music scene. Oggie Ogburn’s photos are shot in the classic black and white format, showcasing stars such as Tina Turner,Whitney Houston, Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Sade and a host of others. His photographs give an undeniably true depiction of life inside the music business. Behind the glitz is a world of egos, entourages, road gigs, promotional appearances, interviews and exhaustion. He has been working as a professional photographer for more than forty years and has photographed world leaders including President Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.
Please see article below. This could be a major blow to the future of the Met or it could be a blessing in disguise. Only time will tell. Be informed!!!
NEW YORK. Philippe de Montebello announced on Tuesday 8 January that he will retire in December after 30 years as head of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A search committee headed by Annette de la Renta held its first meeting yesterday to discuss possible successors. Other committee members include S. Parker Gilbert chairman emeritus of the Morgan Stanley Group, antiquities collector Shelby White, and real estate developer Daniel Brodsky. Mr de Montebello says that he will have no hand in the selection process.
Mr de Montebello, who is the eighth and longest serving director in the museum's history, said at a press conference early yesterday that he was leaving the museum, "on strong intellectual and financial footing to confront the issues of the future". He has overseen several major renovation projects at the institution including the new Greek and Roman galleries, and will pass on a $2.9 billion endowment up from $1.36m when became director in 1977.
Mr. de Montebello joined the museum as a curatorial assistant in 1963. He became Director in 1977, and was also made Chief Executive Officer in 1998.
In an internal letter sent to museum staffers on 8 January, de Montebello wrote, "It was always my intention to relinquish the reins when the Museum had achieved a substantial number of my major objectives, and at a time when I could still go on to lead an active and productive life". Although the 71 year-old director says he has no definitive post-Metropolitan plans, he expects to work on international museum-related projects. When asked if he plans to write about his 30 years at the Metropolitan Museum, Mr de Montebello said: "I have no intentions of writing a memoir. Everyone is safe".
The good folks over at Elemental Consulting (Lucy Beer) were kind enough to send over some footage over from Scion's Installation 4 Tour at last month's ArtBasel Miami 2007. Please check out the footage listed below as well as the travelling exhibit which opens tomorrow at Gallery Lombardi in Austin, TX. All event information is listed below after the Youtube clips. Enjoy!!!
Scion presents...
Blek Le Rat x Scion x Art Basel
J. Shea at Scion Installation4, Miami
Tim McCormick at Scion Installation4, Miami
James Jean at Scion Installation4, Miami
Kent Parker at Scion Installation4, Miami
Installation 4 It's a Beautiful World
featuring art by: Andrew Pommier, Andy Mueller, Angela Boatwright, Blaine Fontana, Blek le Rat, Books llll, Caia Koopman, Chris Yormick, Cody Hudson, Dalek, David Choe, David Ellis, Eye One, Francesco LoCastro, Freddi C, J. Shea, James Jean, Jeff Soto, Joshua Krause, Kelsey Brookes, Kenton Parker, Kofie, The London Police, Mel Kadel, Michael Sieben, Mike Giant, R. Grimes, Rammellzee, RETNA, Ron English, Sage Vaughn, Tim McCormick, Travis Millard, Yoskay Yamamoto
Opening event: Thursday, January 17th 6p-10p Artists in attendance: Andrew Pommier, Blaine Fontana, Michael Sieben and Tim McCormick Music provided by DJ Mel
Show runs: 1/17/08-2/22/08
Gallery Lombardi 602 W. Seventh St., Suite A Austin, TX 78701
Q&A With Ric Blackshaw of Scrawl Collective regarding "Special Relationship"
What is the theme or meaning of the show? Well we've called the show Special Relationship which is a reference to the often touted political special relationship that is said to exist between the USA and the UK. We've decided to have a bit of fun with that idea because from our point of view the special political relationship is a tad one sided. i.e. our government likes to think it has some influence over yours but they are the only ones who believe it.
There is though another special relationship that has thrived since the post war years and that's the cultural one. Music, TV, Film, Literature... We in the UK grew up on a diet of Sesame St, The Muppets, Rock n Roll... and there seems to have been a constant to-ing and fro-ing of ideas across the Atlantic. Since the 60's there's been a pattern of thing that come out of America being initially ignored at home but finding a foothold and acclaim in the UK before finally getting recognition at home. Jimi Hendrix had to come to the UK to make his mark, it took a nightclub and a few fanatics in Manchester to recognize the groundbreaking work of the house and techno pioneers that came out of Detroit and Chicago in the mid 80's. Before that there were countless small soul labels in the USA that were kept going because kids in the North of England were buying there 45's in droves and giving birth to Northern Soul. It's something that should be a cause of celebration. So the show is loosely based on that idea, I say loosely because so many artists are going to have different ideas about the theme and I don't like to be to prescriptive about the themes of our shows. I want the artists to be able to work on what they feel good about at the time.
Also because this is our first major show in LA I wanted to exhibit some stuff from our recent past and to that end I'm bringing some framed editions of our ongoing screen print series.
We like to provide a range of stuff for these big shows from $50 to much more expensive things. Something for everyone really.
How did you select and find the artists involved? Scrawl Collective is pretty much a stable of artists so I always work with the same guys. We add new members occasionally so for instance this will be the first time we've exhibited the work of RYCA and Hutch as part of a Scrawl Show, but generally we're a tight knit bunch who work together a lot.
How did Scion find you and approach you to do a show? We know Evan Cerasoli from way back, I've curated shows in the UK and Berlin with his wife Freddi under the name Streetwise.
What's been the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this show? Making sure so many artists meet their deadlines...
Is there anything in particular you would like people to take away from this show – what would you like to inspire in those that view the artwork? Hopefully we'll make people smile, there's a lot of humour in some of the work and also people will hopefully be amazed at our installation work. This is a rare chance for people in LA to see large scale murals by the likes of Will Barras, Mr Jago and Phlash. In my opinion there's only a few artists in the world that can match their virtuosity.
The other thing I hope people will take from this show is some art that they've bought cos lets face it we've all gots bills to pay when we get home...
What do you have lined up for the future? What's next after this show? Once this show is out of the way I have to start work in earnest on a new book about Street Art that should be coming out late next year. That's gonna take up most of my time for a few months…
Nude Red Robe Study by RoseAnn Albanese (image courtesy of the gallery's website)
Opening Reception Friday, January 18, 2008 from 6-9pm
Featuring the works of: RoseAnn Albanese, Katherine Criss, Richard Mitchell, Vivian-Keith Morris, Darryl Sisco, Diane Waller, E. Lee White
Exhibition dates: January 16-January 26, 2008
Canvas Paper and Stone Gallery 2611 Frederick Douglass Blvd, Studio 2N bet. West 139th & 140th Streets Harlem, NY
To RSVP for this event, call (212) 694-1747 or email at canvaspaperandstone@yahoo.com.
This event is FREE so I hope to see all my fellow Harlemites supporting these amazing artists. To find out more about this gallery, click here or watch the gallery tour below.
Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole
Please enjoy this musical and visual tribute to the Mona Lisa in your life.
For all you fashionistas and art lovers, Bergdorf Goodman has decided to combine the two elements together in presenting the best for Spring 2008. Gorgeous flocks created by Chloe, Jean Paul Gaultier, Akris Punto, Tuleh and many more that are reminsicent of paintings done by Klimt, Mondrian, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe and Paul Gaugin. Dashing prints, bold color combinations, luxurious fabrics and metallic embellishments are a few descriptions of whats in store for those summer art events atop rooftop terraces and downtown lofts. Be sure to check out the link below and maybe I'll see you at an art event or two during the spring/summer months.
For more summer looks click here to be directed to Bergdorf Goodman's website.
These amazing artists have been given a spotlight due to their amazingly outrageous and original display of artistry. I have yet to see anything of the sorts. I hope you truly enjoy their gift of performance.
Kalup Linzy
Kalup Linzy's Myspace Bio: Kalup Linzy is an American video and performance artist currently living and working in Brooklyn. Born in Stuckey, Florida, Linzy graduated from the MFA program at the University of South Florida in 2003. He also attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture video art workshop, and in 2005 received a grant from the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation. Recently, he was named a Guggenheim fellow for 2007-2008. Linzy's best known work is a series of video art pieces satirizing the tone and narrative approach of television soap opera. Linzy performs most of the characters himself, many of them in drag. Linzy also performs on stage using many of the same characters. His work has been reviewed in The New York Times, Art in America, and Artforum.
Andre J aka Gaymon
I am so obsessed with this person!!!! He is my sunshine on a cloudy day. Andre J (from Newark, NJ) is everything and everything is he: stylist, personality, correspondent and most importantly performance artist. Please enjoy this video above and be sure to check out the links below for more on this fabulous beast.
Armory Show was the exhibition held in 1913 that introduced Modern art to the United States. So calle because it was held in a famous army building in New York.
Cumming, Robert (2001). Art: A Field Guide (pg. 375). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Join The New York Times as they collaborate with today's brightest and well known artists of the music, theatre, media, visual and other art forms as they present and openly discuss about their particular genres.
If anyone is in the Chicago area, please make sure to check out this free event. The information is listed below. Enjoy!!!
First Fridays @ The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Illinois
Happy hour takes on a new meaning with First Fridays at the MCA. Relax after a long workweek with a cash bar featuring specialty drinks and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers. Enjoy live music from local DJs, the world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar, and creation stations right within our open galleries. Each month features an up-and-coming Chicago artist in a preview of the latest UBS 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work exhibition. Keep the festivities going at our after-parties at Chicago’s newest and hottest spots.
First Fridays tickets, which include museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres, are $15 ($7 for MCA members). Advance tickets are available for $10 ($7 MCA members). Order your tickets online, or call the MCA box office at 312.397.4010. Doors are open from 6 to 10 pm with a cash bar until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.
NEW! Buy your tickets in advance--save money and get VIP admission to the event. Order your tickets online, or call the MCA Box Office at 312.397.4010. The MCA Box Office closes ticket sales at 3 pm on the day of the event.
At the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays, thousands of visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month from 5–11 p.m. All evening long, the Museum Café serves a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and beverages, and a cash bar offers wine and beer. Parking is a flat rate of $4 starting at 5 p.m. All other Saturdays, the Museum closes at 6 p.m.
Please note that due to limited capacities, some Target First Saturday programs require tickets. Ticket lines often form 30 minutes before ticket distribution at the Visitor Center located in the Rubin Lobby. Programs are subject to change. Photos Videos MySpace Mailing List
January 5, 2008
A Hot Winter's Night
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Performance Hall of the Americas, 1st Floor
Arab rhythms and folk songs fused with spoken word, hip hop, jazz, and Latino beats with New York–based group Ayyoub.
6:30 p.m. Performance Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor
Def Poetry Jam's Suheir Hammad performs pieces from her provocative new book, Zaatar Diva, and Leila Buck presents an excerpt from her play In the Crossing about her journey to Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan with her Jewish husband during the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. A Q & A follows the presentation. Free tickets (330) are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Hands-On Art Education Division, 1st Floor
Create a medallion by drawing on colored metal foil. Free timed tickets (300) are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Young Voices Talk Meet at the entrance to the Islamic Art Gallery, 2nd Floor
Join Student Guides Megan Becker and Susan Augenbraun for an interactive talk about the portrayal of the Middle East in American art.
7:30 p.m. Film and Discussion Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Forum, 4th Floor
Watch Can You Hear Me? (Lilly Rivlin, 2006, 50 min, NR) a documentary highlighting Jewish and Palestinian women's struggle for peace in the Middle East, and join filmmaker Lilly Rivlin for a discussion following the film. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m. Gallery Talk Meet at the entrance to the Islamic Art Gallery, 2nd Floor
Islamic Art Scholar Francesca Leoni gives a talk. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.
8:30 p.m. Film Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor
See the Iranian film Children of Heaven (Majid Majidi, 1999, 89 min., PG-13), which follows a brother and sister's adventures over a lost pair of shoes, shedding light on the political situation and class differences in the city of Tehran, Iran. Free tickets are available (330) at the Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.
9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Dance Party Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor
Join in the highly anticipated annual waltz party led by members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic and members of Bassam Saba's ensemble. Dance lessons with Stepping Out Studios start an hour before.
Sponsored by Target
Made possible by the Wallace Foundation Community Programs Fund, established by the Wallace Foundation, with additional support from DLA Piper US LLP, The Ellis A. Gimbel Trust, KeySpan Energy, and other donors. Also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Community Trust. Media sponsor: New York Times Community Affairs Department.
Check out this amazing smash up of art and r'n'b: Andy Warhol meets Truth Hurts. I really believe she would have served as one of his many muses. Enjoy!!
