My mother, Joycelyn Erho Calande, was an artist so art has always been part of my life. Going to museums, galleries and art shows was nothing foreign to me. I have always enjoyed “creating” so by the time high school was wrapping up it was pretty clear to me I wanted to pursue art professionally in some capacity. I ended up attending the oldest art school in the U.S., The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. At the time, at age 17 and fresh out of high school,  I was the youngest to ever be admitted. It was an intense 4 year art program focusing on drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. By the time I was finishing college, I was doing commission work, showing in some Philadelphia area galleries and entering shows. 

 

 

I’ve never been big on having my art “say something”, that’s what books are for. That’s not to say there’s never a hidden (or not so hidden) message in some works. But mostly I feel as artists we are creating something unique, a different way to see and express something visually, we are sharing pieces of ourselves. Sometimes a pretty picture is just a pretty picture. And I think that’s where artists excel. We make the world a more beautiful and more interesting place. At least most of the time. 

What is your experience with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity?

I’ve been a longtime collector of animation art. Specifically the original production art used to create the original Looney Tunes / Merrie Melodie cartoons. I’ve always loved the art form. Many of those animators were also fine artists themselves. I was lucky enough to meet Chuck Jones (and the Jones family) on many occasions as well as some of the other animation artists like Maurice Noble, Pete Alvarado, Marc Davis, Eyvind Earle and others. What I loved about meeting Chuck Jones is that he always made sure you left with more knowledge than which you came. After visiting Chuck’s gallery many times over many years, I began to participate in their annual Red Dot Art Auction. Artists from all over the world donate 12 x 12 inch works of art for a silent fund raising auction. The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity uses the money to offer art and creativity programs to people of all ages, but especially to the young and old. I believe September of 2021 will be the 11th Red Dot Auction and I’ve participated in almost every one, missing only a year or two. This year I’ll be donating 2 works of art….or maybe 3, we’ll see. But the auction brings two of my loves together, Looney Tunes and art. It makes me happy that my work not only raises money for a good cause but it’s nice to know the auction winners are living with my artwork, giving it a home, and enjoying it. Hopefully for some, those little 12 x 12 works will become treasured family heirlooms and bring decades of joy. At the very least my little paintings will hopefully bring some color and life to yet another bare and sterile wall in this world. 

 

 

How is the Covid-19 influencing your Art? How did you use the quarantine time?

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To hear the phrase “the first woman to” do or become something is unfortunately quite common nowadays, and while the road to equality is still long, we salute those who help pave it.

We are also nevertheless very happy for Laurence des Cars, the first woman to lead The Louvre in Paris in its 228-year-long history. She was appointed on May 26, 2021 by the French President Emmanuel Macron, and will assume her position at the realm of world’s most visited museum on September 1.

While the name of Laurence des Cars only just became familiar to many, this experienced art historian has been around for a while. Born in 1966 to journalist and writer Jean des Cars, she studied art history at the Sorbonne and École du Louvre. Her first position as curator was at the Musée d’Orsay, of which she has also been President since 2014, along with the much smaller Musée de l’Orangerie since 2017. From 2007 to 2014, she was in charge of Agence France-Muséums, the French government body behind the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Des Cars is a specialist in 19th- and early-20th-century painting. As a teacher at École du Louvre, she organized many exhibitions for various museums, including the traveling show on Edward Burne-Jones (1998-99), Gustave Courbet (2007-08), and Jean-Léon Gérôme (2010-11).

During her time as head of Musée d’Orsay, Laurence des Cars oversaw the acclaimed 2019 exhibition “Black models: from Géricault to Matisse,” which looked at the representation of Black figures in visual arts, from the abolition of slavery in France (1794) to the modern day. The museum is also the first French venue of its kind to voluntarily return a Nazi-looted painting to its rightful owners.

“My heart beat much faster,” des Cars said to France Inter, after learning about her new role from the culture minister, Roselyne Bachelot, on May 23. She will be replacing the museum’s leader of the past eight years, Jean-Luc Martinez, who will now serve as a special ambassador for international co-operation on cultural heritage. According to a statement from the French culture ministry, Des Cars pledged to extend The Louvre’s opening hours in order to attract younger visitors, and to foster “a dialogue between ancient art and the contemporary world,” which will be particularly interesting to see, given that The Louvre has been a “classical” art museum under Martinez’s leadership.

In an interview with The New York Times, des Cars expressed her excitement to be the first female president-director of The Louvre. “Things are really changing for women in the museum world. Of the 70 curators in the Louvre, more than half of them are women. More women are heading museums, especially in Europe. And younger women are much more confident these days,” she said.

Although he grew the museum’s attendance to over 10 million a year, the previous Director Jean-Luc Martinez was criticized for a few decisions, including the Louvre’s partnership with the Uniqlo brand for a merchandize line, or the one with Airbnb, which allowed a couple to spend a night in the museum.

The Louvre Museum is a state-owned venue with the annual budget of about $291 million and more than 2,000 employees. Despite the fact that the attendance plunged by 72 percent to 2.7 million in 2020 during the pandemic, it is still the most visited – and the largest – art museum in the world.

As reported by The Guardian and the French Culture Ministry, about 67 percent of the country’s national museums are headed by women. Laurence des Cars will be joining the company of Catherine Chevillot, Director of the Musée Rodin, Tatyana Franck at the Élysée museum, and Sophie Makariou, President of the Musée Guimet.

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/laurence-des-cars-named-louvre-director
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/arts/design/louvre-laurence-des-cars.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/26/louvre-appoints-laurence-des-cars-as-first-female-president

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For the ninth edition, Asya Rotella (the daughter of the unforgettable master Mimmo Rotella) has been the chief of the curatorial team, and we must tell, she made a great job!

54 international artists from Canada, the United States, China, Japan, and Europe brightened the second weekend of October.

Asya Rotella chooses among many applications the most representative artworks for this era: versatile, powerful, and eclectic.

Sculptures and paintings, installations, big sized pieces exposed to be the joy of all the art lovers.

Clio Art Fair is known to give to the exhibiting artist lots of services such as free studio visits, which for this edition if we can say, has been a very fortunate choice. Clio Art Fair is also the place where you can meet artists that are showcasing their works for their very first time as the talented Thomas Fazio (painting and sculptures). this edition has seen also the debut in the fine art world of the well-known fashion designer Adrienne Landau, who exhibited her painting for the first time ever.

As old friends of Clio we appreciated again Anne Hefer with two romantic oils, Lauralee Franco with her huge canvases; the exuberant photographer Amanda J Armstrong, and, after a few years, we were glad to meet again Anthea Zito, painter and photographer, just at the entrance.

We would like to highlight also the Greek artist Despina Zografos with her very mystical and elaborated multi-layered paperwork; not to mention the cityscape photographer Annette Schreiber, or the magic gouaches by Hyun Jung Ji or Denise Adler‘s complex paintings empowered by the collage technique; the exquisite bronzes by Emilio Diiorio, and a young – very Basquiat-inspired – Keith Josiah.

Clio Art Fair hosted a couple of thousand visitors from Friday 10th to Sunday 13th, and counting the red dots on the walls we can say that the 25% of the artists sold at least one piece, data that definitely confirm that the human size of the show, and the affordable prices of the artworks (from $300 to $20,000), are a winning formula.

Written by Caterina Chavez

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New York City is a cosmopolitan city, where art museums are one of its biggest attractions for visitors who want to learn about art. The variety of options New York has to offer for those seeking to get in touch with the artistic world is an advantage and privilege for locals and visitors. Now the City has an additional option for people who admire, love and appreciate dogs.

The AKC Museum of the Dog, founded in 1982 in New York City, was later moved to St. Louis County, Missouri. After more than 32 years the museum is back in the City. A museum dedicated to celebrate dogs, their history, influence in society, and to praise the emotional bond between canines and humanity.

A unique place where sightseers will find fine-art paintings from various artists and media. Figurines and artifacts that showcase the history and diversity of dogs and their elements, as well as a substantial library with about 42,000 books and all sort of dog related information that a visitor might want to explore. Including a children section.

The Museum of the Dog according to their website, offers “rotating exhibits featuring objects from its 1700 pieces.” Visitors will discover paintings of famous dogs through history, including painting U.S. Presidents George H. Bush’s dog Millie and George W Bush’s dogs Barney and Miss Beazley. It was reported that former first lady Barbara Bush praised the museum in a letter in 1990. Among other famous dogs, visitants will see Edwar VII’s wire fox terrier Caesar.

As part of the American Kennel Club, an organization considered a leader force in all dogs related matters and advocacy, the museum has growth under their financial support and contribution. “The AKC Museum of the Dog houses one of the largest collections of dog art in the world and is an important part of AKC’s history and future,” expressed Ronald H. Menaker, Chairman of the Board for the American Kennel Club in their press information.

For some art critics, art dedicated to dogs has not being taken serious at times due to the sentimentality attachment, for visitors is a new way to learn and appreciate dogs. The Museum of the Dog has added technology and screens where a digital dog will appear to interact with guests enhancing the visitors experience.

The Museum of the dog located in 101 Park Avenue, entrance on East 40th street, open Tuesday through Sunday.

Written by Monica Herrera

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New York City is known for its impressive skylines, rich culture and vibrant communities. Considered a melting pot of different cultures and traditions. A diversity represented in its population and also in its art. Many artistic expressions are constantly created to showcase those unique backgrounds and languages that make it a city like no other.

This multiculturalism feeds artist with inspiration, opportunities, and a platform to amplify their message through their work. If you make it here, you can make it anywhere says the famous Frank Sinatra lyric in reference to New York. A phrase that has become a popular invitation for those who come from the outside. It doesn’t matter what language you speak or where you are from, New York City has a cultural history built with the contribution of all those that have come from different places and it will keep growing from the ones that keep arriving.

As a way to celebrate the city’s immigration diversity as well as a celebration of the artist, Kasmine Gallery’s rooftop is presenting a new exhibit consisting of three remarkable sculptures by Robert Indiana (1928-2018).  Indiana was an American artist creator of one of the most renowned works of art of the 20th century on the theme of love. On view from the High Line with access on 28th  street, for the first time, the three sculptures are exhibited in one place. Each sculpture is a reproduction of Indiana’s famous LOVE series. Expressed in three of New York’s most significant dialects: English LOVE, Spanish AMOR, and Hebrew AHAVA.

Indiana’s LOVE composition consists of the word LOVE in bold serif lettering of VE stacked underneath the L and off-kilter O. The original image, green and blue with a lively red script, was used for the Museum of Modern Art Christmas card in 1965. Followed by exhibits of iconic paintings, drawings and small sculptures in the 1960s. Later created as a public sculpture for the first time in 1971. Subsequently, with a series of love theme creations displayed in many museums and parks all over the world.

The three versions of the installation in this exhibition have a similar arrangement of the word in each language. AHAVA created in cor-ten steel, LOVE in color blue, red and white, and AMOR has a vibrant red and yellow.

Indiana was considered a leader in the pop art movement. A movement that originated in the United Kingdom and the United State during the 1950s. Popular imagery and mass culture art were included as a contrast to traditional fine art. Focusing on realism with the use and incorporation of advertising, comic books and day to day objects like Campbell’s soup cans, pop art challenged the ideas of abstract expressionism.

For Indiana the work done with the LOVE series was a return to his beginnings as a sculptor, painter and poet, as stated in his website, for Indiana, “ The Love Sculpture is the culmination of years of work base on the original premise  that the word is  an appropriated and usable element of art.”

The exhibition is accessible to view from the High Line on the 27th street until September 2019.

Written by Monica Herrera

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Christie’s is a British auction house founded by James Christie in 1766; its headquarters are in London United Kingdom. Christie’s has been staging numerous auction sales of different art and collectibles worldwide and has been able to break records. On Wednesday, Christie’s did as per the norm and staged yet another sale that was described as “unbelievably strong” by London based dealer Anthony Crichton-Stuart of Agnews Gallery.

There was strong bidding in the room and via phones that led the house to a $40m sale (with fees) that included works from New York Dealer Richard Feigen’s collection. The total came in north of the pre-sale high estimate of $34.1m; 79% of lots found buyers. Immediately following was a sale of 25 works from the estate of the venerated late dealer Herman Shickman and his wife Lila that brought $10.5m, just above the pre-sale low estimate of $9.9m, also with 79% selling.

The sale was led by record prices of $10m for a Double Portrait by Jan Sanders Van Hemessen’s, almost tripling his previous high of $3m and $6.5m by Jan Van Der Hamen Y Leon still Life smashing his previous high $1.1m. In addition, Annibale Carracci’s Madonna & Child with Saint Lucy and the Young Saint John the Baptist sold at $6m doubling from its previous high of $3.4m. Lorenzo Monaco’s “Prophet Isaiah” realized $3.6m doubling its previous auction.

New York based dealer Henry V Zimet of French & Company placed the winning bid on a Willem Kalf still life with the price $2.8m more than tripling Kalf’s previous record. Zimet however thought it was a great deal although they thought it might go for twice as much.

A Luis Melendez still life; Artichokes and tomatoes in a landscape,estimated at up to $4m was withdrawn from the sale and sold privately, on the other hand a Fra Bartolomeo Madonna and Child tagged at up to $2.5m was not bought by anyone.

Old Masters brought $905m at public sales last year, a number that was more or less the same as that in 2008 and 2009 but down drastically from a high of $2.13bn in 2011.

Auctions are not all about record-breaking and the great deals; they are also accompanied by different challenges including the problem of supply and dealers feeling the need to increase demand by luring younger buyers to get on board. Auctions require a bit of energy in order to hype the bidders; different auction houses acquire different ways of making the sale “interesting,” for instance Sotheby’s which is Christie’s main competitor recently recruited Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice to hype an Old Master sale. Dealer Nicholas Hall partnered with Modern and contemporary titan David Zwirner to mount an exhibition at Zwirner’s New York gallery last year.

Christie’s has de-emphasised the “old” in Old Masters rebranding its spring sales as Classics Week in order to attract the social media audience. Christie’s has made many notable auctions including the Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller which realized the highest total for a private collection and became the most significant charitable auction ever realizing $835.1m in May 2018 and the November 2017 sale of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi that sold for $450.3m including buyer’s premium among many others notable auctions.

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Clio Art Fair is a unique form of fair because it gives artists the freedom to use different types of material to create their work and they can deviate from the accepted art practice and definitions, unlike in the usual concerns in the art business where there are too many rules on how art should and should not be; after all art is about freedom to express yourself and your thoughts right?

To celebrate or to make famous are the terms that define the Greek word “Clio” and for the second time in 2018, the 7th edition of Clio Art Fair is going to do as per its meaning and norm; to celebrate and make famous works of already affirmed creative minds. The world of art will converge in New York City and this weekend will undoubtedly be an amazing one for artists and art lovers. The four spectacular days from 11th October- 14th October 2018 will be defined by dialogue between artists and collectors, artists and curators, positive energy, colors, and free public viewing. Art lovers will get to see different artworks not forgetting the faces behind them and there will be a chance to buy any piece of art that you will love from paintings, sculptures, digital art and more. Talent from all over the world will all be under one roof.

From October11-14, a group of 69 worldwide artists will be exhibiting their works, they will showcase their prowess and prove their creativity and originality as far as art is concerned. These creative minds will convince the world that art is beautiful, art is capable of bringing people together and that it is a career just like any other. The 7th edition of Clio Art Fair has the privilege to showcase thrilling works of artists such as Francesca Schwartz, Paulina Cerda, Amanda Armstrong, and Emiko Aida among many others.

Art is always up for grabs with every edition of Clio Art Fair and with its unique approach to art, it continues to highlight the achievements of artists. From upcoming artists to the well-known ones, all stand a chance to exhibit in New York. Clio Art Fair is home to creative artists sharing their expression of art to the world.

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Clio Art Fair started in 2014 as a satellite art fair to the Armory show which happens once per year, in March, during  Armory week. Now Clio is an established fair that runs twice yearly, March and October. Clio Art Fair was born from the vision and idea of Alessandro Berni who wanted a curated fair created with the idea of discovering independent artists and showcasing the careers and achievements of already affirmed creative minds.

This edition, the Clio Art Fair opened its doors Thursday, October 19th with 42 artists from all over the world showcasing their works in the heart of the NYC art district, Chelsea: Asia, Europe, Americas, Africa, Australia. 

Clio Art Fair is an extraordinary international art platform that hosted artworks of independent artists from all over the world, critically  selected by a jury panel of art experts, such as the founder of this fair Alessandro Berni, fine artist and art critic, advisor Ylenia Mino, as well as the curator Mariangela Ciccone. This year’s art fair had the honor of having  famous artists, Biennale winners, and multiple award winners such as Piero Manzoni,  Maurizio Cattelan, Zana Brisky, Nina Berman, and many more.

Emerging artists to well-known names of the art industry all show their work through Clio Art Fair.

Clio Art Fair definitely introduced, and is introducing, a new formula, a new experience in the Art fair industry. It has created a new model, a structure for showcasing artworks. Clio’s high standards include that every detail is curated in the fair. It also has a sales team of agents who represent artists who are not present at the fair and helps them to sell their works. Clio supports the participating artists during the whole process from the selection of pieces to the placement on walls, during the fair and beyond. It is  possible to book a studio visit with a curator/ representative of Clio Art Fair and have the fair “come to the artist’s world” for the selection process. Guests, artists, art collectors can satisfy their art thirst BY being immersed into the multi-faceted and varied scene of Chelsea, NYC with a chance to attend not only the regular fair hours, but also a VIP opening night, an after party, and two art breakfast/panels.

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Hunt for Inspiration – a recent solo gallery show featuring artwork by Jamie Martinez at the Galerie Protege in Chelsea was incredibly well received in its opening reception.  The basement level gallery was buzzing with excited viewers of all kinds.  A mixed lot of artists, enthusiasts, collectors, photographers and more talked with excitement while taking iPhone photos of the work – reveling in the unique qualities of the geometric images that emblazon Martinez’s canvases.

The show contains a collection of artwork demonstrating the progression in the artist’s concepts of geometry and abstraction as it develops over time.  Early versions of Martinez’s work are actually “abstract fabric artwork” as he describes them, using “abstract digital images that examine the beginning process of my work,” explains Martinez.  These early artworks are composed of overlapping triangular pieces of brightly colored fabric that are sewn together on top of a canvas, creating a collage-like conglomeration of textures and shapes, somewhat reminiscent of a quilt, which perhaps alludes to more simplistic and early forms of artwork.

Intermingled amongst some of the earlier fabric pieces are second stage artworks or pieces that are the next phase of evolution in the progression of Martinez’s concept.  These second level artworks vary as some are composed of vast fields of tiny triangles creating seas of color and texture, while others are highly complex, featuring a more three dimensional element, as they are larger images composed of hundreds of small painted wooden squares, or tiles, which are affixed together to create a mosaic style, singular large image.  From a distance, these vast collections of squares, which are further divided into tiny triangles, begin to come together to illustrate an extremely distorted face.

Next to these paintings are small signs that read, “Use your camera to see the image”.  The signs imply that once you photograph the image (or even just use your cameras view finder to look at the work) it is somehow again changed in form.  This is a recurring theme in Martinez’s work, and as demonstrated in Hunt for Inspiration, when viewed through a camera, the paintings do indeed look different, and almost become more clear and vivid in digital form.

“The birth of my paintings start with an idea for a series; then I go on the internet and find images that appeal to me and express what I want to communicate in my painting.  Once I have the images that are provocative… I focus on how to deconstruct the images using triangles and paint the image so it can only be appreciated when seen through technology.”  – Jamie Martinez

This aspect of Martinez’s work creates an intriguing commentary, as it requires the viewer to use a digital interface to experience physical artwork in its most vivid form.

The final phase of artworks in Martinez’ concept depicts further evolved and elaborate images which are again broken down into distorted geometric patterns.  These third level paintings are painted directly onto canvas, but in this version the images use a wide variety in scale of triangles, creating tiny clusters of shapes which illustrate a smoother transition in shading and texture.  These images portray distorted faces of various animals in both regal and aggressive poses.

“My new paintings deal with the validation of images, our obsession with our smartphones and the relationship between art and technology. When you look at my paintings in person, you don’t see the clear image. Technology validates the images and only through it can you clearly see the details of my work. Then after it’s posted online–it takes a life of its own.” – Jamie Martinez

Hunt for Inspiration provides a provocative look at both the evolution of Jamie Martinez’s work as an artist as well as a highly intriguing commentary on society’s reliance on technology to interface with reality.  The images in the show range from simplistic geometry to highly evolved and elaborate compositions which require technology in order to gain a full experience of their contents.  The viewer is left with much to contemplate after seeing this show, including the question of which is the real artwork; is it the digital image or the physical painting, and how will this affect the future of art creation and appreciation?  Many of these questions are left unanswered, although it is clear that neither the digital image nor the physical painting are complete without the other.

Hunt For Inspiration is currently on display at Galerie Protege, 197 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan, and closes April 23, 2015.

Writing by Lia Simone
Photos by Cojo

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Monday, January 5, 2015 – San Francisco, CA

At the end of October, Artiholics surveyed the captivating energy of the Noonan Building, an artist community on the verge of major community developments. Located in Pier 70 on the eastern waterfront in San Francisco, this historic neighborhood of 28 acres once harbored heavy industrial manufacturers like steel, power, shipbuilding (including WWI and WWII vessels) iron, and large steel tubes for the Bay Area Rapid Transit System. Those industries dominated Pier 70 and the surrounding communities from the 1800’s through the mid-fifties, and have since then fallen into decline. Today, Pier 70 resembles a ghost town. The historic buildings stand vacant amongst barbed wire fences, rust, and decay. The only “tenants” of the pier are artists who have turned one building known as the Noonan Building into a community of artist studios. During the November elections, residents of the surrounding community almost unanimously voted to renovate Pier 70 and turn it into an artist-loving, livable, and visitor-attracting neighborhood. In coming years, we expect to see new park space, retail shops, eateries, art studios, and more housing for a city desperately in need of more  housing options.

Below are images gathered from the painters, sculptors, and photographers working in the Noonan Building:

 Phillip Hua’s Studio

Paintings in the Studio of Connie Harris 

Harris in her studio.

The sculptures in the above photo come from Connie Harris’ studio.

Open Studios in San Francisco could not happen without the help of Art Span, a giant network of information on Contemporary artists in the Bay Area.

Daniel Phill in front of paintings in his studio.

More photos of Phill’s work follow in the photo gallery at the end of the post.

 Paintings by the artist, PABS.  The imagery comes from watching civilians in Asia.

Photographs in the studio of Rico Schwartzberg

Studio of Alice Raymond

Detail from a painting by Alice Raymond.

A drawing by Robert Minervini.

More images from Robert Minervini’s studio follow in the photo gallery below.

Drawings and sculptural works in the studio of Pamela Axelson.

Additional photos of Axelson’s studio follow in the photo gallery inserted at the end of this post.

Encaustic paintings by Adele Louise Shaw.

More photos of Shaw’s studio follow in the photo gallery.

The Above Image is from the studio of Preethi Kumaresan.

The Above Prints are from the Studio of Xavier Viramontes.

The above works were made by Marti Mckee.

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New York – Monday, September 15th, 2014

The Summer Art Festival at the Waterfall Mansion has been attracting a plethora of personalities since its inception. Artiholics covered the opening back in June when SAF14 opened its doors, and from then onwards the mansion has been exerting a gravitational influx over the NYC art world. That is not particularly surprising: we are talking about a seven level town house in the Upper East Side devoted to the Arts from the ground up.

Stepping into the mansion you will find unique carpets made using ancient Tibetan hand-knotting techniques that have been thoroughly researched and meticulously reproduced by Joseph Carini. Sit and you’ll rest on the sculptural designs of Antonio Pio Saracino, whether reclining in his Hexa lounge chairs or straightening back upright in the slightly flexible steel of his Deer chair. Look around, and you’ll meet a collection of cutting edge contemporary and renowned modern art.

You will be amazed by the shockingly hyperrealistic figural human sculptures brought to life with the help of the most cutting edge Hollywoods special effects technique by artists Jamie Salmon and Jackie K. Seo. Maybe not so coincidentally, Academy Award  winning photographer and filmmaker Zana Briski hangs two of her depictions of nature in the same floor, along side the realism of Robin Antar, an artist who enjoys enlarging consumer brands in rotund marble reproductions.

The accumulation of surprises throughout this UES space has impacted the public with an overall sense of awe that has rapidly communicated and widened the scope of its visitors to an international sphere. The chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Buenos Aires, a board Director from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and international art experts such as Michela Bondardo  and Peter Frank have shared the magnitude of the  impact of the works within this space.

This process of “scope widening” was recently reinforced with a concert -the Summer Musicale- where East and West met harmoniously. Members of the Shen Yun Performing Arts at Lincoln Center and the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall played traditional Chinese music. They were followed by the Solisti Ensemble and its selection of classical European music including the anonymous Romanza de Amor (for violin and Spanish guitar) and, the once considered unplayable, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35.

It was a frank dialogue between the East and the West. The East represented by the guzhen, a pluck-string instrument (part of the zither family), which is one of the most ancient Chinese musical instruments. The West represented by two violins. One manufactured by Giuseppe Guarnerius “del Gesu” in 1741, – a prime example of Antonio Stradivarius’ school from his Golden Period; and a second violin by J.B. Guadagnini, manufactured in 1751. The value of the violins may be ineffable but their prices were discussed in several circles and estimated altogether over $30M.

The Summer Art Festival continued its “scope widening” with the Summer Tasting, a culinary exclusive event where artisanal award-wining chefs from Korea, Taiwan and India offered samplings of their latest creations.

And finally yet another international audience expansion: a private event for the Unided Nations Foundation and the Caterpillar Foundation aimed at fostering a conversation about innovative partnerships and global development, within the enlightened atmosphere of the SAF14 art collection.

Written by Alejandro Pardo
Photographed by Dulce Avila Romero

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When Kate Shin invited me to the opening of the Summer Art Festival at the Waterfall Mansion I had to come back to the city. Not that Manhattan was in absolute need of another gallery, but this was different. This is an absolutely new concept.

I buy art to put it at home. There are people out there using safes in Switzerland to stack their art stock in the dark. Not me. I want to enjoy my new piece from the couch, the kitchen, or the bathtub, naturally. I want to invite my friends with any excuse to talk about my new acquisition and track its value growth dinner after dinner.

Kate Shin and co-curator Alessandro Berni are challenging the idea of the warehouse gallery, where they intend for the art to be decontextualized. That very expression is an oxymoron. Context is always present, and unavoidable. The question is finding the right space. The Summer Art Festival offers a living space, the atmosphere of an enlightened lifestyle.

There is a Nam June Paik, a piece of Art History, in a wide room presided by the tallest residential waterfall of NYC, a classic Andy Warhol in the lobby of the second floor holds conversation with the anthropomorphic ceramic of one of the Michael Lucero’s sculptures, found in spaces across the rooms and corridors of the Mansion. There are also surprises. Close to a million dollar Murakami painting there sits the new work of Borinquen Gallo: a sunny ode to the danger of narcissism. Nobody was indifferent when Jedd Garet, one of the most prominent figures of the American neo-expressionism of the 80s, after a silent impasse of twenty years, reemerged in the new digital period. Friends and collectors celebrated Garet’s reappearance, in awe of his newest work.

It was a lively opening full of champagne and exclusive guests, but the feeling of being in a real house never abandoned me. One can look at a Jessica Stockholder or one of the last works of Seung Mo Park sitting within the last works of Karim Rashid or Antonio Pio Saracino who recently erected the iconic “The Guardians” at Three Bryant Park. One can envision himself coming back home after a feisty day at work, and leaving his metaphoric boxing gloves at the sideboard before dining with family and friends. Gloves that Robin Antar carved in marble to make violence too heavy to carry on into this peaceful space.

The Summer Art Festival is going to keep the Waterfall Mansion open to the public until late August, but I’ll certainly go back next July 23^rd to listen to the Midsummer Musicale concert where violinist Christine Kwak will be playing a ten million dollars Stradivarius featuring pieces by Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky. That’s the kind of delight that makes this mansion a truly living space.

Exclusive pictures from the opening:

Victor De Souza and Kate Shin. Travelista TV Host Teri Johnson & friend. Virginie Sommet and Morgan Munsey.

Paul Mcloughlin.

Kim Squaglia and husband.

Kate Shin and Zana Briski.

Kate Shin, Karim Rashid and wife.

Jedd Garet and Gigi Ferrante. Jae Yong Kim, Gary Litchtenstein, Melissa Marr, Kate Shin and Alessandro Berni.

Gigi Ferrante (second from left), Jedd Garet and Alejandro Pardo.

Chris De Boschnek and Ina Backman. Antonio Pio Saracino (right). Alessandro Berni Borinquen Gallo.

Written by Alejandro Pardo.

Photographed by James Nova

The post Context is Everything: Summer Art Festival at Waterfall Mansion appeared first on Artiholics.

Harlem, New York City – Thursday, June 26, 2014

Harlem has had its ups and downs throughout its history, to say the least. One of its shining times was the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s, in which African American culture was booming with Southern cuisine, music, art, excitement, and creativity. During the Harlem Renaissance, between 7th avenue and Lenox, there were over 125 entertainment places that operated, which varied from cellars, lounges, speakeasies, cafes, taverns, supper clubs, rib joints, theaters, dance halls, bars and grills. 133rd Street was known known as “Swing Street”, because it housed cabarets, a jazz scene during the Prohibition era, and was named “Jungle Alley” because of “inter-racial mingling” on the street. The area has also seen great sadness stemming from poverty, crime, disease, and ongoing gentrification. Harlem is a cultural epicenter that has given rise to major hip-hop artists such as A$AP Rocky, Immortal Technique, Tupac, P Diddy, and Azealia Banks, to name just a few. There is a strong spiritual component to Harlem, as there are over 400 churches and religious congregations. The area is constantly going through change, turmoil, and celebration. For the past two years, I have lived on 100 West, 141 street, right up the block from the mural of Big L, and the Harlem Hospital which houses a massive glass painting on 135th street and Lenox. I have been a guest of Harlem, but I am about to take part in a new change within it: The Harlem Arts Festival.

The Harlem Arts Festival, is happening in Marcus Garvey Park, a 20.17-acre park, surrounded by flat lawns and playing fields. The park is bounded by 120th Street and 124th Street and by Madison Avenue on its east side. The Festival is the culmination of an extraordinary amount of work  by J.J. El-Far, Neal Ludevig, and Chelsea Golding, three extremely ambitious entrepreneurs who see the potential in Harlem’s art scene as what it once was, and what it can become. This is the festival’s third year, and I have a strong feeling it is going to be bigger and better next year.

The following are just a few of some of the over 40 artists behind the Harlem Arts Festival of 2014.

Artist, Lance Johnson, with collage merging with paint in stunning imagery.

Zest Collective, a group of movement artists – some from Julliard and others from the Alvin Ailey School. I will be combining the talent of Zest Collective dancers with Andrew Kaminski Art audiovisual projections enhancing their movement, the night of the Opening, at MIST, this Friday, June 27th from 7:30 – 8 pm. In this video, I combine their movement with my video projections. 

There are musical acts such as Isaac Katalay, who sees art as an outlet to promote positivity for humanity.

Paul Tabachneck, whose smooth voice exudes his love and passion for music and his life.

Tiffany Latrice, with her figurative representations juxtaposed with vibrant patterns.

Alice Mizrachi is a working artist in Harlem, and has been prolific with works on canvas and murals.

The schedule for the Festival is here, and it runs from June 27th (the opening night), Saturday, June 28th, and Sunday, June 29th. I hope to see you there!

Written by Andrew Kaminski 

The post The Harlem Renaissance is back in the 2014 Harlem Arts Festival appeared first on Artiholics.

Meryl Meisler is a Brooklyn based photographer who captured a very tumultuous, dangerous, and simultaneously glamorous era in NYC history – the 1970s and 80s. During that time, Manhattan was erupting with surreal characters and scenesters, gallivanting in iconic night clubs, while across the bridge in Bushwick, Brooklyn, there was destruction, arson, looting, the crack epidemic, and tensions between the disenfranchised communities that resided there. She taught in a Bushwick public school and with camera at the ready she bore firsthand witness to the opposing worlds, which existed just few subway stops apart.

Meryl carried a medium format camera nearly everywhere she went, and caught a glimpse into two very different social environments. One of those settings was the disco-era music and dance scene. She snapped photos of William Shatner, Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, and frequented  Studio 54. She went to places like the Paradise Garage, one of the most powerful House music venues of all time.

Meryl Meisler referred to the initial lines of A Tale of Two Cities when describing the then NYC dichotomy between extravagant Manhattan nightlife and the struggling nightmare of Bushwick, Brooklyn.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” – Charles Dickens

I went on a walk with Meryl, and then she took me out to lunch. Her eyes glowed with compassion and warmth. She currently lives in Chelsea, and she supervises/teaches future art teachers at NYU. Her new exhibition highlights photos published in her new book by Bizarre Publishing, called A Tale of Two Cities & her work is displayed in Bushwick’s Black Box Gallery (12 Jefferson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206). She sent me photos, some of which have never been released. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did:

The original Star Trek’s Captain Kirk, and later to become the Priceline spokesperson, William Shatner is seen above. Meryl didn’t seek these people out, they just showed up in her life without her going out of the way. They seemed to be bizarre characters that had found their place in the media.

I love this one, it’s almost as if there was a crossover with disco night life into the grime and neglect of Bushwick.  My guess is that this depicts the relics of the night a woman got drunk, and experienced that shaky, exciting time. The shoes are evidence of god-only-knows what kind of misfortune and tales of love and loss that accompanied this shoe’s original owner.

 Meryl described Grace Jones (follow the link to view Jones’ YouTube video, ‘Cannibal Corpse’) as a diva, and when she walked in, she looked fabulous and divine.

This photograph cracks me up, the overt abundance of pubic hair, and the benevolent yet devious grin of the man contorting his body. Not to mention the guy with the flamboyant hat, in a mesmerized daze.

I said, “why not ask her for a photo of herself?” This photograph exemplifies the sexy and exuberant energy that I witnessed Meisler to possess ( she is standing to the left).

Meryl talked about where these three amigos wound up – one in jail, one died, and one still lives in Brooklyn. This photo was the first one that caught my attention due to the presence of innocence that had the immanency of destruction and pain.

To see more of Meisler’s photos, check out the show in Bushwick.

Meryl Meisler’s
A TALE OF TWO CITIES:
DISCO ERA BUSHWICK
exhibition and book launch
Exhibit open through September 10, 2014
Gallery Hours: Daily, 11am – 4am
BIZARRE PUBLISHING
8.5 x 11 inches
180 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9910141-1-8
$40.00 USA/CAN

Written by Andrew Kaminski

The post Is This Bushwick’s First Hipster? Meryl Meisler Photographed The Neighborhood Before It Was Cool appeared first on Artiholics.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Friday, June 6, 2014

As I mentioned in our article last week about the Pakistani Art School tour (click to read), the contemporary art scene in the city of Lahore is growing. After the trysts with faction groups, the nation is empowered and feel a sense of patriotism and pride. They desire peace and want to be viewed as respected as a nation who seeks to protect the citizens in their care. To be recognized as on par with other nations is to be part of the developing movement that is hitting Pakistan today. To be part of change that is tangible is both exciting and real, never has a sense of pride been so prevalent and people feel the change in the air.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoNvJHu3QJ4?rel=0]

My second visit was at the Lahore Museum. Interestingly, Rudyard Kiplings’s father, John Lockwood Kipling, was one of the earliest and most famous curators of the museum. He recognized the need to celebrate and protect the heritage of the region and the museum, the largest in the country, houses some of the finest specimens of Muslim, Sikh and Hindu artifacts.

The museum seeks to protect and pageant Pakistan’s historical and cultural past. The impressive entrance to the museum exhibits remarkable examples of both Mughal and Sikh door-ways and the intricately carved wood-work exhibited remains a craft unique to the region today. There is a huge collection of paintings dating back to the Mughal, Sikh and British periods as well as various other treasures such as a collection of musical instruments, ancient jewelery, textiles, pottery, and armory.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=857d8KdjDWw?rel=0]

My third visit was to the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in the modern city of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Located four hours from Lahore and built at the northern edge of the Pothohar plateau, en-route we marveled at the breath taking scenery of lush hills and mountains.

As we neared the modern PNCA building, the impressive four-story Art Gallery that comprises of 1800 square yards and houses 14 galleries, would rival any western gallery. Borne from the growing awareness to promote the arts in the capital, the institution seeks to close the gap between the artist and the intellectual, ideally seeking to promote home-grown artistes and essentially providing a platform for them to springboard their work to the international market. Bringing “all forms of Art under one roof” is the vision of PNCA and this is done through the numerous galleries that bring together the renowned artist along with the emerging one.

I had the pleasure of viewing a collection by the famous Pakistani artist Sadequain Naqqash (1930-1987) a world renowned Pakistani artist best known for his skills as a calligrapher and painter. Sadequain was the most prolific painter of post-partition Pakistan and was well known for his large scale murals. He was interested in the natural forces that affected the equality of mankind and the threats faced by his fellow men. He was intrigued by the human spirit and potential to stay steadfast in their resolve in a selfless struggle for the greater cause. Sadequain was a true ‘man of the people’ who painted for the people and repeatedly stated that he was not interested in decorating the drawing rooms of the rich and powerful. He worked predominantly on large murals specifically for public buildings in order to symbolize the collective labor of humanity.

Although of Pakistani origin, I tend to think of myself as an international artist who has had the good fortune to exhibit in many different countries internationally. This visit home left me quite nostalgic but also highlighted my senses to the art scene many years back and the developments that I have had the pleasure of seeing today. I may not be a ‘homegrown’ artiste but I feel the need to promote the talent that is so prevalent in the region.

Last year an art auction was held in Dubai, supported by the United Nation World Food Programme (WFP) for Pakistan. The “Pakistani Contemporary Art Now” exhibition auctioned off 56 paintings moderated by the prestigious Christie’s auction house. Paintings were donated by Pakistani masters and emerging artists and over 1.5 million dollars was raised and donated to the WFP.

I was humbled to have my work included alongside renowned artistes such as Gulgee, Sadequain, Ahmad Pervez and Bashir Mirza, whose pieces won the highest bids of the evening. This event not only raised the profile of the artists of the region but also provided collectors the opportunity to invest in promising artists.

According to the local artists, the art market began thriving almost a decade ago with the value of Pakistani art tripling between 2005 and 2009. Pakistani expatriates, wealthy locals and serious art collectors are recognizing the creativity and talents that were emerging from Pakistan. This interest enabled the art scene to flourish and be recognized both as a viable entity as well as a lucrative investment.

A recent online poll noted that twenty percent of expatriates invested in art, second only to property. As the art scene seeks to further develop through seeking to distance itself from the media negativity, the resolve is witnessing in all forms of contemporary mediums. New galleries are opening up and the art dialogue is spreading through online magazines and blogs. In the modern internet age, the word is spreading fast and all these mediums of expression seek to bring a nation to the forefront of its true potential and to ultimately become better than they think they can be.

The current scene sees artists intermingling across previously blurred borders to produce unique creations that incite an air of freshness. Thoughts and views are being constantly questioned and it is this challenge that will give rise to the meaningful conversations that effect change within a countries understanding and attitudes.

We are not an angered nation who is devoid of morals or who place no value on the frailty of human life, in fact we are a nation that understands that a visual stimulus creates dialogue, which in turn promotes ideas and a collective community spirit.

Art breaks down the barriers and invites people to a platform of intelligent participation, irrespective of socioeconomic status, age, race, gender, caste or hierarchy. It is this force that promotes cohesion, greater pride and patriotism and brings together an otherwise divided country.

Written and photographed by Qinza Najm

The post The Pakistani Art Museum Insider: Lahore Museum & Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) appeared first on Artiholics.

One of the only Manhattan art collectives, Con Artist Collective, has currently on exhibit a trio of artists who’s work pushes the humble triangle to it’s extremes.

Brandon Wisecarver, Patrick Grzelewski, and Jamie Martinez, the three artists in the show.

These artists borrow the visual form of the triangle and its wealth of symbolic meaning. Their collaboration is in and of itself a triangle; a union of three creative points of reference focusing on the same symbolic center.

When invited to an art opening revolving around the triangle, the first place my mind jumped to was that scene in Art School Confidential where Malkovich talks about his evolution into triangle paintings.

Having already seen Jamie’s Tiger made from triangles at the Clio Art Fair, I had an idea that seeing an entire show of his work wouldn’t disappoint.

Like the Tiger, when seen though a camera view finder, or through a phone, these images are more easily distinguishable as paintings of ancient sculptures heads.  They are hand painted on hundreds of tiny squares broken into triangles, somewhat of a triangle pixelation, tricking your eye using the same principals of a Chuck Close portrait.  One of these two sold early on.

.

Jamie isn’t just a painter, he also works in 3D, with this orange liquid filled plexiglass triangle.

An x-ray with triangles stitched into it.

Jamie made this 3D printed missile.

Jamie and a bunch of the Artefuse contributors.

Artist Jamie Martinez.

Artist Joseph Grazi talking with Jamie about his work.  Joseph was gallery hopping with Yeah Yeah Yeah’s drummer Brian Chase.

Artist Patrick Grzelewski and his collages.

In the back of the room is a small wooden room installation by Brandon Wisecarver.  When you enter it and close the door you see a black light and laser light show of glowing triangles.

Andres Augusto Penaranda.

Brian Shevlin, founder of Con Artist Collective.

∆ will be on display from Tuesday, March 11th to Saturday, March 29th. It opened on March 12th at 8pm, had a gallery night March 19th at 8pm, and a closing party Wednesday,  March 26th at 7pm.

Con Artist Collective
119 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002
11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Written & photographed by Cojo “Art Juggernaut”

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Coinciding with Art Dubai (the Dubai Art fair), ‘Art Night’ was held at one of Dubai’s most impressive venues, DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre). The impressive and sophisticated surroundings added to the prestigious event which was held in the heart of the business and cultural district, surrounded by plush galleries in a modern open-air venue under the stars.

The event allowed the upcoming artesian an opportunity to showcase their work alongside the more established artists in the region who have been housed in one of the fastest emerging art scenes in the world.

“DIFC Art Night” crowd in the courtyard

The unique location and plethora of exhibition openings enticed the novice appreciator, the curious art lover and the wealthy and cultured collector. All attendees not only enjoyed the visual delights on offer but each also played an integral role in promoting the arts and culture community in Dubai.

Qinza Najm with her black and white painting series “Tender Lover of Hate”

From Right: Artist Qinza Najm, Artist Mona Al Assaad, Artist Kate Toledo, Artist Sana Mechant

I was privileged to be invited to exhibit my work as part of a group exhibition at this event. My series of four black and white mixed media paintings named “Tender Lover of Hate” touches on the issues of identity, conflict, ego and empathy (above).

Ritz Carlton hor d’oeuvres

Delicious hor d’oeuvres by Ritz Carlton

Live band stirring the crowd

People meandered through the crowds whilst stopping to take in the ‘artsy’ fashionable atmosphere, partaking of the nibbles laid out by the Ritz Carlton while being entertained by the dulcet tones of live bands.

Floor Mural in front of a selfie camera

To the street painter whose pool floor mural came to life under the ‘selfie’ camera to the breath-taking art and sculpture pieces on display, the electric atmosphere of creativity was in awe and appreciation by all attendees.

Ayyam Gallery. Artist, Abdulnasser Gharem Al Sahwa (The Awakening)

Ayyam Gallery. Artist, Abdulnasser Gharem Al Sahwa. Solo show “The Awakening”

Ayyam Gallery, Dubai

Ever prevalent in many of the galleries, especially ones that represented artists from the region, was the symbolic branding of the Arabic calligraphy and text, cleverly and subtlety used to elicit an emotive response from the viewer.

Ayyam Gallery. Artist, Abdulnasser Gharem Al Sahwa. Solo show “The Awakening”

From paintings to sculpture to woven carpets and even art made from simple sewing string that spun from building to building like ‘old day’ electric street cabling.

DIFC courtyard

The art scene was truly in its element and Dubai has, once again, placed itself on the map as an art hub that many collectors swarm towards to experience a plethora of styles and artistes.

The Art Beat

Not all the galleries housed beautiful pieces of art, some were there to tell a story. One of the most poignant shows was aired at the Cuadro Fine Art Gallery, who housed the collection “Crash” by Manal AlDowayan. As the gallery states, that it highlights the “plight of Saudi woman teachers who die or get injured in car accidents every year.”

Cuadro Art Gallery. Artist, Manal AlDowayan. Crash II
Photo Credit: Cuadro Gallery.

For these women, the combination of low salaries, driving bans, far flung teaching assignments and unsafe roads and drivers have created dangerous and unstable conditions. The accidents are regularly reported in the Saudi newspapers, however, due to laws in the kingdom, the identities of the women are left out.

Their faces are never seen, their names are never mentioned. This raises the question of class and equality in the Saudi Arabia and whether the law seeks to protect or marginalize the victim. The artist asks “how do you mourn the dead if the sufferings have no face or name?”

Opera Gallery

The art scene here in Dubai continues to astound, amaze and question the boundaries between east and west. It is progressive, modern and continues to grow in strength year on year. The new talent that emerges from these events have strong influential ties on upcoming generations and their forward-thinking, somewhat political themes allows for historical conceptualization of contemporary art in the region.

Art lovers

The event attracts more art lovers and is beginning to breed a new type of art appreciator. While most would be drawn to the visual complexities of the art-piece, the modern appreciator now not only feels empathy for the art-piece but also questions the motives behind it.

Here are some more pictures of the art, people, and atmosphere of this amazing event:

Opera Gallery

Art Sawa Gallery

Random encounters. Discussing ice breaking questions written on balloons

Ayyam Gallery

Opera Gallery

Art Space Gallery

Opera Gallery. Artist, Lozano Oscar

Good looking guests
Farjam Gallery

   The Empty Quarter Gallery

Written by Qinza Najm
Photos by Photographer Sarath Raj

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Philadelphia, PA – Monday, March 17, 2014

Mural by Josh Smith a.k.a Le Josh on Girard Ave.

As all eyes were focused on NYC for Armory Week, I decided to focus my attention on that which is not in the obvious in my own back yard of North Philadelphia, for a Philly First Friday Art Crawl of a slightly different color.

Most people prior to the night told me I should go to the traditional Center City First Friday Art Crawl, which I have been to a million times for openings and have done that First Friday trek to death. But, not this time. I’m expanding my Philly horizons.

Since it’s March, I was told not to expect anything. It seemed like everyone had a reason for me not to go on the path I felt inclined to. But, anyone who knows me will tell you, I define my path and will do as I want.
So, I headed out…

My evening began at 5pm, which was an hour earlier than most places were starting. 1st up was to a Pre-Opening for Workshop PHL, located at 11 West Girard.

I met a woman by the name of Kelly Malone, who’s space it was. She shared with me her intentions of her new space, which is focused on, “providing classes for sewing, screen printing, gardening, photography, business, brewing, home projects, pickling, chocolate, cheese making & much more.”

You can find out more info at www.workshopphl.org

I hung out for a short time, and spoke with some people from the community who were there. But, since it was a pre-opening, I felt compelled to journey off to places having a full opening.

Next, I headed north, into Olde Kensington to a space located at 2111 E. Susquehana St., just a few blocks from where I’ve been residing called,
YELL Gallery.
Right when I entered into this space, I was very impressed with the feel of it. There were the typical white walls with works on them. But, there were exposed wood beams and wooden benches, which just gave it a more intimate feel and added to the whole experience.

Mukethe Kawinzi

I met with owner, Mukethe Kawinzi, who’s space is geared towards showcasing local artists and helping to contribute to an interconnected community.

Her current exhibit called, “Inclusion/Exclusion: The Poetics of Cartography, which is inspired by the work and words of Denis Wood.

Joel Chartkoff with his artworks

Artists Presented:

• BrailleStreetArt (Sonia Petruse and Austin Seraphin),
• Emily E. Erb,
• Joel Chartkoff,
• Alina Josan,
• Sarah Kelley,
• Nilé Livingston,
• Dan Shurley,
• Kristin Smith
• Shawn Thornton.

You can find out more about this space at www.yellgallery.com (I highly recommend checking them out)

After a few glasses of wine and several conversations, I headed deeper into the neighborhood to Frankford Ave.
Here, I came to what is called Space 2033, owned by Jess Marino. Jess is very active in the community, hosting events that span from seasonal celebration workshops to meditation to support groups

Jessica Marino with artist Kimberlee Traub

This evening she had put together was a showcasing that she described as, “textural”, “gothic”, and “of rebirth”, which was the 2nd part of a 2 month exhibit. All the artists involved were women, including the DJ.

Artists Presented:

• Kimberlee Traub
• Jes Gamble
• Jamie Paige
• Lesley Haas
• Dj-Dentana

more info at facebook.com/space2033

Moving on…..
At this point, I was going to head around a few other places on my list. But, I was brought up to another spot, further into the community. This place was located above Lehigh St. on Frankford, right to a spot where many bodies are found on a regular basis called, Frank’s Kitchen.

Here, I found art scattered around with an interesting mix of the locals, having a good time in an industrial building, which is available for artists to rent, with usage of tools and equipment. Also there, was an old school photo booth, taking pics that develop onto glass.
Many of the people there were gathered outside, hanging around a fire barrel. Out here, I had several interesting conversations with artists, train hoppers and puppeteers.

Unfortunately, I did not discover who were the artists showing here. But, here are some pics of their works…

It was definitely a well spent evening, discovering what is existing in other neighborhoods, besides the expected paths in Center City.

I look forward to what else I will find off the beaten path….

Written and Photographed by Randy Melick

The post First Friday Art Crawling In North Philadelphia, Yes…North Philly appeared first on Artiholics.

New York – Saturday, March 8, 2014

This year the first of the Armory Arts Week press previews was for  Spring / Break Art Show in an old school house (called The Old School) in Little Italy. It’s a cool step away from the traditional art fair because it not only focuses on the curator as key, but also has a hard-on for “new media” art, which means you will be seeing either video or projection art in almost every room, and if no video there is usually some auditory component.

Sometimes it is fun to be surprised by art, going into a show without knowing any of the players is like going to a movie not just without any spoilers, but also having no knowledge of the plot or cast. That was my experience last year when I first attended Spring / Break 2013. I was a blank slate. Having never been to the fair previously I was green to the rundown elementary school layout. It seemed disjointed and reminded me of a cross between PS1 and the random dilapidated school buildings turned solo artist exhibitions you see at the Governors Island Art Fair.

This time I settled right in. I knew some of the artists and curators personally ahead of time and was able to more easily identify the work.  It was fun to see how each curator played with this year’s theme for the fair PUBLICPRIVATE.

Entering the building and checking in I wandered into the first room which had an eaten away pillar which reminded me of the box from Frieze except made out of garbage.

Passing through that room I encountered a hallway full of blood illuminations by Jordan Eagles I have been to several Jordan Eagles blood shows when he worked in solid form, but these 13 projectors really filled out the space with a hemo-glow. Curated by Tracy Causey-Jeffery.

Jordan walking through the corridor.

Jordan’s silhouette in blood.

Ducking out I spun around when I heard my name called. It was art writer / curator Benjamin Sutton. I had seen some of his install pics on Facebook and instantly recognized the room he curated by the unmistakable ceiling cats by artist Caroline Wells Chandler.

Benjamin getting interviewed by Samantha Katz from Whitewall Magazine.

Samantha Katz.

The piece that was his starting point for building the show was this grotesque sculpture “Selfie as a Chocolate Chip Cookie,” also by Caroline.

I climbed up on the radiator to get this shot.

“Rule 34; Charm” by Sigrid Sarda. Made with real maggots dipped in gold, wax, real human bones & hair.

This room was curated by Jessica Hodin, The director of the Bleeker Street Arts Club.

Jessica jumped behind this transparent piece.

Jessica Hodin.

Assistant Director of Bleeker Street Arts Club, Anita King.

They have a new show titled FEELING HUMAN, with an opening reception this Sunday, Mar 9, 2014 from 1-4pm featuring some artists from this exhibit. 305 Bleecker St., NY NY 10014

Artist Lucas Zallmann poses with his fridges.

You open them up to find metal dildos and books.

Curated by Wills Baker and Sarah Sulistio.  Sarah is seen here talking with Spring/Break Co-Founder Andrew Gori.

A few photos by Carl Gunhouse.

A piece by Jacob Rhodes from Field Projects.

Curated by Chris Bors seen here with an original piece of his own.

Lia Chavez performing Luminous Objects

Which is curated by Tali Wertheimer, seen here, who is opening a new gallery called TWO RAMS on March 16th.

Artist and curator Max Razdow standing in front of one of his drawings.  I met Max last year when he had his own booth at Volta NY.

Curator Kari Adelaide.

Artist Jesse Bransford and his drawing experiment based on rolling a RPG die titled “Dice Drawings Set Five.”

Singing Bruce Springsteen with a mask on, mask off, show is over.  Crystal Curtis

Group Show curated by David Alexander Flinn

Room with projectors by Rin Johnson audio by Michael Valinsky.

Iphone cases by Collin Munn

I asked three staircase docents if they knew who made these streamers and none of them had a clue.  One said the girl with the yellow purse who was just here.  One said the girl with the green purse who was just here.

It wasn’t until I found a map.  Coralina Meyer.

Founders of the Spring/Break Art Fair, Ambre
 Kelly and 
Andrew 
Gori.

Andrew Gori.

Art by Alex McQulkin which was a collaborative piece she did with her mom.  She commissioned her mom knit a pussy riot mask for her.  She then wore the mask, took pictures of it, and then drew the mask.  This drawing is the end result.

Art by Alex McQulkin & Michael St. John.

This is a piece made by hand cutting out individual diamonds from Sotheby’s catalogs and pasting them together.

Curator Marina T. Schindler

Pin-up style art by Walter Robinson, curated by Ambre Kelly & Andrew Gori

Wall of small pieces depicting Jerry Saltz doing things, by Ambre Kelly, curated by Andrew Gori.

The next room I photographed parts of Liminal Reclamations curated by Tracy Causey-Jeffery and Amy Kisch.
We Are Made To Endure, Portraits of the Donner Party by Robert Saywitz

A room playing all of Woody Allen’s Oscar Nominated films while a toy train goes in a circle referencing recent allegations.

As well as A Universe in My Throat, 2012 by Kevin Bourgeois

Golden Coin by Patrick Meagher

Nightfall by Devin Powers.

Photo and video pieces by Rachel Garrard

Private Drive-In.

By artists Fall On Your Sword and Sarah Bereza (pictured above).

Inside the bug.

I blew out the shot with a flash so you could see the paint work on the car by Sarah.

Sit in the bug and enjoy a superfast loop of scenes from movies that take place in the front seat of cars, including this scene from Grease, as well as that famous 1955 Back To The Future scene with Marty McFly and his teenage mom.

Spring / Break Art Show is located at Old School, 233 Mott Street, NYC and costs $5
All work from the show can be purchased online at SpringBreakArtFair.com

Thursday, March 6 –  Sunday, March 9
Noon – 8pm Daily

Written and Photographed by Cojo “Art Juggernaut”

The post SPRING/BREAK Art Show Is Your Elementary School On Psilocybin appeared first on Artiholics.

New York – Friday, March 7, 2014

After checking out the opening reception for the first ever Clio Art Fair Jamie Martinez from Artefuse and I grabbed a train up to 55th street for the opening night party for The (UN)FAIR. Being press and a media sponsor of the event we buzzed the massive line and shot upstairs.

The first thing you couldn’t help but notice was that the place was packed.

I walked into the masse following a siren’s song and found a woman singing while standing right next to a beautiful Norman Rockwell painting, not the first (or ten thousandth ) thing I expected to see at THE (UN)FAIR but a pleasant surprise. Into the next room where for a few bucks they print your face on a t-shirt onto a baby’s body.

I quickly passed to the next room which had an intricate floor to ceiling vision obscuring sculptural installation.

On the wall beyond hung a few of those meta art world comic strips that Hyperallergic publishes. Into the large room where on the right is an interactive musical installation where you can play a series of instruments by pressing old school arcade buttons.

& Jerry.

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream served to you by THE ACTUAL Ben & Jerry. After meeting Jerry, and initially guessing wrong about which ice cream hippy I was talking to I got some cookie dough ice cream (and you just had a taste memory of that flavor). It hit the spot and I ended up coming back a few more times over the course of the night. (Just FYI, THE (UN)FAIR has free unlimited Ben & Jerry’s for the run of the fair).

I ran into fellow Artiholics Jen Wallace, the curationista of THE (UN)FAIR and got a picture with her.

Her partner James Wallace who was acting as greeter to the elevator crowds.

While talking to him one of the poet performers walked into the hallway and started reciting poems for us from memory, and they were great (anyone know who this guy is?)

Last year, the first year of THE (UN)FAIR, the show only occupied half of the entire floor space on the third floor. This year the space was twice as big with two additional new large rooms making way for some large paintings.

As well as an area for performance.

Vivian & Artist Gigi Chen.

And a massive projection piece, nearby which there are a few large patches of comfy AstroTurf where you can lounge out eating popcorn and ice cream while drinking wine in a small stackable mason jar like the most bizarre Willy Wonka factory picnic.

Max Noy, and Jamie both from Artefuse.

Artist Mark Parsons and one of his CartoGraphiPOP sculptures.

Jen and Mark Parsons.

Artiholics writer Betty T. Kao is doing a performance piece called “Belly Full of Artifacts” at The (Un)fair. Photos by Lauretta Prevost.

She will be performing again there on Saturday from 8 – 10 pm.

Artiholics is a media sponsor The (UN)Fair.

THE (UN)FAIR is located only a few blocks away from The Armory Show.  500 W 52nd St. New York, NY 10019

March 5th – 9th, 2014
11am – 8pm free

Opening Party: 3/5, 8-10pm free
Benefit Party: 3/6, 8-10pm $20 click here
Closing Party: 3/9, 8-10pm free

Written and Photographed by Cojo “Art Juggernaut”
(*editor’s note: I will finish crediting these photos and hyperlinking to artists websites next week when I am done seeing all these fairs and have time)

The post THE (UN)FAIR is Back, Bigger, & More Popular Than Ever – Opening (Photos) appeared first on Artiholics.