WATER

This event is yet another clear sign that Philadelphia has become a strong filmmaking center. Image above is a still from the Termite TV video that will be presented at WATER, see below for all the details.

WATER by Termite Tv Collective & H2YO! by BiG TeA PaRtY
Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18
1:30pm and 3:30pm
At the Fairmount Waterworks Interpretive Center
640 Waterworks Drive, center door, downstairs
behind the Art Museum along the Schuylkill river

Featuring work by: Buffluxus, Sarah Christman, Courtney Grim, Bob Hering and Maria Cortese Hering, Meg Knowles, (Co-ordinating Producer), Mike Kuetemeyer, A.Q. Quintero, Joanna Raczynska, Iden Rosenthal, Debbie Rudman, Anula Shettty.

more information at
Termite
Fairmount Waterworks
Big Tea Party
For other local film events check out
Inliquid and Artblog

Finch and Puryear

There has been an abundance of negative, sometimes downright nasty, criticism of Charlie Finch coming from the so called "top" art bloggers. I guess bloggers don't like receiving the same medicine they are used to spooning out. If you haven't heard all the noise and are interested, here is a good place to see what I mean (be sure to read the comments).

The main point I want to make is that the current piece on artnet about the Martin Puryear show at MOMA is exactly why some of us love Charlie Finch. Who in the blogger community or anywhere else would have the eggs to take down a curator from a major, or even minor museum for that matter? Most writers are part of a commercial world that review every little show a museum does, and generally dole out positive tomes for the masses. Not Charlie. The blogging world, in large part, has sold out and are guilty of the same sins as the mass media. What a bore.

More on the Martin Puryear exhibition at Artinfo and the MOMA site. I look forward to seeing the show on Thursday.

Above, Martin Puryear's "Confessional" courtesy of the Donald Young Gallery

Nexus, Sexy in Vinyl

If you missed the opening reception for this great show at Nexus don't fret because you will have another chance to meet the artists and see their work at the Closing Reception on Friday, November 2, from 6 to 9pm. Some of the pieces in the show can only be seen during this show since they are adhered directly to the walls of the gallery.

Nick Cassway
Nic Coviello, see movies on sidebar
Alyse Bernstein
Matt Brownlee
Candy Depew
Matthew Pruden
James Rosenthal
Chris Vecchio, see movies on sidebar

Shown above, Nic Coviello's contribution to the exhibition, photo by Nic Coviello.

New Space In Philadelphia

This photograph is of my current studio in transition. I am moving a lot of my paintings to a new space in Center City, Philadelphia this week. This will give me more room to work on large scale projects and a place that offers easier access to show my work.

Fall Open Studios

Every year around this time artists from all over the Philadelphia area open their studios to the public. This is the best time to see what is really happening around the city. It is a rare chance to see the artists who are doing great work but left out of the media and gallery spotlight. And there are artists with familiar names that open their doors as well. It is an excellent time to get to know the artists and purchase work from the source.

Some have organized themselves and can be found online at POST (Philadelphia Open Studio Tours). October 20-21 and October 27-28, 2007.

Here are a few of the artists that I have met through my video series "Artists' Varied Stripes", see the sidebar to watch them in action. And other galleries and artists that I know and like. There are many, many more worthwhile people to visit and I apologize for any omissions here.

Leslie Atik
Amy Stevens
Tremain Smith
Rita Siemienski Smith
Kathryn Pannepacker
Sandra Hoffman
Wood Turning Center
Green Line Café, Douglas Witmer
Stratasphere Gallery
Giuseppe Riviera 915 Spring Garden

Then there is the Philagraphika, Open Portfolio Event, October 27-28, 2007, 12-6pm.
Ellie Brown
Michelle Marcuse
John Murphy

Above, Beginnings, 2007, Oil, wax & collage on panel, 48 x 44" by Tremain Smith

New Work

A set of 3 new works that may take me a while to add to my painting website. Pictured here are Untitled 745, 746 and 747, all 12x24 inches, mixed mediums on canvas, 2007. Visit here to see more from the "Furrows" series.

Online Magazines

Parkett and Art Review Digital go well beyond what many print magazines bring to their websites. Both these sites offer a generous helping of stories, images, audio and videos. You might have to register, but in this case it is worth it.

Above, a spread from Art Review.

The Good Old Days, video

In a former life, before art school, I played keyboards and drums in various bands. To make extra money on weekends when we didn't have any place better to play, we would sometimes play weddings. I can't say I liked it much, but looking back I can think of some funny situations. One time an old girlfriend asked me to play at her 2nd wedding. I still had feelings for her but did it for the other musicians. Now I realize that some of the tunes we played were less than appropriate. It is funny that no one ever said anything. Here is a video reenactment of one such song, updated for modern ears. We originally played the Neil Sedaka version.

play video

YouTube Rocks

I am not a fan of the type of videos that YouTube promotes, but you can uncover a lot of buried treasures that are hidden away if you dig deep enough. Then there is the idea that by watching two or more pieces side by side, that then a totally new idea can emerge.

I suggest opening 2 browser windows and watch the Mick Jagger video first, and right after, play the Nação Asurini video. If you are really game it is interesting to play them at the same time. As always, if you feel like commenting send me an email and I will post the them on the site.

play - Charmed Life, Mick Jagger
play - Nação Asurini

Green Machine on DUTV

DUTV (Drexel University Television) will be airing a 30 minute documentary, produced by Vincent Romaniello, on Thursday, September 20 at 10:30am and 4:30pm. It will feature Keiko Miyamori, Katie Murkin and Chris Vecchio, who have installed artwork on the grounds of The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.

DUTV is an educational cable station operated as a service of Drexel University that reaches over 400,000 homes within the metropolitan Philadelphia area. DUTV is broadcast over channel 54 or 62 for Comcast subscribers. DUTV is also are available through cable hook-up to 2,865 students who live in the 8 dormitories on Drexel's main campus.

Links for more information
Inliquid
The Schuylkill Center

Art for Peace and Justice

This group show features art chosen by independent curator Sarah Jane Semrad. Art4PJ will have a party with music, food and drink, to celebrate its launching on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 2-8 pm as part of the Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA) Fall Art Walk.

The goal of Art4PJ is to utilize art in its various forms to help create a culture of peace and justice where beauty is valued and preserved for future generations. Call 214-351-1432 for more information.

Artists - Ben Hancock, Kevin Obregon, Jim Frederick, Carmen Menza, Erica Fellicella, Jayme Nourallah, Patrick Rhodes, Bob Munro, Richard Ross, Vincent Romaniello, Marty Ruiz, Hal Samples, Diane Sikes and others.

Artizen Fine Arts, Dallas, Texas
Art for Peace and Justice
Sept. 8 through Oct. 7
Fall 2007 DADA Art Walk
Dallas Art Dealers Association
Sept. 15 from 2-8 pm

Above, Intertwine, Altered book, 5x7x1", 2007, by Diane Sikes

Related stories on the arts and justice
Broad Street Review
The Hope for Peace and Justice Blog

Green Machine Still Rolling

I have updated the archive of videos I have produced since 2004. See the sidebar and list with the tan background. Look it over, you may have missed a movie at some point.

Green Machine is one you might want to check out. The exhibition and installation on the grounds of The Schuylkill Center will continue to run through October 30, 2007. The artwork at the site has changed over time in some cases, the landscape certainly has, and The Schuylkill Center is always a beautiful place to spend time.

Above, photograph of Keiko Miyamori at the SCEE last winter.

Green Machine Trailer
play Quicktime version

play YouTube version

Links for detailed information
Inliquid
The Schuylkill Center for
Environmental Education
P'unk Avenue
Supplemental Shrubbery Sound Source

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A Grand Finale

Last night we went to see the work of David Foss and Michelle Marcuse which will be the last shown at Gallery Siano. The show is an excellent send off to an Old City gallery, that under director Luella Tripp has focused on abstract painting.

David and Michelle are without a doubt two of Philadelphia's strongest painters. Michelle's new work is thick and luscious, created using the encaustic painting method she is famous for. She continues to experiment and in this exhibition shows a new boldness which runs through all the work both big and small.

In his new paintings and works on paper, Foss is showing his ability to explore various strategies while always maintaining his signature style. Many of the works have a foundation of structural lines and webs underneath atmospheric passages that mingle on the numerous layers above. Surprises are plentiful both in his use of color and placement of marks. Go by the gallery because like all good painting, it is best appreciated in person. For dates, times, and other details visit the Gallery Siano website.

Photos above show David Foss in front of a new painting and people enjoying a group of Michelle Marcuse's works on paper.

Link to recent video on David Foss

Links to reviews
Anne Fabbri
Pam Farrell
Robin Rice

ITE'07 Interpretive Dance, Part 3

In this final segment, Lesya Popil starts with a performance inspired by a beautiful, rugged bench made with a chainsaw. Peter Harrison, furniture artist and resident for this years International Turning Exchange, designed and crafted the bench.

Jean-François Delorme, Sean Ohrenich, Siegfried Schreiber and Lynne Yamaguchi act as the dancers in the second part of this performance. Ms. Popil directed the woodturners/dancers from the sidelines. Music by Daniel Ben Pienaar.

The Bench, ITE 2007
Quicktime version
YouTube version

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Sozanski's Fervid on Kiefer, video

I went to the "Notations: Kiefer, Polke, Richter" show at the PMA with a couple of artist friends. We all loved the exhibition and spent a lot of time talking about the various pieces.

Mr. Ed Sozanski, critic for the Inquirer, saw things differently. Well, a number of bloggers, including some speaking out at Mid Atlantic Art News, take issue with his appraisal of Kiefer too in a couple of posts.

Here is a video link from the BBC with Mr. Kiefer speaking in front of some his work at White Cube, London. Thank you Karen Baumeister for finding this video.

ITE'07 Interpretive Dance, Part 2

Lesya Popil, dancer from Group Motion Dance Company, created a piece based on work by Lynne Yamaguchi, photojournalist/artist. Music by Zilla.

The exhibition featuring all of the work from this years ITE residents, allTURNatives: Form + Spirit, will run through September 22, 2007. Visit the Wood Turning Center's website for more information

Offering, ITE 2007
Quicktime version
YouTube version

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ITE'07 Interpretive Dance, Part 1

The International Turning Exchange for this year is coming to a close with an exhibition of works produced during the residents two month stay in Philadelphia. allTURNatives: Form + Spirit will open with a reception at the Wood Turning Center on Friday, August 3 from 5:30 to 7pm. Visit their website for details on this and other happenings that will be presented over the weekend.

Being a former ITE fellow myself, I believe one of the more rewarding parts of the program is the chance to work with artists from other disciplines on collaborative projects. This year Lesya Popil, a dancer from Group Motion Dance Company, spent time in the workshop at Uarts with the turners and choreographed three dances based on their work. Following is a video of Part One, inspired by artwork from Sean Ohrenich. Come out to the opening Friday night to see the other two performances on video. Music by Zilla.

Seasprite Capering To Her Demise, ITE 2007
Quicktime version
YouTube version

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Studio Visit Tonight

After a studio visit to a friends place last month, a couple of us thought it might be interesting and fun to make it a regular thing. So starting tonight at my studio, six painters will be visiting to see what I have been working on recently. The work is at a good stage for me to get some input from other artists who I respect. Plus, it is a good excuse to enjoy the summer with a little cold sangria.

Above, a new piece from the Furrows Series by Vincent Romaniello, 2007

Japanese Masters of the Brush, video

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is in the final week of it's presentation of Ike Taiga and Tokuyama Gyokuran: Japanese Masters of the Brush. The next show up is Notations: Kiefer, Polke, Richter, and I believe if you time it right you can see both. According to the PMA website Taiga and Gyokuran ends on July 22nd and the German show starts the 21st.

One of the benchmarks of great art is if it inspires other artists. I know of at least three artists that I have taped, Nic Coviello, David Foss and Giuseppe Riviera, who mentioned being strongly influenced by Japanese painting and calligraphy. See the sidebar for their videos.

An video excerpt from a talk by Curator, Dr. Felice Fischer
Quicktime version
YouTube version

Survey, Summer Group Show

It is important to many artists to have a dialog with the public, collectors and other artists about their work. This show is a great opportunity to do that since many of the city's finest abstract painters will be in attendance at the reception. So get out and support your the artists both by seeing the work and hopefully purchasing a piece that moves you. I have made movies of a few of the artists in the show, see the sidebar to watch them.

Gallery Siano
Reception Friday, July 6, 5-8pm
July 6 through August 11, 2007
309 Arch Street
Philadelphia PA 19106