tART about Town with Ann deVere

TONIGHT @ 8:00 pm

tART artist

Aisha Cousins

“Performance art for the rest of us”

debuts her

Brer Rabbit The Opera*

a work in progress from her BRIC House Fireworks residency

in collaboration with Greg Tate and Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber

when: Tonight and tomorrow Jan 22nd & 23rd

time: 8:00 pm

where: BRIC House Ballroom

647 Fulton Street
(Enter on Rockwell Place)
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Contact Information Tel: 718.683.5600

Directions 2/3/4/5 to Nevins St | B/Q/R to DeKalb St | G to Fulton St

costs: $15 Adv | $20 Door 

*PLEASE NOTE: This performance contains adult material that is not appropriate for children.

More details on the performance here and here, Cousins’ website here, an older interview of the artist here and an informative article on the performance here.

presented by

tARTreads

Ann deVere

A printmaker who loves to draw

Member since 2009

Public Library

Read in early 2014

BAD BOY

MY LIFE ON AND OFF THE CANVAS

by ERIC FISCHL

AND MICHAEL STONE

An engaging portrayal of American artist Eric Fischl coming into his own, the memoir basically sheds light on the ebb and flow of a contemporary artistic career and studio practice. I especially enjoyed reading how the chaos of his not knowing unfolds into knowing earlier in his painting. The author(with a little help from his friend Michael Stone) speaks honestly on the emotional residue that informs his work and life. Supposedly, because of the domestic nature in his paintings- albeit a “psychosexual” one, he was referred by his male peers as the feminist amongst them.  Fischl first came to my attention with his 2002 public art installation of ‘tumbling woman’ in NYC. I was profoundly moved by the statue. A brave – emotionally charged gesture responding to the horrific event of 9/11, the sculpture was immediately removed due to a public outcry. Detailed reviews on the book- here and here, and an audio recording you can listen to of the author’s 2013 NY Public library talk on the book here. If in town check out Fischl’s impressive curatorial debut- ‘Disturbing Innocence’at the Flag Art Foundation on exhibit till January 31st. Saw it myself and highly recommend it. It is a show you want to put some time aside to see – a lot of provocative work(over 50 artists) to contemplate.

 tARTreads:

the who where when what & why of books read by tART members

a post by Ann deVere

ART About Town with Ann deVere

2014 Highlights

some sculpture, a garden and an art fair

Chakaia on Broadway

Famed sculptor Chakaia Booker graced Broadway with her first public art installation in Manhattan (and hopefully not her last!). The Sentinels, 5 gorgeous sculptures made from recycled tires were presented by the Garment District Alliance along Broadway between 36th and 39th street. The opening was a morning affair under a tent with breakfast and Mimosas. Yeah it was drizzling but how often do you get to stand on the streets of NYC sipping cocktails in the a.m. hours- on a weekday -and its legit.  It was a wonderful celebration and a remarkable display that was up for 5 months.

 

Crushin’ on the High Line

On an beautiful warm September day the 3rd and final section of the High Line opened. To celebrate Friends of the High Line held a spectacular procession that ran the full length of the elevated garden built on an abandoned railroad. The incredibly talented Processional Workshop(official puppeteers of the NYC Halloween parade) oversaw the entire production. You can read up on how it all unfolded here. It was the most awe inspiring community festivity for a park opening I had the fortunate luck to experience and be involved in. At the end we gathered for a delicious communal meal and the 3rd section quietly opened to the public immediately after.

 

Editions / Artists’ Books(EAB) Fair

This was the only art fair I got around to attending in 2014. Of course, having a complimentary pass for opening night helped(and my bias as a printmaker!) but regardless- completely worth it and highly recommended. The opening was packed with people who were clearly enjoying themselves engaging with the artwork, exhibitors and each other. This is an annual free on the weekend event held in NYC every November during Print Week. Check out this short fun video about the fair on the EAB website here .

Here’s wishing you and yours 

a culturally engaged, art filled 2015!

Yours truly,

tARTs about Town with Ann deVere

ART about Town with Ann deVere

Possibly the last weekend of decent weather to enjoy looking at art before the winter coats and scarves really come out-  so shall we…

 

 CLOSING TODAY  (& highly recommended)

 

 Chakaia Booker

A fluid space projective space

David Krut Projects

526 W. 26th St., Suite 816
New York, NY 10001

212.225.3094
hours today 10am – 6pm

Chakaia Booker Untitled, 2014 Woodcut, hand painting, embossing 19.75 x 14in

I don’t know- I can go on and on about this gallery- originally based out of Johannesburg- South Africa, champions of contemporary printmaking in the 21st century and first to showcase El Anatusui before he went and got all famous(you can see him being all famous here and here). Chakaia Booker’s mixed media prints will not disappoint. They were created in collaboration with master printer Phil Sanders, former director of the RBPMW.  You can read more about the exhibit here and more about Chakaia at the gallery here . You can also catch David Krut Projects in action at the 2014 Editions/Artist Books Fair where you can feast your eyes on original linocuts by William Kentridge and other works on paper. They will be at booth #22.  Happening during print week in early November, the whole fair is quite fantastic and is free to the public on the weekend.

 

Print Facets:

Five Centuries of Printmaking

The Curator Gallery

520 W. 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011

212.243.1806
hours today 11am – 6pm 

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Female Head, 1915, woodcut, 13.5 X 10.5 in

New new new new new –gallery and therefore, off the beaten path of the usual suspects of gallery hoppers -but I don’t think for long. Open only a few months with just 3 other exhibits under their belts, this salon style print show is a sweet mix of old century masters along side established and lesser known contemporaries.  The show is hung handsomely, moving you nicely into and through the space of a diverse body of varying printmaking techniques and styles. Most of the techniques are traditional with a few serenely stunning digital prints thrown in the mix.  Located  on 23rd street on the southwest corner of the High Line’s underbelly- this is a show not to be missed. If you do go -as you should, make sure to ask about the print bar- a room located off the main space showcasing unframed matted prints.

 

 

EFA OPEN STUDIOS 2014

EFA Studio Program

The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts
323 West 39th Street (Btwn 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York NY 10018

212.256.5855
hours today 1pm – 6pm

 

Beautiful paper cut collages and recent chine colle prints.

Xin Song, Studio 905 

  

Toyin immerses us in her practice as you witness the innards of her creative process. And please do not touch anything -really people -stop it. 

 Toyin Odutola, Studio 412

 

Noah did not disappoint with a great studio presentation of new videos with one of the installations accompanied by sound.

Noah Klersfeld, Studio 507

 

A newbie-  landing in her studio 3 months prior. My photograph does her work no justice- you have to see her intricate collaged paintings(my words not hers) for yourself. They will take your breath away. 

 Maria Berrio, Studio 406

 

 The Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop(RBPMW) 2014 Member Show. My peeps. Enough said. 

Blackburn 20/20 Gallery, 5th floor

 

And another artist I believe is new to the studio program who displayed these gorgeous paper cut installations.

 Tai Hwa Goh, Studio 607

 

I took these great shots of the artists’ work from EFA Open Studios’ opening night reception where they were serving up EFA specialty cocktails made with handmade vodka. I suggest you do your best to swing by. Other events in the neighborhood will be happening for the Garment District Arts Festival‘s last day as well.

 

photo credits: David Krut Projects, The Curator Gallery, Ann deVere

ART about Town with Ann deVere

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!  

Opening Reception TODAY @ 6pm

EFA OPEN STUDIOS 2014

“Meet the artists. Witness the process. See where art is created.”

6-10pm Thursday, October 23

FREE

323 W. 39th Street (btwn 8th & 9th Ave.)

Still one of my favorite all around good times perusing contemporary art and mingling with the artists who make it. Not much more to say than that – and not because the art is less fabulous- a few favorites have gone but a whole lot to see regardless. And I believe 100% of the studios will be open – thats like 74 studios to peruse with a cocktail or two. So do it and do it now! Also be sure to check out  the RBPMW 2014 Member Show of contemporary printmaking in the Blackburn 20/20 Gallery on the 5th floor. EFA Open Studios is part of the 2014 Garment District Arts Festival running on October 23, 24, 25(Thursday, Friday and Saturday).

photo credits: Ann deVere/ EFA OPEN STUDIOS 2013

Where:

EFA Studio Program
The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts
323 West 39th Street (Btwn 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York NY 10018

Tel: 212-563-5855

http://www.efanyc.org/open-studios/
Map

The studios will also be open Friday October 24th 6-9pm and Saturday October 25th 1-6pm

 

ART about Town with Ann deVere

TONIGHT @ 6:30 pm

Dialogues in the Visual Arts:

A Conversation Series

Susan Newmark Fleminger, Program Curator

Moderated by arts professionals with contemporary Brooklyn artists

 Life Cycles:

Women Abstractionists Working in the Arts –

a cross-generational discussion

Chicago State University professor and art historian, Camille Brewer, moderates a cross-generational discussion with artist Sonia Gechtoff and others.

Wednesday, May 28, 6:30 pm

Information Commons Lab

Central Library

10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238

FREE

series link

 

ART About Town with Ann deVere

So continuing on this walk down memory lane -remember the EFA post I did back in October for their open studios and I highlighted new EFA studio member Toyin Odutola. You can refresh your memory here. Well Toyin currently has a solo show at Jack Shainman’s NYC Chelsea gallery on 24th street closing at the end of this month.

Like the Sea

May 1 – 31, 2014

JACK SHAINMAN GALLERY

524 West 24^th Street

(between 10th & 11th Avenue)

New York, NY

Culled from Black Artist News’ original post announcing the exhibition here.

exhibition link

While in Chelsea you might want to check out Howardena Pindell’s solo exhibit at the Garth Greenan Gallery –529 West 20th Street closing today. You can read about the artist and her work on display in Hyperallergic here. And right down the block you can catch Adrian Piper’s The Probable Trust Registry at the Elizabeth Dee Gallery at 545 West 20th Street. A participatory exhibit not to be missed, also closing at the end of this month. 

ART about Town with Ann deVere

Remember the March tARTreads post where tART artist Clarity Haynes recommended the book Living and Sustaining a Creative Life by Sharon Louden.  You can refresh your memory here. Well  guess who is coming to town(all the way from  Brooklyn) to moderate a discussion in Manhattan but Sharon herself.

So mark your calendars – AGAIN!  

THE ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS(EFA)

presents

Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Forum for Discussion

Moderated by Sharon Louden

this Wednesday May 7th 2014 6pm

EFA Project Space 2nd floor

FREE

323 W. 39th Street (btwn 8th & 9th Ave.)

And did you know the book was named one of Hyperallergic’s top art books of 2013 and is already in its fourth printing in five months. Enough said  right – oh but wait if you are not totally convinced to attend check out her about page here on her website.  You can find more details on the forum discussion and panelists line up here.  And if you come early check out RBPMW next door where I am a member.

 

Friday Funnies

“what i do as an artist”

Cartoonist Alex Gregory.  Check out this very funny podcast interview with Alex (and Matt Diffee-previous Friday Funnies post) on You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes here. Selected from Robert Mankoff’s post of favorite cartoons picked by the readers of the New Yorker Magazine. You can check out the post and cartoons submitted here. Image credit newyorker.com. 

a post by Ann deVere