August 2004 Archive

MFA thumbs sideways

Cinque Hicks on whether an MFA is a waste of time: Although you asked for comments from those *with* an MFA, I had to say that I agree with some of the comments below (see posts here and here). I think that graduate programs are good for three things: 1) carved-out time and space to just be creative, 2) professional connections to the art world, and 3) a simple way to show people who keep track of such things that you’re not just screwing around when it comes to art –all great things, and all things that can be gained ... More » »

More Studio Museum

“Seeds and Roots,” a show from the collection at the Studio Museum in Harlem, proved as interesting as the new work upstairs (see previous post). Some of the images and work downstairs were familiar to me, some not, but so many pieces were thought-provoking and just plain great to look at (right, a photo by Samuel Fosso of himself wearing rubber work gloves). Along side the black-out graphite Quentin Morrises and sculpture from Alison Saar were pieces from Beauford Delaney and Horace Pippin. (By the way, Morris has a solo show coming up at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts ... More » »

Politics of a different color

While all that political brouhaha emerged from the art world in time for the Republican Convention (see Roberta’s Saturday post), political art of a more enduring sort emerged uptown–at the Studio Museum in Harlem. I was in New York as a stop on the way to my college roommate’s 40th wedding anniversary–she was practically a child bride, and believe it or not she met her husband when she was 14! What I was looking for to keep both me and Murray amused, was a group show with a lot of social content. And since I was staying on 125th Street, ... More » »

Drawn to it outside, Part II

Libby told you about the new Northern Liberties gallery, Hyder Gallery, in her June First Friday post. Back then, gallery owner Frank Hyder told us about a large mural he was working on with collaborators Paul Santoleri and Henry Bermudez. The mural, a few doors south of the 629 N. 2nd St. gallery, is done now and having a “christening” this Friday, Sept. 3, 5-8 p.m. “Hanging Garden of I-95″ is a 30′x120′ multi-panel collage based on the drawings shown here (top, left and right). The gallery’s website has working photos of the piece’s translation to full color mural. See ... More » »

Drawn to it outside and in, Part I

My inbox is on overload. Several juicy items have intimate acts of drawing at their heart but take place in extroverted settings. Here’s a peek at one. More later on another one. And for even more, see my PW review next Wed. Ben Katchor all over the place I went out to Swarthmore yesterday to the McCabe library to see the drawings done by Ben Katchor, the graphic artist and MacArthur genius (class of 2000). I was not familiar with the work except for having seen a few panels pulled out of context here and there. I’m sorry I’m giving ... More » »

Must read

Roberta Smith’s article yesterday about political art shows in New York coinciding with and provoked by the big RNC blowout is a must read. Better yet, there’s an audio slide show with a lot of images. Access that at broadband or 56K modem speeds. (username: lrrfartblog; password: artblog) I don’t want to be accused of inciting a charge on New York but I’m dying to see all this stuff. There’s even an Elizabeth Peyton-ification of John Kerry available for viewing at Gavin Brown’s. Former Philadelphian Dean Daderko’s Parlor Projects in Brooklyn gets a prime mention for its good show and ... More » »

Projekt 30

I don’t know who Project 30 is but suddenly I’m on their mailing list. It appears to be a group of artists who for about a year have run a juried online art show of works by emerging artists. The website is opaque about many things but it seems legit. For $35 an artist can submit 5 jpeg images and be considered for a two-month online show. (No sound or video capability however) 30 artists are chosen for each show, and when I checked out the August array — up now — I found it to be heavy in photography, ... More » »

MFA matters continued

From Charles Hankin I do think advanced degrees are important. The more knowledge the better. Witmer’s “Refrain”- to me is about the movement of space back and forth. I would refer to Arnheim . I agree that making relationships is the best part of grad school. (image is “Wissahickon Bridge” by Hankin) –Charlie From Mark Barry I did a semester at Brooklyn College and was too eager to get started, so I left. It is an important political advantage especially if you went to Yale. Look at the gallery rosters in Chelsea, or at the White House for that matter. ... More » »

God and the artist

The paths to spirituality are numerous and even Madonna, the anti-Christ herself, has turned into Esther, seeking spiritual enlightenment via the mystical Kabbalah. I’m not being cynical here. I’d have to come down on the side of spirituality as a basic human need. So it’s no wonder that so many artists are putting forth work in that spirit. The question is, why does some of it succeed and some of it not succeed. I’ve seen a lot lately, and the hallmarks of success, while not completely consistent, suggest some approaches work better, some worse. The bottom line is that for ... More » »

Sexy mushroom girl and sexy dream boy

I finally got over to 222 Gallery to see Deanne Cheuk‘s Mushroom Girls. Libby told you about the work in her First Friday roundup. I liked the almost clinical detail the artist and designer included in her mushroom paintings which, with their austere white backgrounds, reminded me of odd little botanical studies. They were sensuous and sexy. I had to ask about the mushroom floor lamps. (pictured) These odd and sweet lights which the gallery folks plugged in for me, were found by the New York artist at a flea market somewhere. Phil Otto of ODG, 222′s parent, was there ... More » »