April 2005 Archive

The Challenge: just the ticket

This morning’s paper had an item about Pfc. Lynndie England pleading guilty–the Abu Ghraib prison guard whose picture, holding a prisoner on a leash, is one of the awful Iraq images that has burned itself into our consciousness and our consciences. England’s image is also one of the repeating images of the horrors of war in painter and print-maker Daniel A. Heyman’s Challenge exhibit now up at Fleisher (see Roberta’s post about the opening reception here). Heyman’s concerns about the state of the world talked directly to his fellow Challenge artist Norm Paris. And the work of Lindsay Feuer, the ... More » »

Another blog makes art noises

Just got an email from a New York-based blogger, Roy Stanfield, at January Blog and read the art-related posts in this blog from start to finish. It’s worth a visit–the writing is clear and the point of view refreshing. There’s not much quantity, yet, but I hope they start to post more frequently.

Earth–and us–laid bare

Well, I’m still here while Roberta’s off at Max’s graduation, and I’m thinking about a swell five-photographer show that I saw at the Painted Bride about our planet and the interaction between it and us.perloff, stephenBefore I write another word, I have to apologize for the quality of the photos I took. They practically destroy what are fabulous photos.ketchum, robert glennI hate to label “Paradise Paved” at the Painted Bride an eco show, although that is indeed what it is. But the quality of the images–their honesty and beauty–make it also a show on photography, seeing and thinking. Curated by ... More » »

Commencement

…equals this and this with crowds like this …the happy graduate, Max, age 21. I’m off with Stella and Steve on a road trip to Ann Arbor. See you Monday.

Carnegie post script–the purchases

There really was some hot news buried in a wrap-up press release about the Carnegie International that began: “The 2004-5 Carnegie International was the 54th exhibition in a survey series founded at the behest of Andrew Carnegie in 1896.” ZZZzzzzz (left, a piece by Kathy Butterly).ataman, kutlugThe news, of course, is the acquisitions by the Carnegie Museum. butterly, kathychan, paulHere’s the info: 1. Carnegie Museum of Art purchased 12 works of art that were featured in the 2004-5 Carnegie International for its collection. They are Kuba, 2004, by Kutlug Ataman; Lickety, 2002, and Trip, 2002, by Kathy Butterly; Happiness (Finally) ... More » »

We will see giants

The lineup of Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative grants for this year (totaling $824,460!)has a mix of international vision for our town along with local crowd pleasers. It’s also exciting to get a glimpse of political art that promises to go beyond mere hectoring didacticism. Here’s my picture-based summary of who’s coming to town, sooner or later, thanks to PEI’s dime.barrio, arturBrazil Moore College is bringing Brazilian political and installation/intervention artist Artur Barrio. Barrio, who doesn’t have much name-recognition in the United States, is a big artist internationally, and showed in Documenta 11 in 2002. One of his pieces involved distributing 500 ... More » »

Close up

My story about the Chuck Close lecture at Penn (part of the Locks Distinguished Artists Series) is up at artnet. Read it here. Close is an inspiration and his talk was by turns funny and enlightening. The artist also did student critiques the next day at Penn and I hear he was a thoughtful, generous critic.P.S.By the way, the artist has an exhibit of recent paintings opening May 10 at Pace Wildenstein on 25th St. And a Penn student I spoke with who went out with Close for drinks after the student critiques said Close told them he was working ... More » »

Zine revolution

The show at Philadelphia University, “d.i.y. revolution,” crackles with the energy of the zines it has on display–home-made publications done for love and obsession and just the desire to get into print come hell or high water (the zine at the left proclaims, Tina Chopp is God! Praise Her or Die!).d.i.y. revolution The show is crammed with zines that rain from the ceiling. After the gauntlet of words, images and paper, there are shelves with zines, a sofa for relaxing with zines, and shelves filled with related art forms–mail art and underground music recordings and covers–also mailable. carton, seanCurated by ... More » »

Fourth thing in the Weekly

Sticks and photos

gallery 339Three things in the Weekly today. First, a preview of the new commercial photography gallery, Gallery 339. Read it here. The new venture, in a completely-rehabbed 1860′s era building at 21st and Pine opens this Friday with a two-person show by British photographer Edward Dimsdale and Korean photographer Bonchang Koo.wagner, brianMartin McNamara, Gallery Director, has high aspirations for his venture. I haven’t seen the space in completed form but here’s a shot McNamara sent me a while ago of the upstairs space (the place is big — sits on a corner and will have a front gallery and rear ... More » »