February 2008 Archive

Interview–The quirky John Caperton at the Print Center

Melanie Schiff, Spit, Lambda Print, 30 x 40, 2006, taken from her website ; ©Melanie Schiff Here at artblog we’ve been waiting with bated breath to see how John Caperton will put his mark on exhibits at The Print Center, the venerable organization that dates back to 1915. We were astonished by the choice, not because Caperton isn’t great. After all, here are a few of his independent curatorial projects in Philadelphia: Cathartic Disgust Gestalt at the late, lamented Project Room, featuring work by Tristin Lowe, Charles Burns, Philip Mott and Robert Beck. Think vomit materialized. I Saw the Light, ... More » »

Whitney a’coming this week.

Carol Vogel‘s description of the Whitney Biennial 2008 in this morning’s NY Times makes the show sound like a 3-ring circus. Fewer artists than before yet the show has two venues, the Whitney’s building and the 67th St. Armory. And the latter will have activities like a sleepover! dances! a regimentally-themed bathroom! and weird haunted house noises! Get your party hat and get up there…. The show opens to the public on Thursday. We’re going up Tuesday for the preview. Check the museum’s website for performance/event details since some may require prior registration.

West Philly windows

A view of some of Neil O’Brien’s work in the Urban Outfitters window on Sansom and 36th The corner of 36th and Sansom–that would be right across from the ICA, which may or may not be a hint of some kind–is full of surprises. First I passed by an Urban Outfitters window on Sansom Street, filled with work that looked vaguely familiar, although I’m still not sure why. I peered into the window to see the artists signature; there was none. But when I stepped back, paint spelled out in giant orange letters across the bottom of the window the ... More » »

Etsy – rags to riches on belief in the handmade and the network

Rob Kalin, founder of Etsy, the online craft store and network. Nice article in the Financial TImes about Rob Kalin, 27, founder of Etsy, the online craft store for handmade items. From teen runaway to a degree in classics, Kalin, a furniture maker, started the site with $50,000 from an angel investor and now has support from other internet entrepreneurs (like the founders of Flickr and del.icio.us) and has sold more than $10M of goods (average sale $15-$20) since its launch! Also, did you know they have Etsy Labs at their place in Brooklyn where you can come and study ... More » »

Superhero pots from Doug Herren

Vase Form with Green Stand, by Doug Herren, ceramic and mixed media; all pictures in this post taken by the artist and courtesy of Kelly & Weber Fine Arts Here’s a funny pair of shows for you: The Japanese Yixing teapots at the Clay Studio (post here on these from one of the students from Colette Copeland’s class) and Doug Herren‘s exhibit, Industria, at Kelly & Weber’s 201 Gallery. Green Teapot, Doug Herren Herren until now was an ordinary tea pot and clay vessel maker. But suddenly his work has gone industrial strength, bringing muscle and rivets to giant vessel ... More » »

Lectures, lectures (and talks) everywhere!

Happy almost Spring! Before the hot air blows for real come out and hear these Spring-time lecturers talk about their work. The events are free and open to the public but in some cases consider getting there early because rooms are small and crowds may be big. Thank you, Philly’s art schools for rounding up the talent for us. No doubt I missed some things. Anything juicy…feel free to add it in the comments. PS. I cherry-picked what I’m interested in so if you want to see the whole lineup for each school be sure to click on the link ... More » »

Culture Pundits wants you–free opportunity

Yuliya Lanina, Enchanted, detail. She’s in the CP network! Are you longing for your images to appear on several high-powered art blogs? Here’s a way to accomplish that. No muss, no fuss. Just send some images plus a little statement and get a FREE page on Culture Pundits and a thumbnail image on the front page of these widely known blogs, namely: Art & Sex & Music: Focusing on the democratization of art collection though prints, editions and multiples. Art Fag City: As relevant as Eric Fischl. Art news, gossip and reviews. Art.Blogging.LA: Art.blogging.la is the first blog dedicated to ... More » »

More kisses for you, Mayor Nutter!

Another couple of artists join the Kiss for Mayor Nutter campaign, a picture protest by artists wondering what happened to the campaign promise to appoint someone to head an Office of Art and Culture. Ava Blitz, self portrait. Ava wrote: Another portrait kiss for Mayor Michael Nutter, going back to when big glasses were in! Wonderful work that you do in support of Philadelphia area artists. Phuong Pham Hey there, Libby and Roberta,Please find attached a photo of me installing my piece for the Art Glut show. I can’t imagine a better place to support art in Philadelphia than a ... More » »

Unmonumental at the New Museum (NYC)

Ugo Rondione’s Hell, Yes! graces the front of the new New Museum. Unmonumental investigates collage in contemporary art practices and it does so by turing the exhibition itself into one large collage. The outcome is just as confusing as it sounds like it should be. I supoose the ideal way to have viewed Unmonumental was to visit the museum three times. First, when Unmonumental: The Object in the 21st Century opened on December 1st and the galleries hosted only the sculptural assemblages. Then it might have been a treat to re-visit when Collage: The Unmonumental Picture was added to the ... More » »

Students look at Old City art

These posts were submitted by Collette Copeland‘s students at the University of Pennsylvania. They were done after February First Friday and one of the shows (Muse) has already closed. But we think it’s worth getting up for the record.Posted by Jamie RosenInstallation shot of teapots at the Clay Studio Making tea in anything less than a genuine Yixing [yee-shing] teapot islike drinking pinot noir out of a burger king soda cup. Tea is thedistillation of Mother Nature’s love for us; hot water is the mediumand a Yixing teapot is the vessel in which you mix tealeaves and hotwater. Yixing Teapot ... More » »