November 2010 Archive

Figures, word play and a splash of color – Mike Maxwell at Slingluff Gallery

What happens when you combine an obsession with old photography,  contemporary art themes and some wit? For San Diego based artist, Mike Maxwell, featured this month at Slingluff Gallery, it means a collection of pieces that examine modern day humanity’s struggle with power, inner peace, and self awareness.

Last chance–Fleisher Challenge

The best reason to see the first Wind Fleisher Challenge of this season (ends today) is Arden Bendler Brownings enormous abstract cityscapes.

Kensington ramble to Crane Arts, Little Berlin, Rebekah Templeton

It’s remarkable how much territory you can cover and art you can see in an afternoon, on foot, in Kensington. Here’s a sample of some offerings from my walk last Saturday afternoon.  I started at Little Berlin, where Landscape Techne, the group show curated by LB member Kristen Neville, suggests that no matter how electronically-or technologically-sophisticated we are as a society, artists will always have a need to create landscape imagery of some sort.

Internet abuse slap down

I thought this recent court decision re scurrilous internet behavior would interest some of you.

NewsWorks adopts artblog radio!!!

WHYY’s newest website, NewsWorks.org, is sharing our artblog radio podcasts. Right now in our little corner of the NewsWorks Arts and Culture page you can also find Terry Gross’ interview of Loretta Lynn and Peter Crimmins’ interview of Philadelphia Orchestra conductor, Yannick Nezet Seguin! Nice company, huh?

Season of curatorial appointments

Last week Temple announced the hiring of Robert Blackson as Director of Exhibitions at Tyler School of Art. Today comes the announcement from the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore of Sue Spaid’s appointment as Executive Director of the museum. While in Philadelphia, Spaid headed up the Abington Art Center’s exhibition program and also taught Engineering Ethics and Aesthetics at Drexel University.  She will join the Contemporary Museum Dec. 13.  We should say here that we know Spaid and are big fans of her writing, curating and thinking. Earlier this month ICA announced Jenelle Porter’s move to ICA Boston.  As of January, ... More » »

Abstract processes fuel two at LG Tripp and two at Bridgette Mayer

Rebecca Jacoby, one of two artists featured at LG Tripp this month, has a bright pastel palette after my own heart. Many of her works are done in acrylic, oil, pastel and collage. For such a wide array of media, she utilizes her materials in a way that they are blended beyond individual identification, making her pieces very cohesive and whole.

Travel day

We’re off to New York today to see what we can see.  Hold on to your hats today in that big wind they’re predicting.  See you.  your friends, roberta and libby

Terry Adkins’ John Brown revival at Penn

The last time I saw Penn Professor of Art Terry Adkins in action he was at Pageant Soloveev Gallery, trying to resurrect Bessie Smith to give to her, her rightful place in Philadelphia history. He was hoping his exhibit would inspire creation of a Bessie Smith historical marker on the streets of Philadelphia. Alas, the marker is nowhere in sight.

Wind Challenge Exhibition talk with Sue Spaid at Fleisher Art Memorial

The weather on Thursday evening, November 4, could have set the stage for the opening segment of a mystery movie. Instead, the chilly air and endless stream of rain provided a conspiratorial accompaniment to the appropriately titled Wind Challenge Exhibitions at Fleisher Art Memorial, on view through November 20. Although the title was grounded in a far more practical origin than the elements – the surname of its principal funders, Dina and Jerry Wind – it added a touch of irony to the bedraggled guests that trickled in for the gallery talk at Fleisher that night.