November 2011 Archive

Jolie Laide, Bleach, Nirvana, and things better left unsaid…

The gallery statement for the show Bleach by Alex Da Corte and Paul DeMuro at Jolie Laide begins by referencing the release and aesthetic characteristics of Nirvana’s album of the same name. I only read the description after seeing all of the work at the opening, and I didn’t make the connection until then. As if the show weren’t strong enough to begin with, Nirvana happens to represent my rock music roots and a certain amount of nostalgia for my late teens. After thinking I had a handle on this powerful show, I was forced to double back and revisit ... More » »

Earthly Delights in Norristown – Emily Erb and Nakima Ollin at Pagus

I still feel a bit like the new girl in town: keen to explore the city and its surroundings, discover interesting art and meet new people. It was lovely, therefore, to find myself in West Philly artist Nakima Ollin’s car last Saturday, driving to see the two-person show Earthly Delights in the Norristown Arts Building. Pagus Gallery’s large, bright space and winding corridors were filled with two artists’ works: Ollin’s intricate paintings and drawings and Emily Erb’s large-scale, dyed silk works.

artblog safari Kickstarter news: $1,340 to go!!!

artblog’s art safaris Kickstarter campaign only has 23 days to go. And we still need to raise another $1,340. That means we raised $1,160 in our first week!! So big thanks to all of you who contributed to a fantastic start! For those of you who haven’t yet contributed, have you checked out our unique premiums–ways to make you part of the great project that is artblog–you on the blog in a variety of ways to match the size of your gift; you on a safari; you accompanying us on a recording session. And there’s more. Check out all the options!! Love, ... More » »

Grizzly Grizzly aesthetic – humor surrounded by a lot of seriousness – a podcast interview

Grizzly Grizzly installed their first juried exhibit, “Other Possible Titles” in November in their small artist-run space in the old industrial building at 319 N. 11th St. When we met Mike Ellyson and Jacque Liu at the gallery for this podcast interview, the small space was filled to bursting with 35 works from almost 250 submissions from all over the US and as far away as Ireland and Australia. The artist run space has Grizzlies 8-members and Mike and Jacque said they were very happy with the show. Viewers were encouraged to vote on their favorite piece and many have. ... More » »

Two cultures meet at the Lightroom Gallery

by Alyssa Greenberg The opening of the Lightroom Gallery’s Two Cultures exhibition, featuring the work of the photo gallery members Ranjoo Prasad and Tony Rocco, saw a steady turnout, with audience members drawn by the magnetic qualities of both photographers’ work. Although rooted in two different parts of the globe, Prasad and Rocco’s photographs were given a sense of unity by their highly composed styles and close attention to the inner lives of their subjects. Both artists’ work also dealt in some way with distance, as evidenced by their respective biographies. But the similarity ends there.

News: In the media, World AIDS Day, some great opportunities, and more!

News In the MediaSharon Butler recently wrote a piece for M/E/A/N/I/N/G: A Journal of Contemporary Art Issues. Her essay Free Love considers why artists are drawn to social media. There are lots of other topics in the journal–worth checking out! Creative Capital has a new blog called The Lab. Former Philly writer and publisher of the The Philadelphia Independent Mattathias Schwartz has made an appearance in The New Yorker with an article about the origins and future of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Ceci n’est pas un turkey

In the spirit of gratefulness and fun, we though we’d put up this picture of Mike Ellyson teaching Bible lessons to a chicken. Neither Mike nor the chicken is a turkey. But we do hope you have your own turkey or turkey-equivalent and that you enjoy it with some of the people you are grateful to have in your lives. Happy holiday!

Derek Frech’s virtual Sublime at Rebekah Templeton

The virtual molten rock slips out from under my feet at that jewelbox of a gallery, Rebekah Templeton. I haven’t got a safe piece of ground to stand on there.

Art Safaris Kickstarter campaign launches!

Dear beloved artblog reader, We know you are an avid supporter of the arts — in Philadelphia and everywhere else — so we are reaching out to you. We have an important project–funded in part by Knight Foundation–but we need your help in matching those funds, or all that money from Knight will not come to Philadelphia. Our First Friday Art Safaris will bring new eyes to Philadelphia’s important and exciting new art, but your donation is critical! Today we are starting a Kickstarter campaign — to raise $2,500 for our project.  Check out our Kickstarter page today! And check ... More » »

The Western Lands at Little Berlin – the viewer interaction challenge

Post by Roman Blazic The Shadow Lands at Little Berlin is a very ambitious presentation that produces a cautionary point of view and shows art in an evolving process. The key element is a non-linear approach — with action and interaction between the artist and the participating spectator.