Collage and A Return To The 70's

I haven't seen Colin Barnes for a while. It appears he's been working on a solo show about to happen in London. Check out his website here for a sneak peak of what's in store. Intuitive art meets 1970's aesthetic meets not what you were expecting from this grass roots hip hop man. His work is clean and minimal with no heavy underpinning, simply beautiful images. The layering of subject and texture requires them to be experienced first hand to be fully appreciated. Watch this space for details.

Awe Inspiring Hubble

Check out Don't Panic a great resource for anything and everything creative from typography to photography to illustration to dance, it's all here. At the moment they have a great article about some of the amazing things the Hubble Space Telescope has given us over it's unexpectedly long life. Below is the image of the space shuttle Atlantis flying in from the sun, on the last of it's service mission.

Visual Clues

With local elections taking place all over this little island and the May Day Demonstrations, my attention is drawn towards politics. Now I'm not going to tell you who to vote for. Anyone who has the right to vote, also has the responsibilty to research candidates and party policies before marking their all empowering check in the box. And I don't care for all the media hype and jovial jabs that are endemic of todays political environment. What intrigues me, is how the participants visually represent themselves on paper. I'm talking about the little guide I got in the mail just yesterday. It describes the elections, how to vote and includes the manifesto for everyone in line for seat at the head of the table for my local assembly, the Mayor of London. The guide itself is great, simple and well designed, giving clear instructions on process, how to use your 2nd vote correctly (don't mark your 1st choice twice) and who is standing for each of the 3 ballots. And all colour coded to avoid the slightest confusion between the 3.


As for the graphic representation of these ever so important individuals...I'm not sure if it's comforting or disappointing, but there were no surprises as to colour palette, layout, font and photo choice for any of the candidates. Rather than describe each one, I'll simply state what 4 of them were visually communicating:

A. Everyman, straight-up, welcoming diversity.
B. Hardworking, green, young urban professional.
C. Energetic, alternative, green, self driven.
D.Patriotic, stable, traditional, strong.

Throughout history we have had visual clues telling us someone's position in society or cultural roots. That identity and defintion continues to expand today defining our political opinion, sexuality and even our taste in music. We wear our most inner thoughts and emotional state on our sleeves for all to see. London is a great city for that very reason. You can be as brazen and outrageous as you like and feel comfortable doing so.

Ged Quinn

The entrance alone to Wilkinson Gallery leads you to believe you're in for a visual sensory paradise and the present exhibit doesn't let you down. In the vast raw gallery Ged Quinn's rich paintings of iconic landscapes from past century's and more contemporary references to popular culture and scenes of destruction, marry together well. In his paintings (some 6' x 9') the head on collision of lush pastures and political leaders is met with an unbelievable attention to detail in reference and depiction. These painting have been painstakingly constructed, layering beauty with death in both past and present and the result is no less than perfect execution. Ged Quinn's paintings really need to be seen first hand to truly appreciate his skill, intellect and humor and the message they hold about our present course. Showing until 6th January 2008.

Shibboleth

The great crack that has the art world a buzz in London and beyond does not belong to some builder who forgot his belt, but rather Doris Salcedo. At Tate Modern you can experience her unnerving chasm (3' at it's deepest and possibly 6" at it's widest) travel the entire length of the Turbine Hall. As people enter they are handed the relevant flyer, warning side up. we are talking about a big crack in the very foundation of a very old industrial revolution building. People reach out for the flyer, but are already being pulled by some unkown force. Salcedo's Shibboleth has gravity, it has charisma, everyone wants to get up close and touch it. It;s like some amusement ride, appealing to all ages and walks of life. The yougsters want to climb into it and explore, while those of more years are concerned with it's construction. Just like everyone else I was fascinated, but it wasn't until I crossed it that I felt its power. There was something that made me feel vunerable and alone, as if seperated from everything I knew and understood. Then I noticed that although people were crossing back and forth, for the most part they walked on one side of the divide. Even though this is a crack in the ground it became a wall of sorts. I thought of all the walls that have been constructed all over the world to seperate people and of the blue wall in this city that surrounds the 2012 Olympics site. I considered the surrounding neihbourhoods and how they will change, how people will have to make a choice and how when the physical wall will be removed, an invisible wall will remain. These walls are said to be erected to keep us safe, but instead they stop us from communicating and keep our differences in sight. The 2012 games are being marketed as the games of the people and yet it's presence has already displaced so many. Whilst sitting on the floor in the Turbine Hall writing this evryone in this mecca that is London was represented. What an amazing gift Salcedo has given us.

Transfixed By Art

It's been a while since I went to an art museum, especially one that's out of state, however the Milwaukee Art Museum was well worth the 2 hour drive. I had seen photographs of Santiago Calatrava's angelic winged building, but it is only as you approach the soaring stature of translucent quality that you start to tingle with delight at what could be held within. The building is deceivingly small and once inside seems to expand like Dr. Who's tardis, encapsulating a wealth of worldly treasures. Don't be intimidated though, the entire museum (minus the additional fee exhibit) is do able within 3 hours and with natural light whispering into the majority of rooms, museum sickness is at a low. My favorites of the day where all in the contemporary collection and happily all new artists to me. Below is just one of the many personal insights that Tony Oursler gives in "self portait in yellow" (1996). Amusing, hypnotic, seductive and totally vulnerable this doll lies trapped under a turned over chair, sharing his inner thoughts whilst the majority of museum patrons walk through his space oblivious to his presence. Perfect!



Another winner for me was Robert Gober's "untitled" (1997). A black leather suitcase lies open in the middle of the far end of the last room. As I approached my curiosity did not know of the pure and simple joy I was about to experience. As I moved in closer for inspection I realized that there was more to the suitcase than simply that. Another tardis! From the front you look into the suitcase and see a iron grate much like that of a street drain. Once fully around the back of the piece you discover the wonder of the artist... another world lies beneath the floor. I wont say any more, you'll have to see it for yourself. I will admit I smiled like some 5 year old who had just been shown a magic trick that tickled his funny bone.



If there is one art related activity you must choose to do in the mid west, go to the Milwaukee Art Museum... they also have a cafe with real food.

Local Flare

last night I went to Kyle Obrito's fundraiser for a new film he's making. Not only did I get to support Kyle and see mutual friend, Justin Schmitz perform in a short film, but I also got to meet and chat with an artist who's work I had only been introduced to and become an immediate fan of one week prior. With his vast collection of National Geographic magazines, Stephen Ecihhorn painstakingly cuts out pre-existing landscapes, seperately them down to their very individual being and then recreates new landscapes. Upon first approach his work appears to be the most detailed of paintings, but get up close to discover the even more highly intricate layering of razor cut foliage. Catch his work locally at Lumpen and at Penelopes on Division...he'll be in New York before you know it!

Really Good Read

In the portrait studio I work in, we get numerous magazines and publications that I wouldn't consider picking up never mind purchasing...however, I am more than happy to spend a few mintues of the day flipping the pages discussing who looks good and how they acheived the lighting and how many different Kate Moss' there are. She is an idol simply for her chameleon abilities. One magazine we are all happy to part with money for this month is Vanity Fair's "The Art Issue." Now I've read some other blogs & reviews of this magazine & especially this issue. Focusing on the front cover of Brad Pitt standing in the rain in nothing but white boxer shorts. Questioning what VF are calling "art" & the following controversay with Mr. Pitt stating he did not agree to this image being used for the front cover (a year after it was shot). What they appeared to miss in my opinion are the articles inside. Take the time to read this issue & you will rediscover not only the known, classic & contemporary artist, but also fresh new emerging artists who you'll be sorry you didn't hear about before.

Small Delights

I'm not big on religion. Tend only to go to church for funerals, weddings & other family associated gatherings that dictate such proceedings. However, I do purchase the odd thing for a few people who I care & want to show my appreciation for through objects and artifacts. I always struggle with what to get, wanting to "out-do" last year or simply attempting to find that one shiny pebble that I know will overwhelm them with emotion on sight. Ultimately, I just want to make them smile, like everyone else out there. So it's always a delight when finding someone's gift, also opens me to something new. After spending too much time in an art store being seduced by the beautiful handmade papers, I stopped in at Quimby's on North Ave just to see if anything jumped out at me. In fact numerous zines & books caught my attention, but I was already at the end of a tiring day of work & now shopping, so I picked quick. The two zines that made the cut were "Make This Magazine" which lists assigments for the next issue on the back page, from New York & "Islands Fold" an artist residency out of Canada. Both are very intriguing & visually fun & allow the viewer to make their own conculsions & discoveries. "MTM" treats it's publication like an extension of the classroom for people of all ages to experiement & be creative. So follow the links & get submitting.