Sesow on YouTube

One of DC's hardest working artists is Matt Sesow; he's got a cool interview below.

A great Friday for art lovers

This is going to be a fun Friday for art lovers along the Mid Atlantic. Some tough decisions will have to be made!

In Baltimore, the new Patricia Touchet Gallery opens "Moving Beyond Craft: Artists of the Washington Glass School," one of three multi-city gallery shows which focus some attention at the movement that I have dubbed "The Washington Glass School School," and which is dragging glass away from craft and putting it firmly in the fine arts camp. Opening is 6-9PM and runs through Sept. 3, 2007. Work by Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate, Deborah Conti, Cheryl Derricotte, Sean Hennessey, Syl Mathis, Betsy Mead, Evan Morgan and Alison Sigethy. By the way, last Friday WETA TV had a segment on the Washington Glass School - see it here.

In DC, there's a really strong group show opening at Gallery Myrtis, one of DC's newest galleries. Look for the work of Elsa Gebreyesus to stand out in this show. Also Washington Printmakers has its National Small Works 2007 Exhibition, Juried by Greg Jecmen, from the National Galley of Art, as some of the Dupont Circle area galleries will be open for First Fridays.

In Frederick, MD, the Artists' Gallery has a 23-artist group show opening on Friday, although the opening reception is on Saturday, August 4 as part of Frederick's First Saturday Gallery Walk. Work by Palma Allen, Janet Belich, Joy Boudreaux, Steven Dobbin, Nina Chung Dwyer, Lesa Cook, James Germaux, Christine Hahn, Linda Agar-Hendrix, Phyllis Jacobs, Regina Kaiktsian, Jan McIntyre Lamb, Craig Leonardi, Johan Lowie, Christina Lund, Nancy McLoughlin, Joanna Morison, Doug Moulden, Diane Santarella, Robert Sibbison, Irina Smulevitch, Shelley Stevens, Christine Stovall, Washington White.

In Philly it's time for First Fridays and time to wonder around Old City's 40-plus galleries, most of them open from 5 until 9 p.m.

Longhairs

I was looking through Osvaldo and Roberto Salas' brilliant photography book "Fidel's Cuba: A Revolution in Pictures" the other day, when a conversation that I had a few years ago with Irv Toefsky, a very well-known DC photography collector, who is unfortunately no longer with us, came to mind.

I don't know which Salas took the above photo, which depicts Comandante Camilo Cienfuegos on the left, and an unidentified guerrilla, both posing in front of the Lincoln Monument in DC during a visit to DC in 1959.

Popular history anchors the growing of long hair by American youths in the early 60s, and eventually a symbol of rebellion, mainly to the Beatles and their longish haircuts.

But according to this savvy Washingtonian, when the Cubans showed up in DC in 1959 with their long hair, ponytails and huge beards, it caused a sensation in crew-cut America, and especially in Washington, DC.

"We had never seen young people with such long hair," he said to me. "And there was something romantic about the Cubans; their youth, their Revolution and their hair. So we started growing our hair."

Soon afterwards the Cuban Revolution started to go sour and like all revolutions, began devouring its own heroes. Cienfuegos was one of the heroes of the Revolution, and he disappeared at sea in the early 60s. Many claim that he was killed under the direct orders of Raul Castro.

But Salas' beautiful photo remains, as evidence of another revolution, a hair revolution, possibly started by these valiant young men.

2007 Lucelia Artist Award Nominees Announced

The Smithsonian American Art Museum announced yesterday the nominees for the museum's 2007 Lucelia Artist Award.

The 13 nominees are Cory Arcangel, Bernadette Corporation, Tom Friedman, Gajin Fujita, Rachel Harrison, Glenn Ligon, Fabian Marcaccio, Josiah McElheny, Dave Muller, Laura Owens, Jessica Stockholder, Catherine Sullivan and Sarah Sze.

The Lucelia Artist Award is part of the museum's ongoing commitment to contemporary art and artists through annual exhibitions, acquisitions and public programs.

"The artists nominated this year for the museum's Lucelia Artist Award show a sustained commitment to distinctive work that challenges conventional thinking and expectations about the nature of art," said Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The Lucelia Artist Award, established in 2001, annually recognizes an American artist under the age of 50 who has produced a significant body of work and consistently demonstrates exceptional creativity.

SiteProjects DC on TV

I am told that SiteProjectsDC artist Tom Greaves was on the NBC Today show this morning at 8 AM. Tom was interviewed about his piece The Compliment Machine.

It's a good thing that this accomplished artist and the WPA/C project is getting national attention. See it here.

By the way, am I the only one that sees a very strong similarity between "The Compliment Machine" and Thomas Edwards' "Sycophant"?

I don't know which machine came first, but they essentially do the same thing based on the same idea, although Edwards' robot head, once its motion sensor detects you, actually follows you down a rail as it showers you with compliments.

It looks like another case of what I have called in the past "Remarkable Confluence." This is when two people, completely independent of each other, toil away and produce remarkably similar products.

Here's another example of "Remarkable Confluence."

Anyway, read the AP story on Greaves' machine here, it has been picked up worldwide! Also read the WaPo story by Joshua Zumbrun here.

Job in the Arts

Deadline: May 7, 2008

An established international art gallery located on New York's Upper East Side, specializing in museum quality Impressionist and Modern art, is seeking a director.

Starting salary is $50, - 60,000 (plus private healthcare), depending on qualifications and salary history.

The candidate must be able to work closely with the owner and will be responsible in overseeing all gallery activities including sales, administration and exhibition preparation.

He / she should have at least five years solid experience in the international art business. The ability to appropriately handle a high level clientele and knowledge of 19th and 20th century art are essential. We are looking for someone with excellent communication and organizational skills. Foreign languages abilities are favorable. An interest in long-term commitment would be favored.

Send C.V. with short covering letter to:

Caitlin Miller
The Art Newspaper
594 Broadway, Suite 406
New York, NY 10012

Or email: c.miller@theartnewspaper.com

Opportunity for Oz Freaks

Deadline: September 21, 2007

Ozspiration: New Work Inspired by 100 Years of the Wizard of Oz. Call for artists for an Art Show for Nov-Dec 2007 at Gallery 28 in Boston at the New England School of Art & Design, Suffolk University (NESAD/SU).

Please contact oz@niftyarts.com with questions. All info on this website.

The Germans are coming!

The long-awaited exhibition by contemporary German artists "Aachen to Arlington: Imagining the Distance," opens today at the Arlington Arts Center, with additional exhibitions by Arlington artists and resident studio artist, Taek Lee. The formal opening reception for the show will be Friday, September 7, 6 – 9 p.m.

Curated by Harald Kunde, Director of the Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst in Aachen, it offers works by six exhibiting German artists: Tobias Danke, Irmel Kamp-Bandau, Andreas Magdanz, Stephan Mörsch and Hans Niehus. Most of these artists are represented by Stephen Adamski’s Adamski Gallery for Contemporary Art in Aachen, Germany.

Running concurrently in the AAC’s Truland Gallery will be a preview of selected works from the show Arlington to Aachen: Imaging The Distance, featuring works by American artists Caroline Danforth, Chawky Frenn, Maria Karametou, Evan Reed, Mona Sfeir and Amy Glengary Yang. This exhibition is co-curated by Claire Huschle, AAC Executive Director, and Carol Lukitsch, AAC Director of Exhibitions. This exhibition in its entirety will take place in Aachen, Germany November 9, 2007 – January 13, 2008. Both Caroline Danforth and Chawky Frenn are two of the most skilled and innovative painters in the Greater DC area, so I know that this will represent Arlington well in Germany.

And for those with the lame claim that there's no viable political art being created by American artists, I challenge thee to study the works of Chawky Frenn.

This Lebanese-born American artist and GMU Professor has been putting brush to canvas (well panel mostly) for many years with gorgeous narrative works that are nearly always delivering powerful political and social messages. It has earned him a lot of attention, including the cancellation of a solo show by his Boston gallery just after Sept. 11, when they though his work would cause too much controversy in Boston, and a travelling museum show that went through seven US museums and Universities a few years ago.

Another Good Day Painter

First there was Duane Kaiser with his one-a-day paintings, and we all know what a spectacular success he has enjoyed since.

And now Queenstown, Maryland area artist Joseph Miller has taken the daily brush to a painting-a-day task and begun a daily painting regime. See his work here.

Kata Mejia

If you have noticed a stage being built in the parking lot off 14th Street/Corcoran in DC, it is being built for "Healing," a four night performance by Philly artist Kata Mejia.


The performances will take place Wednesday through Saturday (August 1st-4th), nightly at 6pm and each performance lasts approx. 1 hour. The location is the BodySmith Parking Lot (1622 14th Street, NW (between Corcoran and R streets, NW in DC).

"Healing" commemorates the first anniversary of the death of the artist's little brother, who was kidnapped and murdered in Colombia by the FARC terrorist guerrillas.

Details at the Randall Scott Gallery's website.

Opportunity for Artists

Massachusetts' Storefront Artist Project is currently looking for artists for Exhibitions, Projects, Etc.

The Storefront Artist Project is in the process of expanding its artist network and is looking for artists interested in participating in its various activities.

Areas of opportunity include: exhibitions, studios, residencies, and artist mentors for high school students and other outreach programs.

Please send a letter (and/or email) stating areas of interest, bio, images, website, etc. to:

Storefront Artist Project
124 Fenn Street
Pittsfield, MA 01210

Or email: mail@storefrontartist.org

Picture New York

Sign this.

It is a petition to defeat a new NYC regulation introduced quietly just before Memorial Day weekend. The regulations could severely impede the ability of even casual photographers and filmmakers to operate in New York City.

More details here.

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center Seeks Executive Director

Deadline: August 17, 2007

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, a contemporary visual arts center and gallery in Silver Spring, MD, dedicated to creation, exhibition and appreciation of paper, prints and book art, seeks a new Executive Director to succeed founder, Helen Frederick, who has been running the joint for over 26 years.

“We have been working with Helen to ensure that Pyramid Atlantic will continue to flourish in our Silver Spring home,” said Board Chair Sally Sternbach. “For the board, our members and patrons, this is a time to celebrate Helen’s remarkable artistic and administrative achievements in building this organization over the past 27 years. It’s also a time of great excitement with the advent of new leadership, which will continue the tradition of excellence that Helen has established and assure a bright future for Pyramid Atlantic.”

The new person will direct, inspire and oversee art programs through collaboration with external artistic leaders for the organization's programming and artistic activity. Reporting to the Board, they will work closely with local, regional and broader philanthropic community, including state and local agencies, to cultivate financial and other support.

Experience should include: arts background, proven leader with entrepreneurial flair, experience with diverse fundraising of $500k annually, experience leading a management team and staff through change process, Master's or Bachelor's degree in Art, Arts Management or related field.

Click here for a full job description. To apply send (by August 17) an email with your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: info@successionusa.com.

Che Che Kole

If you have kids, then you know that "Che Che Kole" is a Ghanian children's chant that's usually taught in the US to kids in pre-school or the early years of school as part of having them learn children music from other nations.

It goes on like this:

Chekere, kalimba

Che che kole, che che kole
Che che kafisa, che che kafisa
Kafisa langa, kafisa langa,
Co co shi langa, co shi langa,
Koom ma dye day, koom ma dye day,
Ya!

Great artists have the ability to take anything, including a Ghanian children's chant and re-invent it as another song, such as Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe did with Che Che Kole as a 70s super mega dance floor salsa hit. Listen and see them below as they perform the hit and then hear the Ghanian words in the song.



From something with a long history and tradition, something new and exciting, but aligned with the past and with tradition without any issues or baggage.

Introductions3 at Irvine

Irvine Contemporary has Introductions3 coming up next month. This exhibition is a selection of recent graduates from leading national and international art schools.

This third year of Introductions at Irvine Contemporary is the first gallery exhibition of its kind. Over 250 artists from 60 different art colleges were reviewed for Introductions3, and final selections were made with the advice of a panel of art collectors, rather than curators or gallerists. Introductions3 has grown to an inclusive “MFA annual” that brings the best rising artists to Washington, D.C. Participating artists are listed below with their most recent college or institute affiliation. Opening reception with artists, Saturday, August 11, 6-8 PM.

Look for the work of Akemi Maegawa (Cranbrook Institute, Sculptures and Installation) and Sarah Mizer (Virginia Commonwealth University, Sculpture and Installation) to stand out.

Wanna do something this Wednesday in DC?

ALEATORIC is going on this coming Wednesday!

Several local artists fill up two floors with installation art and emerging bands will be performing to keep up a lively atmosphere.

Sponsored by the new Artcade Magazine, and by Civilian Art Projects and by Panache, with Marissa Botelho, Curator, Reuben Breslar, Music Coordinator and work by local arts students, artists, musicians, and creative writers.

Bands involved include "Pontiak," "The Show is the Rainbow," and "Black and Tan Fantasy Band."

This night of Music and Installation Art is Wednesday, August 1, 2007 from 7:45pm – 12am and donations for the bands are encouraged. It takes place at:

Bobby Fisher Memorial Building (aka Borf Building)
1644 North Capitol St, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20002
*3 blocks north west of New York Ave. Metro Station

Another art fair coming to DC

It will be August 10-12, 2007 at the Washington Convention Center.


Click on the image for a larger image of the card or visit this website.

Johnny Cash

Like many people my age, when I was a kid in Brooklyn, I grew up knowing who Johnny Cash was and who Ray Charles was, but I was not at all interested in their music.

I find it peculiar that now, after the two hit biographical movies came out about these two music giants (and both Jamie Fox and Joaquin Phoenix did such great jobs in recreating Charles and Cash's music), my interest -- along that of millions of new fans -- has been kindled for their music.

My house backs to up to a large park in Media, PA, and they have a stage there which is set-up for outdoor concerts, sort of a mini Wolf Trap. I can walk there from my house, so once in a while we walk and sit in for whoever is playing.

Last night Johnny Cash was playing. Well, actually David Stone and the Johnny Cash Experience, but let me tell you, this man was amazing!

He is not a Johnny Cash impersonator, but clearly a highly talented artist and someone who has studied Cash's life, music, mannerisms, voice and style for many, many years, and now delivers a nearly scary ability to assume the role of the man in black.

He was really good.

Stone did not try to impersonate Cash, but rather walked the audience through Cash's life and music, while at the same time sounding, looking and playing exactly like the real man in black.

The few thousand people in the audience -- which covered the whole range of ages, although oddly enough I noticed a lot of tattooed women, not just one or two tattoos either, but whole arms and chests covered in them -- really enjoyed Stone's performance and were on their feet several times.

He was really good.

Corcoran responds to my idea

A few days ago I discussed one idea that I had sent the Corcoran for possible inclusion in their Ansel Adams exhibition. And below, Paul Roth, Curator of Photography and Media Arts at the Corcoran Gallery of Art responds:

Dear Lenny,

Paul Greenhalgh and Philip Brookman have referred your letter of July 12 to me for response, as I am the in-house curator supervising the Corcoran's installation of the Ansel Adams exhibition. Please accept my apology for the lateness of this reply; our coming photography exhibitions have had many pressing deadlines the last couple of weeks.

First, regarding your suggestion about the public domain set of Ansel Adams photographs at the Library of Congress. This idea is interesting and would no doubt be a feature valued by many of our visitors. Unfortunately, a variety of reasons--relating to logistics, timing, available space, and other factors--make this an impossible option for us at this time. Another major issue for us is our consideration of the best way to balance presentation of two major exhibitions by two very different photographers.

With reference to the issues you raise, I am encouraged by the fact that the technology now in use by the Library of Congress allows people to download many if not all of the Adams images directly from home, in reasonably large digital files. Over the years digital availability at the Library has evolved to minimize the complications presented by institutional bureaucracy, the large volume of print orders, and staffing limitations. For a very long time, several-month waits were the norm when people would order prints (of any of millions of pictures in the public domain, not just Adams) from the LOC in gelatin silver. The downloading feature of the LOC website is going a long way to making access more direct.

Finally, I'd like to thank you for mentioning the issue of collaboration with other institutions (in your blog a couple days back). Collaboration is something that is very important to us, and we have had many professional interactions with a number of museums, alternative art spaces, non-profits, libraries, and archives over the years. Since I came to the Corcoran eleven years ago I have had three opportunities to collaborate with the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division and Photoduplication Office on exhibitions: HALF PAST AUTUMN: THE ART OF GORDON PARKS; PROPAGANDA AND DREAMS: PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE 1930S IN THE US AND USSR; and THE QUILTS OF GEE'S BEND. Each was a great experience. While I appreciate your suggestion that these interactions can be difficult, we have found ways to work together very productively for the benefit of our audience.

Best wishes,

Paul

Good points all.

Artcade Magazine

New, super cool DC-based online art magazine... visit them here.