Freedom!

As we vote today, it is a somber thought when we recall those who live under the boot of tyrants. Yesterday I told you about the brutalization of Reina Luisa Tamayo Danger, a Cuban grandmother and dissident activist who, since the murder of her son Orlando, has become one of the leaders of the peaceful Cuban protest for freedom from the iron-fisted rule of the Castro brothers.

Following an immediate international outrage over her beating and jailing, this gutsy lady was released from jail, where we have now learned that she was shouting "Freedom!" over and over from her dungeon cell, and thus she was beaten in the mouth and her mouth stuffed with a rag soaked in gasoline.

Tamayo's three sons and their wives are still being held in jail by Castro's police. It is curious to see how none of this has made generally the US news circuit (other than Miami newsmedia of course) while making news all over the rest of the world.

Reina Luisa has been offered exile and to leave Cuba. Her answer was no! and: Freedom!

35 Years!

Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) will present Catalyst, its 35th anniversary retrospective exhibition, at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC, from November 9 through December 19, 2010.

Using three floors and the outdoor sculpture garden of the museum, Catalyst will be a dynamic, narrative 're-collection' of the WPA legacy, showcasing selected artists, exhibitions, programs, and events from its 35-year history. Curated by longtime WPA member, artist, writer, curator, and art professor J.W. Mahoney, Catalyst will include both recent and period artworks, documentation in both still and moving media, with a fully illustrated catalogue to accompany the exhibition.

In a statement provided by Mr. Mahoney, "Catalyst is intended to demonstrate the uniqueness, the resilience and the authentically catalytic power of a truly successful alternative arts organization that has survived for more than three decades." Divided chronologically into three major sections of the museum, the exhibition will feature works by over 150 artists in a variety of media. Through the presentation of selected works and narrative text, Catalyst will demonstrate the integral role WPA has played in the history of contemporary visual art in Washington, DC.

Catalyst is not intended to be presented as a traditional historical retrospective and it, by practical restrictions on space and time, can present only a glimpse of the depth and breadth of WPA's 35 years of creative production. It is intended to communicate the idea of WPA as a catalyst - as an organization that has meaningfully encouraged and supported the creative spirit of artists - and to demonstrate that artists continue to practice and thrive here in our region.

The exhibition catalogue features an introduction by American University Museum and Curator Jack Rasmussen, an illustrated timeline of selected moments in WPA history; essays by curator J.W. Mahoney, former WPA Executive Director Jock Reynolds, and former Bookworks Manager Robin Moore; and an illustrated exhibition checklist. It is available for $35 on the WPA website and in the American University bookstore.

WPA will also produce an interactive website for the exhibition which will invite artists and individuals associated with WPA throughout its history to contribute stories, artifacts, and information about the organization. The site www.wpadc.org/catalyst, which will include a timeline, comprehensive artist list, and exhibition and performance history of the organization, will be live November 1, 2010.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 6-9pm at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016. A ticketed benefit opening will take place on Tuesday, November 9 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact esmitherman@wpadc.org. Individual tickets are $75 for WPA member artist and $150 for individuals. Proceeds will benefit WPA's 35th anniversary exhibition season.

WPA will also host a series of related performances and public programs leading up to, and during the exhibition dates. Exhibition curator J.W. Mahoney will lead a tour of the exhibition on Saturday, November 20 at 4pm. Further details on the exhibition and related programming will be available at www.wpadc.org in the coming weeks.

My own experiences with the WPA have been terrific and go back many years. But clearly the most important one was in 2005, when I had perhaps the most difficult and most fun curatorial job ever. And at the end, it delivered the most wonderful gift of my life.

This happened when I was retained to curate the massive "Seven" exhibition for the then WPA/Corcoran. My goal in curating the show was to expose WPA artists who rarely, if ever, got any attention from previous curators and pair them up with some well-known names. In order to do that I reviewed 24,000-plus slides in the WPA/C Artfile, plus about a 1,000 digital submissions - the first time that the WPA had used digital entries for a show!

I reviewed all those slides and files not once, but twice over a six month period of trips to the Corcoran, where the WPA lived at the time.

"Seven" got its title because it filled seven different spaces at the Warehouse Theatre and Gallery complex on 7th Street, NW. At the time it was the largest WPA exhibition ever, and it was the WPA's best-selling show up to that time (nearly 70% of all the artwork from 66 artists sold, including two Sam Gilliams, three Chan Chao photos, a major Tim Tate glass piece, huge Graham Caldwell glass piece, Cornelius videos, Jamison painting, etc.) and about a dozen WPA member artists without representation got picked up for representation by galleries from that show (as I took groups of gallerists for one on one tours of the show). These dealers then picked up new artists for their galleries... such as Susan Jamison by Irvine Contemporary.

It was a huge opening with estimates of 600-800 people all spilling out onto the streets. We had a live nude drawing class during the opening show, with the model posing for several artists who created drawings on the spot. They were in what I had dubbed the "Nude Gallery," which was hung with the work of artists who focused on the nude.

We also had opera singer Hisham Breedlove, who had been body painted ahead of time by Adrianne Mills, singing around the galleries as a walking, living work of art. On the top floor gallery, Kathryn Cornelius conducted a performance several times that night. All of this was going on at the opening.

The show got major reviews by the DMV press with coverage in The Washington Post, the City Paper, Georgetowner, and all the (then) new art blogs. It was even covered by local TV as well as covered by CNN - It was the first WPA show ever covered by CNN!

The show was the buzz of the town for the whole month and it accomplished what I had intended to do: expose as many "new" artists to the DC art scene as possible while getting the WPA some buzz and selling some artwork. It did all of that and more.

And most important for me: I met the woman who eventually became my wife at the curator talk that I gave during the show! I challenge anyone to beat that success story!

This is important: Again...a ticketed benefit opening will take place on Tuesday, November 9 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact esmitherman@wpadc.org. Individual tickets are $75 for WPA member artist and $150 for individuals. Proceeds will benefit WPA's 35th anniversary exhibition season.

Overheard while voting

Elderly Chinese lady in the voting booth to my right (talking to another - much younger - Chinese lady in the voting booth to my left): "I can't believe that I'm voting for all these Republicans!"

Agitated voting judge comes over and tells her that she can't discuss her voting with people around her. The elderly Chinese lady doesn't say anything and the voting judge retreats to her station.

Elderly Chinese lady, this time in Chinese, again speaks to the other Chinese lady to my left. The words "Ike Leggett" and "Republicans" are distinct amongst the Chinese chatter.

Agitated voting judge comes over again, but I'm not sure that this time she knows who was talking. She looks at me and announces: "Please! No talking while voting!"

I finish voting, and while depositing my electronic voting card in the box by the voting judge, I say "syeh-syeh" ("Thanks" in Mandarin Chinese) to her. She looks at me oddly.

Whatever you do today, please make sure that you vote. Otherwise, please refrain from bitching tomorrow.

Where is the outrage?


(Via) Yesterday, the Castro dictatorship arrested Reina Luisa Tamayo Danger, an activist grandmother who is also the mother of deceased Cuban hunger strike political prisoner, Orlando Zapata Tamayo.

She was arrested along with 39 other dissidents who were accompanying her in a march to Orlando's grave site. Orlando Zapata Tamayo was a bricklayer who died after 85 days in a hunger strike in protest over lack of basic human rights in Cuba.

Take note -- 39 dissidents arrested in one afternoon. They all remain unaccounted for. According to Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez, Sra. Tamayo (that's her being arrested in the photo) has been hurt in the arrest. If you can understand Spanish, click here to listen to an eyewitness describing the beatings and also the jailed women screaming into the night from the local jail as they continued to be beaten inside the prison.

Where's the outrage?

It is courageous people like this elderly lady, who will finally bring change to Cuba and eliminate the brutal nightmare that has ruled with an iron fist over that poor island since 1959.

Update: If you can understand Spanish, click here to hear Sra. Zapata Danger calling Radio Marti to report that they were being attacked. Her cell phone has been subsequently confiscated by the Cuban police.

Update: Babalu reports that "Reina's mouth has been busted, her knees are scraped, and her ribs have been injured from the beating she received yesterday."

Update: (via)

“It was terrible. I could hear Reina from the dungeons cells. She said ‘Down with Fidel, Down with Raúl, Zapata lives!’.
- Marlon Martorell, an activist who participated in the march

Campello in Olympic Bid

El Campello, a small town on Spain's Costa Blanca has caused a storm in international circles by throwing its hat into the ring as a late shock candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The local council, known as an ayuntamiento in the local parlance have contacted the International Olympic Committee to officially declare their interest in hosting the games.

An ayuntamiento spokesperson, José Luis Ricardo Rodrigo Gonzalez-Zapatero-Sanchez Canatuna, otherwise known as Pepé said yesterday; "We believe that Campello is perfectly suited to be the host city for the 2020 Olympic Games. Spain is the World Champion in virtually every sport known to man, and we feel that now is the time to award The Games to Campello.

Read about it here.

Betty Thobela: Art Scammer

Only Andrew Wodzianski could deal with a perspective art scammer in such a funny way; start reading and learn how to deal with a scammer:

From: "Betty Thobela"
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2010 11:12 PM
To: info@wodzianski.com
Subject: Artworks Inquiry..

Hi,

Hope this message finds you well.
I saw these creatives works on your web site and i will like you to
get back with more details if they are still available for purchase.
Red 1 and Friday, December the Eleventh
I will appreciate an urgent reply.
Best Regards,
Betty.

--------------------
Betty,

Thanks for the inquiry.
Red 1 and Friday, December the Eleventh are both available.
Prior to quoting you prices, its nice to know how you discovered the images. Several clients find me through sources that I need to thank & recognize.

I look forward to hearing from you. Best of Mondays,
Andrew

--------------------
From: "Betty Thobela"
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 1:50 AM
To: info@wodzianski.com
Subject: re: Artworks Inquiry..

Hi Andrew ,
Thanks so much for your response to my query about those creative works. I first heard about your work at an exhibition in AAF Contemporary Art Fair, NY.
Anyway , i will like to proceed with the purchase of both pieces . Can you pls confirm the actual size and price of the two pieces so i can know how best to proceed. I will also like to know what inspire you to make the pieces.

I will look forward to hearing from you soon .

Best Regards,
Betty.

--------------------------------
Betty,

AAF! While I was absent from this year's festivities, I do plan on representation in Miami this December. If you plan on attending any of the Florida fairs, please let me know. I should be able to get you a ticket to at least one of the events.

Red 1 is $1,500 USD. Its 54 x 36", oil on canvas, unframed. Its heavily influenced by Freud's psychoanalytical interpretation of Perrault's "Little Red Riding Hood," in additional to my overarching interests in disguise, and horror. Friday, December the Eleventh is 3,500 USD. Its 34 x 48", white titanium oil on tinted canvas, unframed. Its influenced by Hitchcock's "Psycho."

When you reply with a delivery address, I can quote you shipping costs.

Best,
Andrew
------------------------------------
From: "Betty Thobela"
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 2:24 PM
To: info@wodzianski.com
Subject: re: Artworks Inquiry..

Hi Andrew,

Good to hear back from you. Yes, i will like to proceed with the purchase of Red 1 . I think it is a lovely work and i hope to give it a good home.

I am presently away in London for my twin sister's wedding even though it comes at a time when i was preparing for a big move and also expecting a baby but it means so much to her. I should be back in few days.

Meanwhile,i will like you to forward your mailing address and phone number so i can inform my husband still shutling between our home in New Jersey and Jo'burg, SA on where to forward the payment . He has just been transfer to head the IT section of their head Office in Jo'burg.

I can also forward your contact info to the local cartage company that will be moving all our house decors so they can get in touch with you to arrange shipping details. They can arrange FedEx pick up of the artwork from your studio.

I will look forward to hearing from you so i can know how best to proceed. Cheers.

Best Regards,
Betty.
----------------------------------------
Betty,

Brilliant!

Congratulations on your sister's wedding. Matrimony is an important institution and one that I plan on making correct in my fourth attempt. And congratulations on what I presume to be your husband's promotion! South Africa is a wonderful country, even with the security concerns. William Kentridge is a favorite artist of mine.

Unfortunately, I cannot disclose my residential address or my private phone number. To make a long story short - I'm temporarily residing in a half way house in Mid-Atlantic as part of a witness relocation program. I'm typing you for a computer terminal at a public library. I'm restricted to internet communications as my primary source of correspondence.

Also a unfortunate (and related) coincidence, I am not legally allowed to have affiliation with FedEx. Making another long story a bit shorter - the agreement is part of a settlement that dealt with an art fraud / theft case I experienced in 2004.

Regardless of these situations, they won't bar us from your purchase of Red 1. We just need to take a few particular steps. Trust me, its safer for both of us.

What I need you to do:
1) Send $1000 USD to an escrow account I have established. I use a secure, and bonded internet service called Paypal. My account is through the following address; wodzianski@rocketmail. This money will serve as both a retainer and deposit. Upon receipt of your $1000, I'll pack and ship the painting via a third party agency to your New Jersey (cheaper) or South African (expensive).
2) Send your preferred mailing address.
3) Your remaining balance, plus cost of shipping will be due upon delivery. Again, Paypal will be our intermediary. While $500 USD will pay the balance of the painting, an additional fee will be added for shipping and handling. I can send you a precise estimate with your delivery address.

If its easier for you, I can send a Paypal invoice to bet.bela00@mybest.com

Apologies for having to take these specific steps, but the US Government, IRS, FBI, and my legal counsel would be pretty upset with me if I did anything less.

Thanks in advance for your understanding and I can't wait to list my work as being part of a South African collection!

Best,
Andrew

Opportunity for DMV Artists

Deadline: November 12, 2010

The BlackRock Center for the Arts has a huge gorgeous gallery space and their call for artists for the 2011 art season is now up.

The 2011 Call to Artists is open to all artists residing in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC over the age of 18 for original artwork only. This call will cover exhibits in the gallery from October 2011 through August 2012. An exhibit may include on applicant or a combination of applicants, based on the judgement of jurors. The jury panel is comprised of Kathleen Moran, Jack Rasmussen and yours truly.

Details here.

Modu Union Salon party

Mary Schmidt Amons, cast member of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of DC" and founder of Labels for Love, created “Modus Union” this one of a kind unique event to collaborate our active philanthropic, political, and artistic communities within the Nation's Capital.

Modus Union was formed from two words that represent unification with positive intent. The Washington, DC area is the leading world capital and we are seeing the combination of artistic talent and a youthful energy not seen since the Kennedy era. The time has come to collaborate with these disparate groups of influence to showcase opportunities in an effort to make a positive social and philanthropic impact by maximizing our impact on the Nation's Capital and its global influence. Labels For Love beneficiary partner this year is Fran Drescher and her Cancer Schmancer Foundation.

Cancer Schmancer is dedicated to saving women's lives through early detection and prevention of cancer. As you may know, Fran Drescher is a 10-year uterine cancer survivor and a leading advocate for the early detection of women's cancer. Fran and her Foundation are continuing to make a major global impact, through sharing her personal story as well as educating women on the causes of cancers and the importance and methods of early detection

Event Location:
The Yards Park
10 Water St SE Washington, DC
(Intersection of 3rd St SE and Water St SE)
Three blocks from the Navy Yard Metro (New Jersey Ave Exit)

Thursday, November 4th, from 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Lumber Shed Pavilion - Fully Covered outdoor 13,000 sqft Space which will be heated for the event. 23 Artist Juried Art Show on exhibit and the Exhibit Jurors were Shane Pomajambo: Art Whino, Maggie O'Neill: O'Neill Studios/ Maggie O'Neill Fine Art, Margaret Heiner : Aesthetica Art Consulting, Lauren Gentile: Irvine Contemporary, Philippa Hughes: Pink Line Project, Marsha Ralls: Ralls Collection and yours truly.

There is also a curated art exhibit by Art Whino and they will showcase a special 6000 sqft art exhibit and live painting by Brandon Hill, Ariit Das, Cita, Michael Owen, James Walker, Josh Taylor, Maggie O'Neill and Sylvia Ortiz. Vicki DaSilva will also be doing special Light Graffiti portraits throughout the night.

Complimentary Parisian centered food by Bonaparte / Peacock Cafe/ Mortons. Open Bar all evening by Vitamin Water/ Dirty Martini

Performers: Modern Thieves / Sam James / Trapeze School New York (TSNY)
Eclectic Mix of Dazzling Performers such as Unicyclist, Jugglers, Mimes, Stilt-walking, Sword swallowing and much more!

Wearable Art: Nycholis Maziejka / Charm / Lentz

$50 Non Profit Donation Entry Fee. To purchase tickets go to www.labelsforlove.org/events.html .

The juried artists are:

Rodger Shultz

Gwenn Zaberer

Collette Burmester

Jamea Richmond-Edwards

Fierce Sonia

John Osgood

Terry Plater

Vicki Thomas

Shawn Bishop-Leo

Yanique Moore

Elese Clake

David Barr

Tomi Balogun

Lydia Cutler

Sandra Leonard

Sharon Buhen

Mike O’Brien

Celeste Chen

Vennessa Ortiz

Maria Gracia Canedo

Eugene Pool

Maria Lujan

Martin Figueroa-Ramirez

Farrah Ahmed

Rosalba Alarcon de Lujan

Aaron Wilder

Aasiya Townsell

Ira Natalushko

Maria Miller

Jeff Williams

Mary Rieser Heintjes

Stacey Hill

Marielle Mariano

Anna Kathryn Carlson

Carrie Nobus

See ya there!

FotoWeek DC starts next week

Check out all the events here. The events go from 6-13 Nov.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: November 12, 2010

Gallery West in Old Town Alexandria has a call for artists for their 14th Annual National Juried Show (Exhibit Dates: February 9–March 6, 2011).

The all media show will be juried by yours truly and awards to total $1,000. Click here to download the prospectus.

artDC

artdc has assembled another "popup" gallery exhibition. This time in Arlington, VA.

Continuing in the rich tradition of artist run alternative gallery spaces, Art in Transition-suddenspace celebrates art and the activation of dormant architecture. 19 dynamic artists will exhibit work in 5,000 square feet of empty retail space for the month of November.

Participating artists: Emily Biondo, Tim Campbell, Bobby Coleman,
Kate Demong, L. Kimberly Gillespie, Victoria Greising, Adam Hager, Sabeth Jackson, Sarah Laing, Stuart Lorimer, Lindsay McCulloch, Sarah Miller, Megan Mueller, Camden Place, Katherine Sable, Samuel Scharf, Ben Tolman, Jenny Walton, and Stewart Watson.

For more information please visit their website www.suddenspace.com and details here.

artdc will be projecting artdc images at suddenspace from an exhibition of work from their flickr pool expanding their community awareness. Find the flickr pool here and add your images now!

FotoWeek DC at the Corcoran

The Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design will serve as FotoWeek Central, the hub of activity during FotoWeek DC 2010 (November 6 – 13). Activities include the official launch party November 5, expert portfolio reviews, NightGallery projections on the museum’s historic Beaux Arts exterior, and a variety of workshops, tours, and lectures—including an evening lecture, photo presentation and book signing by Restrepo co-director and producer Tim Hetherington at 7 p.m. on November 11.

Hetherington’s new book of work, Infidel, is as much about love and male vulnerability as it is about bravery and war.

In celebration of FotoWeek DC, the Corcoran will open its doors Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. of the festival and will be FREE and open to the public for the duration of the festival. To see a full list of FotoWeek Central activities, visit www.corcoran.org/fotoweekdc.

Another Ebay auction

Another one of my art pieces shows up on Ebay, this time being offered by an Arizona art & antique dealer.

This limited edition print is indeed out of print. Check it out here.

University talking

Earlier today Sandra Ramos had a packed house at George Mason University, where she delivered a talk on Cuban art.

I had to miss it, as I had almost forgotten that I was schedules to be a guest speaker at at Literature class at American University today. Made it just in time and as usual went over my allotted time, but no one left early.

I'm bummed out that I missed the Ramos talk, but I also had a great time presenting to AU students.

Video of Sandra Ramos' opening last weekend

Ramos will be delivering a lecture on contemporary Cuban art at George Mason University on Thursday Oct 28th at 1:30 at the School of Art - Room 2001. The talk and slide lecture will discuss the state of contemporary Cuban art. It is free and open to the public.

Sandra Ramos groundbreaking work in the 1990s was amongst the first to challenge and expose the harsh realities of Cuban life. By addressing forbidden issues such as mass migration, the plight of Cuba’s raft people, racism in Cuban society and the inequalities of Cuban life, Ramos found a voice through her art that has brought her worldwide fame and inclusion in many private and museums' permanent collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Dallas Art Museum, Miami Art Museum, Fuchu Art Museum in Japan, Thyssen Bornemisza in Vienna and regionally at the University of Virginia Art Museum.

Sandra Ramos resides in Havana, Cuba. Her work has also been showcased at Art Basel Switzerland, ARCO Madrid, Art Basel Miami Beach, multiple Biennials and many other worldwide art fairs.

Her second US solo show, "Exodus", showcasing her latest paintings, videos and etchings, opened last Saturday, Oct. 23rd at Norfolk's Mayer Fine Art Gallery. The video at the top is from the opening.

Cirenaica Moreira

Roberto Chile's video of Cuban photographer Cirenaica Moreira recreating some of her most recent images.

Wanna go to an artist's talk tomorrow?

Argentinean artist Mirta Kupferminc will deliver a talk tomorrow, Wednesday October 27, 7pm – 8.30 pm at The Universities at Shady Grove. For details call 301 738 6086.

FotoWeek DC starts Nov. 6

Check out all the events here.

Norfolking...

Driving down to Norfolk in a few minutes for the opening of Havana-based Cuban artist Sandra Ramos, who is in many people's opinions (including mine), the leading contemporary Cuban artist in the world. The Ramos solo show, Exodus, runs from October 23 - December 27, and opens tonight in Norfolk's leading independently owned commercial fine arts gallery: Mayer Fine Art.

If you are a Norfolkian, come by and say hello.

Wine Tasting

Last night I took the legendary photographer Lida Moser (who just turned 90 and whose work I represent) on a date to a wine tasting at The Bottle Shop. I had heard that the tastings at this family owned wine shop were amazing and indeed they are.

Not only did we taste some fabulous wines, but as everyone knows, good wine and art mix, and we got to talking to a nice couple and Ms. Moser ended up selling four of her vintage photographs!

Check out the The Bottle Shop here.

Man Listening to Concert Outside MoMA, New York. Gelatin Silver Print by Lida Moser, c. 1974.