Friday, August 31, 2012
Pencil this in...
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Opportunity for PG County Artists
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
$4K for the right name...
DW+H (a creative agency out
of Santa Monica) tells me that they are crowd-sourcing a rename of their agency; the
winning idea submission will receive $4,000.
Here's the link to the contest specifics page: https://www.victorsandspoils.com/projects/112
Good luck!
Here's the link to the contest specifics page: https://www.victorsandspoils.com/projects/112
Good luck!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sorianos donated to SAAM
This summer two major paintings by Cuban master Rafael Soriano were given to the Smithsonian American Art Museum for its permanent collection. These two works, Un Lugar Distante (A Distant Place) (1972) and Candor de la Alborada (Candor of Dawn) (1994), represent significant moments in Soriano’s artistic production.
“Rafael Soriano has been called one of the major Latin American artists of his generation, and one of the premier painters of Cuba,” said Milagros Soriano, who donated the celebrated canvases to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “So it was fitting that his artwork be represented at our country’s leading art institution.”“These important paintings by Rafael Soriano are excellent additions to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection,” said Dr. E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “While the museum’s collection includes important works by Cuban American artists—especially those that were educated in the United States like Ana Mendieta and Maria Brito—these Soriano acquisitions allow us to capture the perspective of the first generation of Cuban exiles who arrived as adults with significant careers in Cuba already under their belt.”
Read the entire article in ArtDaily.org here.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
New tourist attraction is Spain
(Via) Remember the world's worst art restoration project story that I mentioned a few days ago?
Now apparently, the church where this "restoration" took place has become a tourist attraction!
The 80-year-old Spanish woman responsible for what some are calling history's worst restoration of a work of art spoke out in the media on Wednesday to defend her actions.
Now apparently, the church where this "restoration" took place has become a tourist attraction!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
In 5,000 years...
I remember as a kid in Brooklyn, staying up late one summer night in 1969 to watch two Earthmen land on the moon. Somehow I knew that this event would be the one notable historical footnote of the 20th century when Earth's history is taught 5,000 years from now.
I also think that Neil Armstrong, the quiet, humble, strong man who became the first human to take a step on another world, will also be the only name taught in schools a few thousand years from now when the 20th century is discussed.
Mass murderers from the Dark side like Hitler, Stalin and Mao won't even make a blip in history when hundreds of centuries must be highlighted by small asterisks; neither will their opposites on the good side, Roosevelt, Churchill, Reagan, Ghandi...
When Earth children of the year 7012 are asked what do they know about the 20th century, the only answer will be one name, Neil Armstrong and one date when man landed and walked on the moon, Sunday, July 20, 1969.
The Latin American Collective Project
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wanna contribute to this piece?
Below are several images showing the process for the current piece that I am doing, this time doing a trompe l'oeil of a comic book panel featuring Heckle and Jeckle.
In the final image, you can see the current state of the work, which now has two blank text balloons where the dialogue between the two characters will take place. One is jumping up in joy, his turban flying off his head (changed from a top hat in the original comic book). He is saying something to the other guy, who in turns responds.
And here's where I need your collaboration and help...
I'd like suggestions for what Heckle and Jeckle are talking about, discussing or whatever. It can be something funny, something contemporary, whatever... just appropriate to the visual scene. Leave you suggestions in the comments section or email them to me.
Winning suggestion will get a free, one of a kind signed print of the above work.
In the final image, you can see the current state of the work, which now has two blank text balloons where the dialogue between the two characters will take place. One is jumping up in joy, his turban flying off his head (changed from a top hat in the original comic book). He is saying something to the other guy, who in turns responds.
And here's where I need your collaboration and help...
Winning suggestion will get a free, one of a kind signed print of the above work.
Job in the Arts
The
Smithsonian is looking to fill the position of Staff Assistant for the
Smithsonian Latino Center.
This is a rare opportunity to join the team that works hard at ensuring that Latino culture, achievement and contributions are celebrated and recognized nationwide.
They are looking for an individual to assist the Director and can serve as the point of contact to the public, the Smithsonian National Latino Board, and Hispanic-serving organizations; provide administrative support to the staff, and help advance the Center’s initiatives and educational/public programs.**NOTE: Applicants must have the ability to speak and write in English and Spanish in order to assist with translation of materials.GS 0301 05 or 07 DEU (open to all U.S Citizens or U.S Nationals):GS 0301 05 or 07 MPA (open to current or former Federal employees, peoples with disabilities, former Peace Corps volunteers, certain military spouses, veterans):
Thursday, August 23, 2012
History's worst restoration of a work of art... EVER!
(Via) I shit thee not... this is a "restoration" before and after...
Update: This "restoration" becomes a tourist attraction!
The 80-year-old Spanish woman responsible for what some are calling history's worst restoration of a work of art spoke out in the media on Wednesday to defend her actions.
Update: This "restoration" becomes a tourist attraction!
Newsweek covers
The power of the visual arts, specifically representational visual art,
is a powerful known quantity.
For decades now, artists have been marrying shock with representational art to gather attention to their work, and thus it is no surprise that a floundering dead tree media publication like Newsweek, which has perfected the art of the magazine cover over the decades, is now pulling all stops when it comes to a scary blend of photography, nuanced text and composition - all married to shock-producing stories - to pump up sales. I don't know if Tina Brown's strategy will work, but it is a fascinating study nonetheless.
Witness the recent Newsweek covers, all dealing with controversial subjects. In the first one, an attack piece on Republican Presidential candidate (and if he wins, the first "technically" Hispanic President), the font size of the word WIMP overwhelms the cover - and yet Romney is still presented in what I would describe as a positive image (dude's got some Osmond-sized chompers though...). The remaining text ("What triggers mass murderers" and "I was duped by...") also add a bit of subliminal vinegar to the cover.
Newsweek's portrait of Pres. Obama as "The First Gay President" is a brilliant graphic design coup. It is a modern icon with modernized ties to early Christian iconography. This is an interesting marriage (pun intended), as one could make the case that dogmatic Christians are essentially against gay marriage. Not to pick on Christians, most Muslim and orthodox Jews are also against gay marriage, perhaps reflecting the common root of all three major religions and a sad 6th century mentality when it comes to acceptance of the social realities of the 21st century. Thus, Newsweek has taken the battle to the heart of the iconography of the Christian religion and succeeded brilliantly. The surrounding text couldn't be any more vacuous ("Are you ready to eat jellyfish?") - all the focus is on the Christian icon.
Some have argued that the current issue of Newsweek is Tina Brown's response to all the criticism that Newsweek gathered from the vast right wing conspiracy from the Romney attack piece. What is the response? An equally caustic (and surprising) attack piece on the President. I say surprising because as it is clearly obvious to the most casual observer, Newsweek is easily generally described as a liberal magazine and part of the media arsenal of the even vaster leftwing nuthouse. But let's get back to the visual arts and away from politics before I start getting firebombed in the comments from both the nuts on the right and the nuts on the left.
The image of the President (just like in the Romney WIMP issue) is pleasant-enough (dude's got some big fucking ears!). He is walking away from the camera, which fits the theme of the attack article ("Hit the Road, Barack"). The positioning of the President's head (covering part of the Newsweek banner and leaving "Neek") has even resulted in charges of racism from people who read that as a codeword for the N-word (see what I mean by leftwing nuthouse?).
The text above the President's head shouts [for him] to "END THE SYRIA SLAUGHTER NOW!" clearly tying the image of the President to the USA's failure to intervene in Syria for the same reasons that we did in Libya (never mind that the vast right wing conspiracy howled over that). Even the yellow sticker text box by his watch has a subliminal message dealing with Wall Street... harsh.
Behold the power of the image married to text in three examples of a magazine desperately seeking readers. I betcha that this issue will set new sales records for Newsweek, and I am sure that by now the author of the piece (Niall Ferguson) is hiding securely in his panic room at Harvard University (where he teaches), that well-known bastion of right wing thought.
But before I let go of this visual art exploration of these covers, let me destroy the theory from the "throw the race card no matter what" idiots from the nuthouse by giving the compositional example from perhaps the most unflattering Newsweek portrait ever:
Maybe the "Queen of Rage" is also a "Neeek"? Makes my head hurt...
In other important news: the Mitt Romney Cockroach Beats Barack Obama Bug In Presidential Cockroach Derby! See the video here!
For decades now, artists have been marrying shock with representational art to gather attention to their work, and thus it is no surprise that a floundering dead tree media publication like Newsweek, which has perfected the art of the magazine cover over the decades, is now pulling all stops when it comes to a scary blend of photography, nuanced text and composition - all married to shock-producing stories - to pump up sales. I don't know if Tina Brown's strategy will work, but it is a fascinating study nonetheless.
Witness the recent Newsweek covers, all dealing with controversial subjects. In the first one, an attack piece on Republican Presidential candidate (and if he wins, the first "technically" Hispanic President), the font size of the word WIMP overwhelms the cover - and yet Romney is still presented in what I would describe as a positive image (dude's got some Osmond-sized chompers though...). The remaining text ("What triggers mass murderers" and "I was duped by...") also add a bit of subliminal vinegar to the cover.
Some have argued that the current issue of Newsweek is Tina Brown's response to all the criticism that Newsweek gathered from the vast right wing conspiracy from the Romney attack piece. What is the response? An equally caustic (and surprising) attack piece on the President. I say surprising because as it is clearly obvious to the most casual observer, Newsweek is easily generally described as a liberal magazine and part of the media arsenal of the even vaster leftwing nuthouse. But let's get back to the visual arts and away from politics before I start getting firebombed in the comments from both the nuts on the right and the nuts on the left.
The image of the President (just like in the Romney WIMP issue) is pleasant-enough (dude's got some big fucking ears!). He is walking away from the camera, which fits the theme of the attack article ("Hit the Road, Barack"). The positioning of the President's head (covering part of the Newsweek banner and leaving "Neek") has even resulted in charges of racism from people who read that as a codeword for the N-word (see what I mean by leftwing nuthouse?).
The text above the President's head shouts [for him] to "END THE SYRIA SLAUGHTER NOW!" clearly tying the image of the President to the USA's failure to intervene in Syria for the same reasons that we did in Libya (never mind that the vast right wing conspiracy howled over that). Even the yellow sticker text box by his watch has a subliminal message dealing with Wall Street... harsh.
But before I let go of this visual art exploration of these covers, let me destroy the theory from the "throw the race card no matter what" idiots from the nuthouse by giving the compositional example from perhaps the most unflattering Newsweek portrait ever:
In other important news: the Mitt Romney Cockroach Beats Barack Obama Bug In Presidential Cockroach Derby! See the video here!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Amazing Spidergirl
I am almost finished with this piece from the new trompe l'oeil comic book superheroes series; to review:
Update: Here's the finished piece
- Phase One: A series of duplicate watercolor panels from the comic books
- Phse Two: Change the dialogue text in the text balloons to reflect something more interesting appropriate to the scene.
- Phase Three: Insert an electronic component into the dialogue balloons, with a Powerpoint based "back and forth" dialogue between the characters.
 |
| "The Amazing Spidergirl." Trompe l'oeil watercolors and charcoal on paper. 4x6 inches. Circa 2012. |
Opportunity for Prince George's Artists
|
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
New Rockville Outdoor Art Show Opportunity
WHERE: Rockville Town Square in Rockville, MD
WHAT: Juried Fine Art and Fine Crafts Festival
WHEN: May 4 - 5, 2013
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
*Organized and managed by the Bethesda Row Arts Festival team
*Limited to 175 artists and crafters
*Estimated Attendance: 30,000
*Jury/Booth Fees: $25/$325
*Ample Parking - Metro access
*Artist amenities include hospitality for artists open entire show, ample free parking, overnight police security.
Rockville Town Square - is
a sensory delight. A popular dining and gathering place, Rockville
Town Square covers four city blocks and features more than 30 fine
shops, upscale boutiques, unique restaurants. Low-rise retail and
modern residential buildings create a very pleasing, human-scale,
town-center feel. The architecture is eclectic, ranging from art deco
to southwest to postmodern in style. Attractive brick sidewalks,
wooden and wrought-iron benches, trees and shrubbery round out the
welcoming atmosphere.
Cultural events are an
important dynamic in this affluent community on the Rockville Pike
corridor, which has the nation's highest per square foot retail sales.
Marketing
through newspapers, magazines, television, radio, web and transit is
directed to these individuals with high disposable income and interest
in art.
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN AUGUST 27TH
APPLY VIA: www.zapplication.org
Deadline: January 20, 2013
Notification: February 8, 2013 via e-mail
Accepted Artist fees due: March 1, 2013
Email inquires to: Robin@A-RTS.org
You may also contact by telephone:
Robin Markowitz, Festival Director
301-637-5684
Monday, August 20, 2012
Thoughts on the Trawick Prize
The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards is a visual art prize produced by the Bethesda Arts and Entertainment
District (through the spectacular generosity of Ms. Carol Trawick) that honors artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C. and
Virginia. The annual juried competition awards $14,000 in prize monies
to selected artists and features the work of the finalists in a group
exhibition. The 2012 finalists and their bios are at the end of this posting.
The 2012 exhibition will be held September 1-29 at Gallery B, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E, Bethesda, MD 20814 (the former space of the Fraser Gallery). Winners will be announced September 5.
The finalists were selected by:
Dawn Gavin
Dawn Gavin was born in Bellshill, Scotland, and currently lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland. She has received a Bachelor of Arts (First Class) in Drawing and Painting, a Master of Fine Art and a Master of Science degree in Electronic Imaging from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland. Her work investigates issues of identity and displacement, employing a range of media from collage and installed drawings to digital video. She has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally, including the Baltimore Museum of Art, The John Michael Kohler Art Centre (Sheboygen, MI), Maryland Institute College of Art, Meyerhoff Gallery (Baltimore, MD), The DCA Visual Research Centre (Dundee, Scotland), The Philadelphia Art Alliance and The Washington Project for the Arts (Washington D.C.). She is an Associate Professor in Drawing and Foundations at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Barbara Kelly Gordon
Barbara Kelly Gordon is an Associate Curator at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Smithsonian where she focuses on contemporary international art, and especially film, video and new media. She has worked on major exhibitions ranging from a retrospective of Douglas Gordon to Visual Music to The Cinema Effect, which completes a three-city tour of Spain in 2012. During the 2011-2012 season her exhibitions include Directions : Pipilotti Rist; Directions : Grazia Toderi; EMPIRE3 (with Andy Warhol); Directions: Antonio Rovaldi and Black Box shows with Hans Op de Beeck (Belgium), Larent Grasso (France), Nira Pereg (Israel), and Ali Kazma (Turkey). Gordon, who was born and raised in Washington D.C., has lectured widely on contemporary art and recently served on the jury for Emerging Italian Artists at the Strozzi Palace in Florence, Italy.
N. Elizabeth SchlatterMy picks from the finalists to win it all?: David D'Orio or Dean Kessman - both are intelligent conceptual artists who also have the rare talent to actually deliver a concrete and interesting product married to their conceptual ideas. However, usually the winner from any sort of allegedly objective art competition is determined by the biggest and most vociferous voice, and not personally knowing any of the three jurors, I don't know who's got the biggest mouth.
N. Elizabeth Schlatter is Deputy Director and Curator of Exhibitions at the University of Richmond Museums, Virginia, where she has curated more than 20 exhibitions, including recent exhibitions of art by Carl Chiarenza, Andreas Feininger, Hans Friedrich Grohs, Sue Johnson, and Fiona Ross, and the exhibitions “Art=Text=Art: Works by Contemporary Artists,” “LEADED: the Materiality and Metamorphosis of Graphite” and “Form & Story: Narration in Recent Painting.” Prior to working at the University of Richmond, she was an exhibitions project director for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in Washington, D.C. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history from Southwestern University in Texas, and a master’s in art history from George Washington University.
Another however: since five of the eight semifinalists come from the Baltimore area, I suspect that Scotland-born Dawn Gavin had the biggest and most vociferous voice over the two Sassenachs and the odds are (once again) stacked for a Baltimore-based artist to win the Trawick.
Who then? I'm betting Lillian Bayley Hoover, a brilliant and talented painter who now officially replaces Andrew Wodzianski as the "always the maid never the bride" of the major Bethesda Up! generous art prizes.
Zhu Qi Slams Uli Sigg
Two months ago, Uli Sigg, the Swiss art collector and Switzerland’s former Ambassador to China, donated 1463 pieces of his Chinese contemporary art collection to Hong Kong’s M+ museum. The bequest, which included works by 350 artists such as Ai Weiwei and Zhang Xiaogan, initially received widespread praise. Then on June 25, the Art Critic column of the Oriental Morning Post, a Shanghai-based Chinese newspaper, slammed the affair. “The donated works aren’t worth their HK$1.3 billion ($163 million) valuation.” the columnist Zhu Qi declared. “They are mostly junk.”(Via) Check the whole story here.
Two things:
- Zhu Qi needs to read some old reviews by Blake Gopnik and Jessica Dawson in order to learn the proper snarky etiquette required to label art as "junk."
- The Oriental Morning Post clearly hasn't received the memo from the PC police and are not aware that Oriental is not a cool term to use anymore.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Volunteers for (e)merge art fair
(e)merge art fair is looking for energetic, efficient volunteers to assist with
various aspects of the fair. No
experience is necessary, but knowledge of the art field or experience with art
events is preferred. This is a valuable experience for anyone involved with
or interested in contemporary art.
(e)merge will take place at the Capitol Skyline Hotel October 4-7, 2012.
Volunteers will be invited to an orientation at the hotel prior to the event.
Whether you want to assist for a day, or for the duration of the art fair,
dedicated volunteers are essential to the success of the fair and deeply
appreciated.
If interested or have any questions please contact Irene Clouthier
at irene@emergeartfair.com
Eyes on the Borders
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