Sunday, September 04, 2011

Triathlon of the Muses

Performance artists Kathryn Cornelius and Jeffry Cudlin are getting physical. On Saturday, September 24 (12-2pm), the two DC-based artists will stage their own battle of the sexes, competing head-to-head in a two-person sprint triathlon during the (e)merge art fair.

At the Capitol Skyline Hotel, Cornelius and Cudlin will engage in three very real tests of physical and mental stamina: They'll both swim 750m in the hotel pool, pedal 20k on stationary bikes, and run a 5k on treadmills. Immediately after the competition, in a pomp-filled ceremony held poolside, a champion will be declared; a loser will be shamed; and gold and silver medals will be awarded.

Kathryn Cornelius and Jeffry Cudlin, photo by Max CookAbout the Athletes (that's them to the left, photo courtesy of Max Cook):

The competitors could not be more physically different: Nearly a foot in height and 50 pounds in weight separates them.

Cornelius is, of course, a woman; stands 5' 6 3/4" tall; and weighs somewhere between 118 and 121 lbs--depending on whether or not she's had her daily constitutional.

Cudlin, meanwhile, we think is a male (usually); stands 6' 4 1/2" tall; and weighs between 171 and 180--depending on his cupcake intake.

The two also sit on opposite ends of the food chain: For the past 14 years, Cudlin, in line with his insect-like (stick insect) appearance, has eaten a strict vegan diet, eschewing meat, dairy, eggs, and all other animal products in favor of grains, legumes, and vegetables. Cornelius, meanwhile, eats a strict Paleo diet, avoiding grains, legumes, and dairy in favor of meat, nuts, seeds, some fruit and little sugar.

In addition to totally dominating one another, Cornelius and Cudlin aim to counter the stereotype of artists as weak, non-athletic sensitives who are notoriously bad at sports.

About the Competition:

The "Triathlon of the Muses" attempts to insert the conventions of popular sporting spectacle into the structure of the art fair—replacing one form of competition, costume-wearing, and role-playing with another. In this way the piece provides a more clearly legible analog for transactions both prior to and within the fair. It also presents a symbolic battle between artists of opposing genders for the same limited resources of audience, patronage, and cultural capital.

The performance's title is a nod to Pierre de Coubertin's "Pentathlon of the Muses," a series of art competitions typically held at the Olympic games during the first half of the 20th century. In the Pentathlon, the sport-inspired work of amateur artists would be judged by arts professionals and other dignitaries. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded.

Watch the pre-competition drama unfold:

Team Cornelius (Twitter training log) - http://twitter.com/TeamCornelius
Team Cudlin (Twitter training log) - http://twitter.com/TeamCudlin

For more details...
Triathlon of the Muses (Performance info) - http://www.facebook.com/groups/229067177144345/
Triathlon of the Muses (RSVP) - http://www.facebook.com/groups/229067177144345/#!/event.php?eid=231500870235589

(e)merge art fair - http://www.emergeartfair.com/

Saturday, September 03, 2011

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: Saturday, October 1, 2011

Internationally known Projects Galleryannounces a call to artists for “Square Foot Art Basel Miami.” During this year’s world-acclaimed Art Basel Miami, Projects Gallery will create a mosaic-style wall in its trendy Wynwood Lofts gallery in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami.

A minimum of 100 artists will be selected on a first-come basis. Creating a grid comprised of 12”x12” individual spaces with works of all styles and media, Projects Gallery will provide artists an opportunity to be part of the Art Basel Miami art fairs events. This remarkable gathering of international art fairs and renown emerging venues, such as Aqua, Art Miami, Art Now, NADA, Pulse, Red Dot, Scope and numerous others, creates an arts-conscious concentration uniquely found in Miami every year in early December. It attracts collectors, curators and artists worldwide in a variety of settings with a level of enthusiasm and energy that is fitting for this international destination.

Eligibility: Open to all artists. All works must conform to a dimension of 12”H x 12”W, inclusive of any framing. Works may be smaller in size, but framing must bring the measurement to 12”x12”. For example, a painting measuring 5x7 must have framing that increases the edges to meet the 12”x12” requirement. A video must be shown on a hanging apparatus that makes the player 12”x12”. Sculpture must be wall mounted either by a hanging device or a shelf measuring 12”W. There is no limitation on depth dimension.

Jurors: Projects Gallery Director, Helen Meyrick, and international artist, Frank Hyder. The first 100 artists to apply are guaranteed at least one space on the grid. Once the first 100 entries are received, any subsequent submissions will be considered according to space availability. As entries are submitted, each artist will be notified immediately of their entry placement number. Selected artists will receive photographic proof of their placement on the grid.

Works for consideration may be of any media and any style, including painting, drawing, mixed media, print, photography, video, sculpture, etc. Weight may not exceed 50 lbs. All works must be original, for sale and available for the duration of the exhibition. Gallery commission on net sales is 50%, and gallery reserves the right to discount 10% off retail. Artist is responsible for transportation of work to and from the Miami gallery. Projects Gallery will not be responsible for loss or damage of any work while on the premises or during transit to or from the gallery. All works must be exhibition ready, including wire, hooks, etc. Video artists must supply viewing equipment. Selected artists must permit use of their work images for publicity purposes, including but not limited to print and web.

To Enter: Entries may be submitted via email, snail mail or hand delivery to the Philadelphia gallery. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $60.00 (U.S.) per artist for up to two artwork entries with two additional detail images. Multiple entries are permissible. Each entry is guaranteed a space until the first 100 entries are received, i.e. make one entry application receive at least one space; make two applications received at least two spaces.

Documents required:

Artist contact information: Including name as it should appear in print, email address, mailing address, phone number(s).
List of entries: Include the following information - artist name, titles of images, media, date and retail price of work submitted (Smith, Joe / Image 1 – Untitled / mixed media / 2011 / $xxx).
Resume or bio
Artist statement

Image submissions: Must be digital 300 dpi and at least 600 pixels but no greater than 1200 pixels in either direction. Jpg, gif or tif format. Each image file should be labeled as follows: LastName_FirstName_TheEntryNumber.jpg (Smith_Joe_1.jpg). Do not send original artwork. No slides.

All documents should be in .doc or .pdf format. Entry material will not be returned unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided. All entries for this exhibition must be received no later than Saturday, October 1st. Entry fee may be made by credit card or check/money order payable to: Projects Gallery and mailed to the Philadelphia gallery (address below). Entry fee may also be paid via PayPal. If any of the above requirements are not met, the submission will be deemed ineligible.

Mail or drop off submissions and entry fee to:
ProjectsGallery Attn: Square Foot Art Basel Miami
629 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123

PayPal payments to either: info@projectsgallery.com or 267-303-9652
Indicate payment for Square Foot ABM

Calendar for Square Foot Art Basel Miami

Entry deadline: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Final notification: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Selected work(s) to Miami gallery: November 14-19, 2011 – no works accepted after November 19th
Exhibition opens: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Exhibition closes: Saturday, December 10, 2011
Reception: Second Saturday, December 10, 2011 7 – 11 PM
Work pick up or return shipping: December 11-12, 2011 pick-up work or prepaid shipping returned

All shipped works must arrive in reusable packaging (with complete installation instructions where applicable) and include a prepaid, return-shipping label. An appointment must be made for hand-delivered works to the Miami gallery. DO NOT send works to the Philadelphia gallery. Any works not picked up by December 12, 2011 will be charged a $5 per day storage fee.

In addition to the exhibition, postcards and e-announcements will be produced, press releases and images will be sent out and the exhibition will be highlighted on the gallery’s website.

Questions? Contact info@projectsgallery.com or call 267-303-9652.

Chilean artists at AMA


Opening this Friday

Touchstone Gallery is opening a show of new works by Lou Gagnon with an opening reception this coming Friday, September 9, 6-8:30pm.

Gagnon is not only a superbly talented artist, but also one of the area's hardest working ones; from the press release:

Believing Joy is always there for the making, this exhibition of recent pastels by Lou Gagnon, offers the joy that comes from Seeing, Working and Sharing. Bridging the methods of the ancient, old and modern masters with 21st century cognitive and visual science, Lou creates simple yet sophisticated color arrangements, inspired by his families’ farm, that move both visually and emotionally. The joy of seeing, working and sharing comes from focusing our attention beyond ourselves and connecting to nature. So much of our time is wrapped in thought… in navigating complexity. These pictures are a small space of peace.

Lou lives and works, with his wife and children, on their eighth generation family farm in Gainesville, Virginia. He studied art at Mary Washington College and has a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He practiced architecture, urban planning and environmental design for fifteen years in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon and Glendale, California. He has received regional, national and international awards for fine art and design including the 2004 IDEA Gold Medal for Environmental Design for Mission: Space at EPCOT, Walt Disney World. Lou was the Concept Architect at Walt Disney Imagineering for Mission: Space and the lead designer for Hotel MiraCosta at Tokyo DisneySea in Tokyo, Japan. While at Imagineering, Lou mentored with Disney Legend John Hench on color and design. He has also studied with Wolf Kahn.

In 2002, Lou and his wife Andrea, founded LynnVale Studios llc in an effort to preserve the family farm. LynnVale Studios llc is dedicated to cultivating creativity and the human spirit though alternative agriculture and fine art. There, they grow over 200 varieties of specialty cut flowers that they sell at farmers markets in they Washington metro area and offer floral design services for events. In addition to making art, Lou teaches art to home school children and through summer camps, coaches professional artists of color and design, facilitates corporate creative workshops and collaborates with Virginia Tech’s Masters of Architecture program.

This is his first solo show at Touchstone Gallery. He has shown at the the Lee Arts Center in Arlington, VA, Caton Merchant Center for the Arts in Manassas, VA, The Delaplaine Arts Education Center in Frederick, MD, Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, MD. Architectural and urban design illustrations were exhibited at Portland State University in Portland, OR and The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Go see this show.

Arts on Foot next weekend

DC's Arts on Foot is next weekend and it has all kinds of great activities including 115 exhibitors; details here.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Congrats to Trawick Prize winners

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the top four prize winners on Wednesday evening during the exhibition’s opening. Mia Feuer from Washington, D.C. was awarded “Best in Show” with $10,000; Caryl Burtner from Richmond, VA was named second place and given $2,000; Ryan Browning from Frederick, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000 and the “Young Artist” award of $1,000 was given to Lu Zhang of Baltimore, MD.

Mia Feuer and Carol Trawick

Mia Feuer and Carol Trawick

The work of the finalists will be on exhibit at the Artery Plaza Gallery, 7200 Wisconsin Avenue September 1-30, 2011. The public opening reception will be held Friday, September 9 from 6-9pm in conjunction with the Bethesda Art Walk. Gallery hours for the duration of the exhibit are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 – 6pm.

The Trawick Prize is one of the first regional competitions and largest prizes to annually honor visual artists. To date, The Trawick Prize has awarded over $126,000 in prize monies and has exhibited the work of over 100 regional artists.

Visual Voices at Zenith

Zenith Gallery hosts "Visual Voices" - an exhibition of DC area artists profiled in the new book "100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic" by E. Ashley Rooney. The show at Zenith Gallery will open with a Book-signing Party with the author and artists, on Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 – 8:30pm, and remain on display through October 29, 2011.

Visual Voices - featuring works by: Alan Binstock, Joan Danziger, Julie Girardini, Margery Goldberg, Robert Jackson, Michael Janis, Joan Konkel, Ann Marchand, Donna McCollough, Davis Morton, Carol Newmyer, Marc Rubin, Barton Rubenstein, Sica, Ellen Sinel, Betsy Stewart, Cassie Taggert, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Paul Martin Wolf, Joyce Zipperer and yours truly.

Book Party, Meet the Author and Artists

Wednesday September 21, 6 - 9 PM
Exhibition: September 21 - October 29, 2011

Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilion, second level next to Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20015

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Trawick Prizewinner

Congrats to Mia Feuer, winner of the 2011 Trawick Prize!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

New EO at the Torpedo Factory

The Torpedo Factory Art Center Board has appointed my good friend Harry E. Mahon interim chief executive officer of the Torpedo Factory Art Center (TFAC).

“The Board is very pleased to have Mr. Mahon in this leadership role. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about Alexandria, the arts, and nonprofit organizations, as well as successful business experience,” said Susan Corrigan, president of the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board.

Under the direction of the Board, appointed by Alexandria City Council in 2010, Mr. Mahon will manage the operations of TFAC and assist with strategic planning, resource development, and other new Board initiatives.

Mr. Mahon previously served as president and trustee of the Northern Fine Arts Association, based at the Athenaeum. While there, Mr. Mahon led a significant renovation of the Athenaeum interior and established collaborations with The Washington Ballet to provide ballet classes, the Songwriters Association of Washington for the Second Thursday Music program, and other regional arts groups. He also had a successful career in telecommunications with companies such as AT&T, GTE, and INTELSAT. He is the creator of ArtsDC.com and ArtsMedia News. Mr. Mahon has served the City of Alexandria as a member of several City commissions. He lives in Old Town with his wife, Twig Murray, and son, Jamie.

“I am honored to be working with the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board to build a solid future for this vibrant City asset,” said Mr. Mahon.

Go get them Harry! Great choice!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

(e)merge announces its exhibitors

The (e)merge art fair has announced its exhibiting galleries and invited unrepresented artists. Check them out here.

Also check out Maura Judkis' take on the issue in the WaPo here and GOG's Lavanya Ramanathan, also in the WaPo, here and Benjamin Freed in the WCP here.

The participants are:
GALLERY PLATFORM > galleries and non-profit art spaces
AUSTRIA: Brot Kunsthalle, Vienna. | BELGIUM: Nomad Gallery, Brussels. | CANADA: Pierre-François Ouellette Art Contemporain, Montréal. | FRANCE: Galerie E.G.P., Paris. | GERMANY: Galerie Anita Beckers, Frankfurt. | ITALY: Jerome Zodo Contemporary, Milan. / Teverina Fine Art, Cortona. | THE NETHERLANDS: Amstel Gallery, Amsterdam. | U.K.: Vane, Newcastle upon Tyne. | U.S.A: ADA Gallery, Richmond, VA. / Art Whino Gallery, National Harbor, MD. / Aureus Contemporary, Providence, RI. / Conner Contemporary Art, Washington, DC. / Corcoran College of Art + Design, Washington, DC. / Curator’s Office, Washington, DC. / Flashpoint Gallery, Washington, DC. / G Fine Art, Washington, DC. / Ghostprint Gallery, Richmond, VA. / Goya Contemporary, Baltimore. MD / Hamiltonian Artists, Washington, DC. / Heiner Contemporary, Washington, DC. / Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC. / Honfleur Gallery, Washington, DC. / Irvine Contemporary, Washington, DC. / Jordan Faye Contemporary, Baltimore, MD. / Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York, NY. / Lu Magnus Gallery, New York, NY. / Mayer Fine Art, Norfolk, VA. / McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA. / Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD. / Mindy Solomon Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL. / monique meloche, Chicgo, IL / Solas Nua, Washington, DC. / The Studio Visit, Washington, DC. / Transformer, Washington, DC. / Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, DC. / White Columns, New York, NY.

ARTIST PLATFORM > unrepresented artists
CANADA: Tammi Campbell, Saskatoon / Jennifer Mawby, Vancouver. | GERMANY: Christina Kruse, Berlin (+ New York). U.S.A: Chukwuma Agubokwu, Upper Marlboro, MD. / Becky Alprin, Chicago, IL. / Nico Antoniadis + Alexi Stone, Boston, MA. / Holly Bass, Washington, DC. / Kristina Bilonick, Washington, DC. / Calder Brannock, College Park, MD. / Bradley Chriss, Bethesda, MD / Matias Cuevas, Washington, DC. / Double A Projects, Brooklyn, NY. / Jeremy Flick, Tacoma Park, MD. / Free Space Collective, Washington, DC. / Jeremy Haik, Brooklyn, NY. / Terence Hannum, Chicago, IL. / Syed Sibtul Hasnain, Leesburg, VA. / Evan Hume, Washington, DC. / Steven Jones, Baltimore, MD. / Craig Kraft, Washington, DC. / Jacqueline Levine, Washington, DC. / Adam Lister, Arlington, VA. / Katherine Mann, Alexandria, VA. / Nathan Manuel + D. Billy, Brooklyn, NY. / J.J. McCracken, Mt. Ranier, MD, / Patrick McDonough, Washington, DC. / Jonathan, Monaghan, Oceanside, NY. / Kendall Nordin, Washington, DC. / Sean Noyce, Brooklyn, NY. / Peacock, Queens, NY. / Beverly Ress, Washington, DC. / Siobhan Rigg, Washington, DC. / Zach Rockhill, Brooklyn. / Sam Scharf, Washington, DC. / David B. Smith, New York,NY. / Dan Solberg, Washington, DC. / Emma Spertus, Oakland, CA. / James J. Williams III, Brooklyn, NY. / Wilmer Wilson IV, Richmond, VA.

On the air soon

click here to hear Kojo

In a few days I'll be on the Kojo Nnamdi Show discussing the Greater Washington area visual arts and artists and art stories as I usually do several times a year.

I'll let you all know the exact time as soon as we settle on one.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: November 7, 2011.

The State University of New York at Cortland announces a call to artists for a group exhibition at the Dowd Gallery, January 18–March 2, 2012. Open to all artists nationally and internationally, to submit work for consideration that represents innovation in concept, subject or media use. All work must be the original work of the applicant, suitable for gallery installation. Full color publication produced. Juried by committee of 5-9 professional artists. No entrance fee. Artists are responsible for shipping fees. Selected artists may be invited for a subsequent short term visiting artist program with undergraduate studio art students including presentation of work, discussion and studio visit. The selected artist will receive a stipend of $1000 for his/her time and travel expenses. For more information contact Bryan Thomas at dowd.gallery@cortland.edu or visit the gallery website here.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Go to this tonight!

This summer, Red Dirt Studio hosted two awesome Cranbrook artists, Christina Osheim and Matthew Kerkof.

Join them for a one night only exhibition, artist talk and party,“RAD DIRT”, at the culmination of their residency. It is at events like this where one really feels and discovers what makes the DMV art scene pop and vibrate.

See you at the studio!

RED DIRT STUDIO
3706-08 Otis Street
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712
202.607.9472

Hope Chest

HOPE CHEST: a young woman's accumulation of clothes and domestic furnishings (as silver and linen) kept in anticipation of her marriage; also : a chest for such an accumulation.

This is a special event featuring artwork by DC/Baltimore artists Mariah Anne Johnson, Becca Kallem, Chandi Kelley, Michelle McAuliffe, Erin Murray, Elle Perez, Katherine Sifers, and Dafna Steinberg. These emerging artists "challenge and reinvent tradition, romance, gender roles/expectations, and sexuality. Their work also investigates what we keep, save, and treasure in contrast to what is discarded. Photography, installations, mixed media work, and paintings present the domestic, nostalgic, and personal in new contexts."

September 15, 2011, 6-9 pm
GreenHouse 11
1123 11th St NW
Washington, DC

Work on view September 15 - November 15 by appointment. A special event will be held on September 24 to coincide with Shaw's NUIT BLANCHE Art All Night and the (e)merge art fair.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: Friday, October 28, 2011

The gorgeous BlackRock Center For the Arts is accepting entries for their October 2012 - August 2013 exhibit season.

You can download the prospectus here.

Eligibility: Open to all artists 18 years and over residing in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.

Special Consideration: Artists who are willing to conduct a lecture or workshop for a BlackRock standard fee will receive special consideration during the selection process.

About the Gallery: BlackRock Center for the Arts gallery is 1500 square feet of exquisite gallery space located in Germantown, Maryland. With its high neutral walls and beautiful windows strategically placed it allows in just the right amount of natural light. The windows are located above the walls which makes it an ideal space for fiber art. BlackRock Center for the Arts takes pride in the eclectic group of artists we have exhibited in the gallery since 2002.

Jurors: Jack Rasmussen: Director and Curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC.

Jodi Walsh: mixed medium artist, curator, national speaker, owner and Gallery Director of Gallery 555 in Washington, DC.

Carol Brown Goldberg: professional fine artist and lecturer, Carol has been exhibiting her work locally and internationally over the past 36 years.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Two years old today!

Anderson Lennox Campello
While no one was looking, Little Junes discovers sugar at his second birthday party!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Artists Announced

The But Is It Art? art fair has announced their participating artists. They are:

Aaron Lim / Adrian Parsons / Adriane Connerton / Chris Fitzwater / Christina Osheim / Cross Adams / Dafna Steinberg / Dan Tulk / Deshaundon Jeanes / Floyd York / Graham Childs / Jake Dibeler / James Martin / Joseph Hale / Joseph Orzal / Kat Sotelo / Keli Anaya / Kunj Patel / Lindsay Rowinski / Matthew Kerkhof /Mike Corigliano / Robert Esustice Curring / Ryan Florig / Sebastian Rosseau / Stephen Crouch / Kelly Towles / Theodore Denman Brice
They need to raise funds and have a kickstarter drive going on - donate here.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Irene

Can't believe the hurricane madness going on...

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Mici on 100 Artists of Washington, DC

Read Bora Mici here.

We will never forget!

The Great DC Earthquake of 2011
The Great DC Earthquake of 2011
We WILL Rebuild!