Now Dig This! Black Art Makes Some Noise in NYC

While in NYC, I sauntered over to MoMA PS1 to see the exhibit entitled "Now Dig This! Art & Black Los Angeles". I highly recommend seeing this in person.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/arts/design/now-dig-this-art-black-los-angeles-at-moma-ps1.html

This was amazing for me, not only from a historical perspective but also from a black perspective. Heros of mine were shown in multiplicity in one exhibition such as David Hammons and Betye Saar which thus far has been rare. Saar is pictured below in her studio and Hammons beneath, shown in Harlem performing his piece Blizzard Balls.

Betye Saar

David Hammons

One criticism I have of many contemporary institutions is the reluctance too show works by African Americans. Here at RISD, there are only a few artists showing at any one time. Currently in the 20th Century collection their are two pieces showing in all out of many many pieces. But, I digress. 

The PS1 exhibition was truly well done and was not hidden away on a far away floor. It was accessible at the very entrance and showed some pretty impressive pieces. From Hammons hair pieces and body prints to Saar's collages and sculptor Melvin Edwards steel works. There was so much to see and be absorbed by. I was happy to see people who look like me being sought out for such a great exhibition. I hope to see more work by African Americans in museum collections and more than that, being shown regularly and en masse. 

Fresh Hell - David Hammons 

LA Object & David Hammons Body Prints - 2007 Roberts & Tilton

 Bag Lady in Flight - David Hammons

Picanniny Free - Betye Saar

Equality - Betye Saar

It's a Family Affair! New Shows for All!!!

2013 hasn't even begun yet and already there is so much on calendar for the coming months. The first bit of news that thrills me is that Garcia and I were chosen by the RISD Museum and guest juror Alejandro Diaz to headline an exhibition beginning in February and going through June. Our piece is a collaborative work called Waiting for Godot which is dedicated to the ongoing civil rights struggle of LGBTQ peoples where equality and the freedom to marry is concerned. You can check out Alejandro Diaz's current exhibit RISD Business: Sassy Signs and Sculptures at the RISD Museum which will be showing through June.

http://risdmuseum.org/uploadedFiles/Museum_of_Art/About/Press_Releases/RISD_Museum-RISD_Business-Alejandro_Diaz-press_release.pdf

I discovered that my beloved Aunt, Brown University History of Art & Architecture and Italian Studies Professor, Evie Lincoln has worked diligently on a current exhibition at the RISD Museum called The Festive City. For more info follow the link and below a little visual as a teaser. Also, there is a symposium where she will be speaking so check it out and register while there is still room. The symposium is March 1st 1-6:30 in the Metcalf Auditorium in the Chace Center at the RISD Museum.

http://risdmuseum.org/exhibition.aspx?type=forthcoming&id=2147491436

Also, my fabulous uncle, Brian Shure will be showing in a faculty show during the same time. He is an exquisite artist and please follow his work here. http://brianshure.com

Here are a few of his remarkable works. The first two are paintings and the last is a work in ink.

Brian Shure - Fifth Ave. & 17th St oil on linen, 46" x 32", 2012

Brian Shure - Turtle Bay oil on linen, 72" x 108", 2005

Brian Shure - Union Square Skateboarders

ink on Rives paper, 24" x 35", 2011

At the Guggenheim - Gabriel Orozco: Asterisms

The NYC trip netted a few fabulous moments and one of those for the record book was seeing Garcia's artistic hero Gabriel Orozco and his new exhibition at the Guggenheim. Garcia and I have followed his work for some time beginning with My Hands are My Heart seen here.

The architecture of the Guggenheim was BEYOND! 7 levels of swirling ramps and fabulous side rooms which contained great new acquisitions (like Anish Kapoor, Mark Bradford and Ai Wei Wei for starters) and there was a mini exhibit of works by Marc and Kandinsky. We visited during the Picasso Black and White show which was good, but not as good as what Orozco had in store for us.

Behold the artist posing in front of his work Asterisms. Also be sure to purchase his book which shares the same title as the exhibition. It is quite something!

Be sure to watch his dialogue surrounding this exhibition below. The footage is created with the Guggenheim. Honestly, Orozco has to be one of my favorite contemporary artists and he does not disappoint. Gabriel Orozco: Asterisms

The Event of a Thread

Newly back from a mind blowing trip to NYC! I have been away since 2006 and coming back at this moment in 2012 was perfection. The amount of research I was able to do even while visiting family over the holiday was astounding and included some fabulous surprises such as meeting Ann Hamilton.

Below is a still from her current exhibition and installation where there are 46 large swings that when activated make a large curtain dip and sway. To understand the enormity of this work and the emotional charge it creates is to go and be there, especially at night when the caged birds are set free and an opera singer serenades the crowds. Swinging across from an elderly woman was one highlight of my time in the Armory. Watching her swing and laugh was precious. I felt catapulted into her memories and it was a great place full of inhibition and gayety. Truly special. That and swinging so high as to be politely asked to simmer down. One of the best moments I've had in recent history. And dare I mention that Ann was wonderfully warm and very gracious. I hope our paths cross again in the near future.

I can't wait to return soon! In the meantime here are some photos of Hamiltons' The Event of a Thread which is currently on exhibition until the beginning of January at the Armory in NYC. A word of advice and that is to go, go , go! For more info check the article below and get your life!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/arts/design/ann-hamilton-at-the-park-avenue-armory.html

New News

After much work, my first semester at RISD has concluded and I am recovering from the Bauhaus structured framework. I never knew that I could do as much as I have these past few weeks. In California I was granted 3 months to create 3 projects and here I do 3 in 3 weeks. I have never been so pushed or so rewarded in all my life. As García says, we are at an artists Fight Club. Below, a Bauhaus poster, color lithograph by Joost Schmidt.

In coming up for air after finals there have also been significant happenings the least of which has been being named a winner for a site specific work here at the RISD Museum which will be on display from February through June. This exhibit entitled Sitings had two winners and García and I were pleased to be one of the winning teams. The other is a 2nd year female grad student, also from the sculpture department. Not too damn shabby for a pair of Sophomores. Below is a "sketch" model for the project. The finished work will be much larger (7-8 feet tall by 5 feet wide) and will be fluorescent pink.

The work that we submitted is a massive triangular tessellation which will be viewable from Benefit Street in front of the Radeke entrance to the museum. It will all be crafted from 1/4 steel rod and will be bright pink. The work is titled Waiting for Godot and has it's roots in the struggle for LGBTQ equality in this country. Our President John Maeda is shown walking out of the Radeke galleries and our sculpture will be in the background to the right of him.

We couldn't be more proud to be chosen for this honor. This will be my second work shown at a museum, the first one being my sculptural painting "Continua" which won entrance into a juried show at the deyoung Museum last Spring.