Studio cat

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2010, cast latex paint with cat - without cat - with cat -  without cat

These pieces of latex paint sat arrayed on the floor for months - waiting for me to decide whether they'd be a piece - before she took to using them as cushions, then they had to stay there, at least for a bit longer.

Don't forget, you too can come be where magic like this happens every day during the Beacon Open Studios Event,  Sept 25 & 26.

Making Arrangements

 An arrangement of paintings

Sometimes I feel for curators.  Not only have artists' practices slowly encroached on the traditional territory of the curator, but the very word that defines their own practice is being usurped in the name of dressing up a full spectrum of other pursuits.
For this post I was planning an extended passage on the nature and implication of the use of the verb curate to apply to the assembling of everything from one's wardrobe to one's menu to the list of links on one's blog, but I just saw that the NY Times' Alex Williams already did that in Apr 2009, while additionally tracing the history of this linguistic creep. 
Just recently I was hearing radio ads for a music festival "curated" by Wilco.  Albeit the event, which apparently was going on this weekend, was being held at Mass Moca - and there's nothing incorrect about the use of the word, and if there's any such case in which it could be suitable, it would be this one - but the whole notion of using the word seems ickily pretentious to me.  In fact it doesn't seem so, it feels to - viscerally.
But that's just me.
Of late, I have been listening to tech-centric podcasts and reading some items of the same topic all of which have been replete with the word curate.  So pervasive is its use online that I think it's lost even the diminished significance it had when it entered the sphere of the internet in the first place.  I heard one commentator utter the phrase "...curate your audience.."  I'm certain, on reflection, he would agree that he misspoke, and that perhaps the word is so seductively en vogue that he just got on a roll and couldn't stop himself, but the fact that he used that word at all demonstrates that its simply flaunted for it's aura of refinement. 
As I said, it  isn't a big deal, but it just feels eewy to me, and it adds yet another motivation for me to further dress down the way I describe the things I do in response.

I've organized different exhibitions and projects, and I have done what would be considered curating in those instances, but I never considered myself a curator.  In fact in those instances, I consider myself a facilitator (is that too uppity?) or maybe I should call myself an arranger:  I arrange for things to get done and I arrange the works in relationship to one another.  I sort of like that.  Although it sounds a bit like what a decorator would do to pillows, (until Interior Decorators became Interior Designers, and certainly must have become Domestic Curators by this point) it also sounds like a word that indicates the act of getting things done.  And that's what it's all about getting it done, and getting it done well.
From this point on, when acting in such a role, I'll be an Arranger.  From here on out, any projects or exhibits organized by me will be Arranged by me, not curated.
(My apologies to any musical arrangers and floral arrangers for usurping their territory.)
And let's not universally feel bad for curators since, although many of them may have ceded some traditional aspects of  their pursuit to the relational, institutional critic-minded artist, some curators have ascended to another role, even grabbed for themselves a part of the jet-setter, world-maker mantle that was once the sole domain of the super artstar artist.

Catherine Welshman @ Hudson Beach Glass thru Aug 29

 Twins, oil on wood

An exhibit of Catherine Welshman's paintings opened at Hudson Beach Glass on July 17th.  The show will run through Aug 29 and there will be an artist reception on August 14 from 6-9 pm.

Viewing Catherine's work is a double treat.  The figures she creates are alluring and evocative with a frequent quality of a naughtiness verging on wrongfulness.   The physical quality of the paint is often as seductive and lush as the representations held within it.  Walking through the show during the opening, looking at the drips and smooshes, gave me the urge to run home and push around a little paint myself.
 I ran through and snapped some images of the exhibit, Just before leaving town at the end of July

Ruffled Girl, oil on canvas

below: detail

 Wishful, oil on canvas

This piece irresistibly evokes a memory for me which i won't be elaborating on.

A glancing view of the light playing on Reclining Elle, oil on canvas.

Electric Windows

Drifts of weaponized enamel are hanging heavy over Beacon's east end of Main St right now. 

I'm preparing for an early morning departure tomorrow so I breezed through the Electric Windows goings on really quickly early this afternoon.
It's an exciting vibe that's happening down there, especially with the addition of space at the Roundhouse and the Viera building to be adorned with artwork.  Adding to this sense of excitement is the already visible work done as part of the Roundhouse rehab and development - a new vista of the falls has been opened up with the removal of various vegetation on the corner of Main & E. Main. 

Congratulations to the folks at Open Space and Burlock et al.  Even from my early observation, the whole deal is shaping up successfully.
For your viewing pleasure, here are a few images.  In the interest of time - since I should be doing other things right now - I'm forgoing captions for the moment. .....I'll be adding them shortly.

 

Preparation for Electric Windows

The artists working on the Electric Windows project which is happening today got a headstart on their preparations yesterday.  Open Space's blog has some photos of artists getting to work on their pieces.

Electric Windows 2010 happening this weekend in Beacon

 Once can catch through the window a glimpse of the current Electric Window works 

which have held up rather well since 2008.

I spent the better part of Saturday night sipping some heavenly-cold-and-cheap beer at Open Space.  One the walls - Electric Walls is a group exhibit featuring the artists who are participating in Electric Windows this weekend.    The weather forecast is looking good for Saturday afternoon when the East end of  Main St will be closed to automobile traffic and artists will set up shop in the street.

 One view of the Electric Walls exhibit. A full listing of artwork is included in Open Space's online store.

This year's Electric Windows will be significantly bigger, gracing the faces of three buildings.  The Roundhouse and the Viera building will join the original Electric Windows building, constituting three points of an "Electric Triangle", if you will, at the junction of Main St and E. Main St. 

An image from the morning-after installation of Electric Windows 2008 works.
via maykr.com

The Electric Windows After Party is taking place at the Piggy Bank starting @ 10pm.
The artists participating in Electric Windows this year are:   Big Foot, Buxtonia, BoogieRez , Cern ,Chor , Boogie  , Chris Stain , Chris Yormick , Depoe , Elbow Toe ,Elia Gurna , Ellis G, Erik Otto , Eugene Good, Faust, Gaia, Joe Iurato, Kid Zoom, Mr Kiji, Logan Hicks, Lotem & Aviv , , Michael De Feo, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Paper Monster, Peat Wollaeger, Rick Price, Ron English, Ryan Bubnis, Ryan Williams, Skewville
, Ultra

Works On Paper Sale in Denver - August 7, 2010 12-5pm

 

On Saturday August 7- in Denver-, I'll be holding a sale of works on paper - a Trunk Sale of works on paper.  I'll be including drawings, paintings, collages, prints and anything else I can dig up from the past 15 years or so.  For this sales extravaganza, I'll be returning to my old 'hood in Denver's Golden Triangle.  Michele Mosko has generously offered the use of her gallery Michele Mosko Fine Art at 136 W 12th Ave for the day.

If you or someone you love is in Denver and in need for a little bit of artwork to get you through the rest of the Summer, then this is the event for you.   Feel free pass this along. 

I'll be posting updates here on the blog and on my website at www.christopheralbert.com/events

Another Artwork Giveaway: Annual 2007 edition

 Ligature:opperher, 2007

I forgot to mention in my previous post that as a way of commemorating the release of Annual 2007 I'm giving away two small paintings from 2007.  These two Ligature paintings are done in oil with acrylic on canvas and are 9"x12" in size. 

Ligature:vidiez, 2007

Each painting will be given to a different person via a blind drawing of names culled from the Facebook Fan Page.  If you want your name tossed into the hat, you can either join the fan page - or you can simply shoot me an email (info[at]christopheralbert[dot]com) indicating you want to be included and I'll put you in the mix.

The drawing will happen sometime in mid Aug.  and the recipients will be announced shortly after.

Annual volume 1: 2007 has been published

 Annual 2007 front cover.

One of the projects that I've been working on is creating an annual inventory/index of the work I do in a magazine format.  2007 is the first volume and has just been released. 
I chose to start with 2007 because that year was pivotal in a couple of different ways (a change in studio space and two personally significant exhibits) and because I'd be pressing my luck to try to assemble my memories any further back.  The my mindset I was in and the work I did in preparation for the two exhibits I had that year has influenced greatly what I've done since.

 a page from Annual 2007

 

Anyway, I expect to produce one volume each year.  Each publication in the series will follow the work I produce and the projects in which I'm involved in a given year in chronological order.  
The form of the presentation is sure to evolve, particularly in the first few volumes as I catch up to the current year.  They are not intended as polished catalogues; they are, collectively, an unvarnished visual index (failures and all) presented as concisely as possible, without excessive explanation. At the end of each volume will be a section with text to add some context for the individual works, but I feel that as the project advances, the progression of images will be sufficiently revealing about the causes, effects and inspirations that drive character of the work I create.  I believe the value of each one will grow as it is joined by each proceeding issue that pushes forward the visual time line.  As each year progresses and an additional issue is added to the collection, they will speak to one another, highlighing various narratives that emerge withing the work.

another page from Annual 2007

I realize that this is a geeky and narcissistic endeavor, but it is one that will prove to be of value to me in aiding my memory and contextualizing the things I have done.  I also think that this may be of interest to those folks who have been following my work....and those who might be interested, but can't quite follow what I'm doing.

The Annuals are being published through magcloud where they can be purchased online.  There is a free ipad version available through magcloud.  In the near future, there will be a pdf version available on my website.  I will also have copies available for purchase at my Works On Paper "Trunk Show" in Denver, CO on August 7, 2010.

I expect to have 2008 published by the end of September, and 2009 completed by the end of the year at which point I'll start a regular Spring/Summer schedule of publishing the previous year's edition. 

Open House Poughkeepsie opens today.

I'm not exactly sure what this is, but it's awesomely cool.  

Through the window I saw see shelves full of reclining baby Jesuses.

A crazy (and shapely) work progressing outside Red Bone Tattoos, 444 Main St..

Yesterday I met up with Matthew Slaats in Poughkeepsie to stroll along the stretch of Main St. known at Middle Main.  Matthew is organizing an art event called Open House Poughkeepsie.  Beginning today with an afternoon VIP tour followed by a reception at the Clinton House and continuing through July 30th, artist installations, performances and guided tours will inhabit the roughly 6 block stretch.

OHP's opening reception is happening at Clinton House, 5-7pm.

In addition to today's opening, a series of walking tours, a movie night and a closing reception are planned, as well as other performance based events.  Click on the flyer image below for those details.

While strolling, we had occasion to speak at length with one of the property owners who has a resevoir of thoughts on the topic development of Main St. in the area. Open House Poughkeepsie is one part of the broader effort to develop and promote the neighborhood at the heart of the mission of the Middle Main organization and more conversations like the one we had yesterday are the ideal kind of results of projects like this.  Culture is not just about art, and there's a lot of pressure brought to bear on the field of art to reinvigorate cultural and economic development of a place.  The best thing that art as a discipline - in all its forms can do in an instance such as this is to start a conversation - even to set the conditions in which a conversation can start - but then the rest of the constituent parts that make up "culture" need to come to the table. 

While walking, we met Kirsten Olson installing her exhibit at Barrett ClayWorks, which is among the art offerings that are tied in with the OHP project, but will have its own opening reception on 7/17 at 6pm.  Olson, whose exhibit caps of her time as artist in Residence at the ClayWorks, is a new member of bau in Beacon and will be exhibiting her work there in August. 

I dig how the reflected grass rhymes with the forms of the Olson's sculpture....and vice versa.

An installation of t shirts by John McCartin at Yalexa, 519 Main St

The kork project space is acting as an auxiliary site for the OHP project, documenting and linking the cultural happenings in one part of the city with another. 

 Some lunchtime options for the staff of Bailey Browne CPA & Associates on the kork project space.

So often, (speaking from experience here) projects like this have a very limited impact on areas outside of the immediate area, and we at kork's recognize difficulty and we're lending a little cross town moral support.  Further, for the month of August, after the project has concluded, kork extend it, serving as repository for reflections on the project from artists and curator and visitors

OHP Participating artists include; Dana Bol, Teresa Cichra, Roberto Cruz, Kate Drag, Simon Draper, Stasia Fernandez, Nestor Madalengoitia, Linda Malave, Ty Marshal, Humberto Rodriguez Maya, John McCartin, Kirsten Olson, Shannon O'Leary, Franc Palaia, and Amos Scully.

In Beacon: James Westwater & Catherine Welshman

James Westwater's Postcards and Matchboxes show at Van Brunt Gallery runs through July 25.  It's clean and compact, full of formalized precision and personal narratives constructed from other people's histories.  Well worth seeing. 

Of course, I'm sort of a sucker for paintings on boxes, and James uses the format to his advantage.

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Another artist that consistently puts on a show worth seeing has a new one opening this Saturday, July 17 at Hudson Beach Glass.  Catherine Welshman's New Paintings runs through Aug 29.  There's an opening with music from 6-9 on Saturday, and an artist reception on Aug 14th.

I finally took a moment and searched for the 624713 Collective which is apparantly responsible for this poster pasted on the West End of Main St.  It's a loose collective of "artists and art afficionados" who are mobilized in the pursuit of "Art for All."

What's my name? WHAT'S MY NAME?

 PsuedoPainting 54"x54" acrylic on vinyl

The sudden events of the week resulting in installing my work at the Daniel Aubry Gallery also gave me my own Work of Art type challenge: make a sign with my name for hanging outside the gallery.  I have various other projects that I'm ensconced with, but making this psuedo painting/sign last night was a quick, fun diversion.