Nights in Shining Amour

"Platonic Conception", a brief introductory on three contemporary views of mimesis, will be hosted by Silvis Studio, an alternative space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, containing the works of Bonnie K. Mancini, Daniel Morgan Bengston, and Sam McCune. Please join them at 338 Berry Street, 2nd Floor (between South 5th & South 4th), on April 7, 2011 from 6-8pm.

Bonnie K. Mancini's work deals with the subjective nature of relational p...sychology directly. By employing genograms, Mancini tracks her personal relationships and constructs tailored pictorial representations of them. Genograms were popularized in the mid-eighties and are now used in psychology, social work, genetic research, and education. By making public a coded primer of her relationships, Mancini toys with concepts of the the voyeuristic gaze through an abstracted medium, much the same way that people interact with each other via more traditional forms of communication. Contained within Mancini's installation of genograms is the syntax for her ability to relate to others, and a need for expressing these relationships through a sublime experience.

Daniel Bengston Morgan works with the idiosyncrasies of modernism, translated through the physical forms of idealized constructs like the icosahedron, Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes, and visualizations of atmospheric effects. Morgan uses this visual language of science, and discriminates the wanton hope of the high modern era from the utopian visions that are many times applied to it. In deference to Platonic thought, this "humanization" allows the idealized forms to be consubstantiated with the physical work, while never fully overlapping.

Samuel McCune explores the world by making. This tangibility and authority allows his work to carry a variety of subjects while still containing a signature quality. McCune weaves information, symbology, and materials into intricate, sacramental networks. Each of these networks must then be read like a research paper, referencing, extrapolating, and inferring great deals of data through a single form, which may then contain addenda for further perusal. This pursuance of "packing" a form with as much data as it can hold is an incredibly old struggle, connecting most major philosophical concerns in Western thought.


Platonic Conception will be on view from April 7-10 and will viewed by appointment. Please contact Daniel Swartz. d.h.swartz@gmail.com, #260-417-8846.

Thank you Crow and Ira for the photos!

for a good time...

Hosted byTammy Hart, and Zachariah Durr, SuperShow! has become a local hit comedy event series. Hopping around Brooklyn venues, you can catch their acts for FREE every second Thursday. WU HOO - you should TOTALLY GO!

Last night's show climaxed with Reggie Watts' act. Reggie, who, per usual shattered the boundaries between comedian, musician, performance artist, cliché, chameleon, mixing in one-liners, spoken word, beat box, impersonations, poetry, metaphor... Basically I was quite impressed by all he was throwing out there (which I presumed must take large amounts of talent) but somehow I just had to ask myself, is he just messing with us? But even if he was - I guess it was a heck of a good time being messed with...

Transition (excerpt) from Reggie Watts on Vimeo.

For some on-lookers, primal reactions kicked in, swooning after this strong performer, but for why? What is it about a confident person that communicates: "healthy mate" or, for that matter seems like a desirable trait at all? Confidence is often misplaced! So why does it have such a strong allure? (No dis-respect to Reggie, he is a talented performer, but I am just mystified at the kind of draw he had, just standing on that stage with some small bits of technology - was it merited?)

Perhaps idealism presumes that a confident person (in a romantic relationship) will be less of a burden, less complicated, with more energy to help fight your battles for you. The fact, though, is that confidence can often be a front. (Not to get all psychoanalytical on you when we started out just talking about comedy, which is great for your general health, by the way, both mental and physical...) To use one of the most cliche examples of all: I could act confident about my singleness, and my autonomy, but might it be simply a mechanism to deal with my circumstances, and because it is simply easier?

True confidence is a great thing if you can grasp it for yourself, or find it in another, but humans should never be taken at face value. We all have our fragility and foibles. Surly there is solidarity that comes from confidence in another source? ...alright, alright...

HAPPY FASHION WEEK, EVERYONE!

(310)

Peres Projects

Blum & Poe

George Billis Gallery LA Inc

Lightbox

Taylor De Cordoba

Walter Maciel Gallery

J K Gallery

Honor Fraser Gallery

SPOILER ALERT: Whitney Biennial 2010

Co-curator, Gary Carion-Muravari, addressing the Bloomberg crowd at a private reception and viewing of the exhibit

For more information on this year's exhibit go [here]

Curated by Francesco Bonami and Gary Carion-Murayari, I enjoyed the smaller and more succinct vision for the exhibit. Paired with a historical exhibit of biennial benchmarks from their own collection, I thought it gave a nice perspective. Although it has been criticized for bowing to the tight-belt of the economy I do think that this exhibit gave a true vision of what American artists are making. And why shouldn't it be a lipnus test for America's economy as well?

Some of my favorites I've noted below...

We like america and america likes us by the bruce high quality foundation
->References bruce naumans first ny performance where he is carried off in an ambulance
->you stand in the line of the headlights to watch a video on the wind shield, and listen to audio coming from the grill. good writing.

Stranger in a strange land by Richard Aldrich
->line drawing printed on canvas

Distracting distance by RH quaytman
->op art

Piotr Ulanski
->installation!!!

Mrs jessica drummonds by Dawn Clements
->large ink drawing

Storm Tharp
->portraits

Marianne Vitale, Patron
->Video Art

Ari Marcopoulos
->Great Video of kids with sound distortion

lifted from "Women's Art Exhibit "process:::" and Poetry Night" on www.biola.edu

Biola celebrated National Women's History Month with a women's art exhibit, poetry readings and live music.

On Wednesday, March 10, Biola featured the artwork of 26 female students, staff and alumni in a special art exhibit entitled "process:::" as part of a series of events in "Pearls in Process: Celebrating the Creativity of Women," Biola's National Women's History Month celebration. The exhibit was curated by Shannon Leith, professional photographer and 2009 Biola graduate. Pieces ranged from photography to paintings, collages to sculpture, but all of the work centered on the theme of exploring and celebrating the creative process. Leith shared personal reflections about the process of curating the show and invited Rachel Clark (Assistant Director of Residence Life and Ruby Slippers Committee memeber) to read a poem of blessing entitled "A Prayer."*

Guests enjoyed complimentary vanilla lattes and coffee as the evening began with a special edition of "Readers Rites," a poetry reading event featuring work by women and inspired by women. Following the official unveiling of the art exhibit, students, staff and alumni had the opportunity to listen to live music by Biola students Julia Peterson and Tavia Grubbs. Throughout the evening, guests were invited to participate in creating their own unique art, by writing about a woman who has inspired them and placing their dedication on trees, which will be featured at all remaining Women's History Month events.

This first event of its kind inspired guests to explore their own God-given creativity and to bless those around them by sharing it.

Check out the full feature article on this event at the Whittier Daily News.

*A Prayer

God of possibilities...
help me stand in the reality...
...of what can be...
and what is available to me today.

Maker of difference...
help me embrace unqiueness...
...the parts of myself and all of us that are unmatched and beautiful...
...as they stand alone.

Creator of life...
help me stay alert...
...to receive the gift each day has to offer
...and all the way to my last breath.

God of light...
help me open to illumination...
...to see the pictures given
and to construct the inspired.

Amen.

-Victoria Smith

[original here]

Ding-Dong! Lynn here!

Guest Speaker Lynn Aldrich pictured above with some of her art.

(On the Left) Shannon Leith, the curator, with friends and artists
Including Ruthi Auda (center)

Process::: exhibit::: review

Margot: Do you send my mother your clippings? And your grades in ---

Eli Cash: Please stop belittling me. You never gave me the time of day until I started getting good reviews.

Margot: The reviews aren't that good.

Eli Cash: But the sales are.

-royal tenenbaums

TONIGHT (Tonight, Tonight)

Reminder: This is really happening!

More info (for the literate).

A few things that inspire me

This might be the most cliche thing I've ever done, but here is a blog post of things that inspire me...

'New Birds' by Jimmy Miracle, on view at All Things Project on Bleeker

Documentation of "Friends of Friends" exhibit.

On Kawara's one hundred years calendar

I particularly love Maya's self portrait, which I saw her describe in an interview once, but have not been able to find any images of. It shares her same basic dimensions (weight, height, width, depth) - a monolith of metal and wax.

Official Announcement

Women Artists Collaborate for Art Show “Process”

Exhibition at Biola University honors women and delves into the artist process

A final piece of artwork is as significant as the process it took to create the work. In honor of Women’s History Month, an all women artist exhibition, titled “Process,” will highlight just that — the process of creating a successful piece of art.

With nearly twenty artists and works ranging in mediums from photography and painting to ceramics and sculpture, the unique art exhibition focusing on the artists’s process will display the discipline each woman took when creating the work, revealing the progression of the piece and artist.

Curated by photographer and Biola alumnus Shannon Leith (’09), “Process” is rooted in the idea that an artist must discipline herself in the practice of making art, and the product will flow out of that commitment. “Process” is a key element in Biola’s series of events themed, “Pearls in Process,” celebrating the creativity of women.

The art exhibit will be unveiled on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 7 p.m. on the main floor of the Biola University library alongside activities that fully emerge attendees in the exhibition and the celebration of National Women’s History Month. Poetry will be read inspired by women and a special Heritage Room exhibit honoring women throughout Biola’s history will be revealed as well. With interactive art stations, live music and free vanilla lattes and iced mochas, the unveiling of “Process” will fully engage attendees.

About Shannon Leith
Shannon Leith is an artist who loves exploring the world with her camera. She is a proud Canadian citizen who moved to California at age 13. She received her BFA in photography from Biola University in 2009 and enjoys living and working in her pink vintage house in South Pasadena, Calif. Visit her website: shannonleith.com.

For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Biola University, Media Relations Coordinator at 562.777.4061 or through email at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.

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(Photo by Erin Broughton)

ANNOUNCING: "process"

process :
an art exhibition celebrating national women’s month

Biola University Library
La Mirada, California

Opening Reception and Poetry Night
Wednesday, March 10, 7-10 pm

Curated by Shannon Leith

Featured Artists Include:

**Bonnie Mancini**

Summer Merritt

Kimberly Hocking

Ruthi Auda

Marisa Rountree

Janna Lotze

Megan Gonzalez

Jamie Bonilla

Runs March 10 - April 29, 2010

Floppy ol' Jalopy

(imagine it's night time - slippery steep slanty stairs above roaring traffic, clinging to an umbrella that threatens to hurl me in the way of said traffic)

Last night I braved the rain and one perilous BQE footbridge to find myself in one of Brooklyn's many musical havens, JALOPY. Feeling more like a speak-easy or some one's eclectic basement - the floors and walls were covered with all kinds of instruments, odds, and ends. I even noticed a painting of a Leafy-sea-maid...it blew my mind.

First to take the stage (actually the only one to really take the "stage", but we will get to that...) was Becca Stevens. Her presence was folksy, but her vocal approach reminded me more of Frou Frou. Ms. Stevens did an invigorating (although not unlike the original) cover of Joni Mitchell's song Help Me. The performance was very entertaining and relaxing. As the rain was coming down on the sky light above the "pit" even that sound was incorporated into her set. A delightfully refreshing performance.

Next up was Cuddle Magic. Holly cow! ...They didn't use the stage but rather all twelve performers huddled together in an orchestra pit-type of arrangement. I was in the front row, trying to keep my feet from getting tangled in their cords. Don't get me wrong, now - I was glad to be right up in there for this set! There was so much going on - to entertain and refresh your thinking about everything from the writing of lyrics to band hierarchy. With multiple writers and vocalists and percussionists it had the feeling of a true collaborative. That being said - I am an instant fan of this group and in particular Kristin Slipp, whose vocal style was very alto, and her presence and expression to die for.

ENJOY their links, and I hope you can catch either group at a venue near you!

PS
I haven't listened to the album yet, but here is a review of Joanna Newsom's new one "Have one on me" where she is said to... "not only demonstrate even stronger vocal abilities and songwriting techniques, but also making a logical next-step in terms of style and sound." - Ben Wissenborn, CM Life

Pearls in PROCESS (I thank you)

Recently I have been able to observe some really lovely results of my being a part of the on-going community rooted at my Alma Mater. A couple weeks ago I was asked to help initiate a new chapter of our alumni association, which I am honored and happy to accommodate for, and this week it is looking like I will be able to send out some of my recent artwork for a special exhibit at the La Mirada campus.

Shannon Leith, pictured above, is curating an all-female exhibition for their observation of Women's History Month. (Which will be a highlight event on the campus -- third year running). Their theme this year is Pearls in Process. The theme of the exhibit is focusing more on "Process" which happens to be just the thing I have been thinking about in my work. So, if all goes well, I will have some documentation of my babies in action soon!

Thank you for all of those who have been so encouraging of my art, my career, and my "process". You know who you are.

Today Things

Things that caught my eye this morning:


The Islands at the Bell House

I saw in the New Yorker that Welcome Wagon was going to be playing at Bell House - so I hopped on their site and found that the Islands are playing tonight, W00T!

Also in the New Yorker, Restaurant Belcourt looks like a sweet little place, lets hope this "table for two" notoriety doesn't ruin it's charm.

For you on the other coast, here is a new San Francisco treat! Japan's fashion and entertainment center New People has arrived. From Harajuku to YOU - check it out.


Finally, for those of you who have been sweating it out in this heat - dont worry! Flannel and wool will be back before you can say "Pendleton"...

I know these people

go to:

CD Release Show
with Sarah & The Stanleys

May 29, 2009
8pm at The Canal Room
New York City
285 West Broadway
$10

Google Find

I just found this flickr post online - randomly. Its an announcement for a show that I had 2 years ago...I have no idea who the person is who posted, but thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63085290@N00/447519954

As Seen at NYCAMS

The New York Center for Art and Media Studies is having an Art Auction fund raiser. If you are interested in purchasing some top quality works of art (for quite possibly a STEAL) come over to 28th street. For details (click here.)

Great Photo Project

In the spirit of Born Into Brothels I give you The Eyes of Hope.

See the exhibit at Grace Institute at 2nd ave and 65th st.
Kids from the Bronx program will be in attendance.

Love146 update:

Working on the show with Love146 (Announced in my previous post) was an exciting challenge. We had a great turn-out of people who came during the busiest art weekend of the year! The location was in the heart of Chelsea, and we had a few walk-ins from the street (it was so exciting to have a street level show!). I was also very happy with the lighting situation, as this can be a huge challenge.














Thanks to everyone who showed up, and if you were not able to come, but you want more info on the org/want to donate (wink wink) make sure to check out their site www.love146.org and if you are able to donate something - make sure to cite the exhibit as "how you heard".













I have had several proposals given to me for new projects in the last week, however I might need to take a breather before jumping into the next one.


















Thanks for the interest and support.

CHELSEA - SILENT ART AUCTION - BENEFIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CHELSEA - SILENT ART AUCTION - BENEFIT
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
150 11th Ave, FIRST Floor, New York, NY 10011


-----------Silent Auction: 5pm-8pm-----------
-----------Preview: 10am-4pm-----------

For more information call 203.772.4420,
email bonniekate@gmail.com,
web site http://love146.org/

ART TO ABOLISH CHILD-SEX-TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION

New York, NY -- Love146 is pleased to announce a special benefit, organized by independent curator, Bonnie Kate. For this one-day event, donated works of art will be on view in the heart of the Arts District (across the street from the Chelsea Piers). Works will vary from illustrative to photographic and multimedia--appealing to a variety of tastes, with a common theme of youthful hope.

The burden of social awareness is frequently carried by creative communities. When the creative is coupled with the proper resources and supported by the philanthropic it makes tremendous progress possible. This relationship has been responsible for many amazing successes, such as Damien Hirst's work with the Global Fund, to the Bensen Gallery in Arlington Heights, outside Chicago.

Love146, under its former alias, "Justice for Children International", was acknowledged as G.Q.'s 2007 Non-Profit of the year. Moving into the next phase, the organization has been motivated to target the socially conscious of Manhattan and the respected community of the arts. Information highlighting the organization's efforts--which specializes in aftercare counseling for children who have been rescued from child sex trafficking and exploitation --is available on the website: http://love146.org/. Based in New Haven, CT, this will be Love146's first New York City event.

Please join us for this opportunity to give and gain awareness as we auction works of art that have been generously donated by New York and Los Angeles artists.

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Founded in 2002 (as Justice for Children Intl.), Love146 is a
registered public charity. Love146 is a 501c3 non-profit organization.