February 6, 2010 from Noon to 5pm

The Museum of Modern Art
Cullman Education and Research Building
4 West 54th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

Free and open to the public/ Bring your art books and swap one-for-one with hundreds of donated art books.

Seriously? I get to trade books for other books? - see you there...

Labels: Art Books, Museums, New York

I've been a huge fan of Billy Bragg since I first saw him open for Echo and the Bunnymen at the Ontario Theater (now a CVS in Adams Morgan - Wash DC). More to the point his ability to blend the personal with the political is inspiring and at the same time heartbreaking. Billy has written amazing throw away lines like "Revolution is just a t-shirt away" but usually more interestingly it is the quiet social commentary and pathos of our lives which strike me as most extraordinary. The Song "The Home Front" is a perfect example of this:

Mother shakes her head and reads aloud from the newspaper
As Father puts another lock on the door
And reflects upon the violent times that we are living in
While chatting with the wife beater next door

The bottom line is that I'm always interested in how Billy Bragg puts his ideas into action. In a rather new example is Jail Guitar Doors an initiative which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates.

I think the idea is valid and impressive. I think you might find it to be the same.

http://www.jailguitardoors.org.uk/

Labels: music, thank you

Labels: Galleries, Matthew Langley, New York, Painting

I went about my day yesterday in the usual fashion - getting up, having coffee and getting to work. Of course like 98% of people I know I stopped to check facebook and a blog or two during the day and stumbled over this treasure trove of goodness about a gentleman named William Seward Burroughs.

Yes, I've written about him before.

This is different though because I was halfway to writing a letter to Tyler Green and Greg Allen because Allen had recently written a small bit about Mary Meyer (JFK'S mistress) and the relation to the Truitts. It's funny because I know a bit more about that whole thing than I should, mostly because of a job I had earlier in my life. But the connection here is clearly conspiracy. Let's be blunt about this one thing - WSB did conspiracy better than anyone.

Anyway I decided not to send a letter - because I really shouldn't, and started reading some of the most interesting things I've ever read about Burroughs in a long time. I'm serious, really quality writing. (not like the drivel I write) I am fascinated by an article called "Burroughs and Beats in Men’s Magazines: William Burroughs Appearances in Adult Men’s Magazines" (URL). Even more interesting is an article about his writing for the magazine Swank. (URL) The article starts from this little passage;

Q: What is with all the men’s magazines?

A: Oh, I read them for the articles.

But here's the punch line. In July 1961, Swank publishes a first section of what would go on to become Naked Lunch. Naked Lunch would go on to be published about a year later. Even further Burroughs was not the only writer to be doing this; Kerouac, Ginsburg and a host of others were publishing in these magazines. Burroughs would later go on to publish as many as 26 articles for the men's magazine Mayfair.

Here is a quick rogues gallery of titles Burroughs published in in the 60's and 70's:
Playboy, Penthouse, Suck, National Screw, OUI, Club, Playgirl, Blueboy, Mayfair, Cavalier, King, Jaguar, Swank. Makes me almost wish that the sleazier parts of our culture would publish with a bit more variety between the cover.

For more information http://realitystudio.org/

Labels: books, working

More detail is here >.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the figurative-narrative line-space matrix brings within the realm of discourse the essentially transitional quality.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the figurative-narrative line-space matrix brings within the realm of discourse the accessibility of the work.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the Egyptian motifs visually and conceptually activates the essentially transitional quality.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the spatial relationships endangers the devious simplicity of the remarkable handling of light.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the negative space notates the accessibility of the work.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the sexual signifier seems very disturbing in light of a participation in the critical dialogue of the 90s.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the negative space contextualize the eloquence of these pieces.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the biomorphic forms verges on codifying the exploration of montage elements.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the sexy fish contextualize the larger carcass.

Although I am not a painter, I think that the mechanical mark-making of the figurative-narrative line-space matrix endangers the devious simplicity of the eloquence of these pieces.

Labels: academia

Late (from me) news from Saint Etienne. Richard X has remixed/remade the entire "Foxbase Alpha" album (from the masters as I understand it) which will be released in a highly limited edition. And here's the best part. It's called "Foxbase Beta"

Yes it's all very meta and no doubt pretty interesting. Sold out in the US (no surprise). You can probably find it in all the usual spots.

Labels: Europe, music

A really curious interview with Brian Eno by one of my favorite writers, Paul Morley today at the Guardian.

The interview is really a short paragraph on a number of subjects, my favorite being the answer on Abba (or Group Abba - if you will).

On Abba
"In the 70s, no one would admit that they liked Abba. Now it's fine. It's so kitsch. Kitsch is an excuse to defend the fact that they feel a common emotion. If it is kitsch. you put a sort of frame around something – to suggest you are being ironic. Actually, you aren't. You are really enjoying it. I like Abba. I did then and I didn't admit it. The snobbery of the time wouldn't allow it. I did admit it when I heard..."

Follow this link for the whole story

Brian Eno in his studio. Photograph: Harry Borden (from the Guardian)

Labels: Eno

For the mention over at Two Coats of Paint for my and Heejo Kim's show that opens tonight.

And a final reminder that you are welcome to drop by the gallery tonight from 6 - 8 for the opening. Blank Space is located at 511 west 25th street. Hope you can make it.

Labels: Galleries, Matthew Langley, New York

The NYT on Kenneth Noland's death

Joe Cameron on photo book value vs. photo book use (Please Note: A former Teacher of mine) While you are at that site - this is the best photo related blog post ever.

The Daily Batman (see above) is just too good not to share

I thought Lenny Kaye looked great at Robert Miller last Wednesday

Hot Gossip: Word on the street is Manfred Baumgartner is about to sign a lease for a small gallery space in a terrific location in D.C. (DC could use his return, his last gallery in DC was always amazing - I still remember his Joan Mitchell show)

Someone seems interested in the whole Deitch saga, see Green, Tyler (here, here, here, here, and here) - in all honesty, it's a pretty interesting story.

Photo of my show being installed (Below) - Drop by Thursday night in Chelsea if you can. (511 25th Street)

Labels: Comics, Los Angeles, Matthew Langley, Museums, New York, Washington DC

Jeffrey Cortland Jones enterprise "No Future Projects" has a small show of Douglas Witmer's and my work on display. Details below:

No Future Projects
Dayton. Ohio
nofutureprojects.wordpress.com

NFP is a temporary and moveable project space and open by appointment only
For more information . cortland242 @ yahoo . com

Labels: Galleries, Matthew Langley, Painting