Johnnie Winona Ross dropped me a note the other day to let me know of a new show of his work - this time at James Kelly Contemporary in Santa Fe. It also marks a new direction in JWR's art practice. By this I mean a horizontal rectilinear shape as opposed to a nearly square approach.

I will not be seeing this exhibition, however JWR is one of the more interesting artists I've stumbled across in the last few years. So if you get the chance, try not to miss it.

Deep Creek Seeps, 2008, Acrylic gypsum, titanium, zinc, various oxides, marble burnished on bleached linen, 48 x 72 inches

Labels: Johnnie Winona Ross, Painting

The above is a reference to a Velvet Underground song, if you know it, let's make some plans for drinks and talking about music. Anyway, back to the reason for writing this, the other day, I was playing a Velvets bootleg (and so on - is the name) that included this radio ad for the record The Velvet Underground. I think it's good manners to share, so here it is.

Also it's crazy, lately I have been on a tear with the whole factory scene - bad enough that I recently bought a Polaroid Big Shot camera (although I'm not making portraits with it). As with my thoughts on Robert Rauschenberg, it's interesting how certain artists keep coming back to you.

Bonus track from the etc. bootleg. Conversation.

Ingrid Superstar and Gerald Malanga perform with the Velvet Underground in the film by Ronald Nameth.
© 1966-2005 Ronald Nameth, All rights Reserved

Labels: 60's, New York, Warhol

Beauty is now underfoot wherever we take the trouble to look. - John Cage, 1961

When the news came across the internet of RR's death on Monday, I felt like a someone hit me with one of those punches you read about in old timey boxing stories. Robert Rauschenberg is one of those artists that has always been in my personal "cannon" as it were, if not for the enormous body of impressive work, but for his bravery in the materials the he used to produce it.

I remember in my first year at VCU when Jim Baumgartner taught us the technique that RR used the make image transfers from newspapers and magazines. That same week, Richard Carlyne ran a movie for a class where we watch RR get shitfaced and show his latest work - the cardboard series, told the story about asking Willem deKooning to have a drawing that he could erase, and finally a Merce Cunningham ballet that he would design a set for. I guess you could say that unlike many other artists, I was aware of the value of his thinking about his work, no matter how impulsive it might have seemed. Recently most of the artworld traveled to the met to see his combines and literally saw how powerful and interestingly enough, how fresh they seemed when compared to what we see in galleries today. That surprised me. Because, truth be told, I had been taking him for granted for too long and had forgotten just how great that work is.


Robert Rauschenberg Pilgrim, 1950, mixed mediums with wooden chair, ca. 79 x 54 x 19 in.Hamburger Kunsthalle

I'll admit that there is a period of his work (late 80's and 90's) where I wasn't as interested in his approach, it seemed old and dated. Recently he had a bit of a comeback with his more photo-oriented collage work, and the cardboard work had been given new life with a traveling show.

There is a period in time, when New York was at the height of it's power as "the place where art was made" and RR was there. I'm referring to the Castelli gallery, along with Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Frank stella, et al. this group of artists, along with the major abstract expressionists defined American Art to the world for the late 20th century and many would say they still are. Rauschenberg was one of the truly original artists of his time.

I'm glad I can still see his work, but I miss him already.

RR film clip about the "Erased deKooning drawing"

Labels: 60's, Death, Galleries, New York

Robert Rauschenberg died.

I have a number of things to say, but I cant until tomorrow.

Robert Rauschenberg in 1953. Photo by Allan Grant, Life Magazine © Time Warner Inc/Robert Rauschenberg/VAGA, New York/DACS, London

Labels: Death, Painting, Photography, Sculpture

I'm even more shocked than you are. JW Mahoney has written an article on the state of art in DC. It's a fairly comprehensive overview and I was fortunate enough to have one of my images published. Articles like this one make me realize just what a great and under-rated city Washington is for the Arts.

Quick Art-o-matic update
Opens this friday evening at 1200 1st street NE - I'll be there, come by and say hello. I'm on the 5th floor. If your coming take the metro - NY Ave station is one block away.

Labels: Galleries, Matthew Langley, Washington DC

The Velvet Underground, April 26, 1966
National Roller Skating Arena, 1661 Kalorama Road, N.W., Washington DC

NOW Festival

Callie Angel said: A performance event called "Linoleum" by Robert Rauschenberg "ended with an electronic bang when Pop Artist Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground, a rock and roll band from his New York night club, The Plastic Inevitable, turned the roller rink into a giant discotheque." (quote from Leroy F. Aarons, "New Theater's 'Happening' Amuses, Angers Audience," The Washington Post, April 27, 1966, p. B2.). So, despite the fact the Velvets were booked at the Dom (a new york club, if I'm not mistaken) all that month, they apparently weren't performing every night.

The Now Festival was the brain child of Alice Denney - who would later be crucial to the formation of the Washington Project for the Arts. I would love more info, use the comments or send me an email.

Photo by Billy Name

Labels: 60's, New York, Warhol

Larry Gagosian doesn't talk
Although More inteligent Life has a very interesting and well done article on him. Article is here.

Cay Sophie Rabinowitz resigns as artistic director of Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach
Cay Sophie Rabinowitz, artistic director of Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach less than a year ago, has resigned from the fair with less than five weeks to go to her inaugural edition.

Jasper Johns: "Gray"
Closes May 4th, better go see it now.

Cindy Sherman on the "Untitled Film Stills"
Interesting interview with CS about the "Untitled Film Stills" which helped launch her career. Visit New York Magazine for the interview.

Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still #16. 1978.
Collection The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Labels: Fontana Mix

As stated in the last post, Patti Smith was in town Firday to promote the Film, Patti Smith: Dream of Life. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Ms. Smith at lunch and talk about anything I could. Personally, I have a very hard time meeting people who's work I greatly admire, and make no mistake here, at heart, I'm a Patti Smith fanboy.

People Have the Power
PWTP is not my favorite PS song - not by a long shot. However I see more and more of her life's work, in that phrase. The phrase carries more and more meaning, both in her art and her world view. At it's core is the idea that people have the ability to change the world. I read this to be more about making changes in our day to day lives as well as changing the world through political activism, or even just by voting.

In the liner notes for the album Wave, musician Ivan Krall is noted as being "stateless" - she is quick to point out that so are the citizens of the District of Columbia. This lack of voice is a serious problem for our community (and country), Ms. Smith feels that ...we as people need to be open to change either in how we are living or how we govern ourselves... A unanswered question (about the inability to change) remains; How much does that inability hurt the average citizen?

We spoke briefly about the upcoming election, she is a ardent Obama supporter (as am I). With her stance on change, that is no small wonder.

About a quote I use on this blog all the time
We were speaking about working in bookstores - did you know that Patti was working at a bookstore even well past the release of her second album. I find that both amazing and sad. Anyway, there is a quote I use here on a somewhat reoccurring basis; "It must be hard to be a cashier in a bookstore - to be surrounded by the history of your true loves" (Jim Carroll, Crow). I've always thought of this as a terminal state of wanting to be with your loved ones - but not really being able to be with them. Although not confirmed, we both knew that JC had written a few songs about her and this is probably one of them. I mean it's not he has sent her a list or anything...

About a strong culture for the arts
We spoke about the problems facing cities - initially we spoke of the changing or suburbanization of New York City. describing what is needed to build a real cultural community (art, music, whatever) is the ability for artists and interested parties to be in all levels of the culture. This can be as simple as being able to live in the city as a bookstore worker or a successful artist, because both are critical for the culture to really be actualized and truly grow. This is not just a problem for New York it is a growing international issue.

CBGB's
We did not speak of her final set at CB's closing but of the first time Television played. She estimates about 8 people showed up for that show. You never expected to be able to make a living playing music anyway, in the early days of whatever we want to call the period of american music from 1976 - 1982 she was happy to make 20 bucks from a night of playing at CB's.

However the loyalty (among the artists) that the early downtown music scene developed continues to last as well as produce legends of the participants.

On Bobby Fischer
This surprised me most. I'm a chess guy (not hardcore - I don't read about openings and stuff) and never would I have thought Patti would have brought up Bobby Fischer. we were talking about people she had met and he came up kind of randomly - they met toward to end of his life in Iceland. There were serious rules about this meeting as well - only one bodyguard for each of them - Patti laughs - I don't have a bodyguard - so I brought along a member of the crew. Fischer has crazy about Rock and Roll, Patti says that he told her one of the main reasons that he would play at Washington Square Park was so that he could get money to go see music in the evening - he loved the Four Tops and the Temptations.

Currently
Patti has a number of current project other than Patti Smith: Dream of Life Currently at the Fondation Cartier is a major solo exhibition of the visual artworks created between 1967 and 2007. This includes collaborative pieces with Robert Frank, Robert Mapplethorpe and Jem Cohen. Musically she is releasing an album with Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) of her spoken word performances of writings from her work The Coral Sea.

My sleepers will flee towards another America - Jean Genet

Labels: light reading

If you've read this blog for any length of time you know of my love for the work of Patti Smith. She is one of the voices that has helped guide my work as an artist. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Patti Smith today at lunchtime and talk about a bunch of things - I'll write about those things monday.

However that should not stop you from going to see Steven Sebring's movie tonight.

Recently the winner of the cinematography prize at Sundance for director Steven Sebring, Patti Smith: Dream of Life is a unique look into the life of Patti Smith. Shot over 11 years on 16mm film in a verite style, we see her life as she travels, works and connects with family and loved ones.

Patti Smith: Dream of Life is playing tonight at the Lincoln Theatre at 9:30. Ms. Smith and Mr. Sebring will be in attendence.

For more information:
http://www.filmfestdc.org/
http://www.dreamoflifethemovie.com/

Labels: movies, Washington DC

Congrats are in order to blog favorite Lori Nix on her recent full page mention in Wired magazine. Asami Novak gives LN about 200 words and two thirds of a page for her photograph Museum of Art.

What I love about Nix's work is that is does not try to be too real, just real enough to let people see the story and then dig into the image looking for all the little things that make her work so appealing.

Here in DC, Lori Nix is represented by Randall Scott Gallery.

Labels: Lori Nix