By Christina Huang CAMBRIDGE, MA - One phone call, an address (110 Brookline Street) and an open invitation: Saturday night at 6 p.m. — led me to the opening reception of "Extended Absence" at the Blanc Gallery. As I walked into the gallery, I was immediately engulfed by the colorful patterns of Isaac Tin Wei Lin's work, from the large-scale paintings that hung from the walls, to the intimate pieces that fill the space-between by the staircase to site specific floor installation. It may be hard to believe, on first view, but what appears to be wheat pasted graffiti is actually created by skillful painting. On the second floor is a small exhibition featuring works by artists of Space 1026, a creative community based in Philadelphia, which Lin has also been involved in. Open since October 2012, Blanc catches Central Square by a storm as the gallery blends contemporary art, music and … [Read more...] about Gallery profile: Isaac Tin Wei Lin’s work fills the space at Blanc
Artscope Online
Cornered Extra: Christopher “Kip” Bergstrom
By Brian Goslow Hartford, CT - (In the November/December 2012 issue of artscope magazine, managing editor Brian Goslow “cornered” Christopher “Kip” Bergstrom, Deputy Commissioner of the State of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development. Due to space restrictions, we could only print part of their hour-long discussion. Their talk continues here.) BG: What brings the various facets under your job title together? KP: The connection between all the things that I do — art, history, branding, tourism and stimulating the innovation side of the Connecticut economy — it sounds like a mish mash, but it’s not, because the common denominator among all those things is place — placemaking. Art and history are basically the two primary threads from which you weave the cloth of place. Tourism is selling what you’ve woven to outsiders so you leverage your … [Read more...] about Cornered Extra: Christopher “Kip” Bergstrom
Company One presents Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
By James Foritano Boston, MA - Last weekend, I was at the Baghdad Zoo courtesy of Company One’s production of Rajiv Joseph’s drama, “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”. It was a dark play, set as it was in the war-torn, 2003 Baghdad of “shock and awe.” But it was lighted with a humor that cast facets of color into the darkness while absorbing darkness into itself. This was a delicate balance, and it worked for me, except in rare moments. Most of the focus of our hypnotic news coverage was not on the Baghdad Zoo and what happens when chaos blows apart the cages, releasing authentic beasts into the ‘bestiality’ of war, yet Rick Park’s mesmeric tiger owns the stage, both behind and in front of the bars of his cage. Mr. Park plays an appropriately humble tiger that’s been demoted twice. Firstly, he shares the Baghdad Zoo with a pride of lions who, no argument, are … [Read more...] about Company One presents Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Artist Dennis Coelho Donates Piece to “Bidding for Good” Auction
by Brian Goslow Providence, RI - Providence-based abstract impressionist artist, Dennis Coelho, has donated his “Ice Castles” oil painting to be auctioned off at the “Bidding for Good” auction, which benefits the Rhode Island's AIDS Care Ocean State, an HIV/AIDS service agency. “Ice Castles was part of a series depicting the complexities of human emotions and feelings,” Coelho said. “You may note the pointed Icicles that point upward and downward as the painting was designed to face either/or. The mind can be a serene cold and beautiful escape all at once, it can be filled with complex hurdles that can block passage to a place you may want to be going or it can be an inviting journey. “Either way the human mind is a beautiful place where one can create his or her own world a world that can actually come to life just by imagining it to be, If one can believe it, visualize it then one … [Read more...] about Artist Dennis Coelho Donates Piece to “Bidding for Good” Auction
ART Night in Bristol & Warren, Rhode Island
By Christina Huang Bristol, RI - With only three events left this year, the next ART Night: Bristol & Warren, Rhode Island, which takes place this Thursday, September 27 from 5-9 p.m., is fast approaching. Walking down Main Street Warren, one would be surprised to see the number of the cars and trucks that drive by the small street adorned with a variety of small stores. Lane Poor, owner and photographer at Main Street Gallery, runs a joint photo shop and gallery that is appealing for all visitors; its Kids’ Corner is especially popular during ART Night. Immediately to the left of Main Street Gallery is Betty Harrington’s Studio 67 with the Coffee Depot, a great place to stop for an afternoon pick-me-up, is directly across the street. Then explore the historic Cutler Mills, which have transformed into artist studios, and the nearby Mudstone pottery and ceramics studios. Students … [Read more...] about ART Night in Bristol & Warren, Rhode Island
Re-Visioning in the Garden of Eden at UMass Lowell
By James Foritano Lowell, MA - With my GPS barking at me, I rolled into the visitor parking lot at UMass Lowell’s McGauvran Student Center only half a week after the opening of my friend and fellow artist Chehalis Hegner’s exhibit “Re-Visioning in the Garden of Eden.” Better late than never. Besides, I’ve always held that inspiration doesn’t have a shelf life, and what I saw in the “Garden of Eden” confirmed my belief. Irony, subversive humor, lyricism, craft all bloomed, fresh as creation, in this ‘re-visioned’ garden. Where to start? Ever notice how when your GPS stops barking, you have to orient yourself? O.K. I said, I’m in the Garden of Eden, obviously post-modern, so what has happened since then? Uhhh…complications! Individual choice! Doubt! Competition! And whoa…EVIL. Now sometimes evil is creative destruction, as the economist Joseph Schrumpeter and, no doubt, a benevolent … [Read more...] about Re-Visioning in the Garden of Eden at UMass Lowell