I hope I am not looking at the storm before the apocalypse, but everything at the Miami Art Fairs, and especially in the halls and sectors of Art Basel Miami Beach seem sunny and normal, if a bit less crowded than usual. Keeping socially distanced is not a problem, and mask wearing is not déclassé in the least, but rather required. Dress is definitely fancier than usual, as though we might not party again for quite a while, and this respite between pandemic strains closing venues is a last gasp, hopefully not literally. The show is brightly colored, with few subjectively dark work, providing a party atmosphere, added to the crowd’s bright colors and floral patterned dresses (and men’s suits). Subjectively, there are lots of flowers and landscapes of beautifully, if environmentally challenged scenes. I loved Miguel Cardenas’ work, drawn onto a blue painted wall, of flora and fauna … [Read more...] about DAY ONE: ‘BRIGHTLY COLORED” ART BASEL RETURNS TO MIAMI BEACH
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STUDENT FILMMAKERS AND PROFESSIONALS SHOWCASED AT 2021 BOSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 2021 Boston International Film Festival, created by Filmmakers Collaborative, took place from November 19-21 at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts. During that time, filmmakers with different levels of experience came together to present their submitted work for the festival’s different categories: student film, student documentary, short film, foreign language film and narrative feature film. I met with three different filmmakers who had presented their work in three of the festival’s different categories. One of the student filmmakers I met was 10-year old Andrew Chan-Possemato, who created a film with his father, Albert, called “The Butler and the Ball,” which he also directed. This was Andrew’s first experience with the process of filmmaking. The two started writing the screenplay when Andrew was just 7-years old and they also starred in the film as the main … [Read more...] about STUDENT FILMMAKERS AND PROFESSIONALS SHOWCASED AT 2021 BOSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STEVE IMRICH; HIS “TERRAIN DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS” ON VIEW AT BROAD INSTITUTE CONNECTOR, SOPRAFINA, CAA & BRICKBOTTOM GALLERIES
The art of Steve Imrich, who works in Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts depicts not only his thoughts and personality, but the different arts and professions that he obtained skills in, both as an artist and a pilot, throughout his life. He has a Masters degree in Architecture from MIT and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Goddard College concentrating in Studio Arts and History. Goddard College, located in Plainfield, Vermont, is where he studied drawing, painting and sculpture before he started focusing on architecture and design. He also has experience as a commercial pilot and still flies planes as a recreational activity. He first became interested in art when he was a child of 5 or 6 years old when his mother would buy big rolls of shelf-paper and he would draw on them from one end to the other. At an early age, Imrich was very interested in drawing. As a child, he mainly … [Read more...] about ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STEVE IMRICH; HIS “TERRAIN DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS” ON VIEW AT BROAD INSTITUTE CONNECTOR, SOPRAFINA, CAA & BRICKBOTTOM GALLERIES
IN REMEMBRANCE: ETAL ADNAN: LIGHT’S NEW MEASURE: FEBRUARY 25, 1925-NOVEMBER 14, 2021
When I ventured to the Guggenheim Museum in New York on Thursday, November 11, Veterans Day in the United States, to see “Etel Adnan: Light’s New Measure,” a retrospective of the life work of artist, writer and philosopher Etel Adnan, I had not anticipated her passing four days later, on Sunday, November 14. Etel Adnan’s writings informed us of the atrocities of war. Her paintings celebrated the intense and joyful colors of California. Her 96 years of life were filled with ideas and artistic action. A world traveler, Etal Adnan, born in Lebanon, educated in French schools, was first a philosopher, studying at the Sorbonne, with later postgraduate courses at the University of California, Berkeley and at Harvard, later teaching at Dominican College in San Rafael (now the Dominican University of California). She wrote wrenchingly beautiful books of literature and poetry. In protest of … [Read more...] about IN REMEMBRANCE: ETAL ADNAN: LIGHT’S NEW MEASURE: FEBRUARY 25, 1925-NOVEMBER 14, 2021
LONG WEEKEND OR DAY TRIPPING? VISIT NEW BEDFORD’S KILBURN MILL OPEN STUDIOS THIS WEEKEND
This weekend, October 23 and 24, Kilburn Mill Artists are opening their New Bedford art galleries and working studios to the public and invite visitors to explore and view the creative process each day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition to seeing a wide variety of art works, including fine art painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles and jewelry, the Kilburn Mill, a city within a city, contains three popular well known art galleries offering a collection of individually curated exhibitions. Situated on Clark’s Cove in the South End of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Kilburn Mill is surrounded by the waterfront for which New Bedford is famous (most notably, through Melville’s “Moby Dick”). The Kilburn is an artists’ destination, home to art galleries and studios, as well as an event center. It has become the region’s most versatile space with a rooftop deck providing … [Read more...] about LONG WEEKEND OR DAY TRIPPING? VISIT NEW BEDFORD’S KILBURN MILL OPEN STUDIOS THIS WEEKEND
FARSAD LABBAUF: REVISITING FRAGMENTS & ENTITIES AT THE HIGH LINE NINE GALLERY
I remember, a few years back, pre-pandemic, a show of Farsad Labbauf, in a downtown gallery, showing colorful, linear patterned portraits. But those colorful portraits have taken a back seat to his newfound production of images from his past and Iran’s history, in an honest exploration of what motivates him. His latest show, “Revisiting Fragments and Entities,” sponsored by Roya Khadjavi Projects at High Line Nine Gallery 9.1, New York, N.Y., from September 23 through October 16 reveals his newfound interest in creating myth and stitching together his history. We find images of a ballerina, oil production facilities and old wooden bridges in “Rotation Ceremony #8,” (2000, paper, thread), all symbols of power. The ballerina is upside down, hanging from trapeze-like threaded lines, perhaps symbolizing the upside down and rotating power structure that exists. I think of culture … [Read more...] about FARSAD LABBAUF: REVISITING FRAGMENTS & ENTITIES AT THE HIGH LINE NINE GALLERY