WheatonArts and the ITE, video

Part of the International Turning Exchange experience is to visit museums, collectors, artist studios etc. We were invited to WheatonArts to see how glass objects are created and to collaborate with the staff to make original new works. I highly recommend a visit. They conduct workshops and demonstrations for the public and have a variety of events worth seeing throughout the year.

This video is short in length, long on images and has no dialog. This sequence makes up part of the ending titles for the movie.

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Stephan Goetschius, video

Stephan Goetschius is in some ways the new face of wood turning. He was trained in art school as both a traditional furniture maker and as a sculptor working with metal and a variety of other materials and tools. He rejects labels and moves easily from making functional objects to creating completely sculptural art work.

He took advantage of the freedom offered to residents of the International Turning Exchange, and created a new series of wood sculpture unlike anything he did before. In the video he talks about how his work evolved, spirituality and his love of wood.

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Planetary Excavation, work in progress

This is what you would see on one of my table tops if you were to walk into my studio tonight. Over at Pam Farrell's blog she is asking artists to send her a photo of their studio and a second image of a finished work. Sounds like a nice idea.

Nice Movie

I feel like I finally rented a movie that was really special. Each week I must watch at least 2 movies and for months I have been disappointed in the films that have been recommended to me from a variety of sources.

Things We Lost in the Fire is a totally modern movie. It is beautifully shot, written, directed and performed, and what about that music with Sweet Jane for the titles and Gustavo Santaolalla as composer of the theme.

Although the story is excellent, I feel like it is even more valuable as a vehicle for a multitude of striking contrasts. The drug addition of Jerry gives the director the opportunity to show the beast, Benicio Del Toro, set against the beauty of Halle Berry. And even here those roles reverse when Audrey, played by Berry, unleashes her own inner beast on Jerry who she invited to stay with her and her two children after the violent death of her husband. Another example is the contrast of the dingy rehab center where Jerry was working, and the gorgeous, modernist home of Audrey.

I am sure some will criticize this film because the director Susanne Bier lets her hand show through beautiful establishing shots, extreme close-ups and for making a film that is put together almost too perfectly. But I don't have a problem with that, just like I don't mind seeing brushstrokes when they make a painting a better work of art.

Nice Blog

I found Art Messe while doing a search for Terence Koh (see the image above). The site is heavy on images, mixing art, architecture, design and fashion all together, one image on top of the next. I also suggest taking a look through the archives to get a better idea of what they have to offer.

NY Times turning up the heat

Today in the Weekend section of the NY Times look for the visual arts reviews On, and Off, the Wall. Even in the gray gloom of November weather and a bad economy, The Times has a way of creating excitement for the arts, a lesson other publications around the country should learn from.

The Petah Coyne show at Galerie Lelong is one that I want to see. The following is an interesting endorsment of sorts from Roberta Smith in todays article.

"My favorite show by a least favorite artist is Petah Coyne’s over-the-top exhibition of tarlike masses of black-red roses and entangled creatures both feathered and furred (stuffed, of course) at Galerie Lelong. It is a statement about environmental and material waste that itself wastes material. Ms. Coyne is pushing her Victorian aesthetic to the limit, so don’t miss it." -Roberta Smith

Philadelphia artist Douglas Witmer is in a couple of exhibitions in the NY area. Visit his blog for all the details.

Above, Untitled #1262 (Late Spring), 2007-08 by Petah Coyne.
Silk flowers, specially formulated wax, silk and rayon duchesse satin fabric, spray paint, white pigment, pearl-headed hat pins, steel, chain, cable, cable nuts, chicken wire fencing, wire, Velcro, thread, quick-link shackles jaw to jaw swivel. 35 x 35.5 x 31.75 inches

Bucks Art Biennial

Biennial Arts Faculty Exhibition
November 7 - December 17, 2008

HICKS ART CENTER GALLERY
Bucks County Community College
275 Swap Road, Newtown, PA 18940
215-968-8000

Reception: Friday, November 7, 4:30 - 7 pm
A biennial exhibition featuring the work of full and part time faculty in all areas of the Department of the Arts.
Our digital gallery will present the work of faculty in music and communications. Jazz concert by music faculty.

Above, pianist/composer Jeff Baumeister will be playing along with other faculty members from the department.