Creation Nation is an incredible organization based in Newark, NJ that supports peace making through artistic collaboration. They run a whole bunch of awesome programs that encourage creativity in the youth of Newark, including murals, educational programs, and on and on and on.
The Creator’s Club workshops are a series of free gatherings held every Wednesday, in preparation for the forthcoming Art and Peace Parade, which will take place on October 23rd and will bring thousands of people in to the streets to celebrate art, peace, unity, and creativity.
The Creator’s Club was super fun. In addition to a brainstorming session on what exactly the words Creation and Nation really mean, I helped lead a session of sign making, in attempts to create signs for the parade that gave voice to each creator’s unique point of view. Everyone who attended was super cool, with lots of brilliant ideas and it was a lovely thing to be a part of. Thanks to Athena Barat for inviting me to be a part of such an exciting project, and to everyone who shared in that particular Creator’s Club. I look forward to the ones to come.
Creator’s Club will continue to take place each Wednesday leading up to the parade. More information here.
Some video footage of The Mural of Memorable Moments in Dance appears in this video recap of Governor’s Ball 2010, created by Alex Rochestie of TV Free Media.
August 5th was the opening reception for Flesh Out at Index Art Center in Newark, NJ. The show, curated by Spencer Frohwirth, featured works in clay by Spencer, as well as Frank Giorgini, Joann Hughes, and Steve Jaskowak.
I was lucky enough to exhibit my works in the reception area of Index in support of this show, and chose to hang a show I called ‘Clearance!”, which included many pieces from years past offered at greatly reduced prices. The show also included a few new pieces, including a new piece I did in collaboration with Ibrahim Ahmed III.
Below are photos of some of my works from the exhibition, as well as some photos of the reception. A full gallery of photos from the reception, taken by Raisa Lee, can be seen at this link. Another gallery by Samer Fouad of Shameful D can be seen here. Thanks to Lowell Craig, Spencer Frowirth, all of the artists, everyone who came out to the reception, and everyone who bought a piece that night. It was super fun.
My painting The World is Never Ready is featured on the cover of the Summer 2011 edition of the magazine Inside San Miguel De Allende - it’s the background for a beautiful photograph taken by David Romero of Bicho Romero Photography, and art directed by none other than the fabulous and inspiring Klaudia Oliver.
It’s an extra special edition of the magazine, in that it coincides with the upcoming TedX San Miguel De Allende, Energía Humana, which will take place on August 6. The event is shaping up to be an incredible incredible day, with a wide range of super intelligent speakers all seeking to answer the question :
What is the nature of our power as Humans? And what responsibilities, if any, does that power demand of us?
I’m honored to have my work featured to go along with this event and wanna give all my thanks to the queen Klaudia Oliver for making everything happen.
Super cool video by AMBARECORDS of La Cámara, the new art space in San Miguel De Allende where I participated in the group show/opening/funeral back in March.
About the space :
La Cámara es un espacio que servirá como contenedor de proyectos relacionados a la cultura y el arte. Es un espacio para experimentar y generar ideas. Es el resultado de una necesidad colectiva que busca resolverse a través de acciones colectivas. A través de distintas manifestaciones queremos acercarnos a un número mayor de personas que puedan beneficiarse de nuestras acciones. Buscamos abrir espacios que revolucionen ideas y propongan cambios positivos.
Este video muestra el proceso de transformación desde la Velación, la Hidrolavada y el Renacimento.
Last Friday was the opening for a new show I am proud to be a part of, called Ways of Thinking, at Art Kitchen on Halsey St. in Newark, NJ.
The show had work from a number of different artists, including Jonah Freedman, Joshua Knoblick, LNY, Linda Chen, Salomon Anaya, and The Con_temporaries. Linda Chen also took all of the photos posted below.
In addition to the artwork, the opening featured a fun set by DJ (name pending), as well as an hour dedicated to poetry, prose, and spoken word. I read from a book that I am working on called Thirst For A Wild Calm, and really enjoyed listening to two different poets who were both super great - Mia X, and Bimpe Fageyinbo.
The show is on display at Art Kitchen, 61 Halsey St. in Newark, through July 1. Thanks again to Linda Chen for the photos, Rebecca Jampol and Art Kitchen, and all the poets and artists for a great show.
This weekend I have a piece in the One Year Anniversary Auction and Celebration for Solo(s) Project House in Newark. Solo(s) has been open just about a year now, and has earned a special place in a lot of folks’ hearts, including mine. I had my studio there for 9 months and during that time I got to meet the extended community of warm creative folks who call Solo(s) home and really witness the beautiful vision of Rebecca Jampol come to light. It is a lovely space, a safe haven and springboard for the creative spirit, with one incredible year behind it and hopefully many many more to come.
The Auction and Anniversary party will be Saturday night, March 26, from 6-10pm, and will feature work from a large group of artists, listed below. I won’t be in the area, but I am especially excited to see what Ibrahim Ahmed III has done with the lobby where Danny’s Continental Cocktail Lounge was. His work is awesome, and I can’t wait to see how he tackled that beast of a room.
Cheers to everyone at Solo(s), have a great show and warm wishes for an even better second year!
Solo(s) Project House One Year Anniversary Auction & Celebration Saturday, March 26, 2011 6 – 10pm
ArtWork For Auction …NEW Lobby Exhibition featuring the work of Solo(s) Studio Artist Raphael Bernardin NEW Lobby Installation by Solo(s) Studio Artist Ibrahim Ahmed III NEW Installation by Jennifer Grimyser T-SHIRT Installation by Solo(s) Studio Artist Kylie Lefkowitz Live Entertainment & Performances happening throughout the evening! DJ AMANDA Delicious Refreshments provided by Hell’s Kitchen Lounge Free Entry, Donations Appreciated Donate Now: http://solosprojecthouse.com/donate/
It has almost been one whole year since the Solo(s) Project House has been established. With a unique structure and mission, the multi level – studio house and gallery now has 20 artist studios and provides space to local artists to perform and create. We would like to invite you to join us to celebrate the year under our belt and next year of making art at the Solo(s) Project House! We look forward to seeing you and THANK YOU for your continued support.
Donating Artists Include: Anthony Alvarez, Ariana Barat, Arlene Kacka, Christine Wagner, Daniel Brophy, Daniel Patrick Helmstetter, Dave James Fretz, Dave Smith, David Oquendo, Ellen Whitney, Erik Garcia, Evonne Davis, Gianluca Bianchino, Hannah Craft, Ibrahim Ahmed III, Ismael Sanchez, Jacqueline Cruz, Jeannine Brasile, Jill Wickenheisser, Joseph A. Waks, John Masi, Josh Knoblick, Katrina Bello, Kevin Darmanie, Kyle Miller, Kylie Leftowitz, Lisa Conrad, Lori Merighe, Lowell Craig, LNY, Luisa Pinzon, Marc D’Agusto, Matthew Gosser, Pete Tuomey, Phil da Silva, Nicole Helen Brunner, Rebecca Jampol, Robert Lach, Ruth Jampol, Samantha Katehis, Samer Fouad, Sandro Gomes, Spencer Frothwirth, Stan Studol, Tyler Olsen, Veronica Von Brillo, Willa Goldthwaite and more.
About The Solo(s) Project House:
The Solo(s) Project House is a project space dedicated to showcasing and elevating creative individuals or groups that produce as one. It acts as “house” for artists providing unique studio space, as well as a creative atmosphere where they can interact with each other and produce art.
Two weeks ago I was honored and lucky to be invited to participate in the opening stages of La Cámara, a forgotten industrial space full of creative possibilities in San Miguel De Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
The space is located in the loading dock and freezer section of Gigante, the first supermarket in San Miguel. It has been abandoned for a number of years, and upon arrival, the space was filled with garbage, decay, and ephemera of all kinds.
Led by Marianna Garcés, Denisse Baca, and Frida Alina, the idea for the opening of the space was a funeral, making the death of the space’s former life a public part of its transformation. To quote,
“The space has been abandoned for some time now, becoming practically a dead space. Thankfully, we are not the type to give up on life just because death came knocking. Long story short, we want to bring the place back to a life it never had, one where culture and art can be the means towards a brighter, lighter end for many.
We want to celebrate the decadence and death that the space has accumulated in years of abandonment, and we want YOU to join us and be witness of its “natural” state. We have arranged something like a Funeral, we are calling it “La Velación”, which in Spanish makes reference to keeping the dead bodies company with candle light. “
In that spirit, I joined a lovely, talented, and diverse group of people who spent three days rearranging the remaining elements of history, stacking shopping carts, making figures out of trash, creating installations, and fueling energy in to the space.
The result was an intimate party and ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming and warming what will hopefully become an important addition to the eclectic and evolving extended art scene in San Miguel.
Here are some photos of the painting I contributed (with words translated by my favorite linguistic comrade, L. Belles), as well as a small sample of the various installations created over the course of the week by everyone involved.
Photos by Frida Alina, Denisse Baca, and Juan Carlos Sedano of Hot Dog Magazine. Flyer design by Jairo Juarez.
Preparing the Space
La Velación
now we have tasted what we want with little spoons we are trying to sustain
as fireworks explode leaving trails of light fading in the sky
The mural’s 6 month livelihood is almost up, but it’s been getting some attention from a bunch of great blogs. Check out the coverage below and thanks to all for the support!
