Saturday events

Saturday December 3, 2005 5:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

go here for more details...

Whitney Biennial is comin'

Get ready everyone...if you can make it out to NY to see one show this is the one to catch...The Whitney Biennial! The Times gives a sneek peek of what's to come. I saw the last Biennial and it was well worth the trip...even when I had to wait in the cold in a line that wrapped around the block! Hey, maybe we detroiters can coordinate an art trip to NY?

A couple lectures on Thursday

At the COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES:
The Woodward Lecture Series presents
A lecture and discussion with JUAN RAFAEL CORONEL RIVERA
Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Wendell W. Anderson Jr. Auditorium
Walter B. Ford II Building (corner of John R and Frederick Douglass
streets)
CCS campus, Detroit
free and open to the public

JUAN RAFAEL CORONEL RIVERA is a curator, writer, art historian and grandson of the famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera (he is the sole offspring of renowned Mexican painter Rafael Coronel and his wife Ruth Rivera). Mr. Coronel Rivera has curated several exhibitions on the art of Diego Rivera as well as on contemporary Mexican artists. He is currently working on a book on the murals of Diego Rivera to be
published by Taschen. Mr. Coronel Rivera is also a photographer, poet and major collector of Mexican ceramic folk art.

********************

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY presents a lecture by
VINCE CARDUCCI, critic
"GETTING OVER AND GETTING ON, AN AUTOETHNOGRAPHY"

Thursday December 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Bernath Auditorium
Adamany Undergraduate Library W.S.U.

Vince Carducci is a critic who has published widely on contemporary art, culture, and society in national and regional magazines and papers including Art in America, Sculpture, and MetroTimes, as well as scholarly print and on-line journals. He is widely known for his thought-provoking writing and broad range of knowledge. Less well known,however, is his background as an artist and, in particular, performance
work he pursued from 1987-2000 while a vice president of Standard Federal Bank (now part of LaSalle Bank). In his talk Mr. Carducci will return to that work, its reception, and its relationship to his subsequent career.

Gallery anyone???

Anyone interested in starting a gallery?

Cheap rent in great location! There are two units for rent in Ferndale that could serve as a gallery space. It is zoned to be a gallery...I have been pondering the notion lately and even found a possible partial backer. Check out space 1 $400/month and 2 $600/month. Any ideas or comments??? Would I be crazy to.......

Art in the Free Press...finally!

Did anyone catch yesterday's paper? Well...in the entertainment section on the front page was a huge feature on Metro Detroit's art galleries! The spead comes at a great time to promote holiday buying of art! The only thing I noticed was they seemed to have forgotten a few like District Arts, KIDD, 555.....oh, well...at least they are trying, right?

Gallery of Wearable Art

When I joked about Batista having the best exhibit up now that it has closed...turning into a wig show, I guess I spoke to soon! I guess in the art world if you can think it...it's been done. This wig shop in Chelsea is an acutally exhibit at a gallery though!

Ambient cash n' carry show

Here are some pics of the art in the Ambient Gallery group show. The show was a "safe" representation of current Detroit artists ranging from more decorative artists to up and coming artists like Scott Hocking and Jessica Erickson.



 Lynn Galbreath (top and bottom)











Scott Hocking

Jessica Erickson



Steve Dabbs

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Gobble, gobble!

Insert Object, and Out Comes an Artful Replica

You have to check this story out in the ny times!!! Really, this story is amazing...and a short read for those who loose interest in long internet stories. Also be sure to look at the slide show.

..."Over the past week, the group has turned the gallery into a sociable, raunchy, pixilated all-night version of Santa's workshop, pumping out free art on demand, and turning the image of a money-choked, object-clogged New York art world on its head."...read on.
..."Therapy would come in handy. The six people have been locked in together for a week. Although the windowless box is equipped with beds, a toilet, cooking facilities and food, it has no telephone, television, radio or computer, or any other means of contacting the outside world. The box-dwellers have no way of telling the time of day, or the day of the week."

Batista....or.....

Wow, it looks like Batista Gallery has a really cool exhibit....or it could just be a new wig shop that has moved in! Either way, I was a little frightened while looking through the windows at night.

looks like a debate starting....

anyone else got something to say?

Hilberry review part II: Blank Canvas reports

Although many might guess that "Blank Canvas" is just an alter ego of myself that provides reviews that I do not want my name attached to, you are wrong. I sometimes like a different art angle...one that isn't jaded by art school, art hype, or fancy art speak. I enjoyed the Hilberry show: again I am a sucker for a painting show, but here are a few questions I asked Blank Canvas about the show:

So, would you pay $65,000 for this? (assuming you were rich)

I frequently like to assume I'm rich. I book meals at fancy restaurants and take dates there so I can impress them. It's always a good time and we really enjoy ourselves - until the bill comes. All the assuming in the world won't pay those bills! Anyway, yes, I would pay $65,000 for that piece if I was rich. Reasons: 1) In person, the face is sort of holographic and haunting, though the overall composition is a tad boring. (i.e. I like the piece) 2) Ellen has a good resume (i.e. investment potential)

 

Do you think Susanne is taking a risk at showing such expensive works? What makes her gallery successful? (if you agree)

If this was any major city but Detroit, this would't even be a question! Sadly, it is here in Motown, where people regularly buy cars that are the size of my house (and cost as much!) but then buy "art" at the ann arbor art fair or target. If I see one more "nice" house with those f-ing "vino" posters "from Italy" I will scream! Buy real art. If you like this and can afford it, buy it. If you like something cheaper and can afford that, go with it. Just don't buy a poster or giclee.

Susanne's gallery is successful because she shows high quality art and has a network of collectors, I think. It's the one place in Detroit that does anything to slow the art drain in this town. By "art drain," I mean rich people and collectors who live in Detroit but`go to New York to buy art.

Is Clint the one who escapes Detroit and makes it...or just gets trapped into the "Detroit painter" title?

Clint can make it, if Clint decides to make it. Otherwise, he will be an "underappreciated painter from the Detroit-in-ruins school."


On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, what is this?

2, on a good day, when I'm drunk and feeling generous.

Art and Humor: good or bad? When the joke isn't funny anymore are you left with just bad art?

This joke will never get old! Look at all those rings on his hands - that is comedy!

I like to laugh. Why should art be exempted from that?

What is the first word that pops into your head?

Nurse!

The next words: How did I end up at primary space?

Heavenly?

This reminds me of those self-esteem/corporate motivational stores that were popular in the mid-'90s. Like those stores, I hope this painting goes away.

Does an all over composition bother you?

Nope. Did it bother God when He made leopards?

Susanne Hilberry Painting show

Rebounding from a somewhat safe drawing and ceramic show, Susanne Hilberry exhibited a daring painting show, which had some hefty price tags and some old local talent.  $70,000 for a Ellen Phelan original! It is wonderful to see an old wayne state grad and cass corrider artist who left Detroit, went to NY and has made it. It is also great to see susanne featuring Detroit talent from the past and the current/future that I believe she trusts in Clint Snider. I don't normally include pricing but I thought that this was an example of how galleries can offer a range from very saleable to a big collector pricing.

McLaughlin sold

McLaughlin $1200

McLaughlin $1200

McLaughlin $1200

McLaughlin $1200

Billy Sullivan $15,000

Billy Sullivan sold (that means this one probably sold for around 15K! good job to susanne's selling team!)

Anna Schachte $4000

David Deutsch $35,000 This was one of my favorites!

Ellen Phelan $65,000

Ellen Phelan- you can purchase this cool painting for only $70,000! No that isn't a typo!

Clint Snider $1200 If anyone is thinking of starting an art collection - I would definitely say Clint is a great buy now!

Clint Snider $1200

Clint Snider $5000



Holly Coulis $6500

Josh Smith $7000

Josh Smith $7000

Holly Coulis $4000



David Deutsch $10,000



Anna Schachte $4000

David Deutsch $23,000