A time to reflect

Maykr's previous posts act as a surrogate memory bank, as the one I was born with fades so easily these days.

So, this is the year kicked off with the Beacon School District having resumed management of the old Beacon High School, and in January held a community forum regarding future use and fate of the building. I understand it now, from passing words, there seem to be a couple of parties interested in the building.

As far as galleries in 2007 go, TenTents went dormant, although I believe it still retains the space at 502 Main. Of course a fresh crop of spaces opened up this year, beginning with Freshman Fine Art in January, which made it through October before expiring. Fovea Exhibitions Beacon Gallery opened in May; Open Space, MJ Art and Mount Beacon Fine Art in September, and Hermitage in December, adding a broader variety and depth to what we can see close to home.

Windows on Main St went off without any notable controveries in 2007, and Collaborative Concepts has settled into it's new niche with the annual Saunder's Farm exhibit in Garrison.

The best in-Beacon-exhibits on my list?
William Crow and Joel Holub at Go North in February.
Our War at Fovea Exhibitions, haunting and still in my mind.

Exhibitions that made an impact on me further afield in 2007:
Richard Tuttle at Sperone Westwater in NYC.
Bill Jensen at Cheim and Read, NYC.
Andrea Zittel at MOCA in LA.

I think the show I'd most like to forget was also at LA MOCA. Whack! Art and the Feminist Revolution was an endeavor of sappy nostalgia. The encyclopedic exhibition's organization, though edifying from a sociological standpoint, succeeded in degrading the potency some otherwise powerful work.

I invite you to comment on the most memorable exhibits and the real stinkers you saw this year. Really, I want to know.

When Santa Attacks II

A cluster of Santies rising from a chocomiasma.

So fond am I of last year's Christmas picture of Curry Mendes nearly being mauled by the Santa at the Yankee Clipper, I was going to post it again here. Instead, I've decided to embark on an annual series that explores the darker side of Santa in all its permutations.

Down in the West Village on Friday, we came across an operation churning out multitudes of chocolate Santas of all sizes.

The effect of the sight was some seemingly unholy production in preparation for a Santa clone war.

An infernal whirling mechanism that sets the process in motion.

This strain of Santa reproduces through a process of budding.

These elven entities, part Borg, part Terminator, all dark chocolate, rising out of the primordial soup to insinuate themselves into your season of peace, before shifting shape to reap a havoc on your holidaze from which you can't escape. No, you can't.

I dedicate the following yuletide message to Curry Mendes who is moving to LA this weekend. Have a Beary Christmas everyone!

Update: Ok, shortly after having written this post, I realized that that wonked out chocolate factory was Maccarone and what we were seeing was a Paul McCarthy installation.

Update II: Apparantly, them's ain't trees in Santa's arms.

Signs of Life

As I'm sure I mentioned before, I returned from my extended out in Denver late in the evening on Second Saturday, missing the openings, partially due to an unfortunate incident in Scranton involving the SUV in front of me and a beautiful collie. In all of my numerous cross country drives, if any in transit difficulties or headaches occur, they inevitably happen in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is the bane of my interstate life, and it always stands firmly between me and my destination. I hope the collie ended up ok; we loaded it into the back seat of a pizza delivery guy's car.

But that's not the point of this post.

Karlos emailed me a couple of days after my saying he had taken photos of the openings including the opening of Hermitage. I was like, what the hell is Hermitage? And he was like, like it's this great new space that opened on Saturday around the corner from the Howland Center. You should stop by. And I was like, yes, I will.

Jon and Christian in the bookstore.

So I did. This past Saturday, I went down and met the two people responsible for the joint, Christian Toscano and Jon Beacham, both artists and both recently relocated to Beacon. Upon entering the house in which Hermitage is housed, you step into a narrow wood panelled room that houses the book store portion of the space. As expressed in the statement below, the book store "focuses on small press publishing in America from the 1950's and 1970's."

Hermitage by night

The exhibition space occupies a good portion of the rest of the first floor and the second floor. Currently, on exhibit through January 1, "Overgrowth," mixed media drawings and paintings by Chris Oh.

Works by Chris Oh.

The place feels great. Clean in spirit and raw in energy, it's refreshing to see a new context for viewing art and experiencing creative intent here in town. I wish them well. Hermitage and Open Space, which sprung up suddenly several months back both have a focused, and unique program which I think will add wonderfully to what is available in Beacon's creative scene.

The view out of a 2nd flr window.
Hermitage is located at 12 Tioranda Ave., and it's open Thurs - Sun 12-6pm, Friday and Saturday til 8pm. The phone number is (845)765-1650.

Angelika Rinnhofer book signing in Katonah, NY, Dec 19

I'm tardy in passing this along. But that's nothing new.

Angelika Rinnhofer will be at the Katonah Museum of Art tomorrow, (Dec. 19) signing copies of her Contact Sheet monograph which has been produced to accompany her current exhibit, Sammelsurium, on view at Light Work in Syracuse NY through Dec 28.

Tomorrow's book signing event is being co-hosted by the Katonah Museum of Art, and The Harvey School, and will take place 6-7:30pm.

Copies of Contact Sheet will be available for purchase. More information here.

The Katonah Museum of Art is located at: Route 22 at Jay Street Katonah, New York 10536

Images: Second Saturday, Dec 2007

Karlos Carcamo sent along these images from last week's Second Saturday openings:

Gary Jacketti, Works on Paper at bau:

Evolve/Dissolve, group show at Go North:

The work of Chris Oh at the Inaugural opening at Hermitage:

Christian Toscano, and Jon Beacham of Hermitage.

Limited Run at Open Space:

There will be more of Karlos' Second Saturday photos on the maykr flickr page by mid week.

Images from Beacon Open Studios, Dec. 2007

Here are some images from last weekend's open studios. Photos courtesy of Stacy Ward Kelley

Grey Zeien's studio.

Mighty Richard Bruce in his studio.

Rick Price in orange, and Rick Price in green.

Stacey Ward Kelley in her studio.

Thomas Huber in his studio with Jen Bradford and Kathy Feighery.

On This Weekend

Van Brunt Gallery is opening a new exhibit of work by Win Zibeon and Norm Magnusson tonight with a reception from 6-9pm.


There is an artist talk scheduled for 2pm tomorrow, at the Ann Street Gallery in Newburgh, to coincide with the gallery's current exhibit "Handle with Care: Glass Works" The Ann Street Gallery is located at 1o4 Ann St in Newburgh. For more info, call (845) 562-6940 x 8 or (845) 656-1132.

Beacon Art Postcard Archive

Maykr.com, in cooperation with bau, is initiating the Beacon Art Postcard Archive.

The printing of postcards has long since become de rigeur in the process of putting together an exhibition, and in away represents a very simple form of self publishing. Taken as a whole, over a period of time these artifacts, which tend to linger in disheveled collections on coffee shop and gallery windowsills well beyond the exhibition dates, create a physical record of the temporal flow of creative activity in a community. The intent of the Art Postcard Archive is to gather these promotional pieces together and create an historical record of the artistic activities in Beacon and Surrounding Areas. The parameters of the archive are a bit fuzzy right now, allowing for flexibility. Essentially, the collection will focus on all art exhibitions and events that have taken place in Beacon, and in the immediate area as well as exhibitions and events in areas further afield that include local artists, and those involved in the creative community in and around Beacon, NY. In addition to postcards, the archive will accept small flyers or similar material.

If you have operated a gallery in Beacon, if you are an artist living, working, showing art in and around Beacon with postcards promoting shows you've had here and elsewhere concurrent to your connection to Beacon, we'd appreciate the donation of a single copy for the archive. The archive will take the form of a box that will initially be housed at the Beacon Artist Union at 161 Main St. with postcards arranged chronologically. We intend the archive to remain an open source record, that, eventually, will be donated to the Beacon Historical Society. Adding current material to the archive is obviously easier than gathering older materials so we are interested in collecting any postcards from previous years and would appreciate any assistance in gathering material from past exhibits. If you'd like more information or if you have questions, contact me at info(at)maykr.com.

If you have postcards to add to the archive, feel free to drop them off at bau, or contact me directly. Also, if you have any questions or would like more information shoot me an email.

"Calling Out" at Howland Center, Dec 15 7pm

The Howland Center will be hosting Calling Out 07: Visions and voices of Beacon. Described as a "a stirring “Intergenerational Evening of Drama, Poetry & Music," the performance includes performances by five women of different ages.

Calling Out cast members include Goldee Greene, with Hedina Cristiner, Dareshanie Graham, Sanaa Shabazz, Sarah-Elisabeth and Michelle Rhone-Collins.
Beacon High School teen performers are Pamela Gadsden and Tatiana Hunter. Gwenno James is production designer.
Most material is written/created by Ms. Greene, Ms. Christiner, Ms. Graham and Ms. Hunter. Additional material provided by Jack Sine, past staff writer of the Beacon Dispatch.
A Question & Answer session + refreshments will follow the show.
Donation: $5.00 Adults Children under 14 free.

Dia:Beacon Gallery Talk Dec 15 1pm

Another monthly Gallery Talk will be held this Saturday at 1pm at Dia:Beacon. Barbara Schroeder will be speaking on Blinky Palermo. Talks are free with admission, but reservations are recommended. To make reservations, call 845-440-0100 ext 44.

Settling in

I made it back home this weekend, and I am reacclimating myself after my extended stay out West.



Before I left town, I noticed a for rent sign in the window of Freshman Fine Art. Driving by there yesterday I saw the space is now empty.



Last Weekend's Enjoy section of the POJO included a feature on Open Space's "Limited Run" exhibit of prints and zines.



Alison Moritsugu's exhibit at The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center is the subject of a write up in the Honolulu Star Bulletin from Dec 9. The story includes several images of exhibition artworks.



If you're interested in hearing more about the recent news that the Dia Foundation is selling its building in Chelsea, Tyler Green of MAN had a brief conversation yesterday with Dia Director Jeffrey Weiss on the subject of the sale, and the fate of the Jorge Pardo piece.



Also, befitting the season of giving, Tyler has highlighted an organization called DonorsChoose.org which allows donors to choose and directly fund small projects posted by public school teachers. Everyday through Christmas, Tyler will feature one project on his blog. Yesterday's project came from a teacher in Fort Wayne, Indiana hoping to build an art book library for her students.

More on this weekend in Beacon and Peekskill

Here's some additional information on goings on this weekend:

Gary Jacketti is showing some works on paper at bau; opening will be held from 6-9pm. Gary is also taking part in the open house at Beacon Studios from 1-5pm on Saturday.

In addition to the Saturday evening opening at Go North, the gallery is presenting a short video work by David Grainger called "Microphone Check" at the Beacon Studios (opposite Rm #101 from) 1-5pm.

On Sunday, in Peekskill, HVCCA will be hosting a Slam poetry workshop and performance by Eric "Zork" Alan.

One-line review

Here is one blogger's one line review of Dia:Beacon:

We were not all that happy with what was on display, but that didn't ruin the trip for us.

Rakin' it in

December is here and along it comes the annual program of a multitude of small work group shows cooked up to serve art in buyit sized portions meant to tease some attention from your wallet.

It's a fanciful idea. It's an idea that entices one covet a little more that low hanging fruiart just within the reach of a little coin. And it's an idea whose ubiquitousness just softens my stool. Please, do go to a mall for crying out loud.
It's not a big deal, but each December, I'd really like to hear more about shows that may very well be unattainable or unaffordable and at the very least unpandering to one's panicky sense of purchasing before a deadline. That's why, at least on the face of it, this exhibit feels particularly refreshing and timely. I haven't seen it yet, but I will do so when I finally make it back home....Here's Jerry Saltz's giddy review of Urs Fischer at Gavin Brown's Enterprise.

So, anyway. Next weekend is Second Saturday, and I'll miss it as I expect to be somewhere in the Central Time Zone traveling in an easterly direction. But here is what I know now:


Ann Polashenksi, Japanese Interior Obliteration.
Go North will be having an opening for a group exhibit called Evolve/Dissolve. Although this is a group show, in December, the press release contains neither the word "gift" or "affordable." The press release does include the words "Fallujah, " "underpinnings" and "debris stream." Happy Holidays. The artists included in the exhibit are: Jonathan Allen, Aaron Sing Fox, Julie Anne Mann, Sarah Moran, Anne Polashenski and Stacy Seiler. Go North is located at 469 Main St. The reception will be happening from 6-9pm.

Jennifer Ruell-Huckell, Spellbound, mixed media.
Also opening on Saturday: The Cult of True Womanhood: Reliquaries, Rituals, and Remedies by Jennifer Ruell-Huckell at Zahra Studio, 496 Main St. Regarding the piece Spellbound:

This piece is a play on old wife's tales and witchcraft and the desperation felt to find a man and keep him. The largest box is filled with three vials containing, hair, fingernail clippings, and blood. It is to be
believed that an actual piece of a person's body is the most potent ingredient in spells of the heart. The four other containers have actual love spells written on them including, To Get A Man, To Keep A Man, Arousing His Lust, and To Make Him Come Back To You. The containers are filled with objects to aid in the casting of the spells.

In the event that you don't get what you want from Santa, you ladies, and some
men too, have another course open to you.

Dec 2007 Beacon Open Studio Map.

The Beacon Art Salon is sponsoring city wide Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday from 1-5pm. Beacon Studios (specifically the artist studios housed in the old high school, not to be confused with the general notion of artist studios located in Beacon) will be holding their Holiday Open House from 1-5pm on Saturday.

On Sunday from 1-2pm the Chthonic Clash (460 Main St.) will be hosting a booksigning/music event. Beacon illustrator and artist, Sharon Watts will be reading selections from her recently published book, "Miss You, Pat: Collected Memories of NY's Bravest of the Brave, Captain Patrick J. Brown," and Kathleen Pemble will sing songs from her CD, "Learning To Listen Again. " More information on the event can be found here.

By the way, I do have a selection of reasonably priced porn-based paintings in an array of festive colors well suited for the Season. What better way to experience the splendor of sharing by giving your loved one a bit of subliminal smut.

Opportunities...

Here are a couple local call for entries:

Deadline: Dec 8, 2007
GAS small works juried show, Pougkeepsie.
You can find a prospectus on the gallery's website.

Deadline: Jan 15, 2008
WELCOME MURAL - BEACON, NY
The Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA) seeks proposals for wall art to serve as a
Welcome Gateway to Beacon’s Main Street to be sited on the side of a highly visible building located at the corner of Main Street and Route 9D.

The wall art will be located on the brick wall directly above the outdoor terrace of the Muddy Cup Coffeehouse, 129 Main Street. The wall art will be created as a digital print on vinyl from an image provided by the selected artist. It will be mounted on the wall for at least one year and no longer than 3. The final dimensions of the wall art will be 16 feet wide x 26 feet high. The selected wall art will be installed by art installers working for BACA.

Mural project details can be found at BACA's website.

Philipstown Depot Theatre presents Not God, Dec 1, 8pm

The Philipstown Depot Theatre in Garrison will be presenting a staged reading of Not God - A Play in Verse written by HVCCA co-founder Marc Straus. The production will be directed by Nancy Robillard and actors Jennifer Dorr White and Peter Van Wagner will be reading the parts of the patient and the doctor.

Marc Straus, author of three books of poetry, is a distinguished medical oncologist, art curator and award-winning poet whose literary work has been performed in venues throughout the country. The poems in his latest book Not God -A Play in Verse document one woman's encounter with cancer, a journey through illness whose end, while inevitable, is also unknown. Alternating with the words of her doctor, these poems form a remarkable dialogue of the flesh becoming word, and of the body inventorying --and finally transcending- its limitations. His poems peer into the soul, grasping the hearts of the audience. Straus brings vision to his profession through powerfully reflective themes, revealing the hopes, fears, victories, and defeats in the face of devastating chronic disease.

The reading is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 8pm. The Depot Theatre is located at Garrison Landing, Lower Station Road, Garrison New York.
For information and directions, call 845 424 3900 or log onto www.philipstowndepottheatre.org or e-mail membership@philipstowndepottheatre.org

Ticket prices are: $15.00 adults: $12.00 Students

Catching up and things i missed

Daniel Spitzer, Diorama #2, 2007, Sculpted glass, wood, paper, charcoal.

Jill Reynolds and Dan Spitzer are among the NY glass artists included in the Ann St. Gallery's current exhibit "Handle with Care: Glass Works." The other artists featured in the exhibit are: Glenn Able, Suzan Etkin, Brenden Fitzgerald, Nick London and Michiko Sakano.

Jill Reynolds, Revision, 2005, Blown and flameworked glass, brick, water, corks, monofilament.

The exhibit opened this past Saturday. On December 16 at 2pm, the gallery will host an illustrated talk where the artists will discuss their work and processes.

The Ann Street Gallery is located at 104 Ann Street in Newburgh, and it's open Thurs-Sat, from 11-5pm and by appt. For more info, call (845) 562-6940 x 8 or (845) 656-1132.

Albert Shahinian Fine Art in Poughkeepsie is exhibiting work by photographer Billy Name and painter Margaret Crensen. This show also opened on Saturday. Kathleen interviewed Name for her write up in last weekend's Enjoy section. The gallery is located at 196 Main St. in Poughkeepsie.

Finally, back in Beacon at Zahra Studio, Jennifer Ruell-Huckle is exhibiting what sounds like a multitude of items in various media for her show, "The Cult of True Womanhood , Reliquaries, Rituals, and Remedies." The exhibit will be on view through January 30.

Michael Zansky at Sandy Carson Gallery in Denver.

Almost finally, I'm in Denver still for another two weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that Michael Zansky, from the Hudson's other shore, is currently exhibiting at the Sandy Carson Gallery in Denver. Here is a write up on Zansky's show by Michael Paglia in Westword.

Absolutely finally, another recent NY in Denver item; Michele Mosko, who I met via our mutual activities at HVCCA in Peekskill, is a fellow Denver native. She just recently moved back out here, opening her gallery, Michele Mosko Fine Art, around the corner from my old pad. This weekend's Denver Post featured a write up of Michele's space by Kyle MacMillan.

I'm a bit behind right now, but I have been posting on things that I've been seeing over at my personal blog.

transience opening tonight at Caberet Voltaire in Poughkeepsie

Cabaret Voltaire at 358 Main St, Poughkeepsie, will be hosting an exhibit of 2 multimedia installations and three outdoor performances.

Participating Artists are:
Sukran Aziz, Karen Dolmanisth,Kirtland Snyder, Matt Slaats, and Fuat Yalin.

The opening will be happening today from 4-8pm. The exhibit runs through December 23.

Cabaret Voltaire
358 MAIN STREET POUGHKEEPSIE NY 12601 TEL/ FAX: 845-473-1181 sukranaziz@aol.com

The moment I wake up. Before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you....

Tomorrow morning you can awaken to the dulcet tones of Steven Evans, Mayor Gould, Mayor-Elect Steve Gold and several other of your neighbors as WAMC will be broadcasting the Morning Roundtable program from Dia:Beacon. The program airs from 9 am to noon 103.9 fm in Beacon, or you can listen live online.

In other Dia related goings on, The NY Sun reports on the Dia Foundation's recent Gala and talk of the foundation's approaching some form of permanent home in the NYC.

looking back

In case you missed it, Open Space's blog has many pics of their gallery opening and the Next Step Party from Saturday.

Also, you can find images from Angelika's exhibit opening in Syracuse last Thursday on her blog.

And I have posted images from my exhibit with Marc Willhite in Colorado, which opened the Saturday before last, on my blog.

Feighery in the POJO

Kathy Feighery's work is highlighted today in Kathleen Murray's column in the POJO's Enjoy section.
Kathy's latest paintings will be on view at VanBrunt Gallery along with the work of Ilse Schreiber-Noll and Valerie Bogdan. The opening reception will take place tomorrow from 6-9pm.

Second Saturday, November 10, 2007

Here's what I know about this upcoming Second Saturday: (links can be found in the side bar. Help yourself.)

Opening this week @ Fovea Exhibitions Beacon Gallery, Ziyah Gafic, "Love Thy Neighbor: Bosnian Diaries." There will be a reception, Nov 10 from 4-8pm.

@ Go North: Celeste Fichter, "Northern Light" Reception from 6-9pm.
@ Vanbrunt Gallery: Well, I know Kathy Feighery will be showing at VanBrunt, but I'm not sure who else will be there, so consider it something to look forward to-like easter.
@ Open Space: "Feeling it Out," work by Andy Rementer, Alex Purdy, Mike Perry and Garrett Morin.
@ bau: I believe Franc Palia will be showing work this month.
@ RiverWinds, the Holiday Group Show

Although I'm sure more is going on, that's about all the info I have at the moment from my current remote location.
Don't forget, The Next Step After Party at the Piggy Bank @ 10pm with Paul Nice and El Jef(f)e.

The Aldrich Revisited

Meticulously rendered is how one can describes a majority of the exhibits on view currently at the Aldrich. We headed out to see Charlotte Schulz's exhibit during the opening reception on September 15.
I believe there are five separate exhibits at the Museum right now.
On the first floor, Marti Cormand's work consists of highly photo realistic works of rugged, remote landscapes rendered in oil or watercolor, many with monochromatic scenes highlighted with the components of a highly colored, fantastical infrastructure. My favorite works were the black and white watercolor pieces with the additions of these cartoon structures. The larger oils had less substance and seemed to exist more for the demonstration of technical prowess than any other purpose, and another series of oil on paper pieces, though wonderfully rendered began to feel gimmicky.
As I walked into in the gallery of James Prosek's exhibit "Life and Death-A Visual Taxonomy," something struck a note of familiarity within me. Later, I recalled having read and clipped out an Inc. magazine article from 1999 about a brand and mini-merchandising industry being created around a precocious 23 year old angler and illustrator. That brand in the making was James Prosek.
This current exhibit follows the meme of the naturalist as artist, a la James Audubon. This exhibit is very much like a contemporized Audubon redux, except, I don't see anything being either added to the vernacular or exploiting it for conceptual purposes as others have done . I don't mean to take anything away from him, but to equate the addition of decorative, colored contour lines emanating from the extremities of Prosek's illustrated birds with "his increasing conceptual approach to his work" is a stretch. These colored arcs of 'conceptualism' feel more akin to what I'd expect to find on a throw pillow on the Golden Girls' sofa. The truly engrossing part of this exhibit is the collection of taxidermied birds laid out on either their backs and bellies on small platforms floating about three or four feet off the ground. The elegance and sensitivity conveyed by these specimens in the manner in which they've been prepared, by the artist himself, could almost stand alone as an exhibit - minus the clever arcs of red decorating the platforms on which they sit. The exhibition literature invokes the names of Mark Dion and Alexis Rockman as Shazia Sikhander and Nusra Latif Qureshi as sharing qualities with Prosek's work. But Prosek is not Mark Dion, and framing his work in such terms feels as if Martha Stewart were allowed to claim jump on Andrea Zittel's territory.

Next was Charlotte's show, "A Insufficiency in our screens," and by far, it's the one I enjoyed most. I know I sound like a major hometown booster, but that is my assessment. I enjoy her work, although there is so much imagery blending together that it's really hard to digest in one short sitting, and with so many pieces together, it's a lot to take in. But the show is installed well, the pieces work well on the rust colored walls, which we learned from Charlotte's' husband is the color in their bedroom(sort or an insider's tip.) I was pleased to see the added element of applying her drawing to bent and folded paper. I'm intrigued by the quality it brings to the work. It's the physical manifestation to what she's been creating pictorially for some time; bending moment and reality in and out of view. I find the spacial dimension really appealing, and I see exciting possibilities with this direction of the work.
Outside the museum is a piece by Michael Somoroff called "Illumination". It looks like a miniature iceberg/band shell. The sculpture, which when seen from inside the museum where it is viewed from the rear(I think) portends an ominous, but graceful discovery around its bend. However, walking around the piece was utterly disappointing, and it took on the semblance of a piece of playground equipment lacking the fun. I don't intend to be overly cheeky, but as I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the Lyle Lovett Lyrics:

Now I crept up from behind her/She looked so fine to me/But when I stepped around her man/My eyes could plainly see/She was ugly from the front/She was ugly from the front/...And I said ugly-ugly-ugly-ugly-ugly.....

Of course, let's remember, lest the critic gets to be too big in own heady sense of self, the song reminds him: "But you ugly too."
The effectiveness of the piece is enhanced by the accompanying literature that explains that the form is basically a physical manifestation of a volume of illumination as light enters through the window of a virtually created mosque.
In any case, this is of those instances where the concept of a piece is far more satisfying and interesting than its execution.

A plea for state funding of the Fulton-Hudson 400th Anniv.

I'm very late in posting Joe Bertolozzi's email with a link to Governor Spitzer's office urging folks to write and voice their support for funding for events celebrating The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial.

Joe's been working on securing funding and corporate sponsorship for his ambitious project, and as far I know, there's been little response from the corporations he's contacted. His Bridge Music project has been featured in news reports in several countries. If you haven't seen it, here is the feature the NYTimes did on the project, including video.
This project will be a technical and physical feat. Some 22 musicians will be positioned high and low on the bridge playing structure as an instrument in a live performance.

To sit down an speak with Joe is to understand that he is wildly passionate and committed to this project and he has done his homework. It's taken him years to get to this point, and this project has all of the markings of the signature event of this major historical anniversary. It seems to me that the cache of being linked with such a project during such a visible region-wide celebration would make a lot of sense in portraying the area as an enclave of creative, and innovative activity. Let's not forget the potentially marketable poetry that the image of a singing bridge and all of the metaphorical fodder that could be expoited by a progressive company. If a Verizon or a Central Hudson can't be bothered to be involved, I'd hope that an AT&T, TMobile, or some other communication or tech company from outside the area would sweep in and put their brand on this event pointing out that pioneering creative spirit knows no boundary.
But that's a separate matter. Here's Joe's email:

The Governor's office is reviewing budget 08-09 funding for among other things, the Hudson Quadricentnnial.

If you'd like to help, click
here http://161.11.121.121/govemail or http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html
to send him an e-mail, and an say that:

Please consider generous funding of the
Hudson-Fulton Quadricentennial. It would benefit NYS
economically by drawing thousands of tourism dollars. Millions have already seen the articles in NY Times, AP, Reuters, NPR, AOL, BBC, Japanese TV, etc. about Joseph Bertolozzi's "Bridge Music" a monumental artistic endeavor worthy of the Empire State that
celebrates the Mid Hudson Bridge, the Hudson River and the valley. Slated for 2009, Bridge Music is seeking official Quadricentennial endorsement and there would be a mutual benefit to the collaboration between Bridge Music and NYS.

You may cut and paste the above paragraph if you like or use your own words. I appreciate your consideration in helping to bring 'Bridge Music' to fruition.
My very best,
Joe

Angelika Rinnhofer at Light Work in Syracuse NY.

Angelika Rinnhofer's exhibit Sammelsurium will be opening on Nov 5 at Light Work in Syracuse, NY. A reception for the artist will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8. The exhibit will be on view through Dec 28.

Continental divide

I had a delightful drive cross country this week and made it into Denver last night. Next week I'll be preparing for an exhibit I'm doing with Marc Willhite at the Curtis Arts and Humanities Center in Greenwood Village, CO. The Center is located just south of Denver, and the exhibit opens on Saturday Nov, 3. Marc and I will be giving a gallery talk on Thursday Nov, 15 at 5:30. I'll be posting more informatin and images from the show at christopheralbert.com and my personal blog. The exhibit will be a selection of paintings sculpture and installation work that investigates the Six Memos for the Next Millenium by Italo Calvino.

Also in Denver next week: Michael Zansky, from Rockland County will be exhibiting work from his Supreme Court Series at the Sandy Carson Gallery in Denver beginning on Nov, 2.

Jazz standards in POK by Margaret McDuffie

In continuing the thread from the previous post of performance this weekend, Margaret McDuffie has been performing jazz standards as on the last Friday of every month at The Dubliner Irish Pub in Poughkeepsie.

And so shall she be doing so this evening with her trio partners. The line up is:

Margaret McDuffie - vocals
Eddie Diehl - guitar
Lew Scott - bass

Showtime is 7-10pm

The Dubliner Irish Pub
796 Main Street (just east of Raymond Ave.)
Poughkeepsie, NY(845) 454-7322
They are dressing up the sidewalk, so you will need to enter the Dubliner's parking lot from an alley off of Raymond Ave.

Flying Swine: Poe's Mask of the Red Death. This weekend only.

Beginning tonight, Flying Swine will be performing Edgar Allen Poe's Mask of the Red Death in the theatre at Beacon Studios. Poe's The Raven will also be presented.

Performances will be held at:

8pm Friday, Oct 26

7pm &10pm Saturday, Oct 27

7pm Sunday, Oct 28

Admission: Adults, $10. Students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more, $7

For information and reservations, call the Swineline: 845-230-7010.

I could be wrong, but I believe that these performances will be the first to be held in the old high school's theater since the students moved in 2002. At one point, here were big plans for the use of the theater under the direction of The Beacon Cultural Foundation, but other than a few community meetings, I think the theater has remained dormant for years. If someone knows otherwise, please let me know.

On the lay of the land and the remote survey

America Sive India Novaby Michael Mercator, first printed in 1595.
From a catalogue entry by Andre Guimand "Sixteenth-Century Renaissance Cartography"
appearing on a website for the Art history 110 course at Cornell University.
Ulster Publishing, the publisher of the Weekly Almanac, and the recently emergent Dutchess Beat has produced a special publication this month heralding all things Fall here in the Hudson Valley. The resident art writer Paul Smart has written a 'cliff notes' description of the character of art activity in the towns and areas around the Valley.

In the past, Paul Smart has written about art in Beacon in terms of two anchors of art on Main St.- bau and VanBrunt Gallery, one very special lady, one touted renaissance that hasn't yet turned the corner, and not much else. In this recent fall overview, Smart does allude to other spaces beside the the two aforementioned bastions of Beacon Art. The Concentric and Backroom gallery are mentioned as two of a number of galleries to open recently near Van Brunt (Backroom has been open since 2002 in the backroom until last year when it spread into the store front.) I'm guessing that Smart was referring to Go North when he mentioned Concentric since Concentric Gallery was located at the other end of Main St (near bau.) and has not recently opened, but recently closed after three years of doin bidnizz.

Visitors spurred on by Smart to trek to Fovea, "a worldclass space for documentary photographers" might be a little disoriented as he placed the gallery "above the firehouse" near bau when it's on the ground floor of single story building across the street and around the bend from the firehouse. On the upside, these folks will be treated to a glass blowing demonstration and gently put back on track by the fine folks at Hudson Beach Glass.

I know Mr Smart has been to Beacon at least once. I've seen him. I just wonder if he's getting his intelligence from scurvy-afflicted culture pirates that, along with doggie bags from the Piggy Bank, have brought back tales from the distant southern reaches of Dutchess County. *

Alas dear reader, lest you thinkst I sit here before my computer fuming at the indignancy that this misrepresentation of location has wrought upon my fair ville, let it be known that I realize that mere facts are fungible and snark can be a rewarding hobby. An thank goodness somebody is writing about art.

On another note, in the realm of opens and closures, I've heard that Freshman Fine Art will be closing, and I noticed a for rent sign in the gallery's window.

For your navigation pleasure, here is a google map highlighting art venues in Beacon, NY.

* Please note that I am not implying in any way that the food at the Piggy Bank promotes the development of scurvy in its customers. There are indeed salads and other sources of Vitamin C on the menu, I'm sure. Just not in the pulled pork sandwich.

Goings on at Dia:Beacon, Oct 27

Dia is currently operating under the first phase of its winter hour schedule. Between now and Nov 12, the museum is open from Thurs to Mon, 11am to 4 pm.
From Nov. 16 to April 14 the museum will be open from 11 to 4, Fri. to Mon.

There are several events scheduled for this coming Saturday:
1pm, Gallery Talk: Tim Rollins on Robert Ryman.
2pm, Conversation: Lynn Cooke will be speaking with An-My Le
4-6pm, Reception: Public opening of George Trakas' Beacon Point.

Unfortunately, I'll miss these events as I'm currently in South Dakota, en route to Denver.

I'm waiting for Dia to offer podcasts of audio from gallery talks and other events. I have been present for some really good talks...and a few eh talks, but an online resource is something I would certainly appreciate.
I'm interested in hearing how Rollins approaches Ryman in his talk.
I'm also interested in hearing An-My Le discuss her suite of Trap Rock photos commissioned by Dia . I find the group of works to be a real yawner and I'd like to try to understand what she intended with this work. It could be said that the photos allude to the legacy of the Dia Foundation's relationship with the earthwork activities of Heizer and Smithson. It's possible that, within these photos, one could attribute a linkage between the invasive scuptural language of those far flung projects and the use of landscape as object/subject by artists of another time in this art-historically laden Hudson River Valley, and by framing the violence of man's exertion on the land, An-My Le creates a locally ocurring visual rhyme tying the cultural footprint of this museum to the efforts of those artists of the 19th Century who worked in this same place.
But it just doesn't roll with me. Looking at these, I keep thinking that I'd rather be looking at Burtynsky.

I came across a blog originating from a class at Vassar that has some recent photos of George Trakas' ongoing project at the waterfront.
Additionally, Matthew Coolidge will be speaking about the Hudson River School as part of Dia's Artist on Artists series down in NYC. Coolidge's talk will take place at 6:30 on Oct 29. More info on this and other stuff can be had at www.diaart.org

News from the Pumpkin Patch: Job opportunity

As an addendum from the previous post, more pumpkin carvers are needed for the Great Pumpkin Blaze:

wanted: artists to carve foam pumpkins (funkins) using pre determined templates....
start: asap until ? pay: $15.00/hr. contact: michael natiello, 914-217-8981, x18 or khamaidesign@yahoo.com.

Michael Natiello to brandish his knife on The Martha Stewart Show on Oct 25

A view of the undersea aquarium at The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor.
Photo by Matt Gillis.

Michael Natiello, local artist and overall crafty guy will be appearing on the Martha Stewart Show tomorrow, (Oct 25, 2007) demonstrating pumpkin carving techniques. Check your local listings.

Since it's inception, Michael has over seen the creative preparations for The Great Pumpkin Blaze held every year at Van Cortlandt Manor.

Three years ago, I was among the phalanx of carvers assembled to make short order of thousands of gourds while braving nonstop monsoon rains. Matt Kinney, Alexis Elton, Sara Mussen, Peter Iannarelli, and Jeff Caramagna were my carpool buddies and fellow carvers that year. I believe Sara was among the carvers last year too.

Matthew Kinney was not invited to appear with Martha.

Brown Bag tour: Charlotte Schulz at the Aldrich, Oct. 24 11-1pm

Charlotte Schulz at her opening at the Aldrich on Sept 16, 2007

Charlotte Schulz will be on hand for a discussion of her work as part of the series of Brown Bag Tours & Discussions at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT.

The discussion will be held on Weds. Oct 24 from 11am to 1pm. Visitors bring their lunch and the museum provides coffee tea and dessert.

For registration or other information, click on the link above.

Zahra Studio in the news and the news according to Zahra Studio

photo by Keith Zahra

Retrogression, the exhibit on view at the Gallery at Zahra Studio was featured in Kathleen Murray's column in POJO's Friday, October 19 edition.

Keith Zahra has recently added to his website his account of his drawn out and personally expensive fight with the City of Beacon to secure his ability to lawfully operate his tatoo studio on Main St.

In his narrative, Keith mentions a law passed in December 2000 that was intended to do an end run around his business' grandfathered status for a previous regulation limiting the approved locations for tattoo parlors to industrial areas. The cited law is from Chapter 223, Article III relating to General Regulations regarding zoning in the City's code.

Below is the text of the regulation:

K. Discontinuance of existing tattoo and body-piercing
parlors. [Added 12-4-2000 by L.L. No. 18-2000]
(1) Legislative intent. The
City Council hereby finds that certain business activities, in this case tattoo and body-piercing parlors, by their nature have seriously objectionable operational characteristics which can lead to significant impacts on the surrounding community. The City Council further finds that the establishment of such uses would be inconsistent with the existing development and future plans for the City of Beacon in that such uses often result in influences on the community which undermine its economic, physical and social welfare. Further, such uses have been found to contribute to the blighting of surrounding residential and commercial areas as a result of the deterring of investment in and improvement of surrounding properties. For these reasons, such uses can adversely impact the general health, safety and economic well-being of the entire community. In addition, the location of these uses may be in areas where youth may regularly assemble, and the general atmosphere encompassing their operation is of great concern to the City Council.
Prohibiting the establishment of tattoo and body-piercing parlors in the City will eliminate their potential accessibility to children and ensure that the effects of such businesses will not adversely affect the health, safety and economic well-being of the community. Further, it has been the experience of other municipalities, including the City of New York, that tattooing has led to increased cases of serum hepatitis. It has also been their experience that regulatory measures have proved ineffective in eliminating this health risk because of the inability to supervise tattooing establishments at all times. The City of Beacon also lacks the resources and personnel to supervise tattooing establishments on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, the City Council finds that in this City, as in other communities, a ban on tattooing
establishments under the City Code, except for medical purposes, is the only
feasible means of protecting the public against disease from this source.

(2) Discontinuance. The following provisions pertain to tattoo and body-piercing parlors which are in existence on the effective date of this section. Said tattoo and body-piercing parlors shall be discontinued for the reasons stated in Subsection K(1) above, in accordance with the following schedule which is based upon the amount of
capital investment involved in the conversion of a subject premises into a tattoo and/or body-piercing parlor. The owner of each building or the operator of each establishment to which this section pertains shall provide capital investment information, which has been certified by a registered architect or engineer, to the Building Department, and the Building Department shall have the authority to make the final determination as to the amount of capital investment which has occurred.
Capital Investment as of Effective Date of this Section
Date on or Before Which Use Shall Terminate
$0 to 25,000 June 30, 2001
$25,001 to $50,000 June 30, 2002
More than $50,000 June 30, 2003

The section I highlighted in red sounds more indicative of the kind of activity you're likely to find outside of our Main St. gas stations than what you'd ever see happening at Zahra's.

Keith has been touting October 15 of this year as the Lucky 7 Year Anniversary of when his struggle began.

It seems like this issue is still very much open, and so is Zahra Studio, but Keith wants this regulation stricken from the books so that he can operate lawfully and without fear of any capricious action of enforcement.

Folkert De Jong at HVCCA, opening reception and artist talk Oct. 21

Folkert de Jong, Studio view (detail) of Mount Maslow (2007)Styrofoam, polyurethane foam and pigment. Dimensions variable

Over the past week, Folkert De Jong has been taking a neatly stacked mountain of styrofoam blocks crowded into the storage and classroom areas at the HVCCA in Peekskill, and creating a slightly less tidy mountain for his current installation entitled Mount Maslow which will be opening this Sunday at the museum.

Folkert, who gave a highly enjoyable talk about his work at HVCCA back in November of 2005 will again be giving a talk at 4 pm on Sunday, Oct 21. A reception will follow the talk.

Gallery Talk @ Ann St Gallery Oct 21 2pm

Image by Eugene Cuttica.

On Sunday, Oct 21at 2pm, the Ann Street Gallery in Newburgh will be hosting a gallery talk in conjunction with the current group exhibit, Chi.

Argentinean artist Eugene Cuttica will be giving a talk entitled "Art as Chi."

Chi refers to the natural energy of the Universe, which according to Mr. Cuttica “permeates everything, all matter from the smallest atoms and molecules to the largest planets and stars. It is the vital force of life”. Mr. Cuttica will talk about how to connect to the “CHI” energy inherent in all things, and how “CHI” has been an inspirational force in the creating of his own artworks.

The Ann Street Gallery group exhibition entitled “CHI” features the work of nine Latin American artists and runs to October 27th.

This show was curated by Gallery Director Virginia Walsh and co-curator
Alejandro Dron.
Both events are free and open to the public. For more
information, please contact the gallery at: (845) 562-6940 x 8 or (845) 656-1132

Panel discussion & book signing @ Fovea Exhibitions Gallery Beacon, Oct 20

Photograph by Ron Haviv.Young teenage girls leave a refugee camp to gather firewood. For some the work will take
more than seven hours, and lead them past government checkpoints, which leaves them
vulnerable to attacks. Girls as young as 8 years old have been attacked, raped and killed
trying to collect fuel and water.

In conjunction with the current exhibition of work by Ron Haviv, The Children of Darfur, Fovea Exhibitions Gallery Beacon will be hosting a panel discussion and book signing.

The panel discussion, scheduled for 4pm, will focus on the current situation in Darfur. Participating panelists are: Ron Haviv, Alison Morley of the International Center for Photography and Ellie Tolmie of UNICEF.

After the discussion, Ron Haviv will be signing copies of the book Darfur, twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan (a compilation of images by world renown photographers)

Haviv's exhibit will be on view through Nov 4.

Open Friday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm, and by appointment.
Group tours available, please call 845 765 2199 or e-mail:info@foveaeditions.org
FOVEA EXHIBITIONS BEACON GALLERY 143 MAIN STREET BEACON NY 12508

Fovea Exhibitions Beacon Gallery launches program with talks by Ron Haviv

Fovea Exhibitions Beacon Gallery is launching an educational outreach program. This first endeavor in this program will happen Ron Haviv will be speaking with local junior high school students at the gallery on Friday Nov. 19.

The students are attending as a part of a local program designed to provide
lower-income youth with educational after-school alternatives to spending
time in the streets.

Earlier in the day, Haviv will be visiting with students of Beacon High and Washington High Schools.

Mr. Haviv is donating his time to educate these and other students on the plight
of the refugees in Darfur, including stories about young Sudanese teenagers
roughly the same age as the children to whom he will be lecturing. Mr. Haviv
will also be visiting the Beacon High School and Washingtonville High School
students earlier in the day. FOVEA is an educational charity designed to
promote awareness of international and domestic news events through the works
of photojournalism. It opened in May of this year, and this event marks the
start of FOVEA’s educational programs with regional schools and community
organizations.

For more information contact the directors:
Sabine Meyer 917 848 3436 SMeyer@FoveaEditions.Org
Stephanie Heimann 845 765 2199 Stephanie@FoveaEditions.Org