bloggy

Taking One for the Team / Catalogue of Ships

Culture

Given the recent Scooter Libby trial, now seems like a good time to mention a short theater work that James and I saw last month as part of Target Margin’s season of plays inspired by classical Greek works. The theme of the play was scapegoats, and the title was “Taking One for the Team”. It managed to blend the stories of Iphigenia, Scooter Libby, plus others into a short sharp piece. It was created by the sound artist Michael Kraskin in collaboration with the cast. I loved the final speech of Iphegenia, inspired by a text of Euripides. In it she talks of how her sacrifice, and that of other Greeks, is necessary to show that the Greeks are civilized, and their enemies are barbarians.

Thanks to that production, I discovered the podcast he has been doing with David Terry since late 2005, titled Catalogue of Ships, with the title inspired by Homer’s “Iliad”. Thanks to the power of Odeo, I’m embedding a few of my favorite episodes so far. I’ve been listening in order, and I’m only through the first year so far. If you like Robert Ashley or Mikel Rouse, I think you’ll like these.

I chose Episode Three for its really beautiful sound design.

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Episode Four tells the story of David Terry in Greece in October 2001, and his attempt to cheer up some Afghan refugees with some song and dance.

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Suburbia

Art

 

Our art is supposed to be influenced by suburbia, not our lives.

 

That’s my favorite line from Advice from a Caterpillar, which we watched last week. Recommended for the gays, the art world, and all of us who love both.

Speaking of suburbia, Bill Owens’s series of photographs of that title is excellent. There is a book too.

 

bill-owens-suburbia.jpg

Bill Owens, Unititled, from Suburbia, ca. 1972-73, black and white photograph, 16” x 20”

 

Image from James Cohan Gallery

Sam Dargan at Rokeby (Pulse)

Art

I liked these dark political works when I saw them at Rokeby at Pulse.

When I saw this painting:

Sam Dargan at Rokeby (seen at Pulse art fair)

I was reminded of one of the most effective memorials I have ever seen — the Geschwister Scoll Platz in Munich. Click on the image to get a bigger version that is easier to read.

Here is an image from the gallery’s website:

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Sam Dargan, The great only appear great because we are on our knees, 2006

An art and culture ad network

Art

Many art bloggers such as myself would like to be compensated a bit for our time, or at least our hosting costs. In our case, our two blogs use up a lot of bandwidth, especially James’s.

I’m researching the possibility of setting up an art and culture ad network, so someone could come to one place and buy ads on various art and culture blogs, plus ArtCal if they so choose. It also would give those of us who want ads, but don’t want hyper-ugly animated ones, a chance I hope.

If you’re interested in such a thing, either as a publisher/blogger, or as a potential advertiser, drop me an email. Feel free to comment here as well if you have any ideas.

Angela Dufresne at Monya Rowe

Postcard

Angela Dufresne at Monya Rowe

Angela Dufresne, Kasper Hauser, 2007, oil on canvas, 30 by 45 inches

 

There are a lot of beautiful film-inspired paintings in Angela Dufresne’s latest solo show at Monya Rowe.

Linkage

Linkage

Sorry for the lack of posting. I’m finally starting to recover from the art fair cold/flu thing.

  • Dave Greenblatt, a collector I met via Bill Arning, has started a new blog with a focus on collecting for those without tons of money, including of lot of information on great multiples and editions. I hear he is even working on publishing a set with a group of interesting artists.
  • DUC is one of my favorite charities: “The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (DUC) distributes books on contemporary art and culture free of charge to rural and inner-city libraries, schools and alternative reading centers nationwide.” Their website has a video of Chuck Close talking about the program. It was started by the late great Bill Bartman of Art Resources Transfer.