Saturday: Controversial Artist Saturno Butto @ Glass Garage Gallery
Controversial Italian Surrealist painter Saturno Buttò returns to Los Angeles with his solo exhibition Silent Opera at the Glass Garage Fine Art Gallery in West Hollywood, California on Saturday, June 2, 2007. A reception with the artist and performances by opera sopranos will commence at 5:00 p.m.
Buttò is known for creating lush, photorealistic paintings that resemble High Renaissance sacred paintings, but are concerned with subversive subject matter. Several of the paintings in the exhibition were inspired by the work of the notorious French body artist Gina Pane and the writings of the American feminist scholar Camille Paglia.
I am Italian and Italians are divided people, states Buttò. Camille Paglia wrote that civilized society is constantly at war with the forces in human nature that create sex, power, and control. Italian Catholicism attempted to tame these forces, but did so by appealing to pagan visual needs. Italian sacred painting, while attempting to exalt the spiritual, became the most saturated, sensual, decadent, and pagan artwork in history.
Since completing his formal training at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts in 1980, Buttò has exhibited in several dozen gallery and museum shows throughout Europe. His work created a sensation in European art markets and was met with controversy wherever exhibited.
I first came across Saturno's work by pure chance at the New York Art Expo in 1999. He immediately became one of my biggest inspirations and later, a friend. I'm honored to mention that there are new drawings of me at in this show, in addition to his many astounding oils. If you're near LA on Saturday, don't miss this chance to see Saturno Butto's brilliant work in person.
Glass Garage Fine Art Gallery is located at 414 N. Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90048.
Seven Brides Electrified -- Artistic Deviations of the Fairer Sex
The Jail Gallery presents a collection of art from seven fascinating young women. Loosely focused around the number 7, playful madness, sexuality and dreams, the works are as diverse and unique as the artists themselves.
Jennybird Alcantra's unhinged fairy tale works have been likened to those of Salvador Dali.
Award-winning neo-victorian illustrator Molly Crabapple founded Doctor Sketchy's Anti-Art School in New York.
Naomi Nowak was born in Stockholm, and creates phantasmagoric creatures and dreamscapes in her paintings and comic books.
Genevive Zacconi specializes in meticulously styled macabre oils and runs the Trinity Gallery in Philadelphia.
In addition to her intricate & eerie art, Kansas-born Kristen Ferrell has a darkly whimsical fashion line.
Camilla Taylor, whom you know as Roethke here on SG, makes perversely odd dolls and prints that embrace dissatisfaction with adulthood, and has a line of vegan erotic fashion.
I'm thrilled to be curating and showing my work. My paintings are best descibed as otherworldly, and could be glimpsed here.
The concept: "Once upon a time, seven maidens were locked in a turn-of-the-century jail. They were daughters of nobles, kidnapped by henchmen of a wealthy sheik. He hoped to take them back to his far-away palaces as wives, but first they had to be 'purified' in the jail's asylum. They endured captivity and savage electro-shock therapy, both meant to cure them of their deviant artistic inclinations. It was no use - fueled by electricity and suffering, our madness prevailed, and now the Jail opens its doors as a glorious monument to the work we've created."
Jail Gallery was founded in 2006 by Lisa Nardoni (Maria Mars).
It's a brand-new space downtown LA specializing in current voices of contemporary art.
The opening reception for Seven Brides Electrified will be held this Saturday April 7th, 2007 at 7pm, and is sure to be a sensational affair!
213.621.9567 --- thejailgallery.com
Jail Gallery
965 North Vignes Street Suite 5a
Los Angeles, CA 9001
Zoetica Ebb is a painter, SG style technician, alt. model, photgrapher & occasional cosmonomad. For further details, visit Zoetica's member page, or her portfolio website, BioRequiem.
Fawn Gehweiler: Baby Lemonade
Tonight in Oakland, CA, Fawn Gehweiler's new solo art show titled Baby Lemonade opens at Down at Lulu's. The reception runs from 6 to 9pm, so hurry on over to 6603 Telegraph Ave. if you're in the area, and read on to find out more straight from the artist.
Fawn, known for her gorgeous mod girls and bright vintage color palette, describes the drive behind her most recent work to SG readers: "This series is based almost entirely on nostalgia and the innate desire to create and disappear into an alternate reality reminiscent of the hazy dreamscape of my youth."
Born into a family of dropouts, drifters and dreamers, I grew up in a series of vans and boats and teepees, Swiss Family Robinson treehouses, secret forts and hand built solar powered hideaways in the mountains of Hawaii. I was raised in a time warp of late 60s and early 70s hand me downs, very much informed by psychedelia, and spent my entire childhood throwing mud pie tea parties and playing with pet wild boars in an endless parade of pinafore smocks, gingham bloomers, bibbed dresses and sailor suits inherited quite significantly after their heyday from cousins more than 10 years my senior, and falling in love with the tattered felt dolls and long forgotten cartoon characters that accompanied them in their journeys over the sea and into my wardrobe. This series is a deeper exploration into that personal iconography, the accouterments of a childhood always present in my work but never explained that serve to create a patchwork of my visual identity, and an exploration into the time and landscape from which these objects were born, well before my time, but still loaded with so much personal significance and forever fueling my sense of wonder.
SG: Share a sneak preview of your show with us! Which is your favorite piece?
FG: My absolute favorite piece in the show was actually inspired by a super-cute mod Japanese drag queen from the 60's film that I'm most obsessed with right now: Funeral Parade of Roses! (Pictured Below)
The History of SF in Buildings
Get a free crash course with the American Institute of Architects on the evolution and definition of San Francisco architecture. The new Center for Architecture + Design is celebrating its inaugural show tonight titled Informing the Future of Bay Area Architecture. The reception runs from 5:30 - 7:30 at 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600.
For the lazy or the afar, check out the AIA's architecture podcasts, aka ArchCasts, and get to know the buildings around you.
[The exhibition] highlights important architectural works in San Francisco and Marin county over the last 125 years through the trends and technologies that made them possible, from adobe to glass.
One of the West Coast's only galleries devoted solely to the exploration of architecture and design, the AIA San Francisco Gallery specializes in exhibitions showcasing the best of Bay Area design talent, while also exploring issues of national and international concern. Each month, panel discussions explore the issues and themes presented within the current exhibition.
Full Coverage with the NSKolectiv
This Fri, Oct 6th at Gallery AD in San Jose, CA, a show titled Full Coverage opens, showcasing a collection of full back ("shoulders to thighs"
tattoo pieces by the artists at NSKolectiv, a.k.a. the New Skool Kolectiv -- thirty-three pieces, to be precise, by eight artists over the course of 2 years. The show will include photographs of the work, the flash, and "the flesh", meaning you can see the tattoos for yourself in person.
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This approach of using the entire body as one canvas, as opposed to multitude of small planes, common in western methods, truly transcends what is commonly perceived as a tattoo. Throughout the generations, a select few tattooers have embraced and, after years of dedication, mastered this method. The members of the NSKolectiv attempt to approach this level that their predecessors climbed to and in turn introduce their own visual concepts into the timeless forms that have brought the craft of tattooing to this point.
The artists involved include Phil Holt, Horitaka, Jason Kundell, Nate Banuelos, Ron Earhart, Matt Shamah, Paco Excel and Adrian Lee. Gallery AD is located at 366 S. First Street in San Jose. The show runs through the month. For those crossing through San Jose a bit later in the month, October 20-22nd, a Convention on the Tattoo Arts will take place along with a book release party at the NSKolectiv show. For those missing out on the show entirely, check out a teaser for the forthcoming Full Coverage book and film at artists' website, where you can also pick up some flash.
Conversation with Felt Club
Felt Club is a small-scale craft show that throws down in Los Angeles on a monthly basis. Remember? The next one is coming up this Sunday, October 8th at the Echo. But wait!
For those who interested in shopping around the holidays, participating in a future Felt Club event, or just being part of what is sure to be a spectacular event, Felt Club has recently announced plans for an XL HOLIDAY show. Applications to participate in the December 9th event are due October 16. However, even if you don't craft, there are tons of ways to get involved. I chatted a bit with Jenny Ryan, creator of Felt Club, to find out more about the show, what will make the December event "XL", and how SG readers can be a part of it all.
SUSIE GHAHREMANI: What distinguishes the XL HOLIDAY show different from other Felt Club events?
FELT CLUB: Basically, we're doing the same show but on a much larger scale, with almost 3x the amount of vendors. Crafters really pull out all the stops when it comes to making stuff around the holidays, so if people think the wares at our monthly events are super rad, the stuff we'll be exhibiting at the XL Holiday show will be, like, super-spectacularly rad to the EXTREME! We're also encouraging more comic artist/illustator peeps to apply and have been really pleased with the results.
SG: What are some of the other planned festivities for the show besides the craft sales?
FC: We've got a full kitchen this time, which will be serving up delish treats from a fab local eatery (soon to be revealed), a chill-out lounge area staffed by crafty elves who will teach you to knit or decorate Xmas stockings with you, plus we're handing out swag bags full of free magazines, coupons, and small goodies from various local businesses. Music will be provided by DJs Dirty Robot and Lance Rock, and we'll be raffling off various prizes throughout the day (proceeds will benefit the gals behind the Indie Craft Documentary project.) CRAFT magazine will also have a presence, which should be a lot of fun.
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SG: How else can SG readers get involved in the show?
FC: Excellent question! We will be needing plenty of volunteers to help with everything from set-up to flyering to swag bag distribution, etc. Anyone interested in helping out should e-mail me at volunteer@feltclub.com and get ready to bask in the undying gratitude that is sure to follow. Even if you can't volunteer, helping us spread the word is totally appreciated. The first rule of Felt Club is PLEASE talk about Felt Club!
SG: Tell us a secret about the holiday show!
FC: Ooh, secrets! Well, don't tell anyone you heard it here...but there may just be a giant anthropomorphic bottle of glue attending our event. No, really! You'll just have to show up and see it for yourself.
Renegade Holiday Show
Midwestern crafters who missed out on being a part of Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago earlier this year have another chance. A Renegade Craft Fair just in time for the holiday season was recently announced. Applications are being accepted until November 1st, so get to it! The show will take place over the weekend of December 9th, hopefully not outdoors.
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Be sure to check back at the Renegade website for applications and more info.
Crafty Bastards
City by city, holiday shopping is already meeting its crafty maker as the weather gets cooler. This Sunday, October 1st, Washington D.C. offers up one of the most exciting shows on the East coast, so clear off your schedule and check out Crafty Bastards.
Crafty Bastards is an outdoor artists' market sponsored by the Washington City Paper featuring a ton of handmade and unique artisan wares atypical of your average craft show. Check out the enormous vendor list, which also includes the full entertainment roster for the day.
All the info you'll need to attend is here.
Banksy Recap and the Elephant in the Room
Last week saw the opening of enigmatic UK graffiti artist Banksy's living installation in Los Angeles, Barely Legal, the epicenter of which was in a mysterious warehouse in L.A. The location was announced the day of the opening and the show was only up for three days making it a bona-fide Happening and a chance for L.A. to briefly see what Banksy has up his sleeve. The show received a slew of visitors as well as a slew of criticism aimed at "the elephant in the room": one of Banksy's pieces, quite literally a live, captive elephant painted to blend in with the wallpaper.
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Way to be an ele-friend, Banksy. The artist was petitioned to remove the paint and th elephant Tai was scrubbed down for the remainder of the show as of Sunday.
Tongue-in-cheek, political and absurd, here are a few pieces and links to the respective blogs that captured them:
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Photo Location: "The red phone booth from Banksys show made a brief 'illegal' appearance on the streets of downtown
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See more aftermath in the Banksy Flickr group.
Kraftwork in Atlanta
Every first Thursday of the month from 7-10pm, Young Blood Gallery and Boutique in Atlanta, GA hosts an alternative artists' market called Kraftwork. According to the website, vendor space and attendance is free and space availability is on a first-come first-serve basis. Aspiring crafters in Atlanta and handmade enthusiasts, the next event is October 5th!
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Craftin' Outlaws in Ohio
Columbus, Ohio seems an unlikely location for an event called Craftin' Outlaws, but on Saturday, September 23rd, there it shall be. Featuring over 50 crafty vendors selling handmade art, gifts, apparel and more, the show will offer more than a handful in door prizes alone. Clamor is one of the sponsors for the event, so sample copies will be free to visitors, along with goodie bags and vendor discounts for the first 100 attendees. Columbus, Craftin' Outlaws is calling your name.
For more info, check out the Craftin' Outlaws website or myspace page. Those outside the ol' "Buckeye State" can shop online with many of the vendors from the show on their websites.
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Renegade Chicago, This Sept. 16
Chicagoans, brace yourselves. Renegade Craft Fair is the midwest's one-stop for handmade, unusual and DIY crafts and art, and is kicking off its fourth year running this September 16th and 17th. With over 180 vendors, the show will guarantee first-rate handmade by some of the best crafters, printmakers and artists from Chicago and beyond.
Psst! Out-of-towners, get your holiday shopping done early with website shopping enabled crafters c/o the 2006 Renegade vendor list.
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Visit the site for full details on attending the show this upcoming weekend; the fest takes place in Wicker Park off N. Damen Ave., from 11am - 6pm.
Dear To Me at Rowan Morrison
This Friday, September 1st, a show opens at Oakland's Rowan Morrison, a contemporary art gallery in Oakland, CA. Showing the photography of Jen Siska in a show titled Dear To Me, visit with the artist from 7-10pm at the reception. The artist self-describes her photography as an experiment between two natural light techniques: The first, mostly of landscapes, an attempt at recording environments with a kind of open-eyed wonder and honesty; the other, portraiture of "intriguing" people shot in simple, undirected sessions.
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The show runs through September 24th. Plan a visit or check out more of Jen's work.
Post Deux Party
Last night's Post Deux opening at GR2 was an enormous success with an overwhelming turnout in both audience and artwork. Roughly 1200 Post-It notes lined the walls of GR2. The gallery was packed; a line formed in the store of people waiting to purchase a Post-It work of art (starting at 5¢, most priced around $20, the line was already at 135 people waiting by the time I got to take a number, deli-style.)
Here is a photo of the installation in process, taken by the curators:
And a video from Eric Nakamura's blog:
The show runs through the month at L.A.'s GR2 with still hundreds of amazing works on Post-Its available.
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Post Deux
This Saturday, August 19th, check out LA's Giant Robot GR2 Gallery for the second group Post-It show, Post Deux. Recruiting a cast of artists prone to doodling, curators Mark Todd and Esther Pearl Watson put together this show whose gimmick is $20 artwork on the sticky 3x3" paper squares typically revered by office managers and cubicle minions.
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The reception takes place from 6:30pm - 10pm on Saturday and the show closes September 13th with artwork sales likely to hit the Giant Robot website shortly after the opening.
The Self and the Shadow
SuicideGirl Roethke boasts such a range of creative talents, the more I learn about this wonder girl, the more I'm impressed. Her visual work spans mediums; from prints, photos, paintings, crafts and more, she does it all. And, in the true spirit of a renaissance crafter, she mixes together her skills to produce inventive results of her own design, such as her collection of sculptural dolls.
Folky with a twist of strange, contemporary sexual irony, her hand-sewn dolls are surreal, playful and works of art. Each doll stands out from the collection in its own way, bursting with originality. Of course, keeping with her compassionate beliefs, the dolls are made from recycled, salvaged and vegan materials.
This month, visitors and residents of Arizona will be lucky enough to catch an exhibit in Phoenix of her dolls at The Trunk Space in the showThe Self and the Shadow with artist Michele Bledsoe. The opening reception is August 18th at 6pm with a follow-up reception on September 1st.
If you won't be in Phoenix this month, you can still catch Roethke's work on her website, which includes a gallery of archived artwork and tutorials as well as her shop where you can pick up original work direct from the beauty/artist herself.
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Crafty Wonderland
Crafty Wonderland is Portland's monthly guerilla "art & craft extravaganza!" The show occurs on the second Sunday of every month at the awesome Doug Fir, a stunning bar/club/lounge any Portland visitors should make a point of checking out anyway. However, brimming with awesome, unique, DIY craft from about 40 vendors each month, plan your visit around Crafty Wonderland: the next show is on August 13th from 11-4pm.
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Check out the vendor list for a roster of current and past participants, with links to many individual shops online so you won't necessarily be missing out if you're missing out.
Whatcha Mean What's a Zine?
Opening tonight at L.A.'s Junc Gallery is a zine show curated by Mark Todd and Esther Pearl Watson, authors of the new and awesome book Whatcha Mean What's a Zine?
Since their origin in the 70's Xeroxed, cut-n-paste variety of the punk movement zines have come a long way. Todays efforts are often formally sophisticated and highly observant while retaining a cultivated do-it-yourself aesthetic with innovative solutions produced by coopting a variety of readily available means in unorthodox ways.
In recent years zines have become a calling card among artists, part promo, part social exchange they have spawned a culture around them, creating a communal network and inspiring ever more creative solutions with each successive generation.
Photo Location: zine by James McShane
Reception takes place on Saturday July 15 Reception 7-10 p.m at Junc Gallery, 4017 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. The show runs for about a month.
Out-of-towners and party poopers can see and purchase the work online here or pick up a copy of the new book by Esther and Mark.
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André Has Le Posse Français
This month, Parisians (and anyone with a computer) can catch Shepard Fairey's most recent exhibition on display in France.
Galerie Magda Danysz in France brings Shepard Fairey in Obey to a solo exhibition. The visual codes used by Shepard Fairey, aka Obey Giant, are worthy of those of Stalinist propaganda, but here they highlight the mechanisms of advertising propaganda which invade public space.
Fairey's recent show uses his signature mock propaganda lithographs to send a focused political anti-war message. Full exhibition available for view here.
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Fairey gained notoriety in the 90's for his flippant "André the Giant Has a Posse" series and has since developed a full repertoire on the parody of propaganda.
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His ongoing "Giant" project has reached 14 years of unrelenting manic and remains as much of an utter provocation as ever, but by now the joke is dead serious and right on in it's deconstruction of society and it's signs, and by some totally perverse twist of fate, it has come to represent a validated consensus construct of truth. It's still nonsense, yet real nonetheless.
Galerie Magda Danysz is located in the 13th arr. of Paris, France at 19, rue Emile Durkheim. The show runs through July 29th.
Hang 'Em High: A Caffeinated Exercise in Woodcutology
This Friday, July 7th, Cannonball Press is presenting woodcuts of all kinds at Philadelphia's elusive underground art gallery, Space 1026. In Hang 'Em High: A Caffeinated Exercise in Woodcutology, all pieces are priced at the knockout flat rate of $20.
For six years, Martin Mazorra and Mike Houston have been publishing high-quality limited-edition black and white relief cuts, silkscreens and lithographs, and are proud to represent the following masters of grumpy, soulful, scabby, charged printmaking: David Ellis (Barnstormers), Jenny Schmid (Bikini Press Int'l), Joe Stauber, Swoon, David Watne, Maya Hayuk, Bill Fick (Cockeyed Press), Mike Ming, Dennis Mcnett (Howling Print), Bill Thelen (Lump Gallery) and many more!
Image Location: art by Davin Watne
In addition to catching the show, visitors to the Space 1026 on Saturday, July 8th from 1-3pm can partake in an opportunity to have a shirt customized by Cannonball Press on the spot. Bring a t-shirt, they'll print on it.
The show opens this Friday, July 7th, 7-11pm at Space 1026, 1026 Arch Street, 2nd Floor in Philadelphia, PA.
Not in the ol' city of brotherly love? Agoraphobia? Buy prints direct from Cannonball and read about Space 1026 in their new book Pulling Teeth.
