A brighter note…I found these two happy faces the other day while closing out the CC Club. They were stiffly stuck in a snowbank and awaiting rescue.
The happy note on the back reads:
You have found American Face!
You are encouraged to keep this pillow, but first, please participate in The American Face Art Show.
Bring your pillow to the Caffetto Coffee shop between February first and twenty-eighth. 708 W. 22nd Street Minneapolis,MN 55405.
Full details about how to participate will be available at caffetto
-OR- www.americanface.blogspot.com
Please direct additional inquiries to: Americanfacempls@gmail.com or just google it.
So in my possession I have Robyne 62/157 (blue) & Jessie 52/157 (red)
At its best, art forces itself upon us like a door suddenly swinging open ahead as we run full on down the hallway. Those moments of piercing self-realization or blunt awakening to the reality of the world around us are oftentimes the most beautifully ugly events in our lives.
Jenny Saville Closed Contact
And there is also art that hints at the ills of modern living while maintaining an exchange of pleasantries. Our good friend Jennifer Davis’ current exhibition at Rosalux Gallery offers many opportunities for soft, subtle reflections of what’s inside us. While Amy Crickenberger Oeth’s paintings, hung alongside Davis’, remind us of childlike days free from the weight of our histories.
Jennifer Davis Leaking
Amy Crickenberger Oeth
And, of course, less subtle reflections are found in the unflinchingly personal and confrontational art of Frida Kahlo. The emotional pain and struggle she endured throughout her life is so palpable in her paintings that we can do nothing more than thank heaven for the wonderful things we have in our own lives.
Frida Kahlo The Two Fridas
Both the Davis/Crickenberger and Walker Art Center’s Frida Kahlo exhibits wrap up within the next two weeks here in Minneapolis. I’ll be making a point to start the New Year by visiting both shows again to reflect upon all that I appreciate about this city. The harsh, cold winter here can bring a lot of pain and grey ugliness but it can also be very beautiful under the cover of fresh snow. And you can always spend an afternoon inside a gallery to escape the chill.
City Pages came out with it’s annual Artists of the Year issue, and I couldn’t be more proud. New daddy, John Grider has front page and a wonderful write up. Ben and I also have some very kind words written on us that I couldn’t be more proud of. Please look through the entire list of artists and the entire article, it is an honor to be in such company and perfectly inspiring.
Emma, Ben and I were in Miami this weekend for Art Basel. Ben was showing new work as part of the Art Now Fair and it looked great. There was a lot of other art to see down there but I’ll let Emma tell you about all that. There was also…
youtube may be full of bored teenagers, baby’s first steps, mpls local, peeping-jim, naive animations, cats dancing, cats bathing, cats anything…but if you look, there really are some amazing things out there. and though not everyone is necessarily an artist, it’s nice when people think they should be…and then, realize that they are.
I know, I’ve fallen victim to the scare factor…or I’m the gawker watching a crash, but with Halloween just around the corner, this made me squeal & squirm:
the performance artist, Stelios Arcadious and his special organ.
gross,
emma
as friday gets closer, my giddiness is causing me to burst into giggles!!!
i have had a chance to see a sliver of what will occur on Friday at SOO VAC, and i am in love! i am swooning, i want to tell everyone that i see to run to the SOO on Friday, bring your inner child, bring your optimism, bring your smiles and happiness, and imagine…anything and everything! Come & play…i will be the girl bouncing into the GIGANTIC inflatable friends and squealing with PURE HAPPY!
things in mplsart world have been pure madness! so very busy! as if i was writing to long lost family, let me re-cap our end of summer.
i joined several talented gentlemen in nashville to see them put on a wonderful show, co-presented by mplsart & twist gallery…the final images of the wall are coming soon & a news segment (i haven’t even seen it yet, so i have no idea how small it is or what they say)….nevertheless, i was proud to be there. the artists (eric inkala, john grider, drew peterson & isaac arvold) did an amazing job. All artists are in the featured artist section of the site.
27! wow, have you seen the new city pages? 27 worked hard over the past month to complete some pieces for the annual Fall Arts Issue, and the results are perfect. Between the cover, inside images, and the profile article, we couldn’t have asked for more. There will be new 27 pieces (paintings & drawings) on the site for sale soon in the featured artist section…that will include the cover piece, which is 4ftx5ft!
we love artists but we also love collectors, as they help to keep the world go round & they choose to live with art. with that said, we have started a monthly feature, “Art on the Wall“, that is initially published on mnartists.org. Our first went out last month and our next is end of this month. with the strong support of mnartists, we hope this tickles your fancy.
Openings…the art season has begun, and though i have not been to as many as i would like, i have been out taking pictures, which will be posted soon. For all aspiring photographers looking to get your name out there, we are always looking for arts minded people to help document this art city of ours, so drop us an email, we would love to work with you!
the next big thing for mplsart is Love’s Labourers happening on Friday, sept 21st, part of MNFashion weekend. Click the link for the details on the artist/designer/dj mash-up/assembly line/sweat shop happening…since it is beyond what i can detail here. Oh, and did I mention the graphic designer, artists, designers, photographer, stylist & DJs working on this are absolutely mouth watering delicious!
& finally, from sept 27-29, is a visit from Friends with You (here, here & here)! this amazing line-up of events is not a mplsart event but rather a partnership between ROBOTlove, Soo VAC & the Walker Art Center. the 27th is an artists talk at the walker, positive energy is already building! the 28th is the opening of the exhibit at Soo VAC…word is that a members only event will proceed the evening, so become a member ($25). the 29th is a signing of merch @ ROBOTlove…so why do i list this FWY visit, because whatever Kristoffer touches turns to gold (this site a shining example) and thus it is promised to be a wonderful dream of an event!
City Pages came out with it’s annual 
