We’re still working out some bugs to the WordPress upgrade – which is why the reviews+ link isn’t heading to the right place yet. In the meantime, you can find Melissa Stang’s review of Carolyn Swiszcz’s recent show at Franklin Artworks by clicking the direct link here.
Also, ARP! Quarterly has published an additional writing of Melissa’s on the show. Pick up a copy at the release party for the latest issue on April 18th at ART OF THIS Gallery on Nicollet Avenue!
…to go see the exhibit River to infinity–The Vanishing Point. The exhibit opened in January at the MAEP (Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program) within the MIA (Minnesota Institute of Art) and closes soon.
It is visually stunning, self-reflective (beyond the mirrors) and dare I say moving.
If my words do not move you to action…please read Mary Abbe’s.
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.
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…
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!
Wednesday 8/29 UPDATE:Reports from Nashville put it at “Hot.” Everyone arrived safely, the scaffolding is up and the outline has begun. Our hosts couldn’t be more welcoming. If you happen to be in the area…don’t miss the show at Twist Gallery Nashville
Isaac Arvold fixed the van. John Grider booked a ticket. Eric Inkala and Drew Peterson ordered 3 cases of Montana paints to be shipped to Nashville. What’s going on?
Thanks to the hard work of Emma here in Minneapolis and Caroline at Twist Gallery in Nashville, mplsart.com is proud be be introducing the talents of John, Eric, Isaac and Drew to Tennessee! This rare opportunity to see all four of these Minneapolis artists exhibiting together out of state, in a show titled WHOLE MILK, has been further boosted by the commission of a mural on the side of The Viridian Residences. Twist Gallery for more info.
This two week event in November 2007 will bring together collage, assemblage and mixed media artists, working with two and three dimensional visual collage and assemblage, along with works of audio and video collage, to celebrate the art of appropriation. The event will feature an exhibition at The Soap Factory and a film screening and art lab at The Walker Art Center. Participating artists will also be included in a special curated section at the mnartists site, with potential to be highlighted in November’s access+ENGAGE newsletter focusing on the art of appropriation.
The Festival of Appropriation is presented by mnartists.org and curated by Some Assembly Required‘s Jonathan Nelson and l’etoile magazine’s Kate Iverson.
Mr. Kristoffer Knutson is a juror for this exhibit…so show him what you’re made of, submit!
Ephemeral Space
Call for Submissions Mush, Mush, Masculinity!
Deadline: August 12, 2007
Ephemeral Space invites submissions for a juried, single-night exhibition that explores masculinity. On September 8, 2007, ES will transform ACVR Warehouse, across the river from downtown St. Paul, into an arena that spurs dialogues about gender through art. Feminism radically shaped the end of the last century by challenging male dominance of the art world. Led by artists, this social movement altered the standards of judgment and organization of institutions, while fostering a reformulation of female identity. But, how do men figure into this picture? Oftentimes taken as the homogenous “other,” set opposite of feminism, masculinity becomes the primary focus of this show.
The organizers of this exhibit seek artwork (2-D, 3-D, installation, or video) that explores masculinity. Work submitted for consideration might address, but is not limited to, the following questions: What is masculinity? How is masculinity constructed and what are the repercussions of these constructs? How does masculinity relate to biology, hormones, and physicality? For whom is masculinity constructed and whom does it serve? How do we represent maleness and masculinity today? How can masculinity be seen as either in opposition to or compatible with feminism? How do we encrypt signs of masculinity or subvert male identity? Do men and women understand masculinity differently? How does masculinity operate locally?
