So the ‘this week’ highlighter on the calendar is bloated and highlighting 2 weeks at a time – and in turn, hiding openings that are happening for this week. Since our current web designer is in Colorado right now…click here for the work around.

Sorry for the trouble!
emma

p.s
happy friday

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)

Hope you find yours!

Cheers,
Emma

A couple of weeks ago, when it was bitter cold, I came across the following on my walk to the bus stop. There is something terribly sad and beautiful with the three frozen in the snow.

I cannot stop myself from being drawn to the tragedy depicted in so many magnificent works of art. A blend of the ugly and the beautiful entrances me.

with love,
emma

mplsart had the amazing opportunity to hang the work of Xavier Tavera earlier this month at the DWR studio in Minneapolis.

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.

-kristoffer

MNArtists.org has opened a thread in their forum that I think is far beyond necessary.

For those active in the arts community I really do think it is time to share your voice and put your opinion out there. If you are scared, post under a pseudonym. If you’re unconcerned with the current environment of arts writings in Minnesota, get concerned. I even put my own post out there, so even just dive into to that as a start. We need you.

xo,
emma

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.

may your 2008 be full of magic!

much love,
emma

Surreal…between the art, the sun and the glitz Miami could not have felt like more of a mirage.

during our five days in miami we saw an amazing amount of art…we went to geisai, basel, flow, artnow, bridge, red dot, pulse, art positions, art supernova, ART, fame collective and vangaurd

and with the quantity…here is what still floats behind my eyelids:

Lluis Barba, El Jardin de las delicais

Josef Bolf, Crash

Akira Ikezoe, Dancing

…perhaps burns behind my eyelids is a better description.

much love,

emma

It has been so very busy the last month but things are starting to slow down, for a wee bit. And so there is more time to pour into the site!

Here is the first of something new, your new favorite GOOGLE GADGET:

i know you will love it!

xo,
emma

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!

okay, this was a novel…

love!
emma