It is a very busy couple of weeks for local art openings, events and opportunites. Here are a few picks to consider.  Mark your calendar. 

John Gossage: Here...Half Blind

1. John Gossage: Here . . . Half Blind at the Rochester Art Center
Opening Reception Saturday January 30, 2010

Rochester Art Center presents a new body of work by Washington D.C. based photographer John Gossage, whose work tells an everyday story: paths worn through abandoned tracts of land, corners where debris collects, markings on a wall, a table after a meal.   Rochester Art Center commissioned Gossage to create a new body of work during the spring and summer of 2009 using Rochester-scenes as his cast of characters.   Though this work presents a unique narrative of the city, its people, and environment, the particular references capture universal appeal and understanding.  The exhibition is up through April 11, 2010.  This is a must see exhibition and well worth the drive to Rochester. Highly Recommend!

2. Justin Thomas Schaefer at Midway Contemporary Art Minneapolis-based artist Justin Schaefer opens a new exhibition titled Comedy Comedy on Saturday January 23rd. There is an opening reception from  7-9PM and the exhibition promised to be very strong as usual.

3. Claiming Space – the material and immaterial of site and language
Exhibition runs:  22 January – 18 February, 2010
Opening Reception:  6:00-8:30, Friday, 22 January

Organized by recent U of M MFA graduate Katinka Galanos this exhibition collects the work of artists whose work conceptualizes the language and experience of specific, and often invisible spatial boundaries.  Showing in conjunction with the exhibition, almos(t)here, at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.

Artists include
Juana Barrio, Jan Estep, Janet Lobberecht, Peter Haakon Thompson, Marcus Young Participants
Morgan Adamson, Travis Freeman, Harlan, Morehouse

Maria Ylikoski, Displacements/ Tuula, 2006. Stills from single-channel video.

4. almos(t) here: New Bearings from Contemporary Artists in Europe

January 22nd – February 18th, 2010 

The exhibition brings together a selection of internationally renowned Finnish and European-based artists who deal with issues of dislocation and migration or challenge manifestations of mental and physical borders in a globalized world. The artists approach these global and political issues from varying angles—some artworks are rooted in personal experience, others are based on investigation and direct engagement with different communities and people. Quite a few of the artists are showing their works for the first time in the United States.

Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center of Art
405 21st Ave. S. Minneapolis

Exhibition opening 22nd January 6.00-8.30pm
Opening remarks at 6:30 p.m. by Consul General of Finland, Ambassador Ritva Jolkkonen

Artists

Adel Abidin (Iraq/Finland)
Ursula Biemann (Switzerland)
Jaakko Heikkilä (Finland)
Minna Rainio & Mark Roberts (Finland/UK)
Pauliina Salminen and Andres Jaschek (Finland/Argentina/France)
Maria Ylikoski (Finland)
Katarina Zdjelar (Serbia/Netherlands)

Events

Artist talks @ In Flux, Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota West Bank Arts Quarter 405 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis

Feb. 11, 2010 (7pm)
Katarina Zdjelar

April 22, 2010 (7pm)
Jaakko Heikkilä

Associated screenings

Walker Art Center presents:
Where is Where? (Missä on missä?)
Directed by Eija-Liisa Ahtila
Saturday, January 23, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 pm

Megan Vossler

5. Megan Vossler Sound Signals at Franklin Art Works 

January 29, 2010 –  March 20, 2010

Minneapolis artist Megan Vossler opens a new exhibition of her tightly rendered drawings at Franklin Art Works.   According to the press release Megan Vossler will present a suite of drawings in the Main Gallery, depicting a continuous landscape and narrative carried over multiple sheets of paper.  Sounds very interesting. The exhibitions will open on Friday, January 29 with a reception from 7 to 9pm. Also on view drawings by Saul Chernick and video work by Kwabena Slaughter.

6.  Feeling Minnesota:  The second in mnartists series exploring if there is a “Minnesota Style” in the arts. Lightsey Darst’s write on the distinctive character of Minnesota dance. The piece is part of a series of topical articles,”Feeling Minnesota,” jointly published by mnartists.org and Minnesota Playlist, a site with “information and inspiration for Minnesota’s performing arts”.

7. Studio Furniture: The Next Generation at MCAD
New trends in studio furniture is on display in this exhibition of fifteen young artists. The artists, recent graduates of notable furniture programs, merge the traditions of studio furniture–fine craftsmanship and limited production–with experimental materials and concepts. The result is a convergence of art and design in furniture that prompts reconsideration of our relationships with everyday objects. Curated by Dean Wilson, head of the furniture design program at MCAD, and featuring a fully illustrated catalog with an essay by Edward Cooke Jr., professor of American decorative arts at Yale University.

Wendell Castle, Visiting Artist Lecture Series
“An Idea in Transition”
Friday, January 29, 6:30 p.m.
Auditorium 150

Daniel Michalik Visiting Artist Talk
Thursday, February 11, 1 p.m.
Auditorium 150

8. MAEP Foot in the Door 4: Call for Submissions: It’s that time again!  The Foot in the Door 4 is an open exhibition for all Minnesota artists that take place every 10 years at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Since 1980, Foot in the Door has celebrated the diversity and enthusiasm of Minnesota’s visual arts community. Submit your work and be part of the state’s largest art exhibition…as long as it is 12” or less in each dimension. Anyone living in Minnesota who considers him- or herself an artist. Limit one (1) artwork per artist. The key is creating a piece that can stand out from the hundreds of other entries.

The exhibition runs February 19 – June 13, 2010

9. Intern at the Soap Factory One of Minnesota’s largest contemporary art galleries, The Soap Factory,  is seeking qualified interns for the 2010 exhibition season. The large internship and volunteer program is integral part of The Soap Factory since its start in 1988. A variety of Internships are available with start dates between February and June. Internships include installation and maintenance, administrative and project based experiences. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet artists, gain experince and contribute to the local art community.

10. Prince writes a fight song for the Vikings….seriously. First of all, yes I am an artist, work in the arts and a sports fan.  We do exisit.  With that said I having been trying not to get too excited about the Vikings this season.  As a lifelong Minnesota sports fan I have learned the hard way to not get invested because they will crush your dreams in ways only Cubs fans can top.  After last week’s game against the Cowboys I am all in.  This might be the first super bowl since I was 2 years old….but I also prepared for another 1998 too. How is that for midwestern optimism.  So in closing, here is Prince’s Vikings fight song…yes this real.  Skoal Vikings.

Happy New Year all,

Next week we will have a monster blog post of  Top Tens lists by members of the local art communty. Its an editing nightmare….but will be very cool to read when finished, promise.  In the meantime here is the first TEN of 2010.

1. McKnight Artist Fellowships for Photographers 2010-2011 application cycle is now open! 
The mnartists.org/McKnight Artist Fellowships for Photographers supports mid-career artists residing in Minnesota who use photography as a primary means of creative, personal expression. The $25,000 fellowships awarded in June 2010 enable four artists to study, reflect, experiment, and explore over a twelve-month period with the support and assistance from mnartists.org and the McKnight Foundation. Panel decisions are based primarily on the presence and promise of excellence in work samples; a plan of activities for the fellowship year will also be reviewed, along with resume (to determine career status).

Work created during the fellowship year will be featured in a public exhibition and catalog.  Fellows will also participate in a public presentation about their new work, online exhibition on mnartists.org, and opportunities to work with mnartists.org’s educational and outreach programming. Fellows will have additional opportunities to consult with review panelists and local and national curators during the fellowship year.  Its seems like a long way out to apply ….but please don’t wait till the last minute.  The info sessions are also really valuable opportunities if you have questions regarding the program.

For full details, info session dates or to apply please visit www.mcknightphoto.org

2. ART FORM 1040: RE-ARTED at FOX TAX
Opening Reception, Saturday, January 16th, 6-10pm

Hip tax office and gallery Fox Tax takes a second run at an exhibition spanning tax season by asking several local aritsts to “re-art” each other’s work.  Curated by Emma Berg of mplsart.com, the exhibition is full of unique collaborative works, as well as a limited edition 10 print series of each work–made by the talented folks at The Lab Digital–that will be sold for only $40 each.  10…40 get it. 

The particiaption artists include: Nicholas Harper, Ruben Nusz, John Grider, John Alspach, Megan Colleen, Bethany Kalk, John Fleischer, Josie Lewis, Michelle Westmark, Shawn McNulty, Deuce Seven, Rudy Fig, Mike Cina, Isaac Arvold, Jesse Draxler, Kevin Vereeke, Eric Carlson, John Vogt, Caleb Coppock and Hilary Berg. 

3. OFF THE WALL at FORM+CONTENT
Opening Reception
Saturday, Jan. 16, 6-9 pm
with DJ Black Lacquer

Full disclosure…I am in this exhibtion, but I wanted to include it because of the great work of the other artists in the show, ranging from heavily Mason Eubanks heavily textured paintings, to Liz Miller’s gothic felt installations it promises to be a strong exhibition. Artists include Mayumi Amada, Mason Eubanks, David Dick, Jay Isenberg, Chris Larson, Liz Miller, Tom Oliphant, Scott Stulen, Cameron Zebrun.

The exhibition runs through February 20th and there is an artist dialogue/discussion scheduled for February 6th from 7-8:30 pm. Free and open to the public www.formandcontent.org

 4. 2010 Art Shanty Projects
This description from the Art Shanty website sums up what to expect this year  “It started with one shanty on the frozen Medicine Lake. In this feral environment, the project has grown to include 20 art shanties and 15 mobile performances.” Art Shanty Projects 2010 promises an interactive, engaging art community. ASP is free and open to the public on weekends from January 16 through February 7, 2010.

The Swap Shanty

5. Is there a Minnesota Style?  Quinten Skinner asks if Lutheran practicality plus Scandinavian progressiveness, multiplied by snow, and divided by passive-aggressiveness add up to an aesthetic? Minnesota Playlist and mnartists.org have partnered up to explore whether there’s a “Minnesota style.” 

While you are on mnartists.org check out Jazz writer Pamela Espeland new series of features for mnartists.org: conversations with local musicians on the nature and practice of improvisation. First up is Adam Linz, a bassist and composer (Fat Kid Wednesdays) and MacPhail’s Jazz Coordinator.

6. 10,000 Grants:  The Star Tribune recently published an interesting article about arts funding in Minnesota and the impact of the reveue from the new Legacy Ammendment. Worth a read.

7. Get Lucky 2010:
Soo Vac’s annual fundraiser is always a very popular mid-january event.  This year should be no different…expect great food, drinks, entertainment and a silent auction with work by notable local artists. DJ Double Trouble will be spinning tunes throughout the evening.  Come out and hang with the hipsters and support the local art community!

Soo Visual Arts Center
2640 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis
Saturday, January 23, 2010 7pm-11pm
Advance Tickets: $20 for members | $25 Tickets at the door: $35
For tickets call (612) 871-2263 or visit soovac.org

Get Lucky Silent Auction Artists:
Amelia Biewald, Allen Brewer, Andrea Carlson, Eric Carlson, Serena Cole, Erin Currie, Jennifer Davis, Samantha French, Ben Garthus, Greg Gossel, Lindsy Halleckson, Noah Harmon, Bethany Kalk, Keren Kroul, Alex Kuno, Kit Lane, John Largaespada, Chris Larson, Rob McBroom, MouseSaw, Erika Olson, Terrence Payne, Margaret Pezalla-Granlund, Liseli Polivka, Cory Prahl, Amy Rice, Joseph Rizzo, Joe Sinness, Kurtis Skaife, Lindsay Smith, Sean Smuda, Scott Stulen, Angela Strassheim, Sean Tubridy, Deuce Seven, Pamela Valfer and John Vogt

8. Minneapolis Art on Wheels  2010 Artist Residency Program 
The Minneapolis Art on Wheels (MAW) Artist Residency Program (ARP) are seeking groups of innovative artists for an intensive three week creative residencies in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Resident artists will work together at the West Bank Social Center (WBSC) and focus on creating new artworks and open source software tools that leverage cutting-edge interactive, mobile and projection technologies.  While these new technologies are key components of MAW’s work, the ARP does not require applicants to be expert in this field.    Likewise, tech-savvy artists need not be experts in performance.  In addition to demonstrating artistic skill, applicants must propose a project to be completed during their residency. 

While MAW welcomes any creative proposal, applicants are encouraged to first consider proposing public performances and interventions, experimental audio-visual works, interactive mobile media experiences or novel open source software instruments or performance tools.  Work produced by resident artists will be exhibited, performed and shared in Minneapolis throughout the residency periods.  The ARP encourages applicants to propose projects that can become a part of MAW’s repertoire of public projection works for future performances. ONLINE APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb. 21, 201

 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdorWE9YyDY[/youtube]

9. mnartists.org hits 5000 facebook friends.  Please consider joining the club, everyone is doing it… or at lease 500o people are.  That is was my sorry attempt at social media peer pressure.

10. United States of Pop: For the last few years DJ Earworm has taken the Billboard top 25 and created a mashup of all 25 tracks into an orginal composition….in both video and audio.  It is a brillant feat and also an indication of the similar sound, structure (and generous use of autotune)within current pop music.  Here is the complete track list if interested in all of the source material. It’s worth checking out 2008 and 2007 too! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNzrwh2Z2hQ[/youtube]  Enjoy.