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

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!   Enjoy.

There are so many great events over the next couple weeks, I just wish I could be in more places at once. With the over load of events over the next couple weekends I have decided to do an expanded edition of TEN to more like fifteen.

1. No Coast Craft-o-Rama began in 2005 as an event for local designers, artists, crafters and other talented creators of unique handmade goods to sell and showcase their products. Like the Local Food movement, contemporary craft has figured out how to market their work and expand an audience….and do it very, very well. This year’s event is this weekend-December 4th (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and 5th (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Midtown Global Exchange building. This is one of the hippest events of the year.  For a full list of vendors to check click here.

2. Second Annual Monster Drawing Rally: Saturday, December 12 is Midway Contemporary’s Second Annual Monster Drawing Rally, a benefit event involving over 75 local artists. Midway’s three galleries will be cleared to hold a series of tables where participating artists will draw live in front of attendees.  Upon completion, each drawing will be hung on the wall and available for purchase (first come, first serve) for a flat price of $35. All proceeds will directly benefit upcoming programming and educational opportunities at Midway. The event provides the rare opportunity to watch artists work and purchase original artwork at discount prices.  Unlike many fundraisers, filled with expensive auction items, beyond the budget of most attendees, the Monster Drawing Rally offers an opportunity for art patrons of all income levels to support the institution and take home an original work of art.

Image from Midway's 2008 Monster Drawing Rally

I can tell you from direct experience last year (as one of the participating artists…and I will be doing it again this year) that it was a crazy event and one of the best times I have ever had in the local art community.  Even though I was surprisingly anxious drawing in front of so many people.  But when you see someone eagerly follow your piece to the wall to purchase it..that is pretty special. The energy in the room is buzzing and everyone is just having a great time.  Not to be missed.

This event is free and open to the public. Full list of artists is listed below.

Note: The idea for the Monster Drawing Rally originated with Southern Exposure in San Francisco.

3.  WAMPLIFIED: Mates of State at the Weisman: So after the Monster Drawing Rally head over to the Weisman for the Inaugural installment of WAMplified!, a new late-night series at the Weisman Art Museum which bundles together live music, food, drinks, a video game lounge and midnight gallery tour. The events starts at 9pm and features a concert by indie rock/huband/wife duo Mates of State.  Followed by a Midnight tour of the galleries with curator Diane Mullin and artist Lisa Bradley.

Tickets to the event are $22 for the general public and $18 for Weisman members and students. Doors are at 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit weisman.umn.edu or call 612-624-2345. The cost of admission also includes two free drink tickets and free food throughout the evening. The opening act is Minneapolis-based Anders Ponders.

Here is a video of the Mates of State covering Phantom Planet’s “California”.  Gotta love the OC theme song cover.

Fennel Studio

4. Local Artist Gift Mart at the Walker Art Center:  Even more opportunities to find great local art gifts.  The Walker Art Center is hosting a local artist gift mart this upcoming weekend, Friday through Sunday, December 4-6. It’s open from 12 noon to 4 pm in Target Gallery.Its a very hip lineup of local artists over felted handbags, jewelry, wooden bike handlebars, t-shirts and I am sure a wealth of other surprises.

The featured artists include:

Brian Aldrich, Saman Bemel Benrud (Minty Fresh Monster), Adam Brackney (Workerman), Yen Chee, Kelsey Ciatti-Miller (TillyLula); John Danicic, Gia Gifford, Paul Hempe and Chad Campbell (ZerOw Bags), Michele Heidel (Fennel Studio), Raighne & Meghan Hogan (2D Cloud), Helen Jerlach (Numsi Design), Josh Journey-Heinz, Lisa Larson (The Green Squirrel), Keith Moore (Pilot Design), Sarah Nassif (Rectangle Design), Peter J. O’Toole, Lacy Prpic-Hedtke, Jill Smith, Molly Spilane, Caitlin Wicker (Sweater Toys), and Ashley Wokasch & Luci Kandler (Calpurnia Peach).

This also coincides with Member Double-Discount Shopping Days at the Walker and along with numerous other events throughout the weekend.

5. MNfashion welcomes Jay Arbetman of Chicago for their first Open Studio industry event and MNfashion Membership Drive  Friday, December 4th from 6-9pm. Individual 30-minute appointments for Saturday, December 5th between 10am and 6pm can be made by contacting info@mnfashion.org.  While you are at it check out all of their resources for local designers at their site.

6. Erik Friedlander: Block Ice & Propane at the Walker: In Block Ice & Propane new compositions are paired with family and “road cycle” images created by his father, celebrated photographer Lee Friedlander, and mother Maria Friedlander, films by Bill Morrison, and engaging short tales about the kind of travels familiar to so many of us. Taking inspiration from American roots music, Friedlander executes extraordinary finger-picking technique and reverberant tunings, creating a fresh form of American cello music that is lyrical, plainspoken, and emotional.

Friedlander’s fellow musicians have already been raving about Block Ice & Propane. John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats said, “There’s a breathtaking lyricism at work in these new tunes, but it’s infused with an almost breezy touch: like swirling dust in beams of light, the melodies dazzle and hypnotize and float along on their own currents. Emotional but never sentimental, profound but without pretension — these songs wordlessly communicate more easily and openly than a dozen singer-songwriters furiously scribbling in notebooks.”

7. Robot Love: Out of gift ideas…this will fix your problems and most likely start a personal addiction as well.

8. CVA Annual Holiday Art Sale: Mark your calendar for yet another student and faculty art sale.  CVA’s newly expanded Holiday Art Sale December 5 and 6. This year’s sale promises to be ripe with fresh artwork for you to peruse and purchase. Your best bet at snatching up the hottest artwork is to attend the Preview Party on Friday, December 4. Preview tickets are $20 purchased in advance online, or $25 at the door.

The sale features artwork by students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Selected sale artwork and prints from the CVA Art Archives will be included in a silent auction. The auction closes at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Proceeds benefit CVA scholarship funds.

9. ffffound: I love this site…..you will too.

10. Art Hounds: is a weekly program featuring three people from the Minnesota arts community talking briefly about a performance, openings, or event they’re excited to see or want others to check out.  The programs organized and coordinated by Chris Roberts and Molly Bloom is a wonderful set of tips and hints from within the art community. Check the site for opportunities for you to become a “hound” yourself.

11.  Ruben Nusz is an artist and writer for mnartists.org. Ruben always has a fresh, unique and engaging take on every topic on which he writes.  His most recent essay is about The Louvre and the Masterpiece exhibition, now on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the recent Spike Jonze adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s 338-word source material, Where the Wild Things Are.

12. Robyn Stoller-Awend’s Survival:When Truth and Fiction Intersect: is a new exhibition inspired by Vilna poet Abraham Sutzkever and his story of doomed Lithuanian Jews melting down lead printing type to make bullets as a last resort for survival against the Nazis. Very intriguing subject matter and well worth the trip downtown.  The exhibition is up through January 9th, 2010. Opening Reception Sat., Dec. 5, 7-9 pm and the Closing Reception Sat., Jan. 9, 7-9 pm

13. Springboard for the Arts is hosting a FREE Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic for Artists this Sat, December 5 from 9:00 am – 10:30am at Doctor Sam’s office (1300 Quincy Street NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413). To register, PLEASE EMAIL your name, address, phone number and artistic discipline to nikki@springboardforthearts.org.   Thank you to both Springboard and Dr. Sam for making this opportunity available.

14. Recession Hits Artists Hard. A major new survey of American artists is out asking how they are weathering the economic downturn.  The survey found that slightly more than half of the artists polled experienced a drop in income from 2008 to 2009, a blow to an already struggling group, two thirds of whose members reported that they earned less than $40,000 last year.

15. “Ceremony” by New Order: Sometimes I just get obsessed over a song.  I have been in the studio a lot over the last couple weeks prepping for an exhibition in Chicago.  I watched Control a couple of weeks ago and have been totally on a Joy Division/New Order kick while working in the studio….and thus reinforcing several painter stereotypes.  To close out this week’s expanded list is Radiohead covering New Order’s Ceremony, which was originally written by Ian Curtis when the band was still Joy Division and then carried over to the band’s re-incarnation as New Order, after Curtis’ death.  Enjoy.

Benches & Binoculars, Photo by Cameron Wittig

1. Event Horizon and Benches & Binoculars: The much anticipated  reinstallation of the permanent collection opens on Saturday.  Previews of the exhibition are in the local media today, but I suggest reading them after visiting the exhibition…it’s more fun that way, personally.  You can get a jump on general public tonight at the always fun (and packed) Walker After Hours party.  Lookbook will be playing upstairs in Gallery 8, screenings of Scorpio Rising in the Lecture Room, special performances at 10 pm and 11 pm by Dafnis Prieto and Judith Sanchez Ruiz in the Burnet Gallery  and I will be DJing in Cargill (shameless plug).  I plan on a mix of Mos Def, The XX, Carl Sagan and T.I. for my set….it should be a great night.  

2. Susannah Bielak at Bethel University: Bethel University continues a string of strong exhibitions with new work by Susannah Bielak titled Quake/Temblor: A Forensics of Interior Life and Natural Disaster.  The work combines formica table engravings, text, sound and videos of conceptual experiments conducted on seismic shake tables to explore ideas of unpredictability and social systems. The exhibition is up through January 16, 2010.  

Michael Kareken "Compressed Oil Drums" 2009

3. Michael Kareken: Scrap and Tetsuya Yamada: Commuter at the MAEP:  This is a very interesting pairing of  Micheal Karekan’s huge paintings of industrial recycling plants and an installation by Tetsuya Yamada that explores commuting by train in his native Tokyo.  The two exhibitions make for combined commentary on issues of craft, repetition and industry.  The exhibition is open through January 24, 2010 and is free and open to the public.

4. MCAD Annual Art Sale: Do you think you can scout emerging art talent or do you just want to add to your collection…or maybe both.  This annual event at MCAD features students and recent graduates offering their work for sale. According to MCAD more than  7,000 pieces will be hung. Everything is under $1000 and most are under $100.  The preview party and sale begins Friday, Nov. 20 at 6pm and I would suggest arriving early. The sale continues (for free) on Saturday, Nov. 21.  All the proceeds go to benefit the artists. Also new this year you can preview the works available for sale by becoming a fan of the event on Facebook. Very cool.

5. 2010 Fringe Festival Applications are now being accepted.  You have until January 29th to submit your project.  The 2010 festival takes place Thursday, August 5, 2010 through Sunday, August 15, 2010.

6. ArtORG Projects: OnSaturday November 14, 2009 ArtOrg opened its biggest show ever “Going to California (Building) with a Boatload of Art” at the expanded California Building Gallery in Northeast in Minneapolis. The event features a showcase of five years of ArtOrg’s work including 58 artists from five ArtOrg projects, 2000 printing blocks from kids the Minneapolis premier of nine steamroller prints from Plains Art Museum Day of Dead Project and a celebration of recent “Twenty Views of Dundas” accession to Weisman Permanent Collection. A lot to see and but is limited as everthing comes down on November 29th.  Also check out local artist Aldo Moroni’s event in collaboration  titled ”ART BAR”. Located just 20 feet from the ArtOrg Gallery Exhibit is the Mill City Cafe, location for the ART BAR gathering of all artists and patron, great and small.  The ART BAR is open Friday, November 20 from 5pm to 1am. 

http://www.vimeo.com/7242858

7. Artist Jeanne-Claude dies: Best know for work with her husband Christo, including the 2005 Central Park installation The Gates and other large scale “wrapping” projects around the globe. She was 74.

8.  Lightsey Darst: Writes about dance for mnartists.org and does so in such an engaging and eloquent manner. We are really lucky to have her as part of our roster.  Check out her most recent piece about The Good Dance: Dakar/Brooklyn, a Walker commissioned collaboration between Brooklyn’s Reggie Wilson and Senegal’s Andréya Ouamba. 

9. Gallery Gray: is an new Minneapolis based online gallery founded by Dustin M Price who serves as Curator/Director. The goal of Gallery Gray is to have international online juried competitions, supplemented by group and solo shows for emerging to mid career artists interested in utilizing a digital gallery format. The current exhibition titled Tilting at Windmills opens at 11.23.09 7:30 MST.  According to the gallery website “We can all agree that viewing art is at its finest in the presence of the artwork itself. Gallery Gray in no way wants to eliminate or discourage the tactile gallery or museum space experience, only to accompany and encourage it. The digital format of Gallery Gray allows for a number of interesting opportunities that might not be available otherwise.” Interesting idea and project to watch or virtually patron. 

10. And finally here is the greatest thing I have found on You Tube in months.  And yes its in my DJ set.

Another packed week of artist talks, meetings and writing deadlines and its already the end of the week. Before we get into this week’s TEN I have a request.  I am DJing next Friday’s Walker After Hours party for the Event Horizon and Benches & Binoculars opening.  I am opening the request line for songs that you think fit the exhibition themes or mood….or are just awesome tracks.  Post them as a comment to this blog and will try to weave them into the mix.  

1.  Doctor Sam: Dr. Sam Willis is a board certified Family Medicine physician and visual artist who recently opened a new medical practice in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District (1300 Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis, MN). Check out Wednesday Star Tribune article on how Dr. Sam Willis offers primary medical care that’s more personal and less costly by cutting out the middlemen. Dr Sam also has a exhibition space in his office featuring the work of local artists. On Tuesday, November 17 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Dr. Sam is offering tour the clinic and learn more about his practice. Food and beverage will be served. The event is free, but please REGISTER online at springboardforthearts.org. 

David Leftkowitz

2. Artist Lecture with David Lefkowitz:  Northfield artist  David Leftkowitz talks about his current solo exhibition  Other Positioning Systems Saturday November 14th at 1pm, at the Rochester Art Center. The exhibition is on view through January 10, 2010 but this a good excuse (if you are going to travel to see the exhibition anyway) to make it Saturday.  Also checkout a new installation/public sculpture by Minneapolis artist Jennifer Danos on the exterior of the building. 

3. American Craft Council is moving to Minneapolis: Its official!  After 66 years in New York City the American Craft Council is coming to the Twin Cities.  Reasons for the move include both economic challenges of remaining in New York. and the strength of the Minnesota craft community. This is a huge score for the Twin Cities and another indication of the vitality of the craft movement locally.   

4. Local-to-Global Jewelry Artist Mart: Time to start shopping…or just treat yourself, its been a long week, right?  The Walker welcomes more than a dozen international, national, and local jewelry artists and designers for this special event on Saturday, November 14. Among those attending are Nina Dinoff (Brooklyn, NY); Ann Lambrecht (Minneapolis); Tonia Kim (Chicago, IL); Grace Ann Hogan (Bayfield, WI); Amy Torello (Mexico City, Mexico); Kathy Frey (Nevada City, CA); Jennifer o*live Kraus (Chicago, IL); Carrie Hoffnagle (Des Moines, IA); Devon Driscoll (Minneapolis); Tia Keobounpheng (Minneapolis); Karin Jacobson (Minneapolis); Vickie Anderson (Madison, WI); Alice Roche (San Francisco, CA); Lauren Nicole (Minneapolis); and Alicia Piller (Brooklyn, NY).  Additional special events include an opportunity to meet Minneapolis chocolatier B. T. McElrath and sample chocolates from 11 am–3 pm.

5.FEAST MPLS is a recurring public dinner designed to use community-driven financial support to democratically fund new and emerging artmakers. The concept By getting together and pooling money, wealth becomes a plural communal attribute. The wealth is then shared with people whose projects the community finds most the valuable to implement. Check out the proposals here. Each person attending FEAST is making a cash donation on a sliding scale to receive supper and a ballot. At the end of the night, you cast a vote for which of a handful of artists’ proposals should get the evening’s proceeds. The winning proposal is funded directly from the donations collected at the door, and the grantee is asked back to present the fruits of their labor to you—the patrons—at the next FEAST dinner.

FIRST FEAST:
Saturday, November 14, 6:00–9:00pm
$10–20 cash donation, no one turned away
view the Facebook event invitation

6. XY and Z Gallery: 18 Months XYandZ  is new(er) project space in Minneapolis that is presenting a preview exhibition titled 18 Months opening on November 13th and running through December 30th. The show will feature original pieces of work from artists scheduled to show at XYandZ through early 2011. Participating artists include Totem2 & Viper, Broken Crow, Keegan Wenkman and more. Cool idea, great new space and excellent website. Opening Reception: November 13th 7pm-11pm 

7. Sewtropolis: a do-it-yourself sewing studio and fabric store opened on Nov. 1 a few blocks from my house near the intersection of  Diamond Lake Road and Nicollet.  Its in the space of  Auntie Em’s bookstore, which recently closed. The studio is equipped with Janome sewing machines, cutting and design tables, fabrics, scissors, threads, needles and patterns by hotpatterns.com.  My wife and I are considering some classes that might finally lead to getting new curtains up in our house.  Welcome to the neighborhood!

8. The Precious Object: Obsession, Collection and Desire: Artists James Cleary, Beth Barron, Andy Ducett and Ginny Maki explore topics of appropriation, memory, and desire at the last artist talk for the Precious Object exhibition on Tuesday, November 17, 7 pm  at the Hennepin County Central Library’s Pohland Hall. This is a really intriguing and group of artists and I am excited to ask them about what their collection, how act of collection and selection influences their work and do they worry about ending up on that Hoarders show on A&E. Also checkout the full online archive of the exhibition on mnartists.org. 

9. Pam and Allen’s Studio Sale: Everything must go…or at least a pile of awesome pieces by local artists Pam Valfer and Allen Brewer who are having a studio clean-out sale.  Work will be priced to sell from $10 – $500. What a great way to start an art collection or inexpensively add to yours. Friday, Nov 13th 6-10pm and Saturday, Nov 14th, 12 – 6pm

Studio 202
Dow Building
2242 University Ave
St Paul, MN 55114
(corner of Hampden and University)
Parking in rear of building on Hampden

10. Sesame Street Celebrates 40th Anniversary: One of the most influential programs of my childhood still continues to be relevant.  NPR had a great piece on the 40 lessons of Sesame Street this week in honor of the 40th anniversary this week.  One of my personal favorite clips is below in which Herbie Hancock demonstates his Fairlight synth/sampler to a young girl (Tatyana Ali) ewho later played  Ashley in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  I cannot overstate the impact of introducing electronic music and contemporary jazz to a young boy in rural Minnesota. Have a great weekend everyone.

Another week has flown by so here are another ten picks from what is happening in local art.  

 1. Franklin Art Works NexTen Benefit: Franklin Artworks turns ten years old with a benefit celebration and auction on Saturday November 7th from 7pm to 11pm. The auction features an impressive lineup of 40 local, national and international artists including Uta Barth, David Rathman, Nicola López, Shinique Smith, Ghada Amer, Paul Chan, Santiago Cucullu, Stacey Davidson, Kota Ezawa and Rob Fischer, Xavier Tavera, Javier Piñón, tectonic industries, Zak Smith and Maximillian Toth, among many others. There will be music, drinks and all the other reasons to come out and support an important local art venue.  If you are a student ask about discounted tickets as well! 

Bruce Tapola

2. Bruce Tapola: AU NATUREL: opens on Saturday night November 7th at Art of This Gallery  from 7pm -11pm..  This new installation is a can’t miss highlight of the weekend.   The piece combines two distinctive bodies of work to create a novel investigation within the artist’s painting and sculptural practice to initiate a dialogue between the distinctive and eclectic artworks.  All the cool kids will be there.

3. mnLIT Original: “The Four Hermans” by Brian Beatty is the first of mnartists.org’s newly commissioned pieces by the 2009 mnLIT grand prize-winning poets and writers. Each work will be accompanied by a curated selection of work drawn from mnartists.org’s vast database of artists.  Look for more original works in the coming weeks and announcement for the 2010 mnLIT series schedule soon.  

4.  Art and the Economy: Here is an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about how art collectors are looking closer to home due the unstable global art market.  On a somewhat related note…I have had numerous discussions lately with local artists about the need to build an active and informed collectors base for local art.  There are a lot of good investment opportunities close to home which can be had on a limited budget. There is a trend in local food to buy local…it would be nice to see some of that same mentality carry over to the local arts.  Here is also an article from the New York Times about a sometime forgotten aspect of the downturn in the economy….the gallery owners.

5. Art Attack:  is an annual open studio and gallery crawl at the Northrup King Building, in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. The weekend-long event features over 200 artists working in all media.  Art Attack is an exciting opportunity to gain admission to private studios and to buy original art direct from local, nationally and internationally known artists. This a great one-stop event to see a dramatic range of artists and artwork and perhaps add to your art collection or get a few early holiday gifts.  

6. giveMN.org: Check out this site to research and contribute to Minnesota non-profits.  

7. Congrats to the 2009-10 Jerome Fellowship winners in visual arts Steven Accola, Caroline Kent, Tony Sunder, and the collaborative of Tynan Kerr and Andrew Mazorol.

8. Bad at Sports: is an awesome contemporary art blog and podcast based out of Chicago…. that everyone should check out on a frequent basis.  Their blog has an interesting post as to food as the hot trend in art events and performances.  Here is a link posted on the blog this week to best Halloween costume of the year …in my opinion.  8-bit is a bit played out, but this is cleaver. 

9.  As a tribute to the seminal local punk rock band the Suicide Commandos, newly re-elected mayor RT Rybak is declaring this Saturday, November 7, “Suicide Commandos Day.” The band will re-emerge to play three separate shows on Saturday: a pair of “10 and under” shows at the Walker Art Center during the day (one at 11 a.m. and one at 1 p.m.), and a late-night gig at the Dakota Jazz Club that begins at 11 p.m. The Walker concerts are first come seating and you must have a child with your group :)

10. mnartists.org / Walker Art Center artist pass program  We are launching a new program today for registered members of mnartists.org to receive admission to the Walker Art Center galleries and discounts on select events for the discounted price of $20 annually.  This program is intended to offer access and recognition to working artists  and active mnartists.org members within the state.  For more information and for an application for visit www.mnartists.org/artistpass.

It has been the week of artists talks, openings and performances in town…. making for a very busy week in local art.  I have been running all week and think I only hit about 10% of them.  I think that is a good sign for the local art community.  Here is week number two of the Local Art 10…I just made it in time to get it in this week.

1. Dan Graham 

2. Midway Contemporary’s current exhibitions: 800 Numbers – Ned Vena, Bingo, wait a minute… – Alex Hubbard and  The Ground – Felix Culpa, Todd Norsten, Conny Purtill, Josh Rickards up through December 5th. Excellent lineup of exhibitions that is a can’t miss as usual. Also, make sure you check out Midway’s extensive contemporary art library on your next visit.  It is one of the best resources for artists in the state.

3. The Minnesota Eye: This exhibition at the College of Visual Arts Gallery in St. Paul highlights many established and emerging photographers which call Minnesota home including Paul Shambroom, Alec Soth, Justin Newhall, JoAnn Verberg, Katherine Turczan and David Goldes.  The opening reception is Saturday, October 31 from 5-8.  Also of note is the related programming including a Photographer Panel Discussion moderated by Leslie Hammons, Director, Weinstein Gallery on Thursday, November 5, 6 – 8 p.m. and a gallery talk titled: Thoughts In and Around Photography Today with David E. Little, Curator and Head, Department of Photography and New Media at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on Sunday, November 8, 4 p.m.

4. FEAST MPLS is a recurring public dinner designed to use community-driven financial support to democratically fund new and emerging artmakers. The concept By getting together and pooling money, wealth becomes a plural communal attribute. The wealth is then shared with people whose projects the community finds most the valuable to implement. Each person attending FEAST is making a cash donation on a sliding scale to receive supper and a ballot. At the end of the night, you cast a vote for which of a handful of artists’ proposals should get the evening’s proceeds. The winning proposal is funded directly from the donations collected at the door, and the grantee is asked back to present the fruits of their labor to you—the patrons—at the next FEAST dinner.

FIRST FEAST:
Saturday, November 14, 6:00–9:00pm
$10–20 cash donation, no one turned away
view the Facebook event invitation

Lee Walton: Momentary Performance near Whitey's in NE Minneapolis

5. Lee Walton: Momentary Performances:  Lee Walton’s momentary performances (presented by Bethel College and organized by Michelle Westmark) are taking place around the Twin Cities from September through November.   Each performance is a simple action from daily life.  Each performance site is home to a vinyl text didactic giving this action or performance a time, date, and location. Personally, I love how the project subtly exists in the public spaces calls attention to mundane acts as performative actions.  Check out Matt Olson’s nice piece on the project at his ROLU blog.  You should also bookmark his blog…its well worth being on your weekly stops around the web.  

6. Congrats to the new Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) panelists Andy Sturdevant, Megan Vossler, David Petersen and Brian Frink.  A very strong addition to the exhibition review panel at the MIA.  Follow the link for more details as to the program and exhibition proposals.

Rich Barlow: Silver Bromide Mural

7. Rich Barlow: Silver Bromide Mural A very cool addition to the Powderhorn park neighborhood funded by the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association through a Clean City Minneapolis Graffiti Abatement Grant. Beautiful piece which changes completely in different light. 

8. The Arts are well represented in a recent CNN.com list of the most stressful jobs with the least compensation. Curator checks in at number 12, membership manger at number 6, and special events coordinator (which is related to public programs and education) is at number 2. On the other side college professor is number 3 on the least stressful list….hmmm.

9. If you like these links and you are on Facebook consider joining the mnartists.org fan page.  

10. The Soap Factory Haunted Basement: Okay so the Soap Factory basement is creepy to begin with…but this is so scary you need to sign a waiver.  Nice.  Happy Halloween.

I have been a bad blogger.  I think everyone has good intentions and high aspirations when they start blogging….particularly as to frequency.  I tend to over-think things…everything simple turns into a long (and probably uninteresting project).  So in an effort to create more frequent posts and compelling reading, I am starting a new series of blog posts. Each week I am going to pick 10 things, mostly from the local art scene, but sprinkling in other interesting nuggets which I have come across during the week.  And yes, I know that I am assuming that people care about my opinions and personal picks and that this format is tired…but I don’t care.

Enough rambling, here we go.

1. Minnesota Art Exhibition Series (MAEP) Annual Meeting  I can’t think of another event that brings such a diverse range of Minnesota artists into one room…..and sometimes that leads to a very interesting discussion and debate. The purposes of the meeting are to report on the activities of the past year, to discuss the program, and to elect four new members to the artist panel. Three of those artists must live within the Twin Cities metro area, and one must live in greater Minnesota. The Meeting is at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on Saturday, October 24th from 10:30am – 1:00pm. Come on out and participate!  UPDATE: Congrats to new panelists Andy Sturdevant, Megan Vossler, David Petersen and Brian Frink!

Margaret Wall-Romana - "Painting Painting with van der Weyden"

2. ARTmn 2009: The Precious Object brings together 14 artists from locales throughout Minnesota in the inaugural exhibition of mnartists.org’s ARTmn visual arts series, presented in partnership with the Hennepin County Public Library. The artists — selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants by a panel of curators, artists, and critics — explore issues related to nature, simulation, craft, collecting, and fantasy. Exhibiting artists Margaret Wall-Romana, Kristin Van Dorn, Erik Waterkotte, and Michon Weeks discuss their influences – from pulp sci-fi novels to 15th century painting on Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 at Pohlad Hall at the library.  The talk and exhibition is free and open to the public. Here is also an interview with Liz Miller on her installation which invades the main stacks of the library space.

3. Vanilla Ice is big in South Africa ….who knew?  He is even sorry about the hair, pants and parts of his career. Ice, Ice Baby is still the biggest selling rap single of all time.  

Amy Sillman

 4.  Amy Sillman artist in residence at Minnesota State University: Painter Amy Sillman will be in residence at Minnesota State University, Mankato on October 26, 27, 28. Her public lecture will be Monday October 26th at 7 pm Ostrander Auditorium the Minnesota State University, Mankato Centennial student union.  Well worth the drive from the Twin Cities!

5. Lookbook’s new video for “Over and Over” Lookbook is Grant Cutler and Maggie Morrison. They just released their new album Wild At Heart…and I can’t get these songs out of my head.  Great band, awesome video…totally deserving of the recent local hype. Check them out in person with Solid Gold at First Ave. on November 13th and at the Walker Art Center’s After Hours  for Event Horizon and Benches & Binoculars on November 20th!  

6. Rob Fischer at Franklin Art Works: Fischer’s exhibition Few Landmarks and No Boundaries flows throughout the main gallery and into the expansive back space of the Franklin Artworks mixing found objects, video projections, a sunken pool and a re-configured gymnasium floor as a props surrounding performances spread throughout the run of the exhibition.  The exhibition is up through October 30 and there will be a closing performance and reception on October 29, beginning at 7 pm with live music by local band Dark Dark Dark.

7. Artists on the Verge 2: Northern Lights announces a second round of Art(ists) on the Verge commissions (AOV2). AOV2 is an intensive, mentor-based fellowship program for 5 Minnesota-based, emerging artists or artist groups working experimentally at the intersection of art,  technology, and digital culture with a focus on network-based practices that are interactive and/or participatory. Follow the link for all of the details, deadlines and other info.

8. Hélio Oiticica Fire  Fire destroyed or damaged nearly 90% of Brazilan Artist Helio Oticica’s work on October 16th.  The work was in storage while a dispute over money the quality of the storage facilities was being resolved.  Crazy and very sad.

9. Interesting Call for Exhibition proposals by apexart: Based on the idea of creating its own franchise, NYC based apexart is currently holding a worldwide, open call for 250-word proposals asking participants why the franchise should come to their town and provide all of the support necessary to produce an exhibition. The deadline is December 15th.

10. “Why the hell did I want to go here… again?”   With blogs everywhere, and good engines to sift through them, every once in awhile you stumble upon (or get sent a link by a co-worker with Google reader) a post like this review/rant by a young art student after recent trip to the Walker. Apparently the experience of visiting the museum is comparable to binge drinking.  The post drifts between the formal anaylsis of Chuck Close and snarky critique of Yves Klein. It was hit of the Education and Community Programs office for a few minutes on a rainy afternoon this week.

Until next week…

mnartists.org Field Day

For the past five years mnartists.org had a booth at the Minnesota State Fair.  Hundreds of mnartists.org members generously volunteered their time to hand out buttons, flyers and other materials and talk about mnartists.org to thousands of fair goers each year. Through outreach efforts like the fair mnartists.org has grown exponentially over the last few years by bringing artists and audiences together, providing news and information about the local arts scene, and fostering dialogue on matters of importance to the arts community in Minnesota and beyond. Today, mnartists.org is a primary resource for Minnesota artists and audiences and home to 15,196 registered artists, 1113 arts organizations, and 102,654 posted works of art.

While mnartists.org is an online resource, it is not fundamentally about technology. It is about an inclusive and democratic spirit of support for artists; creating a gathering place for the Minnesota art community, both on and offline.

With this in mind mnartists.org is trying something new this year.  mnartists.org: Field Day is a day-long event featuring Minnesota artists and most importantly inviting the local and regional art community to gather for a day to relax and meet fellow artists from across the state.  So join us Thursday, August 27^th from 11am – 10pm at the Walker Art Center for a celebration of the diverse creative talents of the Minnesota art community. Picnic on the grass, socialize with fellow artists, participate in workshops and lawn games and enjoy the close of summer on the beautiful campus of the Walker.  

Here are the details…spread the word and bring your friends!

MNARTISTS.ORG: FIELD DAY AT THE WALKER
Thursday, August 27, 11 am–10 pm
Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

All events and activities of mnartists.org Field Day are free.  Members of mnartists.org receive free admission to the Walker Art Center galleries throughout the day. 

11 am–8 pm: .org Mall
Bazinet Garden Lobby

See why Minnesota is a great home for artists. Meet mnartists.org partner organizations, to learn about services and opportunities for artists, audiences, and inquisitive citizens. Scheduled organizations include Springboard for the Arts, The McKnight Foundation, ARThouse,  3 minute-egg, MCAD, College of Visual Arts, Walker Art Center, ARP!, Art Shanty Projects, Rain Taxi, Minnesota Center for Books Arts, The Onion/Decider, MAEP/MIA, Minnesota Public Radio, Forecast Public Art and mnartists.org members. 

Flat Pak House

11 am-12 noon: Kid-friendly dance with guest artist Sarah Jacobs
FlatPak House

Dance artist Sarah Jacobs presents a fun-filled hour of creative movement and kinetic play, especially tailored to engage young children. Families with children of all ages are welcome to join in and burn off some pre-nap energy.

mnLIT Picnic
FlatPak House

Kickball trophies created by artist Ginny Maki

1–5 pm: Greenspace Games
Outside Bazinet Garden Lobby

Field Day, or the elementary school Olympics, was an event typically held toward the end of the school year.  For many it was a day of mixed feelings.  The good was that you got out of school for the day, however your athletic shortcomings were also on full display.  I was the average to below-average athlete just good enough to not embarrass myself, but exactly a threat to any of the talent people.  This resulted in a bulletin board of 3^rd – 7^th place ribbons, which came in such heroic colors as purple, pink and brown.  Then there was the dreaded participant ribbon, the ribbon awarded and reminded you that you were involved in the particular event but merited no further recognition.  

This will be nothing like that kind of Field Day…so whether you go in for hardcore tactics or free-for-all antics, join or cheer the artistically (and not necessarily athletically) inclined for lawn sports in the Walker’s west-side park. Pre-registered teams may participate in the kickball tournament  (if you aren’t registered we can find a spot for you anyway)and anyone can drop in to play badminton and other lawn sports on the south side of the green space.  We also have trophies created by local artists and MCAD grad student Ginny Maki for the winners. 

Calpurnia Peach

1:00 – 5:00 pm Remake and Revamp
Outside Bazinet Garden Lobby

Calpurnia Peach—a collaboration between Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch, whose line has been a hit at Minneapolis’ annual Voltage: Fashion Amplified show extend their summer screen printing workshop to field day inviting participants to design a personal emblem of summery good times, mnartists or field day and screen-print it on clothing brought from home and make your own mnartsits.org t-shirt.

11 am-4 pm: Family art-making workshop and Arty Pants scavenger hunt
FlatPak House

Kids are mnartists too! Families are invited to stop by the FlatPak house in the sculpture garden to nurture the artist within by making a cool, personally designed sketch pad. (Materials will be provided)

Scavenger Hunt: Field Day’s family visitors are invited to traipse through the Sculpture Garden all afternoon, to hunt down fine (and not-so fine) arty treasures tucked amid the greenery and artwork.

3:00 pm Open Eye Figure Theatre’s “The Adventures of Katie Tomatie”
FlatPak House

The artists of Open Eye Figure Theatre will present a puppet show sure to delight children and adults alike. Come to the Sculpture Garden’s Flat Pak house to see “The Adventures of Katie Tomatie,” one of the shows in this summer’s “Driveway Tour” series by this acclaimed Minneapolis theater company.

5:30 pm Minnesota Artist “Class Photo”
Outside Bazinet Garden Lobby

Gather on the Greenspace for a Minnesota Art Community group photo….all artist, art appreciators and supporters welcome! The photo will be posted online for tagging and sharing.  So come out and be counted….we want to see hundreds of you!

Solid Gold

8:30 pm: Skyspace/Soundspace: Solid Gold
James Turrell’s Sky Pesher, 2005 and Walker greenspace

The last of our summer Sky Pesher series is capped with a very experimental set by local favs Solid Gold.  This will NOT be a typical Solid Gold gig….think sound collage and percussion to live video projection on the side of the building.  It will be a special performance not to be missed.

Food and Refreshments
Outside Bazinet Garden Lobby and Gorilla Garden

Food and drinks will be available at the Wolfgang Puck Garden grill from 11am – 8pm
The Gorilla Garden Bar will be open 6pm – 10pm 

Document and Share
Share your photos and thoughts online during and after the event.
Twitter #MNFIELDDAY
Facebook.com/mnartists.org

Target Free Thursday Nights sponsored by Target
mnartists.org is a project of the McKnight Foundation and the Walker Art Center.
mnLIT and mnartists.org Field Day is sponsored by the Twin Cities Decider and the Onion.
Walker Art Center programming is made possible by its Premier Partners: General Mills, Target, and Star Tribune.

Lookbook performing in the Sky Pesher: Photo by Cameron Wittig

Join us this Thursday night for the second Sky Pesher concert as part of  Target Free Thursday Nights: Summer Edition.  Up next is electronic duo Beatrix*JAR (Bianca Pettis-Beatrix and Jacob Aaron Roske -JAR) who create fuzzy sound collages with glitch beatboxes, rewired toys, circuit-bent keyboards, and other mutant sound machines. Beatrix*JAR’s performances are high energy dance parties so come on out and move to the funky Fisher-Price driven beats, relax on the Greenspace and enjoy a drink with friends. 

If you are unfamiliar with the circuit bending process please check out this great piece for MAKE magazine’s television program featuring a demonstration by Bianca. The circuit bending movement is quickly gaining popularity and I can personally attest to the dwindling cache of old Casio keyboards, Speak & Spell’s and kiddy drum machines at local thrift stores.

If you didn’t make it to the last Sky Pesher concert with Lookbook  here is a rundown of this unique concert experience. Five Minnesota bands will venture out of the clubs for performances inside and around artist James Turrell’s meditative Sky Pesher installation in the greenspace to  the west side of the Walker.   Sky Pesher concerts are free events, however there will be two different, but equally enjoyable ways to experience these exclusive, one-night-only sets from some of the area’s hottest music-makers.

• 1. A limited audience will be seated surrounding the band inside the Sky Pesher interior. The interior seating is very limited and available on a first come basis.  Tickets will be released at the Bazinet Lobby desk at 6pm the evening of the performance.  You must be present to receive a ticket (so if your friends want to get a ticket too…they need to be here). 
• 2. There is unlimited space on the exterior of the Sky Pesher on the Walker Greenspace. Tickets are not needed for experiencing the concert outside the Sky Pesher.  There will be speakers to hear the performance while watching the sunset and enjoying your favorite beverage from the cash bar (note: drinks will not be allowed inside the Sky Pesher). Spread out, bring your blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the beautiful summer evening to a live soundtrack.

Walker Greenspace: Photo by Cameron Wittig

After the approximately 45 minute performance in the Sky Pesher the band will emerge and gather near the Sky Pesher entrance for a short Q&A and perhaps a bonus performance. 

Event Schedule

5:00 Target Free Thursday Nights Begin – Free Gallery Admission
7:30 Bar opens on the Greenspace
8:30 Sky Pesher Concert with Beatrix*JAR
9:45 Last Call

Again…the event is FREE, however seating in the Sky Pesher is limited on a first come basis available only in person at the Bazinet lobby desk the night of the performance. Seating outside the space is unlimited. A cash bar will be available in the outdoor seating area. Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed. Another suggestion for this week is…things that glow-in-the-dark.

For this week’s Sky Pesher concert I asked Jacob and Bianca to list their favorite Circuit Bending Workshop experiences…and a few of the resulting creations.

Having recently been accused by a fan of being altruistic sound artists, we decided instead to give you a list of our Top Ten Circuit Bending Workshops. We started offering workshops to encourage others to do it to. We taught our first workshop in our old studio apartment in downtown Minneapolis – the 3 kids that came circuit bent their Talking Elmo, Wiggles Guitar and a Casio SK-1, when it was over we couldn’t stop smiling. – Beatrix*JAR

Top Ten Workshops

1. Ong King Arts Center:  Honolulu, HI
Circuit Bending in Hawaii, need we say more? We saw several different Casio Keyboards come out at this workshop and based on our experiences at the thrift stores in Honolulu, we’ve christened Hawaii – the Island of Lost Toys!

2. The Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
One of the first places we were ever flown to for our work! We performed at the museum’s first Thursday event that included an Art Technology Fashion show – with designers from San Diego and Tijuana. The workshop took place on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Museum’s Ocean room which looked out on the La Jolla coastline. There is something special about circuit bending with the ocean near…

3. The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, MD
“Visionary art as defined for the purposes of the American Visionary Art Museum refers to art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself.” That’s us – self taught with personal vision!  AVAM invited us out to host a workshop and performance for a “Couples Night” at the museum!

4. Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation 
An afterschool program right here in Minneapolis. This was the first workshop we taught in which we invited the kids to play our machines. The kids held up signs with the number 10 written on them like Olympic Judges and expressed themselves with our gear the sonic results were amazing.

5. High Mayhem, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sunday morning Circuit Bending with a bunch of bohemian artists in beautiful Santa Fe, our “Ah ha” moment!

6. Walker Art Center Culture Camp
We worked with students to “design” their toys from the outside. A really fun and unique experience.

7. Zeum, Art Technology Museum in San Francisco
Circuit Bending with families – adults and kids working hand and hand!

8. The Andy Warhol Museum & the CAPA Performing Arts High School in Pittsburgh
Circuit Bending in the name of Warhol.

9. Wexner Art Center, Columbus, Ohio
The Wexner placed us in a room and we hosted seven sold out workshops. “You guys are HOT!”

10. Erie Art Museum, Erie PA
We made our first news appearance on the Erie Morning News and met the Mayor. We’ve been back to Erie twice – it’s a really warm and unique town with a great museum.

TOP THREE TOYS TO CIRCUIT BEND:

The funny thing about our favorite toys is that they don’t have official names, usually they just say “Made in China” – so we’ve assigned them names below:

1. GOLDEN TOY

2. ANIMAL ORGAN

3. LITTLE KEYBOARD

Mark your calendars for the remaining three concerts of the Sky Pesher series.

July 2: Mandrágora Tango
This vibrant collective is dedicated to preserving tango music as well as translating it into
fresh yet nostalgic forms.

July 23: Machinery Hill
Deftly combining ska, klezmer, Celtic music, rock, and American folk, Machinery Hill’s style
“hurtles all over the musical map with impish delight” (Star Tribune).

August 27: Solid Gold
Summer winds down in style with an experimental performance by this trio, which creates gorgeous collisions between digital and analog instrumentation by mixing heavy beats with surprising twists on Americana. This is the culminating event of mnartists.org’s daylong field day extravaganza.