UPDATE

I sincerely apologize for not updating my blog recently. I am currently committed to a number of volunteer opportunities that take up the majority of my time. I promise I will come back in full force as soon as I find the time to create valuable posts. I want to sincerely thank everyone for their ongoing support!

Miller Gallery is BEAUTIFUL

(above: Pink Still Life by Pang Jen)

B E A U T Y

Miller Gallery
Opening Reception Friday April 10, 6-8 pm
Show continues through April 24

Forget deep, symbolic and melancholy art and celebrate all things superficially beautiful this Friday at Miller Gallery. Times are tough and perhaps we could all spend a Friday night with some colorful, uplifting and unabashedly beautiful art. Artists include "Don Hatfield, renowned for his timeless, classic impressionist paintings of mothers and children, frolicking on beaches, sharing loving moments in the loveliness of blooming gardens; Colin Berry, whose contemplative, measured and meticulous paintings often combine landscape and still life, are serenely classical and quietly poetic; Ellen Diamond, whose eye for pattern and color are reflected in her vibrant and vivid depictions of the French and Italian countryside, seascapes and village scenes; Pang Jen, for many years a gallery favorite, whose loose impressionist figurative and landscape paintings are exercises in soft, harmonious color; and popular local artist Ron Johnson, well-known for his paintings of Cincinnati scenes and landmarks as well as captured memories of European travel. "

Red Tree Turns Over a New Leaf

RedTree Art Opening

Friday, April 10, 6-10 pm

Red Tree Gallery (3210 Madison Rd.)

As if Red Tree could be even more fabulous... this weekend marks the debut of their first show at their new Madison Road location. As per usual, there will be wine and live music. Featured local artists include Teressa Barnhill, Scott Dannenfelser, Diane Debevec, Maureen Holub and Dick Macke. I have yet to check out their new spot, but the street front location should definitely put them in the spotlight.

Lobsters Are Surreal

("Lobster Dress" by Elsa Schiaparelli with images by Salvador Dali)

Surrealism and Fashion

Wednesday, March 31, 7 pm

Cincinnati Art Museum

$10 non-members, $5 members

"Because fashion design can be outrageous and Surrealism is a flamboyant art style, it is not surprising that Surrealist artists and trend-setting fashion designers often share a similar love of extravagance" (New York Times, 1988). It is, indeed, only natural that two artistic cliques renown for their intentional outrageousness would collaborate. The most infamous of all surrealist fashionistas was Elsa Shiaparelli, whose work is still studied by art historians and design design majors alike. The Chief Curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Valerie Steele will be on hand to provide more insight into all things surreal and fashionable.

Cincinnati's Fabulous Future

(above: "The Money Spender and His Wife" by Tim Parsley)

Narrative Figuration

Opening Reception Friday, March 27th, 5:30-9 pm

Showing March 27- May 1

Henry James called Frank Duveneck "the unsuspected genius." Perhaps a man hailing from nineteenth century Covington, Ky was was not suspected to be either an artist or a genius. Duveneck was both. He attracted a huge following, known as the "Duveneck Boys," which included Twatchman and Herman Wessel (among others). One of his most famous works, The Whistling Boy (1872) is permanently on display at the CAM.

In Covington, Sandra Small's gallery is exhibiting artists who they believe comprise a new Cincinnati School of Painting. Some of them champion Classical Realism, a style that celebrates the beauty of the past and exhibits a realism inspired by photography while others are more "painterly and expressive." This "golden age" is inspired by Vermeer, VanDyck, Rembrandt, Giacometti, Freud, Bacon, Kitaj and, appropriately, Duveneck. Many of these artists are also recent graduates of UC's MFA program, which almost ensures that works will be both fresh and accomplished.

It is also certainly worth noting that exhibiting artist Emil Robinson will have a personal show at the Keystone Gallery at the Taft Museum on August 30.

Matrimony As a Rite of Disaster

(above: Mother-In-Law by Brad Smith)

Not In My Wedding Album

March 20-May 9, 2009

Opening Reception March 20, 5-9 pm

Prairie Gallery

The beauty of art is that it is sometimes unsightly. Photographs especially sometimes have a way of capturing the moments in life we'd rather forget. At one time or another we've all been victims of the "please don't post that on your Webshots/Facebook profile/ frame it on your mantle" photograph.

A wedding is a perfect opportunity for any photographer to capture such images. Although the bride and groom typically assemble an album of flawless wedding day pictures, most weddings do not go off "without a hitch." That is what makes this show at Prairie so entertaining.

I think the premise of this show is both light-hearted and brilliant. It shows that even the most sacred and beautiful of human institutions can be chaotic and and imperfect. The overall message of the show is, perhaps, that we should stop taking ourselves so darn seriously.

Speaking Primarily About Installation

(above: Robert Iriwn's Primaries and Secondaries at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego)

Contemporary Conversations
Thursday, March 19, 6-8 pm
Contemporary Arts Center
Free for members, $7.50 adults, $5.50 students




It seems antithetical to the 1960s contemporary ideal that an artist exploring light and space could be avant-guarde. L.A.-based artist Robert Irwin proved, however, that not everything had to be so dour. Through his now-iconic installations, Irwin expertly explored light and space as the basis of human perception.

In his book "Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees," Lawrence Weschler recorded the conversations he had with Irwin and described the transient and awe-inspiring nature of his works. Because Irwin's works were transitory installations, this book is one of the few ways that contemporaries can view them.

This Thursday, local art personality Matt Morris will lead a discussion of Irwin's work as seen in Weschler's book. Although it my be too late to read the entire manuscript, I would suggest picking it up and scanning over key elements if you intend on attending the lecture. It is certainly well-written and full of insight and vivid description.

March's Hip Picks

(above: image from Prairie's Happy Valley or Helltown show)

All of my favs....

Best New Discovery: Prairie Gallery

Best International Exploration: MANIFEST's Selections From India

For the Art Collector: Carl Solway's Joan Miro: Master Lithographies From 1948

For the Art Collector on a Budget: Miller Gallery's Artist Stimulus 2009

Alternative Exhibition: Semantics's my tiger, my heart: paintings and improvisations by Eric Ruschman

It's Simply SUREAL

(Album 13, Plate IV, 1948 by Joan Miro)

Joan Miro: Master Lithographs From 1948
January 9-April 18
Carl Solway Gallery

Its a great time to be a Surrealist art-lover in Cincinnati. In addition to the fabulous exhibit at the CAM, Carl Soloway has a show of Joan Miro lithographs at his Findlay Street gallery. The exact same year that he painted the famous mural for the Terrace Plaza Hotel, which is currently outside the Cincinnati Art Museum's Terrace Cafe, he created 13 celestial prints. With imaginative forms and a very spirited nature, they are the epitome of all things Miro.

A Twist of Taft

(Helena Bonham Carter's dress from A Room with a View is currently on display at the Taft's Fashion in Film exhibit)

Taft with a Twist: Movie Magic

Thursday March 12, 6-9 pm

Taft Museum

$10 non-members, free for members

In conjunction with their Fashion in Film exhibit, Taft will host a film trivia contest aimed to entertain local young professionals. As always, there will be a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and a chance to mingle with other young art aficionados. Think of this as a much better alternative to dollar pitcher night at the local watering hole.

THINK GREEN

(2007 winner of the Earth Day Art Contest sponsored by U.S. Department of State by Hanna Kutuzava of Belarus)

GREEN Spaces: Every Day is Earth Day

Visionaries and Voices at ArtWorks Gallery

March 12-April 10

Opening Reception Thursday, March 12, 5-8 pm

Although you may not have it marked on your calendar and don't necessarily plan on celebrating it, tomorrow is Earth Day. The art and design world has long-embraced the idea that creativity and conservationism can exist simultaneously. "Green design" and "sustainability" have been a focus of many artists for several generations.

The artists of Visionaries & Voices will voice their opinion on our over-consumption and the positive and negative effects that human beings have upon the environment with an opening exhibit tomorrow at Artworks Gallery. By contrasting images of idealist landscapes and over-crowded, polluted cities, V&V conveys "a dichotomy of imagery which illustrates the two extremes of modern life." I am most excited to see works made of recyclable materials and conceptual pieces concerning energy conservation.

(Claire de Lune, Amy Giust)

Artist Stimulus

Preview Party Friday, March 13, 6-8 pm

Show continues through March 28

Miller Gallery

Everyone is well aware that "times are tough." We are learning to embrace that less is sometimes more and that, as the New York times so aptly put it, "small is the new big... In the design word this stuff is old news-- but in the art world its evidence of a new survivalism."

What is not necessarily as painfully obvious, however, is that this is the perfect time to scoop up reputable artists at record breaking prices. Its easy to be depressed about the state of the economy but its better to cheer yourself up with a wonderful, inexpensive piece of art. Several galleries such as Phyllis Weston-Annie Bolling and Cincinnati Art Galleries have already hosted such shows. I'm excited that Miller Gallery has also decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Improvisations of Tigers

my tiger, my heart; paintings and improvisations by Eric Ruschman

Opening: Saturday, March 7, 7-10 pm

Show continues March 7-28

Semantics

The first Saturday of every month, Semantics hosts and opening for a an exciting, unconventional and innovative new artist. It is one of the longest surviving co-ops in the city and shows are anything but predictable. I implore you to support this fabulous little non-profit space. Please visit their MySpace site http://www.myspace.com/semanticsgallery for more information.

Manifestation of Mythography in India

(above: a submission for the INDA by Douglas Miller)

Mythography: An Exploration of Nature

Selections of India

Reception: Friday, March 6, 6-9 pm

Show: March 6- April 3

MANIFEST

Drawing upon the long standing tradition throughout the history of art of using the visual to explain the narrative, the works in Mythography: An Exploration of Nature will tell stories and depict legends, myths and fables. This includes comic art, sequential art, documentary, animation, video/film, illustration, performance, painting, sculpture, photography, and drawing. Approximately 700 works were submitted and, through a rigorous process, 16 were selected to be displayed.

Selections From India will display works selected to be a part of Manifest's Selections from the International Drawing Annual. Manifest's drawing center is devoted to exploring and celebrating the medium of drawing in its own rite. Annually, they publish an extensive compilation of fantastic drawings titled The International Drawing Annual. Over 1100 works were submitted to be in the 2009 INDA and a ten-person jury is still deciding which pieces will be included in the final publication. Selections From India will be an early look and possible winners.

Camp Out at CAC

(above: Discarded Spider (Installation View), Carlo Amorales, Courtesy of the artist and Contemporary Arts Center. Photo: Tony Walsh)

The World Below: an All-Night Horror Movie Marathon

Friday, February 27, 6:27 pm - 7:12 am (dusk to dawn)

Contemporary Arts Center

$10 members, $20 members

The CAC is inviting you to bring your sleeping bags (and your courage) for an all-night horror movie marathon. They have not released a list of the specific films, but they promise there will be "both classic and obscure horror films plus many surprises!"

CAC Contemporary Fridays

Friday, February 27, gallery levels until 9 pm, Kaplan Hall until 1 am

Contemporary Arts Center

General Admission, Cash Bar

CAC is re-joining the Friday Friday circuit with open galleries and a late night party. All galleries will be open until 9 pm and a party featuring drinks and the spins of DJ Pillo will continue until 1 am.

Its that time again...

(above: "eggs on glass table" by Mayumi Terada at BASE GALLERY)

Final Friday

Friday, February 27, 6-10 pm

Over-the-Rhine, Pendleton and North Main St.

I can't ever say enough fabulous things about Final Friday. Much like New Year's Eve, it is the celebration of what has been and exudes the hope of what is to come. So whether February was the most productive and successful month of the year or whether you can't wait until March, Final Friday is a perfect event. Visit http://www.irhine.com/index.jsp?page=finalfriday for a walking map and list of participating businesses.

Another New One: Prairie Gallery

(above: Voss Finn, "Figment 7")

Current Exhibition: Happy Valley or Helltown

Featuring Voss Finn and Samantha Johnson

January 23- March 13

Prairie Gallery (4035 Hamilton Ave., Northside)

Its name is meant to reflect the broad expanse of contemporary work that it will display. Whatever the media or sensibility, Prairie Gallery is meant to be an open forum. It exists in what was once an old appliance store, which is entirely appropriate for the current exhibition.

Voss Finn is an established artist who uses found objects and drawings to create sculptures and site-specific installations. Samantha Johnson, who is quite new to the scene, had the unique idea of transferring photographs onto printmaking paper and then sewing them all together to assemble collages. All together, this show emphasizes the variety of media that often inspire and transform contemporary art.

2 New @ V&V

(above: from the Negative to Positive show, Antonio Adams)

Kevin White, Life on Canvas

Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce

Opening February 27, 5-8 pm

February 27-March 20

Opening Reception: Friday, February 27, 5-8 pm

This weekend Visionaries & Voices, an "outsider art" gallery featuring the works of artists with disabilities, will have two major opening exhibitions. The first displays the work of Kevin White, who creates two-dimensional landscapes inspired and influenced by the existence of wild animals. The combination of intense color and complex forms form the unique harmony that is characteristic of his work.

Visit http://otrchamber.com/ for more information.

Antonio Adams and Cheryl Dunn

Country Club Gallery

February 28 - May 16, 2009

New works by Antonio Adams and Cheryl Dunn
Opening Reception, Saturday 28th 4-8pm

Antonio Adams is known both locally and nationally as an accomplished artist. His works are a complex amalgamation of well-known superheros, celebrities, personal friends, the artists himself and his alter-ego. Underneath it all, his work suggests that moral dilemmas and questionable ethics are at play. Also displayed is a triptych by Antonio Adams and Brian Joiner loosely based on Picasso's Guernica but with different characters and conflicts.

For more information visit http://countryclubgallery.com/

Talk Fashion at the Taft

(above: Two-Piece Evening Dress worn by Kate Beckinsale as Maggie Verver in the film The Golden Bowl, 2000. Set early 1900s. Costumes designed by John Bright; directed by James Ivory. Silk satin with lace.)

Lecture Series: Petticoats, Pantaloons, and Painters: Three Centuries of Costume in Art

Thursday, February 26, 7 pm

The Taft Museum

As part of its Fashion in Film exhibit, the Taft will host a lecture about how fashion is always a reflection of a particular society's culture, politics, history and art. Curator of Education Nancy Huth will speak on the basic fashions for men and women of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is recommended that all who wish to attend make reservations and buy tickets in advance.

SawFistTree

SawFistTree and friends Quartex

Opening: Feb 21, 9 PM–12 AM
Dates: Feb 21–Feb 22
Various Artists

FeralMade

Since FeralMade has not released any information about this exhibit, one can assume that it is simply a compilation of it's artists works. FeralMade seems to pride itself on being both enigmatic and playful, so this show and opening reception should be very entertaining.