by Bob Martin | Oct 25, 2011 | Art, Exhibits, Galleries
Until February 12, 2012, the Corcoran Gallery in Washington DC presents an exhibit of 76 works of art by 31 artists (“The truth is, because we do collect right up to the last minute before a show, there are actually 31 artists in “30 Americans.” —Rubell Family, November, 2008”) who may or may not be African-Americans. I am not understanding the spin on the show and don’t think it is worth trying to figure it out.
Let the work speak for itself and let us know what you experienced.
Mickalene Thomas, Baby I Am Ready Now
by Bob Martin | Sep 23, 2011 | Art, Galleries, Museums, Photograhy
Children with Doll - Gordon Parks
It is a common practice to revise history or at least the telling of it (Michele Bachmann on slavery) so that it justifies the needs of the powerful. To understand the prominence of the United States of America in the world it is necessary to understand the history of the African in America, their contribution to the wealth of the nation and its cost. Preserving the truth, artists (through their work) have left us images and stories that invite wonder.
James VanDerZee, Gordon Parks and Roy DeCarava are just a few artists who left us with incredible imagery that grabs our attention about the past and correctly makes no prediction about the future.
Until November 6, 2011, at the Norton Photography Gallery – Phoenix Museum of Art, Gordon Parks’ “Bare Witness”, a record of the 20th-century and the “unfulfilled promise of equality for African-Americans” will be on view. Much of the pain of the 20th century still exists, this exhibit and others like it serve to educate and lessen the hurt.
by Bob Martin | Sep 16, 2011 | Art, Exhibits, Galleries
©David Byrne, courtesy The Pace Gallery and Pace/MacGill
One of my many beliefs is that interesting art is a representation of where we are now. What interests or upsets people now, what do we laugh at or recognize in ourselves?
David Byrne’s work as a recording artist, producer and visual artist has always given me unexpected joy. GottaGo is delightfully funny.
Apps for our smart phones, pads and computers are all the talk and are destined to make our lives obsolete, by taking complete control of our thinking and shielding us from our humanity. Which is funny in a way.
Lets be honest with ourselves, only an app can consistently say anything worth saying in 140 characters less.
David Byrne: Tight Spot at the Pace Gallery
Sep 16, 2011 – Oct 1, 2011
by Bob Martin | Sep 14, 2011 | Art, Exhibits, Museums
Arizona is home to a number of great art collections, art museums and artists, which is in contrast, in my mind, to the state’s public and political persona. Its almost as if we are at war with ourselves.
Mexican Modernism from the Blaisten Collection through Sept 25th at the Phoenix Museum of Art:
Painting by Fernando Castillo
Modern Mexican art transformed painting and printmaking in the western hemisphere during the first half of the 20th century. Not only did it represent the cosmopolitanism of Mexican masters, but it directly influenced the art of South America and the United States. Led by Diego Rivera, scores of Mexican artists reached out across borders, and other artists reached back to Mexicans at home. This generation of artists, to this day, profoundly affected Mexican culture and art and that of its neighbors.
Mexican Modernism from the Blaisten Collection is drawn from the world’s most important private collection of Mexican modernism. The exhibition includes paintings created by many of Mexico’s leading artists working between 1910 and 1950. Organized around seven themes, the exhibition presents a visually stunning, definitive look at Mexican art of the period. Phx. Museum of Art.
by Bob Martin | Aug 20, 2011 | Art, Reposted
Learned about someone who decided listening to music created in 2010, realizing that he and most of us gravitate to what we are most comfortable with and avoid listening to anything that is new. Thought this was a good idea and understand that I don’t have the same commitment but still can venture out and listen to stuff I am not familiar with.
Someone posted this video recording of Janelle Monae on David Lettermen this year. Great performance, full of fun energy.
