by Sandy | Dec 14, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, music
Legendary Jazz club the Village Vanguard will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2010. Such jazz greats as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Thelonius Monk, and Cannonball Adderly, just to name a few, all played at the Vanguard and more than 100 Jazz albums were recorded here.
Opened in February1935 as a bar, the 7th Avenue basement club has presented all types of entertainment from pop singers to beat poetry to folk music and then in 1957 it changed to an only Jazz format which has been its claim to fame. People still come from around the world to the Vanguard to listen to the music.
Village Vanguard
178 Seventh Ave South, NYC, N.Y.
by Bob Martin | Dec 14, 2009 | Art, Art Travel, Creativity, Exhibits, Museums
The marvelous paintings of Michelangelo Meris Caravaggio are scheduled to 
on exhibit 18 February – 13 June 2010 at the Scuderie del Quirinale marking the 400 years since his death. What is promised in this exhibit of Caravaggio’s work that is different than others I’ve seen, is that there is an assertion that all of the works are those of the great master. The paintings that could be or may be Caravaggio’s have been weeded out.
By drawing on the literary sources and the immense volume of documentary material collected and systematically updated first by Mia Cinotti, from 1971 to 1983, and subsequently by Stefania Macioce, in 2003, and continuously increased up to the present day, it has been possible to conduct a rigorous critical appraisal of the paintings, their precise chronological dating, their provenance and the original and subsequent settings by tracing their various changes of ownership. Scuderie del Quirinale
I never grow tired of seeing Caravaggio’s paintings. They are dramatic, beautifully executed and while many are depictions of biblical scenes, that are also the subject of paintings by other artists of that time, Caravaggio’s works are to me more imaginative and powerful.
So for the art traveler another reason to visit Rome next year.
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by Sandy | Dec 11, 2009 | Artist Awards, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Events, Exhibits, Museums
Starting on November 21, the Art Institute of Chicago presents “Heart and Soul: Art from Coretta Scott King Award Books”.
“The hearts and souls of musicians and poets, great feats of bravery and risk, and spiritual uplift are some of the memorable messages portrayed in this collection of picture books. Heart and Soul features original illustrations by artists who have won the Coretta Scott King Award or Honor Award, presented annually to recognize the contributions of African American illustrators and authors whose stories promote an understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contributions to the American dream.”
“Heart and Soul” until April 18, 2010
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Image: “Rosa”, Bryan Collier – 2005 (Book illustration)
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by Sandy | Dec 10, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Exhibits, Photograhy
“Hearst 8×10 Photography Biennial” is an international competition created by Hearst Magazines to identify and promote new and emerging photographers.
The entries will be accepted starting on January 4, 2010. Eight winners will be chosen on March 1, 2010 and the photographers work will be included in an exhibit scheduled for January 2011.
“Hearst 8×10 Photography Biennial”
(btw: I noticed that all the pages on the Hearst site are currently featuring the 2009 winners. Hopefully all will be up to date by January 2010.)
by Sandy | Dec 10, 2009 | Art, Artist, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Drawing, Exhibits, Galleries
Bay area artist, Arthur Okamura, 1932 – 2009, did screen printing, painting and drawing. His first exhibition was with Braunstein/Quay Gallery in 1981, showing works from his travels to Indonesia. “A tireless and gifted artist, Okamura had recently completed a body of Zen influenced paintings and drawings. This exhibition will include early as well as new paintings and other works.”
“Arthur Okamura | Now, Then and Beyond” until December 24, 2009
Braunstein/Quay Gallery
430 Clementina, San Francisco, CA
(Images: “Dove Sound”, 2007 and “Somewhere In A Stream”, 2007 – both acrylic on canvas)
by Bob Martin | Dec 8, 2009 | Art, Books, music
Listening today to Robin D.G. Kelly on Fresh Air speak about his new book
Thelonious Monk
“Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original” and about Monk’s dancing in a circle. Kelly says that Monk was actually leading the rhythm section of the band or quartet when he got up from the piano and started to rotate.
I’ve seen Monk a few times at the Randall’s Island Jazz Festival and at New York Town Hall and remember the dancing and not finding it strange at the time and I never got he was doing anything other having a good time. I’ll take Kelly’s research in writing this book as fact and I did not see it that way at the time. Monk’s dancing only got strange when he started to do the dance when not on stage.
Monk’s repetitive movements could have been a sign of autism and here again Kelly dismisses this completely. I think we will never really know sure. The book sounds like a good read and present for the holidays.
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by Bob Martin | Dec 8, 2009 | Art, Culture, Education, Museums
Having visited Haiti many times and learning a little bit of it’s history,
The Capture by Jacob Lawrence
particularly that of Toussaint L’Ouerture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who accomplished something in scale as heroic as the 13 colonies’ victory in our war of independence. Haiti’s history is obscured by it’s poverty. It is as if the Haiti’s proximity to the United State make it easy to overlook.
The Dallas Museum of Art is helping to peak our curiosity with a showing of silk prints by Jacob Lawrence about Toussaint L’Ouerture who was a leader in the Haitian revolution. Born a slave, he became commander in chief of the revolutionary army in 1800. In 1804, Haiti became the first black Western republic.
Jacob Lawrence: The Life of Toussaint L’Ouverture
December 6, 2009–May 23, 2010
Focus Gallery II
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by Sandy | Dec 8, 2009 | Actors, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, dvd, Film, Movies
Directed by Sam Mendes, “Road to Perdition”, 2002, is based on the novel “Perdition” by Max Allan Collins. This excellent movie takes place in violent, 1930’s Chicago– “man on the run” story turns into a father & son bonding adventure- full of anger, blood, and revenge, but also humor and sweetness. There is the discovery that a son can be the mirror of his father, but still choose a different life path.
The actors are terrific, especially Tom Hanks as the father who mastered the art of being a “hitman” at an early age and Tyler Hoechlin as his son. Paul Newman is wonderful as the organized crime boss, outward paternal goodness covering a ruthless core. The beautiful Jude Law has an ugly and deadly role as a crime scene photographer with a sideline. Daniel Craig, before he became “007”, is easy to hate as the weasel that starts all the mess in motion.
A beautiful looking film, the cinematographer was Conrad Hall, full of shadows and weather- scenes shot in rain and snow, and then changes to beach and sun as the drama itself starts to clear.
“Road to Perdition” – outstanding!
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by Bob Martin | Dec 4, 2009 | Art Travel, Museums
One of the best and most intriguing museums to visit on the Planet and unfortunately the
Dinosaurs
American Museum of Natural History is often forgotten. It is a must see. All of it is a must see. And if after spending a day there your not enlivened and full of wonder you should be concerned.
This museum is about informing us about what is known as soon as it is known, knowing that it is only temporary and that some new knowledge just around the corner. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there but a feeling that I will be in New York this coming year and will make it must visit.
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by Sandy | Dec 4, 2009 | Art, Artist, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Museums
In celebration of its re opening and 40 year anniversary, El Museo Del Barrio New York presents, “NEXUS NEW YORK: Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis”.
Featuring work from 1900 to 1942, by such artists as Carlos Enríquez, Alice Neel, Marius de Zayas, Francis Picabia, Joaquín Torres-Garcia, and José Clemente Orozco, the display “examines pioneering Caribbean and Latin American artists who lived in New York City before World War II and shaped the American avant-garde.”
“NEXUS NEW YORK Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis” – until February 2010
El Museo Del Barrio New York, 1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)
New York NY
Image: “Untitled”, 1920 – Joaquín Torres-Garcia
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