Archive for October, 2009
San Francisco Bay area artist Mari Andrews returns to Jackson later this month; specifically to the J.H. Muse Gallery, where she will attend a gallery reception to celebrate her new catalogue on Friday, October 16. The exhibition, “Paperless Drawings,” will be on display at the Muse October 14 – November 30, 2009. Andrews will give a talk about her work during the reception.
Though she creates sculptures, Andrews refers to her works as drawings. Looking through her work on line, many of her works do appear to be sketches on paper, not photographs of three-dimensional installation pieces. Organic and whimsical, these works also convey a respect for nature’s mysteries. And they reveal a true understanding of the forces and universal shapes and forms common to all living things. “Lefty,” pictured above, is a happy and transparent worm hole. A funnel-shaped, petaled aperture extends itself, and if you watch and wait, you sense a sucking force capable of pulling matter through the aperture, down and around a curved tunnel. Whatever is pulled through gets popped out the other end, much as an air gun pops out a ping pong ball.
Or, this sculpture might just represent a wicked pitching arm trajectory.
Andrews, as part of a very large family, grew up looking for some solitude and 
spends lots of time cataloging and gathering the objects she uses in her art. “Her deep engagement with materials both natural and man-made implies continuity with a common source and the unifying energy that flows to us from the world and back again,” says the gallery.
I see a bit of humor, too. And that’s a very good thing. A smile in the art offers us an “incredible lightness of being.” For more information, contact the J.H. Muse Gallery: 307.733.0555.
Last week’s J.H. News & Guide’s Stepping Out section featured a story on two young entrepreneurs. Artemus Huhn and David Dahlin have founded an arts consulting biz for local art, the Art Vibe Project. They’re matching up retailers with local artists’ works. Good stuff.
Now, what about that idea we wrote about (The News & Guide put up this writer’s letter to the editor on the subject, thank you NaG!) some months back, of filling empty store spaces with local art? We cannot find too many venues for that. Here’s a reprint of that letter, a letter inspired by Berkeley, California’s downtown arts initiative.
Window Dressing
Downtown Berkeley, California is transforming its empty storefront windows by using them to exhibit local art. The practice lightens commercial spaces darkened by the economic downturn. The program was the result of year-long talks between that city’s Office of Economic Development and the Downtown Berkeley Association.
Our growing artist population works hard to secure exhibit space; why not give them some free space while creating displays to enliven Jackson’s business center as we enter our summer season? Individual property owners ideally donate their window space. Artists get exposure, windows are lively; exhibits would reflect Teton County’s environs, talent and values, and our real estate looks good. Win, win, win.
Berkeley’s exhibits include a large amount of children’s art, particularly work from the Habitot Children’s Museum and local high school students.
This program is something the Jackson Chamber could embrace, and it supports an economic sector requiring creative solutions. This program may be most valuable for emerging artists; I’m guessing, though, that galleries will want to participate. If they do, they should release commission duties resulting from a “window sale,” but a variety of collaborative models are possible.
Such a program affords storefront businesses some fine public relations opportunities. Windows might display several artists simultaneously. Rotate your window art.
Let’s use this sagging economy to find new answers for Jackson’s arts, and let’s allow other community examples to inspire us; most certainly, we inspire them.
A few months back–a few warmer, sunnier months back– toy photographer Brian McCarty came to town and introduced his neat-o, media activating work. He is the step son of local philanthropist and producer Mickey Babcock; McCarty’s opening took place at Babcock’s new home. The Jackson Hole Art Blog posted a story on his work, and McCarty keeps in touch.
Here’s one of his latest, “Moon Wanderers,” shot in the Tetons. McCarty says the little guys are resin figures. The toys are created by Russian Sergey Safonov, who, says McCarty, has “… hand-built a mysterious cast of characters that exist only at night. The Moon Wanders float along, sleeping and waiting.”
McCarty openly discusses his process, and in this case the process began with an imagined image of small figures afloat under a paper moon. The toys were mounted on metal rods placed in soft mud, at Two Oceans Lake, in Grand Teton National Park. ( Is this legal? Not sure. But I didn’t do it! ) A long exposure taken by a camera atop a semi-submerged tripod “…made the water seem glassy, except for the rippled reflection of strobe light off a paper moon suspended in the background.”
The Tetons can provide a lot of interference if they want to. McCarty was challenged by nature a few times.
“Things started getting a little edgy with the growing army of leeches seen attaching themselves to my waders. A too-close-for-comfort moose followed in close succession, at first looking confused at the humans walking around his lake at midnight, then a bit annoyed. I’d like to think that we scared him off with our flashlights and noisemaking, but it may have been what followed next. Through the 
mist, something that sounded much larger than the moose was splashing around. Unable to see, I’m going to wager it was a grizzly bear or perhaps a sasquatch. Hard to say,” says McCarty.
I saw McCarty’s show with my (dear) artist friend Ricki Arno--who I haven’t heard from in like, two months. Ricki, where are you? Please call. Have you gone back to Planet New York?
From Planet Laramie: Nationally known, Colorado-based artist James Surls will give a talk at the University of Wyoming’s Coe Library on Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning at 1:00 pm. The University’s Art Museum blog says a reception will follow; all will celebrate the installation of Surls’ new work, “Rolling Flowers.”
What a great title!
UW’s blog says Surls is noted for his work with emerging artists–he’s a mentor. He also works quite a bit with non-profits and he and his wife, Charmaine Locke, (Her website cover page shows a gorgeous shot of her large scale bronze, “Open Book.” Please look.) have large-scale pieces in that wonderful venue, “Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational.” Check the above U.W. Art Museum link for more information.
From the Wyoming Arts Council: Art Aid
Wyoming Entrepreneur, at the University of Wyoming, offers free web marketing 
counseling for small businesses, and the Wyoming Arts Council has an Individual Artists Professional Development (IAPD) grant program. Grants provide funds for artists to hire web designers ( wow!!!! artists lose lots of precious creativity time working on websites.), pay for hosting and other needs. A one-to-one match is required, and up to $500 can be awarded.
For info: Email mshay@state.wy.us.
Two things tend to happen when I’m away from Jackson and checking out cultural venues in other cities: I compare our arts scene to those of the places I’m visiting, and I talk a lot about our arts scene to the people I’m with.
I talk a lot about Jackson’s arts because my friends and family ask me about them. Many of them have never been to Jackson Hole or either of our neighboring parks, and they want to understand more about what an arts culture in a town our size, in a magnificent and relatively remote region is like. It’s not easy to describe, but when I finish trying to paint a picture (as it were) of all Jackson’s energy, initiatives, venues and artists, listeners seem impressed Jackson’s art scene is as vibrant as it is.
I’ve just returned from St. Louis. I attended my high school’s reunion, and we had a blast. I and my friends spent an afternoon exploring the Best of Missouri Art Fair, at the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Nori Obata, a classmate and a member of one of St. Louis’ most prominent arts and architecture family legacies, had a booth. St. Louis has a bit of a stodgy rep, but let me tell you: that city’s arts scene is ripping. Over the past couple of decades millions of dollars have been poured into building the city’s public arts and gardens. And the city’s public has responded enthusiastically. They are engaged, and the Best of Missouri was mobbed. It was such a big venue, we literally could not find the end of the thing. And people weren’t just milling, they were spending. Money was changing hands all over the place.
We weren’t just happy to see a successful art fair, though. We were all enchanted 
by the setting, the Botanical Gardens, a bit of Paris in the heart of the Midwest. Acres of landscaped gardens are made even more magical with the addition of Dale Chihuly glass sculpture installations. Rather than detract from the traditional and contemporary gardens and plantings, these bubbly, fantastic sculptures enhance. They are unforgettable. We didn’t want to leave.
Just thought I’d mention it.
So what happened here in Jackson? Good stuff!
Results came in from the third annual Jackson Hole Art Auction, for one. Because I was asked about the auction so much (its reputation is growing, growing!), I’m posting that info. Seventy-six percent of the 235 lots sold, and the auction–which features Western Art and is jointly hosted by Trailside and Gerald Peters galleries–realized just under $6,000,000 
total. The auction says collectors represented more than 30 states and several foreign countries. Highlight sale: Bob Kuhn’s painting, “Like the Down of a Thistle,” estimated at $75 – $100K, sold for $299,000.
You can view all the results on the J.H. Art Auction website, www.jacksonholeartauction.com.
Lynday McCandless SLAM update: More artists needed! Send the word out to your peeps, she says. Use the Facebook, use the email, Twitter. Time slot will change to afternoons, 1-5 pm. Additionally, LMC gallery will host artfilm screenings every weekend this month. PBS’s Art 21 series has a new season, and LMC will screen them Fridays at 6 pm, and Saturdays at 2 and 4 pm. The series features interviews with contemporary artists working in all mediums. Themes include: compassion, fantasy, transformation and systems.
And, artists, you have homework: Watch at least one of the videos, then create a work in response. Next month’s First Friday will feature your creations. For information, email lyndsay@lmcontemporary.com.
Onion Skins…
National Museum of Wildlife Art Chief Preparator Ron Gessler sends this arts related spoof from “The Onion.” Anything to jump start the arts economy…now, it’s o.k. to touch, scratch and smell the art at the Met. Read the article here.
The Jackson Hole Art Association gets fall going with a cool, free, “three-for” opening tonight, 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Center for the Arts.
Local wide-eyed n’ spunky textile artist Abbie Miller curates Larger than Life, a show examining clothing as a sculptural medium, and how clothing helps us, as Cathy Wikoff notes, “inhabit the world.” We are what we wear. The show features works by artists Alissa Davies, Annica Cuppetelli, Rod Klingelhofer, Amy Larkin (did ya see her stuff at Shades?), Carin Rodenborn and Jennifer Williams. Quothe the Art Association, “….in this realm garments become exoskeletons and sculptural shelters that offer protection, exuberance and a new way to inhabit our evolving environments.”
Miller’s fabric creations are wonders. They’re alive. They morph in front of your eyes, they tell stories. Her show is up through November 23.
Sharon Thomas: Studies from Life Drawing, explores the artist’s study of the human form. Thomas, a long-time Art Association staffer, artist and teacher, will soon leave us—and that is very sad. Thomas has a touch we will miss-detail full of delicacy, gentle musings and nature-inspired collages. She’s loving in each and every endeavor—honest. A lightness of being. A master of color.
“Studies” remains on display through November 6.
Photographer Zachary Allen’s Roseland: A Field Guide to New Urbanism is a timely exhibition. Allen’s photographs of a Virginia region facing potentially dangerous levels of growth presents a theme we’ve long been considering here.
How will this new suburban development evolve? Will it be sustainable for the landscape as well as its inhabitants? Allen says Roseland is an important case study; it will present “…the future of designing sustainable communities through a system of strict design principles and policies guided by the charter of new urbanism.” Allen plans to photograph construction of the project from beginning to end.
Check the Art Association’s website for more info. 307.733.6379.
This all brings to mind Jackson’s own growth issues; which brings to mind articles and ads recently run in the Jackson Hole News & Guide. They concern Jackson resident and business owner Kevin Gilday’s drive to initiate the unseating of Jackson’s mayor, Mark Barron. Gilday is proposing early organization of an effort to find a candidate who can run against, and beat, Barron. That is, if Barron runs.
That’s the very basic scenario. Organizing well-conceived political campaigns, campaigns of foresight, is admirable. Right off the bat, however, this campaign has shot itself in the foot. Gilday’s rallying speeches are peppered with negative characterizations. Such hyperbole does not reflect favorably on him. And such usage puts the characterization’s target in plumb position; Mark Barron is (publicly) reacting to Gilday’s slurs in a non-reactive and considered manner. And guess what that does? It presents Mr. Barron as the wiser of the two characters in this local production. Gilday comes off as amateurish and (characterization alert!) dumb. It’s not savvy rhetoric. As a citizen, I’m not compelled to align myself with him. He’s mudslinging, and mudslinging often signals hidden agendas. Toxic agendas.
Lately, Jackson has raised mudslinging to new levels. Let’s class up, shall we? I’ll add that defensive, non-accountable, pointing-the-finger-at-someone-else language reveals as much, if not more, of the same sort of malfeasance it is often meant to conceal. If we’re not accountable, we’re not trustworthy.
So dump your comparisons to Napoleon, Mr. Gilday. Expunge use of such phrases as “complicit cronies,” (Who do you mean? Better be ready to call them out, and back up any accusations with fact.) and talk about the ISSUES. Where do you want to go and how will you get there? Tell us. Present an alternative plan for the town, if you are able.
Because right now, you’re doin’ the Limbaugh.
