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First Friday Picks February 2008
Portland Curatorial Roundup 2008
Spiral Jetty Threatened
Limelight
Michael Cogliantry at Rererato
Brian Ferriso checkup: 1 year as director of the Portland Art Museum
Works, Public & Personal
Sarah Johnson at Chambers Gallery
IGLOO
Psychopsychoanalysis
Comprehension
Tilt Turns Two!

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Main

Thursday 01.31.08

First Friday Picks February 2008

Wild Wild West at Gallery Homeland

This group exhibition, curated by Todd Johnson, examines "the mythology and romanticism of the American western frontier." What lingering effect does the notion of the pioneer and Manifest Destiny have on the making of contemporary photography? The artists in this show explore what is still captivating about "the legends and myths of the Wild Wild West."

Opening reception • 6-9pm • February 1
Gallery Homeland • 2505 SE 11th AVE • info@galleryhomeland.org

(more)

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 31, 2008 at 14:44 | Comments (0)

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Portland Curatorial Roundup 2008

Curators08.jpg
Whether you are an artist or an art lover, curators are the people in your community that you need to know and the job involves a lot more than simply selecting who gets to show in a space.

Last year's roundup was hugely popular and this 2008 roundup will take things even farther. It is still by no means comprehensive as Portland has seen an explosion in interesting alternative spaces. It goes without saying that there is a whole new crew in Portland these days.

Participants for 2008 are: Bruce Guenther, Linda Tesner, Josh Smith, Nathan Gibson, Patrick Rock, Namita Wiggers, Kristan Kennedy, TJ Norris, Paul Middendorf, myself, Stephanie Snyder, and Damien Gilley... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 31, 2008 at 2:15 | Comments (2)

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Wednesday 01.30.08

Spiral Jetty Threatened

Spiral_Jetty.jpg

Important, Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty is threatened by an oil development. Check out Tyler Green's post to contact the people in Utah doing this TODAY before 7:00 PM ET. I went to grad school in Logan a couple of hundred miles away and as anyone who has ever visited the site knows the isolation of the place is important. People in Utah often don't appreciate this and plunk flame spewing oil refineries in some of the most scenic areas imaginable so this is a very real threat. Hell, I even got Chas Bowie this show at Chambers a few years ago because I though his photos of the site were important.

Definitely stay tuned... Ill have PORT's 2008 curatorial roundup posted later today. Also, yes I'll post the results of PORT's bridge design contest early next week. Sorry about the backlog, Ive been very busy.

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 30, 2008 at 10:45 | Comments (1)

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Limelight

limelight at the alexander gallery
Philippe Blanc, from "Limelight"

This weekend, Limelight, curated by PORT's own Jeff Jahn, is opening at the Alexander Gallery at Clackamas Community College. The show explores the tricks and techniques that artists use to catch the eye - and, more importantly, how an artist goes about holding the viewer's attention.

Opening reception • 4-6pm • February 2
Alexander Gallery • 19600 Molalla AVE, Oregon City • 503.657-6958

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 30, 2008 at 10:17 | Comments (0)

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Tuesday 01.29.08

Michael Cogliantry at Rererato

Michael Cogliantry at Rererato

Opening this week at Rererato: Two Thousand Kilometers in Two Weeks: Photographer Michael Cogliantry Takes on India in a Rickshaw. In December 2006, Cogliantry traveled from the Malabar Coast of Cochin (Kochin) to Hyderabad, documenting his travels along the way. For this exhibition, Cogliantry presents a series of self portraits taken during the trip, forming a "unique narrative" that expresses his journey of self discovery through the eyes of a fictional character. There will also be a book signing at the opening.

Opening reception • 7-10pm • January 31
Rererato • 5135 NE 42nd AVE • info@rererato.com

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 29, 2008 at 10:55 | Comments (0)

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Monday 01.28.08

Brian Ferriso checkup: 1 year as director of the Portland Art Museum

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PAM's Executive Director Brian Ferriso

This January marks the one year anniversary for the Portland Art Museum's new director, Brian Ferriso. As arguably holding the most important cultural position in Oregon, Ferriso's actions have far reaching implications and set expectations both within the museum and the rest of the state's philanthropic/artistic community. It is time for an annual checkup. (disclosure: Im VP of the Contemporary Art Council at PAM and PAM is a PORT sponsor)

The Ferriso effect:

For contrast, John Buchannan, Ferriso's predecessor was a successful and aggressive entrepreneurial promoter (but questionable as a connoisseur), and for years many other organizations followed his lead, putting hype ahead of content. Lately, Portlanders have grown tired of the "constant PR" type leaders as purveyors of empty cultural calories. [*Note to our so-called journalists, coverage should focus on qualifications of leaders and the quality of shows (aka the only results that matter) not grandiose promises and PR glosses over inferior programming simply designed to produce attendance.] In fact, the first thing Ferriso did was cool down the board who wanted to build on the new property PAM had acquired so he could focus on solidifying the museum's fundamentals like its; endowment, collections and programming tuned to Portland's needs (more contemporary with a bustling arts scene). He's also empowered his curators and that's good for deeping PAM's intellectual relevance... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 28, 2008 at 16:26 | Comments (4)

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Works, Public & Personal

Oregon Arts Commission

The Oregon Arts Commission is currently seeking submissions for public work.
The first opportunity is for on-site art for the new building project at the University of Oregon's College of Education. Highlighted themes include "Intervention, The Individual, Hope, Discovery and Diversity."
The second opportunity is for on-site artwork for the Oregon State Data Center in Salem. Successful work will engage the viewer (and especially the employees), and compliment the surrounding architecture.

Both submission deadlines are on February 29. You can learn more about the projects here.


Carl Morris at Marylhurst
Carl Morris, "In the Stillness of Time"

On an unrelated note: Guest curators Prudence Roberts and Silas Cook (assistant director of Reed's Cooley Gallery) will be speaking tomorrow at Marylhurst University's Art Gym. Roberts will be discussing Carl Morris: Figure, Word & Light, an exploration of a body of Morris' painting made partly in response to WWII. Cook will address Leonard Ruder: Evidence of a Life Work, a retrospective of Ruder's 50+ year career, moving from landscape into abstraction through continuous formal experimentation.

The exhibitions run through February 13. There will be a special musical performance from 12:30 - 1:15 on closing day. The music was composed in response to the paintings by John Paul, chair of the Marylhurst University Music Department, and others.

Gallery talk • 12pm • January 29
Marylhurst University Art Gym • 17600 Pacific Highway (Hwy 43), Marylhurst, OR • 503.636.8141

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 28, 2008 at 13:10 | Comments (0)

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Friday 01.25.08

Sarah Johnson at Chambers Gallery

SJ1dots.jpg

Sarah Johnson's debut at Chambers Gallery is a breath of problematic air. Comprised of the words (poetically broken by the walls), "I'm not sexua | lly satisfied" it is spelled out in dots candies. The break is perfect, implicating the viewer and space. There is also... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 25, 2008 at 11:34 | Comments (0)

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IGLOO

IGLOO call for artists

IGLOO, a gallery in the Everett Station Lofts, is currently seeking submissions. They feature contemporary works by regional and national artists, and encourage submissions in all mediums. Proposals and examples of work should be sent in PDF format to iglooarts@gmail.com. More information can be found on their website.

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 25, 2008 at 9:11 | Comments (0)

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Thursday 01.24.08

Psychopsychoanalysis

johann neumeister at rocksbox
Johann Neumeister

This weekend, ROCKSBOX presents Austrian artist Johann Neumeister's Psychopsychoanalysis. For this installment of the project, Neumeister will be focusing on the concept of "mother." On opening night he will be available as Dr. Herbert Dreadful, setting up office in the gallery for free Psychopsychoanalytical sessions. Neumeister cites chance, improvisation, connecting people and working with his surroundings as influences on his work.

Opening reception • 7-11pm • January 26
ROCKSBOX • 6540 N Interstate AVE • 971.506.8938

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 24, 2008 at 11:14 | Comments (0)

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Comprehension

The Guardian covers a much touted show of paintings from Russian collections at the Royal Academy (some of the Matisses are among the most important in art history), there is even a slide show.

crownmotelsm.jpg

A group called the Atomic Age Alliance has come forward to save the wonderful Crown Motel sign. Even the TV news is tracking the story. Hopefully (if it is saved) it will stay on Interstate...

(more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 24, 2008 at 10:47 | Comments (0)

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Wednesday 01.23.08

Tilt Turns Two!

Jesse Hayward at Tilt and Tilt 2 Year Anniversary

This weekend, Tilt is celebrating two fabulous years as an increasingly integral part of the Everett Station Lofts. The party features excellent food, drink, and company, and the closing reception for Jesse Hayward's One None Done.

Anniversary party + closing reception • 7-11pm • January 25
Tilt Gallery & Project Space • 625 NW Everett #106 • 908.616.5477


Nice Trim at IGLOO

While you're in the neighborhood, swing by IGLOO for the closing reception of Nice Trim, a group show featuring animation and works on paper.

Closing reception • 7-10pm • January 25
IGLOO • 325 NW 6th AVE #102 • iglooarts@gmail.com

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 23, 2008 at 14:06 | Comments (0)

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Tuesday 01.22.08

Joe Macca's Slowblivion at PDX Contemporary Art


JM_slowblivion_untitled1.jpg
Joe Macca
Untitled, 2007
Acrylic and Oil Medium
45" x 45"
Image courtesy of PDX Contemporary Art
Copyright Joe Macca 2008



When I look at Joe Macca's paintings, I am always surprised with the subtle division between the forms and the color of his work. One might think of it as the forms are the drawing component of the work, while the color is its realization. One is the vehicle, and the other is the message. I am taking the time to make a distinction between color and form in these paintings because in his case they reveal his process in an extraordinary way. The paintings are a union of opposites: between the square and the circle, between personal and the public, between the abstract and the real. More...

Posted by Arcy Douglass on January 22, 2008 at 14:48 | Comments (1)

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Arline Fisch speaks at MoCC

Arline Fisch speaks at MoCC
Arline Fisch, "Silver Anemone necklace"

This week, Arline Fisch is speaking at the Museum of Contemporary Craft as part of the Excellence in Craft series. In Elegant Fantasy: A Journey through Textile Techniques in Metal, Fisch will discuss her 50+ years weaving together the techniques of jewelry, sculpture, and metal working with the structure of textiles and fabric.

Artist lecture • 7pm • January 24 • $5
Museum of Contemporary Craft • 724 NW Davis St., The Lab • 503.223.2654

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 22, 2008 at 9:48 | Comments (0)

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Monday 01.21.08

Sarah Johnson at Chambers

Sarah Johnson at Chambers Fine Art
Sarah Johnson, "I Still Want to be Popular (detail)"

Chambers is launching a solo exhibition by Sarah Johnson this week. Johnson uses colorful gum drops to write billboard-sized messages, combining "candy's seductive veil with taboo confessions" to explore the conflict of expectation and disappointment.

Opening reception • 5:30-8:30pm • January 24
Chambers Fine Art • 207 SW Pine St. #102 • 503.227.9398

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 21, 2008 at 13:59 | Comments (0)

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Sunday 01.20.08

What the Portland Art Center Closing Means to Me

Portland Art Center
Director Gavin Shettler in 2005 at the Portland Art Center's then new home in Chinatown

For the two readers that have not heard, Gavin Shettler sent out an email yesterday announcing that the Portland Art Center is closing. D.K. Row wrote an article about it here. As an artist who showed at the Portland Art Center as they were transitioning from their old space on Belmont to their new space in the Pearl, I was happy that an institution like PAC existed in Portland... (more)

Posted by Arcy Douglass on January 20, 2008 at 14:31 | Comments (4)

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Friday 01.18.08

Working History at Cooley

Kianga Ford at Cooley
Kianga Ford, "Counting (installation detail)"

Working History opens next week at Reed's Cooley Gallery. The exhibition pairs work by contemporary African American artists with related historical artifacts and ephemera. As they share semantic space, the relationship between the objects reflects upon the ways that African American artists have "re-purposed historical documents, material craft histories and folk art forms as indispensable vehicles for social and political critique."

Working History: African American Art & Objects • January 22 - March 2
Cooley Gallery • 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd. • 503.777.7251

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 18, 2008 at 14:03 | Comments (0)

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Hadid gets a university museum... so where is Portland's university museum?

Hadid-Broad-Mich1.jpg
Hadid's winning entry for the Broad Art Museum

I'm certain a lot of you already know Zaha Hadid has won the commission for Eli Broad's art museum at his alma mater, Michigan State University. It's a gutsy choice and I like its italicized character a lot more than her Cincinnati CAC project or any of the other contestants like Coop Himmelb(l)au and Morphosis etc. Still it seems pretty tame for Hadid, despite the fact it uses lots of triangular forms (a personal obsession). She also recently completed this interesting transit project the Hungerburgbahn (don't you just love German).

It also brings up the issue of university art museum's and Portland is really underdeveloped in that department. Seattle has the Henry, the University of Wisconsin Madison has the Chazen (nee Elvejehm), Berkeley Art Museum, Eccles (Logan Utah), Jordan Schnitzer Museum in Eugene, Hallie Ford Museum in Salem etc... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 18, 2008 at 10:56 | Comments (2)

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Thursday 01.17.08

See, Touch

framing.jpg
Harriete Estel Berman, "Yellow & Orange UPC Identity BEAD Necklace"

Two wearably lovely exhibitions are opening this weekend at the Museum of Contemporary Craft. Framing: The Art of Jewelry explores the distance created between the viewer and the object when jewelry is presented to the public as an art object, and how this distance can be played with to bend the art/adornment relationship.

Framing: The Art of Jewelry • January 19 - May 11
Museum of Contemporary Craft • 724 NW Davis St. • 503.223.2654


touching.jpg
Mindy Herrin, "Abstracted Fruit necklace"

The second exhibition, Touching Warms the Art, uses the medium of jewelry to obscure that distance. The jurors of this show asked artists to "put aside preciousness," focusing instead on creating work that engages the viewer physically and mentally and invites touch and delight.

Touching Warms the Art • January 19 - March 23
Museum of Contemporary Craft • 724 NW Davis St. • 503.223.2654

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 17, 2008 at 11:02 | Comments (0)

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Wednesday 01.16.08

Teamwork

James O'Keefe and other artists show at the MHCC Visual Arts Gallery
James O'Keefe

There are several interesting group shows opening this Friday, beginning with Weight, an installation exhibition curated by Pat Barrett. Each piece explores the physical, psychological, and/or psychic impact of "weight." The show features northwest artists Charles L. Forster, Ellen George, Tim Miller, James O'Keefe, Penitents, Kirsten Rian, Stephanie Speight and Jack Walsh, and PORT's own Jeff Jahn.

Opening reception • 6-8pm • January 18
Artist talk • 1pm • January 30
MHCC Visual Arts Gallery • 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham • 503.491.6075

(more exciting shows under the cut)

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 16, 2008 at 10:17 | Comments (0)

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Tuesday 01.15.08

Artist Talks

Hap Tivey speaks at Elizabeth Leach Gallery
Hap Tivey, "Blue for Barnett"

Hap Tivey will be speaking at the Elizabeth Leach Gallery this week in conjunction with his Sands of the Ganges exhibition, on view through March 1, 2008.

Artist talk & reception • 5:30-7:30pm • January 18
Elizabeth Leach Gallery • 417 NW 9th AVE • 503.224.0521


Henk Pander speaks at Laura Russo Gallery
Henk Pander, "Tower"

Also speaking this weekend: Henk Pander and J.D. Perkin will be lecturing at the Laura Russo Gallery. Pander, a Dutch painter, will be discussing his plein air and studio watercolors currently on view at the gallery. Portland native Perkin will be discussing his figural ceramics that are showing at the gallery, inspired by yoga and meditative poses.

Artist(s) talk • 11am • January 19
Laura Russo Gallery • 805 NW 21st AVE • 503.226.2754

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 15, 2008 at 11:30 | Comments (0)

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PNCA Launches FIVE Idea Studios

turrell.jpg
James Turrell will speak at PNCA Feb 16

PNCA has launched a new visiting luminary series called FIVE Idea Studios. The first two visitors being:

MacArthur Fellow James Turrell on Feb 16th, (PORT's Arcy Douglass reviewed Turrell's latest Pomona College project here in depth just last week)

and French philosopher Jacques Rancière on Feb 29th... (he's the art world's favorite rockstar theoretician these days and between these two the college is hitting exemplars of the twin poles in art today, aesthetic experience [Turrell] and the search for new forms of social dynamic theory [Rancière].

According to PNCA (a PORT sponsor):

"Idea Studios will be an ongoing and portable series of conversations, lectures and performances on the inner workings of the creative process. The series will feature internationally acclaimed practitioners from a range of fields and cultures as part of a broader PNCA + FIVE effort to highlight the importance of creativity in fostering innovation and civic imagination. Venues for Idea Studios will at times shift from the PNCA Portland campus to other locales across Oregon, the U.S. and the globe...(more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 15, 2008 at 0:00 | Comments (1)

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Monday 01.14.08

Creative Business at the IPRC

Ryan Jacob Smith speaks at IPRC
Ryan Jacob Smith, "Sorry"

As part of their Winter 07-08 workshops, the IPRC is hosting three talks by artists who've made a career out of their art. Each workshop will explore the business side of the artist's field, and the insights and wisdom they've gained from their experience. All of the talks are free, but pre-registration is required.

The first talk is Thursday, January 17, by freelance illustrator and gallery artist Ryan Jacob Smith. The second talk is by comic artists Jesse Reklaw and Dylan Williams, and the final talk is by graphic designer Briar Levit.

More information is available on the IPRC Calendar.

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 14, 2008 at 14:21 | Comments (0)

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Aaron Siskind at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art

jerome_20_w.jpg
Jerome 20, 1949
Gelatin silver print, 1957

"If you look very intensely and slowly, things will happen that you have never dreamed of before." -Aaron Siskind

I was caught a little off guard when I walked into the Charles Hartman Fine Art to see a show of Aaron Siskind's photographs. In most of my favorite photos there is no object in the picture. Just a surface. More often than not, it is decaying as we silently watch it. In his best photos he destroys the object in the same way that the best abstract expressionists destroyed the figure. More accurately, the body is what filters the experience, both of the photographer and the viewer, rather than being the object... (more)

Posted by Arcy Douglass on January 14, 2008 at 0:27 | Comments (0)

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Friday 01.11.08

Emily Ginsburg at OSU's Fairbanks Gallery

Emily Ginsburg at OSU's Fairbanks Gallery
Emily Ginsburg, "Social Studies #14"

PNCA professor Emily Ginsburg will be exhibiting her work at OSU's Fairbanks Gallery. Habitual combines selected prints from Ginsburg's Social Studies series with her video Blink to explore "the idiosyncrasies of the familiar." Ginsburg's work encourages us to consider the processes of social interaction, communication, and behavior in our day to day lives.

Exhibition • January 14 - February 6
Fairbanks Gallery • 106 Fairbanks Hall • OSU Campus

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 11, 2008 at 11:26 | Comments (0)

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Thursday 01.10.08

Breathing in the Light: James Turrell at Pomona College

BTL_Entrance-to-End-Around.jpg
James Turrell
Entrance to End Around, 2006
neon light, fluorescent light & space
Courtesy GRIFFIN, Santa Monica
Photo by Florian Holzerr
Copyright James Turrell



It is the day after Christmas, and I am walking up a narrow corridor to enter James Turrell's End Around at the Pomona College Museum of Art. There is a soft, blue lavender light that spills into the space of the corridor from an adjacent room. It is hard to describe the effect of the light, but it is a light that has its own identity, its own volume. It is man-made and not natural, so the environment feels slightly alien and unlike anything I have ever seen. I realize quickly that I am about to enter a space that I'm probably not prepared for and for which there is no natural equivalent. As I turn the corner, the blue light floods the space, as floors, walls and ceiling converge at a rectangle in the center of the room. There is nothing for my eye to focus on. This is one of Turrell's ganzfeld pieces. Ganzfeld means "total (or entire) field" in German and comes from the experiments of Wolfgang Metzger in the 1930s. The premise is simple: if we spend all of our time using our eyes to focus on objects, what happens to our eyes (and our minds) when we do not have anything to focus on? So turning the corner and entering End Around, I felt a lot like Alice wondering how deep the rabbit hole goes.
More...

Posted by Arcy Douglass on January 10, 2008 at 23:02 | Comments (0)

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Portland Spaces magazine unveiled

Randy Gragg and I have a long history but his history with the city of Portland's aesthetics goes back much farther than that. Though he wasn't the first to write about me here, he was the first to pen a review on a show I put together way back in 2001. I remember he asked me, "so who is the ringleader?" My half-idiotic response was, "I suppose that would be me?" Undoubtedly he thought I was a yutz but wrote the review anyway (bet he wishes he could have that one back eh?). Still, some of the art was good and that's all he cared about. Now after leaving the Oregonian Gragg's the ring leader of the brand new Portland Spaces magazine a kind of Dwell magazine for Portland. Fist Gragg was an art critic, then an architecture critic and now he's an editor in a city that is rapidly reimagining itself. If there was ever a time for such a thing it's now.

PortlandSpaces2.jpg

Sure Gragg's departure from the O did prompt some major civic leaders to query if the O will just abdicate architectural and design criticism altogether but I suspect they will need to do something to compete with Portland Spaces for relevance sake. Though Randy and I don't always see eye to eye (mostly because we differ on important minutiae) I've always respected the guy and like the fact we offer eachother the opportunity to disagree (critics live for this). Also, Randy has an excellent nose for news and always seems to know where the action is... which makes his new Portland Spaces magazine tantalizing.

The inaugural issue of the bimonthly has an interesting modern home by rising architect Jeff Kovel built for Karen and John Hoke (Nike VP) on the cover...(more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 10, 2008 at 23:01 | Comments (0)

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Chris Haberman at 23 Sandy

Chris Haberman at 23 Sandy
Chris Haberman, "Cindy Sherman"

Opening this weekend at 23 Sandy is Chris Haberman's Something for Nothing. Haberman is a strong presence in Portland, working prolifically from the curating side as well as the production side. This exhibition features his vibrant paintings, inspired by "comic books, curbside discards and popular culture." There will also be an artist slide show and lecture a few days after the opening, titled Something for Nothing: My Life.

Opening reception • 4-6pm • January 12
Artist lecture • 7pm • January 15
23 Sandy Gallery • 623 NE 23rd AVE • 503.927.4409

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 10, 2008 at 12:05 | Comments (0)

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Portland openings in Seattle and New York

Portland is unique as a scene defined mostly by its artists, not its institutions or galleries and there are several interesting out of town art shows for Portlanders opening in the next few days.

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Adam Sorensen's National Park

Today Adam Sorensen makes his debut at Seattle's James Harris Gallery. Sorensen's break out solo show at Elizabeth Leach last year had us expecting more and this looks like a serious effort. His work was even collected by the CW network last year. (Sorensen has switched his representation in Portland to PDX Contemporary Art too)... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 10, 2008 at 11:06 | Comments (1)

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Wednesday 01.09.08

More on Broad and the Portland connection

UncleEli.jpg
Eli Broad's big news in the New York Times yesterday still has everybody talking. Is forming an independent art lending institution a form of Teddy Roosevelt style cultural trust-busting (museum as monopolizer) or does it short circuit the opportunities and dialog of the works joining a larger collection? For example, curators build museum collections around acquisitions, not available loans. Also, loans aren't likely to become museum favorites that people can visit for 10+ year stretches of time (my favorite part of museum going). Still LACMA's new Broad building will have a strong presence of Broad Art Foundation loans.

Interestingly enough, Portland has a stake in this story as Broad has been very active with the Portland Art Museum and by not giving the collection wholesale to LACMA it leaves the door open for further engagement with Portland's art starved but rapidly developing cultural ecosystem. Portland has been the beneficiary of the Broad Foundation quite regularly including the Damien Hirst and Camouflage shows at the Portland Art Museum in 2007. Sure we have some good collectors in the Northwest but no collection North of California on the West Coast can compete with Broad's, it really helps as a resource.

By creating a lending institution and not mothballing... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 09, 2008 at 14:30 | Comments (2)

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Tuesday 01.08.08

Interview with MK Guth

MarneLucas_MKGuth888.jpg
Portrait of MK Guth by Marne Lucas

"I have no life," confesses MK Guth with a chuckle. "But that's off the record." What the overachieving Portland artist means, of course, is that outside of an accelerating art practice that has her touring a new project across the nation-state-hopping her way to the Whitney Biennial-and heading the new Masters in Visual Studies program at PNCA, she doesn't have a lot of time for hobbies. But Guth seems to be taking both her hectic schedule and success in stride. The Wisconsin transplant, who has lived and or shown in Portland for...(more)

Posted by Ryan Pierce on January 08, 2008 at 9:51 | Comments (4)

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Thrifty

Brian Ulrich at Quality Pictures
Brian Ulrich, "Untitled Thrift (Pricer 2)"

This Friday, Brian Ulrich's Thrift is opening at Quality Pictures. The photographs are from a chapter of Ulrich's Copia project, which explores consumerism in American culture. When the American government responded to the tragedies of 9-11 by encouraging citizens to shop, Ulrich began the Copia project as a direct response to what he perceived as the equation of patriotism and consumerism. The project currently features three chapters, Retail, Backrooms, and Thrift.

As part of the opening event, Quality Pictures is hosting a clothing drive to benefit Portland's thrift stores. They request that people bring a quality item of clothing to donate to the reception, which will feature a beer and wine tasting with food by Planet B's Modern Tastes.

Opening reception • 6-9m • January 11
Quality Pictures Contemporary Art • 916 NW Hoyt • 503.227.5060

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 08, 2008 at 8:50 | Comments (0)

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Monday 01.07.08

Think links

PORT has a ton of thought provoking interviews and reviews this week but let's kick things off with some fresh links:

Portland's Daniel Peterson posts his first image of 2008 and it is fantastic. This guy needs a solo show, best new photographer I've seen in years.

Also, the New York Times had nice things about video art and snow globes.

Art Ltd. a newish West Coast art mag did a nice bit on Julius Shulman.

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 07, 2008 at 12:43 | Comments (0)

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Media Arts Fellowship

From the NW Film Center, Oregon Arts Commission, and the Oregon Film & Video Office comes a great opportunity for local film artists: "A fund has been established for Oregon filmmakers to provide financial support for production expenses to enable Oregon film or video artists to create or complete new work, or works in progress. Media artists will be able to apply for up to $15,000 in cash and up to 3 weeks of studio, video and audio support. The Media Arts Fellowship will recognize and assist media artists whose work shows exceptional promise and who have demonstrated a commitment to film or video art."

The application deadline is January 31. Visit the NW Film Center for more information.

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 07, 2008 at 11:38 | Comments (0)

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Friday 01.04.08

Eyes & Ears

Dan Senn at the PSU Autzen Gallery
Dan Senn, from "Air Lift, Lilt"

A new exhibition is opening at PSU's Autzen Gallery next week. Dan Senn's Air Lift, Lilt is "an installation of kinetic, inflatable, sound sculpture." The project utilizes Senn's broad background in both music composition and ceramic sculpture.

Artist reception • 5-7pm • January 7
Autzen Gallery • PSU, Neuberger Hall, 2nd Floor, 724 SW Harrison St.


Children of the Revolution Festival

If you like to mix your sights and sounds, you might also want to check out the third annual Children of the Revolution Festival. The Festival was conceived as a way to unite musicians and artists with members of the unique Portland community. This year features a huge list of great Portland artists, including Corey Smith, Yoni Kifle, Roxanne Jackson, Brad Adkins, and many, many more.

The festival is happening this weekend, January 5 & 6th, at Audiocinema, from 2:30pm-12:30am. Presale tickets are available at Jackpot Records for $10 for one day or $15 for two days.

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 04, 2008 at 13:24 | Comments (0)

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David Lynch at Northwest Film Center this weekend

Lynch_inLYNCH.jpg
DAVID LYNCH IN DIRECTOR blackANDwhite'S LYNCH. COURTESY ABSURDA.

JAN 4, 5, 6 FRI 7 PM, SAT 7 PM, SUN 5:30 PM
LYNCH
US/DENMARK 2007
DIRECTOR: BLACKANDWHITE
This fascinating, indeed "Lynchian," portrait offers a rare glimpse into the enigmatic mind and creative process of the famed director of ERASERHEAD, THE ELEPHANT MAN, BLUE VELVET, and MULHOLLAND DRIVE, to name just a few of his surreal and seminal works. Filmed over a period of two years (by mysterious producers) it follows David Lynch at home and at work on the set of his recent INLAND EMPIRE with Laura Dern and Jeremy Irons... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 04, 2008 at 12:35 | Comments (0)

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Thursday 01.03.08

Jesse Hayward at Tilt

Jesse Hayward at Tilt
Jesse Hayward

For the month of January, Tilt exhibits Jesse Hayward's One None Done. Hayward's work combines the sculptural with the painterly and drawn, blurring boundaries and lending a "heightened leeway" to form and color. The site-specific installation creates "sweeps of gesture" throughout the space.

Opens January 4th
Closing reception • 7-10pm • January 25
Tilt Gallery and Project Space • 625 NW Everett St. #106 • 908.616.5477

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 03, 2008 at 22:58 | Comments (0)

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First Friday Picks January 2008

Hiroshi Watanabe at Newspace
Hiroshi Watanabe

This month, Newspace presents Ideology in Paradise, a series of photographs by Hiroshi Watanabe. In this beautiful exhibition, Watanabe gives the viewer a glimpse into the normally off-limits world of North Korea. Although accompanied by government-appointed handlers, Watanabe was able to capture many charmingly human moments in the people he portrays.

There will be a free artist lecture and slideshow at 1pm on Saturday, January 5.

Opening Reception • 7-10pm • January 4
Newspace Center for Photography • 1632 SE 10th AVE • 503.963.1935

(more)

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 03, 2008 at 14:20 | Comments (0)

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Last day for Yeon architecture exhibition

Yeon.jpg

Please forgive me (and the bum rush of the holidays + Miami) for not posting on this earlier but today is the last day to see the inaugural exhibit at the American Institute of Architects new Portland HQ's in the Pearl District (the old SK Josephsberg Gallery building). The show is John Yeon: in the land of influence, curated by Randy Gragg (whose Portland Spaces magazine launches next week). Brian Libby at Portland Architecture had a nice post on Yeon's Swan house a while back too.

To me Yeon looks a lot like a more practical Frank Lloyd Wright without all the hubris... and his work remind's me of my parent's house in Wisconsin.

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 03, 2008 at 10:29 | Comments (0)

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Tuesday 01.01.08

First Thursday Picks January 2008

Hap Tivey at Elizabeth Leach
Hap Tivey, "Sand Grain"

This month, Hap Tivey's Sands of the Ganges opens at the Elizabeth Leach Gallery. Created with canvas, acrylic, and LEDs, these light sculptures are a gorgeous antidote to the dark Northwest winter. The show derives its title from a Sanskrit metaphor for infinity, and each work explores theoretical concepts just this side of abstraction, such as a proton or the wavelength of speech.

Opening reception • 6-9pm • January 3
Elizabeth Leach Gallery • 417 NW 9th AVE • 503.224.0521

(more)

Posted by Megan Driscoll on January 01, 2008 at 15:20 | Comments (1)

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Best of 2007

It's done now but 2007 was a big year and here is how PORT's Ryan Pierce, ex-PORTer and new Beaverton Arts Comission board member Melia Donovan, Matt McCormick, Micah Malone, Jesse Hayward and my own dull self rated the year... (more)

Posted by Jeff Jahn on January 01, 2008 at 13:26 | Comments (5)

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