Ready or not, it is here and since First Thursday is mostly a social event it is a good way to get the feet planted in the new year. Here are my 3 picks;



Christy Wyckoff, Displaced Grove (2013)

Blackfish Gallery is 35 this year and to kick off this important collective's anniversary they have organized, "Becoming Blackfish," which features 38 current and former members; John Alberts, Dyann Alkire, Robert Bibler, Barbara Black, Pavel Boboia, Sharon Bronzan, Mario Caoile, Judy Cooke, Priscilla Carrasco, Jonnel Covault, Dennis Cunningham, Julia Fish, Susan Freifeld, Sheryl Funkhouser, Deborah Gillis, Robert Hanson, Jim Hibbard, Harold Hoy, Kanetaka Ikeda, Michiro Kosuge, Colleen Kriger, Paul Missal, William Moore, Howard Neufeld, Barry Pelzner, Esther Podemski, Richard Rezac, Eileen Senner, Manya Shapiro, Margaret Shirley, Kate Simmons, Arvie Smith, Stephan Soihl, Rick True, Lynne Woods Turner, Gary Westford, Harry Widman and Christy Wyckoff.

Becoming Blackfish | December 31 - February 1, 2014
First Thursday Reception: January 2, 6 - 9PM
Blackfish Gallery | 420 NW 9th



Jenene Nagy Condition 1

It seems like the months of January and July tend to favor group shows. To that, one that has my attention is I Never Complained About the Past: New Year/New Work at PDX Contemporary. It features; Tina Beebe, Nick Blosser, Elizabeth Knight, Jenene Nagy, Joe Rudko, Storm Tharp and Jane Timken and the title has that light touch that seems to fit a newborn year. In Particular (PORT alum) Jenene Nagy's new print works seems to have moved past the Peter Halley influences and more into a Joseph Albers square dancing with Robert Irwin arena. That's a good thing.

I Never Complained About the Past: New Year/New Work | December 31 - February 1
PDX Contemporary | 920 NW Flanders



There is no discovery in permanence

Last month we reviewed Ben Buswell at Upfor and the show is being rehung with some different works this month. It is a curious strategy and since the initial version was so nicely installed I seriously doubt this version will improve upon it... if it is an improvement I'll eat my words. Which makes this all the more interesting to check out.

We Live Only Through Ourselves
December 5 - January 25, 2014
Opening Thursday January 2, 6 to 9pm
Upfor
929 NW Flanders