OnTheCusp.org

Sometimes a "scoop" is something you are glad to get in the blogging and/or journalistic field but at times, with news such as this, it is hard to be excited. In what came as both sad and sobering news, I was informed that Ruschman Gallery will be closing. After much consideration and what I can only imagine was an emotional decision, Mark Ruschman will be closing his gallery, two months shy of its 25th anniversary.

The downturn in the economy has hit many of us in the art community in different ways, some more than others, but the fact is, people simply are not buying as much art these days. Indy has long struggled to maintain a strong, vibrant art buying clientèle and collector base and sadly this has meant a constantly shifting gallery scene. Most galleries are short lived and last less than a couple years. So the fact the Ruschman Gallery has been able to make a go of it for more than two decades speaks volumes and its absence will be felt for some time.

Having opened in the fall of 1984 on Massachusettes Avenue, along side the now long defunct artist co-op gallery 431, Ruschman managed to carve out its niche in the local downtown art community and helped revitalize the Mass Ave corridore. The gallery later relocated to its current residence at 948 N. Alabama Street in 1996 where its continued to exhibit local and regional artists and has remained as one of the most, if not the most, successful art gallery in downtown Indianapolis. Few would contend that Ruschman Gallery has continued to exhibit quality art and its presentation and professionalism was always of the highest caliber.

But I also wanted to point out that Ruschman Gallery would not be the same if not for the continued and added help of his assistant Telene Edington who has been with the gallery for over 20 years now. She has been a big part of the success of the gallery and the running of the gallery has been a collaboration between them both. As will be the closing.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Mark, in the gallery, and discuss his decision to close and talk about some of his thoughts concerning the past and his future. When asked about the decision he talked about how things have been leading in this direction for months but the final decision was only made recently. Once that decision had been made, that he did not want to let it linger. That the artists deserved not to be left waiting in uncertainty. When asked what he had enjoyed the most being a gallery owner these past 25 years he talked about the experience and relationship he has had. His experiences in the art world, the people he has worked with, both artists and collectors. The experience of being a downtown business and helping to revitalize and take part in the growth of downtown. Being a member of IDADA and a participant in the First Friday Art Tour since its inception, the gallery has continuously placed great importance on fostering and contributing to the downtown visual arts scene.

The conversation then shifted, when I asked what he believes he will miss the most. In this, he said that for 20+ years he was able to earn a living doing what it is he loved, that it was only in these past couple years that things had been tough. He was going to miss the satisfaction of putting on first class exhibitions month after month, showing new bodies of work by his artists. That feeling when you opened the door on First Friday and you were anxious for the response. I think it is exactly this connection, the love of art and the respect that Mark has continued to show not only to his artists but to those who come into his gallery, that has made his gallery special.

What's the future have in store for Mark? Well, over the course of the next 6 weeks or so, things are going to be busy. He and Telene will be preparing for the next and final show in the space and getting everything in order for the close. After that, he mentioned the possibility of taking a bit of time to readjust to get his bearings so to speak. As for down the road, who knows, he said he may possibly do some private dealing or consulting work. Time will tell.

As I tend to finish most of my interviews with a question, inviting advice or knowledge for our readers, I thought I would ask this of Mark as well. When asked if he had any advice for those existing local galleries or for those up and coming gallery owners out there, he sort of shy'd away at first saying that he really didn't have any advice per se, only that he enjoyed the experience of being a part of the art world, being a part of downtown life and being a part of something important. That you must have a passion and a true desire for the work if you are going to open a gallery. Running a gallery can be a hard and trying thing. You should get involved with your peers, work together to get things done. Share ideas and strive to put on quality shows and help build a better local art scene. I think these are great words of advice to all of us.

The gallery will remain open for the upcoming First Friday event, with an as-of-yet to be announced exhibition and later the galleries first "sale". In partnership with many of the gallery artists, a number of works will be available for sale along with pieces from Ruschman's private collection. And at a later date even the galleries furnishings and some of its fixtures will be sold before locking its doors July 31st. A sad day, in what will be the end to an era in the local arts community. I can only say, on behalf of OtC and the local art community, Ruschman Gallery will sincerely be missed. Good luck Mark and Telene with your future endeavors.

Ed Funk provides his own narrative in the above video. I felt lucky in having stumbled into the previously empty gallery space in the Murphy Art Center and getting a chance to chat with him. Funk is the owner of Dolphin Papers and the G.C. Murphy Building and a painter and printmaker. As a business owner he has been a quiet and unassuming influence in the resurgence of Fountain Square. As an artist Funk reminds us that being an artist should be about fun and being true to ourselves.

Under the theme “The Shape of Things”, Greg The Mayor, a.k.a. Greg Andrews, displayed photography of women. His formats were varied among sizes, black & white, color, and composition. His subjects are wrapped in stories of something going on but leaves it to the viewer to decide just what.

Greg describes his work as revealing “American culture's voyeuristic fascination with other people's fantasies”. His self-professed appreciation of women is evident. Greg works at getting beyond the female models’ shapes and into their idiosyncrasies.

I find those goals to be successful. Greg’s women are cute, sexy, and provocative without being overtly erotic which would be so tempting to do. Each photo is tagged with a clichéd shaped pricing label that includes a description along with title and price. The wording of the labels can almost be distracting from the photos because they’re so humorously appropriate that you’ve just got to read each one.

Being at Big Car on an opening night is like being at a party. Music provided by DJs ASquared provided just the right atmosphere.

I love going to the ArtBox Gallery. The open space and lighting are so right for all kinds of art. There always seems to be a lot of people having fun during opening nights, which must mean we all agree this is usually a must-see spot on the First Friday itinerary.

It didn’t take long after walking up the entry steps to see that “Deliberation” was going to be an interesting show. The paintings by Mark Pack and sculptures by Max Stolkin really work together. A feeling of being amidst artifacts was pervasive.

Pack’s technique of building extremely thick layers of acrylic on wood and then carving into them give an impression of discovery. Like an archeological dig, his paintings have an interesting surface and color palette, but the excavations expose hidden treasures. For the young Pack, abstract impressionism is art history. It’s to his credit that he has invested creative energy to developing this style to make it his own by seeing real objects like rocks and butterfly wings as his inspiration.

Max Stolkin’s sculptures strip away the flesh and expose the raw emotional inner self. It’s almost painful to see that the skin has been burned or torn off to get to that level where the body is revealed to not be the whole vessel containing our souls. Within that physical shell is the source of our expressions.

Eat * Drink * Paint

Brian Phillips is unabashedly open about being influenced by Picasso and Basquiat. It’s not particularly fashionable to owe a tribute to Picasso. But he’s so powerfully engrained in any conversation about the roots of modern art that Phillips is refreshing in obviously developing a style that pays homage.

Phillips' route takes him to a flatter plane. His larger pieces generally contain words and symbols that can be deciphered. But one has to take the time to peruse an entire piece to find the positive messages of hope.

Using found wood like old flooring or barn siding has become his favorite surface. Combined with the clean, deliberately painted lines, the recycled wood provides a texture that exudes a life to the paintings that would be missing if painted on canvas or paper.

Phillips' work is priced in a range that if you are interested in starting or adding to a collection of local artists, this would be a show to take advantage of and enjoy.

The idea of using large shipping containers as the base for installation artists displaying their skills at utilizing space is exciting. Primary Colours, a not-for-profit organization devoted to facilitating “interaction between visual artists and the community”, sponsored “Installation Nation” as a juried event. Located on an empty lot at the corner of Michigan St. and College Avenue for just the weekend of June 5-6, the show also included food and music.

Five containers were arranged in different angles on the property for the ten artists involved either as a team or individually. Three of the five artists chose themes around “home” and a sense of place.

Lori Miles, sculptor and faculty member at DePauw University, chose to arrange a variety of individual pieces to define her sense of place within the confines of a space that forced her to leave out some of her larger art. Doors, fire escapes, UFOs, and fire poles contain a context for her space. Miles moved around a lot in her childhood and comes to think of “things” to define a home and not a house. The UFO and its landing pad symbolize an arrival for the “ultimate commuters”.

Past museum worker, Michele Bosak, continues her cataloging of possessions and uses the medium of installation to share the comparisons of her everyday objects with her nicely stylized little square watercolors – all framed identically. Each drawing is labeled with the objects description, date of purchase, and amount. I couldn’t help but ask her about what she knows of Jennifer Dalton* who is currently showing in New York shelves of cataloged items of every one of her material possessions. Interestingly, Dalton also gained her obsession of cataloging everything from a past job with Sotheby’s. Bosak is familiar with Dalton but says she started doing her own style of cataloging before knowing of her. Bosak’s creation of watercolor drawings has a charm that is more enjoyable than Dalton’s photographs.

A pleasant spring day sitting on the back porch seems to be the inspiration for Kathryn Armstrong and Jill Marie Mason. The entrance is flanked by a freshly planted garden with classic metal table and two chairs. The pillows on the red metal chairs promise a nice comfortable visit. But the stay seems to have been interrupted considering the two half filled bottles of lemonade. Flowers and a postcard ready to be written add to the ambience.

Debbie Rosenfield lost her job when the World Trade Center was destroyed on 9/11. She moved to Ohio to start a new life as an artist. About a year ago she started learning Photoshop and is currently creating digital art. Roesenfield’s installation consisted of six framed artworks hung on the back wall. A digital projector provided a slick slideshow of other works. One was supposed to be able to text commands and get replies back, but unfortunately a necessary WiFi connection made the slideshow just a random presentation rather than the planned interactive show. While the art shown was pleasant they weren’t memorable.

The last shipping container was put together by an unidentified artist who wasn’t around for the first hour Friday. I don’t want to make a guess as to whom. Placed near the back was a false wall with a square opening. In front of the opening was 12 plastic cups supported on metal rods. Behind the opening was a fan (furnace type) blowing out over the cups. I assumed the breeze was supposed to wave the cups around a bit, but only one cup seemed to be much effected. It didn’t effect me much either.

I don’t know what the judging process involved or how many people entered. I do know I was expecting to see some stimulating, cutting-edge, thought provoking, or bizarre installations. Instead the installations were pretty safe. It was fun to explore from container to container. Being able to talk with several of the artists was the most valuable part of the experience. Overall the adventure Primary Colours provided was wonderful. Their purpose, “To create and sustain a thriving environment for the visual arts through unique exhibitions, workshops, and special events” was successful. I’m looking forward to finding out what their next event will be.

For those who have not yet heard the news via the grapevine or other local news sources, there have been more changes with iMOCA (Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art), its mission, its programing and internal structure. I know that for several months a number of people I have talked to were worried that iMOCA was on the verge of implosion. This new turn of events will hopefully light a new fire of immediacy and vibrancy into their upcoming programing and offer them a chance for long term survival in Indy.

IMOCA's Press Release:

Efroymson Returns as Executive Director of iMOCA
Contemporary Museum’s New Structure Returns to Its Original Mission

The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA) today announced a re-formatting of its programming and structure. While continuing to present exhibitions at its flagship location at 340 North Senate Avenue, iMOCA will return to its early mission of taking art out to the community by presenting contemporary art at other venues. It will also increase the diversity and range of its shows by inviting a variety of arts professionals to vie for the opportunity to curate upcoming shows.

Leading the change in programming will be Jeremy Efroymson who returns as interim Executive Director. Efroymson has been a part of iMOCA since its inception more than ten years ago and has owned several previous roles including those of board member, Executive Director and donor.

“It’s not news to anyone that it’s a tough time for arts organizations,” said Efroymson. “We’re taking a serious look at how to create a sustainable financial future for iMOCA and make it accessible to more people. We strongly believe that iMOCA plays a critical role in raising our city’s cultural awareness and we are committed to continuing to hold some of the best contemporary art shows in the region and in the nation that maintain the iMOCA tradition of the esthetic appeal our community expects. Namely, showcasing talent that delivers contemporary art of a national and international caliber.”

Currently showing at iMOCA are photographs by Jen Davis. For more information about iMOCA, visit www.indymoca.org or call 317-634-6622.

MT. COMFORT

mt.comfort (a space for champions) is very proud to present the work of San Francisco based photographer Lisa K. Blatt. Lisa was recently a participant in the National Science Foundation’s Artists and Writers Program in Antarctica, and was an artist-in-residence for NASA.

The opening is First Friday, June 5th from 6pm to midnight and Saturdays all month from 1 to 6pm.




[image, Emily Kennerk, MLS ID#900256, Courtesy of the artist]

CWP
cwp (a space above the space for champions) is proud to announce it's inaugural exhibition. Organized in eight days and with a budget of $14.27, e-xhibit 1 is a group exhibition of exciting young artists from across the country that will open on Friday, June 5th from 6 to 9 pm. Artists were challenged to create a work of art that could be emailed and printed on a standard 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper. No other restrictions were imposed.

Artists included to date:
Jonn Herschend (San Francisco)
Marc Horowitz (Los Angeles)
Beth Howe (Vancouver)
Emily Kennerk (Las Vegas)
Fred Muram (Seattle)
Jamie Pawlus (Indianapolis)
Lee Walton (Greensboro, North Carolina)

The exhibition will take place in Christopher West's living room, located on the second floor at 1651 English Ave. cwp is directly above Mt. Comfort (a space for champions). cwp and Mt. Comfort (a space for champions) are located in the soon-to-be fashionable Irish Hill Gallery District and probably the two coolest art spaces in Indianapolis. Check it.

cwp is the brainchild of Christopher West, former curator at the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art. In addition to operating a gallery out of his living, Christopher West serves as a contemporary art consultant and is looking forward to having his vintage Bajaj scooter restored and ready to ride.

Opening Reception:
Friday, June 5, 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm

cwp
1651 English Ave, 2nd Floor

For more information please email ChristopherWestPresents@gmail.com.

PRIMARY COLOURS
Installation Nation

Primary Colours presents Installation Nation, a unique installation art event at 500 N. College Ave. Thirteen artists from around the Midwest were selected to create ten installation pieces within five large, metal shipping containers in a space measuring 8 ft. wide, 8 ft. high, and 20 ft. wide.

At the event, attendees can wander in and out of the containers that house the installation art. Audio Reconnaissance will supply the music, and food and beverages will be sold at the event. Admission is $5.

Exhibiting Artists:
Kathryn Armstrong & Jill Marie Mason (Indianapolis)
Michele Bosak (Grand Rapids, MI)
Julie Cifuentes & Brent Aldrich (Indianapolis)
Jeff Martin (Indianapolis)
Lori Miles (Indianapolis)
Derek Parker & Jason Chakravarty (Bloomington & Chicago via LA)
Brian Priest (Indianapolis)
Debbie Rosenfeld & Jonny Roller (Columbus, OH via NYC)
Scott Scarboro (New Albany, IN)
Jeff Schmuki (Lafayette, IN via Gulfport, MS)

Admission is just 5 bucks, and kids under 12 get in free.
Hours are 6-11 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
We'll be selling food and beverages at the event.
Questions about the event? Contact us at info@primarycolours.org or (317) 627-0068.

WUG LAKU'S STUDIO & GARAGE
Brian Phillips at wUG LAKU'S STUDIO & gARAGE
What- Exhibition, 'EAT * DRINK * PAINT'- new paintings by Brian Phillips
When- Opening IDADA First Friday, June 5, 6-9 pm, continues Fridays and Saturdays, 12-4, through June 27.
Where- wUG LAKU'S STUDIO & gARAGE
1125 bROOKSIDE aVENUE c7
Indianapolis IN 46202
317-270-8258
wuglaku@netzero.net

"My motto is "Enjoy life".
I hope that doesn't need an explanation."
-Brian Phillips

Phillips imagery combines elements of Picasso, Basquiat, lowbrow, and primitive. Often painting on recycled materials such as floor boards, door frames, and moldings, his vivid colors, contrasts, and cropped compositions are imbued with a vibrancy and intensity all their own.
You’ve seen his work at Nicky Blaine’s, Arthouse 60, Allotropy, and ORANJE. Phillips also produced the poster for Indy Jazz Fest, 2004.
Brians’ work will be on exhibit from June 5 through June 27. Stop by on opening night or visit us during our regular hours, Fridays and Saturdays, 12 – 4 p.m.
(Excepting First Friday afternoons.)


"Reverie", Martina Nehrling, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20" 2008

RUSCHMAN GALLERY

"Group Show"
Works by gallery artists: painting, sculpture, textile, photography
June 5 - June 27

Opening reception
Friday June 5, 2009
5:00 - 9:00 pm

BIG CAR GALLERY
The Shape of Things: Photography by Greg The Mayor

Big Car Gallery
1043 Virginia Ave. Suite 215
Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 450-6630
www.bigcar.org
June 5, 6 p.m. to midnight
The show will be up through June 20 with hours by appointment

featuring DJs ASquared

Free

About the show:

Greg The Mayor's photos reveal American culture's voyeuristic fascination with other people's fantasies, inner monologues and the artist's appreciation of women. "It's the shape I want to capture not just their physique but their idiosyncrasies," he said.

Getting his start shooting pictures as a poor punk-rock kid, Greg the Mayor worked his way into the photo industry by throwing raves and punk shows and documenting these events himself. Now he's in demand and takes photos for Trust Kill records, Suicide Girls, Food Network and others...

Photo Below by Greg The Mayor titled "Blue"

STUTZ ART SPACE GALLERY
“Convergence” at Stutz Art Space Gallery opening June 5
“Convergence” brings together work by contemporary artists Susan Brewer, Janet Chilton, Susan Mauck and Carol Tabac-Shank. In their diverse paintings, drawings and steel sculptures, all share a love of gesture and open space.

An opening reception for the show is set for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 5, in conjunction with the Indianapolis Downtown Artists & Dealers Association’s (IDADA) monthly First Friday gallery tour. The show continues through June 26, and the gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays or by appointment.

“Convergence” art exhibition
Stutz Art Space Gallery, 212 W. 10th St., B110 (Enter from 10th Street via alley)

Friday, June 5, at noon with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Exhibition open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment through June 26

www.stutzartists.com or (317) 503-6420




AV FRAMING
“There’s a Room in My Head”—canvas paintings by Mike Altman

WHERE: Historic Fountain Square, AV Framing Gallery, 1139 Shelby St.

WHEN: June 5 - June 27, 2009

SPECIAL EVENTS: Artist in the Gallery on Friday June 5, 2009, 5-9pm.



Let’s play a game! What do country and western stars, robots and recycled wallpaper have in common?



“There’s a Room in My Head”. Come on; you didn’t get that?



“There’s a Room in My Head”
canvas paintings by Mike Altman opens at AV Framing Gallery, Fountain Square on June 5, 2009.

This show takes a look at Altman's canvas paintings, exploring the world of music, some of which appear on recycled wallpaper.

"Mike Altman growing up never wanted to be anything but an artist... well, ok, maybe Batman for a while.” Altman uses simple line work and bold colors to illustrate a sometimes complex message. Altman's work can be laced with symbolism, satire, spirituality, and double-meanings. And then sometimes he just paints a picture of a blue cow that is... a blue cow…and of course some robots...

AV Framing Gallery
1139 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
www.avframinggallery.com



HEARTLAND PRINTWORKS
An Exhibition at Heartland Printworks in collaboration with Ruschman Gallery
Prints by "Robert Eagerton" plus "Portfolio 1", a limited edition portfolio of prints by six prominent Indiana artists, published by Ruschman Gallery and printed at Heartland Printworks.
Heartland Printworks specializes in the finest large format scanning and printing for artists, galleries and museums.

June 5 thru June 26th, 2009

Gallery and studio located at 1028 N Capitol Ave.
Suite B-100
Stutz Building (entrance on Capitol Ave.)
317 544 8484
e-mail: ms@heartlandprintworks.com
www.heartlandprintworks.com


First Friday Opening: 5 - 9:00 pm.

Regular Gallery hours: Monday thru Friday 10am to 5pm or by appointment.

ARTBOX GALLERY

Deliberation

New works by Mark Pack and Max Stolkin

Opening Reception 5pm - Midnight

RIP - Alchemy Art + Salon, you will be missed.