Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 0
In the line up:
[* = new partner]
Indianapolis Museum of Art (161 videos)
The Museum of Modern Art (42 videos)
Art 21 (23 videos)
*San Jose Museum of Art (18 videos)
*KQED (15 videos)
*The Art Institute of Chicago (12 videos)
*Museum of Arts & Design (10 videos)
New York Public Library (9 videos)
Smithsonian American Art Museum (8 videos)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (7 videos)
*Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (7 videos)
*Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (6 videos)
*Rubin Museum of Art (5 videos)
San Francisco Museum of Art (5 videos)
*Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (5 videos)
*Van Gogh Museum (4 videos)
*Norman Rockwell Museum (3 videos)
That brings the total to 340 Videos so far. [Note: This number can and will most likely continue to climb as each partner continues to upload more content.] Needless to say, but that is an impressive amount of content to keep us all busy for a few days at least.
For those of you who know me well, know of my love of classic sci fi, Flash Gordon serials, robots and the like. So I was pleased to be able to watch a couple videos by the San Jose Museum of Art, produced in conjunction with their exhibition Robots: Evolution of a Cultural Icon. One of these videos was Robots - Curator Label - Clayton Bailey. Those robots are great! Now if you will all pardon me, I am going to go watch some more videos...
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Okay, in an attempt to let our readers offer up some feedback on the content we offer, I have updated the blog to allow for you to rate each post from 1-5 stars. What will this do? Well, that is uncertain at this time, but I imagine it will give us a good understanding of what our readers enjoy and dislike, in the context of individual posts. If we see that certain types of posts are what everyone enjoys and would like to see more of, then we may very well begin moving in that direction. Though, in short, I simply like surveys, ratings, and the like. We are interested in your opinions. So, if you read a post, simply click on the star rating you feel best fits and that is it. The star rating option can be found at the bottom of each post, next to the comments link.
I am currently in the works of arranging a few interviews that should be interesting and informative, so keep an eye out for these in the coming week. And with any luck and some timing, I hope to post a couple late reviews of some shows around town. That is a lot in the works for me this week, so they may only filter out a bit slowly but they will come none the less. Enjoy.
Thursday, July 23, 2009 0
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
This morning I attended a meeting of Arts Organization CEOs and Board Chairs from Indianapolis and surrounding communities. I am the Board Chair for the Harrison Center for the Arts. The past couple of these quarterly meetings have been focused on the dire situation with arts funding in Indianapolis. We have been rallied to leverage our networks to influence lawmakers to support maintaining public funding for the arts – a worthy cause indeed. A futile one, perhaps.
Here is a summary of my thoughts on the recent history of arts funding and the Capital Improvements Board (CIB) debacle:
After hearing Mayor Ballard speak to arts and parks funding at an arts event last year and later at an Indianapolis Parks Foundation fundraiser I thought “we’re sunk.”
Early this year, after much reading and parsing an understanding of the convoluted relationships of the CIB, the City-County Council, the Mayor and funding for the arts, I was wondering why a private company with an appointed board controls public funding for the arts in our City. When was that a good idea and how did we get there? Is this a democracy?
After the Arts Rally in April (which I could not attend) I thought that we needed less cheerleading and more preparation for battle. (Yes, I still play video games).
In April or May the CIB took down it’s website (http://www.iccrd.com/) and I thought “Cowards.” The website remains down at the time of this post.
Back to this morning’s meeting. I sat in patient appreciation of the efforts of the Arts Council and Dave Lawrence as a case was presented for the possibility of receiving $1 million of the CIB budget for arts funding based upon the new CIB plan in the recently passed State Budget HEA 1001ss. This plan authorizes the City-County council to increase local option taxes (primarily an Innkeepers tax increase and expansion of the Marion County Professional Sports Development Area or PDSA) to help fund the CIB. But the sharing of the CIB funds is not yet determined. Apparently Mayor Ballard said something to provide some encouragement that arts might receive funding through this. I prefer to wait and see.
Then Max Anderson spoke.
And he said exactly what I have been thinking. Paraphrasing: How much longer will we try to squeeze blood from this rock in this broken system?
I am a small fish at these meetings, so I tend to sit, listen and learn. This morning Max outlined an idea to move beyond the tedium of this battle for significance with the CIB and those in our local government who do not believe that arts and culture is relevant to the point of public support. I was all ears.
Our efforts, which have been focused on paying attorneys to work within the system to salvage a “paltry” sum of public arts funding might or might not succeed. We need to focus on ways to change this battle from legal to political. We need to develop a regional strategy where arts funding is procured through legislative line-item funding - where arts organizations support candidates, not attorneys and lobbyists. Regional means reaching beyond the confines of our city-county unigov, and into surrounding counties with a healthy tax base who make up a large percentage of the arts patronage in Indianapolis.
A lot of heads were nodding. Discussion ensued and topics included embracing the current movement to legalize Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana which is projected to generate $12 million in tax revenue (some of which could help fund arts) and a mention of Denver, Colorado which obtains something like $40 million in public arts funding. That's fourty million annually. We're scrapping for one.
I am ready to whole-heartedly support a new strategy. I have no interest in appeasing the current system, which frankly seems illegal or at least utterly undemocratic to me. I am willing to fight for what our local arts organizations deserve, which is more than a meager fraction of a percent of the state’s budget. Let’s rally behind a new strategy. I anxiously await the next move.
Craig McCormick
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I found out about a new online magazine earlier today from an email from the CCNOA (Center for Contemporary Non Objective Art), an organization I have long been a fan of. After checking out a number of the articles they have posted, I must say I am a fan, or rather I believe I will be if they continue along the lines they have developed so far.
The magazine, "Art, Design and Publicity: an online blog-mag journal" states the following;
Art, Design and Publicity delivers news, features and reviews about Art and Design in the Age of Mass Media. This online journal takes a closer look at art and design marketing. AD&P also looks at the behind-the-scenes processes and contexts of media constructions that shape what we read and hear.
I have had a growing interest in the behind the scenes of such ventures as marketing and PR, particularly when it comes to contemporary visual arts. I have long wondered, in the sea of say stripe painters out there, how one or two of those make it to stardom while others remain virtual unknowns. Not that all stripe paintings are created equal exactly but I think you all get the gist of my analogy. Is an artist better off spending money on postcards and/or catalogs for their shows or spend that money on a PR agent? Where would you even begin to find one anyway? Hell, I have no idea of some of these things and I can only assume many of you do not either. Perhaps in upcoming posts/issues of AD&P, we may begin to learn more about such things and better understand on how to incorporate some of these ideas or practices into our own efforts.
Follow the link above to check out all their posts to date, but in the meantime, here are a couple posts I thought were quite interesting:
The PR guy: Caught out on Abu Dhabi (Skull 2.0)(Extended remix) This particular article shed a lot of light, for me, on the seedier side of the goings on with Abu Dhabi and the UAE. If you are planning on going anytime, you should read this first.
The design editor: "The architect is a wanker" Ever wonder why so much of what you read in architecture, art, and design magazines are becoming increasingly more "puff pieces"? Then read this interview.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 1
Friday, July 17, 2009
Judith G. Levy
Memory Cloud
35mm film transparencies, plastic viewers,
and chain
Thought I would attempt to do some live blogging from the IMA today, so bear with me.
Judith G. Levy a one time Indianapolis resident, (she has recently moved to Lawrence, Kansas) has just finished a new installation in the Efroymson Pavilion (other wise known as the entry way of the IMA). This being the first installation in that space by someone with a connection to the local art community. I am always glad to see a local/locally connected artist make their way into the rotation at the IMA. I only hope that this remains a continuous thread in their curatorial plans. Though I would love to see the IMA adopt a similar project to the MCA's 12x12 program whereby each month they present the work of an emerging local artist. While here in Indy, the curators may strain to find 12 worthwhile artists a year for a number of years, but it could always be scaled down to a handful of artists each year with longer exhibition periods. But that is all talk for another day. Back to the installation at hand...
My first impressions upon walking into the space to view Memory Cloud was a one of admiration on the scale of the piece, that hangs over the entry way like a low hanging cloud. The piece is a bit much to take in at first, being quite close to you but slowly as you spend more time with it, walking around the space, stepping back and viewing it from a distance the form of the piece begins to take on a more striking form. Memory Cloud is a mass arrangement of 35mm slides, each in its own plastic viewfinder (the kind I remember getting as a child when I visited Disney World), hanging from a massive aluminum structure. It is these translucent plastic viewfinders that really create this illusion of form while the images themselves can not be seen except for a small fraction of them which happen to hang low enough for passers-by to peer through. The images viewed are a collection of found or appropriated slides of people and family life not unlike what many of us may have in our own family photo albums at home.
Memory Cloud takes on a more conceptual slant than many of Levy's earlier works and installations that I have personally seen. These images in plastic viewers that are out or reach, hovering overhead takes on this metaphorical presence of the collective memory of the public, shared ideas and emotions. These are all things most of us can relate to.
The longer I looked at this piece, seated here at my table as I write this, the more it seems to come together for me at least on a formalist level. Seeing the pieces sway slightly in the breeze and watching how the changing light levels play off to the plastic viewers becomes calming. Not unlike watching the leaves on a tree. If you happen to be at the IMA over the next couple months you will not easily miss seeing this work. Congrats to Judith!
UPDATE: This installation is a variation of an earlier work which was exhibited at Big Car Gallery last year. If you remember the piece from that exhibition, check out the latest incarnation at the IMA. I had the opportunity to see the earlier work and it was nice to see how the installation changed/evolved, while seeing how the artist played with each of the spaces in a different way. You can see images from that earlier installation at Big Car at this Flickr page.
Click here for the IMA's info on the installation. 
Friday, July 17, 2009 7
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY!
The IMA has offered us a lot of film and video options over the course of the past years, be it through their screening at the Toby theater or as part of their regular Summer Nights outdoor series. Well, this year the IMA will play host the Indianapolis International Film Festival. So for all you film enthusiasts, you should check out the line up of films, grab a schedule of the screenings and make a trip out the IMA to support the festival.
Founded in 2004, the Indianapolis International Film Festival presents films that provide a vivid reflection of the cultural diversity of the world beyond our doors. Settle into The Toby and other IMA screening venues for a full program of American films, world cinema, documentaries and social justice-themed films. This year, we have over 108 films, including 75 shorts, from over 20 different countries.
For full details on the IIFF visit their site here.
NOTE: IMA Member Discount
Tickets will be discounted to $8 for films showing before 5 pm. Members must show an IMA membership card. No discounts will be available for pre-sale tickets.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 0
Thursday, July 02, 2009
For those of our readers who are regular or semi-regular readers of The Urbanophile, should head over to his site today and take the time to fill out his survey. It took me all of 6-7 minutes to complete. He consistently posts some of the most thought provoking and well written posts regarding all things Urban in the Midwest, from art, city planning, architecture, to public policy. Respect the Survey Monkey!
Click here to find out more about The Urbanophile's Survey.
Thursday, July 02, 2009 1
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Arts Council Launches New Artist Database
The Arts Council is excited to launch our new and improved artist database at www.indyarts.org. This new site was made possible through the generous support of the Levin Living Trust. The new site is up and running now. If you currently have a page on the site you will receive an e-mail Thursday with directions for updating your page using your own user name and password. If you do not currently have a page, we encourage you to visit the site and sign up for your own page starting Thursday, July 2. Complete directions and more details may be found here.For questions, please e-mail artistservices@indyarts.org.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 2
This Saturday, July 4th, check out the Art of July Parade in Fountain Square, organized and put on by the relatively new Fountain Square Arts Council. This event grew out of last years Art Parade hosted by the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I am interested in hearing from those of you who attend this years event as well as last years to see how things stack up in the sequel. I will not be able to attend as I will be out of town this weekend. So I hope every one a great 4th and see you all when I get back. March On.
Art Parade from 6pm - 7pm followed by live music. For more information check out www.fsartscouncil.org.
RUSCHMAN GALLERY
[image: Telene Edington & Mark Ruschman, photo by: Garry Chilluffo]
"Our Farewell Exhibition"
Works by gallery artists: painting, sculpture, textile, photography
Opening Reception
July 3, 2009
5:00 - 9:00pm
This will be Ruschman Gallery's final public opening. In conjunction with the First Friday Art Tour and featuring a selection of works by gallery artists, this exhibition will bring 25 years of service to Indianapolis and the arts community to a close. We appreciate all your support through the years. It's been an honor to work with so many talented artists and bring you their work. On behalf of Telene and myself, we thank you.
~ Mark Ruschman
First Friday Art Tour
The gallery will remain open through July 31. An inventory sale will be forthcoming - dates and times to be announced soon.
Preview show at: www.ruschmangallery.com
MT. COMFORT
"Let's all Go Camping!"
works by NERS
It is with great pleasure that we present for your enjoyment new work by NERS. Please join us this Friday from 6pm to midnight, so that your eyes may feast on a strangely enjoyable interaction of nature and artifice.
at Mt. Comfort (A Space for Champions)
1651 English Ave. -- opening reception 6 p.m.-midnight.
HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Stars and Stripes or Whatever
Friday, July 3 at 6:00pm - 9:00pm
The Harrison Center is excited to announce a last-minute First Friday orchestrated by its summer interns and celebrating its own strange brand of Americana!
The centerpiece of this First Friday opening is a group show in Hank & Dolly's Gallery (in the lower level of the Harrison Center). "Stars and Stripes or Whatever" will feature new work by four emerging local artists working across several mediums: Jeff Geesa, Audra McClelland, Jenny Ollikainen and Diego Yanto. The artists will offer unconventional takes on familiar motifs, documentation of alternative moments in our national history and visual observations from young explorers of Planet America.
A decidedly hard-assed craft show by the Indianapolis Craft Mafia will continue in the main gallery. Artwork by Jill Marie Mason, Herron Printmaking MFA is featured in the annex alongside pieces by local talents Scott Grow and NERS.
Visitors should expect a laid-back summer barbeque party with sparklers, sprinklers, fractured acoustic music by The No-Ops and grilling under the stars.
wUG LAKU'S STUDIO & gARAGE
‘Cagney@Wug’s’
Please join us from 6 - 9 p.m., July 3,
To say that Cagney King is a mixed media artist would be understating it. Her
artwork combines elements of Fibonacci mathematics, astronomy, technology, poetry, journalism, paint, clothing, graphite, cement, marble powder, crumpled newspaper
and more, creating imagery ranging from still lifes to social commentary.
“Part of being an artist, in my mind, is experimenting. I am always curious about how different materials will interact with each other, and how can I push the limits of interactions on one canvas. Pushing and pulling, sweating and thinking, rushing and pausing can all lead to a favourable end.” -Cagney King
AV FRAMING GALLERY
“Life Has Moments”
work by John Crowe & Joslyn Virgin Crowe
Celebrating the opening of Crowe's Eye Photography's new studio
Artist Reception in the Gallery on Friday July 3, 2009, 5-9pm.
AV Framing Gallery welcomes our new neighbor…a really close neighbor. Crowe’s Eye Photography has moved in! We are sharing our lovely space together. As a celebration, the gallery walls will display the photography of John Crowe and Joslyn Virgin Crowe!
This exhibition will feature a mix of intimate and client based work, and all within the vein of capturing that just-right, fleeting moment in life, when the photo was taken. It’s a 2-month open house, showcasing their artistry, both as individuals and as a business (photographing for others). The Crowes share their unique vision with each of their clients. You will see the overwhelming constant between the work, personal and public. Their favorites convey something special about life, about living, the moments within it… the sun, the spontaneous shots.
Please go to www.avframinggallery.com for more information.
BIG CAR and ARTBOX will both apparently by closed this First Friday. Of note though, ARTBOX willcontinue to keep last months exhibition, "Deliberation", up for an encore showing through the month of July. BIG CAR will reopen in August with an exhibition of work by Cindy Hinant.
Most of you have probably been thinking that the content here has been quite slow the past couple of weeks, while others are probably wondering why I have not yet responded to emails. Well, I have been computer less for awhile now. A had a mishap with a bottle of water and my laptop while attempting to answer my cell phone. For some reason the electrical components of my laptop did not quite take to some spilled water. Nearly lost my hard drive but was, in the end, able to back up most of my files to an external drive. I had a couple brief reviews I had wanted to post from last First Friday but they, in the process of savagely attempting to back up my files, were misfiled or lost in the process. [Note to self: title all text documents.] Sorry to those of you whose shows I had hoped to post about. I am now awaiting a new laptop, should arrive in 2-3 weeks, which shall allow me to resume my usual connection to the blog and my emails. As it is now, I am using another computer today to catch up on some posts and emails. So, if you please, bare with me and we will soon be back to business as usual. This month we may actually have another guest blogger who I believe is planning on posting some reviews of a show or two. So without further ado, I shall soon have a few new posts up tonight. Thank you.
