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November 30, 2010
Schomburg Center Names Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad New Director
(Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad Photo by Terrence Jennings)
NYPL recently announced that Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, a scholar of African-American history and faculty member at Indiana University, has been appointed as the next Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, effective July 2011. Dr. Muhammad will succeed Howard Dodson, Jr., who is retiring after leading the Schomburg for more than 25 years and cementing its position as the world's leading repository on the global Black experience.
"There has never been a more exciting time in the history of the Schomburg Center," said Aysha Schomburg, great-granddaughter of Schomburg Center founder Arturo Schomburg, President of the Schomburg Corporation, and Schomburg Director Search Committee member. "Without any doubt, Khalil has the skills and the passion to build on the legacy."
One of the YouTube comments for Bruno Mars' "Grenade" music video got me to thinking. It mentioned that the way a man falls in love is totally different from the way a woman falls in love. Yes, a man wrote it, but think about it. Women will fall in love multiple times through their lives. Men tend to fall once and it's likely the last time if that partner hurt us. I can relate although I have loved a few times so far. Go figure (lol). Enjoy the video. It's a clever concept. Album in stores now.
Now, the live performance from the Soul Train Awards show...
Is That R. Kelly??? (Soul Train Awards 2010 Review)
HOLD UP! Hold up! Is that Robert Kelly picking up where "Step In The Name Of Love" left off? He has gained a little weight and probably had some time on his hands to reflect. To my surprise, R. Kelly shut the whole show down from the start! This man reminded everyone why we ultimately fell in love with him. It was because of the music and not the drama. Hopefully, this is the incentive/inspiration R. needs to step back into that limelight. We're rooting for you! These kids nowadays don't sing like that anymore!!!
After hearing the opening line-up announcement, I wonder if everybody and their mama was at the awards show except for me (lol). The reigning hosts, Taraji P. Henson & Terrell Howard, of the Soul Train Awards brought an interesting theatrical element to the awards this year. It was definitely an improvement from last year. Then (drum roll please!)...
...Then (and I must have glossed over the fact that there was a tribute to one of my favorite singers of all time!), Chrisette Michele, Tamia, Faith Evans, Kem, Rachelle Ferrell, Lalah Hathaway, Goapele, Dionne Farris, and finally El DeBarge rained down their gratitude for the legendary music of soul songstress Anita Baker (listen HERE to one of my Anita favorites). Chrisette was a perfect opening. Tamia got an opportunity to truly thank the woman who introduced her to her now-husband Grant Hill. Faith sounded good. Kem got trumped (as most singers would) by the incomparable Rachelle Ferrell. Lalah was the highlight for me!!! She needs to record that one! Seriously... Goapele got overshadowed by the powerhouse/very appropriate vocals of Dionne Farris. And it ended with a very gracious speech from Anita, in which she acknowledges that there was some sangin' on that stage, and El DeBarge singing a final thanks.
Here's another highlight:
Erykah can do no wrong by me. Yeah I said it (lol). This was a very artistic performance and she stands out for her individualism.
Does anyone still care about the nominations and winners anymore??? Anyone? ;)
FREE DOWNLOADS!!! (Or Just Take A Listen) - NEW Trey Songz & Chris Brown Mixtapes...
The mixtape of this new digital era is far different from the mixtape of the '90s. Today, the mixtape is not bought and sold to supply the listener with exclusive material from their favorite DJ that they can't hear anywhere else. It is now a wise marketing tool to help promote the forthcoming or current project the record label really wants you to pay for. Trey Songz actually has a new album out now called Passion, Pain and Pleasure while Chris Brown's F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies) is set to drop in 2011. More often that not, the artist is paying for the mixtape out of their own pockets. Therefore, it gives the artist complete creative control. So if you want to know how your favorite artist really feels on a raw level, then take a listen to his/her mixtape and you just might be surprised...
STARSHELL Is Mary J. Blige's Newest Artist/Protege (UPL Music Moment)
Here’s what I like to refer to as an UPL Music Moment. It’s brand new, something different for the musical palate and worth a listen.
Starshell is the songwriter behind hits such as Mary J. Blige's own "I Can See In Color" and Kanye's "Love Lockdown". She is now signed to Mary's Matriarch imprint under Geffen/Universal. The two met back in '08 during a writing session. Starshell's as-yet-untitled debut album features production from will.i.am, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, Ne-Yo and many many more.
"Superluva" is the debut single/video below and check out Mary's whip-my-hair cameo ;)
MARGARET WITHERS FEELING UNTETHERED I LAID DOWN MY MEMORIES November 24 - December 18 2010 at Amos Eno Gallery
MARGARET WITHERS
FEELING UNTETHERED I LAID DOWN MY MEMORIES
November 24 - December 18 2010
Artist Reception
Thursday, December 2, 5:30-8:30 PM
Margaret Withers laid the foundation for her art during a largely unsupervised childhood in which she distanced herself from actuality by envisioning her own small world as a theater and casting herself as both playwright and lead actor in countless fictions. In her current paintings she employs materials--resin, pigment, oil paint, string, ink, paper, and clay--in order to manifest forms at once familiar and unrecognizable, visual fictions, compositions on the stage of her canvases full of life and movement. When a viewer encounters her figures, or "guys," as Withers calls them, the initial impulse is to decode or interpret, which is Withers' knock at the door, her invitation to come out and play.
In the painting Thesis and Antithesis dripped dots of blackberry jam on the smock of crying Synthesis, her "guys" intertwined in exuberant unselfconscious postures engage on the levels of imagination and play, narrative and movement. Three small clay heads attached to the canvas oversee the mystery, inviting the viewer to follow the dots and swirls and plunge into this complex and colorful world. In many guys loosely thinking of floating thoughts, her "guys" are queued up like dancers, energized and anticipating their entrance. Withers has generated a distinct vocabulary by which she propels her narratives and proffers a challenge either to discover the story or pretend a new one.
Withers' sculptures are representations of her "guys" in three-dimensional space, their abstraction compounded by her choice of materials--street sweeper bristles, wire, painted vellum, wood, clay, and string. Moving among these sculptures evokes a feeling of wandering the woods at dusk when position and light interact in the still quietude to skew perception.
There is no seediness, no sinister intent in Withers' paintings and sculptures. Instead they serve as a reminder that artistic expression is expansive and inclusive, and there is more than enough room for wonderment and playfulness.
Withers' was born in Austin, Texas and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She has shown locally and internationally and was recently selected to appear in the New American Paintings Northeastern edition #92, which was judged by Laura Hoptman, former Chief Curator of the New Museum's recent show Brion Gysin -Dream Machine.
* Work above, from left to right - Many Guys Loosely Thinking of Floating Thoughts, 54"x54," resin, pigment, oil, string, painted vellum, 2010 | The Word is the Image of the Thing, 48"x12"x12," wood, steel, string, baling wire, plaster, iron, 2010 | Childhood Unmothered in One Tangled Beat, 30"x40," resin, pigment, oil, string, pen & ink drawing, painted vellum, 2010.
Amos Eno Gallery | 111 Front Street Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | 718.237.3001 | Mon Thru Sat 12-6 | www.amosenogallery.org
NEW!!! The Black Eyed Peas - "The Time (Dirty Bit)" Music Video!
From the official press release (whether you love 'em or hate 'em):
The Black Eyed Peas’ sixth album, The Beginning is the follow-up to the group’s blockbuster album The E.N.D. While the title of The E.N.D. was a play on words (standing for “The Energy Never Dies”), the new album’s title, The Beginning, “refers to what is actually happening in the world right now,” says will.i.am. “The Beginning is symbolic of adopting new technologies, such as augmented reality, 3D, and 360 video. It’s also about being experimental and taking songs we’ve liked from the past and playing around with sick, crazy beats.” In keeping with that manifesto, the first single from The Beginning is “The Time (Dirty Bit),” which is built around a sample from the classic 1987 theme from Dirty Dancing, "(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” recorded by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
The Black Eyed Peas have shot a video for “The Time (Dirty Bit),” with director Rich Lee, who also lensed the Peas' “Imma Be Rocking That Body” video, as well as clips for Eminem (“Not Afraid”), The All-American Rejects (“The Wind Blows”), Fergie (“Clumsy”), and the Pussycat Dolls (“Hush Hush”). The Beginning will be released in several physical formats – a standard CD, a deluxe CD that includes 3 bonus songs, a full album vinyl and a combo two-disc set of 20 songs that includes The Beginning & The Best of The E.N.D. – and digitally at all online retailers.
Ellevision Has Arrived! (UPL Debut with Elle Varner)
Off the top...listen to the remix for Miguel's "All I Want Is You". It is sung by MBK/J Records newcomer Elle Varner. She calls it "All I Want Is Him" and she shuts this remix down and even used some of the original vocals to create an incredible duet. I hope Miguel appreciates this. They need to do a video quickly for this, but with budget cuts nowadays it may not happen. I'll post it ASAP if so...
On November 16th, I had the pleasure of meeting this young lady at a very intimate engagement/mini-performance for writers/bloggers held at Premier Studios in midtown Manhattan. Get the word out early since her debut album won't be ready until sometime in 2011. Very smart. I was blown away by her talent and the way she just shines like a star. She was incredibly humble and unapologetic at the same time.
Elle's bio reveals that she is the product of a musical family with both parents having served as songwriters/producers for Motown Records. Elle spent many childhood days and nights bouncing from one studio to the next with her parents and now she does it out of pure passion. She's an NYU graduate of the Clive Davis Program of Recorded Music. After graduating, she was awarded "most likely to get signed" and "most likely to win a Grammy."
This Los Angeles-native played us some demo versions of the songs that will be featured on her forthcoming debut project. Standouts included the acoustic India.Arie-esque "So Fly" and the club-enhancing "Refill". Watch Elle perform "So Fly" live for BET's Music Matters campaign. The lyrics are so raw! She sings honestly about her insecurities especially as an overweight child. Then, "Refill" took the cake of the evening (label is keeping this one under wraps for little while longer unfortunately). Even Elle expressed that it is one of her favorite songs she's ever written! Basically, Elle sings about being the lonely girl in search of more love (or loving) from her male interest. So she needs a refill like "the girl at the bar...been there too long."
Musically, Elle is a beast. She's been training for this moment to shine and she has the goods to back it up. UPL will be watching her closely. Without a doubt, she deserves to be heard. As always, SUPPORT TRUE TALENT!
Special shoutout and thanks to The Chamber Group and MBK/J Records!
Music Rewind: Remember This One??? (OVERDOSE Edition)
Ok it's been a few days since my last entry and I have a huge itch! Took some time off. Got out of town and enjoyed some quality time with a good friend. Now let's get back to work and check out some more good music! I think you'll like it. :)
UPL presents the weekly Music Rewind to remind us what music is all about. In honor of the beautiful Brandy Norwood (who was unfairly eliminated from ABC's Dancing With The Stars, but isn't all reality TV unfair?), I'd like for you to hear some of my favorites by this songstress. Trust, true singers understand how dope her voice really is...
First up, my all-time favorite Brandy song "Almost Doesn't Count". This one has special significance. I dedicated this song to an ex. I sent the lyrics by email since I couldn't get a response by phone anymore. Then I changed the lyrics to reflect that I was the one who wasn't ready...almost doesn't count and you deserve better. I was a different person at that time...it was one of very very very few regrets I have in life, but I learned from it. Now take a listen to this classic please...
Next in line, Brandy along with Wanya Morris (of Boyz II Men) on the "Brokenhearted" remix (one of the best duets of the '90s). This was, in fact, the remix of the original song on Brandy's self-titled debut album. The remix just took over and it's like the only version to listen to now.
And let's not forget the black-and-white cold remix of "I Wanna Be Down" featuring MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and Queen Latifah (Big Teef has my favorite verse of the 3 - she kills it with the introductory ad-libs too lol).
Now, for my favorite Brandy vocal of all-time and I believe it also shows how much her voice has matured over the years...don't expect a perfect vocal, but please know that it's her soul on this record! (LOVE IS EVERYTHING AND WITHOUT IT, I'M) "NOTHING" - Wow really???
Finally, Brandy has been through some highs and lows in her career and I think she will come out of this DWTS phase with a brand new album full of hot songs like the one below "Talk About Our Love" with Kanye West (but a modern version of course). This was a mature Brandy feeling herself after years of being told she can't sing, her eyes are too far apart to model etc. I think that competition helped her find the extra strength she needs to get past the car accident tragedy. Look out for that new album! :)
Trey Lorenz is comin back better than ever and UPL is going along for the ride
We're gonna take UPL to a whole new level for 2011 and all the hard work to make that happen is going on right now. Hard work isn't as boring as it sounds though. What is essentially work can and should be fun as well. Yesterday I spent some quality time at SST Studios in Weehawken, New Jersey with the hot young singer-songwriter Nikko and the very talented Trey Lorenz and production duo OneMind talking collaboration, interviews, new music and more!
The music previewed for us was very exciting, creatively interesting and yet still true to Trey's roots as a true vocalist. Look out for some great new music from Trey in the near future, not to mention the exclusive interview, images and more coming to UPL.
(Ricky Day, Dan of One Mind Prod., Trey Lorenz, Nikko, seated Will aka Sounskeezy of One Mind Prod.)
(Dan of One Mind Prod., Trey Lorenz, Nikko, Trey's manager, Kemett Timms, seated Will aka Sounskeezy of One Mind Prod.)
Some of you already know that one of my passions is bringing good people together to have a great time aka promoting events and parties. I don't use this blog to promote my nightlife events and don't really intend to change that rule. However, this new event I am co-promoting with 21-toDrink is special and I want to share it with the world. It's called 3rd Sundaes at Club Taj.
It's once a month! It's grown! It's sexy! It's fun and it's full of a diverse crowd of beautiful people (inside and out) of all persuasions.
Last night was our 2nd event and it was bananas! Check out a few images of the crowd having a great time. The next party is on Sunday December, 19 and it's gonna be fiyah just like this past Sunday.
(Birthday boy Spencer Means, a female friend, the theater icon George C. Wolfe and the beautiful and talented Lynn Whitfield)
(yours truly with Sheree from Housewives of ATL)
(Kyle, Vanessa Williams, Shannon Love and Ricky Day)
NEW!!! The Beach Girl5 - "Scratch" (UPL Music Moment)
Here’s what I like to refer to as an UPL Music Moment. It’s brand new, something different for the musical palate and worth a listen.
This one is definitely for the clubs!
From the official press release:
Brooke Adams, Dominique Domingo, Noreen Juliano, Mandy Jiroux, and Laura New are the five talented women who make up BG5. Before becoming a group, they were booked individually for the Professional Volleyball AVP tour but after the 18 city tour ended, they decided to stay together and continue as a group. Last year BG5 competed in Wango Tango’s KIIS FM Break Out Stars contest and won the top spot, ten thousand dollars, and a slot to perform in front of thousands of concert goers. With an upcoming tour in the works, the release of their new single, and a featured role on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the future is very bright for this sun-kissed act!
Brand new video, "Playing God," from super rock group Paramore! It's the latest single from their third studio album Brand New Eyes. I love this band. They are one of very few rock bands to survive and thrive in this new millennium. They seem to truly understand how to marry a catchy pop melody with an authentic rock track. Lead singer Hayley Williams is a star and I wonder if the theme of this new video is a sign of things to come...check out that ending ;)
Bonus: I've been waiting for a reason to post one of my favorite songs of the year by Paramore. "The Only Exception" is truly an R&B ballad just begging to be covered. Janet, where u at???! (Velvet Rope Janet of course)
From 19 to 21 (years of age that is), Adele is no longer "Chasing pavements" with her debut album. She is now "Rolling In The Deep" waters of her sophomore effort to be released in February 2011. 21 is the follow-up to her smash debut album simply-titled 19. Adele was awarded the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2009 and rightfully so. Her voice has truly mesmerized legions of fans around the world no matter what their walk of life may be. True talent always shines through!
Below are some heartfelt words from the singer regarding her forthcoming release:
I’m very excited, nervous, eager, anxious but chuffed to announce my new album! It’s taken a while and it knocked me for six when writing it. It’s different from 19, it’s about the same things but in a different light. I deal with things differently now. I’m more patient, more honest, more forgiving and more aware of my own flaws, habits and principles. Something that comes with age I think. So fittingly this record is called 21. Everyday something happens that affects me, whether it be relationships, events, something I hear, something I see or something I feel. All of which is helping define me and turning me in to who I’m becoming. The whole reason I called my first album 19 was about cataloging what happened to me then and who I was then, like a photo album you see the progression and changes in a person throughout the years. I tried to think of other album titles but couldn’t come up with anything that represented the album properly, I kept swerving 21 thinking it was obvious. But why not be obvious?
I discovered lots of artists I’d never heard of, particularly Wanda Jackson, Allison Krauss, Yvonne Fair, Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Lady Antebellum and Steel Drivers who I fell in love with. Then I delved in to more from artists I’ve loved forever – Mary J Blige, Kanye West, Elbow, Mos Def, Alanis Morissette, Tom Waits and Sinead O’Connor. There’s something in every single one of these artists that has really really inspired 21.
So it is what it is! I cant wait for you to start hearing pieces of it!
Lots of love
Adele x
Check out the very first release below called "Rolling In The Deep" which is accompanied with footage of Adele in the studio. Official music video premieres in a few weeks!
Bonus: Oddly enough, I kept hearing remnants of one of my other favorite songs by an overseas phenom known as Florence and the Machine. Yes their voices sound similar, but please don't compare them. They are two very separate artists with different points of view when it comes to the music. Just enjoy the sounds!
DCKT Contemporary in New York is pleased to present LAURA LOBDELL’s Traces of Color and SOPHIE CRUMB
DCKT Contemporary
195 Bowery
New York, NY
212-741-9955
LAURA LOBDELL
Traces of Color
In the back gallery
November 23 - December 30
Opening Reception: Tuesday, November 23, 6-8pm
Traces of Color #12, 2010 gouache & ink on rag paper
50 x 38"
DCKT Contemporary is pleased to present LAURA LOBDELL’s Traces of Color, an exhibition of recent paintings on paper. LOBDELL’s gouache paintings are layered meditations on time.
LOBDELL begins by painting color forms in gouache with large, Chinese calligraphy brushes. The spontaneous, gestural sweeps and spills become the starting point for lines and marks made with fine calligraphy brushes and fountain pen ink. These lines are repetitive and somewhat ordered, following a pattern of rules. The reality of the grounds makes strict application of the “rules” awkward or unappealing. The linear marks are a frustrated attempt to create order over the unruly color fields, literally traces of color.
LOBDELL holds a MFA from the School of Visual Arts and has been a participant in the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture’s residency program and the Artist in the Marketplace program at The Bronx Museum of the Arts. She has been included in group exhibitions at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Arts Club of Washington and the Art Institute of Chicago.
SOPHIE CRUMB exhibition continues
through December 30th in the main gallery
Sunglasses 3, 2010, ink on paper
4 1/4 x 6" UF; 9 1/2 x 11 1/4" F
DCKT Contemporary is pleased to present SOPHIE CRUMB's debut solo exhibition. This exhibition coincides with the release of the monograph Sophie Crumb: Evolution of a Crazy Artist, edited by her parents R. Crumb & Aline Kominsky-Crumb and published by W. W. Norton.
Exhibitions will be on view at DCKT Contemporary, 195 Bowery (at Spring Street).
Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11am - 6pm; Saturday, noon - 6pm; Sunday, noon - 5pm.
This is the drama missing from Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows" video from her debut project. I guess she learned that lesson. Now, hopefully enough people will gravitate towards this latest single from her Love Me Back album to be released November 30th. Enjoy!
It's official, after years of wrangling, rumors, corporate ill will and trademark lawsuits. Apple Corps (The Beatles owned entity) and EMI (The Beatles Record company) have closed a deal with Apple to sell Beatles songs in itunes. The image above is a screen shot of the iTunes store just moments ago. A press statement is expected from Apple within a few minutes and we'll keep you posted.
(Robert A. Lue: ANIMATION An image from the video “Powering the Cell: Mitochondria.” )
This post was inspired by a New York Times article I read earlier today http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/science/16animate.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB However, for me the article was the adhesive that took several concepts I've been exposed to and bond them together into cohesive new experience of the world I live in and the faith that lives in me. What follows are words that attempt to convey what I've come to experience. Hope it resonates for some of you. For others, simply enjoy the visuals. Either way I'm happy to share.
The Greatest work of art ever simply IS. In this current and eternal moment of now presence is using intent to create, transform and recreate life. Often we look up at the sky and thanks to science and science fiction films like Star Wars, Star Trek and the like we are well aware of the infinite dimension of space. Though we cannot fully conceive of it we can now at least sense that it exists and we are part of it.
In recent days after re-reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle I've resumed a journey inward to experience the full awareness of simply BEING. I know, I know it all sounds like a lot of new world mumbo jumbo, but rock with me for a minute.
What we think of as solid (our bodies, rocks, trees, minerals, etc.) really are not. There's as much space within us as there is outside of us. All bodies are made of organs, which are made of tissue, which is made of cells, which is made of smaller cellular parts like nuclei, membranes, etc., which are made of smaller parts like mitochondria, RNA, DNA, etc., which are made of molecules, which are made of atoms, which are made of sub-atomic particles, which are made of even smaller fragments and it goes on and on and on. Each infinitely smaller object existing in the infinite space within. Each playing an important role in the forever ongoing process that is creation.
Of course all of this is impossible for us to imagine or comprehend with our minds (aka egos), yet due to scientific research and powerful tools we've been able to catch a small glimpse into a world we cannot see with the naked eye. We will never be able to see the entire Universe because it is infinite in both directions (outside of us and inside of us). But when one awakens and realizes that we are NOT our bodies and minds, BUT THEY ARE WONDERFUL TOOLS then you are free to feel the presence of the wonderful and infinitely amazing world with which we are one.
There are fish, water, plankton and billions of other life forms in the sea. The same is true of the land with billions of forms of life, minerals, rocks, etc. and the air with various birds, insects, gases, etc. most of which we cannot see, but KNOW exist. Ponder this: without life the earth could not exist as we know it and surely without the earth we could not exist in our known forms. Imagine the possibilities outward into the solar system, our galaxy, millions of other galaxies, nebulas, gas clouds, and the Universe itself. When you stop THINKING with you ego based mind and simply become aware of and experience what IS the truth becomes undeniably clear...
NOTHING OR NO ONE IS GREATER THAN THE OTHER
ESSENTIALLY THERE IS NO OTHER
ALL IS ONE...
connected FOREVER IN THIS ONE MOMENT THAT GOES ON WITHOUT BEGINNING OR END.
ALPHA AND OMEGA
BEGINNING AND THE END
I AM THAT I AM
There is nothing you need to do. Nothing you need to achieve. No one you need to acquire.
Pop princess Hatsune Miku is storming the music scene.
With her long cerulean pigtails and her part-schoolgirl, part-spy outfit, she’s easy on the eyes. Yes, her voice sounds like it might have gone through a little –- OK, a lot –- of studio magic. Legions of screaming fans and the requisite fan sites? She’s got 'em.
And, like many of her hot young singer peers, Miku is extremely, proudly fake. Like, 3-D hologram fake.
Miku is a singing, digital avatar created by Crypton Future Media that customers can purchase and then program to perform any song on a computer.
Crypton uses voices recorded by actors and runs them through Yamaha Corp.’s Vocaloid software -– marketed as “a singer in a box.” The result: A synthesized songstress that sounds far better than you ever have in your shower.
Crypton has even set up a record label called KarenT, with its own YouTube channel.
Bear witness to the footage below of one of Hatsune Miku's 'live' performances. This is really happening y'all!
Liz Markus: Are You Punk Or New Wave? November 18 - December 18, 2010 at ZieherSmith in New York
Liz Markus: Are You Punk Or New Wave?
November 18 - December 18, 2010
Reception for the Artist: Thursday, November 18, 6-8 pm
Recollecting a sequence of youthful inspirations with images gleaned from such wide-ranging sources as Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Johnny Rotten, Christopher Wool and Jean Michael Basquiat, Liz Markus’s third solo exhibition at ZieherSmith, Are You Punk or New Wave? pulls together a disparate cast of characters that have re-invigorated her studio practice with a new immediacy. Always reinforced by a phalanx of art historical referents, Markus offers a postmodern blitz of glamour and glitz in art, fashion, music and culture, subtly referencing contemporary politics, as well.
Painted with fluid, delicate washes of acrylic on unprimed canvas, Markus presents a sequence of three paintings of Sex Pistols lead singer Johnny Rotten that both celebrate the singer and link him conceptually to Andy Warhol and, specifically, his 1963 Double Elvis. The image resonates with various dual corollaries: iconoclastic American rock and roll poses re-translated into heroic caricature, while the emerging artist looks backward to a past master, who made his own self-caricature a crucial part of his practice.
WAR and RELAX, two text paintings featuring the sloganeering of 80’s dance pop sensations Frankie Goes to Hollywood balance a copy of Christopher Wool’s Apocalypse Now a cheeky riff that refers to our own current wars while simultaneously remembering the high flying peaceful times when the originals were created. Markus also captures 80’s art nonpareil Basquiat hamming in a football helmet and Kate Moss from the back, wearing a leather jacket emblazoned with "God Save the Queen" — here a stand in for the artist herself, light-heartedly rebellious in recollection of her own youth in the 1980’s. Moss stands too as a symbol of the success and excess of celebrity culture tinged with scandal, controversy and notoriety.
The lynchpin of the exhibition is a large collage of Artforum advertisements from the 1980’s. Affixed to canvas with the visual imagery covered in silver glitter, Markus defaces the actual object of art and reduces long-past shows to nothing but their salient details. A nod to our current culture’s easy admiration and equally effortless dismissal of celebrity heroes, Markus looks backward with equal parts reverence and suspicion.
Perhaps one of the most unorthodox R&B singers out today, Steph Jones also happens to be a songwriter, an actor and a model. He's been pounding the Hollywood pavement for years. You probably first saw him as the featured artist on Disturbing Tha Peace's "Celebrity Chick" released in 2007 (see below). Needless to say, it wasn't a hit. Or maybe you witnessed his work as a Ford model. Or maybe you recognize him as the love interest from Shontelle's "Impossible" video (see below - I LOVE this song). Or maybe you've seen him with former girlfriend/pop singer Jordin Sparks.
Where did that "overnight success" phrase come from anyways???
What makes Steph unorthodox is the fact that he's not afraid to attack some rather odd topics like big women, homosexuality and nappy hair on YouTube.
Check out the brand new music video for his latest independent single "BEAutiful" and let us know what you think. It's a good message. Steph does try too hard at times, but that's who he is.
It was the turn of the century and Marc Anthony was experiencing crossover pop success with his self-titled first English language album. I had very little appreciation for Latin music before "You Sang To Me" hit the charts in a major way. I was strictly an R&B cat, but there was something about this song that reminded me why I love R&B music. It's heartfelt, lyrical and authentic. Then I discovered that Marc can actually sing like a true balladeer (and like many Latin singers from around the world I soon found out)! I still play this one from time to time. When I hear it, it's as if love is knocking on my front door...yet again (lol). Enjoy!
NEW!!! "Pretty Girl Rock" Music Video! (by Keri Hilson)
Pretty girls rise up (especially the black ones)! And anyone left sitting is taking the first sentence too literally. This is not about the covers of Vogue, Essence or even Details magazines. Please believe that Keri Hilson has taken it upon herself to show what true beauty is. It's not superficial...it's a natural thing. It comes from the inside out.
Keri's sophomore album No Boys Allowed to be released December 21st has female empowerment written all over it. I applaud Keri for this. We need some balance against all of the hot booty-poppin' music out there (yes, I said hot because I do like a lot of it too lol). But, this is a song I wouldn't mind my young daughter singing (if I had one).
Interestingly enough, a male friend of mine was turned off by the song at first listen. He said, "Keri is too pretty to sing a song like that." I replied, "Who else is supposed to sing it?" In my opinion, this is about getting past the surface and recognizing the whole package of beauty. Unfortunately, most people wouldn't even get past the surface to appreciate the song (as readily necessary these days) if the singer was a lot less pleasing to the eyes. Yes, there are exceptions. Blah, blah, blah...
So I don't want to spoil the clever plot of the music video. Check out the music video for the Ne-Yo & Chuck Harmony-produced "Pretty Girl Rock" and let us know what you think??? Just know that you have to always pay homage to those who paved the way...
No one can accuse Katy Perry of being shy. She gives what apparently is going to be a "Firework"-worthy live performance of her 3rd single from the album Teenage Dream. You can catch this performance on CBS during the famed Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 30th.
Rick and I were just recently discussing Katy's vocal ability. The girl can sing! Check out the preview...
Get to know Wynter Gordon! UPL was afforded the wonderful opportunity of attending an intimate dinner engagement with the "Dirty Talk" songstress this past Tuesday evening. It was held at the fittingly-titled Polar Lounge (get it? Wynter at Polar? lol) in NYC.
Special thanks to Marisa from Atlantic Records (and of course thanks to Fly-Life Inc. as well) for creating the perfect vibe by introducing everyone to each other in an effort to eliminate any wallflowers. Wynter arrived on-time and greeted everyone with hugs and kisses. The photographer snapped some scathing photos of myself and Wynter locked in a lustful embrace (PG version below; photo by Mykwain Gainey). Wynter was like the girlfriend you can talk to about anything and she would listen. The DJ played a bunch of her tunes now available on her The First Dance EP released this past Tuesday. Please purchase your copy and SUPPORT TRUE TALENT.
Following the dinner engagement, a few of us headed over to Splash (nightclub) for a special live midnight performance by Wynter. Without a doubt, she shut it down! Everyone knew her songs (some of which are below for your listening pleasure). She sounded great! She even stayed behind after the performance to sign autographs. Who does that nowadays??? Wynter Gordon does and she deserves all of the success coming to her.
Also, she dropped the dime that she did some writing for Britney's new forthcoming album! Watch out now!
Studio Visit is P.S.1’s new web initiative that offers virtual presentations of artists’ studios. Emerging artists working in the five boroughs and greater New York area are invited to upload video or still images of their studios and work. Artists’ submissions will be present on the website for at least one month.
Studio Visit will serve as an online artistic hub and provide viewers a look at the varied artistic practices located within one city.
Check out my Studio Visit page as well as pages for UPL friends Brandon Cox and Duron Jackson and all the other talented artists living and working in the greatest city on earth.
Here’s what I like to refer to as an UPL Music Moment. It’s brand new, something different for the musical palate and worth a listen.
Shape What's to Come is an online community constructed by the Levi's brand where women around the world connect with peers and mentors alike. It's a place to pursue your passion and channel it into something big -- a new experience, a career or even a cause. Janelle Monae's "The Shape of Things to Come" serves as one of the theme songs for this community. It's a short bite, but worth the while.
Also, as part of the campaign, Janelle speaks in an interview below about her influences and the power of being an individual...
And don't forget to check her out on Prince's Welcome 2 America tour!
Candy-Koated Kandi! (UPL Conversation with "Real Housewife Of Atlanta" Kandi Burruss)
In 1993, the new jack era had the ladies of Xscape Hummin’ Comin’ at Cha (which was the title of their debut album). The group recorded three albums spawning numerous hits over the next five years then went their separate ways. Sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott have since released solo projects. Tiny is now a reality TV star as well as a wife to rap icon T.I. However, Kandi has enjoyed paramount success writing hit songs for Whitney Houston, TLC, Destiny’s Child, Pink, Mariah Carey, N Sync, Usher, Boyz II Men, B2K, and Alicia Keys (just to name a few). After the disappointment of her solo debut Hey Kandi back in 2000, she has returned to music with her sophomore project aptly-titled Kandi Koated to be released on December 14th. UPL had an opportunity to speak with Kandi about her new album and life in general…
UPL: So how did you officially start songwriting?
Kandi: When the group started falling apart, Tiny and I decided to do a duo. So I was telling her that going forward after Xscape, anything else we ever did in our lives we need to have creative control over it. So I was like the only way we can do that is when we go to the label to present them our project…the songs we present need to be songs we wrote ourselves. “No Scrubs” was one of the songs we did for our demo. It got in the hands of L.A. Reid so from that point…it was on from there. I got on all kinds of projects.
UPL: You did stuff for Whitney, Faith, and a lot of my favorite singers…
Kandi: I worked with some of everybody…a lot of my favorites too (lol)...Fantasia, Alicia Keys, Pink…all kinds of people.
UPL: Do you have a favorite writing experience?
Kandi: I really enjoyed working with Alicia Keys. [Kandi penned “Jane Doe” for Alicia’s debut album Songs in A Minor.] That was a good experience because she was just really cool. That was before she blew up. We were just having fun in the studio. They were trying to teach me how to work the drum machine. It was just cool!
UPL: Yes, I’ve always heard great things about Alicia. Bouncing back to your Xscape days, I was a huge fan! I was very disappointed when the group broke up after only three albums. But I understand how things go. [According to previous accounts, the group disbanded because one of the members wanted to go solo after their second album was released.] Were all of you comfortable with being known as the female Jodeci?
Kandi: Oh well we were cool with it! We knew where Jermaine was going with it. He was trying to get that tag of the ghetto En Vogue or the female version of Jodeci…that what he was going for when he signed us. And he came up with the image. He would say, ‘yall need to dress like this…baggy clothes and bandanas.’ So creatively, he was the one who came up with our image.
UPL: As the ‘90s went on, your image of the baggy clothes and bandanas changed.
Kandi: (LOL) yup…
UPL: You all got a bit more glamorized?
Kandi: Yeah, we were growing up…
UPL: Were you all comfortable with that shift or was it more of what Jermaine wanted?
[Slight background interruption from Toya from the BET reality series Tiny & Toya…]
Kandi: I’m sorry. Toya is treating me out to lunch today. What was the last question?
UPL: Actually let’s switch gears a bit. Since you have a close relationship with Tiny, how do you feel about T.I.’s situation with him having to go back to prison?
Kandi: I’m sad for them. I hate that it happened, but they know they have to accept the consequences for their actions so they’re going to be alright. It’s not the most ideal situation, but they’re a strong couple. And Tiny is on my album! We have a song together called “Superwoman.”
UPL: Did you two write it together?
Kandi: Yeah definitely…we’re talking about being single parents and doing everything possible to keep a smile on your kids’ faces. There are different reasons for why people become single parents. In my situation, my daughter’s father and I were never really on the same page from the beginning. But with Tiny, especially now, Tip [also known as T.I.] is going to prison. She has to hold down the fort until he comes back home so that’s what her version is about. In the end, the hook is uplifting.
UPL: And how did the first single “Leave U” come about?
Kandi: I got with Jazze Pha and the writers I collaborated with on that song…we just really wanted to do a real R&B soul song…like a throwback. And I wanted my album to sound like something Xscape would’ve done today. Still have that bottom…that 808 and ladies’ anthems.
Check out the music video for “Leave U” with a cameo appearance by Pooch Hall from The Game…
UPL: How does this new album compare to your debut album Hey Kandi?
Kandi: It’s totally different. Hey Kandi was influenced by everything I was writing at the time so it was a lot of pop music…a lot of trendy sounding stuff. If I listen to it now, it sounds dated…because it was a product of its time. This new album is classic. It’s real R&B music. There are songs on this album that people ten years from now will still be able to play. And then vocally I’ve grown a hell-of-a lot. I really showed my range. I’m hitting the deepest of deep notes and the highest of high notes on this one.
UPL: Honestly, you’ve always been my favorite voice from Xscape.
Kandi: Oh thank you!
UPL: It’s a different sound and I like different things…however, after going through the Youtube comments for the “Leave U” music video, a lot of people don’t have that same appreciation for your voice. Has that ever been a challenge for you?
Kandi: (LOL) No! Unique voices stand out. There are a million girls you get out the church to do a million riffs. That doesn’t mean they are going to sell records. That’s why I can’t wait for this album to come out. I think some people really need to listen and evaluate because I think they’re sleeping. I heard somebody say, ‘she can’t sing’ and I was like ‘really???’ (LOL) I’m not trying to brag or anything, but there aren’t many women who have the same range that I do…who can sing as low as I can sing and sing as high as the notes I can hit. So that’s why I said this time around I have to really show these people I can sing.
UPL: How do you feel about your fellow “Housewives” making music and putting albums out?
Kandi: I personally think a lot of them are doing it because they have somebody paying attention right now. I don’t want people to get my music confused with theirs. I am a singer/songwriter who just so happens to do reality TV on the side. They are reality stars who just so happen to do music on the side. Music is not my hobby. It’s my career.
UPL: Now on your new album Kandi Koated, do any of the songs address your ex-fiancé? [In 2008, Ashley “A.J.” Jewell became romantically involved with Kandi and the two eventually became engaged. Tensions began to rise during the second season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta when Kandi’s mom took issue with A.J. having six children by four different mothers. The couple’s relationship ended soon after, but they remained friends. Tragically, in October 2009, A.J. was killed in a fight outside of an Atlanta strip club he co-owned.]
Kandi: There are a couple of songs inspired by him on this album.
UPL: Considering all of the drama you two had to face being on the show with him being referred to as a scrub, did you ever at any point regret writing “No Scrubs”?
Kandi: No sir! (LOL)…no way in hell do I regret writing that song. That was one of the biggest songs of all time. We made history with that record. I have no regrets.
UPL: Now bouncing down to the ATL, congrats on the 1-year anniversary of your Tags boutique. [Tags specializes in high-end fashions for affordable prices.] How does it feel?
Kandi: I’m definitely glad I made it this far especially since there were so many people hatin’ in the beginning. So it’s just like ‘ha ha’! I’m just one of those types of people where I can show you better than I can tell you.
UPL: With all of the adversity and everything you’ve gone through and still continue to go through, your attitude seems to never sour. Where does that come from?
Kandi: I personally feel like I went through one of the worst points in my life when I was 15. My brother passed away. That was a very devastating moment for me and my family. To make it through that, you know you’ll be okay. If you can make it through the worst then everything else is minor. So I don’t let anything stress me out to the point where I feel like I’m just going to totally breakdown and fall apart. It can’t rain forever. Even if you’re in Seattle (LOL), it may rain a lot, but it can’t rain forever. So I just continue to look for the day of sunshine.
UPL: Great message! And the song “Easier” you recorded with Faith Evans is about your brother, right?
Kandi: Yeah it was.
Take a listen below…
UPL: Will that song be on the album?
Kandi: Nah it was recorded long before. I wouldn’t do that.
UPL: Now since you got your start in a girl group, what are your thoughts about there being a lack of singing groups nowadays? No one even seems to appreciate groups anymore.
Kandi: I was just talking about this to somebody the other day. It’s time for another girl group to come around. I don’t know. I might have to bring one out on y’all (LOL). I was just telling my background singers – ‘man y’all look like En Vogue back in the day. I’m going to have to put y’all in the studio.’
UPL: Lastly, UPL is a very gay-friendly blog. With everything that’s going on nowadays with gay bullying and teen suicides, do you have any words of encouragement to share?
Kandi: Like I was saying before, it can’t rain forever. To be honest, when I was a kid, I let (suicide) cross my mind. Now I think about how dumb that would’ve been to do that. Think about all of the things I would have missed out on – the success with my group, the success as a writer, my daughter, just all of the wonderful things that have happened. I wish some (suicidal) people could get a fast-forward to their lives so they can fast-forward to the good parts and realize it really wasn’t that bad.
UPL: Which is the purpose of the It Gets Better campaign that a lot of celebrities are involved with now…it definitely gets better!
NEW! Chrisette Michele - "I'm A Star" (Music Video)
Chrisette Michele is back with her third studio album Let Freedom Reign set to hit stores on November 30th. Remember, this is the girl who beat Ciara in first week sales for last year's Epiphany album. Looks and sounds like she's turning it up a notch. She deserves it. Chrisette is definitely committed to her art and she is a star!
Bonus: If you're trying to get over a breakup, then check this out right here also from the talented Chrisette Michele and produced by Babyface - it went under the radar for sure!
UPL presents the weekly music rewind to remind us what music is all about. It's Jodeci's "Come and Talk To Me (Remix)"!!! One of my favorite songs of all time! I mean that :) The remix was for the parties (my older brother was a DJ so he played it a lot). The harmonies are barbershop quartet tight - the feeling is so smooth - that intro commands K-Ci to sing as if his life depends on whether this girl will talk to him - JoJo represents - the track knocks - the lyrics are honest. This all equates to a classic! Now listen and feel it lol...
Bonus vids of some pretty good Youtube renditions I stumbled upon...
LeBasse Projects presents: Nate Frizzell :: 'I Should Know Who I Am By Now'
LeBasse Projects presents:
Nate Frizzell :: 'I Should Know Who I Am By Now'
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 6th, 7-10p
Exhibition runs: November 6th - December 4th 2010
Since his first solo show at LeBasse Projects, Nate Frizzell has been experimenting with different techniques and media, making a switch from acrylics to oils. The switch amplifies Frizzell's already beautifully rendered figures and animals resulting in gorgeous coloring, clarity, and depth. His themes of self-discovery and examination of the human condition return in the winteresque environment of his solo exhibition 'I Should Know Who I Am By Now.' Frizzell will also debut his first series of sculptures, designed as companion pieces for his paintings.
After 2009's debut solo exhibit for the artist, this upcoming show has already been generating significant excitement as Frizzell has been focused on producing a new level of work for his return to the gallery.
Project Room :: Eric Fortune
The gallery will compliment Frizzell's solo with new works by Eric Fortune, 'A Dream's Reflection' in the Project Room. Mastering a glazing technique with acrylics, Fortune produces a stunning array of work. His delicate renderings and dream like colors provoke a serene yet dynamic imagery, almost eerily elements reminiscent of surrealist art.
For his second exhibit at LeBasse Projects, Fortune also explores oil paintings on canvas, adding to his already impressive skills as a painter and providing collectors even more options with his work.
Eric Fortune :: 'A Dream's Reflection'
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 6th, 7-10p
Exhibition runs: November 6th - December 4th 2010
NEW! Mohombi feat. Akon - "Dirty Situation" (UPL Music Moment)
Here’s what I like to refer to as an UPL Music Moment. It’s brand new, something different for the musical palate and worth a listen.
It's the continuation of dirty pop!
Mohombi Moupondo, more commonly known as Mohombi, is a Swedish-Congolese dance-pop/reggaeton singer-songwriter and dancer. Mohombi is RedOne's first signing to 2101 Records/Universal and Cherrytree. He has quite a story to tell (escaped from his war-torn country, speaks three languages, etc.). Check out his bio through the link below and let us know your thoughts! This track right here should explode nicely in every club and on every station internationally...
Fantasia drops her new music video for the 2nd single "I'm Doin' Me" from her Back To Me album. It's a very timely song following her suicide attempt. The theme of the video seems to touch upon her much-publicized affair with a married man this past Summer. In spite of all the drama, Fantasia says "I'm doin' me," which is what everyone (male or female) needs to be concerned with. It starts and ends with you. Hopefully, in due time and while on your personal journey, you'll find a mate who's on your level (not beneath you steadily trying to pull you down). And I love the end of the video. In my opinion, the message is to still remain open to new possibilities because you just never know...
Studies have shown that when the American economy suffers, people tend to seek more opportunities for fun to get away from stress. I believe music reflects this. I believe the best music comes out of hardship. With all that said, it's no wonder why there are so many party songs coming out these days and Ciara is contributing nicely to the bunch.
This new track "Turn It Up" features Usher and will be a club banger for months to come! Congrats to both singers who made successful comebacks after a downturn in their careers!
Ciara's Basic Instinct in stores December 14th.
And here's a bonus from Usher...I love this song! I think it represents R&B well and reminds me of 8701 Usher...
It was in America, home of her musical heroes (Mariah, Whitney, Michael) where Australia-bred R&B singer Jessica Mauboy discovered not only the sounds that would make up her second album Get Em Girls, but by and large, finding herself as well.
Get Em Girls is Jessica as she is - as she wants us to know her. "I wanted to give it all that I had." she says defiantly. "I really wanted to challenge myself to take a step up from the last album."
This is an album made for the dancefloor. It's the sound of an artist more comfortable in her own musical skin, one who's now ready to call her own musical shots. It's more sophisticated in sound and style, the lyrics certainly more worldly. Indeed, the shy girl who first appeared on Australian Idol as a 16 year old back in 2006 has grown - in more ways than one.
Sure, she'd known massive success at home in Australia (her debut album, Been Waiting, achieved double platinum sales, garnered seven ARIA award nominations and spawned six hit singles, plus in 2009 Jessica starred in her first feature film, Bran Nue Dae), but she wanted something more. America marked something of an independence, both musically and personally for the 21-year-old. "I'd never been away from home for so long before - just dealing with being on my own, and being away from my family and from Australia was challenging."
What is interesting about Jessica's stateside debut is how much her image has changed from one album to the next. Check out the Youtube links below for "Let Me Be Me" (from her debut album) and "Get Em Girls" (from her new sophomore album). It's an odd scenario of before-n-after. In "Let Me Be Me," Jessica looks like a sweet and innocent girl with a natural star quality not seen in many young American pop stars these days. On the other hand, "Get Em Girls" finds Jessica in a much more mature situation. The Hype Williams-directed music video seems to cheapen her. The wardrobe choices are ridiculous and that constant fan blowing is a bit obnoxious. Could this be yet another case of the label overstepping boundaries and giving the American people what they think we want? Or is this new image within Jessica's control (which means she is sadly out-of-touch with her American supporters)?
In spite of the image issues, Jessica is without a doubt an extremely talented singer and songwriter. Her music speaks for itself. It's very original and also personal. Take a listen to the album sampler below and let's hope Sony will do a better job on the album's 2nd single...
JAN HULING Walking Under Ladders and Boom & Bust: Ceramic Commentary Featuring: Sin-Ying Ho, Jeff Irwin, Jeffrey Mongrain and Robert Silverman at Lyons Wier Gallery
Steampunk Willy, Mixed media, beads,16 x 9 x 5 inches
JAN HULING
Walking Under Ladders
Opening Reception:
Thursday, November 11 - 6-9pm
Exhibition Dates:
November 11 - December 10, 2010
Gallery Located: 175 Seventh Ave on the NE corner of 20th and 7th Ave.
Nearest Subway: C,E exit at 23rd St @ 8th Ave, 1 exit 23rd @ 7th Ave.
Contact: Michael Lyons Wier - Tel: 212.242.6220
E-mail: gallery@lyonswiergallery.com
Lyons Wier Gallery is pleased to present Walking Under Ladders, a solo exhibition of new sculptural work by Jan Huling.
Neither sketched nor planned, Huling's three-dimensional works draw inspiration from her travels to India and Mexico, as well as imagined, playful scenes reminiscent of childhood fairy tales and fantasies. Huling's work is approachable yet evocative, incorporating spiritual iconography along side humorous artifacts of contemporary popular culture. The armatures for Huling's sculptures are an unpredictable mix of forms ranging from Kewpie and Munny dolls to birds and tiny life-sized insects. This exploration of shape and scale adds to the whimsical charm of her work.
In addition to seed beads, Huling's colorful sculptures incorporate a variety of found objects, such as buttons, coins, tokens and costume jewelry. Huling's slow and meticulous beading process, the intricacy of her swirling, hypnotic patterns, and the spontaneous manner with which Huling approaches each new project results in sculpture that is both delicate and alluring to touch - simply put, she transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Jan Huling received a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and Drake University. Her work has been shown at the Noyes Museum, Oceanville, NJ, Jack Fischer Gallery, San Francisco, the American Craft Council Show, Baltimore, SOFA New York and Santa Fe, the Bead Museum, Washington, DC, the Montclair Art Museum, NJ, and Rupert Ravens Gallery, Newark, NJ, among others.
Huling's work has been featured in the New York Times, The New York Post, Beadwork Magazine, 500 Tables (2009),500 Handmade Dolls (2007), Lark Books, HGTV and NJN (PBS). The artist is the author of Ol' Bloo's Boogie-Woogie Band & Blues Ensemble (2010) [Peachtree Publishers], and Puss in Cowboy Boots (2002) [Simon & Schuster].
Jeff Iwin
(Bull Earthenware, glaze, 24 x 24 x 19 inches)
Boom & Bust: Ceramic Commentary
Featuring: Sin-Ying Ho, Jeff Irwin, Jeffrey Mongrain and Robert Silverman
Opening Reception:
Thursday, November 11 - 6-9pm
Exhibition Dates:
November 11 - December 10, 2010
"When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money." Oscar Wilde
Sin-Ying Ho, Jeff Irwin, Jeffrey Mongrain and Robert Silverman are four ceramists commenting on the world's recent economic struggles brought about by America's dubious subprime lending and mortgage practices and questionable banking policies. Each artist makes overt references in their work about how they were personally affected by the world's financial market crash.
Sin-Ying Ho displays a six-foot porcelain vessel that combines traditional blue and white Chinese motifs with the iconography of Adam & Eve and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Commenting on the trials and tribulations of blind "monetary" pursuits, Ho's work incorporates illustrations of plunging financial indexes within the large silhouetted figures.
Jeff Irwin's iconographical life-size earthenware "Bear" and "Bull" busts represent upward and downward market trends. Each piece also combines knots and branches cast from living trees, drawing attention to issues of conflict between Man and Nature.
For this exhibition, Jeffrey Mongrain transforms a two-dimensional sound wave translation of a quote by President Herbert Hoover into a three-dimensional sculpture in clay. On October 29th, 1929, the New York Stock Exchange collapsed beginning the decade long Great Depression. On December 3rd, 1929, thirty-six days after the Market's crash, President Hoover gave his State of the Union Address stating the economy was "...returning to normal...". The water-drop like ripples coming from the center of Mongrain's circular disc are a sculptural sound translation of Hoover's words "Returning to Normal".
Robert Silverman's large format ceramic panels incorporate his continued fascination with the visual representation of information and language. Using Morse code and graphs that are ultimately abstracted through his artistic process, Silverman creates compositions where the direct semantic exchange in the piece is impossible to decipher but the beauty of a symbolic language emerges. One such piece in the show, "Wealth" illustrates America's dichotomy of wealth between 1920-2000.
Sin-Ying Ho holds an MFA from Louisiana State University and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Art Department of Queens College, City University of New York. Jeff Irwin holds an MFA from San Diego State University, and is a Ceramics Instructor at Grossmont College, San Diego. Jeffrey Mongrain holds an MFA from Southern Illinois University, and is a Professor of Art at Hunter College in New York City. Robert Silverman holds an MFA from Alfred University and is the Director of the Ceramic Center at the 92St Y in New York City.
NEW! Nelly Furtado - The Night Is Young (UPL Music Moment)
Here’s what I like to refer to as an UPL Music Moment. It’s brand new, something different for the musical palate and worth a listen.
Multi-platinum-selling and Grammy-winning global superstar, Nelly Furtado and Geffen Records is proud to announce the premiere of her new video for “The Night Is Young,” the first single off of the upcoming greatest hits package, The Best Of Nelly Furtado, due in stores on November 16th!
From Swizz Beatz to Swizz Paintz...(Alicia, That Is)
Hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz is well-known for producing mega-hit music for the likes of DMX, Beyonce and T.I. However, he has another passion that is a little less commercial. Swizz began collecting art about 6-7 years ago and now actually creates art for himself. Most recently, he's made news headlines for painting on the nude skin of his new wife, Alicia Keys.
Below, gain some more insight into the world of Swizz and his appreciation for visual arts...
Kim Dorland New Material November 6, 2010 – January 8, 2011 at Mike Weiss Gallery
Kim Dorland / Studio view / Toronto / 2010
Kim Dorland New Material
November 6, 2010 – January 8, 2011
Opening Saturday November 6th, 6 – 8 pm
Mike Weiss Gallery is pleased to present New Material, Kim Dorland’s first solo exhibition with the gallery. Consisting of paintings, watercolors, assemblage on paper and taxidermy animals, New Material pushes the limits of painting to visually narrate Dorland’s experience growing up in rural Canada. In his most ambitious work to date, Dorland continues his emphatic exploration of materiality through thick layering of paint, wood, feathers, fur and glitter.
The Shack, among the largest works in the exhibition, addresses an occurrence in which, as a teen, the artist stumbled upon an open porn magazine in the woods, engendering both fascination and trepidation. The woods play a crucial role in Dorland’s paintings as the nexus of dyads, most notably reality/fantasy, ease/tension, seduction/repulsion, and pleasure/horror. The tension between pleasure and horror, as seen in Boogeyman, Sasquatch and Night, explores Dorland’s complex childhood relationship with the woods as a potential harbor for phantasmagoria. In all three works the folkloric characters are brought to life through the sumptuous use of impasto and additional media, at once whimsical and terrifying. The combination of fur, paint and crystals produce images that are far more than realistic or even organic; rather, they are quasi-human, aggressively commanding in their presence and unapologetically confrontational. Of this Dorland has noted, “I like the challenge of painting an incarnation of fear.”
Even natural inhabitants of the Canadian woods with which Dorland is so closely acquainted—as seen in Ghost (Deer), Crows, Grey Owl and Wolf – are imbued with a similar magical, if nightmarish, quality. The deer is haunting; the birds are Hitchcockian; and the wolf is predatory. They implore to be touched through their didactic materiality but are unequivocally ominous through the very same means. Extending the materialization of his woodland creatures, Dorland pulls Caribou and Lynx out of the realm of painting and into sculpture. The taxidermy figures are dipped and dripped with paint, glitter and yarn, their potential to attack is diffused by symbols of ultra-femininity and naïveté. Consequently, Dorland allows the works to intimidate and also lure viewers into a mystical forest where illusion eclipses vision and imagination reigns supreme.
Kim Dorland was born in Wainwright, AB and currently lives and works in Toronto, ON. He attended the Emily Carr Institute of Art and received his Masters from York University in Toronto. His previous shows have received reviews from the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. His work is included in public and private collections most notably: The Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection, Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas, Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation in New York, The Glenbow Museum in Calgary, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal, The Neumann Family Collection in New York, and The Oppenheimer Collection, The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, MO.
For additional information please contact Anna Ortt, Director at anna@mikeweissgallery.com
Mike Weiss Gallery
520 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011
Between 10th and 11th Avenues
Nearest Subway: C/E 23rd Street & 8th Avenue
Tel: 212- 691-6899 Fax: 212-691-6877
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 10 to 6
www.mikeweissgallery.com
In what appears to be a ploy for product placement on the wildly popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Carlos Santana and industry legend Clive Davis have joined forces again to present Guitar Heaven (in stores now). Mr. Supernatural covers 12 classic songs done by "the da Vincis of our time, legends of the guitar: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, George Harrison." In true Santana fashion, he incorporates a bevy of new-school talent to make the material seem fresh. Check out the first single/video below (George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps") featuring India.Arie and master cellist Yo-Yo Ma. It's actually pretty good!
Back in May 2009, Santana became the first act to hold a residency at the spectacular, newly-expanded Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits is a musical retrospective running for 72 performances over 2009-2010.
Here’s what I like to refer to as an UPL Music Moment. It’s brand new, something different for the musical palate and worth a listen.
Not much to be said about this one here. It's the video for "Sometimes I Cry" and he must have cried while recording this one! Damn Eric you killed it! LOL
On the heels of a failed album and a failed marriage, Christina Aguilera ironically appears to be on the right track. She seems to have her eye on the prize recently launching a new fragrance called Royal Desire (in stores now). It is the fifth perfume under her belt to date. In addition, Christina and Cher star in the film, Burlesque, which is exactly what the name implies. It appears to be a continuation of her "Lady Marmalade" role and I predict it will remind everyone why she is still around. The girl can sang!!!! She is turning 30-years-old next year and seems to be more confident than ever. Will this role propel her career in the right direction? Only time will tell. In the meantime, check out the trailer and a special number from the film below.
Movie hits theaters on November 24th and the soundtrack (Christina sings 8 of the 12 songs) drops one week earlier on the 16th...
Curate NYC postcard exhibition at Rush Arts Gallery for an additional week, starting this Thursday through Saturday, November 4-6, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. each day.
Awhile back I told you about the great exhibition I am fortunate enough to be included in called Curate NYC. Here's some information about Curate NYC. Check out the project website (CurtateNYC) and view the work of all the talented New York based artists who participated.
The show has been extended with a special exhibition of all the selected 150 postcards including mine on display at Rush Arts Gallery Nov. 4-6 from 1pm until 6pm each day.
On Thursday October 28 Experience: Harlem produced a wonderful event called the Bar and Restaurant Crawl. For $15 (in advance) or $20 (at the door) guests strolled the streets of Harlem and visited several great bars and restaurants including:
The event was awesome as the streets of Harlem along Frederick Douglass Boulevard (and Lenox Avenue where Native is located) were filled with Harlemites roaming from location to location enjoying great food, great drinks and great company.
For information about future events check out the E Harlem website. Check out the images below to see how much fun everyone had.
