Ray Johnson Opening at BMCM

February 22nd, 2010 by brandi

If you’re able to visit the Black Mountain College Museum sometime before June 12th, DO IT.  Seeing Ray Johnson’s work in person is a rare privilege!  See this post for all the details.  The opening was perfect and I took lots of pictures:

Ray Johnson at BMCM

February 12th, 2010 by brandi

Black Mountain College Museum (in nearby Asheville, NC) is hosting a show of Ray Johnson’s work.  Not only will we have a chance to view the show, but it’s legit–we’re going to the opening!!!  He’s my favorite artist.  I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Details:
From BMC to NYC: The Tutelary Years of Ray Johnson (1943-1967)
February 19 – June 12, 2010
Opening reception: Friday, February 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
56 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801

More about the show, quoted from the BMCM Site:

Through a carefully selected group of paintings, collages and early correspondence, From BMC to NYC: The Tutelary Years of Ray Johnson will explore the early transitions in Johnson’s career—in particular his graduation from high school in Detroit to his three years of serious study at Black Mountain College to his immersion in the Manhattan art scene of the 1950s and 1960s. From BMC to NYC, curated by writer and collage artist Sebastian Matthews, will trace a circle around roughly two decades of Johnson’s early art, creating a spotlight on his explosion from talented painter and master collagist to, by the 1960s, Grand Dean of Dada & Postal Art. The exhibition will provide an interactive, playful presentation of Johnson’s “tutelary” work, highlighting the people and places that influenced Johnson’s creations in order to give the viewer a roadmap of Johnson’s creative process.

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me with Ray's work @ the MOMA, 2008. i almost died of excitement.

For more on Ray visit his estate, read this interview, or watch his the movie How to Draw A Bunny.

from Ray's "Footings" series

Calm Center

Ryan McGinley Slows His Roll

October 22nd, 2009 by brandi

Over the years Ryan McGinley has perfected the snapshot, capturing sublime moments of beauty from a world that seems to be in fast forward.  His subjects are joyfully suspended with perfect grace while running, jumping, falling and splashing.

Moonmilk” is McGinley’s latest body of work, and it’s slow like honey.  All of the 24 photographs are taken inside caves, a  surreal environment which dwarfs and embraces his ever-present nude subjects.  In a feature by the Guardian UK he describes his change of pace:  “I’ve never worked so hard on anything in my life.  The preparation that went into [the shoot] was immense. I had to slow everything down – the exposures, the sitting times for the models, the lighting, everything … it was like an opera.

Here’s a sampling of “Moonmilk,” view more at his site.

Jonas(Molten)_2009

Jack(BlueMass)_2009

Coco&India(Cascade)_10by7in

BloodFalls_30x40in

BlueBreakdown_72x110in

Grace(Teeth)_2009

India(GypsumBurst)_48x72in

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Hollis Brown Thornton, VHS

July 28th, 2009 by brandi

Hollis Brown Thornton is one of my top favorite artists, period.   I am excited–so so excited–to tell you that I have my very own HBT original transfer, and a signed print!  They’re both from the ongoing VHS series.   Look see…

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original transfer top, and print below

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VHS print available for $30 at his shop

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VHS print, detail

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This is the original transfer, read up on his mastery of the technique here

Ridiculous!   Thanks universe, thanks HBT :)

WAFA Postcards 2

July 1st, 2009 by brandi

More postcards from the WAFA collaboration!  Anthony Zinonos sent these to me.  It was a thrill to find his artwork in my mailbox, and to be honest, I was a little nervous to work on top of his art.  But, I like the results and I’m looking forward to more.

In each pair the first is Anthony’s work the way I received it, and the second is my collaboration.

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Check out the postcards that I sent to Anthony here.

WAFA Postcards 1

June 28th, 2009 by brandi

I’ve exchanged postcards with everyone in the WAFA collective, and  Anthony Zinonos is the first to upload the results.  I’ve also received 3 postcards from Anthony and they’ll be up soon.  Really exciting, my first ever collaboration with another artist!

For each picture pair the first is my postcard the way I sent it out, the second shows the result of the collaboration.  Anthony’s work is playful and fun, but so thoughtful at the same time.  These make me happy.

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Mumbreeze Paint-It-Yourself

June 18th, 2009 by brandi

Ohhhh, I have my very own darling little Mumbreeze sculpture.  It’s the paint it yourself variety!  I’m in the process of bringing her to life, look forward to the finished version soon.

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Twenty 2wo Print – Adam Beneke

June 11th, 2009 by brandi

Adam, of Twenty 2wo, won our first print giveaway.  He sent back a print as a thank you!  Wow, you didn’t have to do that Adam, but we’re glad you did, the print is awesome!   We framed it up and here’s a quick snapshot, sorry the picture doesn’t do it justice.

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Love getting good stuff in the mail!

Rick Crown

May 29th, 2009 by brandi

Rick Crown is a ceramicist, sculptor, and one of my very favorite teachers ever.  His retirement party was a few weeks ago, held to honor and celebrate his 37 years as a professor at Queens University of Charlotte.  Lots of people shared fond and funny memories–we laughed and we cried.  He’s one of the most warmest, most inspiring people I’ve ever met.  I feel lucky to have been his student.

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Another fantastic teacher of mine, Cordelia Williams, took this picture. I think i must have been talkin’.

I have one of Rick’s sculptures, I love this little guy:

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Aleksandra Mir – Plane Landing

May 18th, 2009 by robert

Installations by Aleksandra Mir… Plane Landing in Paris and Switzerland.

Plane Landing in Zurich, 2008

Plane Landing in Zurich, 2008

Plane Landing in Zurich, 2008

Plane Landing in Zurich, 2008

Plane Landing in Zurich, 2008

Plane Landing in Zurich, 2008

Plane Landing in Paris, 2008

Plane Landing in Paris, 2008

Plane Landing in Paris, 2008

Plane Landing in Paris, 2008