Anyone who claims to not hate Powerpoint is lying. Some people really hate it, like Edward Tufte, all but blaming it for the fall of Western civilization. In his essay, The Cognitive Style of Powerpoint, and in seminars, he faults the design of the software with some serious mishaps, such as the loss of the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia. It is not far fetched to argue the use of Powerpoint in the military and government provides prima facie support to Tufte's case.
In a coda, I just learned that engineer Roger Boisjoly passed in January. Boisjoly was the engineer who discovered the design problem that resulted in the total loss of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. Boisjoly tried to stop the launch, presenting his arguments in a fated Powerpoint the night before, but was overruled by Morton Thiokol and NASA management. It has been theorized that NASA was anxious to launch the first teacher into space in time for president Reagan's state of the union speech scheduled later that same day. As a whistleblower, post the loss, he was subject to intense pressures, resulting a nervous breakdown. But he was awarded the Prize for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and dedicated the rest of his career to teaching engineering ethics.
Artist David Byrne has explored Powerpoint in art. There have been several Portland performance art projects using Powerpoint. The latest is a series CHAD, organized by artist, inventor and writer, Mykle Hansen.
His CHAD series is likely to be humorous bordering on ridiculous. Presenters include palindrome champion Mark Saltveit, on the science of non-science Justin Hanes, global inspirationist Lance Banks, pro-lifist Carrie Twoterm, and a channeler of the great Carl Sagan.
CHAD may be had www.thisischad.com at the Jack London Bar 529 SW 4th Ave in the basement of the Rialto Poolroom 8PM $5-10
Thursday, May 17, 2012
May 16 Dreaming Mermaids
The Little Mermaid is a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Mala Morska Vila is a Czech New Wave film interpretation with live actors from 1976. This beautiful surrealist version will be scored by Goodnight Billygoat, Wooden Indian Burial Ground and Blood Beach "with their twinkling orchestral pop", "their spacious and trippy rock landscapes" and "theremin-heavy psychedelia", respectively. It is part of the always a treat Fin de Cinema series of classic subtitled films with live soundtracks by Portland bands. At Holocene www.holocene.org 1001 SE Morrison. 8:30PM $5
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
May 15 Mr Weiwei is Never Sorry
It is no secret we have a sense of humor, particularly in how we formulate our headlines. Many artists have a sense of humor too, and some are serious about it. One is Ai Weiwei, Chinese contemporary artist. Mr Weiwei was reported an easy going partier and prankster in his NY days between 1981 and 1993. In that period, he was influenced by the experimental NY art scene, AIDS activism, and watched the events of 1989 unfold at home from afar.
Returning to China after, he collaborated in producing and presenting controversial experimental art in Beijing. He continued his father's interest in Chinese antiques, supporting himself as an antique dealer. Repurposing antiques in the service of conceptual art was a theme of his early work. Dropping a Han-Dynasty Urn in 1995 is a record of Weiwei dropping a 2200 year old antique vase which shatters on the ground. It is a simple yet richly barbed commentary on history and culture, especially as Chinese dominant ethnic group takes its name from that dynasty. The beauty of the work is that the urn might cost less than $5000 to purchase, while photographs of the work, in an edition of 8, are currently valued at over $150,000 each.
Mr Weiwei was in the right place at the right time to ride the Chinese art boom in China, as well as internationally. He used that platform more wisely than many superstar contemporary artists, to take on from within, flaws in a culture and a country.
If you are familiar with contemporary Chinese culture, it is by no means monolithic. But young and educated Chinese play the edge of rebellion, or at least question state controls, as an element of their identity, or as pure human response. It's common to present that publicly and certainly privately using the long established custom of euphemism in the Chinese language. So "jumping the wall" is commonly found in Weibao posts, meaning the writer is presenting information found by evading the Chinese Great Firewall, which blocks Internet content deemed controversial to the government. Today Mr Weiwei does not exist in Chinese search engines.
Individuals standing out is also a potentially dangerous transgression in Chinese culture. And the large security bureaucracy is bound to move inexactly in its sworn mission to minimize disruptions, especially in the years around the leadership transition. That would be now.
In the past, artists' and art school professors' commentary on society was ignored. Their audience was educated and small. They did not operate in the press and they were not visible internationally. Ai Weiwei broke the mold. His work was political, but only in a way that art insiders could understand. But he became very well known and wealthy as a result of museum shows in the West. The press followed, and Mr Weiwei was swept up in the cultural security apparatus. This, in turn, inflamed the Western press and the art world. An artist being mentioned by name by Secretary Clinton is unusual, to say the least. Not only can water float a boat, it can sink it also. The fact that Ai Weiwei's Western supporters are influential is a danger. And the fact that Mr Weiwei's revolution has been televised by his blog and Twitter is a new postmodern condition.
The film explores a series of projects Mr Weiwei has made around the Sichuan earthquake of 2008, in which an estimated 70,000 Chinese died. The artist focused on gathering and publicizing the names of more than 5,000 school children who were killed. Each was an only child. It is the heaviest burden for their families, and something that can not be fully understood in the West. The numbers and names of the individuals lost has never been released by the central government. China's building boom has resulted in much shoddy construction, dubbed tofu dregs construction, including schools destroyed by the earthquake. Although the event did open the society to public compassion and relief efforts unseen previous, the door of responsibility and transparency has not been similarly moved.
The social practice art project has resulted in an ongoing battle by the artist with the provincial government, who built the schools, and their building contractor patrons. It may be the artist's most dangerous project. The film covers the work and its subsequent exhibition in Munich, So Sorry.
Mr Weiwei has a piece from the project in the current Art HK show, soon to be Art Basel-Hong Kong. The work consists of 123 framed letters received from government agencies by Mr Weiwei in his request for information about the collapse of school buildings in the earthquake. On the back of the wall on which they are hung, are the names the artist and his collaborators have gathered, of 5,196 students who perished.
Mr Weiwei is unique in having a very large body of followers, supporters and volunteers surrounding his art projects in China. The war between Mr Weiwei and the state has escalated with Mr Weiwei's Shanghai studio workshop being bulldozed and the artist imprisoned for almost 3 months in 2011, both covered toward the end of the film. Though not its intent, the film represents the next escalation.
If you have been following the journey of Mr Weiwei, or are curious, you have a special opportunity this evening. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is a new documentary about the artist, his work, and his influence in the art world. It shows tonight at the Portland Art Museum. The director, Alison Klayman, spent several years with Mr Weiwei filming, and provides an intimate portrait of the man. The production values and editing are top notch. The film returns August 3 to the Living Room Theaters. You can obtain a free ticket at this web link. At the Whitsell Auditorium of the Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park. 7PM Free
Returning to China after, he collaborated in producing and presenting controversial experimental art in Beijing. He continued his father's interest in Chinese antiques, supporting himself as an antique dealer. Repurposing antiques in the service of conceptual art was a theme of his early work. Dropping a Han-Dynasty Urn in 1995 is a record of Weiwei dropping a 2200 year old antique vase which shatters on the ground. It is a simple yet richly barbed commentary on history and culture, especially as Chinese dominant ethnic group takes its name from that dynasty. The beauty of the work is that the urn might cost less than $5000 to purchase, while photographs of the work, in an edition of 8, are currently valued at over $150,000 each.
Mr Weiwei was in the right place at the right time to ride the Chinese art boom in China, as well as internationally. He used that platform more wisely than many superstar contemporary artists, to take on from within, flaws in a culture and a country.
If you are familiar with contemporary Chinese culture, it is by no means monolithic. But young and educated Chinese play the edge of rebellion, or at least question state controls, as an element of their identity, or as pure human response. It's common to present that publicly and certainly privately using the long established custom of euphemism in the Chinese language. So "jumping the wall" is commonly found in Weibao posts, meaning the writer is presenting information found by evading the Chinese Great Firewall, which blocks Internet content deemed controversial to the government. Today Mr Weiwei does not exist in Chinese search engines.
Individuals standing out is also a potentially dangerous transgression in Chinese culture. And the large security bureaucracy is bound to move inexactly in its sworn mission to minimize disruptions, especially in the years around the leadership transition. That would be now.
In the past, artists' and art school professors' commentary on society was ignored. Their audience was educated and small. They did not operate in the press and they were not visible internationally. Ai Weiwei broke the mold. His work was political, but only in a way that art insiders could understand. But he became very well known and wealthy as a result of museum shows in the West. The press followed, and Mr Weiwei was swept up in the cultural security apparatus. This, in turn, inflamed the Western press and the art world. An artist being mentioned by name by Secretary Clinton is unusual, to say the least. Not only can water float a boat, it can sink it also. The fact that Ai Weiwei's Western supporters are influential is a danger. And the fact that Mr Weiwei's revolution has been televised by his blog and Twitter is a new postmodern condition.
The film explores a series of projects Mr Weiwei has made around the Sichuan earthquake of 2008, in which an estimated 70,000 Chinese died. The artist focused on gathering and publicizing the names of more than 5,000 school children who were killed. Each was an only child. It is the heaviest burden for their families, and something that can not be fully understood in the West. The numbers and names of the individuals lost has never been released by the central government. China's building boom has resulted in much shoddy construction, dubbed tofu dregs construction, including schools destroyed by the earthquake. Although the event did open the society to public compassion and relief efforts unseen previous, the door of responsibility and transparency has not been similarly moved.
The social practice art project has resulted in an ongoing battle by the artist with the provincial government, who built the schools, and their building contractor patrons. It may be the artist's most dangerous project. The film covers the work and its subsequent exhibition in Munich, So Sorry.
Mr Weiwei has a piece from the project in the current Art HK show, soon to be Art Basel-Hong Kong. The work consists of 123 framed letters received from government agencies by Mr Weiwei in his request for information about the collapse of school buildings in the earthquake. On the back of the wall on which they are hung, are the names the artist and his collaborators have gathered, of 5,196 students who perished.
Mr Weiwei is unique in having a very large body of followers, supporters and volunteers surrounding his art projects in China. The war between Mr Weiwei and the state has escalated with Mr Weiwei's Shanghai studio workshop being bulldozed and the artist imprisoned for almost 3 months in 2011, both covered toward the end of the film. Though not its intent, the film represents the next escalation.
If you have been following the journey of Mr Weiwei, or are curious, you have a special opportunity this evening. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is a new documentary about the artist, his work, and his influence in the art world. It shows tonight at the Portland Art Museum. The director, Alison Klayman, spent several years with Mr Weiwei filming, and provides an intimate portrait of the man. The production values and editing are top notch. The film returns August 3 to the Living Room Theaters. You can obtain a free ticket at this web link. At the Whitsell Auditorium of the Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park. 7PM Free
Monday, May 14, 2012
May 15 Curious Big Smut Passport
Curiosity Club is back with a talk on structures by someone who had an opportunity to meet Mr Structure himself, Buckminster Fuller. At Hand Eye Supply www.handeyesupply.com/pages/curiosity-club 23 NW 4th 6PM Free
Big Art Group. Who can argue with a brand like that? They are in residence at PICA, interviewing Portlanders to prepare a TBA piece in September based on the three part tragedy The Oresteia. All very heady. Talk at PICA. 415 SW 10th Ave, Suite 300. 7PM-8:30 Free
Portland has many bike cultures. One of our "keep Portland weird" efforts are bike film festivals, including romantic and erotic bike movies. Bike Smut is a three night movie series on that theme. It's Spring! The series is May 15,22&29 At the Clinton Street Theater 26th and SE Clinton 9PM Age 18+ $7 (discount with password)
The Research Club is plotting a transition to action through its Passport program, an app for social networking around art events and groups. To promote and form that idea, they have a performance at Valentines. Details at www.portlandpassport.org. At Valentines 232 SW Ankeny 7PM-late $5
Big Art Group. Who can argue with a brand like that? They are in residence at PICA, interviewing Portlanders to prepare a TBA piece in September based on the three part tragedy The Oresteia. All very heady. Talk at PICA. 415 SW 10th Ave, Suite 300. 7PM-8:30 Free
Portland has many bike cultures. One of our "keep Portland weird" efforts are bike film festivals, including romantic and erotic bike movies. Bike Smut is a three night movie series on that theme. It's Spring! The series is May 15,22&29 At the Clinton Street Theater 26th and SE Clinton 9PM Age 18+ $7 (discount with password)
The Research Club is plotting a transition to action through its Passport program, an app for social networking around art events and groups. To promote and form that idea, they have a performance at Valentines. Details at www.portlandpassport.org. At Valentines 232 SW Ankeny 7PM-late $5
Sunday, May 13, 2012
May 14 On Curation
Curator Mary Jane Jacob from School of the Art Institute of Chicago talks about her work outside museums. A part of the PSU MFA Lecture Series pdx.edu/art/mfa-lecture-series. In the Shattuck Hall Annex, 1914 SW Park Avenue, at the corner of SW Broadway and Hall on the PSU campus. 7:30PM Free
Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 12 Crafty St Johns
We like the Crafty Wonderland phenomenon in Portland. It outgrew the Doug Fir Lounge monthly and now has a 2-3 times a year instantiation at the Oregon Convention Center. It's free, though parking in the area is not. Go by train! www.craftywonderland.com at the Oregon Convention Center 11AM-6PM Free
St Johns used to get no respect. Now it's got indy cred. They have a street fair, parade and music today. They have dubbed it the St Johns Bizarre. www.stjohnsbizarre.com 10AM-7PM Free
St Johns used to get no respect. Now it's got indy cred. They have a street fair, parade and music today. They have dubbed it the St Johns Bizarre. www.stjohnsbizarre.com 10AM-7PM Free
May 12-13 Free Stonehenge
The Maryhill Museum overlooks the Columbia in Goldendale, about 2 hours from Portland. It is the estate of the visionary end entrepreneur, Sam Hill, who is responsible for the Columbia River Highway. Through his European friends he built a small collection of Rodin sculptures, icons and decorative objects. He passed before the museum was completed. In the years since, 18th century and early 19th century realist portraits and landscapes, Native American artifacts and prints have been added to the collection. That has necessitated the addition of a new modern wing to the original mansion. This weekend the new wing will be dedicated in a celebration. There is no admission fee this weekend. If you visit be sure to see Brad Cloepfil's Maryhill Overlook, a running minimal sculpture. Hill is also responsible for a replica Stonehenge of stucco built as a memorial to WWI veterans. It is arguable that WWI represents the cusp of the transition between war fought with rules between armies, and total war in which civilians are indiscriminately swept up by design in warfare. Though there are earlier examples of total war, it is WWI with its use of technology which brought the terror of total war into modern consciousness. It resulted in Mr Hill's memorial and the formation of the UN. The Stonehenge is free year round. At the Maryhill Museum www.maryhillmuseum.org/Events/dedication.html 35 Maryhill Drive, Goldendale, Washington 10AM-5PM Free
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May 11 Create, Publish or Perish
Core 77's Hand Eye Supply is making a float, again, for this year's Rose Festival Starlight Parade. Last year they built a bird inspired float illuminated with sequenced electroluminescent wire. And last year they polled their community of designers, crafters, artists and visionaries to nominate, and then select, representative creatives to ride the float. They are doing the same this year with a brain inspired float. And they announce the selected floaters, from a pretty awesome list, with a celebration this evening. At Hand Eye Supply www.handeyesupply.com/pages/curiosity-club 23 NW 4th 6PM-9 Free
The IPRC is home to DIY publishing and pressing. They have classes and iron letter presses. It's a zine clubhouse. It's been successful, so it's busted out of the Oak Street building above Reading Frenzy, to another incubator, the Ford Building, home to Gallery Homeland and other creative businesses. Tonight they hold an opening party to introduce their new capabilities and space. At the Independent Publishing Resource Center www.iprc.org 1101 SE Division, Suite 2 7PM-11 Free
Ampersand holds a book release event for Photographs Not Taken with a talk by contributors Amy Elkins and Eirik Johnson. The book comprises essays, no photographs. It's a meditation by photographers on the exposures they never made. At Ampersand Vintage Printed Material www.ampersandvintage.com 2916 NE Alberta, Ste B. Map 7:30PM Free
The IPRC is home to DIY publishing and pressing. They have classes and iron letter presses. It's a zine clubhouse. It's been successful, so it's busted out of the Oak Street building above Reading Frenzy, to another incubator, the Ford Building, home to Gallery Homeland and other creative businesses. Tonight they hold an opening party to introduce their new capabilities and space. At the Independent Publishing Resource Center www.iprc.org 1101 SE Division, Suite 2 7PM-11 Free
Ampersand holds a book release event for Photographs Not Taken with a talk by contributors Amy Elkins and Eirik Johnson. The book comprises essays, no photographs. It's a meditation by photographers on the exposures they never made. At Ampersand Vintage Printed Material www.ampersandvintage.com 2916 NE Alberta, Ste B. Map 7:30PM Free
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
May 10 APAK Attacks
APAK, husband and wife artists Aaron Piland and Ayumi Kajikawa, come in peace with an attack of cute in their show of prints tonight at Black Wagon. Really good. At Black Wagon blackwagon.com 3964 N Mississippi Map 5PM-7
May 9 DIY Wilderness for Reals
ADX community members organize events in the space, including free movie night. Tonight is part 2 of the film Alone in the Wilderness. It's the sojourn of Dick Proenneke, who built his own cabin and lived in it, in remote Alaska, beginning in 1968, and continuing for 30 years. He documented his adventure on Kodachrome!
At adxportland.com 417 SE 11th x Stark Map 6:30PM Free
At adxportland.com 417 SE 11th x Stark Map 6:30PM Free
Sunday, May 06, 2012
May 6 Pairwise Perceptual Control: A Talk
The Perceptual Control residency at Worksound encourages collaboration between artists and the art community. Part of that process is lectures between selected residency participants and Portland artists, writers and curators. Jamie Marie Waelchli makes obsessive-looking, but probably not obsessive Life Diagrams, a visual and text organization of the concerns of everyday life. Tonight she chats with Portland performance artist Michael Reinsch. At Worksound www.worksoundpdx.com 820 SE Alder Map 7PM Free
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
May 4-5 Local Culture Project & Visitors
Creativity is driven by inspiration, those neurochemical brainstorms of puzzle, pleasure and innovation that spring from intuition. The meme, though simplistic, "the right side of the brain", captures it.
Portland movement artists have taken to local as inspiration in a year long creative improvisational collaboration. They performed guerrilla-style on city streets, in parks and in a garden in St Johns. The project culminated in a series of sustainable dinners with performances in that garden. It is the Local Culture Project.
The project included visiting artists Koichi and Hiroko Tamano. They are noted butoh dance performers, performing together in the US and Japan, for almost 50 years. They also operated sushi restaurants in San Francisco, including the infamous Country Station, hidden on an alley in the Mission before the Mission was cool. Country Station was home to many an after party involving movement by the staff who were butoh dancers. Sharing food after a performance is a long practiced tradition in Japan, it is the same with the Tamano's restaurants and the Local Culture Project dinners.
Butoh itself was originally inspired by the landscape of rural Japan. Outdoor performances are common. One performer, Min Tanaka, has a farm in Kitakoma, Yamanashi, Japan, in the foothills of the mountains. He annually invited performers who rise early, farm, then perform late. The combination of shear physical exhaustion, an international mixture of new friends, and the rural environment, created an electric environment for the dancers. The Rite of Spring is his signature piece, and there have been spectacular realizations of the piece on the farm. Tanaka San ended his farm festival in 2010, at age 65. Throughout his career he maintained strong relationships with New York literary, art and music innovators. These included Richard Serra, John Cage, Cecil Taylor, Karel Appel, Meredith Monk, Susan Sontag, Yoko Ono, Julie Taymor and Anna Halprin; with performances at MoMA.
The Local Culture Project carries on these traditions with the performers in the garden growing the food for the dinners. It is also a multigenerational project. Several of the dancers have small children, who, of course, love to dance as if no one is watching. They are an inspiration.
A documentary film of the Local Culture Project will be shown exploring the experiences of participants and guest artists Diego Piñón from Mexico, Hiroko & Koichi Tamano, Delisa Myles from Arizona, Haruko Nishimura and Sheri Brown from Seattle, Andrew Millison a permaculture instructor and Laurence Kominz, noted Japanese translator and scholar-performer of Japanese theater from PSU, along with well known local movers including Emily Stone, Tracy Broyles and Kestrel Gates. Also included was a large cast of participants including Meghann Rose, Yulia Arakelyan, Erik Ferguson, Kat MacMillan, Scott Belleri, Rosalie Roberts, John marc Schaelling, Athena, Eleanor, Xan, Quetzal, Amy Wolfberg, Joshua Talbert, Channing, Hollis, Rio, Eliana, Rebecca Harrison, Maya, John & Ruth Waddell, Luku, Sara Fay Goldman, Emma Banks, Eric Hull, Harrison Holtzman-Knott, Jenny Ampersand, Narayani Matson, Beth Bounds, Toshimi Kominz, Adam Josephs, Richard Decker, L’aura Oriol, Lillian Rossetti, David Krom, Mary Rose, Ed Alletto, Beth Giansiracusa, Viola Rose, Kathy Coleman, Yukio Waguri, Vangeline, Bob Webb, Yukio Suzuki, Nathan Montgomery, Azumi Oe, Keyon Gaskin, Nathan H.G., Christopher Mankowski, Amelia Burns, Trina Michelle, Sara Hart, Ronnie Baker, Kevin Cochran, Johanna Wearsch, Keeth Monta Apgar, Montana, Breanna Rogers and Jenn Brenner. The film weaves the thoughts of the performers, gardening, dinners, performances and playful experimentation.
Tonight, after the film is a performance choreographed by the very same Hiroko Tamano, who performs with Koichi Tamano, Mizu Desierto, KajAnne Pepper, Maria Moon and Meghann Rose.
Local, direct, playful and sustainable, it should be a treat.
At the Headwaters Theater, by www.witdpresents.com 55 NE Farragut St. #9. The theater is in the back of the building by the active railroad tracks facing Winchell Street. Map 8PM $12-15
Portland movement artists have taken to local as inspiration in a year long creative improvisational collaboration. They performed guerrilla-style on city streets, in parks and in a garden in St Johns. The project culminated in a series of sustainable dinners with performances in that garden. It is the Local Culture Project.
The project included visiting artists Koichi and Hiroko Tamano. They are noted butoh dance performers, performing together in the US and Japan, for almost 50 years. They also operated sushi restaurants in San Francisco, including the infamous Country Station, hidden on an alley in the Mission before the Mission was cool. Country Station was home to many an after party involving movement by the staff who were butoh dancers. Sharing food after a performance is a long practiced tradition in Japan, it is the same with the Tamano's restaurants and the Local Culture Project dinners.
Butoh itself was originally inspired by the landscape of rural Japan. Outdoor performances are common. One performer, Min Tanaka, has a farm in Kitakoma, Yamanashi, Japan, in the foothills of the mountains. He annually invited performers who rise early, farm, then perform late. The combination of shear physical exhaustion, an international mixture of new friends, and the rural environment, created an electric environment for the dancers. The Rite of Spring is his signature piece, and there have been spectacular realizations of the piece on the farm. Tanaka San ended his farm festival in 2010, at age 65. Throughout his career he maintained strong relationships with New York literary, art and music innovators. These included Richard Serra, John Cage, Cecil Taylor, Karel Appel, Meredith Monk, Susan Sontag, Yoko Ono, Julie Taymor and Anna Halprin; with performances at MoMA.
The Local Culture Project carries on these traditions with the performers in the garden growing the food for the dinners. It is also a multigenerational project. Several of the dancers have small children, who, of course, love to dance as if no one is watching. They are an inspiration.
A documentary film of the Local Culture Project will be shown exploring the experiences of participants and guest artists Diego Piñón from Mexico, Hiroko & Koichi Tamano, Delisa Myles from Arizona, Haruko Nishimura and Sheri Brown from Seattle, Andrew Millison a permaculture instructor and Laurence Kominz, noted Japanese translator and scholar-performer of Japanese theater from PSU, along with well known local movers including Emily Stone, Tracy Broyles and Kestrel Gates. Also included was a large cast of participants including Meghann Rose, Yulia Arakelyan, Erik Ferguson, Kat MacMillan, Scott Belleri, Rosalie Roberts, John marc Schaelling, Athena, Eleanor, Xan, Quetzal, Amy Wolfberg, Joshua Talbert, Channing, Hollis, Rio, Eliana, Rebecca Harrison, Maya, John & Ruth Waddell, Luku, Sara Fay Goldman, Emma Banks, Eric Hull, Harrison Holtzman-Knott, Jenny Ampersand, Narayani Matson, Beth Bounds, Toshimi Kominz, Adam Josephs, Richard Decker, L’aura Oriol, Lillian Rossetti, David Krom, Mary Rose, Ed Alletto, Beth Giansiracusa, Viola Rose, Kathy Coleman, Yukio Waguri, Vangeline, Bob Webb, Yukio Suzuki, Nathan Montgomery, Azumi Oe, Keyon Gaskin, Nathan H.G., Christopher Mankowski, Amelia Burns, Trina Michelle, Sara Hart, Ronnie Baker, Kevin Cochran, Johanna Wearsch, Keeth Monta Apgar, Montana, Breanna Rogers and Jenn Brenner. The film weaves the thoughts of the performers, gardening, dinners, performances and playful experimentation.
Tonight, after the film is a performance choreographed by the very same Hiroko Tamano, who performs with Koichi Tamano, Mizu Desierto, KajAnne Pepper, Maria Moon and Meghann Rose.
Local, direct, playful and sustainable, it should be a treat.
At the Headwaters Theater, by www.witdpresents.com 55 NE Farragut St. #9. The theater is in the back of the building by the active railroad tracks facing Winchell Street. Map 8PM $12-15
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
May 4 Eastside Art Openings
Worksound is wrapping its 3 month collaborative residency, Perceptual Control. The artists, curators and writers, Amy Bernstein, Nathanael Thayer Moss, Emily Nachison, Kyle Raquipiso, Jamie Marie Waelchli, participants, present their work tonight. At Worksound www.worksoundpdx.com 820 SE Alder Map 7PM-10
The Labrador Boatspace 12128 has installation interventionist Dan Gilsdorf. Recommended At 12128 Labrador Project http://www.12128boatspace.com/ It's moored by Fred's Marina 12900 NW Marina Way, Portland. Map More detailed directions, don't get lost, on the website. 7PM-10
Nationale has artist William Damiano, a young self trained artist from Project Grow. Project Grow's program which we have written of, is an artists' studio and more for alter-abled adults, though even that term is not the right one for the magic that happens there. A kindred spirit is Oakland's Creative Growth. Whenever this work enters the gallery system we smile. So bring your smiles to Nationale tonight thenewnationale.com 811 E Burnside Map 6PM-9ish
Blackbox has Black and White, curated by Julia Dolan, the photography curator at the Portland Art Museum. At Black Box Gallery www.blackboxgallery.com 811 E Burnside, Suite 212 upstairs 5PM-8:30 Free
Half/Dozen will soon wrap up their underground space and go virtual. Tonight they have Backdrop by Paula Rebsom and Drone Kitsch by Carl Diehl. See them. At Half/Dozen Gallery www.halfdozengallery.com 722 E Burnside (enter on 8th) 6PM-9
Ab/Abecedarium, Lessons From A to Z by W+K 12.8 opens for one night tonight. Not art, it's a team and team building exercise in graphic design themed on the alphabet. Music by DJ Abcdefgangsta and DJ Copywriter. At Union/Pine www.unionpine.com 525 SE Pine 7Pm-midnight Free
Newspace has a landscape show, in this case from Jessica Auer, a 2007 Canadian MFA grad, Re-creational Spaces; and John Wimberley, Elegy for an Angel from a late career artist. At Newspace Photo www.newspacephoto.org 1632 SE 10th Map 6PM-9
"Put a bird on it" has become a Portland pop culture meme. There are plenty of Portland artists birding. One is Brent Wear, who for a time was putting the propellers of helicopters on his bird paintings. It's cute, poppy, bright painting of anthropomorphized schematic animals. At Redux www.reduxpdx.com 811 E Burnside 6PM to 9ish
ADX has an open house tonight. James Florschutz has wood sculptures and drawings. There will also be demonstrations by Bridgetown Forge, music by Dogtooth, food, drink and photo booth. At adxportland.com 417 SE 11th x Stark Map 6PM-9
The Labrador Boatspace 12128 has installation interventionist Dan Gilsdorf. Recommended At 12128 Labrador Project http://www.12128boatspace.com/ It's moored by Fred's Marina 12900 NW Marina Way, Portland. Map More detailed directions, don't get lost, on the website. 7PM-10
Nationale has artist William Damiano, a young self trained artist from Project Grow. Project Grow's program which we have written of, is an artists' studio and more for alter-abled adults, though even that term is not the right one for the magic that happens there. A kindred spirit is Oakland's Creative Growth. Whenever this work enters the gallery system we smile. So bring your smiles to Nationale tonight thenewnationale.com 811 E Burnside Map 6PM-9ish
Blackbox has Black and White, curated by Julia Dolan, the photography curator at the Portland Art Museum. At Black Box Gallery www.blackboxgallery.com 811 E Burnside, Suite 212 upstairs 5PM-8:30 Free
Half/Dozen will soon wrap up their underground space and go virtual. Tonight they have Backdrop by Paula Rebsom and Drone Kitsch by Carl Diehl. See them. At Half/Dozen Gallery www.halfdozengallery.com 722 E Burnside (enter on 8th) 6PM-9
Ab/Abecedarium, Lessons From A to Z by W+K 12.8 opens for one night tonight. Not art, it's a team and team building exercise in graphic design themed on the alphabet. Music by DJ Abcdefgangsta and DJ Copywriter. At Union/Pine www.unionpine.com 525 SE Pine 7Pm-midnight Free
Newspace has a landscape show, in this case from Jessica Auer, a 2007 Canadian MFA grad, Re-creational Spaces; and John Wimberley, Elegy for an Angel from a late career artist. At Newspace Photo www.newspacephoto.org 1632 SE 10th Map 6PM-9
"Put a bird on it" has become a Portland pop culture meme. There are plenty of Portland artists birding. One is Brent Wear, who for a time was putting the propellers of helicopters on his bird paintings. It's cute, poppy, bright painting of anthropomorphized schematic animals. At Redux www.reduxpdx.com 811 E Burnside 6PM to 9ish
ADX has an open house tonight. James Florschutz has wood sculptures and drawings. There will also be demonstrations by Bridgetown Forge, music by Dogtooth, food, drink and photo booth. At adxportland.com 417 SE 11th x Stark Map 6PM-9
May 3 Westside Art Openings
Lasers are magical in their sufficiently advanced technology. Photons in phase and polarization with a narrow spectrum, their color. They are the inspiration for a show Lazerz! Artists vibing on the lasers are Mike Hyp, Amy Ruppel, Jordan Domont, JesseHectic, Chris DeGaetano, Berto Legendary H, Nick Stokes, Joel Colley, Lonny Hurley, Brad Simon, Anne Coté, Hingyi Khong, Upendo Taylor, Nicole Lavelle and Nick Winchester. At Compound Gallery www.compoundgallery.com 107 NW 5th 6PM-10
Futro Fantastic is a collaboration of video-makers, musician-DJ's, artists, visualists, designers and artists. They present their show tonight, including interactive video, with Alex Boyce, Chris, Diana-Peebles, Jacob Markof, Lara Paulson, Noelle Sosaya, Sean Sullivan and Minh Tran. They will be accompanied by their own DJ team too. At Fifty 24PDX in Upperplayground.com 23 NW 5th 6PM-9
Shwood is one of two designers in Portland of wood eyeglass frames. That's impressive. That's Oregon. Tonight they present This Is Oregon, a photo show and an Instagram challenge to you to make more. Concieved by Canadian photographer & designer Julian Bialowas, the photos are outdoors in wild areas within a 90 minute drive of Portland. They are mapped and accompanied by a complete panorama. Your challenge is to go there and make your own interpretation anew. The This is Oregon show at the Ace Cleaners in the Ace Hotel, SW 10th and Stark. 7PM Free
Tom Cramer is a Portland grown by way of PNCA painter and sculptor. You know his murals and occasional painted cars and scooters in bold tribal cartoon style. He shows new releaf carved sculptures tonight. At Laura Russo Gallery www.laurarusso.com 805 NW 21st
Amanda and Dylan Bradway bring their art from Oklahoma City. And Anneli Olander from Sweden. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map
Lite Box is a show curated by Modou Dieng with Devon Antonio VanHouten-Maldonado, Mary Brossman and Randy Rappaport. The Experimental Half Hour show kicks in at 9. At Valentines valentineslifeblood.blogspot.com 232 SW Ankeny Art 6PM-late
If you are interested in flora, fauna and landscape, Deborah Horrell has Celebrating Beauty and Ryan Pierce has New World Atlas of Weeds and Rags. At Elizabeth Leach Gallery www.elizabethleach.com 417 NW 9th Map 6PM-9
Across the Hall has Light, by Johannes Girardoni, Heechan Kim, Nancy Lorenz and Molly Vidor. Information on the PDX Contemporary website, across the hall. PDX Contemporary Art www.pdxcontemporaryart.com 925 NW Flanders Map early close 8PM
David Neevel has Propellers, a kinetic installation, involving, well, propellers. Everyone should have one. What's next? Personal drones? Ditto. At W+K www.wk.com 224 NW 13th Map 5PM-9 Free
Mishka Henner has No Man’s Land which exploits Google Street View in rural Italy and Spain. Nate Larson & Marni Shindelman have Geolocation: UK based on Twitter geotags. At Blue Sky Gallery www.blueskygallery.org map 122 NW 8th 6PM-9
Alt ceramics and textile artist Dharma Strasser MacColl has Spin, quiet work at Augen Gallery www.augengallery.com 716 NW Davis early close 8
As always we recommend the Everett Station galleries, NW Broadway and Everett.
The White Box Gallery at the UofO continues the Disjecta 2012 Biennial. At the University of Oregon White Stag Building, 70 NW Couch until 8PM
Futro Fantastic is a collaboration of video-makers, musician-DJ's, artists, visualists, designers and artists. They present their show tonight, including interactive video, with Alex Boyce, Chris, Diana-Peebles, Jacob Markof, Lara Paulson, Noelle Sosaya, Sean Sullivan and Minh Tran. They will be accompanied by their own DJ team too. At Fifty 24PDX in Upperplayground.com 23 NW 5th 6PM-9
Shwood is one of two designers in Portland of wood eyeglass frames. That's impressive. That's Oregon. Tonight they present This Is Oregon, a photo show and an Instagram challenge to you to make more. Concieved by Canadian photographer & designer Julian Bialowas, the photos are outdoors in wild areas within a 90 minute drive of Portland. They are mapped and accompanied by a complete panorama. Your challenge is to go there and make your own interpretation anew. The This is Oregon show at the Ace Cleaners in the Ace Hotel, SW 10th and Stark. 7PM Free
Tom Cramer is a Portland grown by way of PNCA painter and sculptor. You know his murals and occasional painted cars and scooters in bold tribal cartoon style. He shows new releaf carved sculptures tonight. At Laura Russo Gallery www.laurarusso.com 805 NW 21st
Amanda and Dylan Bradway bring their art from Oklahoma City. And Anneli Olander from Sweden. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map
Lite Box is a show curated by Modou Dieng with Devon Antonio VanHouten-Maldonado, Mary Brossman and Randy Rappaport. The Experimental Half Hour show kicks in at 9. At Valentines valentineslifeblood.blogspot.com 232 SW Ankeny Art 6PM-late
If you are interested in flora, fauna and landscape, Deborah Horrell has Celebrating Beauty and Ryan Pierce has New World Atlas of Weeds and Rags. At Elizabeth Leach Gallery www.elizabethleach.com 417 NW 9th Map 6PM-9
Across the Hall has Light, by Johannes Girardoni, Heechan Kim, Nancy Lorenz and Molly Vidor. Information on the PDX Contemporary website, across the hall. PDX Contemporary Art www.pdxcontemporaryart.com 925 NW Flanders Map early close 8PM
David Neevel has Propellers, a kinetic installation, involving, well, propellers. Everyone should have one. What's next? Personal drones? Ditto. At W+K www.wk.com 224 NW 13th Map 5PM-9 Free
Mishka Henner has No Man’s Land which exploits Google Street View in rural Italy and Spain. Nate Larson & Marni Shindelman have Geolocation: UK based on Twitter geotags. At Blue Sky Gallery www.blueskygallery.org map 122 NW 8th 6PM-9
Alt ceramics and textile artist Dharma Strasser MacColl has Spin, quiet work at Augen Gallery www.augengallery.com 716 NW Davis early close 8
As always we recommend the Everett Station galleries, NW Broadway and Everett.
The White Box Gallery at the UofO continues the Disjecta 2012 Biennial. At the University of Oregon White Stag Building, 70 NW Couch until 8PM
May 2-3 The Great Northwest is A-OK
Filmmaker artist organizer Matt McCormick is noted for his landscape shorts, music videos and features. The landscape work is quiet, maybe a little like Benning. He is also known for The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal, a short mixing characters who are employed by the city to paint over tags and the landscape in which they labor. He has made a feature drama, Some Days Are Better Than Others, which traces the existential loneliness of an interconnected ensemble of rainy Portland characters. They each ultimately triumph in a small way over their trials. His new project follows his residency at the Center for Land Use Interpretation and a road trip through Northwest ghost towns, captured in Future So Bright.
McCormick found a scrapbook created by a group of women documenting their Western road trip in 1958. It's photos, notes, receipts and postcards of their stops, some which exist today and others which are no longer. He has retraced their 3,200 mile trip himself, and made a movie of it, The Great Northwest, combining his experience with shots from the scrapbook. It's a project combining landscape and characters, current and passed.
Matt will be at both screenings at the NW Film and Video Center in the Whitsell Auditorium of the Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park. 7PM $8, members, students, seniors; $9 otherwise
McCormick found a scrapbook created by a group of women documenting their Western road trip in 1958. It's photos, notes, receipts and postcards of their stops, some which exist today and others which are no longer. He has retraced their 3,200 mile trip himself, and made a movie of it, The Great Northwest, combining his experience with shots from the scrapbook. It's a project combining landscape and characters, current and passed.
Matt will be at both screenings at the NW Film and Video Center in the Whitsell Auditorium of the Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park. 7PM $8, members, students, seniors; $9 otherwise
Friday, April 27, 2012
April 30 Slanguage and W. O. Douglas
William O. Douglas is one of the Northwest's most noted jurists, and the nation's. Living as a child for a period in Yakima, Washington, he developed an ardent appreciation for the wild unspoiled outdoor environment, mountain hikes and climbs.
He was appointed SEC commissioner and chairman by President Roosevelt, then to the Supreme Court, the youngest justice at age 40, since 1812, and since. He was a strong advocate of privacy, civil liberties and legal protections for the environment. He is the longest serving justice and a prolific author of opinions. Douglas also authored an article for the first environmental law journal, published by the Lewis and Clark Law School.
One of his most famous dissenting opinions is in Sierra Club (Mineral King) v. Morton. In that case, it was the Disney Corporation which wanted to develop a ski resort adjacent to Sequoia National Park. The opinion of Douglas was incorporated into the seminal book Should Trees Have Standing: Law, Morality, and the Environment by Stone. Stone's book, in 1972, is one of the early contributions to the theory of deep ecology. The eloquent opinion by Douglas in Mineral King argues that the environment be granted a form of personhood in defense of its destruction by corporate personhood. Stone extends the argument, noting that women and children were once considered objects, and without rights, or standing, under the law. Thus he argues, following Douglas, that there is a precedent for extending rights to the natural environment itself. That vision has not yet been attained.
Tonight filmmaker John Concillo and author Adam Sowards discuss Douglas. Concillo's documentary Liberty and Wilderness will be shown.
At the Kennedy School History Pub, 5736 NE 33rd 7PM Free
Slanguage is a social practice collective and residency operating for 10 years in Los Angeles. Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra have made fascinating works including community and youth participations. They are extensively documented on the Slanguage website. A likely to be interesting talk! A part of the PSU MFA Lecture Series pdx.edu/art/mfa-lecture-series. In the Shattuck Hall Annex, 1914 SW Park Avenue, at the corner of SW Broadway and Hall on the PSU campus. 7:30PM Free
He was appointed SEC commissioner and chairman by President Roosevelt, then to the Supreme Court, the youngest justice at age 40, since 1812, and since. He was a strong advocate of privacy, civil liberties and legal protections for the environment. He is the longest serving justice and a prolific author of opinions. Douglas also authored an article for the first environmental law journal, published by the Lewis and Clark Law School.
One of his most famous dissenting opinions is in Sierra Club (Mineral King) v. Morton. In that case, it was the Disney Corporation which wanted to develop a ski resort adjacent to Sequoia National Park. The opinion of Douglas was incorporated into the seminal book Should Trees Have Standing: Law, Morality, and the Environment by Stone. Stone's book, in 1972, is one of the early contributions to the theory of deep ecology. The eloquent opinion by Douglas in Mineral King argues that the environment be granted a form of personhood in defense of its destruction by corporate personhood. Stone extends the argument, noting that women and children were once considered objects, and without rights, or standing, under the law. Thus he argues, following Douglas, that there is a precedent for extending rights to the natural environment itself. That vision has not yet been attained.
Tonight filmmaker John Concillo and author Adam Sowards discuss Douglas. Concillo's documentary Liberty and Wilderness will be shown.
At the Kennedy School History Pub, 5736 NE 33rd 7PM Free
Slanguage is a social practice collective and residency operating for 10 years in Los Angeles. Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra have made fascinating works including community and youth participations. They are extensively documented on the Slanguage website. A likely to be interesting talk! A part of the PSU MFA Lecture Series pdx.edu/art/mfa-lecture-series. In the Shattuck Hall Annex, 1914 SW Park Avenue, at the corner of SW Broadway and Hall on the PSU campus. 7:30PM Free
April 29 Idealist Reseach Brunch
Who can argue with idealism? That's the argument for The Idealist - www.idealist.org. The Idealist joins forces today with the Research Club as the new home to brunch.
The Research Club brunch is a pot luck gathering of artists, creatives and community organizers built around informal presentations. This month it is Sam Balter - What happens to a college paper? Millions are written yearly, then disappear into the ethers, when they could produce much more value; Modou Dieng, creator - curator of Worksound Gallery and residency, and also our art link to Dakar; Hannah Kane of The Idealist on their worldwide direct action projects; and Nim Wunnan, organizer of Research Club.
Bring vegetarian-vegan friendly comestibles, and a plate, bowl, mug and utensils!
Research Club at The Idealist - www.research-club.org @ www.idealist.org 209 SW Oak St #600 noon-3PM Free
The Research Club brunch is a pot luck gathering of artists, creatives and community organizers built around informal presentations. This month it is Sam Balter - What happens to a college paper? Millions are written yearly, then disappear into the ethers, when they could produce much more value; Modou Dieng, creator - curator of Worksound Gallery and residency, and also our art link to Dakar; Hannah Kane of The Idealist on their worldwide direct action projects; and Nim Wunnan, organizer of Research Club.
Bring vegetarian-vegan friendly comestibles, and a plate, bowl, mug and utensils!
Research Club at The Idealist - www.research-club.org @ www.idealist.org 209 SW Oak St #600 noon-3PM Free
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 28 Biennial Appendix
David Knowles is a Portland writer designer and maker of books at Publication Studio. He opens a new show of sculptures at Appendix tonight "I'm not going anywhere until I die". At Appendix Project Space www.appendixspace.com On the alley between 26th and 27th, South of Alberta. Map 7-10ish Free
Disjecta closes their biennial show in the main space with a talk by several artists beginning at 5, then a closing party with musicians Alameda. Alameda comprises singer and guitarist Stirling Myles, cellist Jessie Dettwiler and clarinetist Jennifer Woodall, with guitarist Tim Grimes and Kate O'Brien-Clarke on violin. It's singer songwriter music with more interesting arrangements than the usual. At Disjecta, in the shadow of Paul Bunyan www.disjecta.org 8371 N. Interstate Map 5PM-10 Free
Disjecta closes their biennial show in the main space with a talk by several artists beginning at 5, then a closing party with musicians Alameda. Alameda comprises singer and guitarist Stirling Myles, cellist Jessie Dettwiler and clarinetist Jennifer Woodall, with guitarist Tim Grimes and Kate O'Brien-Clarke on violin. It's singer songwriter music with more interesting arrangements than the usual. At Disjecta, in the shadow of Paul Bunyan www.disjecta.org 8371 N. Interstate Map 5PM-10 Free
April 27 Grow Free
The Portland Art Museum is free to all this evening after 5. Every day they are free for those under 17. So take advantage of your museum! At the Portland Art Museum www.pam.org 1219 SW Park 5PM-8 Free
Project Grow has a gallery. This month, the gallery has a show of photography, which closes this evening by staying open a little later than usual. It includes selections from the Portland Grid Project, Project Grow Artists, photographs from the Oregon State Hospital and a walk in view camera, best seen when it's lighter. At Project Grow at the Port City Development Center. 2156 N Williams Ave at Tillamook. 6PM-10 Free
Project Grow has a gallery. This month, the gallery has a show of photography, which closes this evening by staying open a little later than usual. It includes selections from the Portland Grid Project, Project Grow Artists, photographs from the Oregon State Hospital and a walk in view camera, best seen when it's lighter. At Project Grow at the Port City Development Center. 2156 N Williams Ave at Tillamook. 6PM-10 Free
April 26 Prom Photo Revolution in Egypt
One of the most dramatic manifestations of the Arab Spring was in Egypt. The revolution was televised. So many things went right in our new society of social media, mobile and worldwide interconnection. That includes the arrest and subsequent release of Wael Ghonim. While Egypt is still in transition, it stands as one of the most peaceful and moving expressions of the aspirations of the new generation since the dissolution of the Soviet Republic.
Journalist David Wolman happened to be reporting a few years before on social media and the new generation of activists in Egypt. He was gifted the opportunity to see it all unfold.
He published an e-book The Instigators, on the movement which was also covered in articles for The Atlantic.
He speaks at Mercy Corps tonight on Egypt and another book he has written, The End of Money. Mercy Corps has been a pioneer in using mobile phone technology to directly distribute cash in disaster areas. They also have sponsored markets which bring together local vendors of household necessities and households who can use Mercy Corps scrip to buy items. Mercy Corps pays the vendors in cash at the conclusion.
At the Mercy Corps Action Center www.actioncenter.org Advance tickets recommended - details: www.mercycorps.org/events/2012/01/27/26382 28 SW 1st $10 7PM
Prom. The word strikes terror and joy into the hearts of students, teachers and parents. The students' views across the country are captured in the project, Prom, by Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell. Mark has made formal portraits of the couples on the Polaroid 20x24, the highest resolution imaging system in existence, at about 500 megapixels per frame. Bell interviewed the couples, resulting in a film, Prom, which accompanies the photographs published as a book. In addition to everyday honest angst, there are very touching interviews with students preparing for the prom while undergoing treatment for cancer, gay prom tribulations, the kids struggling to fit in, and disabled prom goers. The 33 minute film will be shown tonight in a small photo studio in the Towne, sponsored by Photolucida. Details and reservations at www.jonikabana.com/classes/photo-picnic-mary-ellen-mark-martin-bells-prom-book-and-documentary-film/ 8PM $10 cash or check
Ampersand has a show of portrait works by Brandon Fernandez made by a short depth of field view camera on wet collodion plates. The long exposure time, depth of field and resolution recall the work of photographers of the 19th Century, such as Julia Margaret Cameron, Nadar and later, Bellocq. It's excellent work. Also showing photos and constructions involving bones by Jefferson Hayman, being released as a book by Ampersand. At Ampersand Vintage Printed Material www.ampersandvintage.com 2916 NE Alberta, Ste B. Map 6PM-10 Free
Journalist David Wolman happened to be reporting a few years before on social media and the new generation of activists in Egypt. He was gifted the opportunity to see it all unfold.
He published an e-book The Instigators, on the movement which was also covered in articles for The Atlantic.
He speaks at Mercy Corps tonight on Egypt and another book he has written, The End of Money. Mercy Corps has been a pioneer in using mobile phone technology to directly distribute cash in disaster areas. They also have sponsored markets which bring together local vendors of household necessities and households who can use Mercy Corps scrip to buy items. Mercy Corps pays the vendors in cash at the conclusion.
At the Mercy Corps Action Center www.actioncenter.org Advance tickets recommended - details: www.mercycorps.org/events/2012/01/27/26382 28 SW 1st $10 7PM
Prom. The word strikes terror and joy into the hearts of students, teachers and parents. The students' views across the country are captured in the project, Prom, by Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell. Mark has made formal portraits of the couples on the Polaroid 20x24, the highest resolution imaging system in existence, at about 500 megapixels per frame. Bell interviewed the couples, resulting in a film, Prom, which accompanies the photographs published as a book. In addition to everyday honest angst, there are very touching interviews with students preparing for the prom while undergoing treatment for cancer, gay prom tribulations, the kids struggling to fit in, and disabled prom goers. The 33 minute film will be shown tonight in a small photo studio in the Towne, sponsored by Photolucida. Details and reservations at www.jonikabana.com/classes/photo-picnic-mary-ellen-mark-martin-bells-prom-book-and-documentary-film/ 8PM $10 cash or check
Ampersand has a show of portrait works by Brandon Fernandez made by a short depth of field view camera on wet collodion plates. The long exposure time, depth of field and resolution recall the work of photographers of the 19th Century, such as Julia Margaret Cameron, Nadar and later, Bellocq. It's excellent work. Also showing photos and constructions involving bones by Jefferson Hayman, being released as a book by Ampersand. At Ampersand Vintage Printed Material www.ampersandvintage.com 2916 NE Alberta, Ste B. Map 6PM-10 Free
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
April 25 On Craftavism
We are on the crux of a better tomorrow, and a catastrophic tomorrow, in so many aspects of our society, humanity and the natural world. Those challenges of possibility, we welcome. But it is also a challenge for art, and a challenge for craft to contribute to making things better, and especially solving the wicked problems. Those are the big problems of society, war, climate, the environment, the economy. So it's no longer OK to be content with a private monologue in the art world. That's why we are a proponent of socially conscious social practice art. It's also why we welcome socially conscious social practice craft.
That is the discussion tonight with Maria Elena Buszek, craftavist. She has been doing it for some time in the form of craftworks, teaching, writing, editing, curating and organizing. One of her books, Extra/Ordinary: Craft and Contemporary Art, captures for its cover, the stunning Pink M.24 Chaffee by Marianne Jørgensen. For the work, hundreds of knitters made 15cm squares in pink shades that were united in a knitting graffiti project to cover a military tank. Knitting graffiti is a fascinating movement. Like Jørgensen, knitters like Barb Hunt take it much further with her knitted land mines project, Antipersonnel.
Buszek speaks tonight on the admixture of craft, art and politics. Presented by the PNCA Museum of Contemporary Craft. www.pnca.edu. At the Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis 6:30PM Free
That is the discussion tonight with Maria Elena Buszek, craftavist. She has been doing it for some time in the form of craftworks, teaching, writing, editing, curating and organizing. One of her books, Extra/Ordinary: Craft and Contemporary Art, captures for its cover, the stunning Pink M.24 Chaffee by Marianne Jørgensen. For the work, hundreds of knitters made 15cm squares in pink shades that were united in a knitting graffiti project to cover a military tank. Knitting graffiti is a fascinating movement. Like Jørgensen, knitters like Barb Hunt take it much further with her knitted land mines project, Antipersonnel.
Buszek speaks tonight on the admixture of craft, art and politics. Presented by the PNCA Museum of Contemporary Craft. www.pnca.edu. At the Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis 6:30PM Free
Thursday, April 19, 2012
April 21 Red Mall
The galleries in the mall open their monthly show this evening. The big news is that long time Portland gallerist Mark Woolley is moving into the middle space. To celebrate, he launches a red-themed art show, Simply Red (2). The opening features funk stylings by DJ Parmajohn, and the Sexbot dancers st 8. Suggest attire is red. The mall closes sometime after 9, so arrive early and plan a post funk. At the Mark Woolley Gallery at Pioneer www.markwoolley.com 700 SW 5th 3rd Floor 6PM-9 Free
Place continues Crying, Feeding, Touching by Heather Zinger; The Weighing of Souls by Georganne Watters; and High School Football Memories by Phillip Bone & BT Livermore. With Within the Ephemeron by J. Brown, half of Half|Dozen Gallery and Mimesis by Wayne Bund documenting queer people in both straight and fantasy settings. At Place, placepdx.tumblr.com a gallery on the 3rd floor of the Pioneer Place Mall. If the mall appears closed, enter the film theater building adjacent, travel through the tunnel to the Place mall, and take the elevator to the 3rd floor, sometimes the bridge on the 3rd floor is open too. 700 SW Fifth 3rd Floor West. 6PM-9 Free
We don't cover music posters as art here. Because they have their own aesthetic and collectors largely outside the areas in which we are interested. But We support the work the People's Art of Portland and bro gallery the Goodfoot, in providing a place to see posters and outsider art. The People's Art of Portland open a show of poster art by John Howard: Spawn Camping the Psionic Swamp, in his own pop surrealism style he calls psychedelic. That includes anaglyphic 3d posters. In the same space, Portland duct tape artist Mona Superhero shows her new work. At People's Art of Portland in the Pioneer Place Mall peoplesartofportland.com 700 SW 5th 3rd Floor South 6PM-9 Free
Place continues Crying, Feeding, Touching by Heather Zinger; The Weighing of Souls by Georganne Watters; and High School Football Memories by Phillip Bone & BT Livermore. With Within the Ephemeron by J. Brown, half of Half|Dozen Gallery and Mimesis by Wayne Bund documenting queer people in both straight and fantasy settings. At Place, placepdx.tumblr.com a gallery on the 3rd floor of the Pioneer Place Mall. If the mall appears closed, enter the film theater building adjacent, travel through the tunnel to the Place mall, and take the elevator to the 3rd floor, sometimes the bridge on the 3rd floor is open too. 700 SW Fifth 3rd Floor West. 6PM-9 Free
We don't cover music posters as art here. Because they have their own aesthetic and collectors largely outside the areas in which we are interested. But We support the work the People's Art of Portland and bro gallery the Goodfoot, in providing a place to see posters and outsider art. The People's Art of Portland open a show of poster art by John Howard: Spawn Camping the Psionic Swamp, in his own pop surrealism style he calls psychedelic. That includes anaglyphic 3d posters. In the same space, Portland duct tape artist Mona Superhero shows her new work. At People's Art of Portland in the Pioneer Place Mall peoplesartofportland.com 700 SW 5th 3rd Floor South 6PM-9 Free
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
April 18 Pure Clear Closing Science Fair
Alex Mackin Dolan closes Pure Clear tonight in the Appendix Project Space. Dolan has joined the Appendix collective as curator-collaborator, so this is an introduction to his thoughts in the form of his personal work. The location has limited hours, so openings and closings are the best opportunity to see it. At Appendix Project Space www.appendixspace.com On the alley between 26th and 27th, South of Alberta. Map 8-10ish Free
Tin House is one of Portland's brainy independent publishers. They release the latest issue of their magazine tonight, Science Fair. That accompanies, readings, science experiments, vintage films, and music by White Hinterland, Pure Bathing Culture, DJ Jen O and Carl Sagan's Turtleneck. At Holocene www.holocene.org 1001 SE Morrison early 7:30PM $5
Tin House is one of Portland's brainy independent publishers. They release the latest issue of their magazine tonight, Science Fair. That accompanies, readings, science experiments, vintage films, and music by White Hinterland, Pure Bathing Culture, DJ Jen O and Carl Sagan's Turtleneck. At Holocene www.holocene.org 1001 SE Morrison early 7:30PM $5
Thursday, April 12, 2012
April 14 Smart Art Talks
Worksound has transformed itself into a residency and salon, as principal Modou Dieng takes on curatorial roles around town.
Perceptual Control is an experiment between five artists, writers and curators to engage with one another for four months at Worksound.
Tonight two, Amy Bernstein and Emily Nachison, engage in a dialog and you are invited to listen, question and comment. Amy Bernstein has been thinking about "Form and Absence". "Speech is the replacement of a presence by an absence and the pursuit, through presences ever more fragile, of an absence ever more all sufficing." - Maurice Blanchot. She expresses these ideas in her sparse energetic paintings. She is also an accomplished writer and will take the opportunity to talk about pragmatics in art making from a linguistic and philosophical viewpoint. "Organic/Synthetic" is on the mind of Emily Nachison. She discusses her process of making sculpture and installation from influences in mythology, anthropology, geology and decorative arts.
At Worksound www.worksoundpdx.com 820 SE Alder Map 7PM-10 Free
Perceptual Control is an experiment between five artists, writers and curators to engage with one another for four months at Worksound.
Tonight two, Amy Bernstein and Emily Nachison, engage in a dialog and you are invited to listen, question and comment. Amy Bernstein has been thinking about "Form and Absence". "Speech is the replacement of a presence by an absence and the pursuit, through presences ever more fragile, of an absence ever more all sufficing." - Maurice Blanchot. She expresses these ideas in her sparse energetic paintings. She is also an accomplished writer and will take the opportunity to talk about pragmatics in art making from a linguistic and philosophical viewpoint. "Organic/Synthetic" is on the mind of Emily Nachison. She discusses her process of making sculpture and installation from influences in mythology, anthropology, geology and decorative arts.
At Worksound www.worksoundpdx.com 820 SE Alder Map 7PM-10 Free
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
April 13-18 Bike by Film
Filmed By Bike is Portland's Spring bike meetup with the block taken by bikes, a giant street party Friday, films of bikes, people on bikes, and the bike view of the roads. It's the ten year anniversary!
A special treat is a visit by world bicycle travelers Brian Mathe, Morgan Monchaud and Vera Siphay, Solidream, from France. They arrive in Portland by bike, of course! They premiere a short of the first half of their journey at the festival. They have traveled 23,000 kM, 14,000 miles along the West Coast of Africa, to the Antarctic, through South America and now the US on their round the world bicycle tour. The film plays in the Opening Night Shorts program on Friday, April 13 at 7, 9, and 11 PM and in the Adventure Shorts program Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM. The Q+A session follows the Sunday 7pm screening.
At the Clinton Street Theater, SE 26th and Clinton. Friday, 7PM,9,11; Saturday & Sunday 5PM, 7, 9; Tuesday & Wednesday 7PM, 9. Check the website for the detailed schedule, festivities and ticket information.
A special treat is a visit by world bicycle travelers Brian Mathe, Morgan Monchaud and Vera Siphay, Solidream, from France. They arrive in Portland by bike, of course! They premiere a short of the first half of their journey at the festival. They have traveled 23,000 kM, 14,000 miles along the West Coast of Africa, to the Antarctic, through South America and now the US on their round the world bicycle tour. The film plays in the Opening Night Shorts program on Friday, April 13 at 7, 9, and 11 PM and in the Adventure Shorts program Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM. The Q+A session follows the Sunday 7pm screening.
At the Clinton Street Theater, SE 26th and Clinton. Friday, 7PM,9,11; Saturday & Sunday 5PM, 7, 9; Tuesday & Wednesday 7PM, 9. Check the website for the detailed schedule, festivities and ticket information.
April 13 PICA Space Patrol
PICA is a cultural presenter in Portland. It has often borrowed space. Tonight they open a new office and performance-visual lab space. New York artist Glen Fogel opens the space with video work My Apocalyptic Moment. At 415 SW 10th Ave, Suite 300, 6PM-10
April 12 Photographs of Portland Culturists
Marian Wood Kolisch (1920-2008) is an Portland photographer who began her career in photography at age fifty-two. She studied with local photographers, then later with Ansel Adams, forming a long friendship. Her style of luminous platinum prints echoes Adams Zone System aesthetic, capturing the full tonal range. It was the wish of the family that Kolisch's work be kept together and the Oregon Historical Society has done so.
Culture Captured: The Photography of Marian Wood Kolisch is her collection of portraits of Portland cultural leaders made between 1972 and 2008. It's a history lesson in Portland's earlier cultural period.
At the Oregon Historical Society www.ohs.org. 1200 SW Park Free admission for Multnomah County residents
Culture Captured: The Photography of Marian Wood Kolisch is her collection of portraits of Portland cultural leaders made between 1972 and 2008. It's a history lesson in Portland's earlier cultural period.
At the Oregon Historical Society www.ohs.org. 1200 SW Park Free admission for Multnomah County residents
Friday, April 06, 2012
April 6 Eastside Art Openings
Are you bored tonight? Noooo! Get with art, Eastside baby!
Nemo is an interactive agency which does art happenings in service of their same campaigns. You can boo that, whatever, but experiencing it rules in interesting and notable in Portland. Tonight they provide a show on the theme. At Nemo Design www.studionemo.com 1875 SE Belmont 6PM-10 Free
Union|Pine has Kate Pugsley shows, Brooke Weeber too, and Emily Katz as well, all local makertrons. Union|Pine At Union|Pine www.unionpine.com 525 SE Pine 7Pm-late Free
Newspace has a great show gathered internationally by the Photolucida process. Recommended. At Newspace Photo www.newspacephoto.org 1632 SE 10th Map
Manchus is a men and women store. Clean, minimal, elegant. Fittingly, they are in a clean, minimal, elegant, modern space. Tonight they present a short film by Portland artist Cliff Sargent: Tokyo, fittingly. At Machus www.machusonline.com 6PM-9 Free
Reception is from 6-9pm
Albina Hawthorne has Amelioranting. A show from the "jumbled steamer trunk of my mind" of Cloë Ashton. She wins the copywrighting award of the month with "Cloë Ashton is a carbon based food tube who enjoys a peaceful existence on Earth in the 21st century. In order to put food through her tube she works hard drawing things that will make other food tubes happy enough to give her green paper. Green paper isn't very good to eat, but you can usually trade it for better tube food." Of course the interwebs are a system of tubes, so it's all well. At Albina Press Hawthorne, 5012 SE Hawthorne 6PM-8 Free
Old rhythm and blues songs are exceptional in their ability to transform our perceptions and mood. Although lyrically they may be simplistic, often bordering on cliché, they are able to transport us out of our everyday life and into our vision of love. The rhythmic phrases are usually based on the vocals, not on the machine beat structure. The honesty within these songs speaks to an often repressed part of our psyche, that part of us that is uninterested in acknowledging the complications of reality. Zoë Clark is a Portland based artist vibing on that. She has a show tonight you should see. At RECESS recesspdx.blogspot.com At Recess in the Oregon Brassworks Building, 1127 SE 10th 6PM-11
23 Sandy is a gallery focused on photography and book arts. Tonight is a combo. It's Interplay: Elizabeth M. Claffey, Lauren Henkin, Clifton Meador and Laura Russell. At 23Sandy www.23sandy.com 623 NE 23 at Sandy 5PM-8
Print and Destroy is a show of new artists: Jalissa Taylor, Morgan Bass, Albert Navetta and Megan Fix at a PNCA|DIY curated space.
At Foco Gallery focogallery.wordpress.com 211 SE Madison Free
Nemo is an interactive agency which does art happenings in service of their same campaigns. You can boo that, whatever, but experiencing it rules in interesting and notable in Portland. Tonight they provide a show on the theme. At Nemo Design www.studionemo.com 1875 SE Belmont 6PM-10 Free
Union|Pine has Kate Pugsley shows, Brooke Weeber too, and Emily Katz as well, all local makertrons. Union|Pine At Union|Pine www.unionpine.com 525 SE Pine 7Pm-late Free
Newspace has a great show gathered internationally by the Photolucida process. Recommended. At Newspace Photo www.newspacephoto.org 1632 SE 10th Map
Manchus is a men and women store. Clean, minimal, elegant. Fittingly, they are in a clean, minimal, elegant, modern space. Tonight they present a short film by Portland artist Cliff Sargent: Tokyo, fittingly. At Machus www.machusonline.com 6PM-9 Free
Reception is from 6-9pm
Albina Hawthorne has Amelioranting. A show from the "jumbled steamer trunk of my mind" of Cloë Ashton. She wins the copywrighting award of the month with "Cloë Ashton is a carbon based food tube who enjoys a peaceful existence on Earth in the 21st century. In order to put food through her tube she works hard drawing things that will make other food tubes happy enough to give her green paper. Green paper isn't very good to eat, but you can usually trade it for better tube food." Of course the interwebs are a system of tubes, so it's all well. At Albina Press Hawthorne, 5012 SE Hawthorne 6PM-8 Free
Old rhythm and blues songs are exceptional in their ability to transform our perceptions and mood. Although lyrically they may be simplistic, often bordering on cliché, they are able to transport us out of our everyday life and into our vision of love. The rhythmic phrases are usually based on the vocals, not on the machine beat structure. The honesty within these songs speaks to an often repressed part of our psyche, that part of us that is uninterested in acknowledging the complications of reality. Zoë Clark is a Portland based artist vibing on that. She has a show tonight you should see. At RECESS recesspdx.blogspot.com At Recess in the Oregon Brassworks Building, 1127 SE 10th 6PM-11
23 Sandy is a gallery focused on photography and book arts. Tonight is a combo. It's Interplay: Elizabeth M. Claffey, Lauren Henkin, Clifton Meador and Laura Russell. At 23Sandy www.23sandy.com 623 NE 23 at Sandy 5PM-8
Print and Destroy is a show of new artists: Jalissa Taylor, Morgan Bass, Albert Navetta and Megan Fix at a PNCA|DIY curated space.
At Foco Gallery focogallery.wordpress.com 211 SE Madison Free
Thursday, April 05, 2012
April 5 Westside Art Openings+
The kung fu movie. The phenomenon started over 100 years ago in China, and blossomed there, post WWII, especially in Hong Kong. It came to America in the persona of the legendary Bruce Lee. Lee was an accomplished martial arts master and child actor from Hong Kong. Coming to America at age 19, he studied philosophy at UW, and later opened martial arts studios in San Francisco and Seattle. At that time, the Chinese martial arts were primarily taught within the Chinese community to Chinese Americans. Lee opened his studios to Westerners.
In his early acting career, he played Kato to the Green Hornet beginning about age 25. Breaking out as a lead, at age 29 he made several kung fu films, launching the Asian martial arts craze in America. While that wave has been eclipsed by yoga today, it could resurge.
Sadly Lee passed at age 32 from a brain embolism. What could he have done, if he had lived to today, when he would be 72?
Year of the Dragon is a show of more than 25 artists honoring Bruce Lee, including Patrick Fong, Ren Sakurai, Robert Mars, Brian Flynn, Dennis Moore, Tetsuya Tashima and more. Presented by the Bruce Lee Foundation, which has the awesome motto: using no way as way having no limitation as limitation.
At Compound Gallery www.compoundgallery.com 107 NW 5th
One of Portland's finest printmakers in traditional style, Sarah Horowitz, has Das Stachliges Dickicht. Horowitz excels in botanical illustrations, printed on handmade papers. At www.froelickgallery.com 714 NW Davis. Early close
Augen has brought some fine Frankenthaler and Motherwell prints from their trove, so you can have a museum art lesson for free! At Augen Gallery www.augengallery.com 716 NW Davis early close 8
Sculptor and installation artist Laura Fritz shows Entorus. Fritz is known for installations that seem vaguely scientific, and maybe disturbing, certainly enigmatic. It's in the old Blue Sky Building, basement suite B5. 6PM-9
It's Portland photo month, many galleries are showing photography. Blue Sky is all photography all the time. This month are Nigel Dickinson and John Faier. Dickinson has the Smokey Mountain series, Phnom Penh, Cambodia: documenting a community of recyclers living atop a waste dump. Faier has Queen of Heaven, documenting the indoor landscapes of a mausoleum in Chicago. At Blue Sky Gallery www.blueskygallery.org map 122 NW 8th 6PM-9
Blaine Fontana is a Portland, designer, illustrator, sculptor and furniture maker. He has his first Portland solo show, Mergers & Acquisitions, allowing him to create a complete environment. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map
That's My Ride, Bro! is a show of custom van-themed art curated by Tripper. Artists include Hilary Pfeifer, Bwana Spoons, Scrappers, Martin Ontiveros, Meredith Dittmar, Brett Superstar, Eatcho, Adrienne Vita, Aaron Barker, Chelsea Fletcher, Caleb Highley, Tripper Dungan, Steve “ManVan” Mathews and Shawn Wolfe. I douby any of them have vans, but maybe it will be a new hipster ironic trend! At Grass Hut in Floating World. At Grass Hut www.grasshutcorp.com inside Floating World Comics 400 NE Couch
Stage 5 of the Portland Biennial, organized by Disjecta, has Vanessa Calvert, Sang-ah Choi, Daniel Duford, Wendy Red Star and Vanessa Renwick. Recommended. At the White Box Gallery in the University of Oregon White Stag Building, 70 NW Couch
The Laura Russo is a haven for late career artists, including this month painter and sculptor, Michael Brophy and Michihiro Kosuge. Brophy is notable for what can be done in landscape painting that's a little rougher than realistic, capturing the dramatic energy of landscape. Kosuge hews to a Japanese minimalist take on sculpture. At Laura Russo Gallery www.laurarusso.com 805 NW 21st
As always we recommend the Everett Station galleries, NW Broadway and Everett.
Likewise PNCA is bursting with shows at NW 13th and Johnson and in the surrounding buildings, ask for directions.
This is a wild card to do with as you may. We are a proponent of social practice art in its finest forms. Lily Yeh went to art school, then began work on children's and community art projects in Philadelphia in the 1960's. Founding Barefoot Artists, she expanded her participatory community art projects internationally. Contemporary art operates with certain codes, alien to children, and really most of society. So how Yeh fits into our usual topics is unknown to me. But you can hear her speak today about what she does. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council www.worldoregon.org/persona/lily-yeh. At the The Old Church, 1422 Southwest 11th, Noon $5-10
The film and video business in Portland is overwhelmingly made up of small businesses. Like. Tonight the Oregon Media Production Association hosts Portland Candidates for Mayor in a discussion of their ideas to support Portland's creative economy. The organizer request you RSVP on their website. The event will be captured for later broadcast on cable access, but good luck finding out when. At KGW studios, 1501 SW Jefferson 6:30PM Free
In his early acting career, he played Kato to the Green Hornet beginning about age 25. Breaking out as a lead, at age 29 he made several kung fu films, launching the Asian martial arts craze in America. While that wave has been eclipsed by yoga today, it could resurge.
Sadly Lee passed at age 32 from a brain embolism. What could he have done, if he had lived to today, when he would be 72?
Year of the Dragon is a show of more than 25 artists honoring Bruce Lee, including Patrick Fong, Ren Sakurai, Robert Mars, Brian Flynn, Dennis Moore, Tetsuya Tashima and more. Presented by the Bruce Lee Foundation, which has the awesome motto: using no way as way having no limitation as limitation.
At Compound Gallery www.compoundgallery.com 107 NW 5th
One of Portland's finest printmakers in traditional style, Sarah Horowitz, has Das Stachliges Dickicht. Horowitz excels in botanical illustrations, printed on handmade papers. At www.froelickgallery.com 714 NW Davis. Early close
Augen has brought some fine Frankenthaler and Motherwell prints from their trove, so you can have a museum art lesson for free! At Augen Gallery www.augengallery.com 716 NW Davis early close 8
Sculptor and installation artist Laura Fritz shows Entorus. Fritz is known for installations that seem vaguely scientific, and maybe disturbing, certainly enigmatic. It's in the old Blue Sky Building, basement suite B5. 6PM-9
It's Portland photo month, many galleries are showing photography. Blue Sky is all photography all the time. This month are Nigel Dickinson and John Faier. Dickinson has the Smokey Mountain series, Phnom Penh, Cambodia: documenting a community of recyclers living atop a waste dump. Faier has Queen of Heaven, documenting the indoor landscapes of a mausoleum in Chicago. At Blue Sky Gallery www.blueskygallery.org map 122 NW 8th 6PM-9
Blaine Fontana is a Portland, designer, illustrator, sculptor and furniture maker. He has his first Portland solo show, Mergers & Acquisitions, allowing him to create a complete environment. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map
That's My Ride, Bro! is a show of custom van-themed art curated by Tripper. Artists include Hilary Pfeifer, Bwana Spoons, Scrappers, Martin Ontiveros, Meredith Dittmar, Brett Superstar, Eatcho, Adrienne Vita, Aaron Barker, Chelsea Fletcher, Caleb Highley, Tripper Dungan, Steve “ManVan” Mathews and Shawn Wolfe. I douby any of them have vans, but maybe it will be a new hipster ironic trend! At Grass Hut in Floating World. At Grass Hut www.grasshutcorp.com inside Floating World Comics 400 NE Couch
Stage 5 of the Portland Biennial, organized by Disjecta, has Vanessa Calvert, Sang-ah Choi, Daniel Duford, Wendy Red Star and Vanessa Renwick. Recommended. At the White Box Gallery in the University of Oregon White Stag Building, 70 NW Couch
The Laura Russo is a haven for late career artists, including this month painter and sculptor, Michael Brophy and Michihiro Kosuge. Brophy is notable for what can be done in landscape painting that's a little rougher than realistic, capturing the dramatic energy of landscape. Kosuge hews to a Japanese minimalist take on sculpture. At Laura Russo Gallery www.laurarusso.com 805 NW 21st
As always we recommend the Everett Station galleries, NW Broadway and Everett.
Likewise PNCA is bursting with shows at NW 13th and Johnson and in the surrounding buildings, ask for directions.
This is a wild card to do with as you may. We are a proponent of social practice art in its finest forms. Lily Yeh went to art school, then began work on children's and community art projects in Philadelphia in the 1960's. Founding Barefoot Artists, she expanded her participatory community art projects internationally. Contemporary art operates with certain codes, alien to children, and really most of society. So how Yeh fits into our usual topics is unknown to me. But you can hear her speak today about what she does. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council www.worldoregon.org/persona/lily-yeh. At the The Old Church, 1422 Southwest 11th, Noon $5-10
The film and video business in Portland is overwhelmingly made up of small businesses. Like. Tonight the Oregon Media Production Association hosts Portland Candidates for Mayor in a discussion of their ideas to support Portland's creative economy. The organizer request you RSVP on their website. The event will be captured for later broadcast on cable access, but good luck finding out when. At KGW studios, 1501 SW Jefferson 6:30PM Free
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
April 3 The New Iron Age
Sometimes it seems we are moving backwards. Sometimes that is good; to evoke nostalgia, or more sustainable human earth relations. Other times, it seems we are moving backwards in forging ever more clever instruments of war or ideological attacks upon one another. We exited the stone age to form tools of a new material in the bronze age. But it was the invention of the blast furnace, iron metallurgy and the forge between 3000 and 4000 years ago which set us on the modern path.
Tonight we go back to the future with a presentation by Lyle Poulin a blacksmith forging irons. Working with metal since eleven, Lyle also makes jewelery and blades as well. Another specialty is architectural iron work. A presentation of the Curiosity Club, you can tune into the free live webcast off the Core77 site or visit the talk and demonstration in person at Hand Eye Supply www.handeyesupply.com/pages/curiosity-club 23 NW 4th 6PM Free
Tonight we go back to the future with a presentation by Lyle Poulin a blacksmith forging irons. Working with metal since eleven, Lyle also makes jewelery and blades as well. Another specialty is architectural iron work. A presentation of the Curiosity Club, you can tune into the free live webcast off the Core77 site or visit the talk and demonstration in person at Hand Eye Supply www.handeyesupply.com/pages/curiosity-club 23 NW 4th 6PM Free
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
March 28 Game On
I am not a gamer. I attempted to engage, but it was boring to me. Nonetheless, the gaming space is interesting. There is also a huge gamification movement, in many manifestations, which is much, much more interesting. Games are part of progressive brand strategies too.
Today games are distributed by generally large companies on 4-5 platforms plus mobile, another handful. But it's entirely possible for games to go the way of the music industry. Independent development and independent distribution. Or maybe you just want your own startup, like Rovio or Zynga. Mobile games, in particular, have minimal entry barriers, and float weightlessly over the top of the mobile ecosystem from clouds.
Game developers are the subject of the film, Indie Game. It traces the obsessions and dreams of independent game developers, a modern day maker community.
The scheduling is fortunate, it's Spring break for potential developers!
Unfortunately the film, judging by its trailer, hews closely to the guy geek stereotype in its attempt to tell the story. Noticeably absent are girl gamers. It was an area noted by entrepreneur and researcher Brenda Laurel. So we are still waiting for Game 2.0. But you can be sure DisneyTM has MMPORGs aimed at young girls today.
You can see the film Indy Game tonight, a presentation of the Software Association of Oregon, with advance tickets (since it could sell out) - http://igtmportland.eventbrite.com/ - at the Hollywood Theater www.hollywoodtheatre.org 4122 NE Sandy Boulevard 7PM $15
Today games are distributed by generally large companies on 4-5 platforms plus mobile, another handful. But it's entirely possible for games to go the way of the music industry. Independent development and independent distribution. Or maybe you just want your own startup, like Rovio or Zynga. Mobile games, in particular, have minimal entry barriers, and float weightlessly over the top of the mobile ecosystem from clouds.
Game developers are the subject of the film, Indie Game. It traces the obsessions and dreams of independent game developers, a modern day maker community.
The scheduling is fortunate, it's Spring break for potential developers!
Unfortunately the film, judging by its trailer, hews closely to the guy geek stereotype in its attempt to tell the story. Noticeably absent are girl gamers. It was an area noted by entrepreneur and researcher Brenda Laurel. So we are still waiting for Game 2.0. But you can be sure DisneyTM has MMPORGs aimed at young girls today.
You can see the film Indy Game tonight, a presentation of the Software Association of Oregon, with advance tickets (since it could sell out) - http://igtmportland.eventbrite.com/ - at the Hollywood Theater www.hollywoodtheatre.org 4122 NE Sandy Boulevard 7PM $15
Saturday, March 24, 2012
March 25 Brunchin'
The Research Club brunch returns with peeps, foods and talks. People meet, talk and chill over presentations by Portland's most creative creatives. Networking. Did I say networking?
This month, some of the presenters include: Gina Altamura on collaboration between nightclubs and Portland creatives; Joe Burgess on animation and NW landscape/characters; Alex Linsker and Fitz on the Collective Agency, hosts of this event and day place to work for creatives; and Noah Manger on the Bus Project - it's a powerful change agent in politics. Bring vegetarian or vegan foods for the potluck as you like. A project of Research Club at the Collective Agency 322 NW Sixth Ave (between Everett and Flanders), Suite 200. See their website, collectiveagency.co for details on how to get into the building. Noon-3 Free
This month, some of the presenters include: Gina Altamura on collaboration between nightclubs and Portland creatives; Joe Burgess on animation and NW landscape/characters; Alex Linsker and Fitz on the Collective Agency, hosts of this event and day place to work for creatives; and Noah Manger on the Bus Project - it's a powerful change agent in politics. Bring vegetarian or vegan foods for the potluck as you like. A project of Research Club at the Collective Agency 322 NW Sixth Ave (between Everett and Flanders), Suite 200. See their website, collectiveagency.co for details on how to get into the building. Noon-3 Free
Sunday, March 18, 2012
March 24 Bathrooms are Gross
"Bathrooms are Gross, So We’re Redesigning Them" is a talk this evening by biowaste activists Molly Danielsson and Matthew Lippincott of The Cloacina Project. Indoor waste plumbing is about 4000-6000 years old. But what happens to that waste followed "the solution to pollution is dilution" philosophy until only about 150 years ago. In many places in the world today, and even in the US, that is the state of the art. That we deal with it at all is attributed to the first epidemiologist, Dr. John Snow. He traced a cholera outbreak in 1854 Soho (London) to a water pump contaminated by human waste (map). The episode and its importance has been popularized by noted information graphics proponent, Edward Tufte.
Cloacina provides a poetic summary: "combining inevitability, intimacy, and ecological value, the problem of excrement is situated directly between our artificial boundaries of human and natural environments." Tonight they present bathrooms they have built, their evolving theories, and new research directions on toilets, sinks and urinals of the future.
At Project Grow at the Port City Development Center. 2156 N Williams Ave at Tillamook. 6PM-9 Free/donation
Cloacina provides a poetic summary: "combining inevitability, intimacy, and ecological value, the problem of excrement is situated directly between our artificial boundaries of human and natural environments." Tonight they present bathrooms they have built, their evolving theories, and new research directions on toilets, sinks and urinals of the future.
At Project Grow at the Port City Development Center. 2156 N Williams Ave at Tillamook. 6PM-9 Free/donation
March 23 Pure Clear Appendix
New Appendix curator-collaborator, Alex Mackin Dolan, shows his personal work tonight at Appendix, Pure Clear. The work connects objects by color, concept and chemistry, weaving an environmental theme. At Appendix Project Space www.appendixspace.com On the alley between 26th and 27th, South of Alberta. Map 7-10ish Free
Worksound has been hosting an extended residency for 5 artists. Tonight two, Kyle Rapiquiso and Nathanael Thayer Moss discuss their work over an informal happy hour. Rapiquiso discusses the influence of "skyscrapers, shelves, images and mimicry"; Nathanael Moss on "transcending repetition... parallax". At Worksound www.worksoundpdx.com 820 SE Alder Map 7PM-10 Free
Worksound has been hosting an extended residency for 5 artists. Tonight two, Kyle Rapiquiso and Nathanael Thayer Moss discuss their work over an informal happy hour. Rapiquiso discusses the influence of "skyscrapers, shelves, images and mimicry"; Nathanael Moss on "transcending repetition... parallax". At Worksound www.worksoundpdx.com 820 SE Alder Map 7PM-10 Free
March 21-24 In the Garden with Natsu Nakajima
Natsu Nakajima began her dance career in 1955, at age 12. At age 19, she began a collaboration with Kazuo Ohno, and at age 20, in 1963, with Tatsumi Hijikata.
Hijikata is the founder of the butoh dance movement, with its first performance in 1959, Kinjiki (Forbidden Colors). He worked with Ohno for many years and together they define the two main branches of butoh.
Hijikata represents the wild and taboo-embracing branch. He was the youngest of 9. He was suspended from school for urinating on teachers and engaged in petty crime in his early Tokyo days. He worked with images of nature and the landscape inspired by the rural Japan of is youth and the indigenous nature-based religion of Japan, Shinto.
Ohno was a Christian and represents the soulful branch of butoh. He first encountered butoh later in life, at age 53, and worked with themes of birth, death, the mother and flowers. Many butoh dancers perform at advanced age. Ohno performed unassisted into his early 90's, and sometimes in a wheelchair in his late 90's, passing at age 103.
Initially butoh was entirely made by male dancers. Nakajima was the first female dancer with whom Hijikata worked. At age 26, she formed her own group, Muteki-sha (Fog Horn Dance Company). For a few years, Hijikata choreographed works for Muteki-sha.
After his performance, Nikutai no Hanran (Revolt of the Flesh), Hijikata undertook a four year reexamination of butoh. He returned to visit his home town in rural Japan. His meditations on the female spirit, including his lost sisters, who had been sold or married to feed the family, in the period of famine of his childhood, weighed upon him. In 1972, he formed the first all female butoh group, Hakutobo, with his lover, Yoko Ashikawa, and other women with no previous dance background.
Meanwhile, Nakashima carried on her own work, including a collaboration again in 1976 with Hijikata, Sorewa Konoyouna Yoru datta (It was a Night Like This).
Nakashima's signature work is Niwa (The Garden), first performed in 1982. It has been continuously adapted to the present time. "Niwa is a forgotten garden, very tiny, very Japanese. I wanted to see my life from the perspective of a woman seated in the garden, watching it bloom and wither." She has also made stunning and moving works with untrained intellectually and physically disabled dancers.
At age 69, she teaches regularly in Tokyo and travels internationally to perform. This week she offers a series of workshops in Portland. Opportunities to work with Nakashima are Wednesday-Friday from 7PM-9 and Saturday 12PM-3. Registration information and details are at www.theheadwaters.net/?service=natsu-nakajima-intensive-butoh-workshop At the Headwaters Theater, by www.witdpresents.com 55 NE Farragut St. #9. The theater is in the back of the building by the railroad tracks facing Winchell Street.
Hijikata is the founder of the butoh dance movement, with its first performance in 1959, Kinjiki (Forbidden Colors). He worked with Ohno for many years and together they define the two main branches of butoh.
Hijikata represents the wild and taboo-embracing branch. He was the youngest of 9. He was suspended from school for urinating on teachers and engaged in petty crime in his early Tokyo days. He worked with images of nature and the landscape inspired by the rural Japan of is youth and the indigenous nature-based religion of Japan, Shinto.
Ohno was a Christian and represents the soulful branch of butoh. He first encountered butoh later in life, at age 53, and worked with themes of birth, death, the mother and flowers. Many butoh dancers perform at advanced age. Ohno performed unassisted into his early 90's, and sometimes in a wheelchair in his late 90's, passing at age 103.
Initially butoh was entirely made by male dancers. Nakajima was the first female dancer with whom Hijikata worked. At age 26, she formed her own group, Muteki-sha (Fog Horn Dance Company). For a few years, Hijikata choreographed works for Muteki-sha.
After his performance, Nikutai no Hanran (Revolt of the Flesh), Hijikata undertook a four year reexamination of butoh. He returned to visit his home town in rural Japan. His meditations on the female spirit, including his lost sisters, who had been sold or married to feed the family, in the period of famine of his childhood, weighed upon him. In 1972, he formed the first all female butoh group, Hakutobo, with his lover, Yoko Ashikawa, and other women with no previous dance background.
Meanwhile, Nakashima carried on her own work, including a collaboration again in 1976 with Hijikata, Sorewa Konoyouna Yoru datta (It was a Night Like This).
Nakashima's signature work is Niwa (The Garden), first performed in 1982. It has been continuously adapted to the present time. "Niwa is a forgotten garden, very tiny, very Japanese. I wanted to see my life from the perspective of a woman seated in the garden, watching it bloom and wither." She has also made stunning and moving works with untrained intellectually and physically disabled dancers.
At age 69, she teaches regularly in Tokyo and travels internationally to perform. This week she offers a series of workshops in Portland. Opportunities to work with Nakashima are Wednesday-Friday from 7PM-9 and Saturday 12PM-3. Registration information and details are at www.theheadwaters.net/?service=natsu-nakajima-intensive-butoh-workshop At the Headwaters Theater, by www.witdpresents.com 55 NE Farragut St. #9. The theater is in the back of the building by the railroad tracks facing Winchell Street.
March 21 Designing the Mayor
Portland loves process. In particular, Portland public involvement in government decisions is one of the most involved, including our strong neighborhood association system. So it's fitting in this year's campaign for mayor that there are innumerable debates between the 3 major candidates. Tonight it is in front of the architecture, planning and design community, with an opportunity for questions. It's part of the excellent Bright Light series, but in a different location than usual. At the University of Oregon in the White Stag Block, 70 NW Couch. Doors 5:30PM, talk 6. Free
March 20 Boombox Appendix Party
Michael Davis-Yates builds speakers, ambient audio objects and electronic musician performance tools as Leaptronic Audio. His specialty is boomboxes. The originals are getting long in the tooth enough that finding a thrift store museum piece that works is a challenge. Repairs of those old ones is a challenge too, few of the electronic parts of the time are made today. So there is a romance for some with making them anew. A presentation of the Curiosity Club, you can tune into the free live webcast off the Core77 site or visit the talk and demonstration in person at Hand Eye Supply www.handeyesupply.com/pages/curiosity-club 23 NW 4th 6PM Free
Appendix Project Space holds a fund raising party for its upcoming year of programming. It will be an exciting year with shows by Daniel Baird (Chicago), Alex Mackin Dolan (Portland), Christian "Megazord" Oldham (Salem), Brian Khek (Chicago), David Knowles (Portland), MSHR (Portland), Cameron Rowland (New York), Micah Schippa (Chicago), Iain Ball (London), Joseph Hamilton (Melbourne), Yngve Holen (Berlin) and Katja Novitskova (Amsterdam). The event tonight includes DJ's and visualists Concrete Floor, Ra' Sean, DJ Peacepips, DJ Biohazard and Tarzan Boy. At Holocene www.holocene.org 1001 SE Morrison Doors 7PM, Music 9 $5
Appendix Project Space holds a fund raising party for its upcoming year of programming. It will be an exciting year with shows by Daniel Baird (Chicago), Alex Mackin Dolan (Portland), Christian "Megazord" Oldham (Salem), Brian Khek (Chicago), David Knowles (Portland), MSHR (Portland), Cameron Rowland (New York), Micah Schippa (Chicago), Iain Ball (London), Joseph Hamilton (Melbourne), Yngve Holen (Berlin) and Katja Novitskova (Amsterdam). The event tonight includes DJ's and visualists Concrete Floor, Ra' Sean, DJ Peacepips, DJ Biohazard and Tarzan Boy. At Holocene www.holocene.org 1001 SE Morrison Doors 7PM, Music 9 $5
Saturday, March 17, 2012
March 18 No. 2 Waves Alike
The No. 2 Print Shop is one of Portland's printmaking collectives. They open a show tonight by Vanessa Kauffman, The waves [broke on the shore]. The work was made in Belgium and combines letterpress, monoprinting and drawing, with the text based on the writing of Virginia Woolf. At the No 2 Print Shop, 3317 SE 21st 4PM-6 Free
March 17 Mall Time
The Mall galleries open their new shows tonight.
Place has Philip Bone & BT Livermore have High School Football Memories, themed on the formation of their conception of manliness. Georgeanne Watters has large scale prints, The Weighing of Souls. Julie Perini has Big Film and Michael Reinsch has a performance from his crowdsourced project. Heather Zinger has a video work Crying, Feeding, Touching on men and personal stories.
The Store space opens one of the last if not the last of its shows, 24 Karat Pretense. The space has been programmed by PNCA students. The artists, Kris Clouse, Kaija Cornett, Demian Dine ’Yazhi’, Zack Dixon, Insa Benita Evans, Andre C. Filipek, Anthony Hudson, Adam Johnson, Brenna Lavin, Izidora Leber, Lee and K. Valenci, are participants in Linda Kliewer’s video installation class. The space will soon be the new project of Mark Woolley who may open his first show there themed on red.
At Place, placepdx.tumblr.com a gallery on the 3rd floor of the Pioneer Place Mall. If the mall appears closed, enter the film theater building adjacent, travel through the tunnel to the Place mall, and take the elevator to the 3rd floor, sometimes the bridge on the 3rd floor is open too. 700 SW Fifth. 6PM-9 Free
Place has Philip Bone & BT Livermore have High School Football Memories, themed on the formation of their conception of manliness. Georgeanne Watters has large scale prints, The Weighing of Souls. Julie Perini has Big Film and Michael Reinsch has a performance from his crowdsourced project. Heather Zinger has a video work Crying, Feeding, Touching on men and personal stories.
The Store space opens one of the last if not the last of its shows, 24 Karat Pretense. The space has been programmed by PNCA students. The artists, Kris Clouse, Kaija Cornett, Demian Dine ’Yazhi’, Zack Dixon, Insa Benita Evans, Andre C. Filipek, Anthony Hudson, Adam Johnson, Brenna Lavin, Izidora Leber, Lee and K. Valenci, are participants in Linda Kliewer’s video installation class. The space will soon be the new project of Mark Woolley who may open his first show there themed on red.
At Place, placepdx.tumblr.com a gallery on the 3rd floor of the Pioneer Place Mall. If the mall appears closed, enter the film theater building adjacent, travel through the tunnel to the Place mall, and take the elevator to the 3rd floor, sometimes the bridge on the 3rd floor is open too. 700 SW Fifth. 6PM-9 Free
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March 16-18 Clash
Hip hop is a fertile cultural remix culture that matters. Yes, contemporary art remixes culture, but with the same risk and earnest? This event, Clash, is hip hop mixed with commercial sponsors. Bboy-Bgirl dancing is a sport, so what's new with that?
The event is a regional bracket that leads to the world championship. Saturday 64 competitors from LA to Vancouver to Houston will be narrowed to 8. Sunday those 8 compete with an invited A-list of 8. The one winner advances to San Diego for the best of the West. From there, the winner competes in Chicago for the US title. The US winner moves to the world finals in Rio.
Competitors are: Faze - Rhythm Bandits (PDX), Lift - Soul Beat (PDX), Ginger - (PDX), Mel Massacre - No Roots (SEA), Bryan - Shoryukent (Kent), Cha Cha - Art Of Movement (SEA), The Pit - Massive Monkees (SEA), Phenomejon - 17.42 (Puyallup), Boxcutta - Fraggle Rock (SEA), Furuya - Mid City Breakers (PDX), Impulse - Moon Patrol (PDX), Mikeskee - Sleepless Collective (SEA), Luke - Crisis (SEA), Jbugz - Soul Felons (BC), MPO - Jungle Brothers (Houston), King Reds - Soul Felons (Tri-Cities), Nori - Battle Reflex (SEA), Fligh - TruRoots (Salem), Kornnut - Crisis Crew (SEA), Beany - Solo (Boise), Sonic - Rockin Fly Kicks (PDX), Drama - Moon Patrol (PDX), Say - Crazy Monkiees (PDX), Byron - Misguided Steps (SEA), Fu-Rok - Solo (PDX), Akhang47 - Dec Con 5 (PDX), Spinoy - Battle Reflex (SEA), Lunatic - Unleashed (SEA), Leviathan - Def Con 5 (PDX), Fumi - Battle Reflex (SEA), Killa Cam - Portland City Rockers (PDX), Drift - Vandle Squad (PDX), Doe Rock - Portland City Rockers (PDX), Quetzel - Spanish Armada / Rocking Fly Kicks (Hood River), Justin - Solo (WA), Throw - Rhythm Bandits (PDX), Neo - Unleashed / Battle Reflex (SEA), Cristian Em - DWA (PDX), TangBang - Solo (PDX), Hongover - 17.42 (TAC), Irban - Unleashed/Battle Reflex (Seattle), Lil Sin - The Freakshow (Oceanside), Gil - AOM (SEA), Merk - New Birth (PDX), Abiud - Break Tuff (Tri Cities), Aaryn - Back 2 Basix (Aloha), Rona - Solo (Aloha), Golden Child - MPC (PDX), Long Division - Shoryukent (Kent), Buckshot - Unleashed (SEA), Mango - No Roots (TAC), Damon - Solo (PDX), Jason K. - Solo (PDX), and Elvis - Back 2 Basix (Aloha).
Sunday DJ Soul Rane (Vegas) on the wheels of steel. Special guest Bboy, 2011 world finalist Morris of the Fallen Kings. True athlete.
Pre-party at The Slate: 2x2 crowd judged battles & performances. 2001 NW 19th#104 Friday 7PM
Eliminations at the Urban Arts Studio. 3934 NE MLK Blvd#108A Saturday 6PM
Event at the Bossanova Ballroom. 722 E Burnside Sunday Doors 6PM
All events all ages, drinks 21+ Friday & Sunday, each event $10
The event is a regional bracket that leads to the world championship. Saturday 64 competitors from LA to Vancouver to Houston will be narrowed to 8. Sunday those 8 compete with an invited A-list of 8. The one winner advances to San Diego for the best of the West. From there, the winner competes in Chicago for the US title. The US winner moves to the world finals in Rio.
Competitors are: Faze - Rhythm Bandits (PDX), Lift - Soul Beat (PDX), Ginger - (PDX), Mel Massacre - No Roots (SEA), Bryan - Shoryukent (Kent), Cha Cha - Art Of Movement (SEA), The Pit - Massive Monkees (SEA), Phenomejon - 17.42 (Puyallup), Boxcutta - Fraggle Rock (SEA), Furuya - Mid City Breakers (PDX), Impulse - Moon Patrol (PDX), Mikeskee - Sleepless Collective (SEA), Luke - Crisis (SEA), Jbugz - Soul Felons (BC), MPO - Jungle Brothers (Houston), King Reds - Soul Felons (Tri-Cities), Nori - Battle Reflex (SEA), Fligh - TruRoots (Salem), Kornnut - Crisis Crew (SEA), Beany - Solo (Boise), Sonic - Rockin Fly Kicks (PDX), Drama - Moon Patrol (PDX), Say - Crazy Monkiees (PDX), Byron - Misguided Steps (SEA), Fu-Rok - Solo (PDX), Akhang47 - Dec Con 5 (PDX), Spinoy - Battle Reflex (SEA), Lunatic - Unleashed (SEA), Leviathan - Def Con 5 (PDX), Fumi - Battle Reflex (SEA), Killa Cam - Portland City Rockers (PDX), Drift - Vandle Squad (PDX), Doe Rock - Portland City Rockers (PDX), Quetzel - Spanish Armada / Rocking Fly Kicks (Hood River), Justin - Solo (WA), Throw - Rhythm Bandits (PDX), Neo - Unleashed / Battle Reflex (SEA), Cristian Em - DWA (PDX), TangBang - Solo (PDX), Hongover - 17.42 (TAC), Irban - Unleashed/Battle Reflex (Seattle), Lil Sin - The Freakshow (Oceanside), Gil - AOM (SEA), Merk - New Birth (PDX), Abiud - Break Tuff (Tri Cities), Aaryn - Back 2 Basix (Aloha), Rona - Solo (Aloha), Golden Child - MPC (PDX), Long Division - Shoryukent (Kent), Buckshot - Unleashed (SEA), Mango - No Roots (TAC), Damon - Solo (PDX), Jason K. - Solo (PDX), and Elvis - Back 2 Basix (Aloha).
Sunday DJ Soul Rane (Vegas) on the wheels of steel. Special guest Bboy, 2011 world finalist Morris of the Fallen Kings. True athlete.
Pre-party at The Slate: 2x2 crowd judged battles & performances. 2001 NW 19th#104 Friday 7PM
Eliminations at the Urban Arts Studio. 3934 NE MLK Blvd#108A Saturday 6PM
Event at the Bossanova Ballroom. 722 E Burnside Sunday Doors 6PM
All events all ages, drinks 21+ Friday & Sunday, each event $10
Sunday, March 11, 2012
March 15 On the Beach
Einstein on the Beach. Seminal postmodern opera. 1976. Avignon. 5 hours.
It is a collaboration between minimalist composer Philip Glass and epic director Robert Wilson. It samples the life of Albert Einstein, whose work ultimately resulted in the atomic bomb. The title is a reference to the 1957 Australian novel, On the Beach, about the end of the world from the nuclear radiation of a war. It is an end still within our grasp. The film from the novel, easily searchable by the same title, uses Waltzing Matilda, a song of deep significance to Australians, throughout. Later musicians wrote new lyrics to the song lamenting the futility of war and its human impact. Is it a coda to a species?
The opera, with original choreography by Lucinda Childs, is being presented again in 2012-3, internationally. Glass and Wilson have selected 5 dance performer collaboratives, from Argentina, Iceland, Italy, Brazil, Chile, NY and Seattle, to make new interpretations of segments of Einstein on the Beach for a separate 75 minute performance in NY. One is the Seattle movement music collaborative, the Degenerate Art Ensemble, DAE. DAE is the creative child of composer-musician, Joshua Kohl, and butoh mover, Haruko Nishimura, with their collaborators.
Tonight DAE previews the work in progress at the Moore, with a documentary about the original Einstein on the Beach performance. DAE presents its performance with the others in New York April 5-7 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.
Einstein on the Beach by the Degenerate Art Ensemble. At the Moore Theater 911 Pine Street Doors 7PM, 8 show. Free!
It is a collaboration between minimalist composer Philip Glass and epic director Robert Wilson. It samples the life of Albert Einstein, whose work ultimately resulted in the atomic bomb. The title is a reference to the 1957 Australian novel, On the Beach, about the end of the world from the nuclear radiation of a war. It is an end still within our grasp. The film from the novel, easily searchable by the same title, uses Waltzing Matilda, a song of deep significance to Australians, throughout. Later musicians wrote new lyrics to the song lamenting the futility of war and its human impact. Is it a coda to a species?
The opera, with original choreography by Lucinda Childs, is being presented again in 2012-3, internationally. Glass and Wilson have selected 5 dance performer collaboratives, from Argentina, Iceland, Italy, Brazil, Chile, NY and Seattle, to make new interpretations of segments of Einstein on the Beach for a separate 75 minute performance in NY. One is the Seattle movement music collaborative, the Degenerate Art Ensemble, DAE. DAE is the creative child of composer-musician, Joshua Kohl, and butoh mover, Haruko Nishimura, with their collaborators.
Tonight DAE previews the work in progress at the Moore, with a documentary about the original Einstein on the Beach performance. DAE presents its performance with the others in New York April 5-7 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.
Einstein on the Beach by the Degenerate Art Ensemble. At the Moore Theater 911 Pine Street Doors 7PM, 8 show. Free!
March 15 What We Carried
PortlandOrUSNow is generally focused on events close to Portland city center. We only occasionally cover school galleries, though their shows are consistently often good. It's our culture. But sometimes we note items in the suburbs and this is one.
Longtime Portland photographer Jim Lommasson has flexed his lens toward social practice, and poignant narrative, focused on the small stories of individuals affected by big events. These have included Katrina and Iraq War veterans. Now he brings, What We Carried, a refugee project.
The United States has been blessedly insulated from war on its soil for almost 150 years. Yet the social impact and resentments, the wounds and scar tissue, from that time are still present. What is it like for people who have personally lived in war?
Lommasson explores that in his project What We Carried: Fragments from the Cradle of Civilization. He has been interviewing refugees to the United States from Iraq. He collects their stories and photographs the personal items they carried with them, often by foot, through borders and refugee camps, over months and years, before arriving here.
The show opens tonight. Lommasson gives a talk about it March 21 at 2. At Print Arts Northwest www.printartsnw.org in the Washington County Museum on the PCC Rock Creek Campus. 17677 NW Springville Road Opening 5:30PM-8 Free
Longtime Portland photographer Jim Lommasson has flexed his lens toward social practice, and poignant narrative, focused on the small stories of individuals affected by big events. These have included Katrina and Iraq War veterans. Now he brings, What We Carried, a refugee project.
The United States has been blessedly insulated from war on its soil for almost 150 years. Yet the social impact and resentments, the wounds and scar tissue, from that time are still present. What is it like for people who have personally lived in war?
Lommasson explores that in his project What We Carried: Fragments from the Cradle of Civilization. He has been interviewing refugees to the United States from Iraq. He collects their stories and photographs the personal items they carried with them, often by foot, through borders and refugee camps, over months and years, before arriving here.
The show opens tonight. Lommasson gives a talk about it March 21 at 2. At Print Arts Northwest www.printartsnw.org in the Washington County Museum on the PCC Rock Creek Campus. 17677 NW Springville Road Opening 5:30PM-8 Free
March 14 Good Local
PortlandOrUsNow wrote about and attended the inspiring Good for Cities:Portland event. That project feeds into a PSU design class which has chosen Portland challenges of their own and then designed solutions. Design thinking worldchanging.
The students present their chosen problems and designed solutions tonight. Alissa Walker of GOOD speaks as part of the program. At adxportland.com 417 SE 11th x Stark Map 6:30PM Free
The students present their chosen problems and designed solutions tonight. Alissa Walker of GOOD speaks as part of the program. At adxportland.com 417 SE 11th x Stark Map 6:30PM Free
Friday, March 09, 2012
March 12 Mao to Now
Art in China can be a sticky wicket. Most artists operate under the official radar, but some fly too close to the sun. That the sun's orbit changes unpredictably makes it a challenging game. Dr. Richard Kraus, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Oregon is fascinated by the subject and shares his thoughts on the interrelations between politics, economics and art over the last 40 years in China. Dr. Kraus has written on patronage, censorship, nude painting, the repatriation of Chinese antiques, calligraphy and the impact of Chinese aesthetics on the world. Readers interested in this topic can research the backstory of the current Chinese film Let The Bullets Fly. At PSU www.pdx.edu in Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway, Room 236 6PM Free
March 10 Le Hip Hop Biennials
The Portland Biennial continues tonight with an opening by artists Erik Geschke, Brian Gillis, Anna Gray & Ryan Wilson Paulsen, Hand2Mouth Theater, Arnold Kemp, Matt McCormick, Mack McFarland, Susan Seubert. The entire collection of biennial artists are exciting, but many of these are the most interesting to me. Decide for yourself! At Disjecta, in the shadow of Paul Bunyan www.disjecta.org 8371 N. Interstate Map 6PM-10 Free
I'm fascinated by sampling and some edges of hip hop. Here's a rare edge for Portland: French hip hop. French hip hop culture is considered second only to the American scene. It's a mix of African influences and working class culture straight out of the projects, the banlieues, monumental low rent housing towers in the suburbs. French rap emerged in the early 1980's. Here is Petit Frere from IAM's Planète Mars from 1991 Marseille. Here is another example, La concubine de l'hemoglobine, by Paris MC Solaar. Portland DJ E3 has a French connection, is fluent in French, and in French hip hop. Tonight for the early set, 9PM-10 of Atlas, E3 lays down le hip hop. Atlas by Anjali and The Kid with E3 at Holocene 1001 SE Morrison 9PM $5
I'm fascinated by sampling and some edges of hip hop. Here's a rare edge for Portland: French hip hop. French hip hop culture is considered second only to the American scene. It's a mix of African influences and working class culture straight out of the projects, the banlieues, monumental low rent housing towers in the suburbs. French rap emerged in the early 1980's. Here is Petit Frere from IAM's Planète Mars from 1991 Marseille. Here is another example, La concubine de l'hemoglobine, by Paris MC Solaar. Portland DJ E3 has a French connection, is fluent in French, and in French hip hop. Tonight for the early set, 9PM-10 of Atlas, E3 lays down le hip hop. Atlas by Anjali and The Kid with E3 at Holocene 1001 SE Morrison 9PM $5
March 9 Bansuri
The bamboo flute, the bansuri, is one of the more difficult instruments, and its expressive mastery in Indian and Japanese music is a great quest. American bansuri player Steve Gorn is joined by American tabla player Benjy Wertheimer in a concert of Indian music this evening. Wertheimer was the founding tabla player of the world fusion ensemble Ancient Future in 1979. Both musicians have performed classical Indian music and fusion with Indian and world musicians. Tonight they perform Northern Indian classical ragas and folk music in traditional style. At the Movement Center www.themovementcenter.com 1021 Northeast 33rd Avenue. Parking directions in the residential neighborhood www.themovementcenter.com/direc.php. 7:30PM $15 advance $20 door
Thursday, March 08, 2012
March 8 Typographic Animals
Artist Marcus Fischer makes illustration style work which includes type selected by weight and shape to make edges and shading. So it's a hand- machine- hybrid. His subject for this show is animals. Fits perfectly with Portland's type foundring and letter press obsessions. Could be a good exercise of find the letter with a magnifying lens for childen as well as being pleasing for adults. Fischer is a sound artist, musician and photographer too. At Black Wagon blackwagon.com 3964 N Mississippi Map 5PM-7
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
March 7 Wild Combination
The Research Club is a gathering of creative individuals in Portland. They have a new initiative to facilitate collaborations between arts groups and individuals. Wild Combination kicks off that program with varied performances and tables set up by arts groups, as well as plenty of individual networking. Details are at research-club.org/wild-combination. At Holocene 1001 SE Morrison. Early start 8:30PM $5
Friday, March 02, 2012
March 3 Rocking Bamboo Flute
Openings at underground gallery Rocksbox are at once sprawling, and intimate, in a good way. That is because the curator, impressario and artist, Patrick Rock, who has created the gallery in a storefront on North Interstate, has a progressive bent and a great network of edgy artist friends not afraid to make a mess. Tonight it's Night-tide Daytripping by Ralph Pugay. Pugay has been making a name for himself with painting illustrations in which the characters engage in provocative pursuits. The gallery has hours throughout the month detailed on the website. Always recommended. At Rocksbox Fine Art www.rocksboxfineart.com 6540 N Interstate 7PM-11 Free
Portland and Oregon have a long history of Chinese connection. The PSU Institute for Asian Studies and the Portland Lan Su Chinese Garden have partnered to present talks on those connections. This morning, Ned Jacquith will discuss the bamboo collection of the Lan Su Garden. At the PSU College of Urban Affairs Bldg, Room 250. 9:30AM-11 Free
Shashank Subramanyam performs on flute with H.N. Bhaskar on Violin and Sai Giridhar on Mridangam, in a concert of classical Indian music. Produced by Kalakendra www.kalakendra.org. At the First Baptist Church, 909 SW 11th Avenue. 7:30PM Members, free, students $15, otherwise $20
Portland and Oregon have a long history of Chinese connection. The PSU Institute for Asian Studies and the Portland Lan Su Chinese Garden have partnered to present talks on those connections. This morning, Ned Jacquith will discuss the bamboo collection of the Lan Su Garden. At the PSU College of Urban Affairs Bldg, Room 250. 9:30AM-11 Free
Shashank Subramanyam performs on flute with H.N. Bhaskar on Violin and Sai Giridhar on Mridangam, in a concert of classical Indian music. Produced by Kalakendra www.kalakendra.org. At the First Baptist Church, 909 SW 11th Avenue. 7:30PM Members, free, students $15, otherwise $20
March 2 Eastside Art Openings+
Out Eastside, Milepost5 has a poignant performance by artist Wendy Dyer. Dyer, who has been making groundbreaking performances based on her childhood family life, presents Sorting Things Out. In this performance, Dyer uses a paper shredder to reduce all of her childhood family portraits to bits. She then will sort the bits by hand, by grayscale and hue, into piles. I really can't say anything more about the intensity of this idea. It's at Milepost5 www.milepostfive.com 900 NE 81st (go by MAX) 6PM-9 Free
YU Contemporary has a talk by 2008 Whitney Biennial photographer Shannon Ebner. Ebner places handmade signs in her photographic field as another layer of content. At YU Contemporary www.yucontemporary.org 800 SE 10th &PM $5
Valentines is cohost to 13 for 13, an exchange of artists and art between The Portland State University & the San Francisco Art Institute. Most of the show is at PSU's Autzen Gallery. Tonight there are live performances and videos at Valentines valentineslifeblood.blogspot.com 232 SW Ankeny 10PM-11:30 Free
Notes on a Recent Arrival is the show by University of Oregon faculty. Tonight curators Stamatina Gregory and Kristan Kennedy discuss the work. At the University of Oregon White Stag Building, 70 NW Couch 5:30PM
Ajna Lichau is a smart installation and video artist locating from San Francisco to Portland. She combines her studio with other building openings, Gallery Homeland and curator Modou Dieng for a show, Slow Invisible Drama of Madonna. The work is an interactive light and video sculpture by Daniel Long, Mary T Brossman and Val Hardy Jr, current or recent PNCA students. 2nd Floor, Ford Building 7PM-9ish Free
Meanwhile downstairs Homeland continues performances supporting portrait paintings by Jeff Diteman. Winter Compresses the Day is a dance performance by Grace Nowakoski, Jacqueline Rubinstein and Jaasiel Bean; with live music by Jeff Diteman, Justin Glenn Smith and Ryan Spangler; video by Dora Gaskill, Grace Nowakoski & Jeff Diteman. At Gallery Homeland www.galleryhomeland.org in the Ford Building www.fordbuildingpdx.com 2505 SE 11th x Division 6PM-9
Portland painter James Papadopoulos, in PNCA's MFA program shows his work at Nationale thenewnationale.com 811 E Burnside Map
Portland Scottish artist Neil M. Perry makes anthropomorphic illustration style work. You can see it at Redux www.reduxpdx.com 811 E Burnside
Color: The Visual Spectrum is a photography show of landscapes and a few peoplescapes curated by Todd Johnson. At Black Box Gallery www.blackboxgallery.com 811 E Burnside, Suite 212 upstairs 5PM-8:30 Free
All at 811 East Burnside Map
Gabe Flores continues and About Framing, by Avantika Bawa, opens. At Half/Dozen Gallery www.halfdozengallery.com 722 E Burnside (enter on 8th) 6PM-9, half dozen
Foco has 2011 grad of Arizona State Jonni Cheatwood who combines collage and urban aerosol techniques in his paintings. At Foco Gallery focogallery.wordpress.com 211 SE Madison Free
Painter and illustrator Ian Anderson opens new illustration paintings at the Hawthorne Albina Press tonight. 5012 SE Hawthorne 6PM-8 Free
YU Contemporary has a talk by 2008 Whitney Biennial photographer Shannon Ebner. Ebner places handmade signs in her photographic field as another layer of content. At YU Contemporary www.yucontemporary.org 800 SE 10th &PM $5
Valentines is cohost to 13 for 13, an exchange of artists and art between The Portland State University & the San Francisco Art Institute. Most of the show is at PSU's Autzen Gallery. Tonight there are live performances and videos at Valentines valentineslifeblood.blogspot.com 232 SW Ankeny 10PM-11:30 Free
Notes on a Recent Arrival is the show by University of Oregon faculty. Tonight curators Stamatina Gregory and Kristan Kennedy discuss the work. At the University of Oregon White Stag Building, 70 NW Couch 5:30PM
Ajna Lichau is a smart installation and video artist locating from San Francisco to Portland. She combines her studio with other building openings, Gallery Homeland and curator Modou Dieng for a show, Slow Invisible Drama of Madonna. The work is an interactive light and video sculpture by Daniel Long, Mary T Brossman and Val Hardy Jr, current or recent PNCA students. 2nd Floor, Ford Building 7PM-9ish Free
Meanwhile downstairs Homeland continues performances supporting portrait paintings by Jeff Diteman. Winter Compresses the Day is a dance performance by Grace Nowakoski, Jacqueline Rubinstein and Jaasiel Bean; with live music by Jeff Diteman, Justin Glenn Smith and Ryan Spangler; video by Dora Gaskill, Grace Nowakoski & Jeff Diteman. At Gallery Homeland www.galleryhomeland.org in the Ford Building www.fordbuildingpdx.com 2505 SE 11th x Division 6PM-9
Portland painter James Papadopoulos, in PNCA's MFA program shows his work at Nationale thenewnationale.com 811 E Burnside Map
Portland Scottish artist Neil M. Perry makes anthropomorphic illustration style work. You can see it at Redux www.reduxpdx.com 811 E Burnside
Color: The Visual Spectrum is a photography show of landscapes and a few peoplescapes curated by Todd Johnson. At Black Box Gallery www.blackboxgallery.com 811 E Burnside, Suite 212 upstairs 5PM-8:30 Free
All at 811 East Burnside Map
Gabe Flores continues and About Framing, by Avantika Bawa, opens. At Half/Dozen Gallery www.halfdozengallery.com 722 E Burnside (enter on 8th) 6PM-9, half dozen
Foco has 2011 grad of Arizona State Jonni Cheatwood who combines collage and urban aerosol techniques in his paintings. At Foco Gallery focogallery.wordpress.com 211 SE Madison Free
Painter and illustrator Ian Anderson opens new illustration paintings at the Hawthorne Albina Press tonight. 5012 SE Hawthorne 6PM-8 Free
Thursday, March 01, 2012
March 1 Westside Art Openings+
Death is not funny. But there is a good argument we should lighten up on our relationship with it. Maybe artist Jim Riswold, mad ad man, who beat death by cancer, has some ideas about that. Pretty smart copywriter Riswold presents his new show, Philosophy is Not Funny, inspired by noted philosophers Hegel, Kant, Spinoza, Foucault and others. At W+K www.wk.com 224 NW 13th Map 5PM-9 Free
Contact. It's a heavy meme. One of the heaviest. In the top 5, with birth, love, mating and death. Take a look at a talk on the search for contact. So with that meme, curator Chloé Womack has crafted a show. Artists Chase Biado, Jamie Edwards, Daniel J Glendening, Joshua Lee Vineyard, the Xhurch Collective and the Portland Alien Museum explore of the idea of a relationship with other life forms, real, fictional, in our minds. The announcement of the show is a beautiful thing. In the Littman Gallery at Portland State University Smith Center, 1825 SW Broadway Room 250. early 5PM-8 Free
Sometimes we forget, in the ADD fog of the mediasphere, our our native landscape, and our native people, both here before. Especially true with the ubiquity of access to wild landscape surrounding us daily. James Lavadour lives it as a native man who makes abstract landscape paintings. His studio is on the res. Long championed by PDX Contemporary Gallery, he has a show there opening tonight. At PDX Contemporary Art www.pdxcontemporaryart.com 925 NW Flanders Map early close 8PM Free
What is it about eleven? In our range of experience we have had 9/11. Madrid 3/11. Japan has 3/11. The Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami shook the culture and government to the core. There will be an exclusion zone for years. Artists Soichiro Fukuda and Dai Ishizaka have photos of it. The gallery also has Terra D'Agua by illustrators Marcelo Macedo, Monstrinho and Michael Cursed. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map 6PM-10ish Free
The Portland 2012 Biennial, curated by Prudence Roberts, continues its sequential openings across multiple venues tonight. Ben Buswell and Akihiko Miyoshi are at PDX Across the Hall, 929 NW Flanders. Early close 8PM Free
Compound has Aaron Nagel, Dan Gluibizzi, David Bray, Berto Legendary, JesseHectic, Adam Garcia, Ripper1331, Alister Lee, others, in a show, Dangerous Curves, themed on the pin up aesthetic. At Compound Gallery www.compoundgallery.com 107 NW 5th 6PM-10 Free
Stumptown has Bradley Streeper. Haven't seen the show, but it wins the copywriting award for the month: "Bradley Streeper combines paintings and sculptures to reflect on a culture increasingly dictated by shallow advertising, flashy surfaces, and anxiety-inducing white noise. With surroundings often distorting our definition of value, Streeper points to man’s conflict with the natural world and literally carves out extraneous information from his pieces in an attempt to bring some order to this modern chaos". At Stumptown www.stumptowncoffee.com 128 SW 3rd 5PM-9 Free
Chambers has installation artist Allen Maertz. Maertz makes 2d and dioramas which would fit well with natural history or science museums. At Chambers Gallery www.chambersgallery.com 916 NW Flanders Early close 8:30PM Free
Jessica Bronk is a Portland painter and maker of schematic impressionist landscapes. She has some at the Powell's Books third floor gallery. 1005 W Burnside Store hours. Free
Valentines is transitioning to Modou as curator. Tonight though there is Yep, photos by Norm Sajovie. Best to curator booker Jen on her new project! 7PM-late Free
The Everett Station lofts are recommended as always, all of your choice, of course! At the Everett Lofts 625 NW Everett. Bounded by NW Everett, Broadway, Flanders and 6th Map
Want the heaviest of heavies instead of art? You can see the documentary War Don Don as part of the Cascade African Film Festival free tonight. War Don Don translates in Krio to the War is Over. Sierra Leone had a civil war from the 90's to 2001. It's in the top 3 unspeakable atrocities of the 20th century. Not necessarily in numbers, but certainly in transgression on society and civilization. After it, the UN and the international court at Le Hague stepped in to process the period. This film traces the trial of rebel leader Issa Sesay. Prosecutor David Crane remarks on the war as “a tale of horror beyond the gothic into the realm of Dante’s Inferno… these dogs of war, these hounds of hell released.” That's a mild indictment in my opinion. The defense portrays Sesay as himself caught in the maelstrom. Frankly I don't know if I can watch this on the big screen knowing the period. But I would recommend it. Part of the Cascade Festival of African Film www.africanfilmfestival.org At PCC Cascade Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Room 104. 7:30PM Free
Contact. It's a heavy meme. One of the heaviest. In the top 5, with birth, love, mating and death. Take a look at a talk on the search for contact. So with that meme, curator Chloé Womack has crafted a show. Artists Chase Biado, Jamie Edwards, Daniel J Glendening, Joshua Lee Vineyard, the Xhurch Collective and the Portland Alien Museum explore of the idea of a relationship with other life forms, real, fictional, in our minds. The announcement of the show is a beautiful thing. In the Littman Gallery at Portland State University Smith Center, 1825 SW Broadway Room 250. early 5PM-8 Free
Sometimes we forget, in the ADD fog of the mediasphere, our our native landscape, and our native people, both here before. Especially true with the ubiquity of access to wild landscape surrounding us daily. James Lavadour lives it as a native man who makes abstract landscape paintings. His studio is on the res. Long championed by PDX Contemporary Gallery, he has a show there opening tonight. At PDX Contemporary Art www.pdxcontemporaryart.com 925 NW Flanders Map early close 8PM Free
What is it about eleven? In our range of experience we have had 9/11. Madrid 3/11. Japan has 3/11. The Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami shook the culture and government to the core. There will be an exclusion zone for years. Artists Soichiro Fukuda and Dai Ishizaka have photos of it. The gallery also has Terra D'Agua by illustrators Marcelo Macedo, Monstrinho and Michael Cursed. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map 6PM-10ish Free
The Portland 2012 Biennial, curated by Prudence Roberts, continues its sequential openings across multiple venues tonight. Ben Buswell and Akihiko Miyoshi are at PDX Across the Hall, 929 NW Flanders. Early close 8PM Free
Compound has Aaron Nagel, Dan Gluibizzi, David Bray, Berto Legendary, JesseHectic, Adam Garcia, Ripper1331, Alister Lee, others, in a show, Dangerous Curves, themed on the pin up aesthetic. At Compound Gallery www.compoundgallery.com 107 NW 5th 6PM-10 Free
Stumptown has Bradley Streeper. Haven't seen the show, but it wins the copywriting award for the month: "Bradley Streeper combines paintings and sculptures to reflect on a culture increasingly dictated by shallow advertising, flashy surfaces, and anxiety-inducing white noise. With surroundings often distorting our definition of value, Streeper points to man’s conflict with the natural world and literally carves out extraneous information from his pieces in an attempt to bring some order to this modern chaos". At Stumptown www.stumptowncoffee.com 128 SW 3rd 5PM-9 Free
Chambers has installation artist Allen Maertz. Maertz makes 2d and dioramas which would fit well with natural history or science museums. At Chambers Gallery www.chambersgallery.com 916 NW Flanders Early close 8:30PM Free
Jessica Bronk is a Portland painter and maker of schematic impressionist landscapes. She has some at the Powell's Books third floor gallery. 1005 W Burnside Store hours. Free
Valentines is transitioning to Modou as curator. Tonight though there is Yep, photos by Norm Sajovie. Best to curator booker Jen on her new project! 7PM-late Free
The Everett Station lofts are recommended as always, all of your choice, of course! At the Everett Lofts 625 NW Everett. Bounded by NW Everett, Broadway, Flanders and 6th Map
Want the heaviest of heavies instead of art? You can see the documentary War Don Don as part of the Cascade African Film Festival free tonight. War Don Don translates in Krio to the War is Over. Sierra Leone had a civil war from the 90's to 2001. It's in the top 3 unspeakable atrocities of the 20th century. Not necessarily in numbers, but certainly in transgression on society and civilization. After it, the UN and the international court at Le Hague stepped in to process the period. This film traces the trial of rebel leader Issa Sesay. Prosecutor David Crane remarks on the war as “a tale of horror beyond the gothic into the realm of Dante’s Inferno… these dogs of war, these hounds of hell released.” That's a mild indictment in my opinion. The defense portrays Sesay as himself caught in the maelstrom. Frankly I don't know if I can watch this on the big screen knowing the period. But I would recommend it. Part of the Cascade Festival of African Film www.africanfilmfestival.org At PCC Cascade Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Room 104. 7:30PM Free
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