A friend is living at a beautiful Indonesian temple on Vashon. (That is not my picture, thanks whoever took it though!) A successful Seattle importer disassembled it in Indonesia then brought Balinese craftsmen to reassemble it here. A dream linking islands.
Tonight another dream unfolds linking islands.
Butoh originated in Japan. Initially all the performers were men. Women performers soon added their own inner body history. That is the story tonight.
Three performers, Jyl Shinjo Brewer, Maureen Freehill and Bridget Scott have all studied butoh and Zen in Japan for several years. Two started their training with Joan Laage, who studied with Hakutobo, an all woman group created by the founder of Butoh, Hijikata, in the last phase of his artistic development. So the lineage of the three is special and this night too.
This evening they present 3 Ways To Change.
The spot is small and private, so if you know me, contact me and I can provide more details.
On Vashon Island, Washington. 7:30PM $10
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
August 30 Pump up the Volume
Volume is a group show with artists Sean Healy, Nathan Shapiro, Joe Thurston, Salvatore Reda, Laura Fritz, Stephen Funk, Ellen George, Arcy Douglass, Jesse Hayward, Josh Smith, Adam Sorensen, Karl Burkheimer, Stephen Slappe, Damien Gilley, Stephanie Robison and Philippe Blanc. Should be good. Curated by Jeff Jahn. At Worksound 820 SE Alder 7:00PM-9:30 Free
August 30- September 1 Anime Festival
Portland is far from Japan but has a special relationship. Some say Hood resembles Fuji.
Anime is one of Japan's most successful exports. Some lands here with Kumoricon, Portland's anime festival. This mostly all ages event features cosplay chess, anime jeopardy, an AMV iron chef competition, karaoki cosplay, gaming, anime showings and outtakes, dance events, workshops, pirates vs ninjas and the Ramen Fire Bowl Attack! All too dificult to explain, but you can get the flavor at www.kumoricon.org At he Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel. Saturday, 8:00AM-2:00AM; Sunday, 8:00AM-2:00AM; Monday, 8:00AM-5:00PM $20-35
Anime is one of Japan's most successful exports. Some lands here with Kumoricon, Portland's anime festival. This mostly all ages event features cosplay chess, anime jeopardy, an AMV iron chef competition, karaoki cosplay, gaming, anime showings and outtakes, dance events, workshops, pirates vs ninjas and the Ramen Fire Bowl Attack! All too dificult to explain, but you can get the flavor at www.kumoricon.org At he Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel. Saturday, 8:00AM-2:00AM; Sunday, 8:00AM-2:00AM; Monday, 8:00AM-5:00PM $20-35
August 29 Art on the River
Gallery Homeland continues their yearly art installations and performances on the Willamette River. There will be installations and/or performances by Dan Anderson, Josh Arseneau, Paul Dahlquist, Marc Dombrosky, Tim DuRoche, Shannon Eakins, Chris Haberman, Chris Held, Chris Hudson, Ashley Neese, Lisa Radon, Cyrus Smith, Amy Steel and Gary Wiseman. Better Homes and Gardens plays at 7. More details on the larger context at www.portlandriverfest.org. The event is on the East Bank Esplanade, easily accessed at the foot of SE Main. 6PM-dark Free
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
August 28 Making Politics Fun
The Bus Project registers new voters. They have neither a Democratic or Republican orientation - their motto is "not left, not right, but forward". They are focused on young voters with a hope and passion for the future, a better future. By 2015 it's estimated a third of voters will be young. There is a lot to do for democracies adapting to a changing world. Opportunity. Challenge. Voting creates optimism essential for getting into that psychic state termed by some "the zone". Voting for psychic survival!
The Bus Project is fun too, it's events include a mix of irreverence and play, balancing out the heavy lifting.
Tonight they convene at Roots brewery to watch the Democratic Convention finale. At 7 is Obama's acceptance speech. There will be games such as their phraseology bingo. Here's a bet that easy gridpoints will be the words "hope" and "change". Prizes!
One of the other Bus Project activities is training young people to run for office, or work as political/ government staffers. Their placement rate is excellent. They are always looking for volunteers! They have buses, which allows them to move the organizer party, now one of their buses in in Denver filled with costumed political activists learning how the convention works from inside. They are also selling their famous Vote F*cker! shirts, boxers and panties at the convention. Friends don't let friends not vote. Did I say they are having fun already?
At Roots Organic Brewery 1520 SE 7th x Hawthorne 6PM Free
The Bus Project is fun too, it's events include a mix of irreverence and play, balancing out the heavy lifting.
Tonight they convene at Roots brewery to watch the Democratic Convention finale. At 7 is Obama's acceptance speech. There will be games such as their phraseology bingo. Here's a bet that easy gridpoints will be the words "hope" and "change". Prizes!
One of the other Bus Project activities is training young people to run for office, or work as political/ government staffers. Their placement rate is excellent. They are always looking for volunteers! They have buses, which allows them to move the organizer party, now one of their buses in in Denver filled with costumed political activists learning how the convention works from inside. They are also selling their famous Vote F*cker! shirts, boxers and panties at the convention. Friends don't let friends not vote. Did I say they are having fun already?
At Roots Organic Brewery 1520 SE 7th x Hawthorne 6PM Free
Saturday, August 23, 2008
August 23 The Writing's on the Wall at Disjecta
Diane Jacobs project The Writing's on the Wall is a great example of Disjecta's new art vectors. Jacobs piece is a meditation on incarceration in the United States. It's especially relevant as Oregon's prison budget is the 3rd fastest growing in the country, and due to some ballot measures, will grow even faster. Today 1 in 100 Americans have are jailed, 1 in 31 are jailed, on probation or paroled. The United States is number one in the world on all incarceration measures. All this has happened since 1980 and it is expensive. As has been said it's cheaper to send someone to Yale than it is to send them to jail for a year. So sad. This is Jacob's topic. Something to think about. At Disjecta www.disjecta.org 8371 N Interstate Right near the Paul Bunyan 6PM-9 Free
August 22-24 Project X at Milepost 5
Hand2Mouth Theater is easily Portland's most innovative. They run inexpensively too. Project X:You Are Here involves you telling stories which are recorded and listening to stories left by others. They are doing it around Milepost 5 this weekend. The project will also be in Seattle for Bumpershoot - it's designed for travel. Everything needed, except the theater group's facilitating actors, fits in a shipping container! It has some similarity to Swiss group EToy's Mission Eternity, though less techy. It could be something like The Electronic Cafe by Kit Galloway and Sherrie Rabinowitz. I never saw that project, however I do not think it has been equaled. The project would definitely fall into the open-source aesthetic realm, it's participatory and touches social practice art. So be (in) it. All this takes place at Milepost 5 www.milepostfive.com Friday 7PM-10; Saturday 2PM-5, 7PM-10; Sunday 2PM-5. $6/2 for $10
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
August 21 ArtSpark! on Landscape Design, Music and Modern Dance
Lawrence Halprin is a famous 20th century landscape architect. He is responsible for the Keller fountain at SW Market and 2nd by the Civic Auditorium, a favorite urban swimming hole. He also designed a series of fountains and spaces on the ped continuation of 2nd going South from Market. If you have not walked there, it is a secret retreat. Anna Halprin, his wife and collaborator, has been exploring the intersection of modern dance, dance therapy and landscape. She offers workshops on the deck at the Mountain Home Studio, a home they designed in Marin. She is still active at 86, commenting that “Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint”.
As part of the PICA TBA festival, Portland dancers and musicians have collaborated to create a series of site specific works on Halpern's landscape. The Third Angle New Music Ensemble plays minimalist work from composers who collaborated with the Halprins' while local choreographers provide their interpretations of Halprin's movement, considered by some to be early experiments in postmodern choreography. Local writer, architecture and urban design critic Randy Gragg is also involved in the project. The performance itself takes place September 18 and is free.
For tonight's ArtSpark!, members of the Third Angle discuss the project and entertain questions from the audience. Details at www.artspark.com At the Living Room Theater Bar, SW Stark and 10th 5PM-7 Free
As part of the PICA TBA festival, Portland dancers and musicians have collaborated to create a series of site specific works on Halpern's landscape. The Third Angle New Music Ensemble plays minimalist work from composers who collaborated with the Halprins' while local choreographers provide their interpretations of Halprin's movement, considered by some to be early experiments in postmodern choreography. Local writer, architecture and urban design critic Randy Gragg is also involved in the project. The performance itself takes place September 18 and is free.
For tonight's ArtSpark!, members of the Third Angle discuss the project and entertain questions from the audience. Details at www.artspark.com At the Living Room Theater Bar, SW Stark and 10th 5PM-7 Free
August 20 Camera Obscura @ NAAU
The New American Art Union opens Ethan Jackson's Orbis Viridis Obscurus. A camera obscura is a room as simple camera with you inside. A lens gathers an image from outside and projects it upside down on a wall of the space. Jackson has divided the light with mirrors to rearrange the image to his liking. There aren't too many trees nearby, maybe the artist intends a fresh interpretation of camera obscura. The images are best seen in daylight. At New American Art Union www.newamericanartunion.com 922 SE Ankeny 6PM-9 Free
Friday, August 08, 2008
August 8 Water Borne Art on Dry Land
Gallery Homeland has put on multi artist projects on and around the river in cooperation with the City. That project was Scratching the Surface. The show has had some exceptional work and also funny stories resulting from the intersection of public and art and water. The project returns in September at the river. To kick it off the gallery is showing participating artists Josh Arseneau, Marc Dombrosky, Shannon Eakins, David Eckard, Jesse Hayward, Sean Healy, Jo Ann Kemmis, Mary Mattingly, Mack McFarland, Adam Ross, Amy Steel, Gary Wiseman, Dana Vinger and John Vitale. At Gallery Homeland www.galleryhomeland.org 2505 SE 11th X Division 6PM-9 Free
Thursday, August 07, 2008
August 7 Westside Art Openings
Recommended as always the Everett Station Lofts, corner NW Everett and Broadway.
Portland photographer Sarah Meadows has several established bodies of work in her quiver of arrows and now a PNCA degree. One body comprises seemingly casual snapshots, off framed, but affecting. That can be seen on her photoblog. She has a show at PNCA made in collaboration with Miranda Lehman. Artist's work to watch. At PNCA www.pnca.edu corner NW 13th and Johnson 6PM-8
Local painter Jessica Bronk makes warm landscapes in ochre, burnt umbers and blue. For best viewing, her show at Vino Paridoso is best seen in the early light before 8:30PM. At Vino Paridiso, www.vinoparadiso.com 417 NW 10th
Ex Portlander Anna Fidler, now in LA, has curated a show, some of which captures her sense of bright color and refined detail. Entitled Free Love Gods, there are a few notable pieces to see. At Pulliam Deffenbaugh www.pulliamdeffenbaugh.com 929 NW Flanders Early close 8PM
Blue Sky has unintentionally political work spanning geographies, fear and hope.
Donald Weber photographed the decaying Ukraine, wounded by the world's worst nuclear power accident in 1986, Chernobyl. Radiation was spread by wind worldwide, including to Oregon. Helicopter pilots made hundreds of flights to drop material to entomb the doomed reactor knowing they were exposing themselves to fatal radiation doses. The disaster and the dissolution of the former Soviet Union spawned criminal oligarchs and that social chaos is the subject of Weber's photographs in Ukraine, one of the "freed" republics (and also the home of the awesome Orange Revolution).
Ugandan expat Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine photographed the unbelievable loads bikes in his home country carry. Portland bike culture is learning with pedicabs multiplying like rabbits and exceptional work by Portland's cargo bike movers, even meals and food delivered by bike.
At Blue Sky Gallery. www.blueskygallery.org 122 NW 8th
New York Underground is a window into the scene (which never stops) in NYC in the 1960's to the 1980's. If that interests you you can see it at Augen. www.augengallery.com 817 SW 2nd 8:30PM close
The times I've stopped I've liked City Hall exhibitions. It's a minor thing in the commissioner-mayor's city art offensive. It's especially good when you know the artists or consider them part of your art sphere. This month is photography.
Photographers David A. Barss, J Swofford, Rosanna Tam, Marne Lucas, Sadie Kenzier, Clara Seasholtz, Joshua Seaman, Christopher Rauschenberg, Alica J. Rose, Angela Cash, Thomas Le Ngo, Ann Ploeger, Brian Lee, Meredith DeLoca, Michele Motta, Alma Sanchez, Richard Schemmerer, Tom Patterson, Brienne Steckly, Thomas Lauderdal, Kali Coles, Brian Foulkes, Matt Flagg, Gigi Grinstad and Nate Padavick show.
Early. Portland City Hall 1221 SW 4th. 5PM-7
Muybridge. His multiimages of animals in motion are iconic. A curiosity. His life harks to the 19th century when photography was more an evolving science than an art, the West was wild and entrepreneurs like George Eastman and Leland Stanford made their mark. I will not reprise the biography here. His work may have been the first scientific photography, now an important tool from streak cameras and ultrafast photography to the images in cloud chambers. Muybridge's patron was Leland Stanford who made millions (billions today) building railroads, including illgotten gains by collecting higher fees from the federal government for track built on the flat he claimed mountains. His son died unexpectedly at an early age. As a result, Stanford endowed the university and its beautiful lands bearing his name.
Photography began its struggle to be recognized as art with Stieglitz. That debate persists with photography's omnipresence and social ubiquity, including on the web. Central to that question is the hand of the maker and limited supply. One problematic area are the unknown quantities of essentially offset prints Muybridge made of his tens of thousands of negatives in the day, come of which may have derived from bound editions of 1000 cut to pieces. Caveat emptor.
Nonetheless the show is interesting as a touchpoint for a curious person's life in a curious time, making groundbreaking work. Who are those artists here and now? At Charles Hartman Gallery www.hartmanfineart.com 134 NW 8th
Portland photographer Sarah Meadows has several established bodies of work in her quiver of arrows and now a PNCA degree. One body comprises seemingly casual snapshots, off framed, but affecting. That can be seen on her photoblog. She has a show at PNCA made in collaboration with Miranda Lehman. Artist's work to watch. At PNCA www.pnca.edu corner NW 13th and Johnson 6PM-8
Local painter Jessica Bronk makes warm landscapes in ochre, burnt umbers and blue. For best viewing, her show at Vino Paridoso is best seen in the early light before 8:30PM. At Vino Paridiso, www.vinoparadiso.com 417 NW 10th
Ex Portlander Anna Fidler, now in LA, has curated a show, some of which captures her sense of bright color and refined detail. Entitled Free Love Gods, there are a few notable pieces to see. At Pulliam Deffenbaugh www.pulliamdeffenbaugh.com 929 NW Flanders Early close 8PM
Blue Sky has unintentionally political work spanning geographies, fear and hope.
Donald Weber photographed the decaying Ukraine, wounded by the world's worst nuclear power accident in 1986, Chernobyl. Radiation was spread by wind worldwide, including to Oregon. Helicopter pilots made hundreds of flights to drop material to entomb the doomed reactor knowing they were exposing themselves to fatal radiation doses. The disaster and the dissolution of the former Soviet Union spawned criminal oligarchs and that social chaos is the subject of Weber's photographs in Ukraine, one of the "freed" republics (and also the home of the awesome Orange Revolution).
Ugandan expat Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine photographed the unbelievable loads bikes in his home country carry. Portland bike culture is learning with pedicabs multiplying like rabbits and exceptional work by Portland's cargo bike movers, even meals and food delivered by bike.
At Blue Sky Gallery. www.blueskygallery.org 122 NW 8th
New York Underground is a window into the scene (which never stops) in NYC in the 1960's to the 1980's. If that interests you you can see it at Augen. www.augengallery.com 817 SW 2nd 8:30PM close
The times I've stopped I've liked City Hall exhibitions. It's a minor thing in the commissioner-mayor's city art offensive. It's especially good when you know the artists or consider them part of your art sphere. This month is photography.
Photographers David A. Barss, J Swofford, Rosanna Tam, Marne Lucas, Sadie Kenzier, Clara Seasholtz, Joshua Seaman, Christopher Rauschenberg, Alica J. Rose, Angela Cash, Thomas Le Ngo, Ann Ploeger, Brian Lee, Meredith DeLoca, Michele Motta, Alma Sanchez, Richard Schemmerer, Tom Patterson, Brienne Steckly, Thomas Lauderdal, Kali Coles, Brian Foulkes, Matt Flagg, Gigi Grinstad and Nate Padavick show.
Early. Portland City Hall 1221 SW 4th. 5PM-7
Muybridge. His multiimages of animals in motion are iconic. A curiosity. His life harks to the 19th century when photography was more an evolving science than an art, the West was wild and entrepreneurs like George Eastman and Leland Stanford made their mark. I will not reprise the biography here. His work may have been the first scientific photography, now an important tool from streak cameras and ultrafast photography to the images in cloud chambers. Muybridge's patron was Leland Stanford who made millions (billions today) building railroads, including illgotten gains by collecting higher fees from the federal government for track built on the flat he claimed mountains. His son died unexpectedly at an early age. As a result, Stanford endowed the university and its beautiful lands bearing his name.
Photography began its struggle to be recognized as art with Stieglitz. That debate persists with photography's omnipresence and social ubiquity, including on the web. Central to that question is the hand of the maker and limited supply. One problematic area are the unknown quantities of essentially offset prints Muybridge made of his tens of thousands of negatives in the day, come of which may have derived from bound editions of 1000 cut to pieces. Caveat emptor.
Nonetheless the show is interesting as a touchpoint for a curious person's life in a curious time, making groundbreaking work. Who are those artists here and now? At Charles Hartman Gallery www.hartmanfineart.com 134 NW 8th
Saturday, August 02, 2008
August 2 Ten Tiny
Ten Tiny Dances makes short dances on a small stage in unusual locales. That means more dance can be made and more seen by more people. In some ways it would be like mass customization. Tonight Ten Tiny Dances instantiates in the South Waterfront as part of their public art program. Dancers Mike Barber, Cydney Wilkes, Linda Austin, Tere Mathern, POV Dance, Hand2Mouth Theatre, Sojourn Theatre, Hot Little Hands, Ko & Co. and Rhiza A+D, perform at various locations on four foot square stages designed by architects. Stop by the project office and pick up a map before 4PM. Dances start at 4:15 sharp. South Waterfront art projects office 3623 SW River Parkway x Gaines in the John Ross Building. See the website for details. 4PM-7 Free
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
August 1 Beautiful 31 Project & A Fashion Show
Thirty! Shows are where you can buy art for a beautifully reasonable price. The first show was Thirty. This show is Thirty-One. That means the art is priced at 31 dollars!
Thirty! is sort of a cross between Zeffrey Throwell's old Alphabet Dress and Meeting People at Brad Adkins'-Chris Buckingham's Charm Bracelet. With Alphabet Dress, in roving locations, Zeffery and Jessica Sullivan provided artists an opportunity to clear out their studios, offering the art at very reasonable prices, in an informal bands and beer meetup. Meeting People was a dizzying grid of 4 inch square panels by about 500 artists, just about everyone in Portland in 2001. Presaging the social practices movement, each person entering the space was greeted by shaking hands and introducing themselves to the person entering before them.
Artist Flora Bowley organized the first Thirty! in November with 900 pieces. This show has 31 artists, painting 31 pieces each, in 31 days. That's 961 pieces. 930 are 7 inches square and are sold on a first come basis for a fixed price of $31 CASH. The remaining 31 paintings are 20 inches square and are auctioned in a silent auction starting at a price of $31 and ending at 9PM sharp. Cash too.
All this is explained clearly on the project web site Thirtyshows. The artists participating are: Alisha Wessler, Anna Todaro, Brett Bowers, Carrie Hardison, Chris Biegun, Chris Burtch, Cvita Mamic, Elizabeth Schuppe, Emily Katz, Erika Lee Sears, Guenevere Schwien, Jamee Linton, Jennifer Mercede, Jeremy Okai Davis, Julia Skerry, Kelly Neidiggity, Laura James, Lynn Yarne, Marshall Leggett, Mark James Gunderson, Melissa Wenzel, Mike McGovern, Randall David Tipton, Samantha Hodgson, Sarah Goodnough, Seth Neefus, Tamara English, Terrence Gasca, Theresa Andreas-O'Leary, Will Bruno and Zach Tobias.
Samples of their work and their statements may be seen on the Thirty! website.
The show opens for preview 3PM Friday. At 6:45PM the gallery will be cleared and those with keen desire can form a line outside. From 7PM-10 the works may be purchased. Musicians Cristina Orbe and Canary Sing perform and Dragonfly Chai provides complementary chai.
Sunday 6PM-8 the show will be open for the last pieces at $31.
So this is your homework. Put $31 in an envelope. Look around your living space for a 7x7 void. Scan the artists on the Thirty! website. Fall in love, or at least like. Stop by before 6:45 and pick a few alternates - someone may have the same desires. Get in line. Buy some art. Bask in music and chai and your excellent choice. Put it on the wall. Tell your friends.
At yoga studio OM Traditional Arts. 14 NE 10th (x Burnside)
Friday 3PM-6:45 Preview. 7PM-10 Sale. 6PM-9 Silent Auction
Sunday 6PM-8 Last Sales
All sales cash.
Admission Free
Portland is home to the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls. The program has been so successful that it is spawning instances in other cities, including in Europe, and soon, South America. It is also so successful that there is a waiting list. The waiting list was too long for one girl, so an 8 year old and her mom started the fashion camp in 2006. It operates in Portland and Los Angeles.
Fashion is communication of identity, aka personal brand, at a distance. Though there have been established wedding designers in Portland, the recent independent creative fashion design movement in Portland began with Kate Towers and Holly Stalder's Seaplane outpost on Belmont. Representing locally adapted microdesigners, Seaplane launched the Portland fashion renaissance. Independent fashion is an important Portland creative vector and that is why it's noted here.
Children are brilliant. Often they are bored. Schools fail more often than not beyond basics. Creative programs engage childrens' brilliance, adapting it to each unique individual. Children are capable of much more than they usually achieve absent challenges. Think back on your own experience.
The Fashion Camp program includes illustration, fabric, sewing, the history of clothing design, silk screen and stencils, reconstructing old clothes, patterns and sizes as well as how to do a photo shoot.
The result of all this is the Fashion Camp fashion show tonight. The show mixes designs on the runway by the camp and some of Portland's brightest designers including Holly Stalder, Kate Towers, Elizabeth Rohloff, Luxury Jones, Frocky Jack Morgan, Sarah Seven and Elizabeth Dye.
The event takes place Friday in the Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder. 7PM $10 Advance, $12 door. Under 16 $3
Thirty! is sort of a cross between Zeffrey Throwell's old Alphabet Dress and Meeting People at Brad Adkins'-Chris Buckingham's Charm Bracelet. With Alphabet Dress, in roving locations, Zeffery and Jessica Sullivan provided artists an opportunity to clear out their studios, offering the art at very reasonable prices, in an informal bands and beer meetup. Meeting People was a dizzying grid of 4 inch square panels by about 500 artists, just about everyone in Portland in 2001. Presaging the social practices movement, each person entering the space was greeted by shaking hands and introducing themselves to the person entering before them.
Artist Flora Bowley organized the first Thirty! in November with 900 pieces. This show has 31 artists, painting 31 pieces each, in 31 days. That's 961 pieces. 930 are 7 inches square and are sold on a first come basis for a fixed price of $31 CASH. The remaining 31 paintings are 20 inches square and are auctioned in a silent auction starting at a price of $31 and ending at 9PM sharp. Cash too.
All this is explained clearly on the project web site Thirtyshows. The artists participating are: Alisha Wessler, Anna Todaro, Brett Bowers, Carrie Hardison, Chris Biegun, Chris Burtch, Cvita Mamic, Elizabeth Schuppe, Emily Katz, Erika Lee Sears, Guenevere Schwien, Jamee Linton, Jennifer Mercede, Jeremy Okai Davis, Julia Skerry, Kelly Neidiggity, Laura James, Lynn Yarne, Marshall Leggett, Mark James Gunderson, Melissa Wenzel, Mike McGovern, Randall David Tipton, Samantha Hodgson, Sarah Goodnough, Seth Neefus, Tamara English, Terrence Gasca, Theresa Andreas-O'Leary, Will Bruno and Zach Tobias.
Samples of their work and their statements may be seen on the Thirty! website.
The show opens for preview 3PM Friday. At 6:45PM the gallery will be cleared and those with keen desire can form a line outside. From 7PM-10 the works may be purchased. Musicians Cristina Orbe and Canary Sing perform and Dragonfly Chai provides complementary chai.
Sunday 6PM-8 the show will be open for the last pieces at $31.
So this is your homework. Put $31 in an envelope. Look around your living space for a 7x7 void. Scan the artists on the Thirty! website. Fall in love, or at least like. Stop by before 6:45 and pick a few alternates - someone may have the same desires. Get in line. Buy some art. Bask in music and chai and your excellent choice. Put it on the wall. Tell your friends.
At yoga studio OM Traditional Arts. 14 NE 10th (x Burnside)
Friday 3PM-6:45 Preview. 7PM-10 Sale. 6PM-9 Silent Auction
Sunday 6PM-8 Last Sales
All sales cash.
Admission Free
Portland is home to the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls. The program has been so successful that it is spawning instances in other cities, including in Europe, and soon, South America. It is also so successful that there is a waiting list. The waiting list was too long for one girl, so an 8 year old and her mom started the fashion camp in 2006. It operates in Portland and Los Angeles.
Fashion is communication of identity, aka personal brand, at a distance. Though there have been established wedding designers in Portland, the recent independent creative fashion design movement in Portland began with Kate Towers and Holly Stalder's Seaplane outpost on Belmont. Representing locally adapted microdesigners, Seaplane launched the Portland fashion renaissance. Independent fashion is an important Portland creative vector and that is why it's noted here.
Children are brilliant. Often they are bored. Schools fail more often than not beyond basics. Creative programs engage childrens' brilliance, adapting it to each unique individual. Children are capable of much more than they usually achieve absent challenges. Think back on your own experience.
The Fashion Camp program includes illustration, fabric, sewing, the history of clothing design, silk screen and stencils, reconstructing old clothes, patterns and sizes as well as how to do a photo shoot.
The result of all this is the Fashion Camp fashion show tonight. The show mixes designs on the runway by the camp and some of Portland's brightest designers including Holly Stalder, Kate Towers, Elizabeth Rohloff, Luxury Jones, Frocky Jack Morgan, Sarah Seven and Elizabeth Dye.
The event takes place Friday in the Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder. 7PM $10 Advance, $12 door. Under 16 $3
July 31 Urban Illustration at Goodfoot and Alberta Stroll
Invision is a book series collecting Portland urban illustrators published by Another Sky Press. Invision1 comprised artists Kendra Binney, Ryan Bodiroga, Paul Fujita, Chris Haberman, Scott Wayne Indiana, Tim Karpinski, Tom Keating, Charlie Alan Kraft, Ashley Montague, Dan Ness, Jesse Reno & Keith Rosson.
Invision2 has artists Erik Abel, Ashley Anson, Damon Ayers, Jason Brown, Michael Fields, Justin Gorman, Jason Graham, Michael Edward McGovern, Russel Short, David Stein, Alisha Wessler & Eric Wixon.
Tonight Goodfoot holds a book release event for Invision2 with Invision1+2 artists filling the walls with full size artwork.
At Goodfoot 2845 SE Stark 5PM-11 Free
The beautiful, or at least entertaining, madness that is Last Thursday happens on NE Alberta Street tonight. Fierce friendly competition for prime spaces results in early arrivals by the artists and craftspeople. Then they are packing up earlier which means that for seeing street art-craft arrive early.
Office has a show, QWERTY, inspired by artists' Tony Secolo and Jennifer Doheny's obsession with typewriters! They once were a big thing. Office, by the way, is a place where you can get one. At OfficePDX. 2204 NE Alberta 21+ 6PM-9 Free
Invision2 has artists Erik Abel, Ashley Anson, Damon Ayers, Jason Brown, Michael Fields, Justin Gorman, Jason Graham, Michael Edward McGovern, Russel Short, David Stein, Alisha Wessler & Eric Wixon.
Tonight Goodfoot holds a book release event for Invision2 with Invision1+2 artists filling the walls with full size artwork.
At Goodfoot 2845 SE Stark 5PM-11 Free
The beautiful, or at least entertaining, madness that is Last Thursday happens on NE Alberta Street tonight. Fierce friendly competition for prime spaces results in early arrivals by the artists and craftspeople. Then they are packing up earlier which means that for seeing street art-craft arrive early.
Office has a show, QWERTY, inspired by artists' Tony Secolo and Jennifer Doheny's obsession with typewriters! They once were a big thing. Office, by the way, is a place where you can get one. At OfficePDX. 2204 NE Alberta 21+ 6PM-9 Free
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
July 26 Water in the Desert (+ Workshop July 25)
My interest in butoh is well known. There are yearly butoh festivals in San Francisco and New York, regular performances in Seattle, a concentration in Germany and scattered outposts like Hawaii, Vancouver, Chicago, London and elsewhere. Tokyo-Yokohama is still a center. Portland had events or workshops about every other year, but that is changing with the emergence of a few teachers here and a new studio at Disjecta.
The Water in the Desert Festival channels ritual and ecopsychology through butoh inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The event takes place in Peninsula Park's original Portland rose garden.
There are stage performances from 1PM-6:30. At 1:00PM - M.One, spoken word/trip hop/electronica; 2:15 - The World’s Greatest Ghosts, power pop; 3:15 - Miriam Burke: Retna Pamudya, javanese court dance; 3:30 - TeetH: Rash, contemporary dance/performance; 4:15 - a zombie rock opera; 5:30 - Adam Hurst with Dominique Garcia, cello/vocals/guitar.
All afternoon there are children's events, face painting, juggling, clowning, bubbles and origami.
At 6:30PM there is a ritual procession to the theater space in the park. It's a time to meditate on water, beautiful landscape and our part in it.
At 7PM butoh artists Harupin-Ha perform. Koichi Tamano worked with butoh's founder Hijikata between 1965 and 1972. Hijikata completed his early period in 1968 with the seminal performance Revolt of the Flesh. Meeting artist Yoko Ashikawa in 1966, he began the second phase, post 1968, focused on butoh images of the child and soft movements, in which the body is imagined to be supported by invisible strings, allowing it to move without effort. This produced a more sublime movement completely different from his early shocking, grotesque and risky phase. By 1972, with Hijikata's encouragement, many of his students created their own companies, such as Dairakudakan, and Tamano's Harupin-ha. In 1978 Koichi moved to Berkeley, with his performance partner and wife Hiroko, who had worked with Hijikata's all woman unit, Hakutobo. In the Bay Area they ran the legendary Country Station sushi restaurant in the Mission. (They have since relocated to Noe with a much more low key Tamasei Sushi) Many Harupin-ha performances include a dancer performing in a two meter clear plastic bubble, rolling at the performer walks. It is extremely rare to see performers here with direct connection to butoh's founder, especially bridging his critical artistic periods.
At 7:30PM, a performance inspired A Midsummer Night's Dream by the festival's creator, Mizu Desierto, begins in the park's rose gardens. Mizu studied with the Tamanos, butoh's cofounder, Kazuo Ohno and Mexican shamanist butoh artist, Diego Pinon. Ohno is known for his compassionate humanist gestalt and works primarily with images of birth, death, the mother, babies and the flower. Pinon is known for awakening movement based on psychodrama drawn from each dancer's own experiences. Mizu excels in creating performances involving multiple dancers with fantastic surreal costuming. She splits her time between Portland's forests and Arizona's deserts, drawing inspiration from each landscape equally. Mizu Desierto is water desert translated to Japanese.
All this is completely free. The evening performances should not be missed.
The Tamanos teach a participatory workshop Friday July 25 from 1PM-5. No experience is necessary, come ready to move. Recommended and extremely reasonably priced. Details here.
At Penninsula Park, corner of N Albina and Rosa Parks Way. 1PM-10ish. Free
The Water in the Desert Festival channels ritual and ecopsychology through butoh inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The event takes place in Peninsula Park's original Portland rose garden.
There are stage performances from 1PM-6:30. At 1:00PM - M.One, spoken word/trip hop/electronica; 2:15 - The World’s Greatest Ghosts, power pop; 3:15 - Miriam Burke: Retna Pamudya, javanese court dance; 3:30 - TeetH: Rash, contemporary dance/performance; 4:15 - a zombie rock opera; 5:30 - Adam Hurst with Dominique Garcia, cello/vocals/guitar.
All afternoon there are children's events, face painting, juggling, clowning, bubbles and origami.
At 6:30PM there is a ritual procession to the theater space in the park. It's a time to meditate on water, beautiful landscape and our part in it.
At 7PM butoh artists Harupin-Ha perform. Koichi Tamano worked with butoh's founder Hijikata between 1965 and 1972. Hijikata completed his early period in 1968 with the seminal performance Revolt of the Flesh. Meeting artist Yoko Ashikawa in 1966, he began the second phase, post 1968, focused on butoh images of the child and soft movements, in which the body is imagined to be supported by invisible strings, allowing it to move without effort. This produced a more sublime movement completely different from his early shocking, grotesque and risky phase. By 1972, with Hijikata's encouragement, many of his students created their own companies, such as Dairakudakan, and Tamano's Harupin-ha. In 1978 Koichi moved to Berkeley, with his performance partner and wife Hiroko, who had worked with Hijikata's all woman unit, Hakutobo. In the Bay Area they ran the legendary Country Station sushi restaurant in the Mission. (They have since relocated to Noe with a much more low key Tamasei Sushi) Many Harupin-ha performances include a dancer performing in a two meter clear plastic bubble, rolling at the performer walks. It is extremely rare to see performers here with direct connection to butoh's founder, especially bridging his critical artistic periods.
At 7:30PM, a performance inspired A Midsummer Night's Dream by the festival's creator, Mizu Desierto, begins in the park's rose gardens. Mizu studied with the Tamanos, butoh's cofounder, Kazuo Ohno and Mexican shamanist butoh artist, Diego Pinon. Ohno is known for his compassionate humanist gestalt and works primarily with images of birth, death, the mother, babies and the flower. Pinon is known for awakening movement based on psychodrama drawn from each dancer's own experiences. Mizu excels in creating performances involving multiple dancers with fantastic surreal costuming. She splits her time between Portland's forests and Arizona's deserts, drawing inspiration from each landscape equally. Mizu Desierto is water desert translated to Japanese.
All this is completely free. The evening performances should not be missed.
The Tamanos teach a participatory workshop Friday July 25 from 1PM-5. No experience is necessary, come ready to move. Recommended and extremely reasonably priced. Details here.
At Penninsula Park, corner of N Albina and Rosa Parks Way. 1PM-10ish. Free
July 25 Art and Revenge of Zombies
The Art Museum is currently showing room size installations and agglomerations by five artists selected for the first Contemporary Northwest Art Awards. And they are having a party. It's free, but you need to get tickets in advance. It's probably easiest to just go to the Museum or you can use this link. The party is 6PM-9. Free
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theater style dating from the 17th century. Very formal. It would be very unusual to see in Portland. Tonight though, students at Portland State perform The Medicine Peddler (Uirôuri) written in 1718 by Ichikawa Danjûrô. The students studied with a master Kabuki teacher and perform an English version by noted Portland State professor and expert translator Larry Kominz. In the play, a samurai attends a new year's banquet in disguise to exact revenge on the man who murdered his father. The play will be performed at Imago Theater, 17 SE 8th. The theater is small, so early arrival is recommended, especially as the performance is free. 8PM Free is good.
In Portland the zombies are definitely winning over the ninjas. And notwithstanding a strong representation by the Samurai across the river, today, or tonight rather, will be the day for night of the zombie. It starts at the Everett Station Lofts at 7PM. Gather in full zombie persona, or be transformed by the expert zombification team. At 8, the zombies begin a march through downtown with the undead marching band. Ultimately converging at Dantes, the fun begins. There is a performance of a zombie rock opera, something about mad scientists and the destruction of the universe, sort of Halloween channeled through the lens of a junior high play. An earlier undead version may be seen on this web clip beginning about half way through. The Living Dead Girlz perform. Then it is zombie burlesque from Beaverton. Finally the dada DJ's from Chickenhed turn it into an undead dance party! Everett Lofts 7PM-8. Dante's 9ish. $10 for zombies, $15 for normal people.
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theater style dating from the 17th century. Very formal. It would be very unusual to see in Portland. Tonight though, students at Portland State perform The Medicine Peddler (Uirôuri) written in 1718 by Ichikawa Danjûrô. The students studied with a master Kabuki teacher and perform an English version by noted Portland State professor and expert translator Larry Kominz. In the play, a samurai attends a new year's banquet in disguise to exact revenge on the man who murdered his father. The play will be performed at Imago Theater, 17 SE 8th. The theater is small, so early arrival is recommended, especially as the performance is free. 8PM Free is good.
In Portland the zombies are definitely winning over the ninjas. And notwithstanding a strong representation by the Samurai across the river, today, or tonight rather, will be the day for night of the zombie. It starts at the Everett Station Lofts at 7PM. Gather in full zombie persona, or be transformed by the expert zombification team. At 8, the zombies begin a march through downtown with the undead marching band. Ultimately converging at Dantes, the fun begins. There is a performance of a zombie rock opera, something about mad scientists and the destruction of the universe, sort of Halloween channeled through the lens of a junior high play. An earlier undead version may be seen on this web clip beginning about half way through. The Living Dead Girlz perform. Then it is zombie burlesque from Beaverton. Finally the dada DJ's from Chickenhed turn it into an undead dance party! Everett Lofts 7PM-8. Dante's 9ish. $10 for zombies, $15 for normal people.
Monday, July 21, 2008
July 21,22; August 4,16,20 Volunteer for Free (stuff)
PICA's TBA festival runs on volunteers. The prizes are free tickets to events or an E-ticket pass. July 21 and 22, they need demolition, construction and cleanup people at a vacant building to be used for late night performances and the club. It is the building where NE Broadway and Weidler split, the old Multicraft Plastics building, 240 North Broadway. Bring workboots, gloves, and any other body protection gear you need. 10-5 each day.
The regular volunteer sign up meetings for all tasks are at PNCA August 4, 5:00PM; August 16, 1:00PM; August 20, 5:00PM. For information phone 503-242-1419 x236.
The regular volunteer sign up meetings for all tasks are at PNCA August 4, 5:00PM; August 16, 1:00PM; August 20, 5:00PM. For information phone 503-242-1419 x236.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
July 20 Art from Maker to Collector
Money is more distinguished by its flow than its existence. Art making and viewing are a flow too, in which the passions of the artist is stored in the work, and later, a viewer experiences something moving as a result. Gallerist Erik Schneider of Quality Pictures speaks this morning to artists and collectors about some of the mechanics of that flow involving money which might be good to know.
He will speak of gallery representation and pricing as well as art as an investment. He will discuss the great chain of being in the art world's museums, galleries and collectors. To make it real, examples of the experience of local and national artists, and where their work sells, and resells will be discussed.
This is a free talk at Newspace Center for Photography, and Erik is bringing some Voodoo Donuts to fuel the discussion. Poetic. www.newspacephoto.org 1632 SE 10th. 11AM Free
He will speak of gallery representation and pricing as well as art as an investment. He will discuss the great chain of being in the art world's museums, galleries and collectors. To make it real, examples of the experience of local and national artists, and where their work sells, and resells will be discussed.
This is a free talk at Newspace Center for Photography, and Erik is bringing some Voodoo Donuts to fuel the discussion. Poetic. www.newspacephoto.org 1632 SE 10th. 11AM Free
July 19 Being Outdoors in Midsummer
The Grass Hut Camp continues, in which you can earn patches for having fun. Today beginning at the store at 10AM it's bike fun. Tour the Springwater trail (accessible right from the Burnside Bridge via the Eastbank Esplanade!) This trip includes visiting some mad old buildings along the way, hunting for nutria, a stop at an old school hobby shop in Oregon City and swimming at Elk Rock Island. Meet up at the store 10AM bring water, swim gear and go. www.grasshutcorp.com 10AM Free
The Lone Fir Cemetery is the spooky one at the corner of Morrison and SE 20th. Tonight, to encourage new visitors there are musicians and costumed characters wandering about. 5PM-8 Free
Absent the superpower of flying, tonight is a night of choices. Another is an unusual event at Reed College. Local multi-artist Sarah Dougher has composed a choral work based on the works of poet Robert Duncan and artist Jess, subject of the Reed Coolley Gallery exhibit. Both artist and poet were part of the San Francisco beat movement. Dougher's work will be performed by the Flash Choir in the Elliot Chapel which will be followed by a lecture, Eye of the Ear: Jess and the Poets, by Steve Dickison, director of the Poetry Center and American Poetry Archives at San Francisco State University. Musician Tim Duroche also plays in the library, adjacent to the gallery. www.reed.edu 7PM Free
The South Waterfront has an art program. Tonight sculptor-installationist Bill Will has teamed with curator-choreographer Linda Johnson to stage a modern dance performance amid a sea of gently bending poles streaming flags of old VHS video tape. A large group of Portland modern dancers are the movers. Gather about 8, bring a picnic, watch it all unfold under a rising moon. Performers include Daniel Addy, Katie Arrants, Tracy Broyles, Rebecca Harrison, Tahni Holt, Kathleen Keogh, Eric Nordstrom and Noelle Stiles, Linda Austin, Gregg Bielemeier, Lynde Mah, Margretta Hansen, Lila Hurwitz, Wendy Hambidge, Caroline Oakley and Paul Scheer. Soundscape by Seth Nehil. www.southwaterfront.com/art_and_design/artist. Corner of SW Moody and Curry. Streetcar or bike would be an excellent way to go. 8PM to 10ish Free
Finally Disjecta reopens in Kenton, where the Paul Bunyon statue is, on the light rail. Disjecta has been successful in finding edgier performers than PICA and presenting them at a reasonable price. The new space is renting to artists and includes an excellent dance-performance studio with a wood floor. They have a long term lease too. Disjecta's new visual arts program is curated by guest curators, including this first show, with artists Gordon Barnes, Ryan Burghard, Shelby Davis, Justin Gorman, Dean Spella and Makerlab - Ben Foote, Anselm Hook, Marlin Pohlman and Paige Saez; curated by Igloo Gallery's Damien Gilley. www.disjecta.org 8371 N. Interstate 6PM-9 Free
The Lone Fir Cemetery is the spooky one at the corner of Morrison and SE 20th. Tonight, to encourage new visitors there are musicians and costumed characters wandering about. 5PM-8 Free
Absent the superpower of flying, tonight is a night of choices. Another is an unusual event at Reed College. Local multi-artist Sarah Dougher has composed a choral work based on the works of poet Robert Duncan and artist Jess, subject of the Reed Coolley Gallery exhibit. Both artist and poet were part of the San Francisco beat movement. Dougher's work will be performed by the Flash Choir in the Elliot Chapel which will be followed by a lecture, Eye of the Ear: Jess and the Poets, by Steve Dickison, director of the Poetry Center and American Poetry Archives at San Francisco State University. Musician Tim Duroche also plays in the library, adjacent to the gallery. www.reed.edu 7PM Free
The South Waterfront has an art program. Tonight sculptor-installationist Bill Will has teamed with curator-choreographer Linda Johnson to stage a modern dance performance amid a sea of gently bending poles streaming flags of old VHS video tape. A large group of Portland modern dancers are the movers. Gather about 8, bring a picnic, watch it all unfold under a rising moon. Performers include Daniel Addy, Katie Arrants, Tracy Broyles, Rebecca Harrison, Tahni Holt, Kathleen Keogh, Eric Nordstrom and Noelle Stiles, Linda Austin, Gregg Bielemeier, Lynde Mah, Margretta Hansen, Lila Hurwitz, Wendy Hambidge, Caroline Oakley and Paul Scheer. Soundscape by Seth Nehil. www.southwaterfront.com/art_and_design/artist. Corner of SW Moody and Curry. Streetcar or bike would be an excellent way to go. 8PM to 10ish Free
Finally Disjecta reopens in Kenton, where the Paul Bunyon statue is, on the light rail. Disjecta has been successful in finding edgier performers than PICA and presenting them at a reasonable price. The new space is renting to artists and includes an excellent dance-performance studio with a wood floor. They have a long term lease too. Disjecta's new visual arts program is curated by guest curators, including this first show, with artists Gordon Barnes, Ryan Burghard, Shelby Davis, Justin Gorman, Dean Spella and Makerlab - Ben Foote, Anselm Hook, Marlin Pohlman and Paige Saez; curated by Igloo Gallery's Damien Gilley. www.disjecta.org 8371 N. Interstate 6PM-9 Free
Thursday, July 10, 2008
July 16 Great Architects Can Design Affordable Housing Too
Usonian Homes were Frank Lloyd Wright's take on affordable single family housing. Omitting the superfluous basement and attic, paring trim to a minimum, combining the kitchen with the living space, constructed of concrete block, and even designed to be built by the homeowner, they were perfectly modern.
They still look good.
Wright envisioned them enabling a suburban landscape built upon the expanded use of personal motor vehicles. The designs may have influenced Walter Gropius, famed Bauhaus director and architect, who relocated to America as the Bauhaus was closed by the Nazi government, in his design of the American ranch house. Wright was right about automobiles until now, but his use of passive solar in the designs is sustainable today.
Beginning in 1936, in a poor economy, about 50 were built, including the Gordon House, designed in 1957, two years before Wright's death, and completed in 1964. The home was moved to the Oregon Garden, near Silverton, when new owners of its prime Willamette River-fronting lot proposed demolishing it. Today it is open to the public for a small fee.
I have seen a Usonian House, though not this one. They are a little woolly around the edges with curved molding put to unexpected modern use as in the Heywood-Wakefield designs which bridge the streamline movement to the international movement of the Bauhaus' Mies. But I'd live in one insulated to current practice in a minute.
Tonight Larry Wooden, writer and historian will speak of the house, Wright and the Usonian movement. Wooden is author of a new book about the house and its restoration, "The Gordon House: A Moving Experience".
It's so apropos that the presentation is organized by Design Within Reach as part of their Designs on Portland series. Design Within Reach www.dwr.com. Northwest Everett and 12th Doors 6PM, talk 6:30 Free
They still look good.
Wright envisioned them enabling a suburban landscape built upon the expanded use of personal motor vehicles. The designs may have influenced Walter Gropius, famed Bauhaus director and architect, who relocated to America as the Bauhaus was closed by the Nazi government, in his design of the American ranch house. Wright was right about automobiles until now, but his use of passive solar in the designs is sustainable today.
Beginning in 1936, in a poor economy, about 50 were built, including the Gordon House, designed in 1957, two years before Wright's death, and completed in 1964. The home was moved to the Oregon Garden, near Silverton, when new owners of its prime Willamette River-fronting lot proposed demolishing it. Today it is open to the public for a small fee.
I have seen a Usonian House, though not this one. They are a little woolly around the edges with curved molding put to unexpected modern use as in the Heywood-Wakefield designs which bridge the streamline movement to the international movement of the Bauhaus' Mies. But I'd live in one insulated to current practice in a minute.
Tonight Larry Wooden, writer and historian will speak of the house, Wright and the Usonian movement. Wooden is author of a new book about the house and its restoration, "The Gordon House: A Moving Experience".
It's so apropos that the presentation is organized by Design Within Reach as part of their Designs on Portland series. Design Within Reach www.dwr.com. Northwest Everett and 12th Doors 6PM, talk 6:30 Free
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