The Philly Challenge Follow-Up: The Weekend of Art& Local Music
This past weekend, I laid out a challenge for myself: Attend every art & music event in Philly that sounds interesting and don't dare wimp out and sit in the AC and read.
The Results: I WIN The Self-Imposed Philly Arts & Music Challenge!!!
Please refer to last week's post for a quick refresher before we dive in. Ready? Set? GO!
1. Projects Gallery - ID
Jamie Diamond - The Radissons, 2008; Photographic print, 48
Friday evening started off on the right foot. It began with a brisk walk out to Northern Liberties to see the exhibition at Projects Gallery of a group of talented, newly graduated art students working in a variety of media. All hand-selected by Libby Rosof and Roberta Fallon, Philadelphia art sages. My two picks: jarring not-quite family portraits by Jamie Diamond (see above) and tasteful subdued wallpaper laced with a pattern constructed of vibrator images by Katy Rose Glickman(see below).
Katy Rose Glickman installs Vibrator wallpaper - 2008; Dimensions variable
ADDENDUM: Temple Gallery - Volume Attempts: The Space of Books
An unexpected excursion led me to Temple Gallery in Old City for Volume Attempts: The Space of Books, a show curated by Purtill Family Business. The first room featured large black and white photographs of book spreads selected by designers. The back room housed a large "family-style" table of unique books from throughout the ages, as well as an installation piece from Onestar Press of their entire catalog (see below).
Onestar Press - Empowerment Cannot Be Translated As Entitlement, 2007; Plywood shelf, plastic letters, red paint, screws; Edition of 8
2. Vox Populi - SOLID GOLD
Abby Donovan - Some of What Don Quixote Said, 2005; Fired clay
Really impressed and equally disturbed (in a good way) by a few of the pieces in Vox Populi's annual juried Show. My two Vox Populi picks: Samuel Ekwurtzel's "Untitled," which appears to be a perfectly cast lamb statuette; however, at close proximity, its head literally seizures due to the internal oscillator; and Mike Smith's "The Future Is Now," a suspended fusion of two skulls with a micro metropolis rising atop the crests.
Daniel Payavis - The Floating World/Inverted Mountain, 2007; Oil on canvas
Mike Smith - The Future Is Now, 2007; Cast urethane, epoxy, putty, wood, primer, acrylic paint
Samuel Ekwurtzel - Untitled, 2006/2008; Polyurethane foam, oscillator
3. Space 1026 - Orbital Debris
Leah Beeferman - Support structure, 2008; Ink on paper; 9
I wound down the evening jaunt with a visit to Space 1026 for their two-woman show of intricate, intimate, and super-celestial drawings. Most impressed by the precision of the line work in Leah Beeferman's more architectural-inspired drawings. My camera does not do this drawing justice. Please visit her website for more fine work. Hop on over to Space 1026's Blog for more shots from the opening.
4. Clark Park - Best Fest
Southeast green of Clark Park - West Philadelphia, PA
After all that walking, I slept in Saturday morning and arrived at Best Fest in West Philly's Clark Park later in the afternoon. But luckily, just in time to catch The Extraordinaires' set. Yesss! The crowd-pleasers of the day, The Extraordinaires are feel-good entertainers and quite talented South Philly gents, if I do say so myself. Despite the heat wave, I joined in the barefoot merry-making and danced about with fervor in the grass.
5. Art Star Gallery - Kurt Halsey
Kurt Halsey - Seesaw Sign, 2008; Engineer grade reflective aluminum sign; Edition of 10
A quick subway ride and another good walk brought me to Art Star Gallery & Boutique for new work from poignant cartoon-like artist Kurt Halsey. I was a previous fan of his paintings and drawings, but this new body of work incorporated a variety of media, including: industrial aluminum, cast fake coins, and a bird cage installation.
I picked up a little something for myself on the way out.
Kurt Halsey - Ruin Shit, 2008; Felt, paper, ink, in metal and plastic
Art Star pick-up!
The return to South Philly from Northern Liberties was daunting, but this roadside spotting was one of my favorite finds of the weekend...
Just passing by...
6. 23rd & South - ODUNDE Festival
The Happiest Odunde Dancer
And last but CERTAINLY not least, was the ODUNDE (New Year) Afrikan-American Festival in Gray's Ferry. Beginning at 10 am and not wrapping up until after dark, traffic was stopped and the streets exploded into a joyous tumult of excitement, dancing and singing bodies, and vendors with exquisite and colorful goods. My favorite performers were the dance/drum troupes, pictured above and below. A true treat for the eyes and ears!
The Happiest Odunde Drummers
What a weekend! I will now recover in the shade, and begin mustering my energies for July's First Friday/Weekend Festivities!
Until then...
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