SILVERMAN - GRAY AREA - AMPERSAND - PING PONG

SEVENTH SON TATTOO - MARKET STREET - ARC STUDIOS - PARK LIFE

MICHELLE O'CONNOR - DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL

06.11.10

(with assistance from Kathryn Arnold , RWM and Neal Strickberger)

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Silverman Gallery : Lucas Michael - After Hours.

Comment by AB: Los Angeles artist Lucas Michael's mysterious numerical sculptures and charcoal drawings, one-way glass installation, and video reference everything from his artist studio to gay cruising and sex clubs. Go see.

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Gray Area Foundation for the Arts : MiT's SENSEable Cities - Exploring Urban Futures.

Contributors: Carlo Ratti, Assaf biderman, Filippo Dal Fiore, Rex Britter, Xiaoji Chen, Carnaven Chiu, Luigi Farrauto, E Roon Kang, Mauro Martino, Giusy Di Lorenzo, Francisco Pereira, Francesco Calabrese, Cesar Harada, Jennifer Dunnam, Christine Outram , Caitlin Zacharias, Sey Min, Kristian Kloeckl, David Lee, Clio Andris, Stephen Miles, Santi Phithakkitnukoon, Lindsey Hoshaw, Mahsan Mohsenin.

Comment by AB: Combined art and science endeavor explores new ways of accumulating, visualizing and quantifying data in order "to more effectively manage city infrastructure, optimize transportation, analyze our environmental impact and foster new communities." Sorry about the pics; difficult show to shoot.

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Ampersand International Arts : private pARTs.

Artists: Danielle Benson, Ryan Whittier Hale, Alan Miknis, Alexa Natanson, Sonja Smith.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: This exhibition brings together photography along with mixed media works which draw the line, question the line, and deny the line between personal space and public persona.

Denying the line is a set of vintage photographs taken with an Instamatic (or some other type of older camera) seemingly randomly arranged on a wall like someone's newly washed laundry hung out to dry and fully observable by the neighbors. Within the context of this theme of public/private, it works nicely. Other photographs combine a realistic appearances with on out-of-place scenarios and give a surrealist bent to the theme, questioning the line. A group of works that appear to be watercolors with ink catch my eye, particularly one filled with naked human figures. Very Bosch-like, these intertwined figures are arranged in one formal mound, commanding the page. Also on view are several yarn-based works (knitted or crocheted) that function as wall sculptures, providing links most likely with personal narratives connected to these objects. One is not allowed into the meanings of these-- that line being drawn between the personal and public.

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Ping Pong Gallery : Amanda Curreri - Occupy the Empty.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: Cool and relevant concept is played out within this installation exhibition at Ping Pong Gallery. Interspersing elements from a courtroom as empty space (where anything can happen), Amanda Curreri's personal narrative plays out in an impersonal and objective fashion. A set of what looks to be jurors' chairs sit empty, seriously ordered in linear fashion bringing to mind Catherine Wagner with their non-emotional quality. An interactive "Last Words" invitation is extended to all in a space occupied by a television. The piece titled "Greyscale" is an arrangement of blacks and whites and grays on canvas perhaps a comment on how things are seen and understood within a courtroom setting. Curreri effectively employs the entire gallery.

Comment by AB: Well conceived, executed and presented; quality work... individually and in concert. I happen to think she's gettin' proximitous to prime time. Sidle on by and see for yourself.

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Market Street Gallery : Narrative Visions/Clay onto Art.

Artists: Steve Allen, Ilana Crispi, Natasha Dikareva, Maggie Malloy, Oli Quezada, Alex Hackwoth, Lori Koenig.

Review by RWM: Cool ceramic creations in manageable sizes and odd designs. The literary works by Steve Allen, with vehicles passing through the constructed paper are particularly memorable. The works do reward a close observation.

Comment by AB: Some quality clay work here; stop by and see for yourself.

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Arc Studios & Gallery : Paper View - Contemporary Works on Paper by Bay Area Artists .

Artists: Dorothy Connelly, Bernadette Emrick, James Grouleau, Deborah Hayner, Judy Johnson-Williams, Janet Jones, Camilla Newhagen, Andrew Ogus, Priscilla Otani, Dennis Parlante, Jenny Robinson, Donna Sharee, Kim Smith, Kirsten Tradowski, Stephen C. Wagner, Kay Weber, Megan Wolfe.

Review by RWM: Wonderful variety of art with impressive use of paper as medium. There are amazing pigeons, sexy butterflies, fascinating landscapes, and memorable collages.

Comment by AB: A respectable cull with high points worth seeing.

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Park Life : this is the book I have written for you - A text-themed group show.

Artists: Stephanie Brooks, Dana Dart Mclean, Michael Dumontier, Karen Flatow, Neil Farber, Ed Fella, Tom Friel, Jeff Gabel, Jason Jagel, Steve Lambert, Bob Linder, Tucker Nichols, Nigel Peake, Mike Perry, Jason Polan, William Powhida, Nathaniel Russell, Michael Scoggins, Josh Shaddock, David Shrigley, Zoe Strauss, Wendy White.

Comment by AB: Pretty peppy lineup here. An impressive density of quality work inhabits not that large of a space. Worth a drive by.

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Davies Symphony Hall : Davies After Hours - Art by Ray Beldner.

Comment by AB: The concert's over. An after hours soiree features a performance Amy X Neuburg and the Cello ChiXtet, the lounge-like circumstance appointed with Ray Beldner's sculptural amalgams of everyday objects coated with finely pulverized paper money. Tough lighting for shooting the art, but you know me... I shoot it anyway.

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Addendum:

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