State of the Arts

State of the Arts: November 5, 2010 Archive

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Paintings seeking to be something more

Posted at 3:02 PM on November 5, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Funding, Galleries, Painting

End_of_Nowhere.jpg
End of Nowhere, Tynan Kerr and Andrew Mazorol, 2010
various paints on canvas, 66"x54"

Shows presenting the work of a group of artists who all received the same fellowship can often feel a bit awkward. The only thing bringing them together is money.

Not so in the case of the MCAD/Jerome Fellowship exhibition, which closes Sunday.

MCAD/Jerome Fellowship Program Director Kerry Morgan says the emerging artists who were picked for this past year's fellowship have influenced one another:

They have literally been in "fellowship" with one another, and that's why they were so adamant about mixing their work throughout the gallery, rather than each taking their own section of the room.

Bag.jpg
Bag, 2010, by Steven Accola
acrylic on canvas panel, 20" x 16"

Morgan says something else these artists share is a desire to stretch themselves and their art in new ways.

This show features four painters not satisfied with the traditional practice of painting. I think that as paintings, none of them are content to just be paintings. They want to be objects; there's a physicality about it. We're so inundated with images these days, it's almost as if being two-dimensional isn't enough anymore.

Indeed, just as the stars of musicals, overcome with emotion, burst into song, these artists have burst into new dimensions. Steven Accola gives you the chair from his studio on which to browse through a book, and one of his paintings still rests on his easel, as though you're just stopping by for a visit. Tynan Kerr and Andrew Mazorol, who paint collaboratively on the same canvases, make an offering of painted twigs in the middle of the gallery floor.

Caroline Kent, whose work is heavily influenced by a recent trip to Iceland, found that to capture the immensity of the mountainous landscape, she had to leap off the wall.


Cathedral in the Heights, 2010 by Caroline Kent
plaster, wood and colored lights, 72" x 31" x 52"

Morgan says what she finds most exciting about the work of this group of fellows is how their work is simultaneously accessible and elusive.

They suck you in with the allure of a storyline, but you never get it. There's something that draws you in and makes you ask 'is thjs representational or abstract?' They're evocative, and spark your imagination - they're demanding of the viewer - it's not like candy that gives you immediate pleasure - you have to work for it.

Kids.jpg
Kids, 2010 by Tony Sunder
color video with sound

The pieces involving the most work are likely those by Tony Sunder, which at first glance least resemble paintings. Sunder's varies dramatically across the room, from a video of kids gleefully racing bikes to a couple of smears of paint on a piece of notebook paper glued to the wall. Sunder says he's playing with people's expectations of art:

People are smart enough to know what art is, but of course then they have these wild expectations. They expect literally a "show." I undercut myself all the time, because I don't want people to look for me as an authority. I want the viewer to sort of have to make up his/her mind without me.

In his artist statement Sunder wrote "Its not that I believe art does not have power, I just believe that art's power is only there when there is no language for it."

The 2009-2010 MCAD/Jerome Fellowship Exhibition runs through Sunday on the MCAD campus in Minneapolis.

Weekend outlook: farcical

Posted at 11:00 AM on November 5, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Events

39steps.jpg
Luverne Seifert (the house maid) and Sarah Agnew (the corpse) are two of the four actors taking on 150 roles in "The 39 Steps" at the Guthrie Theater

Looking for spy thriller filled with comedy, hat tricks and over the top camp? Get thee to the Guthrie! The 39 Steps is a fast-paced whodunit featuring four great actors playing more than 150 characters. The hijinks of Jim Lichtscheidl and Luverne Seifert steal the show.

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and Minnesota Film Arts present an Asian Film Festival, showing 36 films, including "Open Season," a look at the 2005 homicide conviction of Hmong refugee Chai Vang for the shooting of eight hunters in Wisconsin. The festival runs through November 13 at St. Anthony Main.

Northrup King Studios in Minneapolis present their annual Art Attack, presenting the work of 200 artists in one building. This year includes the exhibition "Nature of Ice," artwork exploring the ephemeral beauty of ice in nature. The studio open house runs Friday, November 5, 2010 5:00-10:00 PM, Saturday, November 6, 2010 Noon - 8:00 PM and Sunday, November 7, 2010 Noon - 5:00 PM.

If the world told you you were destined to fail, would you be able to rise above it and succeed? That's the question posed by the play Life's A Dream, presented by Ten Thousand Things theater company. A young prince is born, but the stars predict he will grow up to be a monster. But "a dream" teaches him to be more. Performances run at MN Opera Center November 5-7, and at Open Book November 12-14 and 19-21.

May I take your reservation? Nathan Keepers reprises his role - roles, actually - in "Fully Committed" at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. In the course of an evening he takes on 40 different personalities, from scheming socialites and name-dropping wannabes, to fickle celebrities and egomaniacal bosses, all demanding a table at Manhatten's hottest restaurant. Through December 19.

It's not easy raising a kid with autism. Stacy-Dinner Levin shares the story of her struggle, and the rewards that come with it, in "Autistic License." The twist? In this production, her son Geordy plays himself. Performances run through November 14 at Gremlin Theater.

Cabinet of Wonders explores a family's story, navigating a grand and ruined legacy as it unearths an ever-shifting past of betrayals, performance and lies. Song, movement, puppet and objects combine in a powerful examination of life that is both alternately wicked and mordantly funny. Featuring Vera Mariner and Twin Cities' newcomer Pearce Bunting as the play's protagonists, sister and brother Christina and Leopold. Performances run through November 14 at Open Eye Figure Theatre.

What would have happened if Romeo and Juliet were brother and sister? The Classical Actors Ensemble presents "'Tis Pity She's a Whore," a story of forbidden love that dates back to 1633. Performances run through November 20 at the Walker Community Church.

So what are you doing this weekend?

Friday news and reviews

Posted at 9:13 AM on November 5, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: News and reviews

It's Friday!! And arts stories abound...

Theater

Going all ha-ha on Hitchcock - GRAYDON ROYCE, Star Tribune
Versatility and dexterity are the keys as four actors take on the stage version of Alfred Hitchcock's frantic spy thriller "The 39 Steps."

Finding Keepers - Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
There are 40 people in "Fully Committed," the comedy that opens Friday at the Jungle Theater, and all of 'em are played by Nathan Keepers.

''Tis a Pity She's a Whore' offers taboo twists - Ed Huyck, City Pages
John Ford's 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore offers a slight twist on Romeo and Juliet. Okay, the Jacobean playwright offered a really big doozy of a twist. In his play, the star-crossed lovers are brother and sister.

Walking Shadow examines the specter of parenthood - Ed Huyck, City Pages
Among the bevy of shows opening this weekend is Walking Shadow Theatre Company's latest production, The Crowd You're In With, where the question of whether to--or not to--conceive a child is front and center.

'American Idol' contestant to star in Ordway's 'Joseph' - Joe Kimball, minnpost.com
Starring as Joseph will be Anthony Fedorov, who was in the top four in Idol's fourth season. He later toured with the 2005 "American Idol Summer Tour."

Offstage in Burnsville: A lot of drama - Rohan Preston, Star Tribune
The new Burnsville Performing Arts Center has an agreement for three musicals with a man whose past includes jail time for fraud.

Music

Tribute will benefit Eyedea's family - Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press
Late St. Paul rapper Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen would have celebrated his 29th birthday Tuesday.

Dawes: This year's little band that could - CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune
In town for its fourth local show of the year, the L.A. quintet is feeling the love.

Vänskä leads riveting 'Fantastique' - LARRY FUCHSBERG, Special to the Star Tribune
Orchestra's performance of big Berlioz work swings between passion and pathos, menace and melancholy.

Berlioz' 'Symphonie Fantastique' leads trio of iconic works for Minnesota Orchestra program this weekend
- Britt Robson, minnpost.com
If you played the "Symphonie Fantastique" for neophyte listeners and told them it was a shining example of the Romantic period in classical music, they'd immediately understand.

You don't always need words to tell a story - Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press
This weekend's Minnesota Orchestra concerts feature three narratives told entirely through music, with nary a word spoken or sung in any of them.

Vanska receives conductor award - Erica Taston, Pioneer Press
Minnesota Orchestra music director Osmo Vanska received a conductor's award from Columbia University last week.

Knights vs. Monks: Heck yeah! - CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune
The trio with the dashing name went into the North Woods to record with a '60s underground rock legend.

Art

Pretty (tough) in pink - MARY ABBE, Star Tribune
Four Minnesota artists give a surrealistic spin to girlish things at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

'Reverberations' closes this weekend at MCAD - Coco Mault, City Pages
At first glance it looks like winter has already consumed artist Ayomi Yoshida's trees; black, gnarly branches pop off of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design's white walls. But upon closer inspection it is suddenly spring.

Santa, Coke, and Swedes: Exhibit at the American Swedish Institute opens November 6
- Barb Teed, TC Daily Planet
A Coca-Cola serving tray valued at $37,000, Santa's face on original oil paintings, and Swedish delights will entertain visitors at this year's holiday exhibit at the American Swedish Institute, opening November 6.

Kara Hendershot: 100 Creatives - Jessica Armbruster
Kara Hendershot isn't just an artist in the city. She is also an important figure working behind the scenes.

Dance

Dance captain of 'Spring Awakening' reveals what keeps dancers on their toes
- Camille LeFevre, minnpost.com
For dance aficionados, a primary reason to see the musical "Spring Awakening" at the Orpheum Theatre this weekend is the choreography by Bill T. Jones.

Aniccha Arts to premiere new work merging Indian dance and multimedia
- Camille LeFevre, minnpost.com
Aniccha Arts, a performance company originated by Pramila Vasudevan in 2004, pops up in some unusual spaces, performing works that integrate contemporary Indian dance with high-tech media. In fact, a single show might combine live dance with virtual movement captured on a video screen.


Books

2010 Twin Cities Jewish Book Fair, a month-long event featuring seasoned writers- Coco Mault, City Pages
The 2010 Twin Cities Jewish Book Fair isn't just a day or weekend-long affair. There are so many authors highlighted in this event, presented by the St. Paul JCC, that the book fair actually began in October and runs through mid-November.


Movies

Asian film fest features docu on Wisconsin hunter killings - Chris Hewitt
Films from a dozen countries will be screened as part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Asian Film Festival, but one from closer to home is likely to make the biggest splash.

2010 Asian Film Festival - Max Sparber, mnartists.org
Max Sparber previews some of the offerings at this year's Minneapolis/St. Paul Asian Film Festival, presented by the Mpls/St. Paul Film Society at St. Anthony Main Theatre from November 3 - 13.

The girl who got the part - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Swedish actress Noomi Rapace was drawn to butt-kicker Lisbeth Salander. But she never thought she'd be cast in three hit movies.

Clever 'Megamind' needs just a little more thought - Chris Hewitt
"Megamind" is a clever movie made by people who should have pushed themselves beyond cleverness.

The spy and the diplomat - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson reveal how their lives went from clandestine to front-page, and now into movie theaters.

Set your sights on 'Vision' - Chris Hewitt
The nearly all-white poster for "Vision," where the only hint of color is Barbara Sukowa's striking eyes, knows what it's doing.

Superhero sendup - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Unlike many DreamWorks movies, the animated "Megamind" winningly pays attention to story.

'Game' changes the rules for marriage under pressure - Chris Hewitt
When CIA agent Valerie Plame was outed, it seemed as if she and her husband, Joseph Wilson, were a united team, but "Fair Game" says they disagreed about almost everything.

Comic torment - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
The scenery on this road trip is entirely too familiar.

MN Original: The Art of Craft

Posted at 1:01 PM on November 5, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Television

Last night on TPT, MN Original celebrated the art of craft by revisiting interviews with artists who have a particular focus on craft.

First up, potter Warren MacKenzie:

Then, metal sculptor Heather Doyle:

Finally, wood worker Virgil Leih:

Artists in full "flourish"

Posted at 4:22 PM on November 5, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Drawing, Museums, Painting

loser.jpg
Terrence Payne, Not So Much Lost As Less
oil pastel on paper, 60" x 48", 2010

Walk into the galleries of the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and you walk into a richly colored, carefully detailed multiverse of the imagination.

Titled "Flourish," the show is filled with images that draw you in and hold you, some with the lure of comfort and safety, others with the promise of a fairy tale, minus the fairy tale ending.

Artist Terrance Payne says the group chose the name "Flourish" for their exhibition because they're not scared of being "pretty."

We draw the viewer in and tempt them to spend time contemplating the layers of meaning they can find once they get beyond the surface. To different degrees we are all using color, pattern, texture and line within our work to this end, creating narrative, commentaries and other worldly experiences to get our points of view across.

For MAEP Coordinator Christopher Atkins, "flourish" holds other meanings:

It's a short and picturesque word that highlights the colorful and organic nature that's in their work. I also think that this show is a big step for all of them so it's a moment of intense creative growth for their careers.

Olson8.jpg
Erika Olson Gross, Lake North Star, 2010
graphite, gouache, and watercolor on paper

In the first room hangs the work of Erika Olson Gross. Olson Gross's work reflects her dual careers of art and motherhood. Her detailed graphite landscapes create a sense of both depth of field and the fragility of life, while flat colored designs evoke family tradition, and seemingly capture the moment in time. In one image a blanket of colored triangles is pulled over the detailed rendering of her two sons sleeping; in another, the pattern from a swedish bridal pillow appears to bless the lake and woods below.

mia_2017115.jpg
Joe Sinness, Something Special, 2010
colored pencil on paper

On the opposite wall from Olson Gross can be found the equally comforting and richly detailed still-lifes of Joe Sinness. But in this case, much of his work also evokes an ironic smile. Sinness excels at botanical art, capturing the rich color and fragility of morning glories, fringe tulips and dahlias. It would be enough for some artists to stop there, but Sinness adds layers of art history and cultural commentary, incorporating images of Barbara Streisand, pink flamingos and Italian baroque paintings. He further challenges himself by placing images in curved glass or reflected in mirror tiles, creating mind-bending moments that recall M.C. Escher.

curious.jpg
Jennifer Davis, Curious, 2010
acrylic, graphite,and charcoal on panel

Walk into the next room, and things start to get a little menacing. Jennifer Davis is well known in the Twin Cities for her playful yet haunting characters. Part human, part animal, the figures in her work go on picnics or ride their bikes, and yet the viewer is left unsettled. Christopher Atkins says it's as though the rouge on their cheeks was smeared on.

I think it's a combination of her mythology, anthropomorphic figures, and this easter egg palate, along with very soft features, and sense of textile and pattern that makes her work so distinctive and recognizable.

Dominating the room are a series of oil pastel portraits by Terrance Payne (see the top image in this post). The characters - women - are posed in classic portrait style, but the classicism stops there. Payne's fascination with pattern and form are evident in how he plays with both his backdrop as well as his subject, draping one women in fabric, and binding another in belts. Yet he also lets us see the circles he used to create the foundations for each face and limb - "showing his hand" as it were.

MAEP Coordinator Christopher Atkins says the "hand" of the artist is dominant in all of the artists' work. Whereas much modern tries to eliminate the sense of its being "handmade," these works revel in it.

Atkins notes this is the first completely two-dimensional show the MAEP has presented in a longtime, but it reflects a community of Minnesota artists working with pencils and pastels who are flourishing quite nicely.

November 2010
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