Friday, June 13, 2008

Barry Whistler Gallery: Robert Wilhite: The Bomb and Kirsten Macy: New Paintings, Opening Reception: 6-8PM
2909-B Canton St. Dallas TX 75226 // 214.939.0242 //

Road Agent: Party at the Moontower, Opening Reception: 6-8PM
2909-A Canton St. Dallas TX 75226 // 214.749.4049 //

Kettle Art: Prepared Americans: New Paintings by Cathey Miller: Opening Reception: 7-10PM
2714 Elm Street Dallas, Texas 75226 // 214 573-7622 //

Nothing Moments is the newest project of Steven Hull, who has teamed up with Tami Demaree, Annie Buckley, and Jon Sueda for this most ambitious of Hull’s projects to date. With nearly one hundred participating writers, artists, and designers, Nothing Moments embraces the disparate fields of visual art, literature, and design.

Nothing Moments consists of twenty-three limited edition books and more than four hundred original drawings. The project expands on the relay-inspired process Hull has explored in previous projects, whereby the work of one artist is responded to and expanded on by another. In Nothing Moments, each book begins with a fiction text authored by a contributing writer. This text is then passed to a contributing artist who makes drawings in response to the story. Finally, the text and art are given to a designer who creates a unique design. The resulting books emphasize a fusion of writing, visual art, and design, inverting the traditional foregrounding of text over art in the book format.

Nothing Moments offers an intriguing cross-pollination of the populist sensibility of a book fair with the rarified atmosphere of contemporary art. In celebrating the blurring of boundaries between disciplines, the project brings an exciting, collaborative energy to the gallery and offers thought-provoking questions to contemporary critical discourse.

Opening Reception: Sat. May 17, 2008 (7-9PM)
2919-C Commerce St // Dallas, TX 75226 // 214.760.7170 //

It is commonly known within the art world that the summer is always your leanest time, making May the last big bang before the annual hibernation. This May, Dallas’ Design District will be kicking us off.

Here are the openings of note this Saturday May 10, 2008…

PDNB Gallery, 5-8 PM: Home Sweet Home
1202 Dragon Street, Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75207 // 214.969.1852 // www.pdnbgallery.com
above image: Misty Keasler (left) and Chris Verene

Conduit Gallery, 5-8 PM: Roberto Munguia, Ellen Berman & Briar Bonifacio
1626 C Hi Line Dr. // Dallas, TX 75207 // 214.939.0064 // www.conduitgallery.com
above image: Roberto Munguia

Holly Johnson Gallery, 5-8 PM: Joan Winter: Counterpoint
1411 Dragon Street // Dallas, Texas 75207 // 214.369.0169 // www.hollyjohnsongallery.com
above image: Joan Winter

Marty Walker Gallery, 5-8 PM: Archie Gobber: In Loving Memory of You
2135 Farrington // Dallas, Texas 75207 // 214.749.0066 // www.martywalkergallery.com
above image: Archie Gobber

PanAmerican ArtProjects, 5-8 PM: Isabelle Du Toit
1615 Dragon St. // Dallas, TX 75207 // 214.522.3303 // www.panamericanart.com
above image: Isabelle Du Toit

Gerald Peters Gallery, 6-8 PM: Richard Haas
1019 Dragon Street Dallas, TX 75207 // 214.969.9410 // www.gpgallerydallas.com

Craighead-Green Gallery, 5-8 PM: Miroslav Antic, Carole Pierce and sculptor, Bill Weaver
1011 Dragon Street // Dallas, TX 75207 // 214.855.0779 // www.craigheadgreen.com

Thursday, April 24 at The Palladium Ballroom could be the best local live music night in awhile. Ghosthustler, Record Hop and The Party are getting me there and with Polyphonic Spree as the headliner to this FREE show, this has got to be a lock for how you should spend your evening this Thursday. Visit quickdfw.com for more details.

In an article I was interviewed for regarding the state of Deep Ellum, the word gentrification was used by the writer to describe my views on what is happening, or needs to happen to revitalize the neighborhood where my gallery is located. Since this article I have noticed this word being used more and more in conversations I have had pertaining to the area. Having minored in cultural anthropology I am very familiar with the word and its meaning, but today I looked it up on Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, so that the official definition can help to illustrate my point. And here is the definition they gave for the word:

gen·tri·fi·ca·tion • jen-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən • noun
the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.

What is happening in Deep Ellum is hardly gentrification. There is no displacing of a lower economic class by affluent people who are capitalizing on low property values for their own financial gain. In fact if you were to shop around the neighborhood you would find that a lot of the property in Deep Ellum is quite expensive. The property owners of Deep Ellum are doing what any good capitalist does, and that is simply getting a return on their investment. There really isn’t a lot that anyone can do to stop someone from selling something that is theirs.

Organizations like the Deep Ellum Association, Deep Ellum Foundation and the Deep Ellum Enrichment Project serve a key purpose of trying to keep the culture of Deep Ellum intact as we move into this new era promising big change. I think the spirit of Deep Ellum is more vital than the physical complexion of the area.

If a few large retailers end up moving into the neighborhood I think that will be really great for the independent businesses that are already here. Large retail, residential communities and restaurants generally come with budgets to advertise. This will ultimately draw new people to the area that might not have come here otherwise. Once they are here they can walk around and discover the O.G. businesses who are foundation of the neighborhood.

This isn’t an after school special where the big developer’s soft spot is touched when he sees the neighborhood kids playing on the playground he is about to tear down for his latest mixed use development, and the climax occurs when he tears up the contract while his investors stand their shaking their heads.

This is commerce not gentrification, and the above scenario will almost certainly never happen. So since this is inevitable at this point, playing ball sounds like a good idea. It is better than the alternative of being confrontational and resistant to change, you’ll get less referrals from your gigantic new neighbors.

If you want to see what gentrification looks like, Oak Cliff is a 10 minute drive from Deep Ellum.

The Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas are ramping up for their second annual art fair. This will take place at 333 First Avenue with a preview night on May 30 from 7-10pm, with regular fair hours from 12-8pm on Saturday May 31 and from 12-5pm on Sunday June 1, 2008. Last year’s fair exceeded all expectations of the group with over 1,500 attendees coming through for its inaugural weekend. I expect that this year’s will almost double in attendance. The preview night will be that weekend’s hot ticket for sure as Modern Luxury will play host for the evening, and their will be a live musical performance by Austin based band Shapes Have Fangs.

For more details on the event and to see the roster of participating galleries visit www.caddallas.net

Denver based artist Evan Hecox returns to Dallas on February 29 for the release of the Limited Edition boxed set of his book Urban Abstract by Bee Lee Gee Press.

The event is at the Design Within Reach studio at 4525 McKinney Ave, Ste. 103 from 6-9PM. Don’t miss your chance to meet Evan and get your copy and have it personalized. Complimentary beverages will be served throughout the evening.

About the Box Set
The limited edition of Urban Abstract features an exclusive hand printed dust jacket. The books are signed in an edition of 50 and bear an emboss stamp. A set of 8×10 in. prints will accompany the book all of which are housed in an exquisite handmade solid wood box with a line drawing of the book’s cover laser etched onto its lid (see above image).

About the Artist
Evan Hecox is an artist and graphic designer who has become known largely through the subculture of skateboarding, having produced hundreds of skateboard graphics since 1997. He has also emerged as a fine artist having shown work in galleries both in the United States and abroad, including solo shows in Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas and Tokyo, and group shows in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Paris and London. He creates drawings, paintings, and prints based upon his observations of environments, people, cars and signage. His works depict city scenes or isolated elements that are almost cinematic in their stark contrast and abstraction. Hecox is fascinated with the complexity of the urban landscape and people from the mundane surroundings that one would normally overlook. Like snapshots or filmstrips, his art captures the everyday existence of the average person as they traverse the detritus of the modern metropolis. His stylistic approach is based on the process of amplification as it affects form and color, breaking down the image, removing elements and emphasizing others. His interest in the urban landscape began during the time he lived in the Mission District of San Francisco and he has since drawn inspiration from many places where he has traveled. His work was included in the exhibition and book, Beautiful Losers: Contemporary Art and Street Culture, which documents 30 years worth of art, design, photography and culture surrounding the worlds of surfing, skateboarding, punk rock, hip-hop and graffiti.

The Public Trust is opening a new exhibition called Primer on March 8, 2008. It’s focus is on entry level art collecting. At the very least my hopes for this show is for it to act as a Public Service Announcement for the collecting of art.

In my 5 years of publishing art books and running a gallery, I have found that so many people express an interest in having art in their home but really don’t know where to start, or that in their experience the prices of work in a gallery has been really daunting.

Primer will feature originals and prints from emerging to mid-career artists, with no original piece in the show over $1,500. The Public Trust print collection ranges from $30 to $500. The opening reception will run from 6-9pm and the show is up till May 3, 2008.

Town2 Magazine is a 5.5″x5.5″ publication that has recently been released in Dallas. Unlike free distribution publications like Envy and Tribeza, who focus on Dallas as a whole, Town2 Mag’s focus is on the Main St. District, South Side, Deep Ellum, Victory Park, The West End and Expo Park. I am the art director and senior designer for this publication, and just going through the content list for the issue I discovered a lot of places in Dallas that I was completely unaware of. Some of them were so good that I have returned many times since my initial visit.

Tourists visiting the area can definitely pick it up at a concierge in any of the covered neighborhoods and get a local’s view of what there is to do in the city. If you are living here, looking to break out of your usual haunts this is a good place to start. It’s scheduled release is the last Thursday of every month, so keep your eyes peeled for this pocket guide to Dallas proper.

THE PUBLIC TRUST: Saturday, January 19 (6-9pm)
2919-C Commerce St. // Dallas, TX 75226
214.760.7170 // www.trustthepublic.com

Choice Cuts: A group show featuring works by: Steven Hopwood Lewis (Above image), Evah Fan, Evan Hecox, Gary Taxali, Gary Baseman, Cody Hudson, Dalek and more…

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ROAD AGENT: Saturday, January 19 (6-8pm)
2909-Canton St. Ste. A // Dallas, TX 75226
214.749.4049 // www.road-agent.com

New Art From Chicago: Scott Anderson, Aaron Baker, John Parot, Steve Reber

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BARRY WHISTLER GALLERY: Saturday, January 19 (6-8pm)
2909-Canton St. Ste. B // Dallas, TX 75226
214.939.0242 // www.barrywhistlergallery.com

Scott Barber: Works on Canvas

Last night I caught the news segment about Charles Allen Chatman who had been jailed for nearly 27 years for a crime he did not commit. In 1981 at the age of 20 he was convicted of raping a neighbor of his, whom he lived a few doors down for 13 years. He was convicted on the grounds that the victim was “a nurse, she was a trained observer, incapable of making a mistake.”

Mr. Chatman contends that his accusation and conviction were racially movitaved, of which I am inclined to agree, especially in Texas.

The amazing part of the story is the man’s perseverance. He was sentenced to 99 years, but since he always maintained his innocence he was denied parole. It wasn’t until 2001 that he had a shot at freedom, since prior to that state prisoners could not request DNA tests. After 2 DNA tests, which came back inconclusive, he chose to wait it out until DNA testing advanced, since the last sample would exhaust all genetic evidence from the victim’s rape kit.

It was the Y-STR kit that cleared his name. This test is able to identify genetic markers from the slightest amount of genetic material.

The range of emotions one feels from being released from a wrongful imprisonment must be intense. The sheer excitement of breathing free air, and the bitter taste of so much time lost. That made the DA’s words about justice a bit hard to take when he said to Chatman, “You are an example of how justice is supposed to work.” Too bad it started working for him after sitting idle for 27 years.

EXPO 2008 will open on January 12 with an artist reception from 6-10pm.

500X Gallery is located at…
500 Exposition // Dallas, TX 75226
214.828.1111 // www.500x.org

Congratulations to the following artists:
Paul Abbott, Daniel Avazpour, Lane Banks, Kelly Berry, Michelle Brandt, Lori Brennen, Ezequiel Cambranis Jennifer Dawson, Lanie DeLay, Oscar Duran, Josh Fletcher, Havi Frost, John Frost, Christine Garza-Mitchell, Lori Giesler, Nathaniel Glaspie, Bryan Gooding, Andrew Grimes, Ben Hancock, Mary Emma Hawthorne, Logan Hill, Clayton Hurt, Sean Ibanez, Kelly James, Jenny Jones, Kathryn Kelly, Joel Kiser, Amanda Kutsch, Anne Lawrence, Erin Machniak, Pate MacKenna, Devon Nowlin, Rosane Vochan O’Conor,
Dylan O’Riley, Keri Oldhan, Barbara Pfaffenberger, Alicia Philley, J.R. Phillips, Nathan Porterfield, Jeffrey Primeaux, Michelle Proksell, Don Relyea, Ryder Richards, Brian Row, Brian Neal Sensabaugh, Terry Shuck, John Spriggins, Andrea Stigdon, Loran Thrasher, Kelly Ulcak, Mary Wester and Murielle White.

Some words of wisdom for artists who are trying to “make it” who did not submit work to EXPO
EXPO 2008 was juried by Terri Thornton, artist and education director for The Fort Worth Modern, which means the gallerists in Dallas know Terri. If they do not, they do respect what she has done for the education program at The Modern, which is one of the finest museums in the US. That being the case you can bet that many gallery owners/directors will go and see this show.

So now your work is in front of a gallery owner in an appropriate setting. You can now introduce yourself and they can take time to talk to you for a minute, unlike the time you introduced yourself at their gallery during an opening and you felt snubbed because they didn’t give you their undivided attention while they were working.

In short, being a working artist is hard. Juried shows are the things that get you noticed by galleries and are excellent for your cv.

New year…way more blogging is going to happen here. By this time next week MB Dallas will welcome not one but 2 new bloggers to the fold. No more lone ranger action here. Now onto a few early 08 art openings…

CONDUIT GALLERY: Saturday, January 5 (5:30-8:30pm)
1626 C Hi Line Dr. // Dallas, TX 75207
214.939.0064 // www.conduitgallery.com

Billy Hassell: Journal

Reinhard Ziegler: Along for the Ride: Images from Marfa & Big Bend

Memotronic: Co-Curated by Danette Dufilho and Julio Cesar Morales (Queen’s Nails Annex, San Francisco, CA)

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HOLLY JOHNSON GALLERY: Saturday, January 5 (5-8pm)
1411 Dragon Street // Dallas, Texas 75207
214.369.0169 // www.hollyjohnsongallery.com

Gael Stack: Gaps, Sinkholes, and other Chasms, Janaury 2008

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MARTY WALKER GALLERY: Saturday, January 5 (6-9pm)
2135 Farrington St. // Dallas, TX 75207
214.749.0066 // www.martywalkergallery.com

Jay Shinn: With the Grain
with Maquettes by Tom Orr in the other gallery.

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PanAmerican ArtProjects: Saturday, January 5 (5-8pm)
1615 Dragon St., Dallas, TX 75207
214.522.3303 // www.panamericanart.com

Gustavo Acasto: New Work

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PHOTOGRAPHS DO NOT BEND: Saturday, January 5, 2008 (5-8pm)
1202 Dragon Street, Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75207
214.969.1852 // www.pdnbgallery.com

Texas Bauhaus: Work by Carlotta Corpron (above image), Ida Lansky and Barbara Maples

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I am a bit late posting this one, but if you haven’t already you should head down to the DMA to see this exhibition. It is by far one of the best installations from the Concentrations series. In short Collins created every aspect of this project. He built the karaoke machine, assembled the band which recorded the album’s tracks, constructed the sets…everything. This is 3 years in the making and is the first time that the completed project has been seen.

In this poignant and poetic work, Collins insightfully combines art, pop music, and popular culture to create a tender, heartbreaking, and at times funny portrait of humanity,” said Weaver. “Watching these Smiths fans–an almost cultlike world phenomenon–perform and sing their favorite lyrics by lead singer Morrissey in a language not their own is a moving reminder of our own desires and struggles for individual expression. It also expands the possibilities of art in our rapidly changing global age.

Phil Collins: the world won’t listen
The Dallas Museum of Art
November 9, 2007-March 23, 2008
Marguerite and Robert Hoffman Galleries

On Saturday November 10, 2007 The Evens performed live at The Public Trust. The Even’s are Ian Mackaye and Amy Farina. I am still reeling a bit from having seen Fugazi’s frontman play live in my gallery. 170 people were in attendance for this show and they came from as far as Oklahoma City.

It was encouraging to see people come out in force to the gallery when there is no opening, complimentary drinks, or where being seen isn’t top priority.

The only downside was the stabbing that was rumored to have occured down the street at The Red Blood Club (the irony is too much)…hopefully this random, isolated incident won’t further damn Deep Ellum’s public perception. I can imagine this will mean the RBC probably won’t get their SUP.

Dallas…let’s keep this up, sans the stabbing!