Marjorie Grigonis @ 1241 Carpenter Street Studios, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Marjorie Grigonis‘ abstractions, paintings and mixed media in various states of completion fill her sunny studio on the top floor of the studios at 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia.  Drawn into, collaged, deconstructed and painted over, Grigonis’s artwork mixes expressionist marks with gentle color and fluidity, the studio swirls with the liveliness of her art.  The art studios located in Southeast Center City near the High School for the Creative Arts are a group of artists and designers who have created a microcosmic community within the old industrial space.  The artists in the building participated in this year’s Philadelphia Open Studio Tours and almost every artist in the building was present except the extraordinary Katie Murken, who was off doing a special installation.  The hub of the top floor and certainly the finest drawing studio I’ve ever visited is Stella Untalan‘s, equipped with all you could want for mark making and drawing.  The view overlooking Center City is inspiring enough but Stella has tricked out Monica Turtle’s old space with cabinets of drawers full of fine papers, unusual vellums, pencils, charcoal, chalk and markers of all kinds with which she creates her mysterious and otherworldly drawing.

Stella Untalan, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Stella Untalan, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Stella Untalan is an information designer, owner of 110 Church Street Gallery in Old City and mastermind behind the artists representation website company, Heavybubble.  Her drawings are compelling with meta-mathematical themes, bold swipes of charcoal and chalk across velvety vellum mashed up with intricate rows of alien-like script.  Maybe that’s her secret to all her vibrant energy, she’d not from here, Untalan sounds Tamarian to me and her art speaks with metaphors, too.  “Temba, his arms wide/open.”

Ben Dasher, Corner Observatory Mirror Image # 9, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Benjamin Dasher, a recent Tyler School of Art graduate displayed a beautiful collection of lithographs, each meticulously crafted image the result of hours of scratching into a metal plate then running the inked surface through a press, revealing the intended opposite of the drawing.  Ben expressed how satisfying the work is, a very meditative way of thinking and drawing.  Dasher’s studio neighbor is Alexis Nutini, an artist using wood in a unique way paying homage to inlaid wood with out all the cutting and gluing.  The photograph here is a color study for the amazing panels Nutini produces by developing lines of resistance, then applying the carefully designed wood stains to the raised areas, the results are just amazing, the look of inlaid wood is uncanny.

Alexis Nutini, Philadelphhia Open Studio Tours 2011, 1241 Carpenter Street

Across the hall from Alexis is a group of three artists: a painter, a graphic designer and a fabric artist.  Emily Smith paints watercolors of beautiful young people that appear bruised, mutilated and beaten, the stain of the watercolor eerily mimicking bruised flesh soaked into paper.  I first encountered Smith’s work last year on the POST tour in a South Philly apartment, her achingly memorable portraits even more stunning here in the large shared space.  Her studio mates may be influencing her presentation, Kay Healy’s fabric hangings of Victorian rooms create a Dali-nian vibe, with the fluffy surreal-ness of the fake furniture exuding a quirky cosiness.  Smith’s battered youths against tree patterned wall paper is like a decorating scheme for Clockwork Orange.  Greg Pizzoli‘s design studio rounds out the group with a solid mix of contemporary graphics, super-flat style prints and cool modern illustrations.  Greg was door-sitting while I visited his space, we only met briefly, but his design space, stacked with prints is memorable as a model of art as business, a really fun one.

Emily Smith, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Greg Pizzoli, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Kay Healy, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Sarah Bloom, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Photographer Sarah Bloom exhibited her eponymous images in the hallway between the studios, the spirit of sharing the art space with as many as possible energized the whole creative scene.  Sarah Bloom recently held a one person show at Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery in South Philly.  One of the cool things about 1241 Carpenter Street creative businesses is the variety of artists and design businesses all in one place: design, interiors, art, photography…

China Cellars, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Mae Downs and Company, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Walking into the shared space of China Cellars and Mae Downs and Company was a refreshing experience, the interior design space is overflowing with a fabulous collection of 20th Century plates and dishes paired with Mae Down‘s whimsical sachet’s that look like strawberries made from tweed and smell like lavender, mmmm.

Mae Downs and Company, 1241 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

Midwives Collective & Gallery Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

“The Midwives Collective & Gallery is a women’s collective formed for the purpose of fostering community art making, culture, and the creation of art history by maintaining a public arena for the display and practice of innovative emerging art. In addition to sometimes showing our own works, we orchestrate open-call shows to provide support and exposure for emerging artists and encourage innovation, risk, and exploration in the arts. The audience at large is invited to share an artistic experience in an intimate, non-traditional gallery space.” 1241 Carpenter Street Website.  Ellen K. Bonett definitely has the coolest business card I’ve seen; her info is printed on a piece of bubble wrap.

Midwives Collective & Gallery Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011

My last stop of the day was at SquidWhale Designs.

“SquidWhale Designs is the brain-child of two divergent minds, Sarah L. Hunt (the whale, fine artist and vintage dealer) and Elizabeth J. Smith (the squid, fine artist and textile designer), that have come together to create original textiles and wearables and home objects made from their original and vintage textiles. In addition to this, SquidWhale has a collection of nautical-themed vintage objects called The Sea Shanty.”

SquidWhale Designs, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011, 1241 Carpenter Street

SquidWhale Designs, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011, 1241 Carpenter Street

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours offers unique opportunities to visit locations like 1241 Carpenter Street where you can meet artists and designers, view the processes behind the finished products, experience the vibrancy and creativity first hand and learn about the many businesses and people that make Philly’s creative economy so diverse and inviting.  I was impressed by the strong group of artisans at 1241 Carpenter Street and the feeling of community they shared.  I’m not waiting until next year to go back and visit again.  I want to hang out in Stella Untalan’s studio some more.  Read more about studios I visited this year’s Philadelphia Open Studio Tours at DoNArTNeWs.

DoN Brewer, Contributing Writer, Side Arts Philadelphia Art Blog

Photographs by DoN Brewer

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Shie Moreno X Flying Pyramids. Wynwood 2011. from FLYING ▲ PYRAMIDS on Vimeo.

Shie Moreno
Miami, Florida 2011

Music: Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit (Dubstep Remix)
Video/Edit: George Echevarria

flyingpyramids.com
shiemoreno.com
georgeechevarria.com

20 October, 2011 08:22

Slideshow, Jessica Hoffman: Forever and After @ 110 Church Street Gallery

Jessica Hoffman: Forever and After at 110 Church Street Gallery is an investigation into time through found objects of different forms of communication: letters, photo slides and movie footage.  Combining formerly modern modes of communication, the photo slide show, with a Damien Hirst style presentation, the result of scratching on the film negatives saved in tiny bottles, then presented as a slide show is a form of drawing with light.  The show has many provacative takes on how we communicate and the tools we use to send love, remember the past and share memories with one another.  Read more about Jessica Hoffman: Forever and After @ DoNArTNeWs.

DoN Brewer, Contributing Writer, Side.Arts

Old City’s Eye-Popping Storefronts

Artists and businesses are collaborating in Old City to create eye-popping and store-stopping designs. NBC10 Photojournalist Matt Maiorano went beyond the window shopping to get a closer look at the art and the artists.

Watch his NBC10′s footage by clicking here.

You can vote for your favorite window by clicking here or text your favorite window # to (215) 259-VOTE (8683).

Mine is #133 which you can see below.

I was teamed up with Q BBQ and Tequila (2nd and Chestnut St.). Without room for a 3D installation I decided to paint the windows. I decided to use just a white paint not to distract the customers while eating. When the sun hits the windows at the right position it glows on the inside while creating amazing shadows throughout the restaurant. Be sure to check these windows out along with all the other window installations around Old city while it lasts. Below is a couple of pictures of the installation and check out a bunch of them here. www.seanmartorana.com

- Sean Martorana
@SeanMartorana
facebook.com/inthestudio

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011 connected artist Alison Stigora and curator Eileen Tognini to create a spectacular site specific installation, Crossing Jordan, in the huge industrial space called The Skybox at 2424 York Street Studios.  Friday, October 14th, 2011 the opening reception was an experience design of exquisite taste, bold vision and refined style,  from a delicious cocktail designed specifically for the evening with whiskey and exotic citrus’ to toasted marshmallows poking out of tufts of grass to the smooth electronic jazz from Heath Allen, the evening is memorable on so many levels and senses.  Alison Stigora’s installation is unique and uniquely Philadelphian because of the spirit of collaboration and cooperation the arts community is showing to the city and the world.  POST is a great example of coordinating a huge city wide art event with so many disparate elements then echoed by Alison Stigora‘s wildly complex creation of charred tree limbs.   Artist Gregory Brellochs’ said. “… it’s muscular, like a charcoal drawing in space.”  Susan Stromquist, a volunteer to help construct the piece was inspired by Alison’s management capabilities and her determination to get the job done on time but with precision and care, each log is hand prepared with charring, shaping and sealing, there is no smell and little dust even though it looks like the remains of a tidal wave of forest fire has swept through the hall.

Video and Photographs by DoNBrewerMultimedia

DoN Brewer, Contributing Writer, Philly.SideArts

4 November 2011, 8pm till 10pm

Cups & Chairs Tea Cafe

701-705 South 5th Street (at Monroe Street)

www.cupsandchairs.com • (215) 238-8832

Join us on 4 November 2011 for opening night, Accademico E Bella!, at Cups & Chairs Tea Cafe. Meet two of Fleisher Art Memorial’s representational artists John Sasnett and Daniel Chow who will be showcasing their Accademico e Bella works; meet designer and artist Jen-rung Lai who will be showcasing her beautifully crafted jewelry that spans from simply classy, vivid whimsy, vintage revival, to oriental grace. Both Sasnett and Jen-rung are Rhode Island School of Design alumni.

Jen-rung’s inspirations come from nature, her travels, and interior spaces and architecture designs. She earned her Interior Design Certificate from Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education, and has completed several residential and commercial interior projects which include the beautiful Cups and Chairs Tea Cafe in Philadelphia.

What is an artist’s opening night without live music? Adam Rivera and other musicians will be performing. Born in Central New York, Adam started playing the guitar in elementary school when he was given one of  his brother’s “too many guitars”  by their father. His brother and father played guitar and bass. By the time Adam was in high school he started composing his own songs and lyrics. 

Painters John Sasnett and Daniel Chow, and jewelry artist Jen-rung Lai are showing some of their works at a local tea cafe, Cups & Chairs, in the Queen Village district of Philadelphia. The owner of the cafe has invited a musician, Adam Rivera, to perform. Fingers crossed for opening night on 4 November 2011.

While hanging the paintings for the show, a lady whispered to her partner, “they’re so academic.” I guess she pretended to be whispering, and indeed I heard her quite clearly. I always have a come-back in response to most comments, but, alas, not without some lag time which by the time the lady would be gone beyond earshot.

No offense was taken, because her observation was correct. Nevertheless, in response to her observation I say, “no my fair lady, not just academic, they’re academic and beautiful.” Hence I’m titling this show in Italian, “Accademico e Bella!”

I think when some laypersons use the term, academic, they most probably mean amateurs, beginners, or “within-the-box”. It’s sometimes used in the context of putting down something or someone.

In the fine arts, when art works are described as academic, it means that the artist is demonstrating in his (or her) works the accumulated knowledge and technical skills he has acquired through schooling, or through his own experiences. As with writing, you also must be able to demonstrate the mastery of your language—the knowledge of your language and the techniques for proper usage. This also applies to music, cooking, or baking.

When I worked for Alan Kelly, CEO of Applied Communications, a technology public relations firm in San Francisco, he said to me that if you don’t have a passion for what you do, it will show through your work. My friend’s mother said something similar: make all the cookies you want, but if you don’t put the love in them, they won’t taste as good as when made with love.

Have you followed a recipe to the letter, and you and everyone else seem to feel that something was still missing in the final product? that something that was still missing was Love or Passion.

It’s too bad that some people use the term academic as a put-down, but there is nothing lowly about academic works. If your work was done with dedication and passion for the vocation of your choice, they will show through in your work no matter how academic—your work will intrinsically be beautiful.

If you don’t have the love or passion for it, an academic work, or any other work, is just that, just another academic work.

Please join us on opening night of Accademico e Bella! for music and art by John Sasnett, Daniel Chow, Jen-rung Lai, and Adam Rivera at Cups & Chairs Tea Cafe on 4 Novermber 2011, 8pm through 10pm!

(Daniel majored in Anthropology at San Francisco State University, and then took a detour to try a career in internet technology. He worked as an internet technology administrator for a public relations firm in San Francisco for three years, and later discovered his passion for painting and photography in Asheville, North Carolina. You can view some of his work at www.danielwkchow.com, or follow his blog at studio13.tumblr.com.)