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Week 12 Articles: |
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| Joshua Myers: Note Worthy |
| 2/4 by laura |
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Note Worthy is an exploration into the social aspect of currency design and how it factors into our lives. Every person is an active consumer, yet very few could recall explicit details of the dollar bill, a piece of paper that grazes our hands nearly every day. Myers said, "We are so fixated on our needs/desires and what we can acquire with money, that we often overlook the documents used to make these transactions." Josh Myers has created a faux currency, complete with functionality and lavish design, that also is streamlined with the Green Movement.
The concept for this project sprung from an interest in the European attempt at global currency and its eco-conscious manufacturing; Australia currently uses plastic money which is able to be recycled. From the basics, Myers' new bills are printed on a cotton based, water color paper. Josh has a respect for the utilization of other materials that, from artistic viewpoint, are more designer friendly. Materials like plastic are able to be formed into unique or familiar shapes that would allow the public a more personal attachment, aside from the aesthetic value. "Thinking into the future and considering the amount of electronic transactions, there is a rising fear of identification theft. I am thinking of this project as a "rebirth" of paper money in a new and interesting way that will improve it, so that money is personal again," stated Josh Myers.
He has taken the process steps further and rejuvenated the face of the legal tender so that it no longer depicts old men in wigs. From where I stand, it seems that Americans have detached themselves from the respect that should be shown for its leaders and instead moved towards a love for all things innovative. That said, maybe the Presidents no longer belong on our money, and, linage and globally recognized symbols, do. Myers has, for his currency, tilted, cropped and distorted the portraits and in most cases, removed them altogether. There is no literal imagery, only interwoven swirls and shapes from Myers mind. A selected few of the bills are printed on 2x4 foot foamcore in order to force the audience to understand the graphic capabilities and the amount of work that goes into each dollar bill. The essentials remain on the currency; routing numbers, watermarks and the amount.
The opening reception takes place tonight at 7 PM and refreshments will be served. Josh will also be on hand to answer any questions and to further explain his research and development processes.
Note Worthy
Opening 7-9 PM; Free
Through Saturday, February 9th
Upton Hall Gallery 234
Buffalo State College
Gallery hours 9am-9pm
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| Peepshow 2008 |
| 2/5 by laura |
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We are into the stretch of winter when the skies are gray and the natives' outlooks are bleak. Valentines Day is around the corner, but for some Buffalo artists, love really is a drag - queen, that is. We're spending this Saturday in something sexy, getting slapped on the ass and enjoying the biggest love and sex party of the year. Squeaky Wheel is holding it's bi-annual Peepshow 08 at the historic Broadway Market.
This installation project is a benefit, but it is still R-rated, 18+ and not suggested for virgins, or, um, those with virgin eyes. The Broadway Market's booths have been refurbished by Patrick Robideau, artist and fabricator, in true peepshow fashion. One booth will be equipped with all the props for a Be Bo Peep photo shoot with local photographer, Nancy Parisi. Yet another, Relax On The Love Seat, is a couch, created by media artist Sean Hovendick, which releases sounds of pleasure and intimacy when sat upon. Guests can practice speed dating, make homemade chastity belts, and even take the stage in the meat market to have someone paint on their bodies while other watch through peep holes.
No peepshow would be complete without private screening booths. NYC based artist, Valerie Pawlowski has created a film that explores the ironic relationship between consumerism and the porn industry that utilizes food. A film based in Troy, NY, documents a love triangle between two women who love the same man, and there will even be a film created by legend, John Knecht. "Upper, is full of color and clowns and polka music; but it slides down the slope of debauchery and excess and ends up, once again, in hell," stated Knecht.
Guests do not have to grab their clothes and run when the art show is done. The party will congregate in the mess hall for a dance party lubricated by Brazilian jazz trio Don Metz, Heather Connor and Michael Colquhoun; guitar duo Nick Vega and Mike Golner, Mother Red and Handsome Jack.
We have more up our sleeve to reveal to you, dear readers, but isn't half the fun in stripping away the layers?
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| Controversial Artists |
| 2/6 by Matt |
All "controversial" artists have some type of message. This message is usually something you've heard before, either from a Christian conservative or maybe a man-hating dyke or animal rights activist, but never the less, a voice that is represented visually. The voice they speak is one that touches each of our nerves and the imagery is striking. In some cases their motivation is purely shock value to force you to run away crying. At other times the artists are asking you think about the concept with new eyes and consider the other side.
typically has one simple message and one simple image but that is what makes his work so striking. There is no extensive analysis, there is no artist statement. In most cases, Victore's work is humorous - which might take a slight edge off his work, but still the truth is quite obvious. "Graphic Design is a club with spikes and I want to weald it."
is by far the most interesting individual I have ever encountered. His earlier work speaks to the violent and perverse world of self-mutilation and gun usage. He also toys with the idea of the atom bomb and the destruction of humanity. Emerging in the early 60's, Arisman's work was controversial from the beginning. He was often known for his dark and mysterious spiritual powers as well as his psychic abilities. All of this has been the driving force behind much of his work. He has spent endless hours drawing what he sees as auras around spiritual figures and animals. Much like the late Francis Bacon, Arisman's work also uses the facial expressions of the beast from within to relay the human struggles.
was first noticed because of his Freeze exhibition in 1988. His second major installation where he utilized animals, A Thousand Years, consisted of a large glass case containing maggots and flies feeding off a rotting cow's head. He went on to create the infamous Sensation exhibit, which was part of the much celebrated Sacchi collection. During this exhibit, he explored the human and animal body with explicit detail, dissecting and discovering in a manner that had never been practiced before. All of his shows require attendants to be over 18.
is woman who has struggled with her own identity, and so interprets the identities of the figures she paints. She has spent several years studying the obese, deformed, rejected and outcast individuals of society. Saville uses an enormous canvas to display this grotesque imagery so that the paintings are unavoidable. Because some of the paintings are a collage of multiple figures, the imagery becomes a huge piled mass of cold and twisted flesh.
, is an illustrator and animal rights activist. She has spent the past several years researching and documenting slaughterhouses and stockyards. These drawings and paintings have come to culmination in her graphic novel "Dead Meat" which exploits the sufferings and injustices imposed on Mother Nature and it's creatures we take for granted. She continually creates imagery depicting a bleak and desolate earth that has been destroyed by humans. Not much of a heart warmer.
For more controversial art stories, check out the
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| Hacky Sacks And Slacks |
| 2/7 by laura |
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Sean Madden told me, during our interview, that he had met Mike Golner at a high school function. While Sean had prepared for the event meticulously - right down to the black platform boots, Mike managed to outdo him and show up in the most fantastic crushed velvet suit he had ever seen. Once the pair realized that they shared the same passion for all things off the beaten path, the rest was history.
Now, crushed velvet was not exactly what came to mind when I met Mike myself, I envisioned more of a dirty Nirvana t-shirt and acoustic guitar. But then I guess, that physically exemplifies how multifaceted Golner is. For one thing, he photographs these subdued beauties in architecture and natural structure and then hangs them at the Guerilla Gallery alongside Greg Sobczyk and Sean Madden. The man then turns towards most any musical instrument and can play with anyone in an improvisational fashion. Lastly, when he has me so curious that I am smitten with brain lust, I research his website to find that he can articulately use triple the amount of adjectives that I can, and half of the adjectives I have to look up in the dictionary.
Oh, and by the way, he will be on stage at this Saturday's Peepshow 2008 with Nick Vega. He states in his blog, "I feel a little bit ridiculous, because I'm bringing out this enormous amplifier, which seems incongruous with the whole concept of playing acoustic. The thing is a monster: 75 pounds, 350 watts, three speakers, it's a beast! But it makes that sweet Gretsch six string sound fantastic, and now having been so spoiled I suppose I'll just have to resolve myself to having to lug that stupid box around, boo hiss. People have been pretty helpful with carrying it, though." He has got to be one of the least pretentious and most inspired people that I know.
His photographs seem humane and divine simultaneously, regardless of the subject. A metal pipe rusts, recedes, transcends and then has the audacity to be more promiscuous than most Buffalonians. His music is not too far fetched; he jams alongside some local heavy hitters and is infamous in town for his makeshift instruments. For a day job, Mike is a geek, programmer, designer. But he has long, shaggy hair, a beautiful gothic girlfriend, a Nirvana t-shirt and is not scared to give passerby's the finger while he utilizes his mediums to make waves in the art industry. All hail to Mike who utilizes passive aggressive techniques to brush off the conformists who reside in the majority of the art community. We love you for it Mike, even if you are not showing us boobies.
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