Are you tired of hearing about the Turrell exhibit at the Guggenheim? Are you sick of hearing people complain that it was anticlimactic, after waiting in line forever? Do you think people are silly for expecting the show NOT to be crowded? Of course you are. But it’s not Turrell’s fault and his work is still damn good. For some thoughtful text and even more amazing photos, go to Gwarlingo for a fair and balanced Turrell review. Or at least look at the photos.
Baltimore Citypaper is kicking some ass this week. Bret McCabe’s review of Asche to Amen at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum explores African-American artists as authors of their own history. The show, curated by MICA’s Leslie King-Hammond includes local favorites Joan Gaither and Lorning Cornish, as well as superstar artists like Romare Beardon, Aaron Douglas, and Jacob Lawrence. It sounds like a must-see. Additionally, Rebecca Scott Lord reviews James Bouché’s Not Yet In Ruin at Springsteen Gallery and sees things differently than I did. She takes a careful look at the show and presents a calculated argument, pro’s and con’s, for Bouché’s tightly structured process.
Why does the Walker Art Center have, like, a zillion different art blogs? Who has time to read all of them? And does the museum actually PAY all these bloggers to keep the things going??? It might be too good to be true. Read Walker blogs here. Post a comment and tell me what they said. I’m too busy blogging to read them right now.
STS – NEW YORK from Station to Station on Vimeo.
On the Road Again: Is this the future of art? Station to Station, aka Patti Smith and a raggle taggle band of roving artists and musicians (James Turrell, Ryan Trecartin, Cat Power, etc.) will be performing together to raise money for Levis jeans. And to raise awareness for public art. Sadly this train is skipping Baltimore and heading, from New York to Pittsburgh, and then to Chicago, and then out west. Bummer for us. Station to Station website: http://stationtostation.com/location/new-york/.
For all you Towson artists, good news: The Baltimore Sun reports that the Towson Arts Collective’s just moved to a new bigger space! The nonprofit art gallery will be able to host bigger, and ostensibly better, shows in the former Kinkos space. Good for them. I just wish they were closer to Trader Joe’s.
Heading to New York? It’s back-to-art season, full of Important Artists and Important shows. If you’re going, Art F City can give you a the pro list of what to see. And even if you’re not, aren’t you even a little bit curious?
At The Brooklyn Rail, Carter Ratcliff asks, What is Art – and Why Even Ask? The notable critic acknowledges that he has advocated his own definition of art for decades: while decoration and illustrations are ‘exhaustible,’ in terms of interpretation, art is not. “You get the point of a decorative image or scheme and that is the end of it,” he proclaimed. Ratcliff explores his own change of heart, and the power of wrestling with uncertainty, and, while not earth-shattering, it’s a terrific reminder to all of us who want to see things in a fresh and unfettered way.
One last, delicious tidbit for you: Joy Kills Sorrow singing ‘One More Time.’ For those lucky enough to see them perform last night at The Wagon Shed in New Freedom, or watch the concert via live streaming, you know what I’m talking about: Percussive mandolin, an upright base, sweet girl-girl harmonies, and a lead singer with a voice like velvet. Oh, and did I mention dinner is potluck-style at The Shed? Amazing.
*The Sunday Reading List is put together by Cara Ober, Editor of Bmoreart. If you have a link you’d like to share, send it to [email protected].
