Taryn Simon Lecture - Philadelphia

TARYN SIMON LECTURE - MARCH 3RD - 6:30PM College of Physicians of Philadelphia An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar: Taryn Simon, Guggenheim Fellow and Assignment Photographer for the New York Times Magazine presents slides from her most recent publication "Artist Taryn Simon assumes the dual role of shrewd informant and collector of curiosities, compiling an inventory of what lies hidden and out-of-view within the borders of the United States. She examines American culture through careful documentation of diverse subjects from the realms of science, government, medicine, entertainment, nature, security, and religion. Transforming the unknown into a seductive and intelligible form, Simon confronts the divide between those with and without the privilege of access. Her sometimes ethereal, sometimes foreboding compositions, shot with a large-format view camera over a four year period, vary as much as her subject matter, which ranges from radioactive capsules at a nuclear waste storage facility to live HIV and medical waste to a black bear in hibernation." For more information on Taryn Simon please go to www.tarynsimon.com Sponsored by the College’s Section on Medicine and the Arts. REGISTER FOR THE LECTURE HERE

Hi everybody

My name is Alex- I'm a Wilmington native but now live in San Francisco studying for my MFA. Michael was kind enough to extend me an invitation into the NWAA and asked if I might provide updates of my activities here in exchange.

I'm currently enrolled in the "Social Practice" program at the California College of the Arts. Socially engaged work has been around for decades but only recently been coined and institutionalized. These days I see the term "social practice" as sort of a catch-all for a lot of contemporary practices that have yet to be critically defined, or by nature resist categorization, so they get lumped together under this heading... generally, my peers and I work project based, engage the local environment through public interventions or community collaborations, are socially/ environmentally/ politically conscious, and/or focused on fostering "relations". Vague, I know... Conceptual art meets social activism? something along those lines...

I'm pretty excited about the possibility of returning to Wilmington and continuing my work there, and/or at least establishing a relationship with progressive arts organizations in my home town.

I don't have a website but here is a link to a somewhat recent article featuring a project of mine which may provide some insight into my interests.

The top image is a still from video documentation of an intervention I did in my current neighborhood in SF- the link above leads to an article for more details. The bottom left image is from a week long project realized abroad- a temporary community was established to live at the land, an independent art site and compound farm in northern Thailand. During the project, the use of money to obtain sustenance was prohibited; instead, participants fished, gathered, and foraged for food.

I look forward to being a member of this community and meeting you all in the future. For anyone that may be interested in contacting me for any reason, please don't hesitate- cheers!

NWAA Group Exhibition Opens at 4 West 5th Street, Friday, March 5th

4 West 5th Street, Wilmington, Delaware

NWAA member Gregg Morris at the Mezzanine Gallery

Puzzles
Will be on view from March 5 – 26, 2010

Opening Reception: Friday, Mar. 5
5:00pm - 8:00pm

The Mezzanine Gallery Carvel State Office Building, 2nd floor, 820 N. French St, Wilmington

We can learn from Friskies?

Yes, it's true. And any of you cynics out there already being skeptic of this post... it would be a shame if you didn't let things like this effect you or your practice in some way, even if just in spirit. At the very least what's here can be a refreshing dose of unapologetic art-making. This Friskies commercial is an artist statement we can all get behind. The lyrics, the imagery... it's a piece of art, no doubt about it. Watch.

***Please note that this link is HD and does not extend to full viewing size in the NWAA window. After starting the video, please click in the center of the video player to open it in YouTube so you can watch it best! Or follow this link: Friskies in HD***



"What if one little pop could open a world of wonder? So sensory, so satisfying, the discovery never seems to stop. A journey to delicious and beyond! Exciting your cat day and night with endless enchantment. It's the magic Friskies makes happen everyday in so many ways. Friskies - feed the senses."

The labor involved in the design, the color, the animals, the world. Everything here is addressed, nothing is missing. It's even in HD! So we can soak in every bit of wonder they've provided in visual clarity. I can't even begin to explain to people who don't own a cat how true this is, or how it seems cats are often or always in this world of wonder, especially with wet cat food. I am already taking notes on this thing and I'm wondering... who else is? Are there any NWAAers out there willing to take up the Friskies banner and learn from it like me?

Brand new pictures of the construction over at the Shipley Lofts!!!

NWAA teaches at DCAD, Register for these classes today!

Register at: http://www.dcadevents.com/


SCULPTURE: ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES
Course ID: FA0155
Instructor: Ron Longsdorf
Eight Sessions
Wednesday, 6 PM – 9 PM, February 17 – April 7
NON-CREDIT Tuition: $275/Lab Fee: $15; 2.6 CEUS

This course is an introduction to the fundamental aspects of creating sculpture, with an emphasis on the use of alternative practices such as mixed materials, found objects, and recycled materials in conjunction with traditional materials and processes. Concepts and applications of structural and spatial relationships will be explored along with a variety of materials, tools and construction techniques. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of forming and connecting various materials in a creative way. All tools and some materials will be provided; students may bring additional materials for their sculpture.
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ILLUSTRATION: BEYOND THE SKETCHBOOK
COURSE ID: FA0193
Instructor: Amanda Kamen
EIGHT SESSIONS
Wednesday, 6 PM – 9:15 PM, February 17 – April 7
NON-CREDIT Tuition: $375; 2.6 CEUS
CREDIT Tuition: $450; 1 Credit

Amanda Kamen brings her personal experiences to her illustrations, drawing from collections, observations, and conversations, ultimately demonstrating her view of the world with warmth and a sense of humor.
Students will develop creativity and imagery based on their personal narratives through drawing, with techniques that include graphite, colored pencil, ink, and whatever else is handy. This class is open to artists of all skill levels – life experiences are needed, but no drawing skill is required!
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URBAN EXPRESSIONISM: POP CULTURE AND URBAN ART
COURSE ID: FA0172
Instructor: Bradley Turner
EIGHT SESSIONS
Wednesday, 6:00 – 9:15 PM; February 17 – April 7
NON-CREDIT Tuition: $275/ Lab Fee $35; 2.6 CEUs

As self-expression and different mediums of art become more and more a part of our popular culture, this class will provide a practical application for urban art. While providing an emphasis on technique and historical references through documentary film and literature, this hands-on course will encompass the techniques of modern urban art. The course will feature a broad exploration and explanation of the facets of urban art along with a breakdown of the specific mediums and styles. The students will learn through hands-on demonstrations and explanations of color theory, composition and layout, hand styles, painting techniques, stencil cutting, wheat paste poster construction, mixed media collage, as well as a practical and sensible application of urban art in today’s society. Students will be guided through the creation of their own unique piece of art on a medium of their choice including wood panel or canvas.
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DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
COURSE ID: PH0014
Instructor: Catharine Maloney
EIGHT SESSIONS
Tuesday, 6 PM – 9:15 PM, February 16 – April 6
NON-CREDIT Tuition: $275; Lab Fee $35; 2.4 CEUS
CREDIT Tuition: $450; Lab Fee $35; 1 Credit

This course will help students make a portfolio of ten to twenty images documenting a subject of personal intrigue. Students will learn to photograph both interior and exterior situations, serious and lighthearted. During class we will examine the history of documentary photography from Mathew Brady’s pictures of the Civil War to cell phone snapshots. There will be one field trip and weekly critiques and discussions. An introductory digital or black and white photography course is required and students will need a 35mm Single Lens Reflex camera, digital or analogue.
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CUSTOMIZE YOUR KICKS
COURSE ID: FA0188
Instructor: Michael Kalmbach
ONE SESSION
Saturday, 12 PM – 4 PM, March 20
NON-CREDIT Tuition: $50; Lab fee: $10

In this one day workshop, students will learn the preparation and techniques that go into creating customized, hand-painted sneakers. Bring one pair of white sneakers (leather preferred), lots of individuality and ideas regarding preferred colors and designs, and learn the skills necessary to create your own, exclusive kicks.

Call for entries: Tyler Arboretum, NATURE'S ENCHANTMENT

Tyler Arboretum, located in Media, Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce an extension to the

Call For Entries invitation submission date for the 2010 major regional outdoor exhibition,

Nature’s Enchantment.

The Arboretum's exhibition celebrates magical and majestic spirits and beings of nature such as elves, faeries, sprites, gnomes, hobbits, green men, trolls, goblins, wizards, dragons and more. Explore ecology and sustainability with nature as your guide. Exhibits created by local artists, artisans, builders, designers and more , spin and twirl you through our centures-old sanctuary.

See below for complete details, in the downloadable,
Call For Entries PDF.
Proposals are due by 4pm on Monday, February 22nd.

Who’ll Design the New N.E.A. Logo? It Could Be You

Got something you want to express to Rocco Landesman and the National Endowment for the Arts — in a constructive, artistic way? Now’s your chance: on Monday, the N.E.A. and Mr. Landesman, its chairman, announced that they were seeking proposals for a new logo to represent the phrase “Art Works,” which Mr. Landesman has previously described as the agency’s “guiding mission.” In a statement Mr. Landesman said the logo, which will be used in print and online promotions, should represent the three meanings of the phrase: the creation of artists; the effect of art on audiences; and the contribution of artists to the economy. Proposals for the design must be submitted by email to the agency by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Feb. 26, and the selected proposal will receive a government grant of approximately $25,000. A complete list of instructions and requirements for submitting a proposal can be found here at the arts.gov Web site.