Goodbye Razr, Hello iPhone!

I ain’t too proud to beg, but by taking its name in vain, ‘I iPhone therefore I am‘. Actually, when it comes in gift form it’s all the more better. I mean, really, what’s an unemployed boy (er, right!) to do than to carry around the most advanced pocket technology on the planet? I had already given up to not being able to afford early adoptership rites, and then it came to me. Just like that. Well, it’s a lotta work actually, life and all. But all dually worth it. My friends Erik (Maine) and Bryan (Portland) had pined about their purchases days and weeks before, but I was up ’til the wee (not spelled wii) hours - syncing and playing, scrolling and touch-screening my heart out, ’til my eyes couldn’t keep up (zzzz). But, even in the morning, as I rub the sleep from those eyes, it wasn’t a dream, there it was to greet me, all sleek and shiny and mysterious! Thank you for the huge (though it rests compactly in my jeans) surprise Paul (Apple® aficionado extraordinaire). My old iPod Mini is jealous.

Get yours.

PS: After spending a portion of the afternoon with Hilary down at PNCA oogling some fantastic zoetropes at the Platform Festival events, my appetite was whet (see Bunny with an Art Blog for full details and her amazing photos of the work too!). We chased that with the opening of Ratatouille which, especially if you love food (and amazing animation), you will feel humbled by this fantastically funny ‘French’ farse of a film, Pixar has done it once again. I’m sated.

• • •

24 Hours Later: Still bedazzled by the sights and sounds…I’m learning the features slowly, surely, colorfully. It’s very intuitive with a lovely design, this phone. I’m a MacGeek at heart after all. I am an easy target of the wow factor of technology. Anyhow, I brought the internet in my pocket over to Tilt today to show Jenene and Josh - they seemed impressed. The things I hope for in future versions include some add-ons like iChat w/video and real-time chat, improvement to AT&T’s Edge Network and tricky pricing structure plan that added an extra $29 monthly to a Family Plan that already costs $109.99 (their lowest for this type of plan). It’s at a bit of a premium, but we’ll see how it goes. Paul noted no Spam filter on his email and that’s tricky as he gets hundreds daily, as well as the Weather icon is permantly fixed to 73 degrees (but it was a mere 61 outside). Speaking of temperatures, it does get slightly warmer than other phones in yer pocket - but with that much videoscreen real estate, and the fine clarity of picture, well, it won’t likely burn a literal hole, yet. I’m sure people will have lots to blog about, nit-picky and grande suggestions ahead - all to make future model improvements. But this one is mighty perty. Thanks for allowing me the etherspace to gloat on.

As the calendar tumbles flagrantly towards the hellfires of steamy July, you still have three days to see The Hook Up down at the New American Art Union. The gallery doors are open to the public eye Thursday through Sunday from Noon-6PM. Catch it while you can and don’t say you haven’t been forewarned. And today’s announcement beefs things up a bit.

PS: Don’t miss Eunice Parsons‘ show @ 12×16 Gallery (cool new Sellwood location).

< Jacqueline Ehlis‘ Glitters

ME, ME, ME!
Medium, please….

I am not really a public speaker. When Jesse Hayward asked if I would participate in a recent artist talk I politely declined, but planned to attend. Last week six of the eight artists that appear in The Hook Up (which closes this Sunday) spoke about their work, and I was one of them. As soon as I walked into the space I could ‘relate’ and while listening to a few folks speak (and watching a tiny spider hover down from the ceiling in front of me), decided I had something to say. So, with wound nerves I said my piece, completely improv. What I said rooted from an overwhelming sense of territory, personal frame of reference, and in response to the physicality of the space. Speaking also out of respect for the curator, and my new found gallery. Many, including myself, have noted that there are too few gallery talks in town, so I also figured if I didn’t participate I would become part of this void. I started by mentioning one of my favorite lines from my youth, which comes from a billboard along the Charles River (depicted). Brad Carlile shot us for his blog, and Port made mention today as well.

Pieced together by Kristan Kennedy. Won’t you please join us to celebrate the opening at Tilt Gallery + Project Space in the Everett Station Lofts on 1st Thursday on July 5th, 6-9PM. Otherwise, gallery hours are limited to Friday & Saturday from 12-5PM (and by appointment). Simply irresistible.

It’s been an incidental day out here on le net. Today I was added to the top of the list of new ‘buttheads’ at one of my favorite reads, Butt Magazine, a quarterly out of the Netherlands. You can call it ‘educational material’ or even ‘adult reading’ but(t) any way you slice it, though it doesn’t really have your typical centerfold slant, some may fall between the cracks. Proceed with caution kids. Last Summer, Issue 16 focused on the proudest bottoms in our region. This longterm mainstay of the ‘Think Pink’ set would make most YouTube™ addicts blush. Am I ready for my close up?

Flasher is a bit of a cultural clearinghouse. It features insightful interviews and stories on everything from trendy, offbeat musicians to Dada/Fluxus and other current events and wonderous gadgets.

…Catch it as Ultra casts it, before it swims away into the big blue Summer sky.

The Sarcastic Gamer cracks me up.

“Why don’t I just give up and submit to the great god of bland. All my exotic gestures, no longer in demand.” - Marc Almond

“Everyone has their own number in the system that we operate under.” - Tennant & Lowe

Calling all those who speak in tongues, cultural elite, naysayers, artistes, critics, innocent bystanders and even Monica Lewinsky if you are reading this…

If you are out n’ about today and have nothing better to do with your partly sunny sky filled afternoon, why not come on down to the haus of NAAU between 1-3PM? Today the artists of The Hook Up hash out the particulars of what makes this whole ball of wax tick. It could be an appetizer, lite fare, a blue light special or even a recipe for disaster. Artists talk, you can rest on your listening laurels or air it out alongside this cadre of culturistas. The New American Art Union is located at 922 SE Ankeny Street, diagonally behind the Doug Fir Lounge. Rumour has it that this discussion will be podcast to your easy chair (no further info at presstime).

Oh, and as for Elwood, that’s a whole other story.

• • •

POSTSCRIPT::
The talk was well attended and videotaped for an upcoming vodcast. Check the NAAU website for upcoming details as they emerge. A handful of us continued the conversation over Terminal IPA on the outdoor patio of Rontoms, a classy bar that also has Lambic on tap!!! Though doors from Doug Fir, this far appeals to my style, and it’s just around the corner from my studio and the gallery - woohoo. Imagine the minds of Scott Wayne Indiana, Liz Haley, Joe Thurston, Sean Healy, Erik Palmer, Jenene Nagy, Jesse Hayward and myself discussing everything from YouTube to diamond encrusted death to the Trailblazers and you have a mind-bending blend of chitter chatter. Toot toot, beep beep.

To lunch, or not to lunch? That is out of the question mister talking head (read at will). It is, however, food for thought to note the “connectedness” of the real candidates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). So many suits, so many bytes. I promise I won’t lose my lunch over this (yet).

But not exactly minute by minute….Aren’t these song titles?

SOL=SUN
Musing here as the days into nights grow longer and stronger, or at least today that’s our truth with the Summer Solstice upon us in all its dazzling regalia. This long day’s journey into night stretches light in real time like taffy.

What I mean to say is that this past week has been full with important tasks like preparing proposals and work for exhibition, pondering opportunities, and more menial shopping for fabrics at the Mill End Store (largest display of fabrics in America) for an upcoming photo shoot. I needed the ‘just-so’ satin, and they had it. In between I have had the pleasure of seeing friends from out of town and trying to catch up with those around me in between things. Today includes a visit to Quality Pictures to see Elizabeth Huey’s work (it was nice to meet her recently). Then a special studio visit + lunch, then out Booty crawling into the night (or will it be to Dante’s to see Shearwater?). And with these blue heated skies above it’s a bit of the old Summer shake n’ bake.

• • •

AFTERSHOCK
Viewing Huey’s work at Quality Pictures had me oogling at the way she renders trees with the startling super marbelized sheen you’d find on a bowling ball, and one perfect purple pearlized sky. The day was then re-fueled with a trip over to Albina Press for a perfect cup (CoffeeGeek says…).

Next I had the privilege to get a big sneak peak into the July show at QP, a new suite of paintings by Bryan Schellinger (none of which appear on the site) simply called New Work. The title is apropos for his area debut! For now I will remain mum until they are unveiled, but will say they continue with his practice of patterning a sense of contained, fractal, cordoned isolation through the use of line and mysterious/hidden color schemes. They musingly play with the surface mutations of flat space, ‘very cool’.

I’m such a foodie. A lovely late lunch consisted of a mixed green salad with thinly sliced, marinated porcini mushrooms that were slightly grilled with artichoke hearts and blueberries in a roasted shallot vinaigrette. The main course was seared halibut and scallops perfectly spiced lightly atop spring peas and tender fava beans, with a bright red pepper reduction. The sweet ending consisted of a slice of almond cake with fresh sliced strawberries and a peach-ginger granita. Hit that secret spot that unlocks a lot, perfect Summer fare. Thanks for the ultimate hospitality Mr B. Mmmmm all the way home!

Or, I should say - to the studio - where I continued towards the final days of completing my work for the upcoming show at Tilt in July. The Soft show is curated by Kristan Kennedy of PICA. The piece, Wer zweimal mit dem gleichen pennt gehört schon zum Establishment., was originally derived from a passage I read in a book by Wolfgang Flür and is quoted, out of context, from the free-thinkers who made up Kommune 1 in the late 60s. This piece sort of takes off from a former project I completed for Reed Arts Week 2004 called Same-Sex Matrix. This work in fabric, enamel and wax uses the same visual motif of a silhouetted Victorian bust in stark contrast, but monopolizes the puzzle-like orgy of shapes I originally developed for this project, making something more of a site-specific wall sculpture.

The evening led me around town with my friend David, starting at the super quiet Noir for a lite bite. The server was friendly and polite, if not a lil’ spacey. We both indulged, or should I say, made it through the tough Wasabi Tuna Grinder which was quite dry and the waiter admitted the heavy thick bread had perhaps been refridgerated too long prior to grilling, so the whole thing was a bit of a brick. And if you could find any semblance of wasabi swimming in there, good luck. The raspberry vinaigrette on my salad tasted like store-bought Marie’s with a grating corn syrupy aftertaste. Then we perused Old Town a bit, popping into some empty club playing dated industrial house, then stopped at the Someday Lounge where they featured a soul-playing DJ with actual records, and then to our destination, Dante’s. We could hear the show from outside and both agreed it sounded like a Southern twang watered down version of the Violent Femmes and opted to redirect ‘boys night out’ over the bridge to Acme for a night Booty-style.

LEMON LAW(less)
This style consisted of a gal DJ insisting on a watered down hip hop set which was undanceable, then after our bartender told us she didn’t have Meyer Lemons for the Meyer Lemon Drop (it’s the first day of Summer here!) she offered us the higher shelf vodka in lieu of this regretful void. David made some funny joke which had me spilling about 1/3 of the drink in my goatee and over the counter. A nearby woman saw me and laughed at me - it all seemed in slo-mo. The next DJ was on a different set of BPMs from the sounds coming from his selections which included popular 80s faves like Yello, Vanity 6, Sylvester and Rick James of all people. He didn’t really ever take off, but we managed to get on to the outdoor patio concrete dancefloor for the fun of it. Somewhere in the mix he had a good riff from one of the Crystal Method’s hits. The night was mixed, muddled, like the missing meyer lemons…

• • •
New E-List Sign-Up

For the first time in my ongoing career as an artist I am officially represented by a commercial gallery. I’ve managed to be independent for sixteen years since leaving school! There were lots of shifts, longterm projects and day jobs in between, and in that time my studio practice often suffered for the more practical and domestic needs and choices of life. But purposing vocation with occupation was something learned, not in the natural day-to-day dna.

IN THE HAUS: Of course, relationships like this are built over time and trust, a mutual relationship which forms with development, cooperative effort, change, nurturing. I have joined the preferred and methodically slow-growing roster of the New American Art Union. The architecturally welcoming space is physically set in the burgeoning CEAD Arts District (my studio is only a few short blocks away) and is also the most recent member addition to the Portland Art Dealers Association. Since 2004, Director Ruth Ann Brown has been incredibly generous to establish a gallery with very independent underpinnings and an impactful mission, assisting the launch of artists’ careers. The gallery has also been home to innovative outside projects such as Spare Room and Cinema Project further ingratiating me to this hybrid haus of media. In 2007 she dedicated much of her aesthetic real estate to a series of artist/curators to design theme-based shows, as well as showing in-house artists. Soon-to-be-announced - in 2008 NAAU brings about additional vibrant changes branching vastly from the traditional gallery model. The gallery blends a terrific mix of talented, emerging and established artists with wide-ranging sensabilities.

My first solo show in the space will take place in 2008 (tba). In the meantime you can currently see my work as part of The Hook Up, curated by artist Jesse Hayward, which includes seven other regional artists. The show is open Thursday through Sunday (12-6PM) through June 30. This marks my first time on view in the space after curating invisible.other back in April. It’s a dedicated creative space, a roof over my work.

- That the Ladd Carriage House was moved off-off Broadway today? It’s currently delicately balanced in the middle of the street across from Safeway, and in sixteen months, after the construction of a 20+ story apartment complex, will be moved back to it’s old location, across from the offices of The Oregonian. It’s so interesting to see this landmark up on a huge scaffolding on wheels. They even cut off big branches of trees on the Park Blocks to get it up the street. What a sight! Brad Carlile did an amazing job covering it.

- That Scott Wayne Indiana was in the LA Times recently and that Storm Tharp is featured in the current issue of Modern Painters with a wonderfully waxed poetic piece by Jon Raymond (who wrote Old Joy)? Did you know he is the brother of Camela Raymond who is the art editor at Portland Monthly? And furthermore, that Ethan Rose, whose new Singing Tower was just released, helped score the new Gus Van Sant film Paranoid Park which debuted at Cannes (taking home the 60th Anniversary Award)? And how about Cynthia Mosser…did you notice her recent accolades for her last show at Augen Gallery in ArtNews (April), penned by Richard Speer?

- That ‘controversial’ writer/critic Matthew Kangas was in Portland this weekend for a gallery run and museuming? We chatted about the Kehinde Wiley show, underground gay film directors of the 60s - Jack Smith/Kenneth Anger, SAM/PAM, Jeffry Mitchell and Brian Murphy and other art bears/gainers (it is pride weekend after all - did you know that?), artist/curators, visited Laura Russo (my very first time into the gallery actually). A chance meeting, lunch/studio visit, it was the first time we’ve met. Controversy aside, he is very funny and sharp-tongued about everything under the sun…

- Come August I will launch a brand-new monthly column called ‘+/-‘ dedicated to electronic, avant garde and melodic noise composition at Igloo Magazine?

- And, that a/v technology is exploding into the 21st Century?:

- Talk about sustenance! Did you know what was going on with artist Nancy Holt and her Sun Tunnels? Gabriel Liston sent me this story from New West (Did you know this site is owned and run by Maury Povich?).

Portland has grown up quite a bit, and made it a priority to perpetually use talent from within to break new ground as a cultural destination. Name dropping is one thing, but tuning into what’s happening nationwide, emanating from our longitude/latitude is a bit of history in the making.

Did you know? Well, though you may or may not have heard it here first, don’t say I didn’t tell you it was just so.

Today Port ran a review written by Arcy Douglass about The Hook Up at the New American Art Union through June 30. For those with curiously strong breadth, there will be an artist talk on June 23, 1-3PM at the gallery.

Other thoughts about the show have started to surface out there:
Bunny With An Art Blog
Brillo Box
Hargie.com
PNCA.edu

• • •
New E-List Sign-Up

In the past few weeks I have had some stellar opportunities to meet a range of interesting artists, colleagues and friends to discuss the creative process. Through co-studio visits and forums and private discussions over coffee certain themes repeat, retreat, and are recycled. There’s a language between creative people that undulates between secrecy (intellectual property/trade secrets) and disclosure (catalyzing concepts) that I find fascinating - and I am talking in first person here. The encoded depths of ideas that go into much of mine and my contemporaries work is always radically below the surface (embedded) yet peaking just above the skin of this axis when need be. It’s the conundrums and complexities we often bury for the active, sensitive, curious audience to dig up.

And just when I was about to shut the doors to burrow in my studio a while (after next month I have purposefully made no exhibition plans for the remainder of ‘07) I was asked a simple question. “How does an artist become well known?” Someone in the area is writing a well thought out piece on the subject - a terrific search for honest answers. This notion partly relates to the trajectory of fame which I have found often either created (out of self indulgence or a true fan base) or abhorred (and the disconnect perhaps makes you, the maker, more viable). Perhaps a combo of these qualities? Of course there are far-reaching approaches to this question, but simply it comes down to relationships, and passion. Someone accused (!?) me of being an “insider” a few weeks back. It knocked out most of my wind, being the independent I’ve chosen to be for so many years. They obviously haven’t mapped me (is that ever possible?). But as I blurted to a recent visitor, I AM READY (for new opportunities, for representation, for building new relationships, to consider residencies more seriously). It’s a great place to be, while navigating the ‘tweens of the paradox of life as an onion in its many emerging skins. Though when asked to describe myself I address that question as perhaps being a reluctant insider, a satellite, even a transplant (only because I like the prefix). Sure, going to the ‘right’ parties and wearing a plentitude of hats points all clicks in a direction, but if there’s no guts there’s no glory. Involvement is transparent if its only verbiage and no blood flow.

These large questions surge through and from me….leaving me somewhat tingly with a new hunger to investigate my deepest curiosities. So when I do seal off the entryway of my space it is only to enlist my committment to produce with an unyielding openness of experimentation. I know what I have to do and idealism is for the birds. I’ll leave you with some words to ponder.

• • •

INTEGRAL
(Tennant/Lowe)

If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here

Long live us
The persuaded we
Integral
Collectively
To the whole project
It’s brand new
Conceived solely
To protect you

One world
One reason
Unchanging
One season

If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here
You’ve had your chance
Now we’ve got the mandate
If you’ve changed your mind
I’m afraid it’s too late
We’re concerned
You’re a threat
You’re not integral
To the project

Sterile
Immaculate
Rational
Perfect

Everyone has
Their own number
In the system that
We operate under
We’re moving to
A situation
Where your lives exist
As information
One world
One life
One chance
One reason
All under
One sky
Unchanging
One season

What is our maximum occupancy?

The concept of creative capacity sort of baffles me, but as a community effort of gaging the potential of a city with so many creative folk and its concerns, the time is never better than right now to kick start something new. The effort of last night’s townhall forum shows, from the outset and by example (guest speakers) strengths and weaknesses in the universal, yet multilingal voice of today’s art community. The strategies of unlocking the potential of a growing community was posed as being in the best interest of those you may not usually “do business with” - structured within best political practices by example and pitfall. There was a slight “art for dummies” undertone here - but lots of passionate smarts exchanged in the open dialogue segment of the evening. Given the bubble flowchart distributed last night one could easily misconstrue this imperfect, overarching sense of splinteredness in what is perceived to be the various extensions of the creative community. In the macro-view of genres and subgenres of creatives what surfaces is the capturing of vast and inexplicable linkages to big business in this particular corporatized model. With fields as far-ranging as “grounds keepers” to “art supply stores” to “servers” one can’t help but try and fill in umpteen potential blanks…perhaps baristas (with our plethora of them) are also, in fact, “creatives”. This scope surely provided a barely leveled surprise to some in the crowd. Yet, in our current climate, which is dominated by corporate development, we are really continually rebuilding the old mold.

Commish Sam Adams held the first of a proposed series of citywide townhall forums (see PowerPoint presentation) on Portland’s growth in the marketplace, gathering a range of feedback from artists, educators, administrators and concerned citizens. What a good feeling to be in a room of people who sounded so passionate about their concerns and those of the broader ebb and flow of the culture herein. But words are airy without action. It may be seen as a “first step” - and I believe he is doing a good thing gathering up to nearly 300 people in the Gerding Theater last night to openly express problems and potential solutions. But to get there, as a community we really need to continue to rally for the necessary support of statewide efforts like the CHAMP reinvestment package reveiled only a short six or so weeks ago, still on the docket (get involved). Trickle down theory doesn’t really cut it in a climate where there is a growing number of artists and lesser opportunities, setting up a growing competitive nature within the arts, which is not generally customary for most natives.

There is work to do….Join us, or “go your own way”.

Igloo Magazine
captured my recent account
of the many
[mis]adventures + delights
found up North,
and a bit East of course
and off course,
at the heart of
the festival of choice
this past season…enjoy!

• • •
New E-List Sign-Up

It’s always interesting, pairing health and fitness, especially in the season where people tend to shed at least 50% of their wardrobe in public. Some have worked out and fought off the force of gravity (and Ben & Jerry’s) while others spent most of the last two seasons ‘winterizing’. I guess I sort of fall somewhere between. Partly because I am a sucker for amazing baked goods (particularly treats of the pie, cake and cookie variety). But watching smiling folk jog or ride past me on their new 18 speed with ripples and lesser curves challenges me. Mostly in a good way.

It’s a time to focus on health, getting back to the gym and eating fresh fruits and veggies in season. It’s so easy to just sit down to a heaping portion of gooey mac-n-cheese (oh, Montage!), but the old addage “you are what you eat” rings with truisms. So, as I entered Y2K7 I was a heavier 186#, today weighing in at 178 - for a loss of 8 pounds. Initially, doesn’t sound like a lot, but I feel the difference in the way my waist meets my Levi’s. And its easier to bend and move while working in the studio, from surface to surface. I think this is often underestimated…but my practice has me coming and going nearly every other day on average, and being fit of body helps with all the other levels of self.

Aside from using my paid-in-full gym membership, Paul devised a wonderful beta version of a calorie/nutrition counter that is akin to the style used by Weight Watchers, so you can look up your daily intakes and calculate your choices better. Yes, it’s a bit of extra fingering on the laptop, but it’s time and I love watching the progress. I have unannounced goals - but I’ll say a few years back (in ‘05) I managed to lose 40 pounds in the scope of seven months. This time around I have less than that to discard, but I’m going for it. And for those who love my love handles, get ready for a streamlined version of this year’s model.

Pow! It’s about color, spacial composition, wall-based work. It’s The Hook Up, now at the New American Art Union. It’s by far the most vivid show I have participated in. It pops. Artist Jesse Hayward has done a fine job pulling together strong visual links between some of the more focal artists in the area, with an installation that makes for another walkabout that is cleverly active and responds to space in a powerful way. Come by to see my new work and that of seven others through June 30th.

What they’re saying: Point / Counter-Point.

The Brillo Box, a new site I just discovered, released a review today.

Andrea Ayotte of the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto did a fantastic job photographing Mutek. The above image is of myself and Herman of Skoltz_Kolgen during our panel discussion. They just released a most beautiful limited edition box set called Silent Room. If you are interested in art boxes, this one may be of great interest.

A peak at the shirt of the moment.

Back on Oregon soil who knows what came over me but I decided to kick up my heels and become part of the patchwork that is MySpace. Stop by and check it out….