INSIDE/OUT JOKE: This year is the first in a half-dozen years where I am not entertaining a “best of” list of any sort. I used to compile the ‘ten best recordings of the year’ for several publications, and a massive overview of the arts scene in the Pacific Northwest. This year I rather ogle new blood (n’ other sources), like the funny offering above, coming from Regina Hackett’s always spiced Art To Go (one of only a handful of blogs I read on a semi-regular basis). I really appreciate the humor here as well, as my compadre Scott Wayne Indiana said recently too me, we need more of it in the art world in general - I couldn’t agree more. The above may be a Seattle ‘in joke’ - but from my perspective, after this year’s selection in the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards, the artist here has been at least somewhat dutifully honored in ‘08, and his work (great stuff by the way) was featured in PICA’s TBA Festival too.
TEMPERATURE’S RISIN’: The Portland Mercury took the time to point out A Year In Review, and I align with at least three of Mr. Motley’s seven strongest highlights and observations. Of course, on their yellow brick road (+ great new disc) Antony + the Johnsons stole TBA this year.
AUTO-ACCOLADES: Over at Port, a local art blog serving “art geeks and the cognoscenti”, prove to never be too shy to roll their own credits. In 2008 they wonderfully managed to cover all ‘Couture‘ exhibitions except one, and still manage to keep their right hand column intact.
TIMPANI, PLEASE: Which leads me to feeling somewhat “vindicated” (very unlike Susan Lucci), by Willamette Week naming my Infinitus “Best Installation of 2008“. Though I can’t really coo with the same subtlety, in the words of a fallen disco diva, “I feel love”.
Should auld acquantaince be forgot?:
As 2009 looms brightly I’ve made some interesting observations. I’m excited that next year we will induct our 44th president (one who actually smiles) in the year that I turn the same number of years young. Over the coming months I am involved in two exhibitions, one here and one elsewhere, and have two speaking engagements at PSU and PAM. It’s the first time in my life that I am seriously contemplating grad school, and by year end will get back to New England for the first time since ‘06, more twos. In ‘09 I will have lived in the state of Oregon for eight years, so more even numbers (good for Libra). Ultimately, the belt’s been extremely tight around my search for quality employment in a satisfying field, even outside the periphery. Instead I have decided to continue to do two things that bring me a sense of calm, and balance: consolidate my world posessions and read. I had the pleasure of serving on my first RACC panel this year, and completed a wonderful residency at Caldera back in February. Two friends suggested books, so I hopped online and bought both The Gift by Lewis Hyde (thanks Paul) and On Seeing by F. Gonzalez-Crussi (thanks Chas). At year end I offer no “Best Of” list - and I met a goal weighing in at a net annual loss 13#. I’m about to embark on a new body of work that keeps me somewhat sequestered in the studio, making something of a foreign cousin to the classic still life. 2008 was a melange of things, and the new year, from the outset, already hints at surpassing what’s been kickstarted thusfar. Happy New Year everybody!
After hearing of the death of Eartha Kitt on Christmas Day there was something special about this holiday in a passing glint of light. She was indeed the living legend who crooned ‘Santa Baby’ among many other favorites. Having had the true pleasure of seeing her perform live thrice in various style venues, I was honored to meet her face-to-face when she was in Portland in ‘02, she autographed my Bear Family Box Set with a sense of candor and openness, a true lady of class and style. In one show (circa mid 80s) she danced with high Rockettes-style kicks, bountiful laughter, she was raucous (and even within the age of retirement). I’ll never forget a show I attended with my friend Charlie at Sculler’s where she punctuated nearly every song with laughter. Her show was full of charm, and like her infamous portrayal of Catwoman, she seemed to have as many lives, though she leaves this one at 81 years young as she may have said. The loss of Kitt brought to mind the many that have passed of late, those who made us smile, laugh, think and wonder, maybe even self-edit or question reality at times. Every annum I reflect on the twelve months recently served and how it shape-shifts the greater community of working artists. Many changes this past year as we lost some true greats - peers, mentors, spirits having flown. Some we’ve met, or learned from, influences or collaborators, their memory lives on…
* * *
George Brecht
Harold Pinter
Robert Rauschenberg
Freddie Hubbard
Sam Bottoms
Odetta
Paul Newman
Bo Diddley
Henri Chopin
Miriam Makeba
Roy Scheider
Heath Ledger
Nagi Noda
Robert Hazard
Bruce Conner
Michael Crichton
James E. Jones
Robert Graham
Henning Christiansen
Studs Terkel
Levi Stubbs
Willoughby Sharp
Bettie Page
Adam Nodelman
Richard Wright
Suzanne Pleshette
Mario Schiano
Charleton Heston
Isaac Hayes
George Carlin
Paul Benedict
Terry Toedtemeier
Estelle Getty
Yma Sumac
Eartha Kitt
OK, as I always say, it’s another “Portland Moment”! So, we broke some record from 1968. Now, let’s prove our weight in gold, er, white I guess. While it’s easy to gloss over all that’s under our feet, it’s tackle time! The City That Works, in the words of a tall black ’supermodel’, You Better Work! This winter wonderland is slow-churning, turning into a gloppy, big bad mess! If more people could wield a 9″ stiletto the world might be a better place through the thick of things like this, but some have long ago hung their heels to dry.
Without getting too high on a soapbox, just a few observances about this waning storm. Yes, it was a white Christmas for the most part, but now we have a sorta sludge-slush aftermath, and ruts to deal with. Most side streets have not at all been plowed, some not even traveled for several days, you can see the cars that haven’t been moved since the first snow wave hit over four days ago. The blogs (this one is slightly bitchy but the more power to ‘em) are chock-full of people with questions (and complaints) about whose responsibility it is for snow removal, and yes, I even mentioned it the other day, but again - safety is the main concern here. And by now, most people have seen the infamous YouTube vids as featured on “Bruce and Tina“. As a pedestrian I trekked today over parts of Northeast Portland, with its many side streets cluttered by 8″ thick waves of dirty icy snow, pretty much impassible by human feet unless you have those knee-high galoshes from the 70s. Dave Knows made me laugh. The mushy sidewalks, even right nearby the Max are not cleared, no salt, no de-icer for people to walk on, just uneven impacted snow, melting in parts to mush. Are those ‘required’ chains any good for open roads even after most highways and main drags are clear? Where to walk? Who’s responsible to clean it up?
For some, unlike the record broken, it’s a broken record. “The city has spent 1000s, millions on cleanup and we have nothing to show for it”. The questions roll in. What are the liabilities? How many accidents could be prevented? Is the city disabled?….And the converse: The blaming finger pointing squarely at the lazy gits for not perhaps taking a day off from the mallrat walk down at the Lloyd and perhaps instead finding a real way of earning some extra cash asking people if they need their walkway shoveled for a tenner. Is the art of valiant streetwise entrepreneurialism dead in the twenty-first century?
The papers are talking back too. I found this bit on Oregonlive, and some more facts at the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Even the NYTimes got in on our action. Did you know that in some parts of the country businesses, and even residents get fined if they do not remove snow from their property and sidewalks within a reasonable period of time (often 48 hours). Extensions are provided if ice is involved, but a basis for cleaning up the mess is standard preventing being further buried, or flood damage. Property owners in some neighborhoods do take pride, but on a long walk down Halsey, of the near 100 houses I passed a mere one single family home had shoveled around their perimeter and dropped some of those lil white de-icing pellets which make it easier to walk on (hmmm, progress). The temps over the last two days have been commensurate with some serious shoveling and snow blowing action, of which I didn’t spy any in my travels. But I could only get around on a limited basis, wherever my feet and Max would lead, but it was a messy mix, especially being splashed by an oncoming car with slushy debris. I know, go and build a tall snowman! This lady tells it like it is:
Of all the pieces I read, this one by Michael Milstein was the most practical of all (get out there, people!). Just read this about garbage courtesy of KTVL (peee-ewww)! I could appreciate Sam Adams appeal seen in the Tribune. I saw one newscast with Nick Fish out in the thick of it driving around in his lil’ Celica I think, he seemed a bit fearless about what to do, and he was tending to people in need at the time, it was nice to watch him take action. But words need to translate into laws before a weather-slacker population takes heed. I sound like that online guy who complains about everything, but I assure you its me, and I just am ‘over it’ - trying to trudge that is. Jen caught the beauty of it all out near Alberta Street:
Dear reader - mind you it is heartwarming to hear the positive effects such as this one at “Starting Over in the Rose City” - I’m getting down and real…so, any thoughts, or should I just look in the opposite direction (to the South) and let this blow over? Maybe I just need a vacation, Palm Springs sounds nice about now….This guy has the spirit (or maybe that’s called loco):
WELCOME WINTER: It’s only the first full day of Winter and it’s showing its true colors, WHITE! We tried to get some corn for poppin’…for a movie that is! But the weather has seemingly incapacited the City of Portland. It was like a glass bubble out there.
OK, so this is a record storm in this century. Some might say ‘freak storm’, etc. It’s been over eight years and 3K+ miles since I have seen this much of the real thing on the ground, and at first it seems like a blanket of holiday magic. Then thoughts of safety and travel dance like sugarplums for me. It’s nice to have the ambient sound barrier created by the falling bits, and how it slows things down to a snail’s pace. The other thing that sets in, of course, is cabin fever, however, I’ve been under the weather as of late so I’ve been in most of the past week. Watch out for broken chains, intermittent electricity because of downed power lines and all the typical dangers that come from the deep freeze….It made for a nice walk down Peacock Lane, however!
Keep warm, bake bread!
Photos:
(top) Mike + Doug Starn
(bottom) Rob Baxter
So, another year has slipped by and the holidays are upon us once again. And with an imminent recession who thinks of shopping for dust collectors in this time of need? Museum and gallery closures are predicted over the coming few years, but let’s keep hope alive especially with an incoming prez who seems to want to make right for those who have less now than ever before.
You could remain in the background, or rest between the sheets, but no, you are a smart cookie, a concerned cultural advocate wanting to see real change. Over the last few years I’ve tried to take my turn at bat, donating to all sorts of very worthy causes, including wielding a less-than-poison pen, and generally causing some distorted brows, and perhaps a Mona Lisa smile in the crowd. But I’ve kept unBlogged (and other pursuits) in the community’s minds eye. I’ve the psycho/social fuel to carry on. But fueling the bank is hapless these days (ask me for details if you don’t already know the whole story). This holiday season and into the new year, consider clicking below to keep me busy, and typing away just so.
Anything helps really, but when considering economies (cultural, social, trade-based, other), note that I certainly have not relied on any form of advertising dollars (check my sidebar). If you are reading this, even if a first-timer here, together we somehow effectively enrich each other, even if within a split-second passing afterthought. That fleeting reality understood, it is an honor to effectively journal the interesting, gorgeous, obtuse, and downright fringe happenings all around me. Perhaps it’s not always the headliners, or even one liners, just know that with me I’ll dig up the most interesting among us, those who always find their way between the lines. With newspapers sadly losing status, we are simply left with each other to culturally fend for ourselves, out here on the world wild web. Though I can’t see you, know I am very thankful to have your loyal (or passing) readership. If you consider that click wisely I’ll thank you publically here - or politely keep it as discrete and anonymous as you request. Operators are standing by as it’s easy with PayPal, you just click on my twin heads above (that’s my good side, and the other cheek).
It’s About Time (& Place) W/Out Borders: This ain’t no advent calendar, white elephant handout. As an incentive, for a limited time only, I plan on sending up to the first 20 who respond with a donation of $25 (or more) a limited edition small piece that will be made for this sole purpose. Help keep my roof and know you will become a star atop my lil’ tree.
MAKE IT BRIGHT: It was fantastic to see The Nines Hotel for the first time last night. While strolling downtown in the passing snow it was a quick detour to the 8th floor above Macy’s. When the elevator doors part you are immediately engaged in an eyeful of warm yet eclectic design, deep tones and brilliant colors. From the rich wallpapers and draperies and the carpeting, bright paint and furnishings, there were so many surprises around every turn. Chaise lounges, chandeliers, separate rooms of glass, grande ballrooms surrounded in sightlines of long corridors and opulent heights in the lovely atrium. The whole place brings a whole lot of modern cosmopolitan to our fair city, appealing to those who are both laid back and fast-paced somehow through its variable components.
It was nice to be greeted by a monolith glass work, both front and back, in purplish ovals by Ellen George. With much gratitude to Paige Powell and team, throughout you will spy some powerful pieces by Brendan Clenagen, Hap Tivey, Philip Iosca, Matt McCormick, Yoshi Katai, Storm Tharp and others. Melody Owens’ three story glass light totem is the color of an igloo at dusk, just stunning as you descend a staircase of white marble. Sean Healy’s piece in the front lobby is comprised of large bobbly bling-like gems with a cameo etched upon a black ground. With the accompanying showroom dummies its a sly, disorienting sight to behold. The main restaurant is steakhouse Urban Farmer, is a contemporary set-up that looks like a hotel restaurant in Vegas or Palm Springs, although the menu didn’t boast a single vegetarian main course (lunch time offers good looking salads, however). The hotel is a marvel to behold from any angle, almost over the top but just restrained enough, and a great new asset to the visual arts hereabouts with one of the instantly largest new collections viewable by the public.
SEVENTH HEAVEN: There is nothing more interesting than the human face, don’t you agree? So much depth and passion, pride and self-consciousness, fire and ice. I guess I am posing another contest. Do you love faces as much as I do? If you can guess each famous entertainer behind the mugshots above, before December 15th, you will receive a special prize.
For all the visually inclined, I was surprised not to even get a stab at these, however, I try to hold nothing back, like the identities of these fine, rare faces….
START THE PRESSES: Today in Portland the printing press comes to life with Prints for PICA, now in its 6th year! For the first time in three years I will sit this one out as I am working, but there’s every reason to stop by and support the organization that in turn gives you the TBA Festival. Taking place at TodayArt Studios, the home of my former studio (now housing Joe Thurston), some great artists are involved and its open to the public to purchase prints for a zany budget price of only $100 and $250. Here was my post about last year’s event.
Terry Toedtemeier, Portland’s preeminent proponent of all things photography passed away last evening after presenting a lecture. The earnest and gentlemanly soft spoken nature photographer and curator laid the foundation for the current Wild Beautyexhibition. Life can be as fleeting as the click of a shutter, and after just having seen him at Steve Schapiro’s talk a week or so ago, he was as full of life as ever. Toedtemeier is survived by his wife of several years, writer and teacher Prudence Roberts. As the Curator of Photography at the Portland Art Museum for the last 25 years he also helped co-found Blue Sky Gallery, and like myself was active with the Advisory Board of Newspace Center for Photography and elsewhere. For 17 years he taught at PNCA. In many ways it can be said that the intimate power of the region’s photography community was doubly fortified by his life’s work. In Portland, his work is represented by PDX. He will be greatly missed. Take a moment to engage his amazing spirit of the Northwest today.
[top to bottom]
Mike & Doug Starn
Elmgreen & Dragset
Miller & Shellabarger
Gilbert & George
McDermott & McGough
Dolce & Gabbana
Cagney & Lacey
I’m a big fan of the collaboration, and have enjoyed the esoteric innuendo of McDermott & McGough as much as the cheeze-whiz that once was Shields & Yarnell. But what makes these long-term combos work? In music you got the Pet Shop Boys and Daft Punk, and used to have the Capt. & Tennille, Donny & Marie and Hall & Oates, in film there’s the Brothers Quay and the Kuchars, and on and on. Some siblings, some lovers or friends, some exclusively professional relationships. Anyone who has worked together artistically knows the challenges, the compromise. Sometimes I wish I could wiretap the thoughts of those I’ve worked with while the creative process is in full bloom. Could you imagine what Warhol and Jack Smith were thinking when they made Batman/Dracula together? Incidentally that film, though thought to have been lost has been recently solely credited to Warhol, which brings up the whole subject of intellectual property.
Collaborator Scott Wayne Indiana and I certainly had a lengthy discussion about this when we collaborated on M_US__EUM back in mid ‘07. Though the collab literally started on a bar room napkin it’s been published in a book distributed worldwide, been collected by a prestigous dealer and will be showcased alongside artists Gregory Crewdson and Gordon Matta-Clark in an exhibition early next year. Perhaps what draws collaborators together is what talents or knowledge each person brings to the table, perhaps its by chance, or personality. Either which way is up, I hope more of these types of dynamic duos continue to emerge and shake the tree.
Produced in Portland and less than a month old,Mrs. P with Kathy Kinney (remember the Drew Carey Show?) has been successfully launched after a few years in development. This is a really fun new site filled with stories for kids that include interactive classic literature. It’s free and will keep you clicking, listening and amused for hours. The timing is perfectly matched for the holiday season when families are more often together. Games, stories, contests and much more coming soon….Makes reading quite web 2.0 cool.
Jack Smith was legendary in his own time, to the performers and other artists in and outside of the circle he cast. Even Warhol clearly nodded in his direction, and then by some means re-contextualized what he learned into his own work. His constant battle with Lithuanian-born filmmaker cum curator Jonas Mekas was the bain of his existence after his only complete work was banned. Smith blamed Mekas for stealing his thunder and filling his pockets - a historically important time given the power of the pen which could easily have been a tragic annotated erasure, but instead became a weighty reverse critical dialogue between two creative minds. I will not soon forget Flaming Creatures (1963)….
I find much in common with Jack Smith’s philosophies about social structure, art museums in general and the never-ending process of the process. Being an artist means having to sometimes be misunderstood for your vision, sometimes not giving every last detail away, and then perhaps in time others will catch up. Smith lovingly referred to this as ‘baroque’. And I couldn’t agree more. There’s a lushness all over, like just being wet and naked after a shower and feeling a chilly draft writhing through your apartment. A moment of reality. In Smith’s case, obviously, there are many still influenced by his approach and encouraged by his perverse inner-mission - to protect the essence of all that is within its freedom of choice, and our own pursuit of exploring the depths and heights of personal experience.
Mary Jordan’s documentary has been released on DVD and it’s a rare glimpse into this man’s life, filled with clips and talking heads. It was just plain coincidence that both John Waters and Nayland Blake’s mugs appear in the film - immediately after having recently worked with each of them. This new film called Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis is worth every one of its 95 minutes (along with telling bonuses too). I enjoyed what Penny Arcade (BITCH!DYKE!FAGHAG!WHORE!) had to say about this infamous filmmaker.
NINE INCH NAILS: Back in Cleveland in ‘88 Trent Reznor founded the band simply known to many as NIN. To celebrate their decades of music-making, and after eight full length releases, the once ‘alternative’ band hit Portland tonight with an explosive lightshow to a thrashing, grinding barrage of testosterone-fueled industro-rock. It was deep dark and brooding and they played on a host of incredible special effects via video feeds that often used the motif of white noise with technical difficulties. There were also quieter multi-instrumental interludes with vibes and uprights that swayed the crowd through a shift in moodiness. They played from their entire catalogue and the nearly 6000 fans were riveted for the entire two-hour live performance. A wafting herbal scent perfumed the air throughout, and opening act The Bug was a DJ plus singer with a Carribbean hip-hop meets experimental noise thing going on. I’m one of those people who owned Pretty Hate Machine upon release (circa ‘89) but lost track of the band after Y2K. Perhaps they’re a vintage with an edge that can be both sharp, yet palpable. Check back later.
Last night I witnessed something special for the holiday season - wonderfully colorful, and furry! The Portland Winterhawks held their annual Teddy Bear Toss and it drew over 7500 people to the Memorial Colliseum. It was beautiful! There were so many they had to have voluteers from the Army to help stack them into giant bins. I must have gotten hit by at least four dozen bears as they flew above my head. My black clothes were covered in multicolored fake fur. I’ve historically been involved in similar events, but this was by and large the most toy animals I’ve seen in one place at one time. Though the Hawks didn’t win the game the spirit is in the air as 23,000 stuffed critters will be delivered by the players to area children’s programs over the coming weeks.
