Saturday Excursion: The Chelsea Galleries

Saturday was met with much anticipation.

The Friday NY Times Art events section highlighted an art installation by an illustrator named TABAIMO who was showing a large scale animation that spanned three walls. The aptly named “public conVENience,” (Ven being the Japanese word for public) takes place in a womans public bathroom.

I headed to Chelsea without knowing the exact address of the Tabaimo exhibition. En route I stopped in at a Chinese restaurant for lunch, and sat next to former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.

There were so many excellent exhibitions.
I stopped off at the Tria Gallery for the Francine Tint Exhibition. I loved the way the paint was spread over the canvas. There is nothing so decadent as acrylic paint being spread across a canvas with a enough paint to cover a large cement trowel. The colors swirled so many different ways, I was dizzy.

I met a lot of great people
I met a lot of great art

I met Susan Kraft, an artist from Cali who has a space across from Deb S. Wade from the First Street Gallery. I paid a visit to the Monkdogz Urban Art gallery in the same building. Susan , an excellent networker, introduced me to Lou Patrou, who recently showed his work a Monkdogz. I met him while taking in the emotive art of Jeran Won.

There was the cutest little gallery called the alcove. Its literally a corner in the same building. I couldn't imagine what the rent is. The art was excellent, and intuitive.

I was offered a libation @ the Serrano Contemporary Sonnet Gallery, and took an elevator with Xanda McCagg, A talented artist who also gives art tours.

Only in Chelsea, right!?!

The two "Holy Cow!!" moments came from my visits to the Tony Shafrazi Gallery for the Four Friends show & The Lehmann Maupin Gallery for the Ashley Bickerton Exhibition.

The Four Friends focused on the timeless works by four artist: JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, KEITH HARING, DONALD BAECHLER & KENNY SCHARF. The shear size of the pieces were amazing. it was my second experience with Kenny Scharf's art. I had the pleasure of working with him for a day and I must say that his pieces are completely enrapturing. Through the years, i see an evolution in Kenny's art. I can't wait to see his next exhibition.

Ashley Bickerton's Fiji Dreams

From afar, it could be mistaken as a staged framed photograph. The closer you get, the more you realize what it is like to bask in the glow of genius. The vibrant, colorful, & evocative canvas prints, were only part of the presentation. The frame itself was 1 foot thick with inlaid pieces and crafted bas relief bowls manning the corners. Pervading the frames were sanded holes, which invoked a "Swiss Cheese" effect on the very large natural wood frames. Each one of the several pieces displayed were jarring.

What a day.
Chelsea was electric. A fully charged art environment.
It is a good time to be involved in the arts.

TONIGHT!!!! Roxy Sciarone @ The Classic Quiche Cafe

Growing up in Teaneck, NJ was a blast.

I had some good friends, like Mike & Sean.

While I no longer speak to them (And part of me wishes that I could rekindle a friendship), I take solace in the fact that some of their family members speak to me.

Tonight, Roxy Sciarone, fresh from her solo performance @ the Apollo Theater will be performing @ her parents restaurant, called The Classic Quiche Cafe.

I really don't know who or what to expect tonight. I have mad history in Teaneck. Most of my memories are filled with love and light. Where there is light, one will always find shadows.

I have made up my mind to attend tonights event in proper form.
The proper presentation and mindset will allow love to flow.
Flow from, to and between all attendees.

Good Luck Roxy!

The Chemicals Between Us

This is my first post on an official blog that will chart the changes being made for the upcoming show @ 4th & Jackson. The show is set to take place on Saturday, May 31st. Laura Desantis-Olson, photographer, will be the
featured artist. The show's focus will be on bringing Laura's special brand
of art to the masses. Along with other talents we hope to have present,
this promises to be a creative and entertaining event for all.

Laura is an amazing photographer. She has garnered much interest over the
years through her thoughtful portraiture and live show photography. For
examples of her work, please visit www.ldophoto.net.

At 4th & Jackson, the walls are currently being used to house art that was
left from The Hudson County Art SLAM on March 7th. Friends will be invited
sometime soon to assist in the spackling and spot painting that comes with
the change over between shows.

This is an exciting time with many creative decisions yet to be made on
conducting the time-flow of the space.

Some of these decisions include:

• How many artists to host during each show?
• How often do the shows revolve?
• What kind of intermission is there between shows?
• Who creates the flyer?
• Where is the room for growth?

That's just off the top of the dome. I'm excited to have art present in my
life to this degree.

To be surrounded by art at all times is a blessing. There is so much talent
here. THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN TO THE EXPERIENCE.