3.30.2007

Juxtapoz shows ATL some love...

Juxtapoz is an art magazine/blog based out of San Francisco that focuses on lowbrow, pop surrealist, and local art/culture. I'm a huge fan and often look to Juxtapoz as a model for what I'm trying to do on ThoughtMarker. Occasionally they venture into our neck of the woods and find something in Atlanta worth posting. Check out this post from the latest show at Get This! Gallery over in Castleberry Hill.

3.29.2007

Group Show at Old Mattress Factory




Funds raised go towards the production of a documentary about Atlanta, "City in Mind", and the show is curated by one of my favorite local artists, Stephanie Howard.

3.28.2007

Call for Animation


Animation Attack is accepting submissions for its first ever animation festival here in Atlanta. It will take place from July 12-14th and will include screenings, demos, discussions and more. For more information or to submit animation check out the Animation Attack website.

3.26.2007

TM vs CL about Foundation One's Latest Show

As an obsessive observer of Atlanta's underground art scene and a loyal fan of Foundation One Studios, I felt it necessary to respond to Creative Loafing's review of Foundation One's latest show "Between the Lines." Felicia Feaster has always provided excellent commentary on the art world and her views often reflect my own. That is why I found it so interesting that I could disagree with her at nearly every turn in her response to the show.

Her descriptions of the work are dead on, and very well versed:
"[Zack] Johnsen's work seems very much a product of the artist's New York reality and city life's claustrophobia. His work can be incredibly misanthropic, though that misanthropy can range from disgust at humanity's moral failings to a sadder, defeated anguish. He paints, draws and has created an installation piece in wood for the show, but it doesn't take long to figure out that Johnsen's greatest interest and skill lies in his watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings." And then we start to disagree.
"There is a tension in the work between the immaturity of many of those Star Wars cantina-style forms and the maturity of Johnsen's social commentary." Perhaps, but I don't find this as so much of a downfall as just a result of his style, which I believe is quite compatible with his content.
"...you get the sense that some of Johnsen's more cartoony shapes, with their one-note monstrosity, are holding him back, catching him up in a gimmicky expression of worldly vice and squalor." I don't read his work as gimmicky at all. His loose, figurative technique shows more talent than style and narrates as if illustrating a cynical, state of the world children's book.

Charlie Owens, a local artist (Johnsen is from Brooklyn), receives even less praise. Again, the descriptions are excellent:
"...so entrenched in his own graphic obsessions that he can feel like the 2007, skate-culture answer to the babe-obsessed Patrick Nagel." Good call. But then Felicia goes on to say:
"Owens' primary obsessions are street-savvy vixens, many executed on skateboard decks with come-hither almond eyes, bared navels, tattoos and skull belt buckles. In contrast, his big-eyed, stout, Sunday-funnies-style men are lumpy losers." I will agree that the majority of his work seems a bit formulaic, but I would shy away from using three forms of the word obsession over the course of two sentences. Slick depictions of Suicide Girls along with paint splatter on skate deck canvases may describe nearly half of his pieces. But then his style overflows onto a large scale installation including a table and chair set and oversized cut-outs. And she fails to mention the dripping paint, gun to the head masterpiece, my pick for the show.
"Owens could stand to get something wittier and more self-aware into his mix of sex and violence." I like to compare Charlie Owens' work to a good action movie. It may appear to be mostly style, but its taken to a place where the aesthetics are all that matter. The images are presented with a comfortable creativity, and such commitment that it makes for a very exciting ride. Its the kind of movie that I love if I'm seeing it for the first time, but would only want to see the sequel if it brought in some new themes and fresh imagery.

I take back what I said about the use of the word obsession, but I do think that in the art world, obsession is usually good. As for one other comment in the review:
"Foundation's latest, Between the Lines, therefore is a bit of a disappointment for an art space whose last show, of local artists John Tindel and Michi, was a great, pulled-together and visually compelling installation of that much-exhibited artist team's work. You can't swing a cat in Atlanta without hitting either Tindel or Michi, but La Calaveras Pop showed they still had some surprises in store and could bring a polish to their artistic collaborations that hasn't always been on display." I couldn't agree less. The last show was more of the same from TindelMichi. While I think that the majority of their work is flawlessly composed, I felt like "La Calaveras Pop" was a rerun. Foundation One has always blown me away with its creativity and surprises, but that was the only show I've seen there without a single surprise. It was good, but not "great, pulled together" or "visually compelling." Especially not compared to the current show, "Between the Lines."

3.20.2007

MINT Flavored Windows!

I already mentioned one art opening that I will be attending this Saturday (March 24th), that being Stevie Brown at Beep Beep Gallery. But I've yet to mention the other show that I will hop to that evening.

MINT is a non-profit organization here in Atlanta aimed at cultivating an artistic community free of judgement and pretension. If I'm correct, their ultimate goal is to encourage creativity through art events, exhibitions and eventually classes. I've gotten to know a handful of those involved and I'm one hundred percent behind everything that they are about. Their first show, which I briefly reviewed back in December, was an amazing surprise that brought together all kinds of characters to make post-cards. This time the canvas of choice is windows. Since MINT is still working on renovating its very own space, this time around the show is being held at DooGallery over in Cabbagetown. The opening will go from 8-11 at which point the "after party" will begin. The $5 cover, which will benifit MINT, also gets you PBR and snacks. Raffle drawings will go on all night with prizes including $500 to Sacred Heart Tattoo. I plan on winning and getting the art from the side of the Centipede arcade game right on my forearm.

3.16.2007

Atlanta Film Festival


The movie that you've all been dying to see will finaly premiere in Atlanta as part of this April's Atlanta Film Festival. Bloodcar is a little comedy/horror/satire that I worked on last winter made by Atlanta film collective Fake Wood Wallpaper. We posted a short review of it after the cast/crew screening a few months back, but the legend has since grown. Bloodcar sold out two of its three screenings at Cinequest in San Jose and won its catagory. If you like vegans, blood, government conspiracies, boobs, blood, or cars that run on blood, then make sure to pick up tickets for one of the two screenings at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema April 26th and 27th.

3.14.2007

Beep Beep: Last Saturday and Next Saturday

How sick is this poster?

Last Saturday, Beep Beep Gallery put on thier first of hopefully many concerts. Despite the modest size of the space, they managed to pack in well over 70 folks along with the seven(?) piece Noot d'Noot. When playing live, Noot d'Noot is a jam band playing undercover. They wear a instrumental hip-hop mask and a matching funk wig. And I mean all of that in a good way. You can pick up their cd, Goofer Dust Mixtape, at Criminal Records, Beep Beep Gallery, and probably some other places around Atlanta. This is what they sound like.

Noot d'Noot - Jose Tussin.



This picture of them was taken by Stevie Brown, who happens to have the next show at Beep Beep: Recent Photographs by Steven Brown opens next Saturday at 8pm. Stevie's photography consists mostly of portraits, and most of his portraits range from strange to at least off-beat. Or rather his subjects are off-beat and his portraits can be quite telling.

3.12.2007

Foundation One at it again...

As usual, Foundation One Studios in Decatur looks to have lined up another killer show. This time it pairs local artist Charlie Owens with Zach Johnsen out of New York. Both artists share a loose, figurative style that should translate into a cohesive show. Stop by for the opening this Saturday (March 17th) and don't forget to check out F1S's selection of prints, shirts, and other stuff you'd be lucky to pick up anywhere else in Atlanta.

3.08.2007

NOOT D' NOOT

NOOT D' NOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check this out. This saturday at Beep Beep, live and in person, they will arise. If you haven't heard the Noot, check out the myspace and then prepare to get your diapers soiled because they'll eeeek your shit out. 9:30 show starts.

3.03.2007

Call for T-Shirts

Direct from Beep Beep Gallery headquarters.

"It has been said that the Tee Shirt is the "Tuxedo of the 21st Century"... While that may or may not make any sense, the Beep Beep Gallery is looking for artists to participate in a one-night-only spring t-shirt showcase. We are looking to bridge the gap between high art and low (cut) fashion by displaying both original one-of-a-kind designs and inspired t-shirt prints made by local Atlanta artists. Whether its short sleeve or long sleeve tees, vintage baby tees, cut-offs or tank tops, we want to show it.

If you are interested or if you want to refer a fellow artist or designer, send an email to beepbeepster@gmail.com. In your email, let us know if you have printed shirts that you want to show, or if you want to design a one-of-a-kind shirt, and if so, whether you plan to have a model wear it or you want to hang it for display. A photo of your work would also be nice. This is an open call for submissions,but be advised that we have limited space, so the earliest you let us know of your involvement, the better. The deadline for submissions is March 31st and the event will be held on Saturday, April 7th at the gallery. Thanks everyone and we look forward to working with you!"

3.01.2007

What the hell happened to Rabbit Hole Gallery?


Seriously, does anybody know what happened? They had awesome shows over there and then nothing since last November.
Wait, after typing that sentence I did some research. New show coming up this month. Still don't know what happened though.
UPDATE: I spoke too soon. The March show has been postponed. I will figure you out Rabbit Hole Gallery.

Art Openings This Weekend

Here is a quick rundown of the art shows this weekend. On Friday, March 2, we've got a couple of openings that look promising:

Odds and Ends: a motley collection of paintings by Samuel Parker opens at Aurora Coffee in Little Five Points from 7-10. (You may have seen his stuff recently at Yo Yo, or just before that in Village Pizza. Pretty much anywhere in Cabbagetown.)

"Wrecktangles" Paintings and sculptural installation by Jessica Marshall at New Street Gallery. Opens 7-11. (I think I saw her work recently at Eyedrum. It was cool. I took a picture.)

My pick for the weekend however is at Youngblood Gallery on Saturday, March 3rd. The artists from 13 Roses Tattoo Parlor in East Atlanta are doing a group show. If anybody remembers L'Avenue (the space has now changed hands and become Beep Beep Gallery), the last show there was a solo show by Watson Atkinson, one of the artists from 13 Roses. If this show at Youngblood is one tenth as amazing as his show at L'Avenue, the whole lot of you are gonna be blown away. Opens 7-11.

Also check out the website for 13 Roses. It might be the best website I've ever seen.

2.28.2007

Cinemechanica at Lenny's Bar

Its been far too long since one of my favorite bands out of Athens has played in Atlanta. When I listen to Cinemechanica's first album, The Martial Arts (Hello Sir Records), I almost forget that there are actual people playing these guitars. The notes come at you so fast that it doesn't seem possible, and I'm not even going to begin with the drumming. No matter how many times I see them live, I still get blown away by all of the energy and precision packed into their prog-punk-math-guitar-shouting brilliance. I will be the first person at Lenny's on Thursday waiting to get my face melted.

Lenny's Bar - March 1st - 9PM - $5
Cinemechanica
Untied States
CALL ME LIGHTNING!
Black Daniels

Here is thier video for "I'm tired of Paul McCartney", directed by a friend of mine, Josh Borger.

2.25.2007

Heart of the Machine

"Heart of the Machine" by Steven Dixey

I've spent my day recovering from the amount of artistic talent packed into the small space at Beep Beep Gallery. Last night was the opening for "Heart of the Machine," a show pairing Steven Dixey's scientific illustration meets war time iconography with Stenvik Mostrom's highly decorative, quasi-cubist beings. The artsists' work match up well with each other, both tending towards symmetry and reflective of tattoos.

At his best, Dixey's work goes further into realism of the two artists', often venturing into the classic territory of the Italian masters. In this show, that trend is seen only in "Oh God of God's, Won't You Protect Me?", a terror ridden landscape that features a mother and child crying out to a visible Satallite/God. His other works are born from the same illustrated realism, only in the context of heraldry among other motiffs. Several pieces include frames either cast or modified by the artist, convincing the viewer that the works are as important as they thought.

Stenvik takes this asthetic in another direction with four very similar compositions. "Furnace", the most interesting and cubo-futurist of the four, shows a figure as part of a midnight factory. A doorway shows the inside of the machine, and literally the inside of the painting, revealing a sculpted heart ablaze in a warm contrast that radiates onto the painting. The figure's stylization reflects the same approach shared by his other, somewhat dark and violent compositions.
"Furnace" by Stenvik Mostrom
"Elk" by Stenvik Mostrom
"Oh God of God's, Won't You Protect Me?" by Steven Dixey

You can stop by the gallery (696 Charles Allen Dr. Atlanta, GA) during their regular hours: 12-6 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

2.22.2007

Dear HENSE,


Why would you write over the snowflake guy?

2.21.2007

Of Mastodon


I have a theory that everyone in Atlanta wants to go to one if not both of the huge local bands playing this Saturday night. If they don't, they probably should because there is something for everyone. Recently Grammy nominated, prog-metal act Mastodon (Atlanta), and Indie-pop group Of Montreal (Athens, more or less) are both performing and I can't decide who I'd rather see.

On your way to the show, don't forget to stop by Beep Beep Gallery for the opening of their new show, "Heart of the Machine." It includes new work by the prolific Steven Dixey as well as Stenvik Mostram. Show opens at 8, so you'll have time to stop by to check out the art and have a beer before one: you get your face melted by Mastodon, or two: you dance your ass off to Of Montreal.

Note: This flyer was blue, now its orange. I don't know what happened.

2.17.2007

Mack Williams tells funny stories...

You may know Mack Williams as the once long time cartoonist for UGA's newspaper, The Red and Black. You may know him as the charismatic front man of local punk comedy band Attractive Eighties Women. You may know him as the animator for [adult swim]'s cartoon Frisky Dingo. You may have taken Drawing 2 with him about 4 years ago. You may not know Mack. He's pretty funny and will be the guest monologist at this weeks Doug Dank Project at Push Push Theater in Decatur. The Doug Dank Project goes down every Wednessday and consists of a long-form, improv comedy show inspired by the personal stories of a featured guest monologist. It starts at 10pm and costs $5.

Also, Macks band Attractive Eighties Women will be playing March 2 at The Star Bar in Little Five Points.

2.15.2007

New Thoughts On Old News...

You may or may not remember what happened in Boston not too long ago. You may or may not care anymore. If you are still interested, there are two great responses to the fiasco at Big, Red, and Shiny, a Boston art forum. I was almost tired of talking about this, but these articles are too intelligent, and too interesting not to pass along to anyone who dares to venture on, past the trenches of media induced hysteria and onto the front line of artful critisism.

2.12.2007

Epidemik Coalition showcase at Octane

Everyday I go to my mailbox, hoping to find the newest issue of Juxtapoz, but on the way there I pass by three of these stickers in various stages of discoloration.

Epidemik Coalition is a design collective that seem to have a lot going on. The were featured in the MODA's "To a T" t-shirt show, and have just opened up their own online store. You can also find their shirts at Standard boutique here in Atlanta. This Thurday (Feb. 15), Octane Coffee Bar and Lounge will host the opening for an Epidemik Coalition showcase including a screen printing demo by the designers.

2.11.2007

Yesterday's Shows

TindleMichi at Foundation One - Exactly what I expected but without the surprises.

Ansley West at Art House Co-op - Black and white versions of photos I'd already seen. (Ansley, if you read this, the color versions that I saw at your UGA exit show where the best in the show, largely due to the more ambiguous titles and vivid colors. Overall this new show was a step backwords for that series. I'd love to talk to you about them, did people not GET the theme?) These were good, but not as good as they once were.

Sam Parker and Keet D'arms at Yo Yo Boutique - A cool collage piece, and then 20 more that looked just like it.

MSG Crew at Village Pizza (cabbage town) - This is a show that I forgot about because the flyer was sort of lame and I didn't know who the MSG Crew was. Turns out I should've known, this stuff was really good. Basically, a bunch of seasoned graffiti artists made restaurant sized work on canvas or various found surfaces. It varies a bit, but generally pretty creative. It sucks that I hit up 3 gallery openings in one night, only to find the most inspiring work is hanging in a pizza place.

The Futurists at the Masquerade - Thanks to Friday's house party/ticket selling scheme featuring Passerby, The Pendletons, and Kill Gorden, I already had tickets to this show so I checked it out. I missed the first couple of bands due to my art show rounds: Morningstate and The Sammies, both solid rock bands that I've seen before. Then The Futurists. Let's just say that The Futurists kick ass. I didn't really know what to expect, I'd done no research of any kind. I had only heard in passing that they were good. They came out and destroyed with loud, epic rock music reminiscent of Muse beating up Radiohead. Or maybe they were making out. Either way, this band was the highlight of my evening.