“Shades of Sapphire” Photo by Thomas D. Mangelsen, ©Thomas D. Mangelsen, Inc.

On March 11, 2008 the G2 Gallery (www.theg2gallery.com) in Venice, CA opens its doors for the first time with an exhibition featuring the work of distinguished wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen (www.mangelsen.com). The gallery will be open Tuesdays-Sundays from 11am to 7pm.

The G2 Gallery is an environmentally conscious art gallery that will inspire artists, activists, and the broader community to participate in the conservation of our earth by exhibiting the work of distinguished nature photographers, including Tom Mangelsen. While Mangelsen is most famous for his photographs, “Catch of the Day” and “Morning Shower,” he exemplifies his appreciation for the world through his photography, and will help G2 support and promote conservation, education, and appreciation of our natural environment. Additionally, the gallery will donate at least 15% of its sales to environmental charities, including Friends of Ballona Wetlands, the Environmental Media Association and other national and international organizations.

G2 Gallery
Opens March 11th, 2008
Tuesday-Sundays 11am - 7pm

1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice CA, 90291
(310) 452-2842
www.theg2gallery.com

Richard Spartos, IPAH 2007, Hildesheim (DE)

Somewhere Felt
March 7 – March 22, 2008

Press Opening: Thursday, March 6, 5-7 pm
Opening Reception: Friday, March 7, 6–9 pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, March 22, 4-6 pm
Artist Talks: Thursday, March 13, 7-10 pm
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 12–6 pm or by appointment

Space Other is proud to host the performance-based exhibition Somewhere Felt, featuring seven artists from the graduate program of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Tufts University in Boston: Chuck Chaney, Leighton Collier, Faith Johnson, Sean M. Johnson, Tara Hill, Vasia Markides and Richard Spartos.

In 2007, Space Other hosted the first group of SMFA graduate students to exhibit their work. Once again, Space Other would like to function as a platform for experimentation, production, and analysis of the works of art by seven M.F.A. candidates. By offering our space, curation, and critical analysis we worked together towards a group show, and as a final result of our collaboration, we are proud to present Somewhere Felt.

I want to do a piece where I go to the Alps and talk to a mountain. The mountain will talk of things which are necessary and always true, and I shall talk of things which are sometimes, accidentally true. Bas Jan Ader

This year’s graduate students are connected through their performance practices, presented in a variety of ways: from direct physical actions taking place during the exhibition towards projects where the performative element is under investigation through the use of other media such as video, photography, and the making of objects. The performance program of the SMFA has its base in visual art, and has its roots in art movements such as DADA and Fluxus. In this practice artists turn away from traditional narrative and theatrical plots, as for example becomes apparent in the work of the quoted artist Bas Jan Ader. Direct interaction with the audience is important, even when the action is mediated by a screen or another medium. Time and space are crucial elements in performance-based work. The students work in this tradition; but not so much to oppose the existing art system as artists tended to do in the early days. Rather, it is used here as a medium to pursue personal sto!
ries,
and to engage the audience in their journey. Untangling family histories and the notion of home, revealing ‘dreams’ of society in connection with daily reality and the transformation of the physical are common threads in their work. The group seems to function as a small community, where critical (yet respectful) reflection towards each others work is essential. This is an important trait and shields against a world where the production of commodities and other goods is highly valued.

The artists in Somewhere Felt are grateful for the support of the faculty members of the SMFA graduate program, and of one in particular. They all took part in the advanced performance class of performance artist and Mobius, Inc. founder Marilyn Arsem. She very much inspired and encouraged the students to find their own voice and their own community by challenging their performative skills. Even though some of the artists eventually took up other media to tell their stories, these art works bare the traces of a performance practice. To give an insight in the performance world and teaching methods of Marilyn Arsem, an interview will be published as an accompanying text to the show.

Femke Lutgerink
Associate Curator of Space Other
http://www.spaceother.com

Lehman College Art Gallery

Francis Cape (left), Ama, 2003 and
Marc Andre Robinson (right), Throne for the Songs That Will Come by Themselves and of Themselves, 2008

Informed by Function
Feb. 6 - May 15, 2008

Reception:
Tue. March 11, 6 to 7:30 pm

Lehman College Art Gallery
Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, N.Y. 10468
Tel 718-960-8731
fax 718-960-6991
http://www.lehman.edu/gallery

Alexandre Arrechea, David Baumflek, Jean Blackburn, Carlos Bunga, Francis Cape, Pedro Cruz-Castro, Marcia Grostein, Hisae Ikenaga, Michelle Jaffé, Friedrich Kunath, Forrest Myers, Iván Navarro, Marc André Robinson, Courtney Smith, William Stone and
Madeline Weinrib

Throughout the early 20th century from Bauhaus design to Duchamp’s ready-mades, there has been a dialogue between art and the domestic object. Informed by Function explores this dialogue in sculptural objects influenced by the vocabulary of furniture, design, and architecture. Familiar yet displaced or transformed, these forms draw on sources ranging from industrial design to the natural world. Functionality is an issue in each and the basics of ergonomics make much of the work body-conscious. “Found objects,” with their history and patina of use are repurposed and reconfigured. The hand-built and mass-produced are incorporated in work throughout the exhibition. Subversion of intent, political allusion, and narrative content are among the issues raised by these hybrid works–along with wit and humor.

The exhibition includes Alexandre Arrechea’s Secret Meeting (2006), a lounge chair made of transparent Plexiglas from which a battleship emerges. Secrecy, transparency and conspiracy are elements in his work. Iván Navarro’s Black Electric Chair (2006) obliquely references torture and capital punishment with metaphor and double entendre. Francis Cape’s Alma (2003) mixes an understated minimalism with the quiet intimacy of domestic architecture. The work presents a finely crafted wainscoted wall on one side and on the other exposed studs with a seat nestled within.

William Stone’s Corrected Chairs (2008) and Mixed Metaphors (2000) are funny and witty. In the former Stone undermines the notion of stability associated with chairs. Jean Blackburn’s Serviette (2002) humorously named for the napkin folded over an exposed plywood armature, is a deconstructed armchair that has been reassembled.

Constructed from discarded chairs, Marc Andre Robinson’s 15’ high installation was developed as a site-specific work and was created using traditional joinery techniques. Colorful abstract forms created from cardboard appear to evolve from small tables in Carlos Bunga’s constructions and give a suggestion of the large-scale interventions he creates emphasizing transience and transformation. Courtney Smith’s sculptures are reassembled, cut-up pieces of old furniture juxtaposed with geometric shapes of Formica and plywood. She creates structures with no fixed configuration. David Baumflek’s Still Life (2007) plays with ideas of display and consumption and with the longing for unfulfilled desire. Made from white wooden tables piled on top of each other, a platter of unattainable fruit is visible in a mirror hung from the ceiling.

Marcia Grostein’s chairs are like anthropomorphic beings moving in space. Elegant and poised, they seem like organic shapes engaged in a choreography. The body and its relationship to clothing are also implied in Michelle Jaffe’s Maillot Maillol (2004). Her sculpture is playful and whimsical collapsing the shape of a chaise lounge with the one of a female bathing suit. Known for work that hovers between sculpture and furniture, Forrest Myers’ wire piece Parker (2006), looks like the animated line of a “gesture drawing.” Nature and the man-made are wedded in Pedro Cruz-Castro’s Hybrid III, (2006) composed of a cabinet with deer feet.

Madeline Weinrib’s Persian Illusion (2008) is a carpet made of a mirror and guoache. Inspired by the style of traditional Persian carpets, it comes to life in reflections on the wall. Hisae Ikenaga’s 12’ bas-relief depicts furnishings using two-dimensional strategies of illusion. Its soft forms hover 2” from the wall, creating shadows as they spill onto the floor. Illusion plays a significant role in Friedrich Kunath’s Where in the world are you now (2007) in which half an upright piano is made whole by an image reflected in a mirror. The piano keys strike notes of Glenn Gould’s performance of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.”

Informed by Function is co-curated by Claudia Calirman and Susan Hoeltzel. An online catalogue is available at http://www.lehman.edu/gallery . This exhibition has been made possible with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts

FESTIVAL SOS 4.8 MURCIA

Image by Perfornika
Courtesy Dept.of Culture Murcia and LegalMusic

FESTIVAL SOS 4.8 MURCIA CALL FOR ARTISTS
Murcia (Spain)

Curators: Christiane Paul
Rirkrit Tiravanija
Paco Barragán

Organized by Dept. of Culture Region Murcia and LegalMusic

Reception proposals until 15 March 2008 inclusive

For Terms & Conditions see
http://www.sos48.com

International Call for Artists
Visual Arts, Visual Jockeying (VJ), Net Art, and Performance

Murcia launches the SOS 4.8 LIVE ARTS FESTIVAL: 48 hours of non-stop artistic creation related to the concept of sustainability

The City of Murcia has been very active these past years in the field of contemporary culture.

Pedro Alberto Cruz, actual Counsellor of Culture of Region Murcia, explains that Murcia has always had a great interest in promoting the study and production of contemporary art practices. And in this sense –he proceeds- the Festival SOS 4.8 aims to be an original proposal to contemporary cultural practices reflecting around the concept of sustainability and allowing a fruitful dialogue among disciplines like visual arts, Visual Jockeying (VJ), net art, performance, music, and theory.

INCLUSIVE SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability basically means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In words of the artistic director, Paco Barragán, SOS 4.8 understands sustainability not only in exclusively ecological terms –an issue that has become very urgent but at the same time very trendy these days-, but also as a concept that allows us to reflect and re-frame visual culture, democracy, information society, techno-sustainability, consumer society –CULTURE- as well as tourism, immigration, nature, and
urbanism –ENVIRONMENT.

48 HOURS FORMAT
New times impose new challenges, and as a result suggest new formats. Thus
SOS 4.8 has been conceived as an intense laboratory where during 48 hours artistic creation and exhibition will go hand in hand blurring the strict lines between artist and audience. Thus, all the selected works will be produced in situ in 24 hours and exhibited the next 24 hours. The artist will have the exhibition site or the city of Murcia as stage to carry out his or her proposal.

FROM INTERPASSIVITY TO INTERACTIVITY
From the traditional artistic institutions interpassivity (Robert Pfaller), wherein communication is only one-way, hierarchical, and imposed on the visitor, SOS 4.8 proposes a more democratic and exciting concept of interactivity by allowing the public to assist and be part of the artistic process. Culture, art and artistic practices are not any longer medium-based but idea-based. So visual artists, not only stick to their medium but engage with Visual Jockeying (VJ) and Digital Film -Micha Klein-, or play in a gothic rock band -Marc Bijl-, thus creating challenging exchanges between contemporary culture and arts.

CURATORIAL TEAM
SOS 4.8 has selected a diverse and distinguished international curatorial team:
-Christiane Paul, Adj. Curator New Media Whitney Museum (USA)
-Rirkrit Tiravanija, artist and curator, (Argentina/Thailand)
-Paco Barragán, independent curator and artistic director SOS 4.8 (Spain)

OPEN CALL AND SECTIONS
SOS 4.8 is a mix of invitational and open call. All artists are invited to take part in the open call, regardless of their nationality, residence or age. A total of 6 artists will be selected by the curators from the proposals sent via the open call to our website http://www.sos48.com for the following sections:
I) Visual Arts
II) Net Art or Visual Jockeying (VJ)
III) Performance

The 6 artists from the open call will be invited, together with 6 artists selected directly by the curators, and 3 artists from Murcia selected by the Artistic Director, to come to Murcia to carry out the selected proposal on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2008.

ARTIST PER DIEM AND PRODUCTION BUDGET
The selected artists will receive the following:
I) (Total) Artist fee of 2..500 Euros
II) Production/Equipment materials up to 2..000 Euros
III) Flight and Hotel up to 2.500 Euros

For further information and participation, please look into the SOS 4.8 website http://www.sos48.com . NOTE: Please read the FAQs and conditions carefully before sending your proposal.

FESTIVAL SOS 4.8 MURCIA is organized by the Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports of the Regional Administration of the Region Murcia, Murcia Cultural. Artistic direction: LegalMusic.
Email: info@sos48.com Website: http://www.sos48.com

ART FAIR TOKYO 2008

ART FAIR TOKYO 2008:
April 4 - April 6, 2008
(Preview April 3)

http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/index.html

ART FAIR TOKYO announces its highly anticipated third year of the fair to be held from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6, 2008, including a selective preview on Thursday, April 3 and its return to the exclusive venue at the Tokyo International Forum. Building on the success of last years fair, ART FAIR TOKYO 2008 has garnered an international reputation as one of the most comprehensive fairs in Asia.

For 2008, the selection process provided 108 galleries with the opportunity to present their artists, including 7 overseas galleries from 6 cities (Seoul, New Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Madrid). Of these, 20 — including some of the overseas galleries — are making their ART FAIR TOKYO debut. Together, participants will be exhibiting approximately 2,500 works by nearly 600 artists.

ART FAIR TOKYO 2008 reaches out to the world from the international metropolis of Tokyo, presenting exquisite works of art without restriction on period or genre. ART FAIR TOKYO stands out among the many art fairs in Asia for the variety of genres it covers, ranging from antique and traditional forms of art to nihonga, modern painting, and contemporary art. The Fair is also well respected for its uniformly high standard of exhibits.

ART FAIR TOKYO 2008 also offers a variety of Related Programs. Starting with the “Lounge Talk” pre-event, which again serves as the introduction to ART FAIR TOKYO, events are planned for the enjoyment of everyone from veteran to beginner collectors. There are Venue Guided Tours, “Dialogues in Art” events where well-known guests will discuss up-to-the-moment topics, the “Internet Art Fair by ART FAIR TOKYO 2008″—which enables purchases to be made online—and local events in the Marunouchi area, such as “Kids Art Street”, etc. The whole program is designed to help visitors feel at home with art, and to help them experience the excitement of the art world first hand.

ART FAIR TOKYO 2008 caters not only to the needs of art world habitués such as gallerists, artists, curators, art critics and journalists. It provides opportunities for stimulating exchanges and dialogue between people of all generations and areas of interest.

Dates and hours:
First choice (special preview: Thursday, April 3, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Opening preview: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Opening: Friday, April 4, 11:00am-9:00pm
Saturday, April 5, 11:00am-8:00pm
Sunday, April 6, 10:30am-5:00pm

Venue:
Tokyo International Forum (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

Press inquiries:
Mariko Takano
email: press@artfairtokyo.com
Tel: +81(3) 5771-4520 Fax: +81(3) 3401-8038
ART FAIR TOKYO Committee Executive Office
1-9-11 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0031 JAPAN

For more information on ART FAIR TOKYO 2008 please visit our website.
http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/index.html

- Announcement of schedule of applications for exhibitors at ART FAIR TOKYO 2009 (April 3-5, 2009)

The ART FAIR TOKYO is pleased to announce the schedule of applications for exhibitors at ART FAIR TOKYO 2009.　Applications can be made through the ART FAIR TOKYO website by June 30, 2008.

ART FAIR TOKYO website: http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/index.html

For questions about your application please contact:
gallery@artfairtokyo.com

Tokyo International Forum
3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/index.html