It’s the holidays and if you stayed clear of the madness of black Friday and cyber Monday, you might still have a pile of people you need to buy gifts for. Or maybe it’s just time to treat yo’ self! Toasters and electronics are boring. Give and get some original art!
QR Code Ceramic Ornament by Robert Raphael & Lauren Houston
In its fourth installment, Calico Brooklyn has put together CALICORNUCOPIA, a Holiday exhibition of works by local artists priced at $300 or less. On opening night, I picked up a drawing “The Crush” ($80) by Mike Hambouz, a gnome laser cut magnet ($40) by Adam Puryear, and a QR code ceramic ornament ($35) by Robert Raphael & Lauren Houston. Continue reading →
Remember Second Life? It’s a platform that gives users the ability to create 3D virtual spaces and interact with one another as avatars. When I first dabbled with it, I was drawn to the numerous possibilities. I imagined a new kind of online shopping where instead of looking at lists and product images, my avatar would walk down an aisle full of items and bump into other shoppers along the way. I created an account and explored various “worlds”. I attended a political debate. Then one night, I dressed up and went to a virtual beach club. The landscape was beautiful and the music was good. I “danced” for about 15 minutes before I realized the reality of the situation – that I was in my PJs sitting in my bedroom furiously tapping the CTRL key on a Friday night.
But does that make the experience less “real”? I met people from around the world in a space that inspired the imagination and I took the time to create the movements and image of an avatar. Self-expression plus interaction, however digital, was present and was arguably less inhibited by the limits of physical space. Through the work of five artists, this notion of “immersive experiences that oscillate between real and virtual space” is explored in REVERSEgallery’s UNCANNY, a group show about 3D virtual environments (28 Frost St). Continue reading →
Opening night of “HYPE” at the Janet Kurnatowski Gallery c/o Matt G.
Last Saturday, the Janet Kurnatowski Gallery opened its last show—HYPE—a look at the life and work of the legendary press agent Billy “Silver Dollar” Baxter. The show is a collection of writings, photos, videos and vintage audio recordings that Baxter was part of during the peak of his career in show business in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“Greenpoint has always been made up of hardworking individuals: people who have the do-it-yourself attitude and Billy was all about that,” the show’s curator, David Ohliger, explains. “He loved the challenge of going against the Hollywood establishment. He was a true believer in doing a lot with very little and he loved undercutting the big dogs. And this show’s got it all. It’s a really unique look into a person’s showbiz life in that Mad Men era where different rules applied.” Continue reading →
It’s been a long week, Greenpoint Gallery Night is happening tonight (3/20) from 7-10PM, and Montell Jordan is on my mind singing:
♫ It’s Friday night, and I feel all right
The party is here on the North Side
Hit the shore ‘cause I’m faded
Honeys in the street say, “Greenpoint, yo we made it!”
It feels so good in my hood tonight
The gallery art and the beer that’s so cold
All the cool hipsters forgot about the spring-snow
To all my neighbors you got much flavor
(This is how we do it) ♫
There’s no better draw for a cool, fun-loving crowd than art and booze. Greenpoint Gallery Night, which we are once again media sponsors for, returns this Friday (3/20) from 7-10PM to bring this winning combo to our cozy little neighborhood. Several local galleries and businesses open up their doors after normal operating hours to give Greenpoint the opportunity to start the evening immersed in art, while sampling tasty, boozy libations along the way. So join us in kicking off the weekend with great drinks in great company, while getting a glimpse of what the art world in Greenpoint has to offer! RSVP here.
While each location is in close proximity to one another, we want to be sure to hit up every spot so have strategized a route for the most efficient art crawl.
Looking for a little art to top off your Sunday after visiting our first ever Summer Market? Head on down to 56 Bogart in Bushwick. Not only is it your last chance to see Studio 10’s exhibition “When She Speaks,” but the artist himself, Rico Gatson, will be giving a talktoday from 4-6 pm.Continue reading →
Writing of Manhattan at the end of the 20th century, the architect Rem Koolhaas described a new kind of monument, one “available for meaning as a billboard is for advertisement:” Continue reading →
When I visited the Back Room Consignment Shop (832 Manhattan Ave), I spent an hour looking through the collection. Sally, the owner, was very kind and helpful, as was Darius, who selected some of the clothes to show me. It was a welcoming environment and I recommend this place to my friends because it had some rarities like a Betsey Johnson dress from her Paraphernelia days and other cool things.
We chatted with Sally, a former burlesque dancer and Greenpoint “native.”
Art, beauty, expression. Exhibit: A Salon (182 Driggs Ave) is the hub of creativity with the seamless blending of a hair salon and art gallery. Get your inner rock maven on with a hair cut starting at $65 for dolls and $40 for gents.
The space reflects these artistic and visions of the three stylists, with a space that feels open for an art viewing but gives clients the feel of a salon on the cusp of daring-but-chic hair ‘dos perfect for a synthesis of music, art, and culture.
Art lined walls, on-point hair cuts, an ear for rock, all with a super sweet staff perfectly compliment Driggs Avenue in Greenpoint.
I chatted with the talented owners Megan, Ashlee, and Alice to pick their brains on hair styling, art, and Brooklyn.
I am intrigued and excited about tonight’s event at REVERSE (28 Frost St) which invites Greenpointers to be part of Matthew Matthew’s interactive installation.
Matthew Matthew invites you to a sound recording session this Friday, July 19 from 7-9 PM as part of STOMPS & CLAPS & SNAPS & POPS & SNIFFS & CLICKS & AHHHHH.
In the interactive spirit of the installation, Matthew Matthew will host a special recording session at the gallery to gather new sounds and images from the community in and around REVERSE. All are invited to come and produce sounds, which will then be edited and included as part of the musical instruments for the remainder of the exhibition.
