We profiled local artist and musician Ken Butler last year, and he gave us a tour of his incredible studio and even played us a few jams. He also participated in our local artists’ event Greenpoint Open Studios, opening his home and studio doors to the public. For decades he’s been collecting objects off the street and turning them into playable musical instruments, as art. He’s a true character and local legend, so you shouldn’t miss his unique style of performance this Friday, February 9th. He’ll be doing a live video recording and concert for the first time in 20 years.
WHAT: Ken Butler’s Voices of Anxious Objects WHERE: Scholes Street Studio | 375 Lorimer Street WHEN: Friday, February 9th, 8pm COST: FREE
Ken Butler jamming on a shovel guitar in his studio. Photo: Megan Penmann
Ken Butler’s artwork is playful. Often, literally. He designs, builds and plays unconventional musical instruments, crafting them out of everyday household objects or discarded junk on Brooklyn sidewalks. Through his eyes, an old printer cartridge plus a zip tie is a drum. A golf club is a guitar/sitar combo. His art is sculptural yet not purely sculpture; it’s captivating, conceptual and just pure fun. We were able to tour his studio, hang out and have a jam session with him this past Sunday, on a New York Adventure Club excursion. And you can do the same in a few weeks when he opens his doors again for Greenpoint Open Studios (on June 3rd and 4th, from 12-6pm each day).
Instruments/sculptures in Ken Butler’s studio. Photo: Megan Penmann
With the beautiful spring weather we’re having, chances are you and your friends will be hanging at McCarren Park at some point this weekend. Why not check out the participating artists at this weekend’s Greenpoint Open Studios.
This “Art Near the Park” Route is less than 1 mile and includes five studio visits, enjoy!
GOS Near McCarren Park
The Brooklyn Art Library at 28 Frost Street is home to The Sketchbook Project collection in its physical form, which means they house 35,000 sketchbooks created by artists from all over the world. Each book is catalogued and tagged and visitors are invited to view and explore all of the books on site or online.Continue reading →
