Blogging for DoNArTNeWs and Side Arts is one of those opportunities people talk about when they say, “Do what you love,” DoN loves writing about Philadelphia art, artists, photographers, designers, sculptors and cultural leaders of all stripes. Helping the creative community get publicity is self serving and generative simultaneously resulting in the opportunity to publish this book. Thank you to the Philadelphia art community for accepting DoNArTNeWs and DoN Brewer on Side Arts as a reliable art review resource . Thank you to Philly Side Arts for helping DoN think bigger. Thank you to Lilliana S. Didovic for trusting me with Her Philadelphia Tales, The Art of Lilliana S. Didovic (Volume 1).
Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change @ University of the Arts, Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative, Broad and Pine Streets, Philadelphia.
DoN walked past the sculpture vitrines in front of the University of the Arts and it appeared one of the sculptures had been pulled loose. It was January 3rd and the Mummers Parade crowd can get pretty rowdy, generally Philadelphians are art friendly but you never know. DoN felt anger and disgust that someone had damaged a public art piece, especially since some very beautiful and ephemeral pieces have graced the vitrines over the years with no vandalism.
But, this piece looks like it was moved across the plaza. In the light of day the reality of the installation came together - the sculpture had actually pulled itself loose from it’s mooring near the grand stairs to the Temple and crawled to the garden wall leaving a trail of wire and debris behind. In the garden, pod-like ceramic pots are birthing televisions and computer monitors, while the master motherboard hovers nearby protecting the brood. Smaller pots have already invaded the farther reaches of the Japanese-ish stone garden connected by umbilical cords of red wire to the mother pods. Kevin Lehman’s studio is in Lancaster PA.
Kevin Lehman, The Need for Fundamental Change is the artist’s MFA Thesis Exhibition through January 15th, 2012. For more information on the Hamilton Hall Public Arts Initiative contact jgirandola@uarts.edu
Slideshow, vials of shavings from photographic slides the artist found. Hoffman scraped off bits of each slide, saved the scrapings, then presents the slide show with the bits of image removed. Each vial is labeled with the trip, location and time period the slides were taken.
Talent Show, split screen video footage projected on the wall.
DoN saw this show two weeks ago and has thought about it often as he scooted around town seeing art over the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011 festival, leaving little time to report. But Jessica Hoffman’s show is about memory and the passage of time. Forever and After incorporates three major narrative elements used in ways that look at the passage of time in abstract even obtuse angles. “Slideshow is an investigation of memory, using a collection of found slides from the 1960s and 1970s shot throughout Europe and the United States by the same person. Talent Show is a split screen video piece using footage shot at a school talent show on the left and my own version of the performances on the right. Dear Mad, I really like your hair today! Love, Johnny is an installation inspired by a box of hundreds of love letters found on the street. - HeavyBubble website” Each element of the installation recaptures moments in time that are personal, private, secret presenting them in Dada-ist style - should DoN believe that the love letters were found on the street? Did Jessica really sit and scrape off bits of image from hundreds of slides? The split screen throw back style to the Woodstock movie era of the video could have been shot over the Summer. It doesn’t matter if it’s real or not, making found objects or finding found objects, then arraying them exquisite corpse style creates a strange narrative as the mind tries to grasp the connections. At 110 Church Street Gallery, Jessica Hoffman’s installation, Forever and After, combines sweet nostalgia, contemporary oblique strategies and pure, clean, simple presentation to take the viewer on a time trip back from the future.
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours is the best value in artist public relations available to artists looking to promote their public image in the Philadelphia region.In it’s twelfth year, the city wide art event has artists of all stripes opening their studios to the public – no kidding, a public art event of regional scope with many of the town’s top artists welcoming visitors into their think tanks.The event is imbued with freedom, sharing, transparency, creativity and cooperation along with healthy American spirited competition.The open-ness of Philadelphia Open Studio Tours is the coolest part; visitors experience environments that normally are private spaces where artists create and folks are not just allowed but encouraged to go behind the scenes. DoN’s claim that POST is the best value from a PR perspective is based on a cost/benefit analysis and target audience response.
POST offered a substantial early entry discount for artists, providing entrants with an artist profile web page with links on their comprehensive web site, listing in the information packed tour book with maps of every corner of the city inhabited by artists, a city and region wide advertising campaign, with banners, posters and art cards strategically supplied to almost 100 locations likely to attract interest to the appropriate demographic as well as special events, venues and workshops for artists whose studio is far off the beaten path.POST’s goal was to get the right materials into the hands of art tourists likely to use them in a real way.Every visitor to Haus of DoN held a curled back copy of the glossy catalog with their itinerary planned out to cover the neighborhood they had chosen to explore.Each participating artist is provided with posters, art cards, catalogs and red balloons to promote their studio; the red balloons are a simple, effective signal to art crawlers that they’re heading in the right direction.
DoN’s decision to pay the $45 entry fee back in early Spring brought many dedicated friends and art enthusiasts to the Haus of DoN, South of South Street, a mostly residential area not near many commercial businesses. The event pushed DoN to re-organize and display the wide array of interests he explores as part of his multimedia empire.DoN had to spend no other money to promote the event instead advertising through FaceBook and DoNArTNeWs; no new art card this year, even though post cards are cheap to print and fun to design, mailing is costly and impact difficult to track.DoN has had art cards returned by the Post Office months after the event was over.DoN promoted the annual art crawl event on DoNBrewerMultimedia home page, on DoNBrewerMultimedia YouTube channel,@DoNNieBeat58 on Twitter and Philly.SideArts.com, all free media outlets that directly targeted people interested in arts and culture.
Good advise from Ann Koivunen, director of exhibitions for POST, led DoN to think about what he wanted to present to the public and ponder his goals for the event; DoN decided to put on an art show.Simply displaying photos, graphics, paintings and drawings in a beautiful, clean, pure way opened an opportunity to engage with visitors about what DoN does, his interests and connections and get his business card into the hands of each visitor.The result is DoN met and interacted with more than fifty different citizens interested in the arts, including gallery owners, art curators, educators, fellow photographers, new neighbors, old friends and colleagues, he gathered contact information, intercepted feedback on what people like about his art and experienced an authentic feeling of community for well less than a dollar per head including Candy Corn and SweetzelsGinger Snaps.
Super Nova, Photoshop collage, digital print, DoN Brewer, 2011
Decorating the Haus of DoN has been very gratifying, reinforcing the DoN brand with his abstract landscape photographs, including the “light being” series, original graphic prints and oil paintings, setting tableau’s and displays throughout the studio and is ready for visitors.DoN’s body of work has grown substantially, DoN’s first creative job was Display Manager for a department store retail chain in the 1970’s, tapping into those skills has been nostalgic and liberating, marketing DoN’s product line like he did in the garden department at J.M. Fields.Usually DoN’s major art works are packed and ready to show when opportunities arise and the Haus is decorated with the works of DuSold, DuPree, Stango and outsider artist Danny Gayder, the work of Masters influencing the path of DoN’s interests and goals.The DoN collection would not exist if not for the influences of artist friends and mentors as well as collectors, helping refine DoN’s eye and continue art production with confidence.After weeks of preparation DoN is looking forward optimistically for a delightful weekend of seeing old and new friends and sharing his art.
The Haus of DoN is dedicated to all the artists participating in Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011; DoN understands the aches and pains of finishing projects, solving problems and decision-making involved in making an art work space inviting to visitors.Thank you to the Center for Emerging Visual Artists for undertaking the task of organizing the citywide art event that is unique to Philadelphia.Thank you to all the readers of DoNArTNeWs and Philly.SideArts; DoN is grateful to all the artists who share their skills, talents and stories for the art enthusiasts not just in Philly but around the world who follow DoN’s incursions into the realms of the art world throughout the city.This weekend is also the opening of a month long exhibition by the Photographic Society of Philadelphia, the oldest photography society in America, at the Plastic Club with opening receptions each Sunday afternoon 2:00 - 5:00 PM; DoN has two favorite photographs included in the prestigious show of fine art photography.
A special shout-out to DoN’s nephew Bud Irwin serving in the Army in Afghanistan; knowing Buddy’s marching across arid desert mountains loaded with gear makes DoN stronger and braver to make new work, produce more videos, write more reviews, do more crunches at the gym and plan challenging new projects for the future.Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2011 is an opportunity to be optimistic, to brush off the haters, ignore the art bullies, defy the critics, escape the economic reality and be free to be an artist living, working and producing art in America. The Haus of DoN, 2028 Pemberton Street, welcomes you.
Edward Marston explained to DoN why he was so happy about the painting in the window of Gallery Twenty-Two, “Schuylkill Expressway belongs in the window because it belongs in Philadelphia, it’s local. And it shows the freight trains and the Schuylkill Expressway in twilight and it brings home what I feel about that area. “DoN asked if Marston was intentionally tapping into the market for Philadelphia art or if it was a more personal painting?“I’ve been coming to Philadelphia since I was a kid, I grew up in the suburbs but it’s been my main destination as far as urban goes. And I think it’s absolutely a lovely city and fascinating architecture and every time I turn around I see something new.Almost all of the paintings are plein air or draw first plein air and I use drawings as a reference.None of them are photographic renderings.”
DoN inquired how Edward Marston feels about being a landscape painter in the 21st Century?“This is what I do.They’re landscape paintings but they’re not an idyllic trip to the past.I think a lot about these paintings and they all comment on the contemporary scene, I’m aware of what I’m doing. When I paint something that’s coming apart, it’s something that maybe shouldn’t be coming apart or it’s a comment on a thing that shouldn’t be.Old roads, that you wouldn’t know was a road; I recognize them as ancient roads and everything resonates as far as I’m concerned, it’s all today.”
Ann Koivunen is the Director of Studio Tours and Exhibitions for Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, one of the top art events of its kind in the USA. Ann offers great advice on what to do and what not to do to have a successful, fun event. The clip is nine minutes, so get a cup of coffee and sit a spell, Ann has a wonderful perspective on POST. DoNBrewerMultimedia is participating in POST 2011, October 1 & 2, 12 - 6:00PM, check the awesome on-line resources for information on neighborhoods and events at the POST website.
Karen Schechter is a relatively new member of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia but she is enjoying the society debut show at their new permanent showplace, Café Twelve, 212 S 12th St, Philadelphia19107, in the heart of the Philly’s famous Gayborhood, with great long walls to show art and an inviting casual vibe.DoN asked Karen how she felt about having a PSoP show? “It’s very nice because it’s the first one I’ve had and I have another one coming up that I’m hanging next week.One falling on the heels of the other is awesome.”DoN commented on the style of the collection of photographs in the lounge area of the café, “I work primarily in black and white but do some color, the first half of this show, which isn’t up anymore was more color pieces.I go from muted color to extremely vibrant.” Karen showed DoN a lovely close-up photograph of a hydrangea flower with its lurid red silkiness and delicate stamen.
Photographic Society of Philadelphia @ Cafe Twelve featuring Karen Schlechter
“I used to do everything on film and sadly had to get rid of my dark room a couple years ago as I finally made the complete switch-over to digital; it’s sad but it’s convenient.I can go though things a lot quicker, I can process things a lot quicker.”Schlechter is working with Photoshop, the dark room experience gave her a grounded background for using the digital tools.The collection of gear went to a friend’s daughter studying fine art photography.“It’s so nice to be able to sit in a coffee shop and go through my photos and go from there.”
Karen Schlechter got involved with PSoP because she was previously a member of the Delaware County Camera Club, which had a different focus towards improvement of skills via competition as to the education bent of the Philly Society.“I was missing the camaraderie and exchanging ideas.And it was a wonderful gift from my boyfriend.”
Photographic Society of Philadelphia @ Cafe Twelve featuring Karen Schlechter
The Photographic Society of Philadelphia meets Second Tuesdays at Café Twelve; a wide array of photographs by Philadelphia fine art photographers and a solo show by featured photographer Karen Schlechteris on exhibit with new work being installed every other month. The evening DoN met Karen was rainy and miserable but sipping coffee and talking about photography with friends is worth wet feet.
“Totally Exposed, I Fall and I Rise, is titled because obviously I’m exposed, I’m naked but it’s also about being exposed to the elements, the effects of time.” Sarah R. Bloom, a beautiful fresh face, says with a sigh, “I’m coming to grips with aging, thinking about cycles of aging, for me, it’s been this sort of non-linear pattern of resistance and acceptance. I came to the stages of grief, not exactly but similar to, fearful denying…” DoN interrupts her and complements her youthful beauty and questions why the artist is experiencing Erikson’s sixth of the seven stages of life: Middle Adulthood: 35 to 55 or 65Ego Development Outcome: Generativity vs. Self absorption or Stagnation? “People keep saying that to me but I am 42. Just knowing other women at this age and while I felt I had a lot of time left, there are a lot of hormonal changes that start happening that I’ve noticed in myself. Being interested in self portraits maybe I’m more hyper-aware of myself and changes I’m going through that other people might be. And being in recovery, maybe, I’m more self aware because I had to go through a whole set of processes to start fixing things. So all those things combined that when it just so happened I was getting into the abandoned thing when I turned forty.”
Sarah R. Bloom understands other photographers shoot in abandoned buildings, or shoot models but Bloom shoots self-portraits with a DIY attachment to her camera that allows her to set-up remotely, take the picture and the camera will delay, then take several shots; genius. The result is a gallery filled with emotionally raw, sexually charged, deeply personal representations of one woman but she represents all women who watch the world crumbling around us. “I struggle to show the similarities; I’m still vain, somewhat. Obviously. But this last year struggling to shoot, while be more raw in my poses and still create a nice image but not worry so much about, do I look pretty? Because that’s not what it’s about.” So how did you not fall into despair when the choice came to be generative? “I think recovery started that, I never really thought about that until now. I guess I started despair way early maybe, I mean my whole twenties were a wreck, pretty much, so then being in recovery, almost sixteen years sober, and also part of age is accepting things and having that self awareness of processing a lot of stuff. I recognize that this age is a time when I would have physical feelings of feeling different, the body doesn’t bounce back as quickly from things. I dunno, um, it was either it was a choice to decide, I don’t want to be in that place anymore. And part of it is I feel like I’m running out of time.”
Sarah R. Bloom, Totally Exposed, I Fall and I Rise @ Da Vinci Art Alliance Gallery
Author and art-marketing consultant Alyson B. Stanfield, of ArtBizCoach.com, focuses on sharing the artwork directly with potential buyers through electronic and traditional communication outlets—in a manner that is comfortable, not artificial. Artists match Internet marketing strategies with sincere personal skills to take charge of their art careers.
The book includes online worksheets and downloads.
