T-Shirt Show & Artist's Playlists @ Tempus

The yearly T-Shirt show at Tempus Projects involves a show of the designs available, then one can place an order and the shirt is printed-out while one waits in the shop in front. This year, concurrent with that show was the artists' playlist show, wherein one could hear selections from a specific artists' playlist and buy associated walkmans, players and handmade objects to go with it. There were also other works on exhibit.

On the left is Austin England's "Tempt", a mixed-media piece which has a 3D form with a convoluted black line stemming from it, and a face, looking a bit like a Tibetan demon looking on in the corner. On the right is England's "Stirred" (is the beer bottle part of it?). A wavy red line enters from the left, and exits the head's ear more modulated/reduced in amplitude. Or, wait...it might be going the other way, amplified.

On the right is "Strain" by Austin England. There's that undulating line emerging from a mouth held open by fingers. There's a sense of urgency and great tension here.

Bluebird Book Bus

A wonderful surprise was seeing the Bluebird Book Bus parked by the main gallery at Tempus. In the song "The End", Jim Morrison (who had area ties) sings a line that goes:

The Blue Bus is calling us,
driver where you taking us...

Inside the Bluebird Bus

Mitzi Gordon drives this Bluebird Bus, and she's taking us into the world of books, knowledge, growth and the imagination. This is a micro-indie-bookstore on wheels, a rolling repository and distribution network on wheels carrying scores of books on many subjects for sale. Everything from old photo magazines ( I got one) to very recent catalogues of local art exhibits, serious art books and a children's section. The emphasis is on specifics, and quality. Mitzi has a journalism degree, worked for the Trib, the Dali Museum, and has carved a unique niche for herself. This is nothing short of fantastic. I look forward to seeing the Bluebird Bus again. It is the analogue of a food truck, but this one feeds your head.

Mitzi Gordon in her Bluebird Bus

Music

In the gallery was the playlist show. In the image on the left, the various modes of playing the recorded music. Listeners put on headphones and went from machine to machine.On the right, Music.

People meandered around the shelves listening to different playlists, some sat in the middle of the gallery and had a great time.

Artists made materials to go with the playlists. On the right is Justin Myers' playlist.

Details of hand-wrought materials...

Tempus Projects shows attract very interesting and beautiful  people...

The designs for the T-Shirts were along the back wall, and people could place orders, and get them made right there while they waited.





Some of the T-shirt designs...

Work by Suzanne Camp Crosby

Work by Gigi Lage

Work by Justin Nelson

People waiting for their shirts to be finished.

Congratulations to all the artists, to Tracy Midulla Reller, and Mitzi Gordon for a diverse and fun show and evening.

This Young Adult Weekend, Dec. 15th - 17th.

As we count down towards Christmas, the number of events is thinning, but remember that all the galleries are open and that art is a unique, hand-made, non-corporate gift, the kind people will appreciate and remember. There are works of every description, in every medium and style, ranging in prices from $20.00 up. So get out there and get a gift like no other.

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Bleau Acier Holiday Show @ Bleau Acier - This print shop, one of the best in the world, has its Holiday Show, with Dominique Labauvie, Marie Yoho Dorsey, Claudia Ryan, Steve McClure, Pierre Mabille, Herve di Rosa, Neil Bender, & Michel Leonard. 109 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa. 813.272.9746. Free admission.
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Red Cloud American Indian Art Show and Reception - Jewelry by Artie Yellowhorse, Glendora Fragua, and more. Opens Friday Dec 16th, 6-10 PM and Saturday, Dec 17th, 10 AM to 5 PM. Free admission. 208 Beach Drive NE., St Pete.
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Brad Cooper Auction - Brad's been a first-rate presence in the Tampa arts scene for decades. This is his yearly live auction, held Saturday, Dec 17th, at 1714 E. Seventh Avenue, Ybor City, Tampa. Admission tickets are $25 ahead of time, $35 at the door. Call 813.248.6098 for tickets.
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Terry Andrews @ Singing Stone - Live Music, Sculpture, both by this multi-talented artist. At Singing Stone Gallery, 1903 N 19th street, Tampa. 11 AM - 3PM Saturday, Dec 17th. Free.
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Senior Art Show @ University of Tampa - Eight UT seniors exhibit at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery 310 N. Boulevard, Tampa. Friday, Dec 16th, 7-9 PM. Free.
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Forever in a Moment: 19th Century Photographs of Egypt - Forty photographs of Egypt in the latter1800's. Part of the era known in photography as Orientalism. This gem of a museum is open seven days a week.  Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday, Noon to 5 PM. 255 Beach Drive, St Pete. Admission is $17 for adults, $15 Seniors, $10 for students.
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Small Works @ Clayton Galleries - An annual group show of 29 artists represented by the gallery. 4105 S. S.Mac Dill Ave., Tampa.
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"Combinations" @ Cafe Bohemia

Cafe Bohemia, interior view.

Cafe Bohemia is one of those places that is greater than the sum of its parts. It multi-tasks as a cafe', gallery, micro-concert venue, movie plein-air theater and more. Diverse talent in a variety of media play and show there. Both exotic, cult types from the national scene as well as the grass-root variety. The group of artists in this show are local and influenced by graffiti art and St. Petersburg art networks and ideology.





The work of familiar names and faces fills the walls here. People like Reid Jenkins, Moy and Melissa Loera, Scott Hillis and Derek Donnelly.

Melissa Loera, "Beady-Eyed Bastard"

Melissa's smiling raccoon surrounded by money bags (note how the bags seem to extend beyond the edges of the frame, implying they go on and on) doesn't look like something out of National Geographic. It is metaphorical, at least in part. It reminds me of the OWS one percent-ers. Melissa had no comment on that, only to say that she leaves the interpretations to each individual viewer.

Work by Melissa Loera.

This intense frontal portrait of a white Fox staring directly back at the viewer has a sense of urgency about it. The Fox is white, suggesting purity and/or spirituality. In the background are two leaf-less spidery trees. She wears a red scarf. It is Winter and it is cold. She finds herself in the cycles of the Seasons and life, like the viewer. I see a kind of existential angst in this image. She is waiting, no, carrying on until Spring.

Works by Moy Loera

Moy Loera's work has a distinctive style to it, a little reminiscent of Takashi Murakami with a gentler, less frenetic style. There's two works represented on the left. The top one is of a man on a moped (Moy rides one) wearing a checkered-flag scarf and looking determined. Behind him streams a starry rainbow.

Work by O'Donnell

Work by O'Donnell

There are two portraits by Derek Donnelly in this show. On the right is one of the boxer Evander Hollyfield. On the left is one of Jack Nicholson. The colors and expressiveness of these portraits are strong. They are not only individuals, but strong types within this culture.

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Left to right: Moy, Melissa and Derek.

Work by Christian Thomas

This fecund Tree by Christian Thomas, brimming with life, fruit, leaves etc. is a cornucopia issuing from a guitar. In it, life begets life, including a shoot that rises so fast and hard that it leaves concentric rings. Note how the fruits fall in the form of musical notation. This is a very detailed and precise pen-and-ink drawing. The closer you get, the more detail there is.

Outside in the courtyard, Reid Jenkins, Scott Hillis and O'Donnell participated in a Live Paint. This was early in the evening. The place filled up about an hour after this picture was taken. Cafe Bohemia has long championed live paint-ins, and has had some of the best in the area.

Work by Bonnie Neal

 Tucked away in a corner was this abstract by Bonnie Neal. Themed around a spiral and lower interlocking rings, with vibrant blues and smaller strips of other colors, this speaks to me of bonding.

Scott Hillis, "Mankind in Retrospect"

This is a double Naturae Mort. A skull-headed buffalo with more arrows in it than most depictions of St. Sebastian stares at a human skull. This surreal post-apocalyptic scenario takes place in a wasteland. All is not lost: A flower grows out of the human skull. Nature will survive us.

Scott Hillis, "Elephant in Teknicolor"

"Elephant in Teknicolor" by Scott Hillis is a beautifully and skillfully rendered drawing. The head of an elephant looking almost like a mount, on a brightly colored, somewhat chaotic background. Its ears are in 'charge' mode, but it's not charging. Feels like Nature waiting, warning us to come to our senses, or even pitying us for failing to do so.

Reid Jenkins, "Boombox & Robot

"Boombox & Robot" by Reid Jenkins, a small work with a larger figure carrying the boombox, and a smaller one listening while plugged into the other figure. A comment on media and communications.

Work by Reid Jenkins

Reid has a style a somewhat eclectic yet distinctive style with curious traces of African and Jamaican overtones as in the work on the right. He told me he was too busy to do much art until recently, and has been getting back into the groove.

Work by Reid Jenkins

This is what Reid was working on during the Live Paint event. The lion looks like it may be Ethiopian to me. I have yet to see the finished work.

Congratulations to all the artists, and to Matt and Bonnie Neal for a good show. Cafe Bohemia, one of Art Taco's favorite hangouts, is at 937 Central Avenue in St. Pete. Their home-made coffees (extraordinary cafe con leche), baked goods, sandwiches, hummus and particularly the falafels are nothing short of spectacular. Reasonable prices, too. Monday through Saturday, open till midnight.

Decks: Skateboard Exhibit at The Bricks

The Bricks, interior view.

Skateboard art has been around for some time. There are guys who are known as "skateboard artists". The Bricks has long-standing ties to the boards, with its ties to Skatepark, in Tampa. If you notice, there's also a skateboarding store that is adjacent to The Bricks as well. This show has ties for the place, its culture and many of its customers, some of which grew up going from one establishment to the other.




The "deck" format is long, almost like a Chinese scroll, with is peculiar rounded ends. Curiously, most of the work shown was in the vertical format. In my experience, this is the convention for this type of work, though as we will see, some artists work horizontally. Pale Horse, a St Pete artist who has worked on skateboards extensively, does a lot of horizontals.

Kristopher Fillon, "Danny"

A portrait of someone who looks familiar, but I can't ID. The man is canonized by his halo. Note the sepia...and lack of other color in the figure. Formally, this is mostly composed along the centerline of the space. Only at the bottom does it play with asymmetry, and then only slightly.

Tiffany Minsall "Chickpea Eating Monster"

In "Chickpea Eating Monster", Tiffany Minsall breaks out of the deck by using it as the corpus of the Monster, and adding head, limbs and tail. Looking more like a religious, somewhat devilish figure (big horns!) but cute and leaning in the direction of crafted dolls being incorporated into art. The effect is intense and silly --- simultaneously.

Chris Pastras, "All Faces on Deck"

Again, fitting into the vertical, in this case, a totem of faces, five in all, highly stylized, and looking curiously similar in some ways to the grotesque humanoid faces in Eskimo totems. The gesture of the red face is the strong point of this painting.

Michelle Sawyer, "Dear Mama, What's Beef?"

Michelle Sawyer foils the formal convention by using a broken board (there were many that were glued together) in two pieces to make two insightful portraits of deceased rappers. The jagged edges of the break are a good metaphor for the abrupt ending of their lives' trajectories.

Jason Ault, "Game Face"

Jason Ault's "Game Face" uses the space horizontally here to include faces from popular gaming characters.

RJ RRunes, "Lost and Found"

RJ Runes' "Lost and Found" ventures into 3D sculptural territory, breaking out of the surface of the deck. A figure of an old man, looking unhappy and perhaps bitter. In his chest there's what could be an atrophied heart bound with wire.

Dan Lasata, "Growth"

Dan Lasata is known as a 'skateboard artist'. In "Growth", there's a stark tree with only a few leaves growing out of a teary-eyed man's head. In  sub-frame, it says "every man's tree grows differently". Note how relaxed Dan works in the space, at ease with asymmetry. I spoke with Dan at the opening of his show at Kahwa Cafe S. in St Pete last weekend. It's a show that will soon be reviewed in AT.

Mike Goodwine, "Recycled Miss Nature"

This was one of the more radical re-interpretations of the space of the format. Mike Goodwine's "Recycled Miss Nature" a cut-out from a board in an arboreal form.

Two happy show goers at the exhibit.

Congratulations to all participating artists and The Bricks for an unusual show.

--- Luis

On the Nature of Art: Mystery Book Sculptures in Scotland

My friend and one of AT's earliest followers, photographer Brian Rice, sent me this article about a mystery artist who has been leaving behind excellent paper/book sculptures in libraries and book signings in Scotland. It says something about the nature of art and artists.

[Link]

A note of thanks to Brian.

This Weekend, Dec. 9th - 11th

I Still Have a Bad Feeling About This @ West Tampa Arts Center (WTAC) - Artists interpret Star Wars ideas, movies, etc. performances, art, doorprizes, giveaways, music and more. Friday, Dec 9th, 7-10 PM, 1906 Armenia in Tampa.
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"Not Your Same Old Christmas" Gallery Walk @ Art Lofts - Group exhibit of the many artists at the Lofts and open studios. Saturday Dec 10th, 5:00 -8:30 PM. 10 Fifth St. North, St Petersburg.
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Mixtapes and Tees @ Tempus -  Artist's playlists on cassettes that you can listen to on vintage Walkmans and boomboxes. Joe Griffith, Alan Hampton, Ryann Slauson, Bryan Taylor and others are featured. They were selected by two Creative Loafing staffers and Tracy Midulla Reller. This is in conjunction with their 3rd T-Shirt show, wherein designs are up on exhibit, and you order them made, and get them finished on the spot at $17 ea. Desings are by Neil Bender, Matt Normand, and others. Free Admission.
5132 N. Florida Ave. Friday, Dec 9th, 7-10 PM.
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Bike Art Show @ Seminole Heights Garden Club - Alan Snel, who ran the Arts and Antiques Bike Ride I participated in & reported on here a while back is staging another ride this Saturday, Dec 10th. It starts at 8:30 AM at tyhe Seminole Garden Club, 5901 N. Ninth St. Tampa. After the ride, there will be a Bike Art Show at the Garden Club, from 11:00 AM to 1 PM.
PBS will be filming the ride for the show Pedal. Free admission.
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Art @ Centennial Park - The 2nd year of this show, this time with 2,700$ in prizes. At Centennial Park, Ybor. Eighth Ave and 19th St. In conjunction with the .25 Streetcar rides. Saturday, Dec. 10th, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free Admission.
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Adam Miguel Estevez: Vista @ Collective - A one-night show by the artist Saturday, Dec 10th, at 601 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. Free Admission. And... More Than Sunshine Show, Florida based New Brow Art. 7-11 PM Saturday, Dec 10th.
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Arts Against Hunger Live Art Festival - Musicians, including Jun Bustamante. Donated works at Silent Auction, Live Painting, and more. (I will get there very late due to a funeral service, but I'll be there.). Six Hundred block of Central Avenue St. Petersburg. Saturday, Dec 10th 10 AM to 4 PM.
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Classic Tattoo and Sweet Cheeks Xmas Carnival @ Sake Bomb - Art, Music, and more from these two creative venues. Bring a toy or donate some $. Free admission. Sunday, Dec 11th, at 8:00 PM.  Sake Bomb, 548 Central Ave St Petersburg.
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Dan Lasata @ Kahwa - Skateboard Artist Dan Lasata has a one-man show at Kahwa Cafe, New work. Opens Dec 10th, 7-9PM 204 2nd Ave S. St Pete. Free.
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Holiday Block Party @ Creative Clay/1100 block - Live art from the community, Exibits, and music, including Jun Bustamante.  Saturday, Dec 10th, 5-8:30 PM, on the 1100 block (right after that nano traffic circle). Free.
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Artpool's New Crib - Marina Williams has moved her artspace to 2030 Central Ave. in St Pete. This is the Grand Opening, with the Wicked Winter Wonderland Party. Sequins encouraged, but constumes or anything eccentric will do. $20 Admission.
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Show @ Duncan McClellan's - Although I am not seeing anything in the papers, I did receive a comment saying that, as usual, in conjunction with Gallery Walk, there would be an exhibit at Duncan McClellan Glass. From their website: The Duncan McClellan Gallery will highlight artists - Ellen Vontillius, Sam Chung and many more to be announced fantastic artists!

Wine & beer will be available with donations benefiting First Night St. Pete 2012.
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Collector Speaks Out About The Art World

Charles Saatchi is one of the world's top collectors by any measure. In this article from The Guardian, he speaks openly on the topic.

[Link]

Is Anyone in Tallahassee Listening?

Seventeen hundred journalists from all over the World descended on Miami for Art Basel. They went home and wrote or filmed etc thousands of articles and TV spots showing Miami/Florida in the best of positive lights. Many magazines brought down crews and did fashion shoots in Miami Beach during the Festival.

One-half Billion dollars injected into the Floridian economy, mostly from outside sources.

Thousands of the wealthiest people on the planet came to Florida/Miami and looked around. Some will return to visit, live, and/or invest.

One main show, 216 galleries represented in the satellite shows.

The effects linger, as new businesses are springing up at Wynwood and the Design District.

Art Basel puts Miami on the World Cultural Map.

Governor Scott and our esteemed legislators, you talk about encouraging business all the time. What are you doing to encourage the Business of Art? The artists of our state? Educating our future artists?

Cosmopolitan: A Square One Event @ The Ritz

Okesene Tilo knows how to throw a party. His events are an example of how things ought to be. Everything goes off on time. There is a smoothness to them that has to be experienced to be believed. If someone spills a bit of a drink (in very low lighting), a staffer magically appears out of nowhere and cleans it up. The bathrooms are spotless throughout the evening. You never see a drunk or rowdiness. They're events where (literally) Doctors, a locally famous cross-dresser and broke-ass hipsters rub shoulders in harmony. The music, dancing and other entertainment holds your attention. Square One's style is elegant.





A few pictures and notes from "Cosmopolitan"...

Dancers on stage

Some of the acts extended the performance arena into the audience. Note the amount of space. The Ritz is a large venue.

There were concerts on the smaller stage in one of the front rooms. One of these groups was the winner of a city-wide battle of the bands.

Happy, inspired partying at Cosmopolitan.

There was art in the lobby, the two front rooms, and along the walls of the theater....

Friends

Some of Tampa's brightest, nicest, most beautiful and interesting people were there.



Congratulations to Square One, Okie and the Ritz for a wonderful evening.

Occupy Art Tampa Art Auction @ Czar

Inside Czar, looking toward entrance. Art on right, bar left.

I was at an Occupy Tampa site & listened to an impassioned young woman talk about the role of art in the movement, and suggest an art auction as a fundraiser. Her name was Lauren Howland. I signed up on the mailing list, and began receiving emails. The auction became a reality, and found a host at Czar, at 1420 E. Seventh Ave.

I didn't have much time that evening, but here is my report:

Bidder writing in bid.

In the first long room inside Czar, the art was hung on the wall opposite the bar. There was a good number of people hanging out and having a good time. It was a silent auction, so each work had a pad of paper so bidders cold write their bids.

Watercolor by Marylin Manson

There was quite a variety of art in several media on auction. This was one of several beautiful, jewel-like watercolors by Marylin Manson.

Mike McCormick, "Body of Resonance"

On the left is "Body of Resonance", by Mike McCormick, an oil and acrylic fantasy landscape.

Denise Howland, "Speckled Clay I"

There were a few ceramic pieces, like "Speckled Clay I", by Denise Howland, a beautiful bowl in two glazes with some design characters in a gold color.

 

 

 

Woman in dress made of (toy) $100 dollar bills 

At one point we were ushered through a couple of cavernous rooms in Czar, some looking like an XXXL version of something in Twin Peaks to where the bands were going to play, but alas, I had to run. Congratulations to all the artists, Lauren Howland, and Occupy Tampa for a good first fundraiser/art auction, all for a worthy cause, and to Czar for hosting.

On the Three Finalists for the St. Pete Pier Replacement.

You can see the three finalists here: [Link]

The three have catchy names. Any of them would revolutionize the view from Downtown St. Pete and cost the $50 million the city has budgeted for the project. My first thoughts...

The Wave is a very ambitious design that resonates well with the Dali Museum building. Its verticality and loop design gives it visual prominence. Hoofing it down that long walkway keeps one of the problems of the current Pier Design: No shade or protection from rain for those making the pilgrimage. I also don't see any stops along the way to sip on something, or bathroom facilities. I am curious about the interior. The form cuts down on the floorspace inside, but it is beautiful.

The Lens is splashy, and all about the water. The design is very expressive, with a big dripping wedge of style. From the renderings, it looks like it has a covered walkway. Has anyone seen the maquette? Does it provide shade and rain protection for those walking out to it? The amphitheater style could be put to use, but it seems like it would need a stage out in the middle.

The Eye is by far the most organic, looking like a giant version of a sea urchin or something one would find diving along a reef. It is multi-level, has very visible verticality, and looks like very pedestrian-navigable architecture. It looks hollow inside. What will there be to do after the long walk? I also do not see a trace of sun/rain protection for those making the journey out there.

I see those lengthy walkways being considered only as a means to reaching the end structure. Why not entertain the notion that the journey can be a destination in itself? Maybe a post or neomodern version of the Coney Island-style boardwalk with its own identity? Maybe an internet cafe for travelers with a water view? A lot of older people might need bathrooms somewhere along the line, or only want to go part of the way to a place to sit down (are we still ashamed of the benches?), grab a soft drink and a bite? Plus the city would lease those concessions and hopefully recoup some of its investment. Just a few thoughts....more to come.

I'll be going out to see the maquettes soon...

This may look familiar....Weekend, Dec.2nd - 4th

5 SPoT Art Show - Skate Tournament and Art from local artists. Skatepark Tampa, 4215 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa. Admission $10.00.
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Tampa Museum of Art (TMA) - Holiday Shopping Hand-made gifts for sale in the Atrium, with free gift wrapping. Sono Cafe snacks (this alone is worth the trip!), cash bar, and music by DJ Jeff Stewart. Free. In the Museum.... Realism, Selections from the Martin Z. Margulies Collection, through Dec. 31st. No Limits, Videos from artist Janet Biggs. Hours: Mon-Thurs., 11AM - 7 PM. Until 8 PM Fridays. Closed on Thanksgiving. Art on the House - The TMA is free on Friday evenings, from 4-8 PM. Otherwise, it's $10.00 Admission. 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Downtown Tampa.
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Ringling Museum of Art - Featuring 20th Century Abstract Art from the Ringling Collection; The Amazing American Circus Poster, from the Strobridge Lithographic Company; Josef Albers Colors (this alone is well worth the drive to Sarasota). at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Closed on Thanksgiving.
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Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete - Forever in a Moment, 19th century Photographs of Egypt. Story and Symbol, 17th century paintings from Northern Europe. The NY School, from the Gottay Collection. Closed on Thanksgiving. Hrs. Monday-Saturday, 10 AM - 5 PM. Noon-5 PM Sunday. Admission $17.00
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Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) - Celebrations of the Body, male nudes by Dianora Nicco, and Bud Lee's America, outstanding photographs by a photographer that lives here.
Closed Thanksgiving. Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Noon-8 PM Friday, and Noon-5 PM Sunday. Admission is $6.00, FMoPA is at 200 N Tampa in Downtown Tampa.
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Holizaar @ 620 - Gifts galore at Holizaar Four. Saturday, Dec 3, from 11 AM to 4 PM at Studio 620. 620 1st Ave, North, St. Pete. Free.
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Gulfport Art Walk: Shop Local - Sidewalk art and craft show in a charming location with plenty of eateries and watering holes. 6-10 PM Friday @ Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. Free.
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St. Petersburg Clay Sale - Holiday sale. St. Pete Clay Company, 420 22nd st. S. 10 AM- 6 PM Saturday, Noon-6 PM Sunday. Free.
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Zen Glass Holiday Show - At the new studio. Glass goodies for sale. Free. 600 27th St. S. St Pete.
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