Ms. Frankenthaler

Helen Frankenthaler passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83.  (Read the story in the New York Times.)

Frankenthaler, a Washington School Abstract Expressionist who was once married to Robert Motherwell, was known for her innovative stain technique like this one, titled Mountains and Sea (1952) which involved pouring paint thinned with turpentine directly onto raw unprimed canvases.  Painting in Zen-mind, Frankenthaler effectively shifted the dominant emphasis of the time from the wildly-expressionistic gesture painting of the New York School toward a more chilled out aesthetic,  influencing the next generation of Post-painterly abstractionists like Kenneth Noland and Jules Olitski.  RIP Ms. Frankenthaler, whose important contribution to postwar American art will surely only continue to be realized and celebrated as time goes on.

 

this weekend’s art pick

If you’re looking for something arty to do among all the holiday parties this weekend, Nicholas Muellner’s senior photo students at IC are having their thesis exhibition this weekend, and the opening is tomorrow evening.  If you’re around, stop by – there is bound to be some good work.  Plus, Nick notes that it is ‘ a cool weird space that smells a little bit like sweat.’   (It takes place in the Tanfastic Building.)  Hope to see you there.

 

Space for Rent: A Photo Workshop Exhibition
Opening: Friday, December 16, 7-11 PM
Location: 609 West Clinton St. (behind Tanfastic)
Additional gallery hours: Saturday and Sunday (17th and 18th), 12-5 PM

Scenes from Arcades Project

The photo gallery from Friday’s Arcades Project has been posted on the Arcades Project website.

A special thank you to all the artists, vendors, performers, and visitors who came out to the event  and helped make it a success.  We hope to see you at the next one in May!

Here are some of the images from the event,  Click here to see them all.

Photo Credit: Ed Dittenhoefer

Photo Credit: Ed Dittenhoefer

Photo Credit: Ed Dittenhoefer

Photo Credit: Ed Dittenhoefer

a very pleasant art-filled weekend

I am just on the verge of concluding a rather delightful art-filled weekend in Ithaca. The Winter Arcades Project Showcase on Friday was a smashing success, with so many of our vendors making new contacts and many sales. Pictures coming soon..

All evening on Friday, Gallery Night in Ithaca was buzzing with life, and from what I could see, the streets downtown, and all of the galleries and special events were filled with visitors.

Last evening I was fortunate enough to be invited by a friend to the opening night of the Kitchen Theatre’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep, Charles Ludlam’s ‘irresistible, wickedly funny, cross-dressing send-up of the gothic horror genre (and practically everything else.)’  The 2-man play was laden with vampires, werewolves, Egyptian mythology and black magic, not to mention just about every pun, cliche and double-entendre you’ve ever heard. I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it.

Today, a rather lazy and wonderful Sunday, I popped up to the Johnson Museum to spend some time in the new wing taking in my friends from the New York School – Gorky, deKooning, Clyfford Still, et al – to have a look at the little Dada show and to check out the views from the newly-renovated fifth floor. If you haven’t been up there yet to see the new addition, I highly recommend it. What better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon, especially once the temperature begins to dip..which will happen soon, right?