2-Day Art Sale at Groveland Gallery

"Natural History Psychedelia" by Alexis Rockman

Thanks to my colleague Ilene who brought me a magazine clipping of the following article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/25/magazine/alexis-rockmans-visual-inspiration-for-life-of-pi.html?_r=0

Artwork by Alexis Rockman, Gabrielle Plucknette/The New York Times

Ilene, an artist herself, shared this article with me because a) these images are made with gouache on black paper; and b) Alexis Rockman's work demonstrates his interest in natural history.

Admire reviewed in Vita.MN

Click here to read Mary Abbe's review of Admire, a show that includes two of my tiny paintings. Abbe describes not only the art, but commends the curator's inclusion of correspondence between the artists. These reciprocal letters of admiration are subtly shelved next to the art. So if you enjoy the moment of unfolding a piece of personal mail --- and who wouldn't? --- let that enrich your gallery-gazing experience. In Abbe's words, the letters "lend the show a disarming intimacy and candor. " And from my perspective as staff at a museum, I am struck by how refreshing it is to pore over a hand-held letter rather than crane my neck to skim a wall-mounted label.

Admire is on view through February 16. Form+Content Gallery's visitor hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, noon to 6 pm.

And while I'm on the topic of admiration and mutual support among artists, I'll recommend another exhibition: The House That We Built: Feminist Art Then & Now. My "admirer," Jody Williams, has work in The House That We Built and I'm looking forward to seeing the show this weekend.

Sottobosco obsession

I am fascinated by the dark and peculiar works of Otto Marseus van Schrieck, a seventeenth-century Dutch painter who dedicated his life's work to painting the ground. Or more accurately, depicting shadowy undergrowths infused with imaginative chiaroscuro dramas. A few places to learn more: http://www.sphinxfineart.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=6&objectid=130379 and http://urbanplants.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/holland-looking-at-the-ground-sottobosco-painting/.

Bosgrond met een slang, hagedissen, vlinders en andere insecten

Otto Marseus van Schrieck, ca 1650-1678

Grandpa Bill Opening His GIF

I've been reflecting on the life of Grandpa Bill---his intellect, his love, his sense of humor. I think Bill would have chuckled to see the way this GIF captures a moment in time. And if Bill had been a digital native like his grandchildren, I can imagine him, with a twinkle in his eyes, making a pun on the words "GIF" / "gift".

I'm proud to be your granddaughter, Grandpa Bill.

Love,
Abbie

"Give to the Max Day". . . What can $10 do for MCBA?

Thursday, November 15 is Minnesota's Give to the Max Day. I'm giving to MCBA to help them help artists.

Please join me. For five years, my membership in the MCBA Artist Co-op has been my opportunity to witness MCBA as arts advocate, community builder, and friend. I sincerely thank you for hearing my request: Please give to MCBA as a way to recognize and support their outstanding work.

Give here: http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Minnesota-Center-For-Book-Arts

12'12'12'

Get ready for the Minnesota State Fair! And 12'12'12', an exhibition featuring twelve Minnesota artists (and their artwork).

The Minnesota State Fair's Fine Arts Exhibition always features a small special exhibition alongside the larger juried show. But this year the Fair is trying something dynamic and new. For this year's show, twelve artists are each given one day to use the gallery corner as a studio and demonstrate their artistic practice to the Fair-going public.

Photo by myprontopup on Flickr

Details

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Exhibition run: August 23-September 3, 2012
Location: Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Center at Randall Avenue and Cosgrove Street
Abbie's day: Monday, August 27, 9 am to 9 pm

What you'll see if you visit 12'12'12' on August 27:

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12'12'12' aims to make the work that artists do transparent and demonstrable. So in keeping with my creative practices, I'll present a breadth of projects. Over my 12 hours, I'll shift from the solitary labor of painting, to the text-based production of letterpress, to the intangible work of speculation, storytelling, and inquiry. And back again, as making informs thinking and thinking informs making.

My artwork on display, courtesy Groveland Gallery, is a small painting from my Deciduous Series. With intricate patterns similar in scale to miniature work, The Deciduous Series is a visual contemplation of the urban forest that grew out of my research into Dutch Elm Disease.

Throughout the day, I'll set aside my brush to operate a platen press. Lent for the day by Minnesota Center for Book Arts, this little cast iron machine dates from the 1930s. Spectators will gravitate to its ka-chunk-ka-chunk sound as proofs are pulled by hand. What I'll be making on the press is a free multiple connected to my creative practice as an amateur naturalist.

For over 2 years, I've been working on a project called Open Phenology that chronicles natural phenomena through the seasons. (Phenology is the scientific study of periodic life cycle events, such as flowering, breeding, and migration.) This project, visible to the public as Web-based documentation at openphenology.org, was conceived as an experiment to raise awareness of the senses and the ecology we inhabit. By focusing on ephemeral biological phenomena, I aim to encourage reverent stewardship of nature by re-enchanting our relationship with it.

Links:

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• http://www.twincities.com/bestlocalblogs/ci_21344405/state-fair-time-means-food-fun-and-fine
• http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/166955916.html