It is a very busy couple of weeks for local art openings, events and opportunites. Here are a few picks to consider. Mark your calendar.
1. John Gossage: Here . . . Half Blind at the Rochester Art Center
Opening Reception Saturday January 30, 2010
Rochester Art Center presents a new body of work by Washington D.C. based photographer John Gossage, whose work tells an everyday story: paths worn through abandoned tracts of land, corners where debris collects, markings on a wall, a table after a meal. Rochester Art Center commissioned Gossage to create a new body of work during the spring and summer of 2009 using Rochester-scenes as his cast of characters. Though this work presents a unique narrative of the city, its people, and environment, the particular references capture universal appeal and understanding. The exhibition is up through April 11, 2010. This is a must see exhibition and well worth the drive to Rochester. Highly Recommend!
2. Justin Thomas Schaefer at Midway Contemporary Art Minneapolis-based artist Justin Schaefer opens a new exhibition titled Comedy Comedy on Saturday January 23rd. There is an opening reception from 7-9PM and the exhibition promised to be very strong as usual.
3. Claiming Space – the material and immaterial of site and language
Exhibition runs: 22 January – 18 February, 2010
Opening Reception: 6:00-8:30, Friday, 22 January
Organized by recent U of M MFA graduate Katinka Galanos this exhibition collects the work of artists whose work conceptualizes the language and experience of specific, and often invisible spatial boundaries. Showing in conjunction with the exhibition, almos(t)here, at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.
Artists include
Juana Barrio, Jan Estep, Janet Lobberecht, Peter Haakon Thompson, Marcus Young Participants
Morgan Adamson, Travis Freeman, Harlan, Morehouse
4. almos(t) here: New Bearings from Contemporary Artists in Europe
January 22nd – February 18th, 2010
The exhibition brings together a selection of internationally renowned Finnish and European-based artists who deal with issues of dislocation and migration or challenge manifestations of mental and physical borders in a globalized world. The artists approach these global and political issues from varying angles—some artworks are rooted in personal experience, others are based on investigation and direct engagement with different communities and people. Quite a few of the artists are showing their works for the first time in the United States.
Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center of Art
405 21st Ave. S. Minneapolis
Exhibition opening 22nd January 6.00-8.30pm
Opening remarks at 6:30 p.m. by Consul General of Finland, Ambassador Ritva Jolkkonen
Artists
Adel Abidin (Iraq/Finland)
Ursula Biemann (Switzerland)
Jaakko Heikkilä (Finland)
Minna Rainio & Mark Roberts (Finland/UK)
Pauliina Salminen and Andres Jaschek (Finland/Argentina/France)
Maria Ylikoski (Finland)
Katarina Zdjelar (Serbia/Netherlands)
Events
Artist talks @ In Flux, Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota West Bank Arts Quarter 405 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis
Feb. 11, 2010 (7pm)
Katarina Zdjelar
April 22, 2010 (7pm)
Jaakko Heikkilä
Associated screenings
Walker Art Center presents:
Where is Where? (Missä on missä?)
Directed by Eija-Liisa Ahtila
Saturday, January 23, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 pm
5. Megan Vossler Sound Signals at Franklin Art Works
January 29, 2010 – March 20, 2010
Minneapolis artist Megan Vossler opens a new exhibition of her tightly rendered drawings at Franklin Art Works. According to the press release Megan Vossler will present a suite of drawings in the Main Gallery, depicting a continuous landscape and narrative carried over multiple sheets of paper. Sounds very interesting. The exhibitions will open on Friday, January 29 with a reception from 7 to 9pm. Also on view drawings by Saul Chernick and video work by Kwabena Slaughter.
6. Feeling Minnesota: The second in mnartists series exploring if there is a “Minnesota Style” in the arts. Lightsey Darst’s write on the distinctive character of Minnesota dance. The piece is part of a series of topical articles,”Feeling Minnesota,” jointly published by mnartists.org and Minnesota Playlist, a site with “information and inspiration for Minnesota’s performing arts”.
7. Studio Furniture: The Next Generation at MCAD
New trends in studio furniture is on display in this exhibition of fifteen young artists. The artists, recent graduates of notable furniture programs, merge the traditions of studio furniture–fine craftsmanship and limited production–with experimental materials and concepts. The result is a convergence of art and design in furniture that prompts reconsideration of our relationships with everyday objects. Curated by Dean Wilson, head of the furniture design program at MCAD, and featuring a fully illustrated catalog with an essay by Edward Cooke Jr., professor of American decorative arts at Yale University.
Wendell Castle, Visiting Artist Lecture Series
“An Idea in Transition”
Friday, January 29, 6:30 p.m.
Auditorium 150
Daniel Michalik Visiting Artist Talk
Thursday, February 11, 1 p.m.
Auditorium 150
8. MAEP Foot in the Door 4: Call for Submissions: It’s that time again! The Foot in the Door 4 is an open exhibition for all Minnesota artists that take place every 10 years at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Since 1980, Foot in the Door has celebrated the diversity and enthusiasm of Minnesota’s visual arts community. Submit your work and be part of the state’s largest art exhibition…as long as it is 12” or less in each dimension. Anyone living in Minnesota who considers him- or herself an artist. Limit one (1) artwork per artist. The key is creating a piece that can stand out from the hundreds of other entries.
The exhibition runs February 19 – June 13, 2010
9. Intern at the Soap Factory One of Minnesota’s largest contemporary art galleries, The Soap Factory, is seeking qualified interns for the 2010 exhibition season. The large internship and volunteer program is integral part of The Soap Factory since its start in 1988. A variety of Internships are available with start dates between February and June. Internships include installation and maintenance, administrative and project based experiences. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet artists, gain experince and contribute to the local art community.
10. Prince writes a fight song for the Vikings….seriously. First of all, yes I am an artist, work in the arts and a sports fan. We do exisit. With that said I having been trying not to get too excited about the Vikings this season. As a lifelong Minnesota sports fan I have learned the hard way to not get invested because they will crush your dreams in ways only Cubs fans can top. After last week’s game against the Cowboys I am all in. This might be the first super bowl since I was 2 years old….but I also prepared for another 1998 too. How is that for midwestern optimism. So in closing, here is Prince’s Vikings fight song…yes this real. Skoal Vikings.
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