How We See Materiality and Color

Laumeier Sculpture Park opened its latest show in the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Building featuring six artists expertly curated by Dana  Turkavic and presented by Chief Preparator Marty Linson under watchful eye of Executive Director Lauren Ross. Four of the artists were on hand to open the show. Claire Ashley, Anne Lindberg, Odili Donald Odita and Jedediah Caesar took turns with with comments on the exhibition.

Clair Ashley’s work and performance piece on the lawn outside anchored the event with a shared sense of contemporary sculpture that at her own admission straddles monumental contemprary art and whimsy. Anne Lindberg pieces exercise discipline and color executed with graphite and colored pencil in vertical parallel lines on matt board that are nearly nine feet tall. She admits that the layers of color on graphite were pains-takingly produced.  Odili Donald Odita offered that his work Van Gogh’s Trees (a work of acrylic latex on a laminated panel) has a way of shifting the viewers sense of space, near and far, as one considers its color and texture. Jedediah Caesar’s sculptural egg-like pieces of ceramic stone and epoxy adorn the northeastern corner of the gallery space and he applauds the curator’s support in not presenting the work on pedestals. You can only assume that artists Barbara Kasten and Jeffrey Gibson are as happy as these four artists on hand appear to be about this juxtaposition of art.

The six artists included in this show celebrate a diversity and geography while exploring color and materials in contemporary art. Clair lives and works in Chicago by way of Scotland. Anne lives and works in upstate New York after her education took her to Ohio (Miami University) and Michigan (Cranbrook Academy of Art). Odili lives and works in Philadelphia and was born in Nigeria. He went to college at Ohio State and Vermont. Jedediah did his BFA in Boston  before his MFA at University of California in Los Angeles where he now lives and works. Jeffrey and Barbara live and work in New York and Chicago respectively.

It’s a comfortable 37 degrees outside on this Saturday March 2, 2019. We anticipate another winter event of snow and below freezing temperatures this weekend. It is nice to enjoy this splash of color and materiality with docents, staff and a modest gathering of Laumeier fans. Meanwhile Mardi Gras festivities are happening downtown with a parade. The good news it that this exhibition is on view until June 30, 2019.     

 

Photo Credits:Artist at the mic, Anne Lindberg talks about her works, the small hours, 2017 & as though air could turn to honey, 2017 and outdoor performance piece and works by Clair Ashley.  

AIGA Portfolio Review 2019

Portfolio reviewers allow participants to present their creative work, get advice and make valuable connections. I am again among this group, even as my own career path has evolved away from routine creative design problem solving. Students at this conference can also get a look at what peers have been working on. I am so impressed and delighted to meet some of these aspiring graphic artists. Jake from Millikin University is working with a team to bring children with disabilities more representation. Andrew from Maryville University is interested in video game development. Tyler is already working for a local firm that handles advertising for the Zoo. Brad is interested in motion illustration and design. Igor is an UMSL graphic designer with a polished look and a professional demeanor. I also met Stewart, Brad and Cole. All of these young designers reinforce my belief that the future looks bright indeed.

This year’s AIGA student conference centered around a full Saturday on Webster University's Gateway campus in downtown STL with Keynote speakers: De Nichols, Social Impact Design Principal of Civic Creatives, a design strategy agency. She is an alum of Washington University and Bonnie Siegler, Creative Director & Founder of Eight and a Half, a New York design studio.

I shared bits of conversation with other reviewers and some of the local organizers of this event in Saint Louis. Too be sure, the businesses of design are more diverse than ever. The great thing is the passion for thoughtful approaches to everything from social justice, digital motion graphics to ephemeral print still have champions. I sat next to Barbara JK Nwacha, Chair of Art & Design at SIU Edwardsville and marveled at her enthusiasm and nurturing nature. The theme for the conference revolved around finding a good fit. With encouragement from educators and inspiration from practitioners I hope these talented designers find places where they will thrive and make the world a better place.     

Quiet on the Set

Quiet on the Set.

Without regret;

Brother Never Forget;

The role you earn, you will certainly Get.

Begin anew;

As you always do;

One step, then a few;

Special thanks to cast and crew.

You are the one;

You have only just begun;

The Journey is half the fun;

Arrive and you’re done.

You are one to admire;

Others can only aspire;

The things you desire;

In a scene by the fire.

Quiet on the set.

It could be the best year yet;

To win you gotta place a bet;

Quiet on the set.

"It was you Charley, you should have look out for me..." (On the Waterfront)

“Can someone please get Sundance a Balogna Sandwich and a glass of milk from Craft Service."

Happy Birthday Sundance Morgan 2/10/2019

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

MUSIC: The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens

CHORUS:

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight

CHORUS

Near the village the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight

CHORUS

Hush my darling don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight

CHORUS

Ms.Gina Hoffnman's class will perform on stage at SSD's Neuwoehner High School with home made props (above) made from reclaimed cardboard stock from Aldi's market, paint stir sticks, cut paper, Elmer's School Glue and Magic Marker. The Talent Show on March 15 will be the fourth or fifth time I have been the official impressario of this annual production. 

It's still early for sign ups but already we have, in addition to Hoffman's Class, tentative performances by Linda Hofeditz's class (featuring What a Wonderful World by L Armstrong), Pat Kohn's Class (La Cucaracha by Daria), Malinski's class (Dave Clark Five - Glad All Over). The Theme for the Show: The World Awaits. 

The Lion Sleeps Tonight Songwriters: George David Weiss / Hugo E. Peretti / Luigi Creatore

The Lion Sleeps Tonight lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC

Friday SLAM

Having recently seen At Eternity’s Gate at the Frontenac Landmark movie theater in which actor Willem Dafoe plays Vincent van Gogh in Julian Schnabel’s movie, I am stoked to join my docent colleagues and reflect a bit about art in general. I find myself walking the galleries of the Saint Louis Art Museum with fellow docents from Laumeier Sculpture Park guided by Barb Gervais. Barb is a rare entity serving as docent for both regional art institutions. She sets a wonderful tone for our group. On this chilly late November morning our mission is ostensibly to tour sculptural highlights at SLAM. However, today we opt out of strolling the sculpture garden and save this treat for another day when the weather is more accommodating. (It’s okay by me, since I could not resist using my early arrival to visit this remarkable collection of works outside. Aristide Maillol is a personal favorite.)

Our indoor highlights allowed us ample time to reflect on sculpture by Degas, Giacometti, Arman, Judd, Flavin, and many brief sidebar exchanges. We made time to view the Kehinde Wiley exhibition of large-scale contemporary oil paintings of African American subjects. The works here  recall the grand tradition of European and American portraiture. Models are real people from our region (including Yvonne Osei who was recently featured in the Fine Arts Building at Laumeier). Wiley’s art addresses politics of race and power.

Brunch at the Panorama restaurant overlooking Forest Park was hosted by our waiter, Anthony who could not have been more pleasant (even as we requested separate checks). Naturally every serving of themselves were individual works of culinary art. Being the art junky that I am, I could not resist a second helping of the Graphic Revolution exhibition. (Rauchenberg, Warhol, Oldenberg, LeWitt, Lichtenstein are familiar friends of mine.) Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now examines the transformational decade of the 1960s through the early 21st century, and the emergence of the creative synergies between the artists, publishers, printers, dealers, and collectors.

Overall a lovely way to spend a Friday in which I played hooky on November 30, 2018. Thanks to Kathy H. for arranging.

UMSL Speed Networking

(2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019...and we're back)

The University of Missouri in Saint Louis (UMSL) has become a sort of home away from home for me. My good friend Perry Drake Ph.D. made a connection with me when he we re-establishing himself in our little big town around 2013. I am proud to note that Drake listens and more. He had taken a few bits of my wisdom and spun them into gold with his action-orientation and enthusiasm. Case in point: The American Marketing Association of Saint Louis periodically ran speed networking events where professionals could connect and practice their best elevator speeches, meet and great. I have been a member of AMA for 20+ years. One such speed networking event took place in the middle of Historic Old Webster at Llywelyn's Pub in 2012.

One of his students, who was majoring in business with an emphasis in marketing and international business was determined to make this kind of event happen at UMSL hosted by the marketing club of which she was a leader. Perry Drake and I met with Breanna at Kaldi’s Coffee on De Mun Avenue. Suffice it to day, we had all the ingredients necessary to start a tradition that is now in its fifth year at UMSL.

15-20 professionals are assembled to test the grit of students willing to subject themselves to the naturally uncomfortable situation of a mock interview situation again November 13, 2018. Students have only 4 minutes to make an impression. It is wonderful practice for what will be real life soon enough.

Give a few extra moments at the mic at the latest UMSL Speed Networking, Mark LaRocca of Casino Queen indicated that he was struck by three Ps essential for success in interview situations (Planning, Practice, Purpose I think). Michael Lamb of native Msg added a few comments too. Not to be outdone, I offered the following TEN nuggets.

• You decide what WINNING is
• Keep your eye on the PRIZE
• Have a little AUDACITY
• Say THANK YOU often
• Love the JOURNEY
• KINDNESS (be a bucket filler not a dipper)
• ASK for help
• Be a FEARLESS biller (do not undervalue what you do)
• Do not DEFINE who you are by what you do
• It's not about you (EVER)

I am proud to have participated in all five of these remarkable events at the J C Penney Center on campus and the more recent location in the new Anheuser-Busch building. Thanks to all the professionals who contributed. Thanks also to the students who have taken the time to exercise being uncomfortable as part of their respective journeys.

Photo above: Speed Networking at UMSL at Anheuser Busch Hall in November 2019 (and I was proud to be a part of it again)

The tradition continues. This year (November 17, 2021) students lead by the marketing club participated in a Speed Networking event. My advice hasn't changed much: I distilled my suggestions to four parts. 1. Think about how you might answer an opening question like: So, what do you want to do? 2. Don't be afraid to ask for a courtesy interview. 3. Consider yourself a marketable product and create your own "board of directors" to guide you. 4. Follow Up. 

1.   

Allison Said

“Ben is Amazing” said she.

It was no surprise to me.

Said Ben “she’s cute, isn’t she?”

Mom and I had to agree.

On the couch, at 2 Glenmaro Lane;

Two smart phones, intuitive and plain

Save the planet, Trick or Tweet

Smiling with comic timing, oh so sweet

Now, the sum is greater than its parts;

City, Street, Love and the arts;

Easy peasy, boom-boom hizzy, wild and free

And still, nothin’ but Blue skies do I see.

Ben and Allison - Happy Iron Anniversary

10-27-18