Hark, Is that the sound of the coming Oliver Herring Show?

Oliver Herring of Art 21 fame is having a solo show at Max Protetch. The Opening is on Saturday, February 24th, from 6pm to 8pm. Max Protetch is in Chelsea at 511 W. 22nd st.

I just got back from the CAA conference in the city and got to see some of the sculptural work in Oliver's studio that will be in the show. You can see some of it here.

Also in the show will be Photos, and Videos. I worked with/for Oliver on two of his video projects in October and December of 2006. Look for the video titled Nathan in the show and you'll see the fruits of the latter session. I got to see the rough cut of the video while in the city and was very happy to have been a part of it. It is fascinating to see a vision come to life in an art piece you were a part of. Themes of Oliver's video work: the humanity in failure and the integrity and humor in striving for beauty. It was a strenuous but incredibly rewarding process to be involved in the making of the video, to understand the process, and to gain insight into some of the motivations.



The first video we shot will be in a show called 50,000 Beds in Connecticut in March or April of 2007 at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Artspace, and Real Artways. Look for an upcoming review of that show from me and an interview with Oliver as well. Until then, hope to see you in Chelsea.

Calling All Cars

The next painting project is starting up. The Blessed Isles: A remix of Leutze's Washington Crossing the Delaware. Info about participation can be viewed at theblessedisles.blogspost.com. All help is welcome. Whether you are an American or not, there is space on our boat for you. I'm planning on a monumental project, size and number of boats will be determined by number of participants. Photoshoots are being arranged at Wesleyan, Southern, and Paier College. Others are photographing themselves.

The title comes from a Nietzsche line: "till we find the blessed isles where are friends are dwelling."

I've always associated this with the bohemian life, where it leads you, and who you encounter along the way. I'm hoping to show the discrepancy between the personal narratives we engage in as humans and those we get grouped into by way of the national identity and its narratives. There will be a strong political edge to the piece: crossing water to foreign lands for resources, from George Washington to GW: how has the face of America changed and can we any longer believe in the epic and heroic in a political sphere? so much is done in the name of spreading freedom. Simultaneously, how does spending a life in ideas and the arts separate one from a national identity. Is one always floating between lands, creating a community that is beyond land? Join me and be immortalized in paint.

Elementary My Dear Watson

This was found in some belongings of my deceased grandmother. I have no idea who Carrie is, but judging from the handwriting, I'm guessing this was 2nd grade. The use of the word "too" is charming and expressive along with the old school writing paper. I sent it along to FOUND magazine to see if they will use it. The note currently awaits a frame.