Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Abstract Art Review
Two abstract contemporary artists and colleagues are on display until March 18th at the Polychrome art gallery on 1113 Fort St. Melanie Authier and Martin Golland’s works are both presented.
Melanie Authier brings a unique perspective to the world of abstract art. As one author puts it “Melanie Authier’s paintings are colorful journeys into an imaginary world.” Her work is bold; a mixture of hard edges, bars weaved in with small tight and intense brushstrokes. She uses a great deal of bright colors. She’s expressive, in a very unique way.
However, abstract art isn’t for everyone. I stand puzzled at some of her images. It is like I’m entering another magical world where I don’t know the rules. I wonder what kind of feelings she is trying to elicit but for some strange reason I can’t feel. I am confused, befuddled. I leave the exhibit with many questions.
In contrast, Martin Golland uses traditional landscape perspectives hard objects are in the foreground. “Leader” is oil on canvas depicting a ladder leading up to a balcony. “Veil” is a green cloth covering a view of trees below. He uses traditional methods with inanimate objects.
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All in all, I enjoyed the process of viewing these contemporary artworks. Please see for yourself what you like and don’t like about their art and post here.
Cheers!
http://www.gibsongallery.com/artists_pages/authier/authierindex.html
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Homeless Awareness: An Art Critique
As I scan the room at the Johnson Street Art Gallery, the many talented artists featured here inspire me to imagine new depths and heights. In an exhibition of artwork all created by people who have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, it is amazing to feel the energy and passion behind these works of art. My first immediate reaction is to jot down all the impressions that the artworks bring forth, from my spontaneous emotional reactions, to the first impression.
The first work I am drawn to is a colorful piece by Robert MacDonald and it is called Untitled #4 Acrylic on Panel. For some reason I seem to have picked his work from the crowd. Bright orange fire and vivid blue water dance together in this blue and orange dynamic contrast of colors. This particular work conveys strong emotions. I imagine painting for this artist calms a sometimes-chaotic mind. The brush strokes are fervently applied; the work is vibrant, alive, dynamic and chaotic.
My next piece is by the same artist Untitled #6 Acrylic on panel. Here the paint is thick and pops off the canvas. It looks like a carnival wheel turning, cogs in a machine. There is a nice balance of vibrant reds, blues, yellows, and oranges. Again, I am drawn to the bright colors. The work is energetic, and I am beginning to see a pattern with Robert MacDonald’s works. Untitled #3 Acrylic on panel is a piece that is more abstract. All the strokes look like feathers flapping together like a sea of birds. One can see the brush strokes on his work, giving it a sense of liveliness, of movement and speed.
On a different medium, Luke Garrison’s photomontage piece titled Metropolitan is a character driven work of art. A woman, her head half in shadows, stares apprehensively at the moon. Above her in the distance is a city, tall rises. The lines are curved and fluid, the sky circles the water ripples. Her wide mouth gives a look of astonishment. Shadows on the forehead shows a person who has made mistakes, who is partially covered in darkness. And the choice of monochromatic grays helps to create a more somber mood. Perhaps she is plagued by her thoughts. Perhaps Garrison sees himself in this picture.
On a more practical note, artist Vicki Bailey has a gem of a piece titled Possibility, acrylic on canvas. Just the title alone gives away the theme of the work. The focus is in the middle of a room, on an empty space where possibilities abound. In one corner is a table with a nice peachy colored tablecloth, matching peach walls. In another corner is a window. I like the emphasis on the empty space. It conveys a message--a chance to start new, a fresh start to a new life. The artist has a good sense of balance and of spatial awareness.
The sixth piece of art I examine is Untitled #1 by Paula Johnson. This piece is very abstract. My immediate reaction is to think modernism, retro, the 60s, hipsters. There are many round shapes outlined in black. To me, it looks vaguely like two humans talking, two people having a conversation. What is even more interesting, though, is the choice to paint on cardboard material. It shows a dedication to art and an ingenuity, the artist is willing to use whatever materials are available at the time where she is living—even on the streets.
The last artwork I viewed is called The Fall of Icarus, graphite on paper by Jan Morris. This is an extremely intricate, detailed sketch of a man falling from the sky into the ocean. He is falling into a shadow of darkness, yet he falls gracefully. His arms and legs are positioned like a graceful dancer. His hand reaches up as if to grasp the sky in desperation. He has no face. It is blank. This must be a deliberate choice by Morris. He is everyman falling from grace, from the heavens.
There were other paintings at the exhibit that I didn’t have the time to write about here, but they are also worth checking out. All in all, the exhibit was full of interesting and valuable art. And 100% of the proceeds go directly to the artists, which is great. It is definitely worth it to take a couple of hours out of your day to view some pretty remarkable works of art.
The first work I am drawn to is a colorful piece by Robert MacDonald and it is called Untitled #4 Acrylic on Panel. For some reason I seem to have picked his work from the crowd. Bright orange fire and vivid blue water dance together in this blue and orange dynamic contrast of colors. This particular work conveys strong emotions. I imagine painting for this artist calms a sometimes-chaotic mind. The brush strokes are fervently applied; the work is vibrant, alive, dynamic and chaotic.
My next piece is by the same artist Untitled #6 Acrylic on panel. Here the paint is thick and pops off the canvas. It looks like a carnival wheel turning, cogs in a machine. There is a nice balance of vibrant reds, blues, yellows, and oranges. Again, I am drawn to the bright colors. The work is energetic, and I am beginning to see a pattern with Robert MacDonald’s works. Untitled #3 Acrylic on panel is a piece that is more abstract. All the strokes look like feathers flapping together like a sea of birds. One can see the brush strokes on his work, giving it a sense of liveliness, of movement and speed.
On a different medium, Luke Garrison’s photomontage piece titled Metropolitan is a character driven work of art. A woman, her head half in shadows, stares apprehensively at the moon. Above her in the distance is a city, tall rises. The lines are curved and fluid, the sky circles the water ripples. Her wide mouth gives a look of astonishment. Shadows on the forehead shows a person who has made mistakes, who is partially covered in darkness. And the choice of monochromatic grays helps to create a more somber mood. Perhaps she is plagued by her thoughts. Perhaps Garrison sees himself in this picture.
On a more practical note, artist Vicki Bailey has a gem of a piece titled Possibility, acrylic on canvas. Just the title alone gives away the theme of the work. The focus is in the middle of a room, on an empty space where possibilities abound. In one corner is a table with a nice peachy colored tablecloth, matching peach walls. In another corner is a window. I like the emphasis on the empty space. It conveys a message--a chance to start new, a fresh start to a new life. The artist has a good sense of balance and of spatial awareness.
The sixth piece of art I examine is Untitled #1 by Paula Johnson. This piece is very abstract. My immediate reaction is to think modernism, retro, the 60s, hipsters. There are many round shapes outlined in black. To me, it looks vaguely like two humans talking, two people having a conversation. What is even more interesting, though, is the choice to paint on cardboard material. It shows a dedication to art and an ingenuity, the artist is willing to use whatever materials are available at the time where she is living—even on the streets.
The last artwork I viewed is called The Fall of Icarus, graphite on paper by Jan Morris. This is an extremely intricate, detailed sketch of a man falling from the sky into the ocean. He is falling into a shadow of darkness, yet he falls gracefully. His arms and legs are positioned like a graceful dancer. His hand reaches up as if to grasp the sky in desperation. He has no face. It is blank. This must be a deliberate choice by Morris. He is everyman falling from grace, from the heavens.
There were other paintings at the exhibit that I didn’t have the time to write about here, but they are also worth checking out. All in all, the exhibit was full of interesting and valuable art. And 100% of the proceeds go directly to the artists, which is great. It is definitely worth it to take a couple of hours out of your day to view some pretty remarkable works of art.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
"The Fantasticks" -A Review
The Fantasticks is the latest show to grace the stages of the McPherson theatre, produced by Blue Bridge Repertory theatre, it opened Wednesday night to packed audiences.
The classic play is based on Edmond Rostand's 1800s tale, a story of Shakespearean love, it is even written in iambic pentameter. The main characters Percinet and Sylvette declare their love over a wall, much like the wall in A Midsummer Night's Dream where Pyrrumus and Thisbe once stood, while their fathers pretend to hate each other so their children will want to marry each other.
"The Fantasticks", the musical was written in the 1960s and is a modern version of this classic tale. Unfortunately, the converted script is lacking its original panache, the characters of Luisa and Matt seem underdeveloped and lacking in believability.
Sarah Pelzer playing Luisa has captured the childishness of the character, yet when she opens her mouth to sing, out comes a powerful, beautifully operatic voice. Victor Dolhai (Matt) seems a little hesitant to put his arms around his lover-- the chemistry between Victor Dolhai (Matt) and Sarah Pelzer (Luisa) just isn't there. In fact, there was more of a spark between Jacob Richmond (El Gallo) and Sarah, clearly seen during the mask scene.
The setting is intimate, with two talented musicians that are well-integrated into the story, and a minimalist set. However, the choices of set and design reflect the show's lack of grandiosity and dramatics , and many of the songs fell flat. Fran Gebhard steals the show as the over involved parent who is willing to hire an actor to "rape" or ravish her daughter in law.
Overall "The Fantsticks" is a good show, but it lacks the pizazz and energy that one expects of a Broadway musical. The actors are playing realism, especially in the rape song, where it needed to go big ,so big as to be theatrical . It simply didn't go anywhere. And for that reason, I'd give the show a six out of ten.
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