| Barack Obama ~ Philadelphia, PA ~ Oct 11, 2008 |
[12 Oct 2008|01:23pm] |
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 OBAMA! |
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Yesterday, I took the train up to Progress Park at Temple University to see Barack Obama speak before a crowd of about 20,000 people. This was the first of four speeches given yesterday morning at four different locations around Philadelphia.
When I arrived at 7:30 am, thousands of people were already lined up along the sidewalk waiting to get in. There were people up in the trees and on all the rooftops. Once I got up to the gate, I could see tents set up along the sidewalk where the early arrivals had slept the night before.
The crowd was a diverse mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds. The mood was casual and family friendly, but the excitement in the air was palpable. There was an overwhelming sense that we were witnessing something profoundly historic.
Here are two video clips that I found online this morning. The quality of the first clip is a little shaky, but the story he tells is pretty funny. The second clip is higher quality and shows the last ten minutes of his speech.
A friend of mine commented that the four locations that Obama chose for his rallys were all in neighborhoods that had been hardest hit by the sliding economy. Judging by the response I saw yesterday, and by the 50,000 people who came to see Bruce Springsteen at the rally last weekend, I'd say that Philadelphia overwhelmingly supports Barack Obama.
"Obama's Saturday in Philly" News article on MSNBC.com
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| 30th Street Station |
[09 Oct 2008|02:23pm] |
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Vivace! |
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30th Street Station ~ Philadelphia, PA
Here are a few photos of 30th Street Station in Center City taken on a rainy night last week with my new Nikon camera. This city continues to amaze me with it's architectural grandeur. I think the 6 years I spent living in LA surrounded by strip malls and taco trucks has given me a new appreciation for classical architecture.
Life here in Philadelphia has settled into an interesting routine. I take the subway to the Academy each day and spend about 10-12 hours in the studio exploring new concepts and ideas. The work has been somewhat frenzied and unusual lately. I'm trying to avoid my regular strategies and work habits in an attempt to find something new and unexpected. The environment the Academy provides is inspiring and I'm trying to make the most of it.
While my gut wants to jump into some large scale paintings, the Academy faculty is advising me to spend more time working on preliminary drawings and exploring new ideas. They're probably right considering I'm only one month into this two year program.
30th Street Station ~ Interior ~ Philadelphia, PA
One of the main benefits of being immersed in an academic setting like this is the availability of live models. Painting from photographs can never compare to the experience one gets working from a live model. Every day there are life painting and drawing sessions going on throughout the Academy. Most of the classrooms have vaulted ceilings with northern skylights. The electric lights are often not even turned on. I'm finding that my life drawing skills are rusty at best. Time to get to work.
Recently, I've been looking at the paintings of Antonio López García. The patience and obsession exhibited in his technique is stunning and downright humbling. I would love to have the chance to see his work in person. Also, I've been looking into the work of ex-Academy directors Thomas Eakins and Robert Henri. There are quite a few original paintings by both of these men on display in the Academy's Museum and in the nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art. Also, I'm signing up for a two day workshop with Vincent Desiderio who is coming down from New York later this month.
I got a DVD from the library recently of early short films by David Lynch. I was surprised to learn that Lynch went to the Academy as a painting student, and first used film as a way to animate a painting he was working on for a class installation. The films themselves were dark and somewhat painful to watch, but explained a lot about where Eraserhead might have come from.
At home, I find myself obsessing over presidential campaign coverage. Barack Obama is coming to Philadelphia to speak publicly on Saturday and I would really like to be there. Unfortunately, he starts in my neighborhood at 8:15 in the morning! I guess I'll have to see what I can do about rousing these lazy bones from bed at that early hour on a Saturday.
30th Street Station ~ Philadelphia, PA
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| Updates and Reflections ~ |
[04 Oct 2008|01:29pm] |
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Obama 08 |
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I saw Ed Ruscha speak at the Fabric Workshop and Museum here in Philadelphia last night. Then later I headed down to Old City for the First Friday Artwalk. There was a large crowd out in the streets and a few notable shows too. I really enjoyed the Jeanine Leclaire Show at Rodger La Pelle Galleries. Also, I was very impressed with the show at Pentimenti Gallery.
Today I'm heading over to the Barack Obama rally in Center City, Philadelphia. Anybody wanna come? It should be interesting. Bruce Springsteen is scheduled to perform. I've been really impressed with Obama's campaign here in Philadelphia. There are volunteers out every day all over the city registering voters and selling posters, buttons, and t-shirts on street corners. I got a silkscreened 'Progress' poster designed by Shepard Fairey for 2 bucks!
Tomorrow, my old friend Brian will be here from Providence hosting a small art show in our home town. Should be a good time.
And I got a new camera. It's a Nikon Coolpix P5100. Nate recommended it and so far I'm quite impressed. This strange little shot above has not been altered in any way.
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| Philadelphia, PA |
[29 Sep 2008|12:36pm] |
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almost civilized |
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City Hall ~ Philadelphia, PA
I made a few changes in my life over the past couple months. I moved from LA to Philadelphia and started graduate studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. I gave my loft to my roommate Satine and took over my brother's one bedroom apartment on Drexel Campus. It's a cozy first floor place with hardwood floors, tall ceilings, and bars on the windows. There are restaurants, coffee shops, and dry cleaners all within walking distance. I feel almost civilized!
I've been eating a ridiculous amount of cheese steaks and hoagies. These are things you can't find in LA. I ride the subway everyday. The train cars and platforms are clean but the tunnels smell faintly of old farts. The city is beautiful but deserted. I spend a lot of time walking the streets and rediscovering this town that I haven't known in so long.
And it rains. Probably about once a week or so. Maybe it's the change of season, I'm not sure. But after spending the past six years living in the dry desert climate of southern California, I welcome a little rain. It's refreshing.
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| Black Rock City 2008 |
[22 Sep 2008|12:34am] |
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 suckie fuckie |
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Iggy Pop |
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Ladies and Gentlemen! Children of all ages! King Neptune's Journal is proud to present a plethora of photographs portraying the Garnish Fire Conclave's spectacular performance at Kamp Suckie Fuckaye on the evening of Thursday, August 28th! If you weren't there to see the show in person, then this may be as close as you'll ever get. So pay attention! Suckie Fuckaye!
( More Photos! Click Here 4 the Garnish Show! )
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| Factory Art ~ |
[18 Sep 2008|11:28am] |
This is a short paper written for my Tuesday morning Reading and Research Seminar. It's been a few years since I wrote an academic paper so it may be a bit rough around the edges. Please feel free to discuss, debate, or disagree.
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"Aubade - Crown of Glory" ~ 2006 ~ Damian Hirst ~ Butterflies and household gloss paint on canvas
The industrialization of the studio arts began developing as a prominent genre in American culture during the early 1960’s and has grown in popularity ever since. In this model, work is created in a factory by paid employees and then signed and sold under the lead artist’s name. The lead artist directs the production, aesthetic, and vision of the work while the employees create the physical objects available for sale. Notable contemporary artists who have worked in this manner include Andy Warhol, Mark Kostabi, Jeff Koons, Damian Hirst, Dale Chihuly, and Shephard Fairey. Many critics tend to praise this manner of art making as it frees the artist’s hands and allows him/her the luxury of becoming more prolific and acquiring larger profits while simultaneously providing more time for daydreaming, socializing, and conceptual thought. However, others would counter that this process dilutes the artist’s singular voice and reduces the intrinsic value and humanity of the work in question.
( Read more... )
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| Dan Miller's Picnic ~ |
[13 Sep 2008|08:20pm] |
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miles davis |
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"Monet" ~ Dan Miller ~ Woodcut Print ~ 11" x 15"
I went to a picnic today out at Dan Miller's house in Christiana, Pennsylvania. It was out past Lancaster, about 50 miles west of Philadelphia.
Dan Miller, Head of the Academy's Graduate Program, bought 15 acres of land out in Christiana 45 years ago for $13,000 and has lived there ever since. He's got a 250 year old farm house, a barn, a customized printmaking studio, a wood shop, some cows, and several acres of corn fields. Most of Dan's neighbors are Amish. They waved to us as they rode by in their horse drawn carriages.
The landscape was pastoral and serene. Lush rolling hillsides of cornfields and cow pastures were sparsely punctuated by dense pockets of Pennsylvania forest. The air was thick with the smells of Indian Summer. We sat and ate lunch on the crumbling stone foundation of some colonial building that had collapsed long before I was born. Horses grazed in the field across the street and the landscape stretched out for miles all around us.
In the afternoon we walked through fields of clover and sketched the horizon beneath an old apple tree. We talked art and politics and passed the time in a lazy old way. It was the perfect remedy for my busted up body and soul. I feel renewed.
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| The Fish Has Landed ~ |
[12 Sep 2008|11:22am] |
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Huzzah! |
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Hello people! It's been a long time but I'm officially back and better than ever! I had a hell of a month last month and I'll try to get through explaining all of it in good time but for now I just wanted to touch base and say that I've relocated to Philadelphia, I'm moved in, set up, and ready to go. Unfortunately I got a bit sick this week, but the doctor prescribed some antibiotics and pain pills so now I'm fully medicated and a little loopy in the head.
As you may have guessed, I made it to Burning Man last month along my travels. The polaroid up above was taken by my campmate Hanna. Overall the week was beautiful and amazing except for the fact that our climactic Saturday night performance was cancelled due to severe weather conditions. What follows is a section of a rant that I posted on the Burning Man Fire Conclave Tribe page describing my feelings of disappointment from that night. I repost it here for posterity...
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( Read more... )
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I hope you are all well and I look forward to reconnecting with everyone soon.
Suckie Fuckaye!!
Neptune
--------E
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[06 Aug 2008|11:30pm] |
Los Angeles, CA
Photo by Aaron Hawkes
This is the view from our roof. Aaron took this photo yesterday at twilight. J&C were here for a photo shoot. We all went out for sushi at Zip later.
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| 4:30 & Bonneville ~ |
[31 Jul 2008|12:05am] |
Welcome to the last day of July! Wam! Bam! And there it goes. Leaving behind just one last Thursday for everybody. Happy Birthday Starchild! Kamp Suckie Fuckaye will be located at 4:30 & Bonneville this year. Like a snap-toed, tickle-mouth lobster just longing for something wet to quench his thirst. Gotta keep those hammer heads and mermaids in line! Yo ho ho!
This old Sea Monkey is pulling up roots again. I'm leaving LA for Black Rock City in three weeks. After that I'm heading east to Philadelphia. I'll be there for the next 2 years studying in a Masters program at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The next chapter is upon me and I don't wanna be late!
You're invited to a Studio Sale!
Saturday & Sunday
August 9th & 10th
Casa del Sea Monkey
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[30 Jul 2008|02:46am] |
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| Drink Water! |
[30 Jul 2008|02:45am] |
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| I Have Two Cats ~ |
[09 Jul 2008|12:59am] |
Catwalk
Catpack
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| Happy 4th of July! Brand New Video! |
[04 Jul 2008|02:37am] |
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suckie fuckaye |
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Wakeangel |
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Happy 4th of July, people! Submitted here for your approval is the brand new video from the Garnish Fire Conclave. Have a safe and happy fourth, and enjoy the fireworks!
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| San Pancho, Mexico |
[23 Jun 2008|09:40am] |
There was a wedding on the beach for the Summer Solstice. In the light of the setting sun Jim & Sarah were married with their bare toes in the sand. Many tears were shed and much love was shared by all. The geckos chirped and the monkeys howled.
We ride down the cobblestone streets in the back of a pick-up truck following the full moon as it arcs across the sky. Palm trees sway in the breeze and the scent of jasmine floats on the air. We walk the beach late at night past where the cocodrillo and the pelicans float along the lake. A thousand bats circle us in tight formation. The dogs howl and the roosters crow.
Che is the pirate with a blueberry pie and Sicoya's the local undefeated chess champion. Juan Diego makes us delicious marlin tacos with cervezas and a shot of don julio repesado on the side. Jedira works the desk at Cielo Rojo and she is without a doubt the most beautiful girl in all of Mexico. Maybe one day she will be mine.
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| Neptune's Bait n' Tackle |
[11 Jun 2008|11:38pm] |
Welcome to Neptune's Bait n' Tackle! Bloodworms and grubs are the special today. Can I interest you in a pound of nightcrawlers? Our shop offers the freshest bait in all of Suckie Fuckaye. Fish on, friends!
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| Cannibal Flower |
[11 Jun 2008|03:54pm] |
This is a short video from the March Cannibal Flower Exhibit where ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) n8_zilla was the Featured Artist. Good times. Cannibal Flower takes place on the last Saturday of every month at various locations around Los Angeles. I think CF is one of the strongest and most essential elements of the LA underground art scene today. Definitely worth checking out. Here is a photo of Nate and I from the show.
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| Luis Sanchez Benefit Art Show |
[30 May 2008|03:45am] |
Luis Sanchez Benefit Art Show
A Carnival of Mystery & Delight
Sunday, June 8, 2008
6:00pm - Midnight
MJ Higgins Lounge
519 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Artist Luis Sanchez has lived a life-time with kidney disease and is awaiting a second transplant. The average wait-time is now 7 years and there are a lot of costs that insurance doesn’t cover. Luis has not been able to work for most of the last year and needs our help to get him back on his feet. Come join us for an evening of fun, sexy downtown entertainment, DJ’s, drinks & hors d’oeuvres. Indulge yourself while giving to a worthy cause.
$20 Ticket Includes:
★Entry to the event
★2 Drink tickets for Bar
★Food by Chef Mark Mittleman
★Music By DJ Joaquin Garcia & Guests
★Raffle
★Burlesque Shows
★Stiltwalkers & other Carnival delights
★and much much more...
Please visit the official website for more info.
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| In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up |
[28 May 2008|11:55pm] |
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 festive |
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pandora.com |
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Earlier this year, satinephoenix moved into the loft as my awesome new roomate. Starting in January, with the help of N8 & Munkus, we built her a brand new bedroom, rennovated the loft, and started a whole new era of life here at Casa del Seamonkey!
Satine has been an ideal roomate in many ways. We like the same music, go to the same parties, and both have a taste for cultivating relationships with creative and unusual characters. She's a painter, a fetish model, a lover of cats, and an adult film star.
Last weekend we held her birthday party here at the loft. For those of you who attended, you know it was an evening of booty shakin drunken revelry and divine debauchery. The night started out innocently enough, but word spread fast across town and before long, it had grown wildly out of control. Drunken porn stars were running up and down the halls and out into the streets howling at the full moon.
Sometime after 5am, the cops showed up to shut us down.
Monday morning I received several angry voicemails from the landlord demanding to know what the hell we were thinking and threatening us with immediate eviction. Now, this is not the first time I've received threats of eviction from our landlord. The most memorable, of course, was the time last summer when a security guard caught me on the roof at 2am with a film crew, two stilt walkers spinning ten foot flaming staffs, and two additional fire dancers spinning fans on the air conditioning units. He said we were visible from over three miles away. Good times.
Anyway, after a some carefully worded emails, telephone calls, and two dozen roses we've managed once again to avoid eviction. It's important to keep in mind that we live in a converted warehouse space in the middle of the Downtown LA Arts District. Most of the people who live here in the building realize that this sort of occassional activity comes with the territory. And it wasn't too bad because most of our neighbors came to the party and were howling right here with us until the early hours of the morning.
So I want to dedicate this post to my awesome new roomate and share a few of the videos she shot during the party last weekend. Thank you to everyone who came and made it such an amazing event!! And for those of you who didn't feel like showing up, here's Satine's Birthday Party! Enjoy!
More Videos!
Bouncing Balloons!
Birthday Cake!
The Band!
The Aftermath!
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| Jerome Witkin @ Jack Rutberg Fine Arts |
[19 May 2008|05:16pm] |
On Saturday night, I went to see Jerome Witkin's show at Jack Rutberg Fine Arts. Jerome was in LA for the opening reception and I had a chance to spend a little time with my old professor.
The show (on display until 7/31/08) features a collection of drawings spanning over twenty years of Witkin's career. There were preliminary sketches for a recent large scale painting that seemed to deal with the early years of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. There were also many portraits of students and collegues, Syracuse cityscapes, self portraits, and still lives. Some of my old favorite drawings were there, as well as many new pieces I had never seen before. Many of the newest drawings were also the strongest in the show.
Jerome seemed as sharp and thoughtful as ever. Quite frankly, he was more interested in talking to my date than to me, but that's nothing new. He talked to me briefly about my 'Box' series, and expressed his desire for me to escape from the Box while I was still a young man! I assured him that the Box period had passed. He said he found the imagery very striking, but also confining. I complimented him on the new work, and we spoke briefly about the demise of polaroid cameras which he used in the studio for many years.
It was good to see my old teacher. He reminds me of all the passion and spirit that sent me into the arts in the first place. The show is extensive and very memorable and I reccommend it to anyone who is interested in drawing, painting, or representational artwork of any kind.
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