The Velvet Show
*Starring*
Linda Talaga and Friends
Janet Rente
Martha Kelshaw
Saraivy Orench Reinat
Sam Knapp
Tracie Fracasso
Jamie Allen
Linda Koenemund
Owen Oertling
Scott Beil
Ahni Kruger
Elizabeth Sowell-Zak
Maya Gatewood
For the love of Velvet!
Montclair State University
MFA Gallery, Finley South
1 Normal Avenue, Montclair NJ 07043
Exhibition Dates
January 29 – February 4
2007
Opening Reception
Tuesday Jan 30 6-9 P.M.
Just thought I'd write a quick post to let anyone who cares know that I survived. Whoever prayed or had some faith in me really truly helped. Thank you. My worst fears of them kicking me out of the program and them just hating everything I've been doing did not come true. I had some praise, criticism, and some actual constructive critiques.
I sat through two of my good friends' critiques earlier in the day and theirs were going well and while they were speaking and the professors asking their questions all I could think about was… "OH HOLY CRAP I WON'T SURVIVE I QUIT!" My good friend Sam said "think about the Pillsbury Doy Boy and everything will be okay" which, well, it was. Me handing out "happy" Snapple bottles wishing I could have one, but I had to wait. And panic. Luckily John was sweet and came up just to give me some moral support. Good Lord did I need it. Sunday I was literally shaking and kept calling people for support but no one was around. He came through for me. 🙂 It was so good to know that someone was there for me for support. That's all I needed. Even though he had to sit here while I was packing up my dorm room and wait for me and then drive down to Philly at midnight. (Sorry, and thanks 🙂 )
So now I have to write 5 more one page papers and finish packing up my dorm room. Thursday night my friends and I are going out to celebrate and then Saturday night is the big night… FREEDOM PARTY!!!! I'm so excited.
Thanks again for believing in me.
So, I shouldn't be sitting here writing this and writing many art criticism papers instead but I needed to post these few links. This is going to be hell week for me, so until after May 8th, I'll be thinking about working and actually drinking (instead of just thinking about doing it). So until then…
Tales From the Crit: For Art Students, May Is the Cruelest Month ~ article from Sunday's New York Times. My final critique is Monday, May 8th, 2 PM Eastern Standard Time. Pray for me.
Art School Confidential ~ The official movie site. Coming soon to a theater near you. Go see it. I will be seeing it (hopefully) this Saturday. I will report how funny and close to the truth it is after May 8th. Especially the part in the trailer where he throws himself covered in paint onto a canvas (hmmm sound familiar?). Also mentioned in the first line of the above article.
Art School Confidential (2006) ~ In case the above link is too slow in loading, here is a page that just describes what the synopsis is and who's in it and a link to a trailer (too funny, watch it even if you don't go to art school you will get a kick out of it… especially if you know me)
I have allergies. For some reason, the symptoms seem to be worse whenever I go into the city. I went to see the Whitney Biennial this week in NYC with my friends and afterwards I was rubbing my eyes, coughing, and sniffling, and my friend asked me if I was okay. I said it was just allergies… probably all the dogwoods (Dagwood, whatever that tree's name is) in the city. She said it was probably because I was having allergic reactions to the Biennial. I'm allergic to the Biennial! I think it's the truth. The symptoms seem to have started when the show went up, and now it has been worse since I went to actually see the show.
Let's just say, I was greatly disappointed. And pretty much leave it at that.
It was so not worth the $17 I paid on-line to go see this show.
Maybe I'm just some art snob, but seriously… it was bad. I haven't really heard a good thing about it. Well, at least from my peers.
The only entertaining thing I saw was this thing called "Trailer for a Remake of Gore Vidal's 'Caligula,' " While sitting there in movie theater like seats, I just watched it and thought… wow, this is pretty much soft porn and it's in an art museum. Wow. I'd be a little more descriptive, but I don't think you really want to hear about this from little ol' me. Go look it up if you're really interested. It has some big name actors in it too.
So here are some articles that have been printed about the Whitney Biennial if you're at all interested, but after me saying that it wasn't worth your time, you probably won't read them, but that's okay by me. There are some pictures of some of the objects in the show, and the things shown are really probably the best things that were in the show. So go look at the articles if only for that. Make your own judgement.
Whitney Biennial 2006 :: Day for Night ~ The official site
The Biennial Question ~ "Have the Curators of This Year's Whitney Biennial Finally Figured Out How to Make the Show Matter?" (My answer is no…)
Odds and Ends ~ "The offbeat pieces in the Whitney's Biennial exhibit 'Day for Night' aren't a pretty sight" (too true!)
Biennial? Who Needs It? ~ "The Whitney's national survey is dull and insignificant. Maybe it's time to retire the concept" (yeah. I agree, and sadly this is the first one that I've been to)
As the day is slowly coming to an end, I wanted to post a couple of art related links. I went to Whitney Biennial today and I have several words to say about it… but for some reason some of the articles I wanted to pull up are not responding and I am just still fuming over it, so I'll wait until either tomorrow or the next day for my response on the Biennial. So here are my links.
Hot Art Market Strokes Prices for Artists Barely Out of Teens ~ The article of the day! This article was actually mentioned in my class on Monday by my art critic professor. It was also originally published in Friday's issue of the Wall Street Journal. Then, of course, in typical newspaper fashion, The New York Times published this article that I posted a couple of days ago the following day. As someone mentioned in class, MFAs are getting all this publicity, which means the bottom is going to fall out soon. Great. Just Great.
Trust Your Own Reactions, Don't Seek Enlightenment ~ I really truly enjoyed this article. That's honestly all I have to say about it. Well, okay, I also agree with it and can relate.
Art Institute to Start Charging ~ NOoooooooooooooo!!!! They can't take away free Tuesdays!!! That was my day to go see the few key pieces that I have to see every time I go home to Chicago! Then again, this was actually one museum that I did pay full price ($7) when I did have to pay. Whenever I go to the MET I pay a dollar, but now I get in for free with this Museum card thing I have… but anyway, rambling…
I have pictures up on the web from my show. The three people who read this regularly probably already have an invite waiting for them in their e-mail to view it since I have their e-mail address. If you want to view it and know who I am and I don't have your e-mail address, send me an e-mail at (must describe it since you never know what weirdos are stalking me or something) gmail, which is the first letter of my name and then my last name. Very exciting stuff. I promise you won't be too disappointed. 🙂
I hope you all had a nice relaxing weekend… and now time to get back to work!! Ugh. Anyway, here are the links for the day. Enjoy!
Art Related
Warhols of Tomorrow Are Dealers' Quarry Today ~ Oh man. Being a MFA candidate… there are the good things and the bad things about it. Sigh.
Emerging Artists: No Room to Grow ~ Then I read this article. Sigh.
Netting the must-have art ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art, good stuff
Where did all the Munchs go? ~ He is constantly in the news! Some idiot stole his paintings, showing at the MoMA, the article above mentions how Philly's acquisition of a Munch is a positive thing (duh), now this. Too bad he's not around to pocket on this publicity.
The Call of the Jungle ~ Disney made the movie Tarzan into a music that is now on Broadway… hm… well, I guess I have to see it since I've seen the other three…
Other Stuff
Trade a paper clip for a house? ~ Submitted by Tom. Pretty cool if the guy can do it.
Animal Related
Cat saves baby's life ~ Whoohoo!!! The cat is a hero!!!
Pigs compete at their own Olympics ~ I can't decide if this is torture or amusing. There's even a video for you to watch.
I know it's been awhile, sorry about that – busy with school, life, avoiding things, stuff like that, you understand. Since I woke up at 6 A.M. today for some unknown reason, I thought I'd continue my links posts.
Art Related
Secret of Mona Lisa's Smile Revealed? ~ I was thinking about this for a bit. You need patience and time to be able to paint like this, and I think this is why there are no true great painters today. We have way too many distractions, too many forms of entertainment, and just overall too lazy to paint like this. We want results now, not millions of little invisible dots later. Does this idea work with other art forms? Why aren't their any Michelangelo marble sculptures being done now? Or is it that we can claim that it's been done, so why go back? I bet if there was an artist who could paint like this and does paint like this now, they would be looked over in the New York art world for someone who paints something that's more controversial. For the other aspects of art, I do have to admit that computer animation has been improving to look more and more life like, that there is an art form that is improving. I was amazed between the difference between Toy Story and Bug's Life and even after that Toy Story 2…. and that was years ago where I stared at the movie screen in awe, just amazed at the huge difference. Yes, I notice these things. 😛
Portrait of a Cultural Battle ~ Who owns a painting? The original country or the country that steals it during a war?
TV, Movie, Music Related
Sesame Street creators spark controversy with new line of videos for infants ~ Do we want our children to become addicted to TV before the age of two? I mean, really? I'm torn between that it might help develop their brain, and being born into a TV watching generation (even though throughout high school I didn't have a TV in the house, but I still managed to know just enough about what was going on in Pop culture to stay afloat) I can't help but this this is naturally something that you would want to do.
Hilton Considered for Mother Theresa Role ~ Oh please, say it isn't so…
"Simpsons" Teases Moviegoers ~ Hmmm… this brings up the question how does a successful TV show turn into a successful movie… I know it's possible and all, but just like when Sex and the City was thinking about a movie, I'm a little skeptical… but then again, the voice of Albert Brooks with "guest star" in the movie… maybe it will be Jacques from one of my favorite Simpsons episodes… I highly doubt that thought… especially since that was from Season 1.
The Simpsons.com ~ just thought I'd put it up since this is the first time that I went to the site… and happened to just talk about it… amusing…
Blockbuster Accused of Patent Infringement ~ Oh I hope they don't get rid of Blockbuster.com… which is what I use to rent my TV shows on DVD instead of Netflix. They give me two free games in store a month! And since they raised the price of renting games to $8 or something like that, heck, I need those free games!!!
The Official John Corbett Band Website ~ I'm not a fan of country music as you know, but when I saw this actually on TV yesterday I had to go check it out because I'm an Adian fan. "Let me strip your floors." And am I the only one remembering the oboe playing musician that he played in the movie Serendipity?
Random
The Time Is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ~ I missed it!!! I was actually asleep by 12:30 last night for once. Oh well.
Paperweight Severs Calif. Teacher's Hand ~ you better watch out what kind of things you have on your desks there you teachers and future teachers…
And lastly…
Spider-hunting nudist ends with ring of fire ~ I can't help but laugh… sorry…
I did it. Another up at school until 6:30 AM but it was sooo worth it. I’m so excited. Here’s a little sneek peek for those who can’t make it to the show (I wish you could!). I’ll post more pictures soon. Now it’s time for bed!
Why am I awake at 8 in the morning? I wish I knew. I am beginning to miss sleep, but it’s all worth it. Instead of going to bed and try to sleep some more I think I’ll actually get up, eat a little, shower and get my butt to work. It’s time to make art!! (Hopefully I won’t get too distracted and can’t stop giggling all day again which might happen :-))
Today’s links. Hope you all have as good a day as I will have.
Art Related
Have the Curators of This Year’s Whitney Biennial Finally Figured Out How to Make the Show Matter? ~ I am soooo pumped in seeing this show. This will be an exciting month in art (heck – I’m going to have my own show too!) and in many other things in my life.
Pride, prejudice and happiness: readers choose favourite endings ~ Since I never seem to be able to get my butt to read more I will make this connection with movies, in particular, romantic comedies. If it’s going to end bad, I really don’t like it. I want the romance – the knowledge and hope of a happy ending between the two main characters. It gives me hope about my own life. One of my absolute favorite movies, which was actually a TV mini-series, is A&E’s Pride and Prejudice. (Haven’t seen the new one yet, but I plan on too) I can just watch the ending over and over when Elizabeth finally realized that she wanted to be with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Darcy still declaring his love and him just remembering that look that they shared (or it could be I have the hots for Colin Firth… I dunno). Romance is important, the hope of something better to come, the feeling of being swept off your feet, the surprises, the thoughtfulness that is given without being asked for it, I forgot all of this and hope that’s not going to be the case forever. 🙂
Dinner and a movie… ~ Ew. Very fitting title for the article though.
‘West Wing’ Alums to Return for Show’s End ~ West Wing is one of those shows that I surprising really enjoy… mainly because I absolutely nothing about politics and even though I know it’s not real, I feel like it gives me a glimpse, no matter how unrealistic it is, into something I really have no clue about and am curious about. I’ve rented and seen whatever is on DVD now, I think it was season 4, where Zoe was just kidnapped and it begins after that. I don’t remember the number of the season, but that season is where is started going downhill – fast. The first season was so incredibly good and well written that I don’t know what went wrong. Oh well.
Other News
The Origin of Darwin ~ huh. I might have to go see this exhibit in New York.
You can’t force cats to do anything ~ Ha. Poor kittys.
Ohio Couple Tie the Knot at McDonald’s ~ I could never get married in a fast food restaurant. That’s just crazy. But it’s amusing hearing about other people…
A Little Slice of Boredom 