Tornabuoni Art Brings Major Italian Figures to FIAC

New Acquisitions - Grotto of Curatorial Mysteries

NEW ACQUISITIONS Grotto of Curatorial Mysteries Braque  Chagall  Dine  Hockney  Johns  Kadar Kitaj  Maillol  Motherwell  Picasso  Rivers  Stella  Vuillard continuing through August 27, 2011 Jim Dine, The French Watercolor Venus, 1985, soft-ground etching in black overlaid with extensive hand coloring, 41 5/8 x 31 3/4 inches The works in the New Acquisitions show at Leslie Sacks Fine Art, Brentwood, span very nearly the entire history of modern art, from a Vuillard still life of 1910, and a stellar 1911 proto-cubist Braque etching, to a 2005 Kitaj charcoal portrait of the school of Paris master, Jules Pascin, whose passion for painting and parties lit up the Parisian avant-garde in the early 20th century. This show also includes a large, detailed Larry Rivers colored pencil drawing in art deco style entitled, Hollywood, a study from History of the Jews (right), which illustrates the creative Diaspora that led from Europe (more specifically London as indicated by the Savoy Hotel in the background, which was the gathering place for writers and entertainers in London in the 1930s), to New York (more specifically Broadway), and westward (ho!) to Hollywood.  In this image a showgirl, or perhaps a star of the day, cakewalks down the Great White Way, the New York skyline seeming to sway as though its skyscrapers were a conga line.   A period piece ca. 1930-1940 by the preeminent Hungarian modernist Bela Kadar reinforces focus on pre-WWII high style with a portrait on paper of a well coiffed woman wearing an intensely red hat, set against a deeper red background. This Kadar relates nicely to Hockney's Celia with Green Hat , which is not merely similar in subject but likewise colorful, with a European feel, and rendered in an almost cartoonlike style akin to certain mid-20th century Picasso portraits. There are also three truly elegant Hockney still life prints in the show: Pretty Tulips 1969 (left), Lilies 1971, and Potted Daffodils from 1980, the latter done in the artist's transitional style of that time, combining loose, evocative lines inspired by Matisse (which would inform much of Hockney's work in the 80s) with the tight yet equally graceful academic treatment of a draped tablecloth in quintessential Hockney style of the 70s. Suffice it to say, this man can really draw. New acquisitions from the 70s and 80s also include an extremely rare Jim Dine, which may well be his finest Venus print -The French Watercolor Venus (above) of 1985. This extensively hand colored image is from an edition of only 8 (plus 4 artist's proofs). One of Dine's most recent Venuses,Women and Water, also appears, along with Little Heart in a Landscape 1991 which is a superb example of printmaking, combining several types of etching and a crimson chine colle heart.   A classic Jasper Johns Corpse and Mirror litho (below) from 1976 and an equally classic, outrageously colorful Frank Stella print,Estoril Five II from Circuits of 1982 round out the selections from the 70s and 80s. Though Stella first earned his art historical stripes in the late 50s as the father of minimalism, his work since then has become increasingly complex and unrestrained; his use of color in particular going well beyond any art that came before, with the possible exception of the black light posters that hung in college dorms and head shops in the late 60s and early 70s. Also strewn about the grotto are ceramics by Picasso, a Chagall monotype and a large Motherwell lithograph and screenprint with collage, Hermitage (spelled out in Cyrillic on a "Motherwell red" ground). For summer fun or serious collecting, explore New Acquisitions: Grotto of Curatorial Mysteries, another roadside attraction in Brentwood, at Leslie Sacks Fine Art.

Beefcake Heroes

'Beefcake Heroes': Joe Phillips Brings Gay Superheroes Out Of The Closet - By David Moye

Exhibit at Alexander Salazar Fine Art -

Extended to October 2011

IN

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/25/superheroes-come-out-of-the-closet_n_906716.html#s313913&title=Gay_Comic_Artist

It's common for superheroes like Batman, Superman and Spider-Man to have secret identities, but there has long been speculation in certain circles that they have other secrets as well. The whispers began in 1954 when psychiatrist Dr. Fredric Wertham wrote "Seduction Of The Innocent," a book that alleged, among other things, that Wonder Woman was a lesbian and that Batman and Robin were gay lovers. Although Wertham's allegations have been long been ridiculed by the comics community, some industry insiders like Joe Phillips see a gay subtext throughout the superhero genre. "It is there," he insisted to The Huffington Post. "Think about it: A guy develops the ability to do something incredible and the first thing he does is to wear something tight-fitting and colorful and tell the world, 'I'm going to fight crime'?" Phillips has illustrated heroes like Superman and the Avengers for DC and Marvel. He says he's fascinated by the underlying "gayness" of the superhero, and he's taking it out of the closet and into a series of paintings he calls "Beefcake Heroes," currently on display at a San Diego art gallery. The series shows classic characters like Batman, Dr. Strange, Superman and Captain America bearing their oiled, rippled physiques in either tight jockey shorts or skintight spandex and wearing come hither looks more common in gay magazines like Blue Boy than, say, the pages of "Superboy." He admits the pictures are provocative, especially because he's using iconic male characters, but takes a "what's good for the goose" posture. "There's a huge audience that loves seeing pin-up pictures of girls," he said. "I wanted to take the same approach with these iconic characters and have them them do the same sexy looks and poses." By design, Phillips makes his pictures perfectly suitable for publication in a mainstream comic -- except he has the character raise an eyebrow or stare provocatively at the viewer. "We are so used to seeing women as sexual beings, but we don't want to see men doing the same thing. Men are supposed to be stoic and distant," he said. "I wanted these works to show off these heroes' strength, but also their cockiness and competitiveness." Although the typical reader of a superhero comic is tagged as a heterosexual young adult male, Phillips says the characters have also had a big influence on the gay community. For instance, much of what is considered the ideal modern physique among that demographic is greatly influenced by the hyper-masculine illustrations of seminal artists like Jack Kirby and John Romita in the 1960s. "It really actually started with the California body building movement in the 1960s which promoted a more well-defined physique," he said. "But the superhero genre recognizes body-conscious clothing. Take Comic-Con: If a chunky guy knows he wants to wear a Batman outfit, he knows it doesn't look right unless he works out." Phillips sells his works for $1000 each and, so far, he has been amused by the reaction to his work. "I've seen some guys buy a piece for their girlfriend -- at least, they say it's for their girlfriend -- and I think it's because they realize, 'Hey, I've been looking at boobs!'" he said. Meanwhile, he says he's getting an interesting reaction from professional artists. "It's a mixed bag," he said. "It's not overwhelmingly negative, but different people have different comfort levels." Phillips is considering doing a similar series involving villains like the Joker, and he believes that will be even more provocative. "Villains would be interesting," he said. "They take power and have this attitude of 'Look at me! I don't play by the rules.'" Gallery owner Alexander Salazar, who is displaying Phillips' series, thinks his work is a sign of the times. "Comic art is finally coming out of the closet," he said. "The heroes and their fans can't ignore they are sexy." Although Phillips is openly gay, Salazar admits putting a gay-friendly spin on popular superheroes is an act of bravery since he still works in the industry. "We do have to play it safe in some ways, because he's still in his career as a comics illustrator," Salazar said. "He's long been doing this in some respects. All of his males have bulges. They're well-hung." Will Phillips' interpretation of Superman being super-sexy play to the mainstream? Well, the verdict is still out on that one. One Comic-Con attendee, a twenty-something male who asked not to be named, admits admiring Phillips' artistry, but not much else. "He's a good artist -- I'll give him that -- and I'm cool with guys who are gay, but I want to see superheroes saving the world, not picking each other up," said the man. Gay Comic Artist Brings Superheroes Out

 TO INTERVIEW ARTIST PLEASE CONTACT GALLERY AT

619-531-8996

Pittsfield Hoopla Festival Returns to Springside Park

PITTSFIELD HOOPLA FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SPRINGSIDE PARK
WORKSHOPS, HULA HOOPING CONTEST, SLACKLINING & MORE!


Press contact: Stefanie Weber, FounderStefanie@fertileuniverse.com or 413.281.6734

On Saturday July 30 from 10 am to 10pm, the Pittsfield City Hoopla festival will return to the public gardens of Springside Park, Pittsfield Massachusetts’ largest public park located at 874 North St, for its third year of festivities inspired by the craft, craze and creativity of the hula hoop.  Boasting a full day of hoop related classes, contests, jams, art, vending and performance, the Pittsfield City Hoopla is a unique family-friendly event that celebrates the value of the movement arts in our everyday lives and community.

In addition to free hooping workshops for all ages and abilities on the lawn with professional teaching hoop dance artists from the Boston Hoop Troop and Hooping Harmony between 12 noon-3pm there will also be more focused smaller workshops available for a fee.

Workshops with Pittsfield based movement professionals include:
10am: Openings: A Yoga Class for Entering the Hoop with Rachael Plaine of Berkshire Pure Movement and Yoga Depot
3pm Intro to HoopTap with festival maker and founder Stefanie Weber
6pm Hip Hop for the Hooper with dancer Marie Georgefils
7pm Sundown Stretch & Flow with Gillian Gorman of Radiance Yoga.


Workshops from visiting guest artists include:
11am Hoop Tutorial with Robin Rapture of Hoopium in New Hampshire
3pm Putting the Dance in Hoop Dance with Laura-Marie from Hooping Harmony in Greenfield, MA,
4pm On&Off Body Axis Flips & Twists with Lolli Hoops and Core Hooping: Navigating Between Waist and Neck with Rachel, both from the Boston Hoop Troop.

Space is limited for the above workshops and pre-registration is suggested. The cost is $10 per workshop and lower if you attend 3 or more.

Participants can begin the day by making their own hoop on site at 10am for $25 guided by Hoopla artists. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

This year’s Hoopla will introduce some new activities for participants. ‘Yogaslacker’ Danielle Gismondi from Frog Lotus Yoga in North Adams will facilitate a slackline throughout the day. According to Slackline.com, slacklining is the sport of walking a small, flat nylon rope between two points. It is practiced in the backyard, on college campuses and city parks, and even 3000 feet above the ground. Some people do it for fun, others for the obvious athletic benefits, and others still for a meditative purpose, in seeking a higher state of mind. Since slacklining’s development in the late 1970s, slacklining has grown into an international craze, and is a common and popular pastime within the outdoor community. Also a part of the circus arts scene, slacklining is making it way back to the stage in more creative ways.

Artist Bridgit Noone will facilitate a table for coloring mandalas. The Mandala Project, founded by Lori Bailey Cunningham, explains a "mandala" as being from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit loosely translated to mean "circle”. “Far more than a simple shape, it represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds”, she states. Both Navajo and Tibetan cultures are known for their colorful mandalas.

Returning again this year, David Frazier from the Vincent Hebert Arboretum will be leading walks along the trails at Springside Park for any one interested in learning more about the trees, gardens, and history of the grounds.

At 5pm the Hoopla will offer its first-ever hooping contest featuring prizes from local businesses. Sign-ups for the contests will occur through out the day and are open to all interested.

Food will be available for purchase on site and vendors will be selling handcrafted hoops and other creative items.

The grand finale of Pittsfield City Hoopla begins at 8p with an “enchanted illuminated spin extravaganza” featuring live drumming by Aimee Gelinas and her Rhythm Keepers from Pittsfield, and fire hoop and dance performances by Lita Lundeen-Setchfield, Angyl Fyre, Maria Mariposa and more.

Pittsfield City Hoopla is created by Stefanie Weber/Creatures of Habitat in partnership with Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development and is supported in part through funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Pittsfield Cultural Council and Greylock Federal Credit Union. Additional community supporters and sponsors include Mark Tomasi, Day Mountain Sound, The Earth Shoppe, BerkshireGirl, Elm St. Barber Shop, New Image Salon, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Community Day, Lenox Community Center and Berkshire Dance Theater.

The 3^rd annual Pittsfield City Hoopla festival will be held Saturday, July 30^th, from 10am to 10pm, rain or shine. For more information visit www.pittsfieldcityhoopla.org. To pre-register for a workshop email Stefanie@fertileuniverse.com or call 413.281.6734.