LOOK INTO MY OWL

“White Noise” is a large group show exploring the convergence of sound and visual art. The exhibit runs to mid August at the James Cohan Gallery.

Jack Pierson, Silence, 2002.

The show posits a diverse selection of artists from the past with those working today. Pieces were commissioned specifically for this exhibit by Nick Cave, Simon Evans, Brendan Fowler, and Fred Tomaselli.

Fred Tomaselli, Stack (detail), 2009.

Most artists produce with the aid of some form of white noise. When the hands and eyes are active the ears become jealous. Output from electronics, traffic noise and even wind through the trees all inspire if only on a subconscious level. The rhythms often keep the mind active and less prone to distraction. This show examines the inseparable relationship from many directions.

Robin Rhode, Untitled (Microphone), 2005.

White Noise
Lucas Ajemian and Jason Ajemian, Laurie Anderson, Ronnie Bass, Joseph Beuys, Nick Cave, Martha Colburn, Anne Collier, Moyra Davey, Tacita Dean, Simon Evans, Brendan Fowler, Rodney Graham, Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg, Jay King and Mario Diaz de León, Jacob Kirkegaard, Jutta Koether, Jim Lambie, Louise Lawler, Christian Marclay, David Moreno, Robert Morris, Yoko Ono, Raymond Pettibon, Jack Pierson, Robin Rhode, Jamie Shovlin, Robert Smithson, Meredyth Sparks, Reena Spaulings, Emily Sundblad, and Fred Tomaselli.

18 June – 12 August 2009
James Cohan Gallery
NYC

The first retrospective on U.S. soil for the legendary Dan Graham is currently on view at the Whitney Museum in NYC. The museum has a rich program of exhibitions for the summer including Sadie Benning, Claes & Coosje and Photoconceptualism. I’ll be in the city for a few days in August and the Whitney is a guaranteed stop.

Dan Graham, Figurative, 1965.

Dan Graham has exhibited extensively since the 1960’s pioneering some now fundamental concepts that are in play through every conscious mode of expression. He was among the few that understood that it was conceivable to mash minimalism with rock music, high art and tract housing. The practice of contrasting opposing cultural preferences was unusual and even regarded with apprehension. Brave experimenters like Graham nudged us all a bit into the future.

Dan Graham, Detail from Homes for America, 1966-67.

Graham has enjoyed success in many media including print, film, performance and architecture. The artist has imbued each aesthetic with a flow of heady notions cooked down to simple principles.

Dan Graham, Performer/Audience/Mirror, 1977.

In keeping with the spirit of their subject for this retrospect, the Whitney is hosting a wide array of events. The show opened with an acoustic concert by the Feelies with more music planned through July. There are also film screenings, discussions, and a conversation with Dan Graham and Glenn Branca on tap. Check the schedule as you may want to plan several trips.

Dan Graham, Skateboard Pavilion, 1989.

This is the second leg of the tour for “Beyond”, the exhibit was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles earlier this year and continues on to the Walker Art Center in the Fall.

Dan Graham
Beyond
25 June – 11 October 2009
Whitney Museum of American Art
NYC

David Lynch and Danger Mouse have collaborated on their first project in the form of an installation at the Michael Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles.

David Lynch, Untitled (Little Girl #3), 2009.

Fifty of Lynch’s photographs were mounted on aluminum and displayed in small groups throughout the two room exhibition. The pieces are untitled but make reference to tracks from the album “Dark Night of the Soul” that Danger Mouse mixed with the pop band Sparklehorse. The album will be playing in the gallery for the duration of the show.

David Lynch, Untitled (Insane Lullaby #4), 2009.

The bulk of the action in the imagery is centralized within the composition. This bespeaks a significant difference between Lynch’s still and moving images. Lynch refers to still photography in his films when the scene breaks down into a solitary focus with spectral sounds. The prints in this exhibit along with the background music evoke the sensation of his films while maintaining a presence all their own.

David Lynch, Untitled (The Man Who Played God #1), 2009.

A limited edition book of Lynch’s visuals for the album has been released and is available here. Due to an ongoing dispute with a record company, the music that Danger Mouse produced has not been released. In place of the album, the book is supplemented with a recordable compact disc. Each copy of the book is clearly labelled, “For legal reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.”

David Lynch, Untitled (Revenge #4), 2009.

David Lynch & Danger Mouse
Dark Night of the Soul
30 June – 11 July 2009
Michael Kohn Gallery
Los Angeles

This Saturday we are pleased to be opening “RUGS! RUGS !RUGS!”, the latest exhibit from Mark Mothersbaugh at NOWhere Limited. Twelve artist proof rugs will be on display in the gallery and available for purchase online sometime early next week. Be sure to get on the NOWhere Limited mailing list to receive more information as it becomes available.

Mark Mothersbaugh, Devo Rope, 2009.

Mark Mothersbaugh, well-known as a founding member of the innovative band DEVO, has been creating artwork in many forms for more than 3 decades. His love of visual art began in childhood, just after it was discovered that he was extremely nearsighted and legally blind. His first correctional glasses offered the young Mothersbaugh a new view of the world, fueling a lifelong infatuation with imagery and illustrations.

Mark Mothersbaugh, Sleepover, 2009.

Mark’s recent visual artwork has been largely inspired by his 30-year habit of creating handmade postcards to send to friends from various stops on DEVO tours. This obsession has evolved into a visual diary that currently yields the artist 1-25 new images per day. These images have served as the basis for the artist’s critically acclaimed solo shows of the 80s/90s as well as for his “gallery tours” which have been occurring at art venues throughout the globe since 2003.

With DEVO, Mothersbaugh’s most recognized music project, the artist showcases his artistic abilities to millions of fans. Through their films, videos, costumes, LP covers, stage shows, and printed materials, Mark Mothersbaugh and DEVO forever altered commonly held preconceptions of how a rock band can function in popular culture.

Mark Mothersbaugh, Fingerbot & the Boy, 2009.

It’s a huge weekend here in Ned. The dedication of the Nathan Lazarus Skatepark is taking place with Tony Hawk on hand to break the place in right. Hawk will be skating a demo with Bird House Team Members Shaun Gregoire and Alan Young, Geth Noble, Jason Mitchell, Alex Brunelle, Ric Widenor, Brandon Arceo and Cailin Lee.

Later in the evening, Mark Mothersbaugh will be live in the gallery via video conference. Be sure to stop by early to get your ticket to speak with Mark “face-to-face”.

Mark Mothersbaugh
RUGS! RUGS! RUGS!
30 May – 27 June 2009
NOWhere Limited
Nederland, Colorado

David Byrne is prolific across many media. Recently he completed a project in cooperation with Pace Wildenstein and the NYC Department of Transportation. Nine powder coated steel bike racks were fabricated from Byrne’s drawings and installed throughout the city. Each piece is themed after it’s location “The Chelsea” (above) and “The Villager” (below) are prime examples. From the Upper West side down to Tribeca all nine locations are listed on the map at David Byrne’s website. Fill the tires, oil the chain and check them all out.

The former front man for the Talking Heads also recently converted the NYC Battery Maritime Building into a musical instrument.

He walks you through it in the video below from Boing Boing.

Recently Matthew Barney opened his studio in Long Island City for a free black metal pig roast. Six bands rocked the crowd for the duration of this primitive gathering. Barney was on hand roasting and carving the sacrificial offering.

I have a lot of respect for the work of Matthew Barney. The heavies of the art community may balk at this recent action but he’s reduced me to genuflection. This dark gesture was the happening of the season.

Found via Cremaster Fanatic. Head over to Jae Saam Trio’s photo set of the event for more.

I woke up lacking energy looking for something to snap me out of it. Then I remembered this De La Doom track. Hard to beat this master flow. The crowd must have been psyched to see De La Soul and then out walks the metal face. You gotta love how CDilly says “Rock Co. Flow”.