Phantasmaphile

NY Art Book Fair

Rejoice!  The NY Art Book Fair is happening this weekend:

LOCATION
548 West 22nd Street (10th & 11th Aves), NYC (map)

FAIR HOURS
Friday/Saturday, September 28/29, 2007, 11am - 7pm
Sunday, September 30, 2007, 11am - 5pm

BENEFIT PREVIEW
Thursday, September 27, 2007, benefiting Printed Matter, Inc.
6 - 7 pm, early admission to preview
7 - 9 pm, general admission to preview

I went last year, and picked up some awesome prints from Max Ernst's surrealist collage novel Une Semaine De Bonte.

The Last Witchfinder

I just finished reading a book that was so good I kissed it when it was done.  The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow takes place in England and colonial America, and stars a fiery heroine whose goal is to bring an end to the brutal culture of witch hunting.  It's funny, epic, adventurous, and completely inspiring.  Perfect for fans of magic, science, feminism, and babies in jars (you'll see what I mean).

Julie Heffernan show

Julie Heffernan  "Self Portrait as Spill"  2007

Phantasmaphile favorite Julie Heffernan has a new show up.  "Booty" will be at the PPOW Gallery until October 20th.  As ever, her work is psychological and opulent, and plays with historical tropes while seeming absolutely timeless.  Each piece is a feast.  Not to be missed. 

Jess

Jess  "Goddess Because Is Is Falling Asleep"  1954

I am so happy collage behemoth, Jess, is finally getting his due.  While he's considered a San Francisco treasure, and has pieces in many west coast museums, I'm hoping this touring retrospective will expose many more people to his wondrous works.  And I am currently salivating over the accompanying monograph:  Jess: To and From the Printed Page.

Deity

The above is a picture of the entrance to Deity, a new lounge opening late this year on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.  The doorway alone is so intriguing that after I passed by it for the first time, I immediately had to send an email and inquire about the space.  As my luck would have it, this led to a private tour given by the owners, a warm and passionate couple named Caio and Kristine.  The lounge is a gorgeous bi-level space that pays homage to neo-spiritualism through various pagan symbols and religious iconography.  It is integrated into a synagogue's original facade, while still feeling absolutely contemporary.  Hand-crafted details such as stained-glass panels, illuminated goddess scupltures, and intricate ironwork have been commissioned from local artists, and each element lends to the overall air of mystery and beauty.  This enormous undertaking is nothing short of a labor of love.  It is four years in the making, and has consisted of massive architectural overhauling and limitless investments of time and energy.  But I am certain the hard work will pay off.  This is a most special place, where one will be able to have an utterly transcendant night consorting with creative souls and imbibing candle-lit elixirs.  Can't wait for the opening.

Stella Im Hultberg

Stella Im Hultberg  "Adrift"

I've been a fan of Stella Im Hultberg's inky illustrations for a while now, but it's these new paintings which really take my breath away.  I love the ballooning hair and ambiguous starry backgrounds.  Our protagonist's face changes in each piece, creating a complicated and compelling emotional narrative. 

Appeal to the Masses

Quick thought:  I've been meaning for some time to take Phantasmaphile into the multi-dimensional world, and curate a show featuring many of the artists I've posted about over the years.  Does anyone know of a gallery or space which would be open to hosting such an aesthetic banquet?  (I live in Brooklyn, so for logistical reasons, a place in the metro/tri-state area would be ideal).  I've been looking into curatorial programs and the like, but thought I'd throw it out there to my brilliant readers as well.  Please drop me an email or leave a comment below with any info you have.  Thanks!  Pam / phantasmaphile at gmail.com

Angelo Filomeno

Angelo Filomeno "The Grand Circus: Death of Schizophrenic Lover" 2005

Here's another one for the "I wish I could see this in person" category.  Angelo Filomeno's work consists of embroidery, silk, and various gems.  Perfect materials for his shadowy, ethereal subject matter.

Via

Balint Zsako

Balint Zsako

Balint Zsako's work is jubilant and dark.  I love when lofty topics (ie. Life and Death) are disguised within seemingly whimsical semiotics.  Please click on the image above, as it definitely merits a closer look. 

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Santa Fe Art Show!

Adela Leibowitz  "Blackwell" 

Oh, I am so jealous of those of you who live in the Santa Fe area!  Eight Modern is having a show called "Once There Was, Once There Wasn't: Fairy Tales Retold," up through October 6th:

"With works by a number of artists, including Jim Dine, David Hockney, Peregrine Honig, Fay Ku, Elizabeth "Grandma" Layton, Adela Leibowitz, David Levinthal, Paula Rego, Kiki Smith, and Richard Tuttle the exhibition illuminates and challenges the traditional interpretations of fairy tales. Stories heard in childhood exert a powerful pull on the artists participating in Once There Was, who take on the powerful role of storyteller and the task of mythopoesis, of creating and renewing meaning. Their modern reworkings of old tales draw upon familiar narratives and imagery for their cultural resonance."

Wish I could see it in person!   

G. Garfield Crimmins

G. Garfield Crimmins  "Notsobad and Prettynice Gather the Night's Dreams as Reason and Logic Watch"

This picture is an illustration from G. Garfield Crimmins' imaginary travelogue, The Republic of Dreams: A Reverie.  While I would love to see more examples of Crimmins' work (the web doesn't offer much), this book is a true feast that will occupy me for quite awhile.  In addition to the paintings and story, there are envelopes to open, fold-out maps, collages, and curious documents, all fashioned by the artist himself. 

Marilyn Holsing

Marilyn Holsing  "Young Marie as Fire Eater" 

I love Marilyn Holsing's Marie Antoinette series.  Her delicate paintings depict "Young Marie" in various fictitious poses, which have the effect of being both canonizing and humanizing at once, if that's even possible.

(Thank you, Suzannah!)

R.I.P. Madeleine L'Engle

What an amazing life.

Hotel Cassiopeia

We just got tickets to Charles Mee's Hotel Cassiopeia at BAM's Next Wave Festival.  The play is about the illustrious Joseph Cornell, and, as you can see above, the sets look as though they are refracted versions of his famous box assemblages.  The NY Times called the piece, "...a haunting theatrical dreamscape."  Sounds as if it will be right up my alley.

Espira

Espira  "Fight Sounds"  2005

Espira's work is deliciously disturbing.  He combines natural wonders, pop culture, and period dress to create mutant forms that are challenging and transgressive.  And, at least to my warped mind, really funny as well.

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