Phantasmaphile

Kenneth Anger for Missoni

'Nuff said.

Via.

Christopher Ulrich show!

 

Christopher Ulrich  "Infinity"  2010

Christopher Ulrich's new show, "Illuminator: The Royal Wedding" opens at La Luz de Jesus on August 6th.  I would give anything to see this in person.  It's chock full of the alchemical parables and symbols that are so close to my heart.  Plus, I love his rad illustrative style that pays homage to the high masters and the counter culture at once.  It's what I'd call gilded pulp.

Aaron Storck again

Aaron Storck 2010

We New Yorkers have finally had a break in our heatwave, and I'm longing to be outside and enjoy the breeze.  I think it's high time for a summer feast a la Aaron Storck's wizard picnic above.  I am just mad about his depictions of modern magic and excess.  Just looking at this work makes me feel full.

Kim Deakins

Kim Deakins  "The Rainbow Thief"  2010

Kim Deakins is an artist whose work feels really fearless to me.  Such a vivid palette and so much kinesis and magic and mischief.  Happy Friday, all!

Samuli Heimonen monograph

Speaking of monographs, the wonderful Samuli Heimonen was kind enough to send me a copy of his recently published book.  Entitled "Armi kiittää" or Armi Thanks You, it is chock full of Heimonen's darkly emotional paintings of the mysterious connection between animals and humans.  Though the text is written in Finnish, you can read the English translation for free here.

Thank you, Samuli!

Limited Edition Art Monograph by Mon Petit Fantome

The unbelievably prolific and brilliant Chad Merritt of Mon Petit Fantome has just released a limited edition monograph of his work, and you should seriously buy it.  Entitled "Take My Hand and Follow Me," it collects his elegant shadowtale papercut works in one tome.  Those that order the limited edition book will also get a free print of their choice.  I can't wait to receive these treasures in the mail.  Ohhh exquisite anticipation!

Surrealism and Women Artists lecture with Prof. Susan Aberth at OBSERVATORY

Nusch Eluard  untitled photocollage 1936

Phantasmaphile presents at OBSERVATORY:

Surrealism and Women Artists with Prof. Susan Aberth

Date: Friday, August 13th
Time: 8pm
Admission: $5
Presented by Phantasmaphile

The Surrealist Movement, launched in 1924 by the poet André Breton in Paris, ascribed to woman a pivotal and revolutionary role and attracted a large number of active female participants. This talk will present a general survey of the women painters, photographers, and sculptors associated with Surrealism such as Dorothea Tanning, Remedios Varo, Lee Miller, Meret Openheim, Leonor Fini, Nusch Eluard, Dora Maar, Jacqueline Lamba, Valentine Hugo, Mimi Parent, Unica Zürn, Ithel Colquhoun, Eileen Agar, Maria Martins, Leonora Carrington, Kay Sage, Toyen, and Claude Cahun. In addition, common themes running through their work (sexuality, occultism, nature, and dream imagery) will be explored.

Susan L. Aberth is Associate Professor of Art History at Bard College and is the author of Leonora Carrington: Surrealism, Alchemy and Art.

~~~~~~~
DIRECTIONS TO OBSERVATORY:  ***PLEASE USE NEVINS ST./PROTEUS GOWANUS ENTRANCE***

OBSERVATORY is located at 543 Union Street at Nevins St., in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn.  The entrance is currently through Proteus Gowanus gallery, in the alley off Nevins St (see below for full details).

R  or M train to Union Street in Brooklyn:

Walk two long blocks on Union (towards the Gowanus Canal) to Nevins Street. 543 Union Street is the large red brick building on right. Go right on Nevins and left down alley through large black gates. Proteus Gowanus is the second door on the left.  

F or G train to Carroll Street:

Walk one block to Union. Turn right, walk two long blocks on Union towards the Gowanus Canal, cross the bridge, take left on Nevins, go down the alley to Proteus Gowanus, the second door on the left.

For more information, see observatoryroom.org

And please join our Facebook group if you are so inclined.

Marshall Arisman

Marshall Arisman  "Ayahuasca series 23"

Marshall Arisman's Ayahuasca series is enthralling indeed.  Animals and humans mesh and meld in a stream of visions, presumably from the artist's own experience with altered states.  I especially love the rainbow fragments that appear at the torsos of each painted being.

Via

Chloe Early

Chloe Early  "Majesty"  2009

Is this the most lusciously languid painting you've seen all month?  Maybe even all year?  Chloe Early has a gift for reverie, and her work completely captivates me.

Via

Pope Saint Victor

Pope Saint Victor  "Temptress"  2009

I think this fabulous digi-collage by Pope Saint Victor pretty much speaks for itself.  Rrrrrrrowl.

Temple of Blooom show!

Kelie Bowman  2010

OK, this show at the ever-awesome Cinders Gallery in Brooklyn sounds fantastic:

Cinders Gallery Presents:

Temple of Blooom

July 10th – August 8th 2010
Opening Reception Saturday July 10th 7-10pm

Hisham Akira Bharoocha, Kelie Bowman, Sherri Hay, Mark Warren Jacques, John Orth, Hilary Pecis, STO, Jessie Rose Vala

The Temple of Blooom is an installation that combines paintings, drawings, collages, murals and sculpture to create our own type of a sonic-visual sanctuary as envisioned by each artist. Exploring places of worship, rituals, shrines, sacred objects and congregation, this place of spiritual assembly is based not on any religious faith but on the faith of our loose-knit community of artists, performers, experimenters, and musicians.

Each artist brings a different energy to the show from Hisham Bharoocha’s meditative mandala style mural painting to Hilary Pecis’ cavernous and intricate collages; paintings of people made entirely of wondrous flowers by Kelie Bowman and a golden paper mache shrine to the gods of plants by STO. Abstracted portraits recall ethereal masks in John Orth’s works on paper while Mark Warren Jacques explores cosmic patterns and forms in his paintings. Sherri Hay’s small, intimate sculptures of plant people lure you in to their majestic world and Jessie Rose Vala’s haunting black and white pencil drawings explore transformations between humans, animals, and the powers of nature.

During the course of the show, the temple will be a space for sonic and visual explorations by some of our favorite artists, including many from the show. Check our website for updates on these weekly intimate engagements of live music and performance.

CINDERS GALLERY
103 Havemeyer st.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-388-2311
www.cindersgallery.com
Wed-Sun 1-7pm

It's always a treat to see work by Phantasmaphile pal Jessie Rose Vala, and the other artists are stellar as well.  Unmissable.