Pittsburgh Art Events: 3/13-14/09.

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th... again. 2009 is an extraordinarily rare year in that there are actually two of these "unlucky" days in subsequent months. For some that is reason enough to revisit the rather tepid series of horror movies that takes for its title the delineating characteristics that mark it on the calendar. Others will cast a glance or two over their shoulders, on the look-out for the bad luck that is supposed to accompany the date. There are even some (I am quite sure) that will go through their day as if it were any other. After all, there are folks who make every effort to approach life in a manner circumscribed by logic and rationality. But what fun is that? What fun is a world without magic?

Friday

It's ironic that (on such a foreboding day) that we should be so fortunate as to have the opportunity to check out the new work of Ben Kehoe. If I was forced to identify my favorite couple of painters around town, Ben would certainly headline my list. I'm not just whistlin' Dixie either... if you paid a visit to my house, you'd see my appreciation for Ben on my walls. There are very few artists (other than myself) who are better represented in my art collection. And I'm going to make it a point to get to the Beleza Community Coffeehouse on the North Side (1501 Buena Vista) early to see what Ben makes available from his new series. The actual reception for Watching and Wary runs from 6-8PM.

For years Kehoe has painted witty figurative images featuring medieval knights engaging in all manner of scallywag behavior. Some time ago he decided to shake things up and abandon that theme. Since the shift, I've only seen a few examples of his new direction. I'm anxious to see what he's come up with. If you can't make it, be sure to check out his website.

Meanwhile, Zombo Gallery (4900 Hatfield St, Lawrenceville) is featuring a doubleheader by Christian Breitkreutz and Ron Copeland. I've seen the work of the former at Modern Formations during a previous Unblurred. His stuff was reminiscent of the Kehoe brothers, and priced reasonably to sell. His latest group of paintings (Don't Let Me Die) apparently reflects his "struggles with death and dying", but no doubt there will be a substantial element of countervailing humor to offset the darkness. As far as I know, Copeland is relatively new to the local scene. Zombo's description of Another Broken Thumb makes the artist sound like he's obsessed with detritus. That sounds right up Michael's alley.

Saturday

It seems like forever since Moxie Dada (1416 Arch Street) hosted an opening reception. Well friends, the time has come once again. It's a bit of a shame that it's not scheduled for Friday, because otherwise only one trip to the North Side would be necessary this weekend. Anyway, Unveiled features virtually the full roster of the gallery's artists (including Mark Traughber, Randie Snow, Robert Huckestein, Jason Shorr, etc.) . Christine promises a mix of new and previously shown work. Make sure to stop by between 6 and 8PM.


Note: Sunday's Obscure Movie Night selection at the Double Wide Grill (2339 E Carson St.) is "Bad Boys", starring the foremost actor of his generation- Sean Penn! Come see how he distinguished himself as a young lion... it starts at 9:30PM.

Pittsburgh Art Events: Weeekend of 7/25-27/08.

You'll have to excuse the late notice of this weekend's events, but truthfully I didn't think I'd get around to posting today at all. Through most of the year I've carried a backlog of a few entries that I can resort to if I don't feel up to writing. If I had a spare today, I would have posted it and called it a day. I've had a stomach ache that's been brewing since a particularly nasty interchange with a neighbor a couple of days ago. But an inspired trip to the local ice cream chain for a milkshake has given my gut other things to think about, so here I am with a late night post. Please forgive me its shoddiness.

On Friday evening from 4-9PM, the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (located at 1815 Metropolitan Street on the North Shore) is having their "Family Day". You can see a live hot metal pour, or create a personalized superhero in the Digital Lab. And if you stick around, you can also be part of the reception for Space and Place, an exhibition of works from the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors. There are plenty of artists featured in this show, including two of my favorites- Dennis Childers and James Rettinger. I'm a bit embarrassed to say I've never been to MCG... perhaps this would be the time to make my inaugural visit?

Well, that's only going to happen if I don't get caught up at the Encyclopedia Destructica Release Party for the first issue of Volume Coatlicue. The folks over at ED have been putting out this high-quality art "zine" for several years now. The books are hand-bound, alluring and quite collectible. The event (which includes music) is going to be held at 146 41st Street in Lawrenceville. It starts at 7PM.

Saturday brings us a long-awaited opening at La Vie Gallery (3609 Butler St., in the L-Ville). Shortsleeved includes work by Mike Budai, Jon Carling, Dan Chainer, Ben Kehoe, Melissa Kuntz, Danny Paracat, Thommy Conroy, James Maszle and Jairan Sadeghi. Not only will there be wall-hung work, but there will be wearable pieces as well. I was actually going to submit something, but never got my act together. Regardless, I'll certainly be there (it runs from 7-11PM). If you still haven't seen this space, you better make it a point to do so while you still can. Who knows how long great things like this can last?

If you want to get out of the East End, you could do worse than a trip to the Brew House (in the South Side) for a party celebrating "the success of Citywide Salon" (7:30-11PM). Have you noticed the presence of posters displaying artwork in the bus shelters around town? Well, here's you chance to see some of the original works. If you want to learn more about the project first, check out this article. They are promising food and drink. That in itself should compel a few of you.

April Unblurred. (This Friday Evening).

Another long, cold winter is finally behind us and this month's Unblurred is waiting to welcome us into spring. We might get a bit of rain this Friday evening, but temperatures should be mild and a little bit of moisture shouldn't keep you away from seeing what the Pittsburgh arts scene has to offer. If you've never been to Penn Avenue (between Friendship and Garfield) for this event, you'll likely be pleasantly surprised by the amount of galleries that thrive along the street. You can easily spend a couple of hours meandering about. Have a cup of wine, maybe see a performance, and consider purchasing an affordable piece of art. There are several highlights you shouldn't miss this go 'round.

If the weather kept you home last month, you can still see the closing at The Green Building Gallery (5515 Penn Avenue). It features the work of two distinguished artists, one currently based in Pittsburgh and another who used to be a fixture here in town. James Shipman is president of the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, and creates mixed media edifices that suggest a hankering for long-past rural and industrial glories. John Sokol uses tar, oil, and acrylic to achieve classically-styled paintings featuring pastoral subjects, suggesting old-timey advertising on a large scale. The exhibition was curated by local favorite Bob Ziller, who has proudly sat the inaugural show of the new gallery for the past month.

Meanwhile, down at the Clay Penn (5111 Penn Avenue), proprietor Laura Jean McLaughlin is showing off a brand new series of paintings by the Mt. Washington-based Victoria Cessna. The artist is a particular favorite of mine, and I've been looking forward to another solo show of her work since her last one at Coca Cafe (Lawrenceville) in 2006. Previously Cessna's imagination has been stirred by old found snapshots that she has discovered in her travels. Her current batch of paintings (entitled Friendly Fire) have been inspired by a series of unfortunate events that have occurred to her and her family over the last year. With her postmodern-impressionist aesthetic, and a mix of forlorn nostalgia and dark humor, Cessna's work is absolutely something you want hanging on your wall. If you want a preview, check out her excellent website.

The other main highlight (as far as I'm concerned) is the Annual Spring Salon Juried Exhibition over at Modern Formations (4919 Penn). Jen and Devin have done an extraordinary job with this space from day one. Few in Pittsburgh know how genuinely difficult it is to run an art gallery- especially with no side business such as framing. Yet the proprietors here have consistently brought in interesting (and often excellent) artwork. There are quite a few young local artists that got there start here. In the years I've been frequenting the gallery, I've become acquainted with the works of the Kehoe brothers, Katherine Young, Jairan Sadeghi and Josh Tonies. I have no doubt that this year's salon will introduce me to some additional quality work.

As usual there will be other venues with entertainment and artwork. Although I'm not familiar with the featured artists this month, it's always worthwhile to stop in at Metamorphose (4922 Penn) and Imagebox (4933 Penn). Both locations are owned and operated by people who are dedicated to the viability of the neighborhoods they inhabit. Much the same can be said about the Attack Theater (4805 Penn), which regularly offers ten-minute previews of their new dance performances. Their space is also a good place to sit down for a bit with a beer or some wine, socialize with someone new, and play an old-school Atari 2600 videogame.

June Unblurred Tonight!

It's hard to believe that an entire month has passed since the last Unblurred. The beginning of May saw me adding to my collection with a piece from the Modern Formations "Bigfoot"-themed show. I was able to make a trip to the gallery to pick up the work while they were breaking down the show. This light box instantly became one of my favorite items around the house. Here's hoping that Beth Warner continues to make such excellent art.

Meanwhile, if I had to guess, I'd say that there's a good chance that Modern Formations is once again going to be a highlight of the evening. Tonight is the opening of their 6th Anniversary All-Star Exhibit, and they have quite a line-up. If there is a coalescing core of young artists with a chance of defining a "Pittsburgh Movement", I'd say this is the crew that's likely to make it happen. The Kehoe brothers (Ben and Andy) paint illustrative scenes that would not be out of place on the covers of the best alt-comix anthologies in the nation. Andy has recently been featured in Juxtapoz magazine- his anthropomorphic woodland creatures delight with their garish colors, and mystify with their accoutrement. His twin sibling Ben slips subtle (and often hilarious) social commentary into his medieval scenes resplendent with knigts and gore. I am fortunate enough to own original paintings created by both Kehoes, and it's quite fair to say that I'm convinced of the exceptionality of their artistry. If you are lucky enough to live in Pittsburgh, you can see their work in the pages of the Volume 2 Anthology of Unicorn Mountain. If you exist elsewhere, then check out the website. Good stuff!

Katherine Young is an emerging artist whose work I discovered at the Annual Spring Salon Exhibit at Modern Formations about a year ago. The gallery invited art patrons to vote for their favorites, and the winner was given a solo show. I fell in love with two of her assemblage drawings, and later rediscovered her work when she was awarded her own exhibition by the owners (she hadn't won the popular vote). The series that contained the work I purchased was a melange of explicit sexuality, pagan mythology and the decorative arts. Her rising star propelled her into the Lush Life group show at the Digging Pitt this past winter. I can't wait to see what manner of surprising delights she has for us tonight.


A couple of months ago I encountered the work of Elina Malkin at the La Vie Gallery in Lawrenceville. She created candy-coated burlesque images out of found paintings. I was so taken with the troika of works on that night that I had difficulty deciding which to take home. The presence of an unidentifiable animal in the lap of a naked stripper made the decision for me. I chose the alternative because I realized the distraction I'd be driven to if I brought home that enigma. Luckily for me, I can puzzle over the mystery at my favorite bar- it's hanging there on the wall next to the jukebox. You can see a few of her works over at this site.

Anybody who has spent any meaningful time in the Burgh has seen Mike Budai's work. He is the reigning local king of concert art. His cartoonish creations combine the psychedelic meanderings of the 60's/70's with the hip urban street aesthetics of the 90's. His characters (who are also vaguely recognizable as animals) are instantly identifiable as Budai manifestations. His clean style and accompanying wry humor have made him a local favorite already, and promise the future invasion of foreign lands. His web presence is sorta scattered, but this page has a nice representation of what he is capable of. Grab his stuff while it's still affordable... I did!

As if the previously mentioned artists weren't enough,- the roster at Modern Formations also includes Adam Grossi, Jairan Sadeghi, Jeff Schreckengost, Beth Steidle, and Josh Tonies. Many of the other venues along Penn Avenue (save the slowly sinking Garfield Artworks) will be open with new work as well. One shouldn't pass up the opportunities of this Unblurred. Sure... you can make it downtown for the "Best of..." show at PPG and to the PCA beforehand. No problem, right?