Johana Moscoso, ah-moor, 2012, hand and machine embroidery. 120″ x 90″. Image courtesy Lilly Lampe.

The arts in Georgia often ascribe to a certain Atlanta-centrism, leaving many galleries and sites in outlying areas ignored. Yet these galleries and centers are very much in communication with the art being made in Atlanta. Berry College’s Moon Gallery in Rome, Georgia, has held solo exhibitions by Atlanta artists such as Emory University’s Linda Armstrong. The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center is another site curating shows with an eye to what is happening in Atlanta and other communities. Fibers, currently on view at Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, showcases artists from across the country, all with wildly different approaches to this medium.

This show was a return to Madison for curator Angela Nichols, director of education and public programs at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, who was curator at The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center from 2004 until 2008. To put together Fibers, Nichols reached out to artists she knew and respected for suggestions, drawing out a network of 15 artists working in a theme of fiber.

The artworks fill three rooms of the second floor of the cultural center, a beautifully restored nineteenth-century public school building. Several Atlanta and Athens artists are in the show, as well as artists from Chicago, Virginia, and New York state. Some of the artists apply traditional techniques like knitting and embroidery to conceptual works, while others respond to cultural expectations of their craft, encouraging snags and imperfections in the texture. Others use unconventional materials, like Amandine Drouet’s use of plastic bags and rings to create floating installations like synapses.

Leisa Rich, (back to front) Hippie Pot: Buttoned Up, and Hippie Pot: Prison Break, 2012, dimensions variable, recycled sweaters, embroidery floss, yarn, ribbon, metal wire; hand embroidered, stitched and constructed. Image courtesy Lilly Lampe.

The works reveal a range of techniques and materials, as well as a range of themes. Take Atlanta-artist Leisa Rich’s Hippie Pots, an assorted selection of deconstructed sweaters knit over wire frames to resemble tea pots. Rich’s Hippie Pots subvert traditional ideas of handicraft. They resemble tea cozies for teapots but are neither, defying the functionality of those objects. In contrast, Eric Mercer’s Reflection, an installation featuring televisions with crocheted slip-covers, plays with this theme. Reflection reimagines the functional but outdated tea cozy as social commentary, fashioning it into an item that visually mutes televisions and in turn insulates our eyes.

Eric Mercer, Reflection, 60″ x 26″ x 21″, crochet over televisions. Image courtesy Lilly Lampe.

Johana Moscoso’s Boh-goh-tah ee Chicago, 2012, and ah-moor, 2012, confront the artist’s Latin heritage and Resident Alien status through mesmerizing embroideries. The works are vaguely sensual, featuring bright red lips in red and meandering lines of machine-embroidery in red and black. The works reference her family’s background as tailors in Columbia, as well as pronunciation guides to the places she’s lived, and the Spanish word for love. The embroideries become complex maps of a disembodied self moving through physical and emotional worlds. Didi Dunphy’s works address different concerns of lineage. Her highly meticulous embroideries are traditional in technique—tautly framed in embroidery hoops, ringed in lace—but mimic in pattern the paintings of Frank Stella and Piet Mondrian. Dunphy’s statement describes Stella and Mondrian as male artists in the studio, compared with female artists in the home with sewing boxes. Her intention is to “make the monumental miniature,” confronting the male-dominated past (and present, if we’re being completely honest).

Despite their different styles of embroidery, both Moscoso and Dunphy use their medium to effectively confront personal or historical pasts. This nuanced approach to fiber art is consistent in the other artworks in Fibers. It’s a rare treat to see such an expansive survey of contemporary fiber artists in this area, and likely one that won’t be repeated any time soon.

Micah Stansell, Presynaptic Potential + Presynaptic Peepshow, multi-media installation. Photo by Faith Ploener.

I want to thank photographers Jessica Horwitz, Faith Ploener, and Sandy Hooper for their brilliant efforts last Friday night. They collectively shot over 200 photos of Le Flash, capturing the action from nearly every possible angle. Still, we couldn’t cover everything; there was simply too much. Today’s photo tour focuses on artist projects.

Shana Robbins's hypnotic Axis Mundi and Tree Ghost in Iceland video projections at Garage Projects.

Micah Stansell's ethereal Presynaptic Potential + Presynaptic Peepshow, sponsored in part by MOCA GA.

Matt Haffner's Street Fighter projection, which (as the artist predicted) provoked protests of "violence" from at least one mother in attendance.

We Are Survival Machines, a delightful zombie horror montage by Carl DiSalvo and David Holstius, curated by Louise Shaw. The projection shared a lot with Diana Ascarrunz and Kari Lennox's glowing sculpture, Fructose Fantasy.

An unofficial mascot.

N Yo’ Face, an examination of race by Fahamu Pecou and Michael Reese (pictured above), sponsored by ACP.

Danielle Roney, Mission, site-specific video projection.

Drive by Shooting, a mobile video game station by Steve Aishman, Heidi Aishman, and David Jones.

Antonio Darden's My Name in Lights. "It is what it is."

Johana Moscoso, Tracing What Is Remembered, a performance on the Peters Street bridge.

A closeup detail of Mons Boris, a performance by Jane Garver with Emma Adair.

If you see one of your projects here, please let us know so we can give credit where it’s due! Next week’s post will include images of street performances.

This is the first installment of our Le Flash 2009 photo coverage. Click here to view part 2.

Sandy Hooper is an Atlanta-based photographer working primarily in photo and multimedia documentaries on Americana. Jessica Horwitz and Faith Ploener are BURNAWAY.org contributing photographers. Check out their new photography business blog here.

Margie Stewart solo show opening at Emily Amy Gallery this Friday

There are more than enough events to keep you busy this upcoming week, from art walks and lectures to student shows and open studios. Enjoy!

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Emily Amy Gallery hosts a solo exhibition for North Carolina native Margie Stewart. The opening reception is from 7-10PM, and the show runs through June 17.

Gestures of Benevolence is a MFA thesis show by Johana Moscoso on exhibit at Atlanta College of Art Sculpture Studio (1280 Peachtree Street) until May 27, but stop by tonight from 7-10PM to check out the work of this SCAD student.

The Matre Gallery hosts an opening from 7-9PM for their new group exhibition Spring into Summer, on view through June 30.

From 7-10PM, Mason Murer Projects in Buckhead debuts the exhibition Abstract Show. This show features the works of Babak Emanuel, Sidney Guberman, Richard Harris, and Miguel Sartori.

Bean Summer/Ben Worley gallery talk at Get This! Gallery in conjunction with the Westside Art Walk

SATURDAY, MAY 16

There are numerous events being held in the Westside Arts District for their 3rd Art Walk, but here are a few of the highlights:

• At Get This! Gallery, Bean Summer/Ben Worley will discuss his current exhibition at 1PM.
• From 1-4PM, bring your family to The Contemporary for drawing activities for the FUNDRED DOLLAR BILL PROJECT. Come help make money for this important public art project that is taking on the problem of lead pollution in New Orleans.
• If you missed the opening Friday at Emily Amy Gallery, stop by at 12PM to hear Margie Stewart speak about her creative process.
• At SALTWORKS, Director Brian Holcombe hosts a tour of selections from the Elsewhere exhibition at 1:30PM. Before you go, check out the BurnAway review by k. tauches here.

Christopher Parrott will be at the Spruill Gallery at 12PM to give a talk about his work and his latest exhibit of paintings and drawings.

The Mattress Factory Studios host a Spring Open Studios art event from 12-10PM. This group art show will feature painting, photography, sculpture, and performance/installation art.

Bryan Malone is hosting a photography opening at Moog Gallery in Candler Park from 7-11PM. The show is a Little 5 Points retrospective featuring photos of local celebrities, regulars, business owners, and places that have given the neighborhood a face over the past 15 years. It runs through June 30.

SCAD student Laura Ann Meyers presents her MFA thesis show twenty-five that includes wonky videos, eerie installations, and new anti-art materials at Kibbee Gallery (688 Linwood Drive) from 7-10PM.

Print-ol-ogy at the Department Store Building featuring BFA SCAD students

For one night only stop by the Department Store Building (corner of Boulevard and Edgewood) from 7-10PM for Print-ol-ogy, featuring photographs and prints by BFA students from SCAD-Atlanta.

Showtime Art Show, a mini art walk in the Old Fourth Ward from 7-10PM, features the art and music of Page Burch, Zach Despiegler, Sergio Garzon, Vii Kelly, Heidi Kent, Daniel Scoggins, and Brock Scott.

SUNDAY, MAY 17

Southern Drawl Art Collaborative and Magazine presents To Dough or to Donut, a group doughnut art show with an opening from 12-2PM at Sublime Doughnuts. (P.S. The doughnuts are supposed to be amazing).

Meg Aubrey featured in Encore Series at ACA Gallery

TUESDAY, MAY 19

From 6-8PM, the SCAD Exhibitions Department and the Graduate Council present the 3rd Annual Encore Series exhibition honoring the three juried finalists from the top MFA thesis exhibitions of the year. This year’s exhibition showcases the paintings of Meg Aubrey and Adin R. Murray and the animation of I-Han Cheng at the ACA Gallery.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

At MOCA GA, Matt Haffner will be discussing his exhibition Dreams of a Sleeping Giant that consists of photo-based works including paintings, cut-paper installations, and wall projections. The reception starts at 6:30PM and will be followed by the talk at 7PM.

THURSDAY, MAY 21

Stop by The Contemporary from 6-8PM for THAW, a panel discussion that celebrates the launch of the COLD issue of Drain, an online journal of contemporary art and culture. The panel is moderated by artists Avantika Bawa and Stuart Keeler.

Except where otherwise noted, all events on our To Do Lists are free and open to the public. Keep checking previous Lists for more ongoing shows!

]]> http://burnaway.org/2009/05/to-do-list-25/feed/ 2 http://burnaway.org/2009/03/to-do-list-15/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=to-do-list-15 http://burnaway.org/2009/03/to-do-list-15/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:40:49 +0000 Susannah Darrow http://burnaway.org/?p=5007

John Tindel and Michi open new work in Friday's group show at Art Department, as well as host a Comcast TV special on Sunday.

[UPDATED] Look out for another packed weekend for visual arts around the city. Here’s a preview of what’s coming.

FRIDAY

Art Department Gallery
In Like a Lion

New works by John Tindel, Michi Meko, Dosa Kim, Emmy Dudley, David Huff, Luis Garcia-Nerey, Jeff Lange, Esteban Patino, Melissa Sims, Anke Schofield, and Shaun Thurston. The opening reception (featuring organic vodka, so we’re told) is from 7-10PM at Art Department Gallery, the exhibition space connected to The Bureau pub at 327 Edgewood Ave. The show will run through March.

Aurora Coffee in Little Five Points
Oliver and Friends
Fresh off her recent exhibition at Youngblood Gallery (with Lucha), Oliver has assembled a group of artists and friends for a multimedia exhibition, curated by Beep Beep Gallery. Participants include Alex App, Heather Elder, Christopher Fischer, Molly Horvat, Lucha, and Ashlee Oliver. March 6 – April 2 at Aurora Coffee L5P.

Alcove Gallery
Circus: Cartoon Madness
Alcove is having its 4th annual cartoon madness celebration Friday, boasting “tiltwalkers, jugglers, a great band” and art by Ben Prisk, Daniel Johnston, Yosiell Lorenzo, R. Land, Mr. Hooper, Bart Webb, Benji Williams, Jim Stacy, Rene Arriagada, Ben Boling, Nina Friday, Brian Colin, Emmy Dudley, Matt Sharp, Justin Kauffmann, Jason Snyder, Shaun Thurston, Dan Thompson, Carol Ashley, Miles Davis, Debra Gavant, Erik Hagansen, Sam Parker, Ashley Surber, and H.C. Warner. Opens 7-12PM at Alcove Gallery.

SATURDAY

"Soft sculpture" by Abby Glassenberg

Young Blood Gallery
[NEW] Birds of a Feather:
David Hale &
Abby Glassenberg
David Hale (of Athens, GA) joins Abby Glassenberg (Massachusetts) for an exhibition of recent work. Although each artist differs in interests and relationship to their medium—one works in sculpture and the other in paint—the show will focus on the intersection of their work: bird imagery from falcons, owls, and other birds of prey to the more friendly “backyard” varieties. (See also the recent BurnAway interview with Young Blood’s Maggie White re: the gallery business and optimism in the face of a “tough” economy.) Reception is from 7-10PM. Continues through March 29 at Young Blood Gallery.

Get This! Gallery
Ben Roosevelt: ________ is not always a bad thing.
Ben Roosevelt’s first solo exhibition at Get This! Gallery presents iconography of “suburbanalia.” The exhibition consists of drawings and installationThe exhibition consists of drawings and installation “gathering together the forgotten moments, spurned ________ and unnoticed gestures, extracting from our familiar surroundings a threatening sense of ________.” The reception is from 7-11PM. The exhibition will run through April 18 at Get This! Gallery.

Mudfire Gallery
Kyle Carpenter: Surface
Kyle Carpenter of Asheville, North Carolina, presents a solo exhibition of all-new works of decorated functional pottery. In 2008, Kyle was admitted to the prestigious Southern Highlands Craft Guild, and the Mint Museum in Charlotte acquired one of his works for their permanent collection. The reception os from 5-9PM. Through March 28 at Mudfire Gallery.

NAVO Church
Baggage Un/claimed Group Show
Addressing the themes of constant mobility, control, disappointment, and “assembled identity” through objects, these works explore what it means (as individuals and as a community) to have material or psychological “baggage.” The show includes contemporary 2D and 3D work as well as time-based media by Gyun Hur, Laura Meyers, Johana Moscoso, Shannon Riddle, Tiffany Sinnott, Staci Stone, Jonathan Terranova, Seasant Chen, Tanya Colee, Marcia Dietz, Brenda Jane, Maria Joyner, Laren Keel, Lindy Lane, George Mayer, Benjamin McGehee, Seana Reilly, Callan Ritchie, Hilary Smith, and Sean Twiddy. The reception is from 7-9PM. Through March 15 at NAVO, the mysterious storefront church that recently opened in Oakhurst village.

Katherine Taylor, Windshield Palm

Marcia Wood Gallery
Katherine Taylor Artist Talk
Katherine Taylor discusses the paintings in her exhibition “Oasis,” currently on view at Marcia Wood Gallery. Her work addresses issues related to time and perception. The talk is at noon.

Eyedrum Gallery
Mario Schambon: Another Show About Food and Poop
A new installation by Mario Schambon, aptly titled “Another Show About Food and Poop,” will debut in Eyedrum’s small gallery. Performance by Little Tybee during the reception, which opens from 6-8PM at Eyedrum. (Click here for other Eyedrum events Saturday, including an eclectic art, book, and “dead tech” Thrift Market.) Schambon’s show runs through March 28 at Eyedrum.

Buckhead Branch Library

Buckhead Branch Library
YAF and Docomomo Presentation
Presentation followed by a self-guided tour of Scogin and Elam’s Buckhead Branch Library. Certainly worth checking out, especially to see what all the fuss was about a few months ago when Buckhead developers threatened to demolish the supposed eyesore. The YAF/Docomomo presentation begins at 11:30AM at the Buckhead Library.

SUNDAY

TindelMichi
WE INVITE YOU TO COME OUT AND BE ON TV!!!
TindelMichi and Comcast On Demand will be filming a TV Series “ON THE RISE” in Atlanta on March 8 at The Bureau/Art Department Gallery (see also Friday’s event above). The TV series will take a look at TindelMichi and their artwork. It will be filmed for Comcast Video On Demand. Filming begins at 2PM.