October 11, 2018 I was honored to asked to participate in Austin’s Pecha Kucha #32. In case you’re wondering what those words mean. A brief description. PechaKucha 20x20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images.
I had months to prepare. I was super confident. I had rehearsed my presentation. Nothing was structured, but I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted this to go. Then, legendary designer DJ Stout (one of my heroes) introduces me. I confidently stride to the mic. The crowd gives me their attention. My mind goes blank. So, I just started talking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPkK1S7ZEs8
Hosted at 2003 Wheless, the former site of a Flower Wholesale Shop. Big thanks to Art Alliance Austin each of the fabulous drink and other sponsors that support us, Industry Print, Nomad Sound, Logan Wimmer and Pentagram.
PRESENTERS
1. Herman Dyal – Architect and City Shaper
2. Gretchen Harries Graham – Educator and Writer
3. Dave McClinton – Graphic Designer/Artist
4. Refugee Is Not My Name – Art Collaborators
5. Brian Beattie – Musician/Producer
6. Randal Ford – Photographer Photographer
7. Sarah N. Evans – Activist
8. Dale Whistler – Artist/Sculptor
9. Merlin Tuttle – Batman
10. Mélat Kassa– Musician
Thanks to the curatorial board for your ongoing dedication and support: Co-Directors: DJ Stout and Lana McGilvray, Herman Dyal and Carla Fraser, Bradley Bechtol, Gail Chovan and Evan Voyles, Nelson Guda, Ana Davidson, Katy Vine and George Sledge, James Moody, John Kunz and Kathy Marcus, Rebecca McInrory, Meredith Powell, Asa Hursh, Marcellina Kampa, Jason Neulander, Bradley Bechtol, Marc English, Gretchen Graham, Stu Taylor, Allan Weinberger, Ron Pippin, Darden Smith, Stacey Abel, Jason Wilkins and Celeste Quesada.
An art gallery morphed into a dance party. We had a damn good time.
ARTBASH returns in 2018 to the Native in East Austin. The opening celebration will take place on Friday, November 9th and consist of a Preview Reception and party to follow ARTBASH will layer temporary site-specific installations and performance pieces to create a dynamic and exciting evening for art and highlight November as Austin Art Month.
The venue will then remain open to the public for the first weekend of EAST. The group exhibition at the Native will be a unique destination for art enthusiasts, artists, galleries, critics, collectors. the exhibition will feature local artists and the weekend will be filled with programs and events.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artbash-2018-tickets-50084713727
Featured ARTBASH Artists: Adrian Armstrong Billy the Kid Neon Adrian Landon Brooks Stephen Fishman Raul Gonzalez Ling-lin Ku Gabe Langholtz Ysabel LeMay David McClinton Dawn Okoro Matt Rebholz Nick Schnitzer Sara Vanderbeek Jose Villalobos Annie Wells and Mackenzie Huffman Charles Zhang
Time:
6-8pm VIP- includes free drinks all night, small bites by El Dorado Cafe, dessert by Paris in a bite and performances
8pm-12am- General Admission- includes three drink tickets, live performance and dance party.
Past and Present
September 8 - October 28, 2018
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 8, 5:30 - 8:30pm
Conversation with Artists: Sunday, October 7, 1:00 – 3:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/2177649672523697
Past and Present showcases artist who are using old mediums to have current conversations and present mediums to continue old conversations. The works included in this exhibition range in media and depict different narratives and realities. Pulling from different histories, perspectives and concepts allows for the artist to mediate and express themselves through their practice.
Andrea Munoz Martinez is using vibrant colors and repetitive mark making to rediscover her culture and history. Annalise Gratovich is using one of the oldest mediums, wood carving to explore themes of displacement and the search for home, settling and heritage of womanhood. Ariel Rene Jackson is using a mix of present and past mediums to understand her family’s history particularly in the 1950s, when her grandfather acquired and lost nearly 300 acres of farmland. Christa Blackwood is reclaiming the male gaze by using her large format cameras to capture her staged male nudes with western landscapes as her background in reference to classical photography of the human figure. Dave McClinton is using Digital Collage (textures, archival images, family photos and self portraiture) as a form to rediscover African American history and illustrate the life-cycle of the inner life of a black person. John Cruz uses painting to capture moments of stillness in a loud way. In some ways his paintings are spotlighting the american classium culture.
Artists include:
Christa Blackwood
John Cruz
Annalise Gratovich
Ariel Rene Jackson
Dave McClinton
Andrea Munoz Martinez
Ello is The Creators Network, a publishing and collaboration platform connecting and supporting a global community of artists. Founded in 2013 by a collection of artists & designers, Ello re-imagines the future of creative work by providing a contemporary forum and virtual workplace for artists, brands, agencies, publishers, and their fans.
That's what they say anyway. All I know is that I've enjoyed their platform and it's been great to interact with other artists. I also like participating in the regular artist's call opportunities. It helps my writing and thinking about my work sharp.
If you're a visual artist or photographer, I recommend jumping in.
The People's Gallery I told you about. Here is a virtual tour.https://austincityhall.oncell.com/en/tour-the-peoples-gallery-165217.html
This Friday Night, Feb 23, 6pm - 9pm, is the opening of the People's Gallery 2018 Exhibition at Austin City Hall. A lot of great work to see. For my part it will be the attached pieces.
The Cultural Arts Division announces the opening of the 14th annual People’s Gallery exhibition at Austin City Hall! The presentation will feature a wide array of painting, sculpture, drawing and other media by 102 artists from across the Austin area. Please join us for the opening reception Friday, February 23, 6 to 9 p.m. Come meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments and live music by the Austin Community Steelband. See you there! More here: http://www.austintexas.gov/peoplesgallery
New website. I had the holiday break to build this website, and a sister graphic design site. A simpler site to let the art just be. I've got a few things to adjust. As always, it will be a constant work in progress. (see also dmdesigninc.com)
