Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Protection, transcendence and closure-The art of Darwin Price, Christopher Ellingson & Christopher Kanyuski at Float

Protection, transcendence and closure
The art of Darwin Price, Christopher Ellingson & Christopher Kanyusik
Opening, and end of the world costume party 12.21.2012, from 6pm to 9pm 
Please dress as your favorite end of the word character! 
DJ Champagne will be spinning music to the art work!
Free psychic readings by Virginia! 
This is a free event 

FLOAT is located in a store front loft of the historic Cotton Mill Studios at 1091 Calcot Place Unit #116,
Oakland Ca 94606. Open 7 days a week, 10 am to 10 pm by appointment. (510) 535-1702
http://www.thefloatcenter.com/

 Exquisite corpse drawings by the party goers, once complete we will auction them off to
 the highest bidder and all the proceeds to go to Glide Memorial Church! 

 Bubbling absinthe tea will be served along with other tasty libations... come enjoy a night of great art!

 Three Oakland Riviera artists lead us to the end of 2012, and show us that a new paradigm is nothing to
 fear. Show runs though December 29th. 

Christopher Ellingson, Paintings
For me, painting is devine and it can’t be described by anything but itself. Amidst the flashes of color,
turbulence, velocity, and stillness it teaches me new ways of experiencing the natural world. This is a
mystery worth investigating.  christopherellingson.com

Christopher Kanyusik, Sculptures
Art bears greater power and relevance through ambiguity.  It transcends commonality by remaining open,
provocative, and to a certain degree unclear and unfinished, rather than presenting a banal package complete
with an image and a corresponding narrative, leaving little or no room for viewer engagement. My work is a
product of and a participant in the historical tradition of sculptural art.  There exists within our collective, common artistic evolution a connection and camaraderie spanning past and present through our chosen subjects, and a tension between direct, reproductive modeling and abstract suggestion in our approach to the interpretations of the imagery we elect to use. The ambiguity I strive to employ in my work is actualized by a combination of elements from these two extremes.  On one side exists a literal depiction of an object, no more than a prop, involved in an explicit scenic narrative, an illustration with little or no conceptual provocation. On the opposite end of this spectrum is a kind of work so intent on being ambiguous that it looses any connection to any possibility or suggestion of conceptual tangibility, thus becoming unclear, encoded, and confusing, ultimately resulting in viewer disengagement, exclusion, and irrelevance.  The inclusion of ambiguity coupled with the implied or inherent content of recognizable forms allows my work to transcend the enclosed relationship between my self as the maker and it, as the object made.  An unspecified, ambiguous intent assists the accessibility of an artwork by engaging and including the viewer, recognizing their distinctly personal interpretation as an indispensable component in the manifestation of art.  chriskanyusik.com

Darwin Price, Sculpture

My art creates religious syncretism. It’s my way of challenging widely held beliefs and creating
new, more personal mythologies. I aspire to a psychodrama populated by the imaginary friends from
every culture and creed throughout history, but not to make a point. Rather, to excavate deeper and
 discover newer meanings and purpose for my life. Constructing a personal philosophical framework
through art is to me more relevant than religion or any one symbol no matter how sacred. I'm attracted
to the idea of Buddha peacefully 'packing a heat,' homeless angels, or Jesus creeped out of his followers
 because they're a little too cloying and blissful. I take these saints and holy men and put them in their
 place, along with their pious symbolism, back into the muck and the mire. Consecrating them in the
human condition where they originated.  After all if we've got to live in it, they're not getting off so
easily." – Darwin Price                                                                                                           
Darwinprice.net

Sunday, November 18, 2012

PIXEL SHOW IN BERKELEY




THE THIRD AVE
(Third Annual P1xels' Global iPhonic Art Exhibition)
Garden Gate Creativity Center,
2911 Claremont Ave.,
Berkeley, CA 94705
Nov. 29, 2012-January 30, 2013
Opening night celebration Saturday Dec. 1, 2012 6-10 pm.;
 
OutOfMyMind Gallery, Goethestraße 36, Bremen, Germany, December 21, 2012 – February 22, 2013
http://pixelsatanexhibition.com

This is the third annual global exhibition of iPhonic Art, work created solely on an iPhone
or other iOS device, by artists around the world. P1xels produced the first ever juried print
exhibition of the still-underground art form in February, 2010 at the Giorgi Gallery (now
called the Garden Gate Creativity Center) in Berkeley, California.

P1xels returns to the birthplace of the iPhonic Art movement with this show of curated prints
and a large format digital feed. With the concurrent show in Bremen, Germany, THE THIRD WAVE
P1xels global exhibition, P1xels—The Art of the iPhone will be displaying the best works from
 around the world by the pioneers of this exploding art form.

Contact-510-612-6124

NOTE-P1xels The Art of the iPhone remains the only curated site for the medium and, as such, is the
 site of record for the nascent medium of iPhonic art.

P1xels-The Art of the iPhone has been featured in publications around the world, including the New York Times, and featured on the Voice of America network for the Middle East.
http://www.pixelsatanexhibition.com/press/

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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Mary Jenson~ Beyond Jazz





MARY JENSON



Sunday November 18th, 5 pm -- Mary Jenson, "Beyond Jazz": Mary Jenson, vocals; Steve Carter, keys; Jeff Chamber, bass. A fusion of Modern jazz from the pioneers of the last 40 years! Featuring the music of signature composers ranging from Chick Corea to today’s rising star Gregory Porter.  Mary’s originals from her 2011 release BEYOND will also be highlighted.
 

Musically Minded Academy 

Beyond Standard Jazz - 5pm 

5776 Broadway Oakland CA (510) 601-5700

Price: $12.OO 


Mary Jenson Presents Beyond Standard Jazz  A fusion of Modern jazz from the pioneers of the last 40 years; which features the music of signature composers ranging from Chick Corea to today’s rising star Gregory Porter.  Mary’s originals from her 2011 release BEYOND will also be highlighted.
"Floating on top of the music is Ms Jenson & her mellifluous voice.
It really is a wonderful thing-light & floaty one moment
& then bluesy the next."

 John M. Peters March 19, 2011 ~ The Borderland (Musicwatch column


Born on an Air Force base in Biloxi, Mississippi, Mary Jenson is the 6th of 8 children. Her childhood as a military brat was a nomadic one, moving from Mississippi to California, Germany, Georgia, and then back again to California by the time she was 9 years old.
"There was no lack of music in our home. We always had a piano, even in base housing, and someone would always be tinkering on it. In my hyper-active toddler-hood I would climb onto the piano bench, often in the middle of the night, my chubby fingers reaching for the keys."

The family eventually moved from the Bay Area of Northern California to Las Vegas, Nevada when Mary was just a pre-teen. She spent the next 7 years in Las Vegas and studied music education at UNLV.
"Growing up, we were given a choice of activities. The thing is- we were only allowed one thing to focus on. I guess that was Mom's way of managing us- and her time. This concept gave me a sense that I had to be committed because it was the choice that I, myself, had made. And somehow that made me feel rather powerful. I got to choose! I took piano as a pre-teen and later, when I was about 16, I auditioned for the high school pop group. It took two annual auditions to get in, but once I was accepted, my parents decided that I should have voice lessons. 

I look back at those opportunities and I am amazed that my parents could give me so much. Every single child in my family of 6 girls and 2 boys had the opportunity to study music or sports. Piano, voice, viola and clarinet were the various instruments studied and football, track and rugby were the sports played. "

As the vocal curriculum at UNLV was confined to classical music, Mary suspended her formal music education and returned to Northern California at 21 years of age. Jenson studied Broadcasting in San Francisco and began a brief career in radio up on the Mendocino coast of Northern California. As a radio disc jockey on the infamous Left Coast of California, Mary Jenson observed a completely different lifestyle than what she had experienced in her youth and the accompanying exposure to music very diverse and eclectic was powerful.

"What was really cool about KMFB was that I had free rein. I was my own program manager and played music that I personally found worthy; my play list was not dictated by major market requirements. That spoiled me and when I left that radio job; I really didn't pursue the career anymore and it was partly because I knew that I was never going to be able to duplicate that situation again."
Although Mary had been singing locally in Mendocino with a trio and the Big Band, she hadn't found her way. Music was frustrating her. She returned to the Bay Area, turning her back on both radio and music. She eventually landed in the wine country of the Napa Valley, got married, raised children and had a successful career in the financial industry.
"Sometimes I look back on the choices I've made and think that I should have tried harder and not given up so soon. But then I recall what someone asked me those many years ago after I had just sung a mournful jazz ballad. "How can you sing something like that? You haven't even lived yet!" They were, of course, referring to my age. I hadn't suffered through life just yet. I hadn't born the pain, carved the lines of laughter and tears on my face. And I hadn't yet made any sacrifices for anyone else. Being a mother and a wife, a friend... these things bring wisdom that comes from living, not from talent. I think Life has made me a better singer than I was in my youth."

Happily, Mary was able to leave her business career behind and begin to focus on music once again. Old dreams resurfaced and Mary began to study music and begin performing again. Attending Napa Valley College, Jazz Camp West and The Jazz School in Berkeley, Mary focused on bringing her voice back into shape and her musicianship skills up to snuff. 8 years later Mary has just released her second CD, Beyond, a jazz/world/pop fusion including 4 originals, 4 covers of contemporary pop songs and 3 jazz standards. Many of the songs are melodies still echoing from those few but powerful years spinning vinyl in the pygmy forest of Mendocino.

"The name of my CD is Beyond. In full length it explores the human dream state. Individually the songs are vibrant with energy and represent the many facets of humanity. The music is truly lovely and reflects a fusion of jazz with world elements.
My CD was produced and arranged by Frank Martin and has an excellent ensemble of musicians which include Grammy winning violinist Mads Tolling, guitarist José Neto, bassist Ralphe Armstrong, drummer Will Kennedy and percussionist Alex Acuña, (perhaps one of the most joyous people I have ever met!)"

Mary Jenson celebrated the release of her new CD Beyond with a concert at the esteemed Yoshi's Jazz Club in Jack London Square on Tuesday, February 1st.













Celebration, Excitement & Joy at Expressions

Expressions Gallery
2035 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703
expressionsgallery@msn.com
510-644-4930
Website: http://www.expressionsgallery.org
Gallery Hours: Wed.-Sat. 12 - 5 PM , Sunday 12 - 3 PM and by appt.

Celebration, Excitement & Joy
OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, November 17th, 6-8 PM
November 17, 2012 - January 11, 2013
www.expressionsartsandedcenter.com
OPENING RECEPTION MUSIC BY:
SALLIE HANNA-RHYNE AND DAVE TOPHAM


November  17, 6-8 PM. Join us and the Artists for our show opening with music by Sallie Hanna-Rhyne on Keyboard and Dave Topham on Saxophone. Refreshments served.
The current show entitled: “Celebration, Excitement & Joy ” has exciting artwork by
artists who address the theme of the holiday season, with  winter scenes, with fun
and humor and with exciting colors and designs that make us want to celebrate, have
fun and seek and pursue  joy and hope in the  New  Year.  There are many  terrific
holiday gifts handmade and one of a kind in jewelry, scarves, mini hats, bags, origami,
cards as well as the wonderful Art.

Also as part of this show is the inspiring work of youth: An 18 year old  young man named
Josh Weinstein who has battled cancer and found hope through his art; and also,
 a group of young artists 16 -25 who are part of  Youth Spirit Artworks which is
a non-profit organization that is passionately committed to working with at risk East
 Bay youth 16-25 to transform and empower them to succeed through job training and
community art making. We are pleased to present their work to the community and to
give them a chance to be part of  a local gallery show.


Featured throughout this show are a number of Free Events:


SUMMARY OF EVENTS:
POETRY READINGS AND OPEN MIC:
November 21, 2012
Featuring: Julia Vinograd and Larry A. Chrispyn
December 2012
Featuring: Evelyn So and Dana St. George
January 2013

OFF-SITE SHOWS
1947 Center Street Lobby.Gallery:
Current Show -YOUTH SPIRIT ARTWORKS
November 2 - February 4, 2013
OPEN Mondays - Thursdays 9 AM - 4 PM

2120 Milvia St. - Berkeley Planning and Development Dept.
”The 4 R’s: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Regrow”
Open Mondays - Thursdays, 9 AM - 4 PM
Show Runs: September 20, 2012 - January 24, 2013


YOUTH SPIRIT ARTISTS
Omar Bagent
Tiphereth Banks
Angie Burkley
Marsean Dunham
Monea Holmes
Jasmaine Johnson
Adonis Pollard
Lenaya Roden
Daylon Russell
Cole Wright
Roberto Burkley
Allegra Thelamaque


Miriam Abramowitsch
Sandi Adams
Mark & Liz Aneloski
Mari Bailey
Georgia Bassen
Helen Breger
Lois Cantor
Deborah Cowan
Jaren Dahlstrom
Marge Essel
Debbie Fimrite
Rinna Flohr
Sue Mary Fox
Rohilah Guy
Susan Hall
Bruce Heppler
Melanie Hofmann
Stan Huncilman
Diane Jacobson
Ann Jasperson
Minal Jeswani
Angela Johal
Suzanna Klein
Coral Lambert
Mary Lanza
Charles Lucke
Jennifer Wallace Mack
John Mallon
Elena Maroth
Victor Mavedzenge
Joanie Mitchell
Maj-Britt Mobrand
Julia Montrond
Joanie Murphy
Danute Nitecki
Vicki Pierpont
Jo-Anna Pippen
Winthrop Prince
Charlene Richter
Selma Rockett
Stanford Rose
Christine Rossi
Alfred Smith
Helene Sobol
Arlene Streich
Rachel Thoele
Ruby Trauner
LaWanda Ultan
Josh Weinstein
Liz Wiener

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