The "neo-classical" movement

“…simplification may be a necessity. The “neo-classical” movement had its inception in a reaction against over-complexity; but neo-classicists failed to see that the real necessity is to clarify the materials belonging to this age, not to attempt to return to the use of materials which not only have no specific relation to the present time, but were more perfectly handled by classical masters than is possible today. No renaissance in art has ever been entirely successful.”-

Henry Cowell-(New Musical Resources, 1930)

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The Summer Report Part 2: Residency at Cherryhurst House, Houston

  As of a few days ago, I have started a long period of work as artist in residence here at Cherryhurst House in Houston, Texas.

 I will be working on a long term collaborative project with photographer, Dallas McNamara, and, I'm sure a number of great things will be presented as a result of the work and all goes towards an exhibition for sometime toward the heart of 2017.  

    Principally it hinges on ideas of de-modularizing the way that the art forms, that seem the province of one sense or another, are normally put together in a collage type fashion of just going well alongside each other. In this case image, sound and object. The climate unfortunately favors object. 

  This angle could change, of course...check back in later.

  For now, we start with a month long road trip on which I will be collecting and documenting a variety of materials for later composition and sound/silence structural work up the line.  This is very exciting, of course, since it is a rare opportunity to develop things in an unfettered way which hasn't been the case since the stint at CalArts a few years ago.

 Cherryhurst house really is a residence that is also a gallery and so makes for a very comfortable environment to work in.  

  Currently they are setting up to show the fascinating work of Heather L. Johnson,

and I am quite honored to have been asked in, along with such talented folk over here.

Grand Isle at the outset

Grand Isle at the outset

 

 

New Organisms- P3+ closing event party at Tigermen Den. Video Installation-Shawn hall/ sound-Jonathan Freilich

I've been quite involved with this video installation for which I've provided sound.  It's my first involvement in something like this in New Orleans.  Swing by and take a look.

There is a closing party at the gallery where it can be viewed on Thursday 15, Jan 2015.  From 7-10pm.  And there's refreshments!

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Jose Torres-Tama's Immigrants, Aliens and others show closing at Barristers Gallery, Tuesday 30th July

Performance and fine artist, Jose Torres-Tama and I, joined up for a collaboration on his recent works on the sidelining of immigrant laborers in New Orleans.  That was an intimate but unusual event at Barrister's Gallery in New Orleans and, there is a closing party on Tuesday the 30th of July to celebrate this pop-up gallery show.  There is also an interesting installation piece to see at the gallery by film and video artist, Alberto Romero.

For more info on the current work and thought see his blog...http://elbigeasyamigoblogger.blogspot.com

His website... 

The entry below on this blog has the rest of the information about the location of the show and other particulars. 

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Aliens and Immigrants: performance 7/20/2013 with artist, Jose Torres-Tama

Tomorrow evening, I am honored to be involved in a collaboration with all-around visual and performance artist, Jose Torres-Tama at Barristers Gallery, New Orleans. We will be performing selections from the Aliens Performance project. The theme is the ongoing difficulties of immigrant workers to gain a voice in the cultural landscape of New Orleans despite their massive contribution to the reconstruction and revivication of the city after hurricane Katrina and the injustices of identity manipulation from American ignorance.   The performance will happen amidst the opening of Torres-Tama's gallery exhibit of his other related photographs, paintings and other artworks.