On Saturday, Jan. 21, The Blockley, near University City, hosted three bands of rather different styles: Impressionist, West Philadelphia Orchestra and The Sun Ra Arkestra. Although their configurations are fairly similar in regards to large bands and horn sections, their varied musical styles are dynamic, danceable and deep in outer space, respectively. First onto the stage […]
Article · January 24, 2012 by CSchwartz
Napoleon is the tiny, but powerful gallery (see also: the Napoleon Complex) located on the second floor of the building housing Knight Arts grantee Vox Populi, Marginal Utility and Grizzly Grizzly, among others. The one-room gallery keeps the shows predictably concise and, as is the case with its current show, this is definitely a benefit of […]
Article · January 19, 2012 by CSchwartz
Currently on display at the Fabric Workshop and Museum are prominent works by Chicago-based artist Nick Cave for his exhibition “Let’s C.” Cave is currently the artist in residence at the Fabric Workshop and his show can be divided into two main parts: the physical aspects (costumes, setting), as well as live performance elements. The […]
Article · January 17, 2012 by CSchwartz
Four artists have work on display at Knight Arts Challenge grantee Vox Populi Gallery this month: Leah Beeferman, Guy Ben-Ari, Catharine Maloney and Brie Ruais. The styles in the show are diverse and include photos montages, etched Plexiglas, painting and clay. The constructions by Beeferman demand attention but are subtle in their own right. In […]
Article · January 12, 2012 by CSchwartz
“Folktopia” at PhilaMOCA on Saturday, Jan. 7 was a folk-punk variety show that ran the gamut of styles and techniques. The acts included dance, bands and a puppet show — all of which fit together for a fun and funky evening of performance and art. The Something Society kicked off the evening with the dance […]
Article · January 10, 2012 by CSchwartz
Assemblage is a collective of 15 female artists from Philadelphia and the surrounding areas that, since 1985, meets regularly. The members meet to discuss their ideas and current trends in the arts, as well as plans for future exhibits. Meetings are held on a rotating basis at a different studio each month so the host […]
Article · January 5, 2012 by CSchwartz
“Pines: A Cinematic Exploration” is a film currently in production by Philadelphia-based director and editor David S Kessler. The exploration sets out to uncover and document stories and images of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Sparse, yet teeming with diverse flora and fauna, the Pine Barrens capture the imagination and, in turn, Kessler and his […]
Article · January 3, 2012 by CSchwartz
The first of three curated, guest artist exhibitions in Knight Arts grantee Vox Populi‘s 2011-12 program, December’s exhibit through its critical take on abstraction, art-world fame and fictional narrative. Michael May presents “Ten Valiant Efforts,” which are paintings created under the premise that they were really painted by some sort of unreliable narrator. The fictional […]
Article · December 22, 2011 by CSchwartz
Opening at Space 1026 on Jan. 6 will be the show “Unsustainable” by Jay Hardman. In the exhibit, Hardman’s work explores contemporary building practices and their effect on communities through construction of small-scale installations. By far the most inviting aspect of the work is its building material. What does Harman use to create his scenes of […]
Article · December 20, 2011 by CSchwartz
For the first time in more than two years The HYPE! returned to the upstairs room at World Cafe Live on Wednesday, Dec. 14 for an evening of Singers and Songs. This show spotlighted five Philadelphia acoustic acts for a compilation of songwriting, singing and showmanship. The night included acts by Karley Cohen, Catherine Prewitt […]
Article · December 15, 2011 by CSchwartz
Gallery Joe opened up its newest solo show of works by Marilyn Holsing on Dec. 10. The show is entitled “Further Tales of Young Marie Antoinette” and involves narrative scenes showing the infamous French monarch in different imagined stages of her youth and engaging in a number of activities. Holsing’s paintings are composed of strokes […]
Article · December 13, 2011 by CSchwartz