Quentin vs. Coen at Bold Hype Gallery in NYC

Next week my buddies at Spoke Art present Quentin vs. Coen at Bold Hype Gallery in New York. From their press release: 

The first installment of our “versus” series, “Quentin vs Coen” looks to expand on the concept of a pop-culture themed art show by pitting together two directors who share overlapping or similar stylistic themes, and allowing the viewer to decide their favorites. Though there are many distinct differences between the bodies of work created by both Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers, their crafting of generation-defining soundtracks, the penchant for ubiquitous violence, their casting of the same actors (notably Steve Buscemi), and their ability to constantly create spectacular works of varying genres (everything from Kung-Fu to crime dramas to westerns), have cemented both Quentin and the Coens as some of the most important directors of our generation.

The opening is Thursday April 7th and will run through May 7th. Don't miss this one, it's going to be fantastic.

Tadanori Yokoo and thoughts of Japan

It's difficult to express my personal feelings surrounding what happened and the current crisis in Japan. I've never been yet it holds a special place in my heart. The feeling I have of Japan is one of romanticism found through art, movies, and design. I know I'm not alone in this feeling and that I'm not the first westerner to dream of the beauty that is Japan and all things Japanese. I morn for them, I feel a dull ache in my chest and my jaw clenches. 

With that in mind I have always tried to be the optimist. People are strong, Japan has rebuilt itself before. A few years ago I came across the artist/graphic designer Tadanori Yokoo. As a child he saw the bombs the US dropped on his country. His work evolved as Japan evolved into modernity. If you're looking for something inspiring in the destruction check out his work. I keep coming back to it in the recent weeks. It gives me hope.

Megan Whitmarsh at This, Los Angeles.

Tonight is the opening for Megan Whitmarsh's solo show at THIS Los Angeles gallery. Check it out if you can. Her work is fun quirky.

Urbanized Kickstarter Campaign Funded

Luckily Urbanized's Kickstarter Campaign has made it's goal so they will get the money to help finish the film. Even though the goal has been made it's not too late to get in on the fun. Donate in the next 6 hours and you can receive some pretty cool gifts including the Design Film Trilogy. This is a limited-edition box set with definitive editions of Helvetica, Objectified, and Urbanized, plus a hardcover art book with notes, photos, and essays on the three films. Designed by Build, only 1,000 copies of this Trilogy box will be produced, and the only way to reserve a copy is through their Kickstarter campaign.

First Sensation - Post-War Prints from the San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism

This Friday Dusty Modern presents "First Sensation - Post-War Prints from the San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism." 

According to our friends at Dusty Modern, the show consists primarily of lithographs from a 1948 print portfolio titled "Drawings." It includes work by James Budd Dixon, John Hultberg, Walter Kuhlman, and Frank Lobdell. The prints are from the golden age of S.F. Abstract Expressionism, created by some of its greatest artists.

Frank and Beth online

Neither Frank or I have been very excited to use this blog as a way to promote our own work. I've decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and show our readers a little bit of what we do. Frank is both an illustrator and writer. Check out FrankHarperWortham.com to see more of his amazing work.

I have very little of my own work up right now. Go to BethGoolsby.com to see more. Thanks for indulging me. 

David Choe print for Japanese relief

This beautiful David Choe watercolor piece will be on sale starting at 6pm this evening (PST) at trapezeeditions.com. According to David's blog 100% of the sales will go to relief efforts in Japan. The prints will be very limited (only 88 available). Get yours and help out.

Rebus - New James Jean solo show in LA

This Saturday is the opening of Rebus, the new solo show by artist James Jean at Martha Otero Gallery in LA. The show looks amazing.

James Griffioen show in LA

James Griffioen is a Detroit based photographer. I am a huge fan of his blog sweet-juniper. I also own a print of his that I bought 4 or 5 years ago (it's one of my favorites). He currently is showing his Feral House series in LA at the Cirrus Gallery.

Ferris Plock on Tiny Showcase

 

The above print by Ferris Plock is now available for only $20 through Tiny Showcase. 

Camille Rose Garcia at Michael Kohn Gallery

Camille Rose Garcia has a new solo show that opens this weekend in LA at Michael Kohn Gallery. Thanks to our friends at Juxtapoz there's a video of her getting ready for the show. 

Juxtapoz Camille Rose Garcia from Jimmy James on Vimeo.

Joseph Hart

Artist Joseph Hart is a mixed media artist who's work is featured in the newest Elephant magazine. His work is a throw back to abstract expressionism. With all the urban art out there these days it's nice to see someone working in a historical context with current inspirations. This is the work that inspires me to paint.

Kurt Vile

Kurt Vile’s new album Smoke Ring for My Halo is streaming in its entirety on NPR until March 8th when it’ll be released by perennial taste-makers Matador Records.

Smoke Ring highlights Vile's appealing, street-wise sense of melody and intricate sonic textures. If you need an album to help kick the winter blues. This is a good place to start.

Gary Baseman solo show at Jonathan Levine Gallery

This Saturday is the opening for Gary Baseman's new solo show at Jonathan Levine Gallery in New York. The above video gives you a great idea of what's in store in the new show, it looks like this one will prove to be a very personal experience.