successfully synonym

Welcoming Walter Bailey - reverence, gratitude, the miraculous

Walter Bailey (United Kingdom)

reverence, gratitude, the miraculous

'Woman and Cosmos'

(Click on image to enlarge)

When I first encountered Walter Bailey's sculptures, I was nothing less than astonished;

This was ancient... giants...gods and goddesses were playing...

The complexity of the 'lacing' of the wood was one (incredible) aspect - but then also, the way the grain of the wood appeared... as I have only seen it in the ancient, 'burned by time', almost fossilized, wood structures - more than a thousand years old - (wooden) 'stave churches' of my homeland, Norway. And then, of course - I realized - Walter Bailey, in England; he is a 'Celtic spirit'. (There certainly is a relationship between these old, old wooden structures and Walter Bailey's)

Since then, I have learned that some amazing writers have written some beautiful things about Walter's work;

‘The poetry and authenticity in Bailey’s work might in part be described in Robert Lowell’s definition of true poetry: a ‘commanding, deadly effectiveness in the arrangement, and something that breathes and pauses and grunts and is rough and unpredictable to assure me the journey is honest.’[1] The making of the works requires immense strength, skill and judgement; they represent Bailey’s humility towards the human scale in relation to the mythic; and also his awareness of the continuous transformational or ‘alchemical exchange’between the human and the non-human. It is this sense of balance, also in the work’s relationship to present and past, and in the artist’s commitment to being open-hearted in the face of vulnerability, that gives Bailey’s sculpture its strength, and which gives the viewer an experience of liberation.’ (© Kay Syrad)

Walter Bailey is based in Mid Sussex, UK, and works both nationally and internationally. He works in wood and ice, carving directly with a chainsaw.

“The woodland is my studio; I work there throughout the year drawing nourishment and inspiration from the rhythm of the seasons, the changing landscape".

He has received numerous public and private commissions: Just to mention a few: A Flame for Dunblane; Holy Florian in Styria in Austria; Oak Figure in Broadwater Park, Godalming, and Surrey.

His exhibiting in Kew Gardens and the Chelsea Show should also be mentioned.

And, he shows his work regularly at the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden.

Walter Bailey won the International Enku Award for Universal Truth, beauty and goodness in Sculpture, in Japan.

“One of the remarkable features of Bailey’s work is its ability to hold or contain transformatory human experience. A number of works are concerned with journeying over different stages in one’s life, from trauma towards healing.” (© Kay Syrad)

To read more of Kay Syrad’s beautiful presentation of Walter Bailey’s art:

http://www.fourthdoor.co.uk/unstructured/unstructured_06/walter_bailey.php

Walter Bailey (United Kingdom)

reverence, gratitude, the miraculous

'Woman and Cosmos'

(Click on image to enlarge)

When I first encountered Walter Bailey's sculptures, I was nothing less than astonished;

This was ancient... giants...gods and goddesses were playing...

The complexity of the 'lacing' of the wood was one (incredible) aspect - but then also, the way the grain of the wood appeared... as I have only seen it in the ancient, 'burned by time', almost fossilized, wood structures - more than a thousand years old - (wooden) 'stave churches' of my homeland, Norway. And then, of course - I realized - Walter Bailey, in England; he is a 'Celtic spirit'. (There certainly is a relationship between these old, old wooden structures and Walter Bailey's)

Since then, I have learned that some amazing writers have written some beautiful things about Walter's work;

‘The poetry and authenticity in Bailey’s work might in part be described in Robert Lowell’s definition of true poetry: a ‘commanding, deadly effectiveness in the arrangement, and something that breathes and pauses and grunts and is rough and unpredictable to assure me the journey is honest.’[1] The making of the works requires immense strength, skill and judgement; they represent Bailey’s humility towards the human scale in relation to the mythic; and also his awareness of the continuous transformational or ‘alchemical exchange’between the human and the non-human. It is this sense of balance, also in the work’s relationship to present and past, and in the artist’s commitment to being open-hearted in the face of vulnerability, that gives Bailey’s sculpture its strength, and which gives the viewer an experience of liberation.’ (© Kay Syrad)

Walter Bailey is based in Mid Sussex, UK, and works both nationally and internationally. He works in wood and ice, carving directly with a chainsaw.

“The woodland is my studio; I work there throughout the year drawing nourishment and inspiration from the rhythm of the seasons, the changing landscape".

He has received numerous public and private commissions: Just to mention a few: A Flame for Dunblane; Holy Florian in Styria in Austria; Oak Figure in Broadwater Park, Godalming, and Surrey.

His exhibiting in Kew Gardens and the Chelsea Show should also be mentioned.

And, he shows his work regularly at the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden.

Walter Bailey won the International Enku Award for Universal Truth, beauty and goodness in Sculpture, in Japan.

“One of the remarkable features of Bailey’s work is its ability to hold or contain transformatory human experience. A number of works are concerned with journeying over different stages in one’s life, from trauma towards healing.” (© Kay Syrad)

To read more of Kay Syrad’s beautiful presentation of Walter Bailey’s art:

http://www.fourthdoor.co.uk/unstructured/unstructured_06/walter_bailey.php

Padma Kaimal, author of "Scattered Goddesses: Travels with the Yoginis" traveled to museums to study the legacy from a lost temple in South India

Kait Murphy (ARCA '11) in front of 10th
century Kanchipuram yogini
at the Sackler Galleries of Art in
Washington D.C.

Kait Murphy (ARCA 2011) interviews Padma Kaimal, the Author of “Scattered Goddesses: Travels with the Yoginis” which examines the cultural history, theft, and reunion of South Indian temple sculptures.

What happens to sacred objects lost over the centuries? What stories can they tell? Does their meaning change? Padma Kaimal, professor of art and art history and Asian studies at Colgate University, dreams of reuniting 10th century goddesses from a temple in South India. She chronicles the journey of these objects and their collective meaning. Their creation, dispersal, theft, sale, and museum acquisitions paint a colorful history that has been pieced together to explore how and why objects travel around the globe.

In Kaimal's new book, "Scattered Goddesses: Travels with the Yoginis," we can look at the storied past of most (but not all) goddesses that once graced a now-lost temple in Kanchipuram, India.

Through Kaimal’s outreach to museums and scholars around the world, 19 sculptures re-emerged from the original 64 in museums and private collections planting the beginnings of a reunion and telling the tale of their travels, theft, sale, and current locations.

Some highlights from an interview with Padma Kaimal:

KM: How did you get involved in this project?

PK: I became involved while looking at another 8^th century monument in the same region and noticed the goddesses were really important. Starting in 2003, I emailed museums and a bunch responded and invited me to look at their files. They would email scans of their images and I started diagramming and mapping where they all were.

KM: What is the history of the statues?

PK: The only information to go on for dating them is from their style and comparison to carved objects in northern Tamilnadu in the first 3 quarters of the 10^th c. Sometime between the 10^th c -19^th c, the temple was broken into and each of the goddesses was damaged to some degree with features hacked off like their noses and hands. Evidence from other research shows that all other religions were afraid of this sect of Hindu tantric goddesses. This was a secret sect so most people viewing seductive powerful women were frightened and didn’t understand their message.

At some point in the early 20^thcentury, seven goddess sculptures were salvaged and reassembled into a new temple. In 1926, a poor laborer reported to a French archeologist about interesting objects he found. This archeologist sent photos and descriptions to an art dealer back in Paris, which traced the objects directly from India to France.

Back in Paris, France, C.T. Loo was the single most important art dealer with access to Asian art. His markets were Europe and the United States. He had high standards for the works he acquired. He re-educated museums on what they needed to be buying in terms of high art. He got the museums on board and changed the collections. His goal was about the art preservation and education in addition to being a profitable businessman. Loo was behind the French archaeologist’s research in India and he paid his travel and room and board to find art. Also perhaps involved in the acquisition of these objects was the British director of the Madras Government museum. He was probably aware of the extraction and was able to retain two of the objects so that they would stay in Madras (now Chennai), India. In 1926, Loo began to sell the objects to various collectors and museums with the last one sold in 1960.

With the dispersal of the objects, the book exposes fragments along the path and helps connect the vectors to figure out where the objects were and ended up. There are still two goddesses that haven’t been found and it is thought that they are in private hands somewhere. Further research will help continue the chase. There is theft and rescue in this story but there is no separation between the good and bad guys. The same people were acting with motives we admire as well as those we deplore. The goddesses will always be somewhere else, even if they are some day repatriated to India. All trace of their original home has been lost.

KM: What is the status of the project?

PK: I am continuing to travel around to the different museums I went to for the research where the statues are located. Now some of these museums want me to return to share with their communities the stories of these objects on permanent display. But they are displayed by themselves and have lost their context.

One of my current projects is to go to each museum and re-contextualize the objects for curators and communities and those who support their museums. I want them to be on board and know they have amazing objects. Since government funding is disappearing and museums rely more on local buy in, that education is important.

Some places identify the museums as the bad guys in cultural property theft appropriation, which is an unfortunate tendency of the blame game. Museums are the last stop and we have to think about the whole chain of transport and extraction as well as the museums themselves. How do we support the museum’s responsibility and their response to the histories? We need to support them so they take care of the objects. We also need to convince them to tell the journey of objects in the display. Adding photographs and describing the long road of their history are important factors in leading to a reunion.

KM: What's next?

PK: I will continue to speak to museums as long as they want me and I would be happy to help to broker some trades to begin to reunite the objects. Each museum has one or a few object from various sites. It may be possible to facilitate some switches to reassemble the goddesses in an historical recreation. When you see these goddesses with each other, it is very exciting and they mean something different together than apart. They are variations on a theme and share the same basic physical format but with different objects in hand, seated on platforms, different hair and eyes. When the pattern emerges, it makes clear that visualizing Shakti, feminine force/power, was the part of the intent of the artists.

The Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art in Washington DC, have put together an exhibition on yoga as a tantric practice which will open this October 2013. Kaimal is a consultant on which sculptures might join the Sackler Gallery’s Kanchipuram yogini. The exhibition will be open October 19, 2013 through January 26, 2014.

Details on the exhibit can be found: http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/future.asp

Kait Murphy (ARCA '11) in front of 10th
century Kanchipuram yogini
at the Sackler Galleries of Art in
Washington D.C.

Kait Murphy (ARCA 2011) interviews Padma Kaimal, the Author of “Scattered Goddesses: Travels with the Yoginis” which examines the cultural history, theft, and reunion of South Indian temple sculptures.

What happens to sacred objects lost over the centuries? What stories can they tell? Does their meaning change? Padma Kaimal, professor of art and art history and Asian studies at Colgate University, dreams of reuniting 10th century goddesses from a temple in South India. She chronicles the journey of these objects and their collective meaning. Their creation, dispersal, theft, sale, and museum acquisitions paint a colorful history that has been pieced together to explore how and why objects travel around the globe.

In Kaimal's new book, "Scattered Goddesses: Travels with the Yoginis," we can look at the storied past of most (but not all) goddesses that once graced a now-lost temple in Kanchipuram, India.

Through Kaimal’s outreach to museums and scholars around the world, 19 sculptures re-emerged from the original 64 in museums and private collections planting the beginnings of a reunion and telling the tale of their travels, theft, sale, and current locations.

Some highlights from an interview with Padma Kaimal:

KM: How did you get involved in this project?

PK: I became involved while looking at another 8^th century monument in the same region and noticed the goddesses were really important. Starting in 2003, I emailed museums and a bunch responded and invited me to look at their files. They would email scans of their images and I started diagramming and mapping where they all were.

KM: What is the history of the statues?

PK: The only information to go on for dating them is from their style and comparison to carved objects in northern Tamilnadu in the first 3 quarters of the 10^th c. Sometime between the 10^th c -19^th c, the temple was broken into and each of the goddesses was damaged to some degree with features hacked off like their noses and hands. Evidence from other research shows that all other religions were afraid of this sect of Hindu tantric goddesses. This was a secret sect so most people viewing seductive powerful women were frightened and didn’t understand their message.

At some point in the early 20^thcentury, seven goddess sculptures were salvaged and reassembled into a new temple. In 1926, a poor laborer reported to a French archeologist about interesting objects he found. This archeologist sent photos and descriptions to an art dealer back in Paris, which traced the objects directly from India to France.

Back in Paris, France, C.T. Loo was the single most important art dealer with access to Asian art. His markets were Europe and the United States. He had high standards for the works he acquired. He re-educated museums on what they needed to be buying in terms of high art. He got the museums on board and changed the collections. His goal was about the art preservation and education in addition to being a profitable businessman. Loo was behind the French archaeologist’s research in India and he paid his travel and room and board to find art. Also perhaps involved in the acquisition of these objects was the British director of the Madras Government museum. He was probably aware of the extraction and was able to retain two of the objects so that they would stay in Madras (now Chennai), India. In 1926, Loo began to sell the objects to various collectors and museums with the last one sold in 1960.

With the dispersal of the objects, the book exposes fragments along the path and helps connect the vectors to figure out where the objects were and ended up. There are still two goddesses that haven’t been found and it is thought that they are in private hands somewhere. Further research will help continue the chase. There is theft and rescue in this story but there is no separation between the good and bad guys. The same people were acting with motives we admire as well as those we deplore. The goddesses will always be somewhere else, even if they are some day repatriated to India. All trace of their original home has been lost.

KM: What is the status of the project?

PK: I am continuing to travel around to the different museums I went to for the research where the statues are located. Now some of these museums want me to return to share with their communities the stories of these objects on permanent display. But they are displayed by themselves and have lost their context.

One of my current projects is to go to each museum and re-contextualize the objects for curators and communities and those who support their museums. I want them to be on board and know they have amazing objects. Since government funding is disappearing and museums rely more on local buy in, that education is important.

Some places identify the museums as the bad guys in cultural property theft appropriation, which is an unfortunate tendency of the blame game. Museums are the last stop and we have to think about the whole chain of transport and extraction as well as the museums themselves. How do we support the museum’s responsibility and their response to the histories? We need to support them so they take care of the objects. We also need to convince them to tell the journey of objects in the display. Adding photographs and describing the long road of their history are important factors in leading to a reunion.

KM: What's next?

PK: I will continue to speak to museums as long as they want me and I would be happy to help to broker some trades to begin to reunite the objects. Each museum has one or a few object from various sites. It may be possible to facilitate some switches to reassemble the goddesses in an historical recreation. When you see these goddesses with each other, it is very exciting and they mean something different together than apart. They are variations on a theme and share the same basic physical format but with different objects in hand, seated on platforms, different hair and eyes. When the pattern emerges, it makes clear that visualizing Shakti, feminine force/power, was the part of the intent of the artists.

The Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art in Washington DC, have put together an exhibition on yoga as a tantric practice which will open this October 2013. Kaimal is a consultant on which sculptures might join the Sackler Gallery’s Kanchipuram yogini. The exhibition will be open October 19, 2013 through January 26, 2014.

Details on the exhibit can be found: http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/future.asp

This Into Darkness Weekend, May 17th-19th 2013.

____________________________________________________________

Closing reception for Mentiri @ Bleu Acier -

STEVE McCLURE: MENTIRI

CLOSING RECEPTION: FRIDAY MAY 17 2013 6:00-8:00 PM

BLEU ACIER Inc. 109 West Columbus Drive Tampa FL 33602

_________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Persistence of Memory Memoir Writing - Kickstart Your Memoir
May 21, 2013 (Tuesday)
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Margo Hammond, former book editor of the St. Petersburg Times and founder of the Creative Late Bloomers blog, conducts writing workshops using specific Dali paintings and writings as catalysts for memoir writing. After studying the paintings in class, participants are encouraged to mine their own pasts, particularly their childhoods, refine those memories and artistically transform them into a story that reflects their personal experiences - just as Dali did both on the canvas and on paper. Beginners and non-writers welcome.

Registration is required. Sign up at http://thedali.org/calendar/?showCat=6. The price for Dali members has been drastically reduced to $35, so it's a good time to think about joining the museum. The cost for non-members is $65. Art Taco readers, however, can benefit from a $10 discount off the non-member price by contact Bethany Mead, Education Coordinator at bmead@thedali.org or all her at 727-623-4730 and ask for the discount. The discount doesn't apply to the lower member price.

_______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Various Specifics, Works by Morean Mixed Media Class, group IX @ Gallery 221 HCC Dale Mabry - Katherine Gibson brings Betsy Orbe Lester and the work of eight of her students to this show. The show is already up. There's a reception on May 23rd, Friday, from 5-7 PM. Through June 27th. All at 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd. Tampa. On 2nd floor of the library.
______________________________________________________________________________

Collectors Seminar

by William K. Zewadski
& Robert "Pancho" Sanchez

Richard Renaldi, Aaron, Liberal, KS

2005

Friday, May 17th at 7 p.m.

Members FREE,

Not-Yet Members $10

Find out how two regional collectors of photography got started! Attorneys Bill Zewadski and Pancho Sanchez have been collecting photographs for decades. They will explain their reasons for collecting photography, how it can be affordable for most household budgets, and even which galleries to contact. During this program they will explain their private passions and showcase their personal collections.

The Tampa Collector's Show and Vivian Maier Out of the Shadows will be on view until June 16th, 2013, at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.

813-221-2222

400 N. Ashley Drive

Cube 200

Tampa, FL 33602

_______________________________________________________________________

Blowout Sale @ The Morean -

- May 17 at 12:00pm until May 19 at 5:00pm in EDT

50% off ALL art glass by David Spurgeon, Pauli Maiville and Douglas Taylor. Special pricing on all other merchandise. Open 12-5pm all three days. Do not miss this opportunity to own beautiful, hand-blown and don't forget LOCAL, glass art at an unbeatable price!

Come see us at the Glass Studio & Hot Shop! 719 Central Avenue (corner of 1st Ave. N and 7th Street)

_______________________________________________________________

Join us for the Cuban Cultural Fest's inaugural year May 18 and 19, 2013.

The Cuban Cultural Fest was establish to celebrate the rich heritage and traditions of the Island nation that have been nurtured and kept alive by Cuban Americans living in the Tampa Bay area. This festival will showcase talented Cuban artists and performers in a cultural celebration that introduces the people of Tampa Bay to an exciting world of talent and culture.

If you thrive on mouth-watering cuisine; if music and dance keep your heart pumping; if great art touches your soul; if you want your kids to learn to groove; and if you want to roll your own cigars, then join the party at the Cuban Cultural Fest!!

We have something for everyone.

Cuba is perhaps the most enigmatic nation in the Americans. Come to our event and get to know what Cuban culture is all about- music, dancing, food and art, and let's not forget the cigars!!!

Admission is not free, but I couldn't find out how much the tickets are. Their link isn't working.

____________________________________________________________________________

Raise a Toast to The Pier Party - The Pier is about to be closed and demolished (barring last-minute miracles) to make room for The Lens. This is the party to say good-bye to our familiar inverted pyramid. VIP tickets sold out. Otherwise it is free. Join LocalShops1 and the Patch as we celebrate The Pier.

Our daylong celebration will feature local artists, water ski shows, bagpipes,children's activities, live entertainment and more.

At 6 pm, the evening festivities will begin, including celebrity sunset toasts and the Ultimate Pier Cocktail contest! The evening portion will be emceed by legendary TV newsman Arch Deal.

Three of The Pier restaurants -- Cha Cha Coconuts Tropical Bar & Grill, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro and Jonny Reno’s Waterfront Restaurant & Watering Hole – will each create what they say is the Ultimate Pier Cocktail. The cocktails will be judged with the popular vote as well as celebrity judges, including radio and television personality Nancy Alexander
____________________________________________________________________

"Art on The Bay" is Kokol Arts Studio & Gallery's 1st Annual Student Artist's Showcase - a collection of more than 40 original works from her adult art students. Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media and Pencil will line the walls of the Kokol Arts Studio & Gallery.

Satisfy your palette, interact with the artists, and enjoy wine, beer and hors d'oeuvres.

This event might even inspire your own creative desires!

Cost: FREE
Complimentary Valet Parking

Sponsored by: Four Corners Custom Frame Gallery. All at

Beth Kokol Arts

3318 West Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33629

From 5-8 PM. Saturday, May 18th.

_____________________________________________________________________

Art Exhibit at Bluelucy Gallery

Participating Artists: Daniel Mrgan, Coralette Damme, Robert Phelps, Dan Lasata, Phillip Clark, Adam T, Chad Mize, Stephen Palladino, and Laura Spencer

MIXED BAG Exhibit will run May 18 - June 15. All at 653 Central Ave. St. Pete. 6-11 PM.

______________________________________________________________-

Luau Beach Art Party - Marina Williams and her crew bring La Vida Tiki back with TWO pools, bathing suit shows, art, no less than 30 craft beers for the suds connoisseurs, and much more. All for only $10.00 admission. 2030 Central Avenue St. Pete. Saturday, May 18, starting @ 8 PM.
____________________________________________________________

mmmm

____________________________________________________________

Closing reception for Mentiri @ Bleu Acier -

STEVE McCLURE: MENTIRI

CLOSING RECEPTION: FRIDAY MAY 17 2013 6:00-8:00 PM

BLEU ACIER Inc. 109 West Columbus Drive Tampa FL 33602

_________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Persistence of Memory Memoir Writing - Kickstart Your Memoir
May 21, 2013 (Tuesday)
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Margo Hammond, former book editor of the St. Petersburg Times and founder of the Creative Late Bloomers blog, conducts writing workshops using specific Dali paintings and writings as catalysts for memoir writing. After studying the paintings in class, participants are encouraged to mine their own pasts, particularly their childhoods, refine those memories and artistically transform them into a story that reflects their personal experiences - just as Dali did both on the canvas and on paper. Beginners and non-writers welcome.

Registration is required. Sign up at http://thedali.org/calendar/?showCat=6. The price for Dali members has been drastically reduced to $35, so it's a good time to think about joining the museum. The cost for non-members is $65. Art Taco readers, however, can benefit from a $10 discount off the non-member price by contact Bethany Mead, Education Coordinator at bmead@thedali.org or all her at 727-623-4730 and ask for the discount. The discount doesn't apply to the lower member price.

_______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Various Specifics, Works by Morean Mixed Media Class, group IX @ Gallery 221 HCC Dale Mabry - Katherine Gibson brings Betsy Orbe Lester and the work of eight of her students to this show. The show is already up. There's a reception on May 23rd, Friday, from 5-7 PM. Through June 27th. All at 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd. Tampa. On 2nd floor of the library.
______________________________________________________________________________

Collectors Seminar

by William K. Zewadski
& Robert "Pancho" Sanchez

Richard Renaldi, Aaron, Liberal, KS

2005

Friday, May 17th at 7 p.m.

Members FREE,

Not-Yet Members $10

Find out how two regional collectors of photography got started! Attorneys Bill Zewadski and Pancho Sanchez have been collecting photographs for decades. They will explain their reasons for collecting photography, how it can be affordable for most household budgets, and even which galleries to contact. During this program they will explain their private passions and showcase their personal collections.

The Tampa Collector's Show and Vivian Maier Out of the Shadows will be on view until June 16th, 2013, at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.

813-221-2222

400 N. Ashley Drive

Cube 200

Tampa, FL 33602

_______________________________________________________________________

Blowout Sale @ The Morean -

- May 17 at 12:00pm until May 19 at 5:00pm in EDT

50% off ALL art glass by David Spurgeon, Pauli Maiville and Douglas Taylor. Special pricing on all other merchandise. Open 12-5pm all three days. Do not miss this opportunity to own beautiful, hand-blown and don't forget LOCAL, glass art at an unbeatable price!

Come see us at the Glass Studio & Hot Shop! 719 Central Avenue (corner of 1st Ave. N and 7th Street)

_______________________________________________________________

Join us for the Cuban Cultural Fest's inaugural year May 18 and 19, 2013.

The Cuban Cultural Fest was establish to celebrate the rich heritage and traditions of the Island nation that have been nurtured and kept alive by Cuban Americans living in the Tampa Bay area. This festival will showcase talented Cuban artists and performers in a cultural celebration that introduces the people of Tampa Bay to an exciting world of talent and culture.

If you thrive on mouth-watering cuisine; if music and dance keep your heart pumping; if great art touches your soul; if you want your kids to learn to groove; and if you want to roll your own cigars, then join the party at the Cuban Cultural Fest!!

We have something for everyone.

Cuba is perhaps the most enigmatic nation in the Americans. Come to our event and get to know what Cuban culture is all about- music, dancing, food and art, and let's not forget the cigars!!!

Admission is not free, but I couldn't find out how much the tickets are. Their link isn't working.

____________________________________________________________________________

Raise a Toast to The Pier Party - The Pier is about to be closed and demolished (barring last-minute miracles) to make room for The Lens. This is the party to say good-bye to our familiar inverted pyramid. VIP tickets sold out. Otherwise it is free. Join LocalShops1 and the Patch as we celebrate The Pier.

Our daylong celebration will feature local artists, water ski shows, bagpipes,children's activities, live entertainment and more.

At 6 pm, the evening festivities will begin, including celebrity sunset toasts and the Ultimate Pier Cocktail contest! The evening portion will be emceed by legendary TV newsman Arch Deal.

Three of The Pier restaurants -- Cha Cha Coconuts Tropical Bar & Grill, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro and Jonny Reno’s Waterfront Restaurant & Watering Hole – will each create what they say is the Ultimate Pier Cocktail. The cocktails will be judged with the popular vote as well as celebrity judges, including radio and television personality Nancy Alexander
____________________________________________________________________

"Art on The Bay" is Kokol Arts Studio & Gallery's 1st Annual Student Artist's Showcase - a collection of more than 40 original works from her adult art students. Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media and Pencil will line the walls of the Kokol Arts Studio & Gallery.

Satisfy your palette, interact with the artists, and enjoy wine, beer and hors d'oeuvres.

This event might even inspire your own creative desires!

Cost: FREE
Complimentary Valet Parking

Sponsored by: Four Corners Custom Frame Gallery. All at

Beth Kokol Arts

3318 West Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33629

From 5-8 PM. Saturday, May 18th.

_____________________________________________________________________

Art Exhibit at Bluelucy Gallery

Participating Artists: Daniel Mrgan, Coralette Damme, Robert Phelps, Dan Lasata, Phillip Clark, Adam T, Chad Mize, Stephen Palladino, and Laura Spencer

MIXED BAG Exhibit will run May 18 - June 15. All at 653 Central Ave. St. Pete. 6-11 PM.

______________________________________________________________-

Luau Beach Art Party - Marina Williams and her crew bring La Vida Tiki back with TWO pools, bathing suit shows, art, no less than 30 craft beers for the suds connoisseurs, and much more. All for only $10.00 admission. 2030 Central Avenue St. Pete. Saturday, May 18, starting @ 8 PM.
____________________________________________________________

mmmm

On judging the work/artist. Comparing to others and Love.

In my own work, it doesn't matter. The reason is that at any given time I can only do what *I* do. It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, I am locked into my own consciousness, abilities, etc on any given day. I am what and who I am, and this is the source of my meager, rarely shown output. To me, being "best" "average" or "worst" is meaningless. It adds nothing to the experience. We are not fatted calves to be worshipped, and art is not a game, with rules and points that define who wins and loses. It is far more than that.

In my writing about art, this philosophy abides. It is an exploration of art and artists, and it is all about my unbridled love for both. Remember the story about Basquiat, Mark? I loved that story, and because I know you and remembered your love for him, as I heard it from you-know-who I was desperately making notes in my head so I could remember it well when I told you because I knew you would love it, love being the operant word.

There are my personal favorites, sometimes people, sometimes work that on any given day connect with my own personal chemistry, make me feel the wind of creativity and genius and will blow me away, but I understand all too well that my prejudices are not universal yardsticks for anything, only the taste from my own pipe. I know enough about humanity and art history to know that whatever is touted today may not be what gets praise tomorrow. I see and speak with a large number of artists, off the record and personally. Yes, there are competitive ones, very social ones, lone wolves and community minded ones, to name a few. In my own experience, t is insecurity that breeds contempt. Make peace with who you are and what you do. One of the recent targets in the ongoing St. Pete saga/moment late one night after too many drinks, stretched out over the bar at the Sake Bomb next to me said, "in the end we are family". This is our Tribe. We do what we do not because it is easy or hard, but because we can't help loving it. This is not the way to get the beautiful house, beautiful wife and beautiful car, although some will. No one comes closest to understanding who you are or what you are doing than other artists.

--- Luis

In my own work, it doesn't matter. The reason is that at any given time I can only do what *I* do. It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, I am locked into my own consciousness, abilities, etc on any given day. I am what and who I am, and this is the source of my meager, rarely shown output. To me, being "best" "average" or "worst" is meaningless. It adds nothing to the experience. We are not fatted calves to be worshipped, and art is not a game, with rules and points that define who wins and loses. It is far more than that.

In my writing about art, this philosophy abides. It is an exploration of art and artists, and it is all about my unbridled love for both. Remember the story about Basquiat, Mark? I loved that story, and because I know you and remembered your love for him, as I heard it from you-know-who I was desperately making notes in my head so I could remember it well when I told you because I knew you would love it, love being the operant word.

There are my personal favorites, sometimes people, sometimes work that on any given day connect with my own personal chemistry, make me feel the wind of creativity and genius and will blow me away, but I understand all too well that my prejudices are not universal yardsticks for anything, only the taste from my own pipe. I know enough about humanity and art history to know that whatever is touted today may not be what gets praise tomorrow. I see and speak with a large number of artists, off the record and personally. Yes, there are competitive ones, very social ones, lone wolves and community minded ones, to name a few. In my own experience, t is insecurity that breeds contempt. Make peace with who you are and what you do. One of the recent targets in the ongoing St. Pete saga/moment late one night after too many drinks, stretched out over the bar at the Sake Bomb next to me said, "in the end we are family". This is our Tribe. We do what we do not because it is easy or hard, but because we can't help loving it. This is not the way to get the beautiful house, beautiful wife and beautiful car, although some will. No one comes closest to understanding who you are or what you are doing than other artists.

--- Luis

A place that's built on noise and needs

Yesterday Fin and I had a great road trip over the Lecht to Banchory. Cracking weather to be driving through the hills! We were in Banchory for an interview for a potential new project ... hopefully we can share more about that later!

We visited the Woodend Barn, a great venue that has an amazing amount of buzz about it. Their current installation in the gallery is the impressive Unravel, an interactive sound installation by FOUND & Aidan Moffat. It is a poetic and musical invention - think William Heath Robinson jamming away but with more polish and finesse.

On the way out of Woodend Barn I picked up a free copy of Art Mag, and as I was leafing through it stumbled across one of our screen prints which we did not know was featured! Lovely to have our work in print, and honoured to have it included in an article extolling the virtues and merits of print.

So all in all a great day, here's to more like it! - AL

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Friendly Fires - Blue Cassette (Tiga Remix)

Yesterday Fin and I had a great road trip over the Lecht to Banchory. Cracking weather to be driving through the hills! We were in Banchory for an interview for a potential new project ... hopefully we can share more about that later!

We visited the Woodend Barn, a great venue that has an amazing amount of buzz about it. Their current installation in the gallery is the impressive Unravel, an interactive sound installation by FOUND & Aidan Moffat. It is a poetic and musical invention - think William Heath Robinson jamming away but with more polish and finesse.

On the way out of Woodend Barn I picked up a free copy of Art Mag, and as I was leafing through it stumbled across one of our screen prints which we did not know was featured! Lovely to have our work in print, and honoured to have it included in an article extolling the virtues and merits of print.

So all in all a great day, here's to more like it! - AL

BLOG TITLE

Friendly Fires - Blue Cassette (Tiga Remix)

Scottish Museums Close Tomorrow Morning as Part of a Three-Day Strike for Better Pay & Pensions

Last month the Louvre staff protested against pickpockets (following a series of strikes in 1999 and 2009 against reductions in staff). This month, the staff of two Edinburgh museums will begin a three-day strike tomorrow for better pay and better pensions, reports The Scotsman:

THE National Museum of Scotland and National War Museum will be closed until lunchtime tomorrow as part of a three-day strike over pay and pensions. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union began the series of strikes yesterday with staff from the justice sector. They will be joined today by staff from the two museums which has led to the early closures.

A museum spokesman apologised for any inconvenience caused to visitors and said all of its museums would be open as normal from Thursday. He said: “Due to anticipated industrial action this week, the National Museum of Scotland and the National War Museum will be closing at 1pm today, and will not re-open until 1.30pm on Wednesday.

“The Tower Restaurant will remain open and access will be via the Tower entrance of the National Museum of Scotland as usual. The National Museum of Flight and the National Museum of Rural Life remain open.”

The PCS began a campaign of industrial action on March 20, the day Chancellor George Osborne announced the Budget.

Last month the Louvre staff protested against pickpockets (following a series of strikes in 1999 and 2009 against reductions in staff). This month, the staff of two Edinburgh museums will begin a three-day strike tomorrow for better pay and better pensions, reports The Scotsman:

THE National Museum of Scotland and National War Museum will be closed until lunchtime tomorrow as part of a three-day strike over pay and pensions. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union began the series of strikes yesterday with staff from the justice sector. They will be joined today by staff from the two museums which has led to the early closures.

A museum spokesman apologised for any inconvenience caused to visitors and said all of its museums would be open as normal from Thursday. He said: “Due to anticipated industrial action this week, the National Museum of Scotland and the National War Museum will be closing at 1pm today, and will not re-open until 1.30pm on Wednesday.

“The Tower Restaurant will remain open and access will be via the Tower entrance of the National Museum of Scotland as usual. The National Museum of Flight and the National Museum of Rural Life remain open.”

The PCS began a campaign of industrial action on March 20, the day Chancellor George Osborne announced the Budget.

Decanter.com's John Stimpfig spotlights "The Wine Forger's Handbook" by wine journalist Stuart George and ARCA Founder Noah Charney

Wine connoisseur John Stimpfig spotlights the The Wine Forger's Handbook by wine journalist Stuart George and ARCA Founder Noah Charney in Decanter.com, the online publication of the international wine magazine:

The slim volume gives a short history of forgery and fraud in the wine world, before going on to detail two short case studies covering two of the best known alleged fine wine fraudsters of recent times: Hardy Rodenstock and Rudy Kurniawan. It also functions as a guide with practical tips and a checklist of actions on how to avoid becoming a victime of counterfeit wine. The book comes at a time when collector awareness and press interest in the subject of fraud has never been higher, after series of high-profile legal cases.

The ebook The Wine Forger's Handbook was published in March and can be ordered at Amazon.com.

Here's a link to a post on the ARCA blog about the FBI's investigation into wine fraud.

Wine connoisseur John Stimpfig spotlights the The Wine Forger's Handbook by wine journalist Stuart George and ARCA Founder Noah Charney in Decanter.com, the online publication of the international wine magazine:

The slim volume gives a short history of forgery and fraud in the wine world, before going on to detail two short case studies covering two of the best known alleged fine wine fraudsters of recent times: Hardy Rodenstock and Rudy Kurniawan. It also functions as a guide with practical tips and a checklist of actions on how to avoid becoming a victime of counterfeit wine. The book comes at a time when collector awareness and press interest in the subject of fraud has never been higher, after series of high-profile legal cases.

The ebook The Wine Forger's Handbook was published in March and can be ordered at Amazon.com.

Here's a link to a post on the ARCA blog about the FBI's investigation into wine fraud.