ART Punctuate!

The Art of Conflict: Terror in the Park?

Imagine walking through the park on a Monday afternoon and suddenly hearing the violent blast of an air raid siren signaling that you have 15 seconds to find shelter before missiles strike.

A group called "Artists 4 Israel" wants New Yorkers to know that this terrifying scenario is a daily possibility for many people in Israel. 

On Monday March 28, Artists 4 Israel attempted to simulate this terror in the park.  The group designed an installation in Washington Square Park called “The Bomb Shelter” built to the exact specifications of bomb shelters in Israel on the border of Gaza.  To give visitors  the same visceral reaction that Israelis might feel when suddenly alerted to an attack, Artists 4 Israel planned to sound an air raid siren and have participates race to the shelter in 15 seconds.  I went down to the park that afternoon to see how Artists 4 Israel translated this concept. 

      Grafitti Artist at "The Bomb Shelter" in Washington Square Park, NY

Everyday Art Pic #4: Living the Golden Life

The Golden Life

I have seen this man three days in a row. How does he do this everyday? Does he sleep in gold paint? 

Resume Art? A Creative Approach to Getting Hired

Resume +  Art Graphics = Sweet job at HuffPo

Who says a resume can't be a masterpiece?

Ok, so this is not your traditional post about contemporary, modern or fine art, but it still warrants some serious attention. The post you're about to read shows how one journalism student's "graphic arts aptitude" landed him a sweet new gig at a top website. 

Chris Spurlock's "infographics resume" started out as a "doodle" in Illustrator and quickly went viral after it was posted on the  Huffington Post.  A gazillion tweets, Facebook likes, shares and page views later the Huffington Post scooped Spurlock right up and gave him a job as their Infographics Editor. Nice, I'll dip a paintbrush to that!

According to the Huffington Post, Spurlock's "resume art" started out from his passion for infographics.   "Spurlock was about to apply to some jobs, and one night, he decided to hop on illustrator for a bit and doodle. "A couple hours later, I went to bed and in the morning, I decided it wasn't entirely useless, he said" (Huffington Post)  

Apparently there were two versions of the resume. There's the final version, one that is more subdued and muted, and the original which pops with color and vibrancy.  After consulting, a friend he went with the revised version. Why? Because maybe the original looked like a bag of Skittles. I agree with HuffPo's Chris Kanalley and like the "skittles version" the best.  In fact, when I was looking at the blue version, I keep thinking that it could use a splash of color. I mean, if you are going to do it, why not go all the way?

 This is the final version of Chris Spurlock's resume

 

This is Spurlock's original "skittles" version 

 

With all the interest and intrigue surrounding Chris Spurlock's resume, it got me thinking. He can't be the only one. There's got to be more "resume masterpieces" out there. Well, there certainly are. I found this great website featuring The 70 Most Artistic and Creative Resumes of all Time.  I picked three that are my favorite (based on aesthetics alone).

Check these unique resumes out and then scroll down to get a Professional Career Counselor's opinion on just how effective "resume art" really is...or isn't.

 

Temitope Shoda

 

Ariane Lunod

 

Branko Vukelic

Kimberly Schneiderman is a Nationally Certified Resume Writer and Career Counselor. She is the founder of City Career Services and has seen her fair share of resumes...and written even more than that. This creative approach may have worked for Spurlock, but just because a resume is aesthetically pleasing, unique and creative doesn't mean it will always land you the right job. In fact, in some instances, it may even have the opposite effect. There is a time and place for everything, boys and girls...so make sure you know how to pick your spots.

Kimberly Schneiderman gives us an expert's opinion on "resume art":

"These are beautiful works of art. As a resume writer and job search consultant, I can honestly say I have never created anything nearly this creative. These made me appreciate art in a whole new way. Works like this need to be put in front of the right individual to be appreciated. This won't work for everyone - for each hiring manager that "gets" it and sees the obvious talent, there will be 10 others that cast it aside as frivolous and will not take it seriously.

When I originally saw these, I thought immediately of advertising and how a message must get across in a simple format. Unfortunately, resumes are by definition more content-heavy than advertisements. I think that is what both makes these work and makes them not work. The elements of advertising and creativity are there, it is just too much information for the average person to digest in this format. Then again, some key information is missing from these creative formats. Someone that uses this format of a resume will likely be served well by also having a more traditional document to present that also includes accomplishments/ contributions within their positions."

Thank you Ms. Schneiderman for your professional words of wisdom. 

Love for Japan & Queens of New York

It's a another rainy, dreary day in New York, but once again there are a few things going on to feel sunny about.  Joe Mangrum, a New York City "sidewalk artist" that I have been following has donated some of his art work for a silent auction in support of Japan.  The fundraiser is hosted by Martha Stewart, and Wynton Marsalis will be performing. It's being held at EN Japanese Brassiere, a modern day izakaya, which seems to be the Japanese version of a tapas bar.  All of the proceeds (100%) will be donated in support of the Japanese Society's Earthquake Relief Fund & the Japanese Red Cross in New York City.  Unfortunately, at $250 for an advanced ticket and $300 at the door, I will have to live vicariously through the media reports on this one. However, in the meantime, I am scouring my sources to find charity events that may be less impactful to the pocket. One another note, En's very reasonable  lunch prices, do entice me to check them out at a later date to see what the Saikyo Miso Black Cod is all about. 

 

I sure do hope for better weather tomorrow, because I plan to attend the event "Queens of New York" featuring work by photographer and mixed media artist Delphine Diallo. Either way, rain or shine, I will be there to see Ms. Diallo's show based on the announcement for her exhibition alone. The featured piece on the publication is reminiscent of the collaged photographic images in Peter Beard's art diaries that I used to thumb through on my father's bookshelf years ago.  I am curious to see what the rest of her work looks like. 

Delphine Diallo

  Peter Beard Fayal Tall, 1987

 Gelatin silver print with gelatin silver print collage, found objects, ink

40 x 30 inches

Everyday Art Pic #3: Orologio

Orologio

Mr. Edward Eichel: Puppies, Produce and Patents

Art & Artists

Edward Eichel and his English Bulldogs

Some people go to pet shops to "coo" at the cute little Beagles and Terriers , but Mr. Edward Eichel goes there to connect with the latest subject in his study of Expressionism---The English Bulldog. Mr. Eichel is a regular at a few pet shops in the West Village, where he goes frequently to sketch the little canines.  

I met Mr. Eichel while spending an afternoon at  The Art Bazaar. He was a participating artist during the February event. He strolled in to take photos of his work and noticed me eyeing his black ink drawings.

"Some people don't get that that's a bulldog," he says. 

I stared deeper into the squiggle of black lines. I get it, how could I not? There's the snout, the eyes and that famous underbite that bulldogs are known for. I tell him I see it and wonder how it's not obvious to everyone.

Mr. Eichel smiles and shakes his head, "I don't know why anyone wouldn't get it either". 

Mr. Eichel describes himself as an Expressionist artist and has been sketching for over 30 years. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and lived abroad in Israel and Paris.   Back in the early 60's, a publisher at Harper and Row (now Harper Collins) got a whiff of his illustrations and decided to design a book around his work.  He holds the book up to show me; one of his first creative milestones. He also tells me that he was one of the press sketch artists during the  Adolf Eichmann trial, a German Nazi who was found guilty of participating in organizing the Holocaust. 

"Many years after the trial, people tried to look for me because of my sketches at the Eichmann trial, but I had changed my name from Eichelbaum to Eichel."

We drift back to the more buoyant world of puppies and he tells me about his process for sketching. 

"When I draw, I am not trying to draw a cute animal, I am trying to get the special tension right. You have to focus your eyes in a different way. You must see the the three planes, pushing and pulling off of them and feel the tension. If you get the tensions right, the emotions filter into it." 

 

English Bulldogs at the Art Bazaar

The Beast Book, illustrated by Edward Eichel 

 

Somehow, our conversation meanders off into the realm of science, DNA splicing and genetically modified produce--Isn't it tragic that a tomato is no longer just a tomato? We both spend the better part of 15 minutes admonishing the purveyors of patented soybeans, corn and wheat. But then we begin to contemplate the human spirit's desire to create. If man can be compelled to create visual art, in essence creating something from nothing, isn't it possible that scientists would want to add their creative input in the field of science too? I suggest that the concept of "shuffling genes"  is similar to an artist collaging different images together to achieve a unique new perspective. It doesn't seem like that much of a stretch. 

Mr. Eichel seems to have enough interest in this field that I think to myself if he weren't in the arts, perhaps he'd be a scientist. 

He is one of the few fortunate residents to live at  Westbeth, an affordable living and studio residence for artists in the West Village. He has been living there since Westbeth opened in 1970 and tells me there is a 10-15 year waiting list. This is quite a big deal, allowing Mr. Eichel to revel in his craft.   

He says ,"Art has never made me rich, but it has made me very happy."

I ask him my signature question--- what the best thing about being an artist is. He takes a minute and seems to dig deep down to ponder it. Finally he looks up and replies:

"Creativity is a religious experience. You have to lend yourself to it. Each painting is a miracle."

 

Affordable Art Fair: VIP Style

Art & Art Fairs

 

It's the first week of spring, and it's a nasty rainy day here in NYC. But,  I received a nice little pick-me-up in my email box this morning!  The Arteria Gallery sent me an invitation for two free VIP tickets to the annual Spring Affordable Art Fair  (AAFNYC) which will be held from May 5- May 8. I really don't know yet what kind of VIP treatment I'll be getting with these tickets, but I do know that the tickets will be arriving by "post" from Arteria's gallery in Canada. And as my accompanying blog Good Mail illustrates, I am a sucker for fun stuff that comes signed, sealed and posted marked through the US Mail System. That alone is enough for me. It really is just the "little things" sometimes.

Last Fall's AAFNYC was filled with inspiring new artists. I  stayed all day and still couldn't soak up all there was to see. Several galleries across the country were represented and many internationally as well. A stand-out favorite artist of mine was a gentleman named, Nick Papadakis who saw me engrossed in one of his paintings and came over to talk to me.

During our conversation, Nick's enthusiasm for his work and his self-awareness in terms of understanding what propells him to create was fascinating.  Nick explained to me a technique he calls "Erosion Painting," which he discovered by happenstance while trying to solve a separate artistic dilemma. This is a process by which paint is placed on a substrate surface and then removed from the surface instead of added to it. I was so intrigued by his style and interested in his process that I asked if I could interview him at his studio. He agreed and invited me to a beautiful estate just outside of New York City where he works out of a charming big red barn. 

In an upcoming post, I will share this artist studio visit. 

 Nick Papakakis at Affordable Art Fair NYC Fall 2010

 

Nick Papadakis in Studio

 

Nick Papadakis' Studio Barn

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 Highlights from 2010 Fall Affordable Art Fair 

At the time that I attended the 2010 Fall Affordable Art Fair, Art Punctuate! was still an idea germinating in my creative and ambitious mind. But of course, I took pictures and spoke to artists, a few of whom I now follow. Here is a montage of some of the great work that appeared at the Fall Fair.  

 

Everyday Art Pic #2: Political Superheroes & Celebrities in Drag

                  "Passing by the Guggenheim"

The Art of Being Certain

Art & Life

 Gustav Klimt, The Kiss (Der Kuss)

I have been staring at Gustav Klimt's The Kiss for the better part of an hour as it hangs prominently on the wall in the office building where I have been working. I have seen this piece several times before,  but today my mind drifts into a daydream, weaving a tale about this couple. How long have they know each other? Are that saying hello or kissing good bye? What happened to them after this kiss?  One thing is obvious, they are in a moment; one that is certain, sure and clear.

My friend called me earlier to say that his friend, Tony, is getting married. Tony met a young woman whom he quickly became smitten with and got engaged to within a month. Now, Tony is not an impulse man. In fact, he is a bit cynical  and oftentimes cautious. But here he is, suddenly emphatic about getting married to this woman and very sure. His Facebook status has been abruptly changed from single to "engaged."  Wow.

My friend and I discuss impulse, whims and getting caught up in the moment. How can he be so certain so soon? Shouldn't you take time in making decisions, to be "sure?" But is time always the key to being certain? I know some people who met and married their spouse almost overnight and who now have children and several years under their belt.  Were they just fools lucky enough to avoid being devoured by their own stupidity? Other people I know  are never certain of anything and spend their lives pondering the same possibilities over and over, like a cow chewing its cud. 

I found this book called, On Being Certain: Believing You're Right, Even When You're Not. It theorizes that for the human mind, certainty is a mental sensation like love, anger or pride, rather than evidence of fact. In essence, the feeling of knowing is something that comes to us naturally, we can not make it happen.  

Perhaps it simply feels good to the human spirit to feel certain about something or someone, even if that does not mean absolute truth. I wonder, Can certainty eliminate regret? After all, how can you look back and say you shouldn't have acted on something if you were so certain in the first place?

I was once speaking to this artist in SoHo who was displaying his work for sale.  I asked him about his process; how he came to achieve a certain confluence of texture and image. He told me, "I never truly know what the painting will look like or how it will turn out.  I can have an idea and a hope, but the only thing I am certain of, is that I must paint it."

Does an artist know that a painting will be a masterpiece before he even puts the brush to canvas, or is he only sure that he must make that first stroke? And who decides that a painting is a masterpiece anyway?

Perhaps there are appropriate times to act from certainty, like there are appropriate times to act from love, pride or courage...and then there are those times when it is best to have these feelings and definitely not act from them. The key is learning to tell the difference.

I hope to be certain about many more things in my life. Not right, just certain. It seems, at times, that the feeling of certainty can be a blessing, one that will give you the assurance to take the next step in your journey. 

Arab Arts: The 10th Sharjah Biennial

 Photo by Yazan Khalili www.sharjahart.org 

The Arab-speaking world has brought together 119 artists for the region's largest art show, The Sharjah Biennial.  If I could get on the next plane to the United Arab Emirates to see this show, I would. 

Here is an excerpt from their site about the show: 

The 10th Sharjah Biennial will unfold in a range of spaces within the Arts and Heritage Areas of Sharjah.

Plot for a Biennial is the title for the 10^th Sharjah Biennial, which opens on March 16, 2011. Curated by Suzanne Cotter and Rasha Salti with Associate Curator Haig Aivazian, the Biennial will present new and specially commissioned works by contemporary artists, filmmakers, writers and performers from across the region and internationally.

The Biennial includes the work of more than 90 artists, filmmakers, choreographers, writers, publishers and musicians, working individually and collaboratively, from Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, England France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Pakistan, Poland, Syria, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the US.

Curatorial Concept
Plot for a Biennial takes as its curatorial narrative the idea of a treatment for film, ‘scripted’ around a constellation of keywords that include Treason, Necessity, Insurrection, Affiliation, Corruption, Devotion, Disclosure, Translation. These terms operate as motifs and serve to frame explorations in both subject matter and aesthetic positions.

 Photo by Yazan Khalili www.sharjahart.org