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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

Left of Center Art Gallery: A Desert Rose in Bloom

Art & Travel

LAS VEGAS, Nevada- About 15 minutes and 9 miles from the Las Vegas strip sits an unassuming, white, rectangular building with windows so high up from the street that you can't possibly see inside. If I hadn't already seen a picture of the Left of Center Art Gallery on the internet we would have driven right past it. This modest, unadorned structure gives no outward indication of the artistic oasis that lies inside. 

As an artist myself, I came to Las Vegas thirsty to learn about the art scene in a city known for glitz, girls and gambling. It seemed at first that in Las Vegas, the term "art gallery" was synonymous with tattoo parlor. But after doing some research we found the Left of Center Art Gallery.  We would soon discover that this arts organization was one of the few refuges for local artists and those looking to enjoy the contemporary visual arts. 

Left of Center's owner is a woman named Vicki Richardson. A skilled artist in her own right, she opened the gallery 20 years ago after noticing a need for artistic representation in Las Vegas. 

 

 

Permanent Collection of African Art

The gallery's Art Director Mary Lou Evans graciously gave us a tour of the building's many colorful and vibrant spaces; a room that housed a permanent collection of African Art, a contemporary gallery currently showing the works of Orlando Montenegro, a huge studio space where artists collectively use the space to create, commune or just celebrate each other's artistic energy. 

                                                                      Artist Studio Collective Space

                                                                             Artist's Palette       

Interior Studio Space

Left of Center Gallery               

A downstairs gallery held the works of artist Harold Bradford. And just when I thought the tour was complete, Mary Lou led us into yet another large space where a spectacular array of paintings depicting several musicians like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie were propped up on easels. She told us that the University of Nevada Las Vegas had asked the gallery to compile a collection of artworks that the school would display on loan at one of its events. 

I asked Mary Lou about the art scene in Las Vegas. She told me that unlike New York, and L.A. people in Las Vegas are just not as interested in the visual arts, making it a challenge to promote the arts in this city. From my vantage point, the folks at Left of Center seemed extremely committed to maintaining the small community that they have created. Their galleries are fresh, current and beautiful. Their energy is uplifting. Their passion is palpable. There's no doubt that our trip to Left of Center proved to be right on target. 

Check out Left of Center on Facebook for up-to-date details on gallery openings and events.