(Nutria NN performance at Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY. Artwork by Blane De St. Croix. Image courtesy of Smack Mellon.)

When I first walked into Smack Mellon Gallery in Dumbo last Thursday night, for its Press Play Series I saw a wall. For a second, I wondered if I had gotten the date wrong. I wondered if the gallery was still working on the installation. The bisected cavernous space looked completely different. And of course that was the point. I was looking at, confronted by Blane De St. Croix’s installation, Broken Landscape. It is an almost literal rendering of the Mexico/US border, over eighty feet in length, in the main gallery space— but monumentally miniaturized. The wall itself is chest high, perhaps a foot wide.

Reaching down from wall, as if a giant knife has sliced through the earth, the piece reveals the underlying geological stratum as neatly and as scientifically as a textbook. The terrain is haunted. It is devoid of human habitation. The border is a ghost town. On the one hand, it is an intimate portrait of the unfriendly, almost menacing topography of this region, and on the other, a charged political statement. The end of the wall is a bisected overpass of a highway that begins and ends in mid-air. In contrast, the beginning of the border resembles the badlands, an almost primeval landscape. It eventually evolves into civilization, the floating highway— yet both look dangerous.

In the smaller gallery is Carlos Motta’s, The Good Life. This is an installation with a multi-channel video presentation with 12 monitors mounted on a four part, two tiered structure. From his notes, this structure references, “the theater and general space of the Athenian Agora, in which citizens were entitled to meet, debate and participate in legislative decisions.” When I walked into this gallery, another confrontation— but this time, highly populated and very vocal. The artist interviewed pedestrians on the streets of South American countries between 2005-2008 on democracy, US involvement in their countries and the idea of leadership. In particular, a man spoke about the horrible conditions of a local hospital. He talked about the flies that landed on his mother’s body. Another woman suggested the US government sticks its nose where it doesn’t belong.

As I peered across the divide, past the badlands, the music began. Nutria NN is the stage name of Christian Torres-Roje. Technically, the music is Chilean folk rock, but obviously fused with other cultures and styles. I loved Tristeza de Lota; a moving anthem about being “lonely, lonely, lonely down in the mines.” The songs were subdued, poignant, melodic— a fitting and apt counterpoint to the politically infused installations. Once again, Smack Mellon has succeeded in curating an evening of music and art that not only reference each other, but illuminate and enrich as well. Once again, superior local beer by Kelso was on hand, and this time, now March, it was warm enough to walk home. Excellent.

A festive occasion each month for art lovers. A chance to visit many quality galleries at night in the Dumbo Historic District – galleries showing works from artists of many disciplines, especially photography, while hosting receptions, producing live music performances and curator/artist talks among other highlights.

Let’s not forget the incredible views you can enjoy as you walk from one gallery to the next and the local drink specials afterward. Most of the art is for sale. Printed maps and 1st Thursday cards are available on-site.

Participating galleries may vary each month. For more information contact Zannah Mass at zannah@twotrees-dumbo.com or 718-222-2500 x38.

Check gallery websites for updates.
5+5 Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 210
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Aswoon Gallery, 14 Jay St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Farmani Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 212
Gloria Kennedy Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 222
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Kris Graves Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 224
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
No Name Gallery, 163 Plymouth St.
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Robert Wilson/rw Work Ltd, 111 Front St.
Safe-T Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.

Galapagos Art Space’s newest series, Monday’s Open Variety Night has their first show in the series tonight at 8pm. If you’re a Variety Artist (tightrope, trapeze, juggling, etc) performer and would like to be part of these nights, contact Galapagos. Per Galapagos:

In the post 911 recession many NYC dance companies cut their full time dance corps in half or worse. Many of the young dancers we were working with at the time put one foot on the burlesque stage – a stage whose curtain opened and offered three to five to minutes to establish, develop and resolve a narrative. Faced with a dance world that couldn’t offer them certainty these best and brightest young artists were demanding both a career and an audience.

Now we’re seeing – with the closing of 25% of the off off broadway theaters in our city and many of the more important alternative venues (the Zipper Factory, Tonic, the Collective Unconscious etc) – something similar in the American Variety Arts.

Beginning this March, we’re proud to co-present Open Variety Night – illuminating the best of the American Variety arts – with the world renowned Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts!

For more info on events, go to galapagosartspace.com.

BoConcept in Dumbo is having an art exhibition starting next Thursday, March 5. This is their first art show featuring local painters, photographers, and designers: Danny Lowit, Daniel Krieger, George K. George, Deborah Freedman Yazmany Arboleda, Mireya Acierto.

Sponsored by: Itoen Tea, Brooklyn Oenology (BOE), SoNu Beverages , SoHo Reprographics

What: BoConcept Art Show, DUMBO Brooklyn
When: Opening Reception during First Thursday Dumbo Gallery Walk, March 5, 2009, 6-9pm
Where: BoConcept store, 79 Front Street (Btw. Main & Washington Sts.)
The exhibition runs through April 1. Reserve at RSVP@boconceptny.com for a 20% discount on accessories.

The New York Foundation for the Arts, an organization that facilitates the development of the individual artist throughout the state, is moving to 20 Jay Street in Dumbo, according to their website. Two Trees Management leased out the 7th floor location (11,835 sq.ft.) for 10 years (no word on whether or not their lease was subsidized).

NYFA was established in 1971 by the New York State Council on the Arts. Since 1985, NYFA has supported more than 5,000 artists through merit-based programs, including Artists’ Fellowships, Fiscal Sponsorship, The Catalogue Project, and BUILD. From Wikipedia:

“In 1984, NYFA began overseeing and distributing Artists’ Fellowships along with its public service component, Artists & Audiences. The Fellowship program has since expanded to award direct grants to New York State artists in sixteen disciplines—eight per year on a rotating basis—and has awarded more than $23.9 million to 3,688 artists since the program’s inception. Past recipients include subsequent winners of the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award, the Academy Award (Oscar), Guggenheim Fellowships, MacArthur Fellowships, and many other honors. Through NYFA’s grant programs and fiscal sponsorship, more than $6.6 million is now awarded annually to artists and arts organizations.”

The move by NYFA brings another large arts and cultural organization to the neighborhood, and we’re looking forward to seeing some of their projects in the area. Welcome to Dumbo, NYFA!

What: Art Show Opening @ Zakka: You and Neru
When: Saturday, February 7, 2009, 6-8pm
Where: Zakka NYC, 155 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

The young artist Jon Ocasio is an artist, illustrator, designer in Brooklyn, New York.

ZAKKA NYC is pleased to have the show of the art works with his internal emotion and feelings by some posters. He’s just released a 24 page self published booklet. Please join then for the opening event and meet the artist at this book signing event.

Phone: (718) 801-8037
www.zakkacorp.com

DUMBO 1st Thursday features area galleries, open from 5:30 to 8:30, on the first Thursday of each month. There is no admission fee – participating galleries are open to the public. Gallery receptions, neighborhood dining and bars, and live music add to the evening’s festivities:

February 5, 2009 First Thursday Participants include, but are not limited to the following list. Please check with each gallery to confirm that they will be open late on Thursday.

5+5 Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 210
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Aswoon Gallery, 14 Jay St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation, 111 Front St.
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Gloria Kennedy Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 222
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Robert Wilson/rw Work Ltd, 111 Front St.
Safe-T Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.
Wessel + O-Connor Fine Art, 111 Front St., Suite 200

ACME + Line C3 FREE Concert

Press Play First Thursdays Series
at Smack Mellon Gallery in Dumbo
92 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY

Thursday, February 5, at 7 pm (party starts at 6 pm)

FREE BEER TASTING, Sponsored by Kelso of Brooklyn

ACME audio / video online at acmemusic.org and myspace.com/acmenyc
Line C3 audio / video online at linec3.com and youtube.com/linec3percussion
Art by Kirsten Hassenfeld at bellwethergallery.com | Art by Jennie C. Jones at jenniecjones.com

More info after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

“Disfarmer” examines the life of a portrait photographer through the use of puppetry, as well as a photography exhibit curated by the director Dan Hurlin. The story is inspired by the over forty-year career (1915-1959) of portrait photographer Mike Disfarmer, who for decades shunned his family and neighbors while operating the only portrait studio for miles around Heber Springs, Arkansas (Google map). During his career, Disfarmer built a special dark room for his portrait sessions and when his negatives surfaced in the 1970s, his portraits were recognized as “a work of artistic genius” and “a classical episode in the history of American photography.”

Steven Kasher Gallery is loaning images for the show is displayed in the St. Ann’s Warehouse lobby. The photographer is represented by a series of puppets, each smaller than the last, until he disappears. Disfamer “seeks to create a visceral sense of the photographer’s interior and exterior worlds, illuminating the contradictions in the life of this American hermit whose intimate and revealing portraiture documented an entire community.” Live music is played during the show by a band that plays banjo, accordions, and the fiddle.

Disfarmer is running from January 27 to February 8 at St. Ann’s Warehouse.

St. Ann’s Warehouse
38 Water Street, Dumbo Brooklyn, NY
718-254-8779 or 866-811-4111
{stannswarehouse.org}

You saw Galapagos bar manager, Christine, as one of the “Yes We Can-Can” dancers at the election night party on November 4. Now Galapagos will be bringing her dance troupe. (See Youtube video of them onstage doing the ‘can-can’ to the marionette song after Obama won.) Their first show is on Friday, January 23 at 8pm. Info:

Jenny Rocha and Her Painted Ladies (January 23, 8pm, $12)
Tickets: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=JEN9

The performance entails several acts with pre and post music by DJ Joseph Rivas. With dancers Jillian Hollis, Shevaun Smythe Hiler, Molly Merkler, Christine Poland, Jessy Smith and Jenny Rocha. For more info, visit: www.jennyrocha.com.

“this show puts the art back into tart” New York Press
“a hilarious trio for manic tootsies” The New York Times
“down right hilarious” Dance Spirit Magazine
“part feminist satire, part neo-feminist celebration, The Painted Ladies depicted feisty, sometimes comic, show girls down through history.” Eva Yaa Asantewaa

{www.galapagosartspace.com}