Graffiti Art: The Wynwood Walls

Extending and expanding on themes I've written about in the past is always a pleasure, so I was very excited when artist and blog reader, Karen Polin, contacted me about a graffiti art exhibit she recently saw in Miami.

The Wynwood Walls is a public graffiti art exhibition that was featured as part of Art Basel in Miami. The idea was conceived by community revitalizer Tony Goldman in 2009. He wanted to transform the Wynwood warehouse district in Miami by making the walls giant canvases for street art. Goldman wanted to activate the community by making a centralized location where pedestrians could gravitate to, explore and be inspired. Certainly, the colors, designs and consideration of space & place (and people) into these pieces are mesmerizing.

As a pedestrian and commuter, I'm always delighted to see public works of art while walking or taking the train. I remember seeing The Gates in Central Park in 2005, and I always feel an exciting sense of discovery when I see public art (sculptures, graffiti art, light art) now. Thanks to Karen for photographing and telling me about this great work of public art. 

Video Sassoon Featured in Lost At E Minor

I was so excited to see my piece Video Sassoon featured in the amazing and fun publication Lost At E Minor, an online pop culture/art magazine that I've been a fan of for years. Check it out! 

And please show your love for the curious and always fascinating stories that Lost at E Minor covers by following them on twitter (@lostateminor) and liking them on Facebook. 

VIDEO SASSOON Premieres at UMB Film Series

This past Thursday, March 7, 2013,  the video for Video Sassoon, my new media installation, premiered on the big screen at the UMB Film Series, playing before the feature film Lemon (Laura Brownson & Beth Levison, 2012).

It was an energizing experience to see our work projected onto the big screen and enjoyed by the large audience! Special thanks to Chico Colvard, filmmaker and curator of the UMB Film Series! If you missed it, you can see it here:

The UMB Film Series features thought-provoking and innovative films, which are often followed by a Q&A with the director(s) and/or subject. Past invitees include Frederick Wiseman, Steve James, Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady, David Redmon & Ashley Sabine, and Terence Nance.

Like their page on facebook and you could win their raffle at a screening (no kidding...I won an autographed copy of Hoop Dreams). And remember! It's free and open to the public! See the trailer for the film series below:

The UMB Film Series is a great program, organized and executed by visionary, hard-working people. Don't miss the screening of Where Heaven Meets Hell (Sasha Friedlander, 2011) on Thursday, March 28th @ 7 PM. Click here for more info. 

How to Talk Experimental Film: A User's Guide

My article "How to Talk Experimental Film: A User's Guide" was recently published in The Independent. If you're itching to learn more about experimental film, looking for film suggestions, or just want a fun and informative read, be sure to check it out. Read the article here.

A very special thank you goes out to my editor (and an excellent writer in her own right), Erin Trahan! Make sure you support The Independent by subscribing to the free e-newsletter and reading, reading, reading the great variety of articles. They are also taking on a very important "archive preservation project." Make sure to read about their plan and goals for the project here.

Papergirl Belfast

Papergirl Belfast is an awesome organization based in Northern Ireland that truly embraces the spirits of community and participation through art. Their mission is simple: to spread art to the public. And their distribution is streamline: via bicycles. 

Artists, writers and designers can submit their work to Papergirl Belfast. Then, the organizers exhibit the work in an "anti-curated exhibition." Finally, the team takes the art out to the streets and distributes it to the general public. 

 

The organization prides itself on its commitment to accessibility and inclusion: 

"Creativity, cycling, generosity and our city all rule. Papergirl is a non-commercial, guerrilla initiative that brings art to the streets in an alternative and dynamic way by distributing unique rolls of artwork freely and at random to lucky strangers via bicycle. Drawings, paintings, photographs, illustrations, prints, textiles, stickers, T-shirts, poems, prose and zines – basically anything that can be rolled up – will be collected and showcased in an anti-curated exhibition before being shared with the local community."

I love Papergirl Belfast's can-do attitude, love of art, and friendliness. Not to mention, their own printmaking-inspired designs are quite beautiful and catching.

My short story, "The Bride and the Groom," will be included in this year's collection. If you don't get a chance to go to Ireland to read the story, you can also read it here. 

Support this awesome organization's mission! Visit their website, and make sure to like them on facebook and follow them on twitter.