Throwback Thursday: Red Carpet for Red Interactive

IN SEPTEMBER 2011, as part of the Phantom Galleries Project, John Heino and I curated a joint show in the New York Building of Superior called Red Interactive. Here's a glimpse, with additional links at the end.

This is it. The days are flying off the calendar like autumn leaves during a late season Nor'easter. The Red Interactive roll-out is rumbling into town this week. For those unfamiliar with the show, Red Interactive is an experimental art initiative conceived by Ed Newman and John Heino.

The open house, billed as a "must" event on the Twin Ports arts calendar, will be the evening of Thursday, September 22, but tomorrow we're slated to begin claiming the space at 1410 Tower Avenue with a full-scale setup scheduled for Tuesday the 6th.

There are still plenty of unknowns. For example, this week a surprise package of artwork arrived from China, each piece featuring a tribute to the color red. We have no idea where the next package of red art will come from, or what it will be.

Another component of the open house will be the 3-D Red Collaborative Sculpture. We're asking everyone who comes to the opening to bring something red that they can add to the "public sculpture." Whether it's a red key to a red door or a lock of red hair, we'll find a place for it... or ask you to.

The red-themed objects d'art will become a backdrop for red-themed performance -- music, dance, poetry. What's more, opening night will be catered by The Red Mug... and there may even be some red wine.

Parallel to this physical show, space and performances, Red Interactive will continue to maintain its virtual space on Facebook, which is serving to catalog the thread of interactions from our various artists, participants and friends. Some elements will move back and forth between physical and virtual Red Interactive spaces. This is open architecture. We welcome all artists, creative thinkers and people who simply enjoy art--particularly experimental projects. The only boundary is that this is a public arts project, so we ask that all physical and virtual contributions are appropriate for public display.

Are you reddy?

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Related Link

Local Art Seen: Phantom Galleries Superior Features Broc Allen and Michael R Smith

Red Is The Color

Red Interactive: The Movie

Spotlight on Painter Sarah Brokke

It's Visual Arts Week here in the the North Country, an extravaganza of arts-related events on both sides of the bridge including Phantom Galleries Superior's opening receptions Wednesday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. This is year three for the Phantom Galleries, and it's been thrilling to see the variety and caliber of our local talent. New venues have opened up for this month's show, both of them off-Tower, which is now torn up for reparations. The Habitat for Humanity has opened its doors at 1621 Broadway for a Rachel Nelson's "Pilgrimmage" exhibit and Patricia Davey's "Glass Exposed." And the Old Superior Antique Depot at 933 Oakes at the end of Broadway will have still more including the paintings by Sarah Brokke.

Brokke is a painter and from the first I was was drawn to her work, which has been displayed at the Zeitgeist and Duluth Art Institute, among other spaces in town. The exhibition has been described in these words: "Her large scale paintings for this installation explore the feelings of the fragile balance we all hold during this time..... to both be at peace and still be able to step into and care about the bigger picture of what is happening in our world often polarized. Sarah says ,"I am an Artist who seeks truth through the medium of paint. I am a woman, in truth, who seeks to actively define my roles as teacher, mother, daughter, wife, partner, sister. My work is a visual record of that journey'."

I've been impressed by her work, some of which I share here.

Cleansing Breath

EN: To what would you attribute your early attraction to painting?
Sarah Brokke: At age 8, I attended an exhibit of Impressionism at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I remember being entranced with the luscious color of paint. Later I found the very tactile nature of building something out of that color extremely engaging.

EN: What life lessons did you bring back to the States after studying in England?
SB: My studies in England were early on in my Undergraduate education. Ultimately, my travels there informed my decision to go into the Arts, as it afforded me distance to see my future aspirations clearly. It also taught me that travel was an invaluable way to breathe.

Senzo Titolo (Nonostante)

EN: You also minored in modern dance. Does choreography cross over to influence your painting in any ways?
SB: I compose a painting much like I would choreograph a dance. The movement, layers, tones, and my utilization of the figure definitely have their origins in my study of choreography.

EN: You also lived and studied in Italy for a spell. What were the highs and lows of that experience?
SB: The most wonderful part: Being surrounded by Art and Artists on a daily, hourly basis. The least wonderful part: Living in the city of the Renaissance, Florence, eventually created a voracious hunger in me for 'other' Art. I clearly remember going to visit a collection of the work of Alberto Burri and finding it the equivalent of a cool compress.

EN: In what ways does living here at the edge of Lake Superior inspire and influence you?
SB: The color. The air. The people. I find it hard not to be inspired by where we live. It is as if we live at the edge of an ever-changing Rothko painting.

Clasp

EN: How do you find the balance between making art and teaching art? How does each inform the other?
SB: I consider myself quite lucky to be passionate about both. To be honest, when my work in the studio is going well, my personal excitement about art making helps to influence my teaching. When my studio work is not going as well as I might hope, seeing my students exploring their own paths is unbelievably inspiring. I am thankful every day to have such complementary focal points in my professional life.

EN: Where can people see more of your work?
SB: Upcoming exhibitions at the Zeitgeist Atrium, opening May 6th, and The Phantom Gallery on Broadway in Superior, WI: Opening May 8th. I will have work displayed at the Duluth Art Institute‘s Water Works Exhibition starting June of 2013.

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This week is year one of the North x North Experience here in the Twin Ports, a celebration of arts and music. While you're in Superior Wednesday be sure to visit the North End Arts Gallery and the Red Mug at the corner of Broadway & Hammond, for art, poetry and an accordion rap. All exhibits are free, and the appetizers scrumptious.

For a full listing of Visual Arts Week Events across the Twin Ports visit the DAI's dedicated page of current activities You can also follow all the North x North Music and Arts Experience events on their dedicated Facebook page. 

NXN Visual Arts Week Is Here

It's here. NXN Visual Arts Week has arrived in the Northland. Along with the art, it's also supposed to warm up and pretend to be spring.

The idea of devoting a week to the celebration of visual arts is neither unique nor new. Ottawa, for example has been celebrating the arts with a week of gallery openings and shows from April 25 thru May 4 this spring. NOW HEAR THIS: This week it's our turn. So even if on one level this is nothing unique, on another level it feels remarkably new.

This is Year One of North x North, the Music and Arts Experience. To make it happen has been a monumental effort by a whole lot of volunteers. Some artists and events didn't get listed in the press packets. Some galleries may not have been included in the calendars. But from where I sit, even with a few fumbles and blocked kicks, the game is on and the local arts scene is moving the ball down the field.

For a quick overview of some of the events lined up this coming week, check out the DAI Visual Arts Week page. You'll see times and places for events at Lake Superior College, Pineapple Arts, Tweed Museum, Phantom Galleries Superior, Lake Superior Glass, the Duluth Art Institute, Prøve Gallery, Washington Gallery, Ochre Ghost, Northern Prints Gallery Goin' Postal, and more. And more.

The schedule shows happenings nearly every day at Pineapple Arts. (I have had a few pieces there) If you can only make it to a few, try dropping in Tuesday for their exhibition, Faces of Earth: Art by Children and Youth. It's is a celebration of K-12 student work assembled by six UMD art ed alumni art teachers, an experimental exhibition in this experimental space. There's plenty more in that space the rest of the week in an effort to support art in the schools.

A quick plug for the 2013 Goin' Postal Spring Art Show. It's Friday the 10th. There will be as many as 20 artists' works displayed, including many of my usual pieces plus some new things. My John & Yoko painting will be auctioned off along with some other pieces by other artists. There will be an afterparty at Bev's Jook Joint next door with live music and more.

I mention this in part to note that Tower Avenue is torn up and to find the gallery/event you'll want to enter through the alley from Ogden. Undoubtedly there will be signs. Just follow the yellow brick road.

Study for John & Yoko

Early version of John & Yoko, mixed pigments on panel, 36"x 24"

Eight Minutes with Painter Alison Price

Alison Price is one of several artists whose work was being celebrated February 21 in the current round of Phantom Galleries Superior called THAW. Her exhibition-theme is aptly titled Allusions and her use of color easily draws one in. A Minneapolis artist, she is currently studying in the arts program at University of Wisconsin-Superior.

EN: Your artist statement begins with a quote from Aristotle about art's aim to represent the inner things. I believe Kandinsky made similar comments 100 years ago. Who have been your biggest influences in this use of color?

Alison Price: Playing with color has always been an inextricable part of me. From sitting under a bubbled glass patio table, and watching the play of color and light, to taking Kleenex, and immediately after a rain, patting the tissue into the gutters along the street, and dripping food coloring onto the wet tissue, watching it bloom and merge into wonderful colors and patterns. Collecting these, I put them in the sun to dry on the sidewalk. I was perhaps 3 or 4 years old. I haven't changed!

As I got older, maybe 6-7, I remember critiquing corporate color choices thinking the orange and blue combination of Howard Johnson's was vaguely shabby, and the brown, orange and red tiles at Burger King generally unpleasant, and the red and turquoise of the ubiquitous K-mart logo not attractive. And on the opposite hand, I found the non-rainbow of Apple very happy, oh! and the NBC peacock? Loved!

I cannot remember a time when I didn't love and appreciate color. The influences are and have been everything around me, always.

EN: It seems like the Twin Cities art scene is really vibrant right now. What are the main drivers there?

AP: The Twin Cities have been fortunate to have very generous arts benefactors since the times of J.J. Hill, T.B. Walker and Tyrone Guthrie. With the contributions of these arts advocates in place, the fantastic Minnesota State Arts Board, the McKnight and Jerome Foundations, as well as numerous others, the Twin Cities is an incredible place to be an artist.

The areas blooming now are the Northeast Arts District in NE Minneapolis, and the Lowertown area of St. Paul. Just over a decade ago, both areas were run down, tired, and in desperate need of revitalization. Organizations such as ArtSpace, NEMAA, the supportive landlords, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have come to the rescue, combining these resources with the passions of artists and the organizations listed above have made NE Minneapolis and Lowertown hot "must see" destinations.

EN: What prompted you to create your Mosaic Soul series?

AP: Ah! Such a very personal question. The Mosaic Soul series refers to the tiny squares which make up my images. Each square represents a person and their energy. Whether they interact with me and my energy dictates the composition of the painting. Each square is a resonating, vibrant opportunity for a connection. Some connections happen, while others do not.

EN: Your "Allusions" series appears to be about color and nature. What's the story behind the title of this exhibit?

AP: Allusions (noun) 1. An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

I felt as if this word summed up art, most specifically, abstract or non representational, art. What is the feeling a work inspires in the viewer? What connections and emotions are stimulated?

Each piece in the Allusions collection is about our connection to each other, our immediate environment and our place, essentially, in existence. Beginning with Mitochondrial and Hypothesis, this pair of paintings speak to our race's fascination with science, the question "Where do we come from?", and the answers we have discovered thus far and the new questions those answers have unearthed.

Guardian, Willow Weeps and Wisdom Shared tell the tale of Cold Water Spring, a 10,000 year old spring in Minneapolis which has been a sacred gathering place for humans for hundreds of years, and the site of gentle, caring cohabitation of the earliest settlers and the Native population. This series speaks to the fragility of our eco and social systems, and the importance of respect for culture and our planet.

Detail from larger piece from Allusions series.

Sending My Love, Joyful, and Buoyant are perhaps the most esoteric of the collection. The colorful bubbles represent our energy as we send it out to our loved ones and those needing emotional support. We begin as colorful tendrils which readily ball up, and travel where needed. Ah, a bit too "arty"? I liken this to those times when one thinks, out of the blue, of a dear friend, and says to oneself, "Yes! I must call them right away," and then, the phone rings... it is your friend. Energy, being 'pinged' across the universe. So many connections.

EdNote: To see Alison Price's exhibit space visit 1112 Tower Avenue. You can see more of Alison's work at her online gallery Alison Price Studios or her Facebook page Alison Price Art.

THAW Opening Tonight In Superior

THAW, a late winter art event, is opening tonight. Phantom Galleries Superior is hosting four exhibitions that explore environments in vacant downtown storefronts.The opening night receptions begin at 5:00 p.m.

The four locations are once again on Tower Avenue in Superior, Wisconsin. Each has its own theme and flavor.  The titles and exhibits are as follows.

‘Allusions’
1112 Tower Ave
Paintings by Alison Price
Ambient Music by Rachel Nelson from 5-6:30 pm
Artist talk….. 7:30

‘Suspended Animation’
1215 Tower Ave
Mixed media installation by Colin James Wiita
Artist talk…. 6:00 pm

‘Familiar Waters’
1302 Tower Ave (window only)
Mixed media fabric paintings by Hope Thier

‘Snowdog Tales’
1412 Tower Ave
Oil paintings by Judie Phillips
Artist Talks: Hope Thier and Judie Phillips…. 7pm

I peeked into the windows yesterday and saw some pretty interesting work. Someone described Alison Price's paintings as "a long drink of color." Based on what I saw that's a pretty good description. Within Colin Wiita's space I'm only expecting one thing: the unexpected. Looking forward to exploring there later this evening.

Hope Their's fabric paintings are stationed in the large window space that several previous exhibits have occupied. Dutifully positioned like guardians they are easy to enjoy by day or by night.

Judie Phillips' large snowdogs evoke the special relationship our Northland has with this time of year, not shackled indoors but roaming free and eager and energetic. Sled dogs fascinate us when we're young and later when we have children they, too, become fascinated. Phillips' passion for sled dogs comes from her experience of training, showing and racing Siberian huskies. 

All this to say, if you're able to swing by there will be some cool things to see, and people to meet. The artists and their friends will be there to make you feel at home in the empty spaces they've brought to life through creative expression.

See you there!

PRØVE Offers Proof That Art Scene Is Heating Up

If there's been any doubt, this week's arts openings showed that there's not only a vital art community swelling in the Twin Ports, but also an increasingly interested public. Last night's opening at the PRØVE Gallery  in downtown Duluth attracted an impressive, steady crowd and proved that the visual arts in the Twin Ports has been gelling into a vibrant scene these past few years. The paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture of more than 40 artists was displayed in the midst of a record release party with live music by Lion or Gazelle of Chaperone Records.

The week began with the Duluth Art Institute's Biennial opening at the Depot, showcasing some of the region's premiere artists. The following night the Twin Ports Arts Align met downstairs in the former Children's Museum, which is now the new home of the Play Ground Theater. The public event drew another large crowd from across many sectors of the arts community. Discussions regarding the best way to utilize the space were fostered and all were welcomed to vote on whether a new name was in order for the new digs.

Thursday, two Superior locations played host to the Phantom Galleries openings with a generous spread of wine, treats, chocolates and caramel sauce by Heidi Ash's 185Chocolat The 1112 Tower Avenue location featured a group of painters who began meeting over a year ago as a result of the first round of Phantom Galleries installations: Kathy Kollodge, Teresa Cox Kolar, Lori Franklin, and Anita Curtis. At 1412 Tower, you could find Erika Mock, eco-wear; Karin Kraemer, pottery; Jim Grittner, pottery; Erik Pearson, painting; Karen Monson-Thompson, handwovens; Angela Haworth, quilting and fiber jewels; Terry Milliken, toys; Judie Phillips, pet portraits; Patty Davey, glass jewelry; Daniell LaPorte. All the elements were there and both locations will be open again next Thursday if you need one last Christmas gift idea.

Last night at the PRØVE Naomi Sundog Yaeger-Bischoff, editor of the Duluth Budgeteer, told me a story about a painting one of her parents looked at and almost purchased 30 years ago, but declined. Three decades later and they still regret that decision. It only served to affirm something I have been saying numerous times in recent years. If you look a a painting that you enjoy at a show, you appreciate it briefly. If you purchase that painting, you can enjoy it the rest of your life.

A Gingerbread World

I would be remiss to neglect mentioning the very, very cool Gingerbread House showcase, also in the Sons of Norway Building two doors up from the PRØVE.If you're in the neighborhood do check it out. I've never seen anything like it.

I believe the gallery will be open again today from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. if you're reconsidering something you passed on last night. But there are plenty of other places to pick up last minute arts and crafts. There's a Holiday Bazaar at the former Emerson School at 1030 West 3rd Street from 10 - 5 today. And the usual galleries and locations are open from the new Art in the Alley next to the Zeitgeist to Lizzard's, Art Dock and all the rest.

If you were early you had it all to yourself, but not for long.

Mark Your Calendars

For most of us this is a bit too busy time of year, but  it can bet easier if you write things on your calendar and plan ahead. Is it because December falls at the wrong time of the year? Maybe we should move it up a little. Or add a few weeks between Thanksgiving and the day we celebrate the holy birth. At least we're not getting bored. If you need a breather from shopping, here are some upcoming events to put on your calendars.

The ArtCracker

On Saturday, December 8th Washington Studios Artists' Co-op will i opening its doors and inviting the public to an event they call The Artcracker. It's essentially a large open house involving the dozens of artists who live and work there at the co-op, with  live performing arts, member open studios and arts and crafts for sale in the halls from 11:00am - 5:00pm. It would be a good idea not to spend all your money at the big box retailers until you have checked out the ceramics, crafts and other locally-created goods that will be on display here and elsewhere. When I say elsewhere I mean...

Phantom Galleries 

Nightmarket

Nightmarket is tonight and every Thursday till Christmas at 1412 Tower Ave and 1112 Tower Avenue in Superior. 1112 Tower Ave is featuring the Phantom Painters group, presenting their works for both show and sale. Kathy Kollodge, Teresa Cox Kolar, Lori Franklin, and Anita Curtis. The work of 11 local artists and artisans will be shared at 1412 Tower, in the New York Building. The hours are from 4 till 9, and yes, it is starting to get dark around four, which is why it's called the Nightmarket.

(in)VISIBLE GIFTS: Celebrations of Community

The Opening Gala for all Phantom Gallery Superior locations will be next Thursday, Dec 13. In addition to receptions at 1112 and 1412 Tower Ave, there will be walking tours (weather permitting), and artist talks starting at 6pm. The artists in this team of exhibits are all inspired by the resonance that happens working together in the same space.

Duluth Art Institute Biennial

As always, the DAI Member show is something to look forward to each January. But every other year the DAI conducts a juried show and it should be stellar. The opening reception for this event, which features works by 39 artists, will be Monday from 5:30-7:00 pm in the John Steffl Gallery. Three awards will be announced, with a check for $1000 going to the winning entry, which is nothing to sneeze at, though I suspect it's like a Super Bowl ring, with greater importance on the achievement than on the cash. Best of luck to all artist friends who passed the first hurdle by being accepted into the show. I will see you there.

PROVE, Ochre Ghost and more

As noted, you will need to mark your calendars in order to schedule all these goings-on around your other Christmas parties and such. So while you're doing that be sure to set aside Friday December 14 for the Under $100 show at the PROVE and Mauro Alves (Mau Ro) will be showing his paintings two blocks east through the alley, with live music by Minneapolis singer/songwriter Jaw Knee Vee who has been compared to a punk version of Charlie Parr. All that at the Ochre Ghost.

I'm only doing a skim here. The Polar Express, the Nutcracker, Bentleyville and assorted Christmas choir programs are all waiting for you here. The Twin Ports doesn't need to be solely a summer vacationland. The lights are fantastic and there's a lot of great things to see and do. And let's not forget the music.

Keep that song going strong.

Twin Ports Gallery Progressive Begins Tonight

I mentioned it Monday so you can't say I didn't warn you. The gallery hoppers will be out tonight. If you've been hearing people talk about the vibrancy in our local art scene, the Gallery Progressive would be a great opportunity to get out and catch the flavor of what's been happening.

New photography by Andrew Perfetti at Goin' Postal

This week Goin' Postal in Superior has been re-painting walls and putting in long hours organizing and prepping for a show featuring at least fifteen and maybe as many as twenty artists. I'll have an assortment of new paintings there and am looking forward to many new artists who will be part of tomorrow night's events.

Across the bridge, Pineapple Art Duluth has dressed up its walls with a new coat of paint and has done some re-decorating with a lot of new art and heart. Pineapple Art is alternate art store run by artists, not big box retailers. It's come to my attention that the gallery is getting ready to place a new order for art supplies and will pay shipping if you have something you need. Stop by during the day today or tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to see what's new.

Just for the Season Gallery is having a reception today from 3-7. They are not just for the season, though. Edna Blanchard is the featured artist with her current show titled "Hang It All." I love the word play.

A lot of artists enjoy language as well. Sometimes the titles of John Heino's photos leave me in stitches. Recently one of his photos of the front tip of a boat reflected in the water was titled, "Take a Bow." When I reflected on this, it made me want to paint a picture of a man carrying the limb of a tree he'd just cut off and call it, "Take a Bough."

Phantom Galleries Superior is having an art party tonight from 5-9 p.m. The name of their event is Front and Back, with featured artists Angela Howarth, Cecilia Ramon, Terry Millikan, Luke Krisak aand Chris Watten in four locations. In addition, at 7 o'clock they will be taking a flashlight tour of the Back Door alley murals that were created this year through the alleys. Way cool.

Much more could be said, but this is probably enough. I just wanted to remind you that there's some really amazing creative work being produced in our region and this is a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of a portion of it.

The full schedule for the galleries and artist talks appears in today's Wave in the DNT (thank you) or in my Monday blog post.

Hopefully I'll see you on there, wherever that might be.

Artists Share Experiences From First Year of Phantom Galleries Superior

The first year of Phantom Galleries is officially over. And what a very special year.

As is often the case in life, in order to move forward it is important to look back. For this reason the Superior SPACES team invited all artists involved with the Phantom Galleries Project to gather once more for an informal discussion regarding the effectiveness of this past year’s Phantom Gallery experiences. The aim is to tweak what was clearly a valuable experience to make it even more effective for the local community.

The meeting was held at 1112 Tower Avenue with Tonja Sell's wonderful paintings and sculptures serving as a backdrop for 90 minutes of good dialogue. The purpose of last night's gathering was to seek input from the artists regarding the first year of this important project. I use the word important primarily to express my personal conviction that bringing the arts, the business community, and the wider public together has significant value for the revitalization of communities not only here locally but nationally as well.

Erika Mock moderated the discussion. "I’m so thrilled at how this past year went," she began. The agenda was simply an informal dialogue aimed at discovering what worked and what didn’t.

The observation was made that even though all the Phantom Galleries were within eight blocks of one another here on Tower Avenue, each gallery space was situated in a different neighborhood. That is, the businesses around each space each had a different character.

Kathy McTavish shared how setting up her space adjacent to the Androy Hotel drew people in. "While installing my work I talked to a man who had never been to an art gallery. He helped us set up and got involved."

Screen printer and painter Gary Reed, the famous Phantom of the Gallery at some of the openings, noted that many of the people who saw the art in these spaces would never go to an art museum. Many have never seen an art book or read an art magazine. There is a certain sort of innocence in the manner in which some of the visitors to these spaces approached the art on display there.

Jeredt Runions concurred, adding that this is part of his motivation for having shows in restaurants and other public spaces. Runions brought a copy of Juxtapoz magazine to point out that the theme of the recent May issue had to do with this very thing, art in public spaces. He likewise affirmed the value of public art and shared his experience with the mural project last year which got the community involved in a high profile project. The way the kids responded was a thrill for him.

The Red Interactive show received similar comments. Because people invited to the opening were asked to bring something red (for a collaborative sculpture) and to wear something red, "it made us feel part of it," someone said. 

It was also interesting how the various artists used the spaces in which their works were displayed. Kathy Kollodge held painting classes in the New York Building space. Red Interactive collaborators John Heino and Ed Newman conducted a brown bag lunch discussion that circled around questions regarding art in a post-modern world. John Heino led the discussion, titled "Engagement or Chaos," which sought to get clarification with regard to what art is. Is everything art? Or is art only art after it has been "blessed" by some authority? The dialogue was intended as a starting point for future discussions regarding the relationship of art, commerce and culture.

In 2011 Phantom Galleries Superior (PGS) was one of six Phantom Gallery initiatives in the state of Wisconsin supported by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. PGS is a unique partnership between Superior Public Art Creating Community Environments (SPAC2ES) and Superior Business Improvement District (BID), the property owners, the artists, and the community. Use of properties is generously donated by the owners. Additional support comes from multiple artistic resources, the BID, and the Morgan Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

"The circle of art includes bringing it to the world," Mock said. It will be interesting to see how it far can go.

Wordless Wednesday: Buddha-A-Day with Footnote

These pictures are from Ellen Sandbeck's Buddha-a-Day series. In April you can see her work in person as, she will be having a Phantom Gallery show in Superior with the potter Jim Grittner. The show will be at 1412 Tower Avenue in Superior. There will be an opening night event on the evening of April 19th, and the show will be open again on Earth Day, April 21st, during the Twin Ports Art Crawl.

Phantom of the Gallery Makes Appearance at Red Interactive Opening

Last night was our Red Interactive Art Opening in Superior, WI. Based on the energy produced it was an invigorating experience that evoked generous quantities of smiles, creativity, appreciation and at times even awe.

Red Interactive is the result of months of conceptualization and dialogue. John Heino and I have frequently expressed a desire to collaborate on a project together over the past few years, but we were not sure when or how or what form it would take until we saw the initial call to artists for Phantom Galleries Superior.

Phantom Galleries Superior (PGS) is one of six Phantom Gallery initiatives in the state of Wisconsin supported by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. PGS is a unique partnership between Superior Public Art Creating Community Environments (SPAC2ES) and Superior Business Improvement District (BID), the property owners, the artists, and the community. Use of properties is generously donated by the owners. Additional support comes from multiple artistic resources, the BID, and the Morgan Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

One of the challenges for John Heino and myself centered on how to communicate our ambiguous, open-ended concepts in an artists description of the project in order to gain approval to obtain a space for our show. We knew our aim would be to engage a public, but the physical form this would take was undefined.

An early iteration of our thoughts went like this: Our work is about perception and connection. The connections are built around the various thematic meanings of Red. We were also striving through interactive social media to make universal connections involving multiple continents and cultures.

This kind of nebulous language left too much up in the air. Eventually we produced more concrete descriptions of where the project would go. This statement was ultimately pposted on our Red Interactive Facebook page:

The physical component of Red Interactive aims to open in the fall of 2011 in Superior, Wisconsin (specific date and location TBA) and run for two months. At each of three events, red-themed art and found objects will be collaboratively arranged in a 3D composition within the physical space. Each event will also feature red-themed performances (music, dance, poetry, etc.). Parallel to the physical show, space and performances, Red Interactive will have a virtual space here on this Facebook page and through the full array of online channels such as Twitter and blogs. Some elements will move back and forth between physical and virtual Red Interactive spaces. This is open architecture. We welcome all artists, creative thinkers and people who simply enjoy art--particularly experimental projects. The only boundary is that this is a public arts project, so we ask that all physical and virtual contributions are appropriate for public display.

The big thrill last night was the cross-section of visitors from all walks of life and the wildly wide range of participants in the collaborative sculpture. As imagined, the open-ended definition of what the show would be invited unexpected surprises. Jeredt Runions contributed sidewalk art directing citizens of Superior to the front door. And the surprisingly wonderful Phantom of the Gallery showed up to dazzle, amuse and delight all who were present in the early part of the evening. There's no business like (red) show business.

Another big thrill was the involvement of artists from all seven continents in last night's show. We invited many of them to follow us on Facebook while the show was going on and two artists from Ireland texted us to say they were enjoying the building of our Red Interactive sculpture as we streamed it live onto the Internet. At the top of this page is the Art Wall of China which garnered a lot of attention. At the bottom of this page is a parting shot of the gallery after the festivities were concluded, showing the results of our red sculpture composition. Everyone had been encouraged to wear something red and to bring something red for the sculptural assembly. It came together like a dream.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who joined us last night, and to all involved in the process of making the Phantom Galleries Superior project possible, especially Erika Mock who curated our show.

Two more events are planned in this space as part of Red Interactive. At some point in early-to-mid-October we will be having a Brown Bag Lunch dialogue in the space where we explore the meaning of art in our lives, the importance of public art and the role of art and artists in culture. Then, on October 20 will be a four-hour multi-gallery event as part of Phantom Galleries Superior.

For more photos and commentary on last night's event visit and "Like" Red Interactive on Facebook.

Red Interactive art opening slated for September 22 in Superior

Red Interactive is inviting the public to an art opening the evening of September 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1410 Tower Avenue in Superior (the New York Building). The project is an experimental art initiative conceived by Ed Newman and John Heino as part of Phantom Galleries Superior.

Utilizing social media, Red Interactive has received virtual and physical submissions from six continents, a dozen countries and a dozen states over the past few months since its inception in May. This opening is the first tangible event presenting a sample of what has been happening in virtual space. Admission is free. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear red.

On display will be the acrylic paintings and mixed media constructions by Newman and the photography of Heino as well as work by various contributors to the Red Interactive Facebook community which had more than 21,000 pageviews this past month. One section of the gallery is devoted to kids’ pictures from China. The event will also feature red-themed dance performances.

“We’re asking that everyone who joins us that night bring with them a red object that can be incorporated into a collaborative sculpture,” said Newman.

In response to the question, “Why red?” Heino says, “Red is a trigger and a theme. It could have been ‘blue’ or "farm animals’ or ‘show tunes for $100.’ The theme merely presents the first thread from which the ultimate tapestry is woven into fractals of infinity. Why red? Because it has such a rich array of connotations – passion, danger, romance, intrigue and the like.”

Phantom Galleries Superior is one of six Phantom Gallery initiatives in the state of Wisconsin supported by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. PGS is a unique partnership between Superior Public Art Creating Community Environments (SPAC2ES) and Superior Business Improvement District (BID), the property owners, the artists, and the community. Use of properties is generously donated by the owners. Additional support comes from multiple artistic resources, the BID, and the Morgan Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

For immediate release, September 9, 2011

For more information about Red Interactive contact:
John Heino jheino@chartermi.net or (218) 590-1145

For information about Phantom Galleries Superior contact: Erika Mock erikamock@gmail.com 715.392.1150

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Phantom Galleries Update

My brother posted an interesting statement the other day on his Facebook page. Earth, without art, is just "Eh".... Eh?

There were some post cards sent out this week from the Phantom Galleries Superior inviting people to pARTicipate in this project which has been designed to be a collaboration between the art, business and community in downtown Superior. A reception, dialogue and walking tour have been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25 at 1410 Tower Avenue.

The featured artists in this round of Phantom Galleries include Ken Kollodge ("Iced Light" photography) and his wife Kathy (paintings), Jeredt Runions (with a display titled "Dreamcatcher") and David Derbis, whose paintings on the corner of 13th and Tower have caught a lot of attention.

Phantom Galleries places 24/7 temporary art installation into vacant storefronts, inviting the people to be curious about what's happening there. Everything is for sale, so there is a sense in which it is also an economic initiative.

The Phantom Gallery concept has taken root in quite a wide range of cities across the country, from L.A. to Millville, NJ. Six cities in Wisconsin have been endorsed by the state arts board and

The next round of Phantom Galleries will include what hopes to be a surprisingly outside the box gallery conceived by photographer John Heino and myself called Red Interactive. Please take a few moments to visit us and post on our wall. More info about the planned Red Flashmob and other Red Adventures will be posted there. We hope you will "Like" and join us.

In the meantime, have a great weekend. Find something beautiful to do.

Top Right: Ken Kollodge, who will be at this week's Phantom Gallery open house/reception ot 1410 Tower.