Local Art Seen: the ørigin of birds

Friday evening the Prøve Gallery in downtown Duluth offered up another exceptional opening titled ”origin of birds”, a multimedia adventure conceived/produced by Kathy McTavish. The installation is best described by the artist's notes:

The ”origin of birds” exhibit at the Prøve includes a multimedia installation and interactive web site created by a film generator that I call the “graffiti angel.” The origin of birds mixes image, sound, data, text and a live twitter stream to create a video collage / a multi-sensory torrent. The installation includes multiple projections, live performance, and QR code “portals” into an interactive web environment for viewers with mobile devices.

A musical accompaniment by virtuoso cellist McTavish and Richie Townsend on a subdued electric guitar added yet another dimension. The spaciousness of the room and the high production values helped create an atmosphere and experience uncommon in this region.

There was also a participatory piece which enabled visitors to the gallery to add messages to the existing wall of digital images being delivered within the space, though I felt this was underplayed and should have been highlighted more. It's my understanding that this is the first of several installations for "origin of birds" and it may be that the interactive piece can be enhanced in future iterations.

Needless to say the opening was dramatic. The room was abuzz.

Here's the background story on the origin of birds:

According to an ancient Greek story, the god Chaos was the first to emerge at the creation of the universe. Soon after her came Gaia (Earth), Tartaros (the Underworld) and Eros (Love). In many versions, Chaos then gave birth to the Birds. From the primordial depths of time, from Chaos herself came these winged first beings. This wild birthing created migrations and flight.

In more recent times, soon after Darwin published his book, On the Origin of the Species, scientists began a heated debate about the origin of birds. Most scientists today believe that birds are one of the few remaining descendants of the dinosaurs.

In our own brief Anthropocene era, we are witnessing a rapid increase in the rate of extinction. We are in a geologic epoch marked indelibly by a human-created, asteroid-scale period of rapid loss of life as we know it on the planet. This planetary devastation is entering a very fast-moving era, and soon birds quite possibly will be swallowed back into some primordial chaos.

Whatever your take on their origin, it's easy to understand the fascination with birds, how they fit into the grand scheme of things and what their future holds in light of the present changes taking place in our global ecology.

The projected imagery was frequently abstract and struck me as something of a Rorschach test in which one projects interpretations. Some imagery was very definite, such as the aerial view of the St. Louis River Bay aquifer, an area rich with ornithology and aquatic life, both similarly challenged by 100 years of industrialism on these self-same shores.

In addition to event itself McTavish produced a book that accompanied the show. The print media version contains imagery that stylistically corresponds with, but does not reproduce, the images in the show.

There was also a Saturday workshop & discussion designed to look at creative transmedia /storytelling across boundaries. McTavish planned to share examples of artists and writers working in this emerging form, digging deeper into the confluence of technology and art as well as sharing some of the tools used to create the exhibit.

Certainly we've come a long ways since Picasso's groundbreaking Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. And as technologies evolve, so will the new and inventive ways in which they morph with the arts continue. Hence we can anticipate a future that will likewise continue surprise and amaze us.

Upcoming Visual Arts Events in the Twin Ports

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." ~Pablo Picasso

Picasso passed away 41 years ago this past Tuesday, but his influence remains, one of the three or four most influential artists of the twentieth century. A painter, sculptor, ceramicist, printmaker, poet and playwright -- he did it all, and always with his unique fingerprint. He was always trying new things and never settled permanently on a singular trademarked style. The quote above really does say it all. In the beginning he learned the techniques of the Masters. Then took that knowledge in new, innovative directions, opening new possibilities for art in the most fluid century in history up to his point in time, an era of change.

Here are some noteworthy art happenings in the Twin Ports the next few days.

TONIGHT

Girls Night Out..... SHOP AND PARTY featuring Art in the Alley and Black Water Lounge.
5-7 p.m.  Details HERE.

Zeitgeist Arts and The Duluth Art Institute present "Hero/Villain/Savior/Scoundrel: Images of Jim Carlson & Don Ness" April 5-May 10
Mayor Ness said he may avoid the opening, but he's undoubtedly curious. Since the two events are across the street from each other, you might as well just stay downtown. The appetizers are wonderful at Blackwater, as well as Zeitgeist. My mouth is already watering.
7-9 p.m. Details HERE

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FRIDAY

Landscapes of Northern Minnesota featuring the art of Wendy Savage-Blue
This one was postponed due to one of our recent weather events. I was glad they did not reschedule while I was out of town. Looking forward to this show at Trepanier Hall
5-7 p.m. Details HERE

the ørigin of birds
A show featuring Kathy McTavish's multimedia installation at the PROVE Gallery.
Opening Reception 7-11 p.m. with live music by the cosmic pit orchestra.
There will be a Saturday workshop as well.
Details HERE

* * * *
SUNDAY

The Lori and Teresa Spring Studio Sale
2-7 p.m. at their Purple Sun Studio
Details HERE

* * * *
And if you haven't seen Ken Marunowski's latest work, it's worth going out of your way to see. Head to Beaners sometime during the month of April, grab a cup of java and enjoy.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it.

PS: One more reminder about our Call for Art for Red Mug Show in May featuring art inspired by Bob Dylan. Details HERE

Upcoming Twin Ports Arts Events Not To Be MIssed

Hard to believe it's already April. Actually it's this weather that's hard to believe. 6500 homes were without power in our section of Duluth's outskirts, and more than a few were concerned about how long that outage was going to last. At least we didn't have the tornado that some people had near Saint Leon in Southwest Minnesota.

The weather forecast does not look promising for some of this week's happenings. Nevertheless, here are a few items to place on your calendar.

Kenneth Marunowski Art Opening: The Brewhouse Drawings 
Art Opening with Live Music, April 3, 6-9 p.m.
Beaners Central

Marunowski is becoming one of the premiere plein air painters of our region, and his newest collection of work, "The Brewhouse Drawings", will be displayed at Beaners for the month of April. Many of the pictures are abstract depictions of Low, Charlie Parr, and The Boomchucks during past performances at Fitgers Brewhouse. The kickoff event includes performances by The Boomchucks, and  Alan Sparhawk Gossamer Road (poetry/music duo of Tina Marie Higgins & Gaelynn Lea Music)


Ellen Sandbeck: "Rock, Paper, Scissors"
Artist Reception, April 4, 5-7 p.m.
The Red Mug Coffeehouse 

At one time, Ellen Sandbeck was making paper cutout stencils for Dover Books. Then she expanded her world. She has prolific amounts of creative energy which she pours into writing books, making art, worm composting and organic landscaping. You can more about Ellen's career here at the official event invitation.

Hero/Villain/Savior/Scoundrel: Portraits of Jim Carlson & Don Ness
Art Opening: April 10, 7-9 p.m.
Zeitgeist Atrium

In January Annie Dugan, Interim Director at the Duluth Art Institute, asked if I would be interested in doing a painting for a special art event featuring portraits of Mayor Don Ness and Jim Carlson, proprietor of the controversial head shop Last Place On Earth. Sounded fun to me and I was in. Next week is the big day for the opening. Contributing artists include a host of familiar names including, but not limited to, Adam Swanson, Bridget Riversmith, Joe Klander, Dann Matthews, Whitney Saurer, Tyler Scouton, Jack Bratrud and myself.

The opening for this show will be in the Zeitgeist Atrium, but if you can't be there, the exhibit will be on display from April 5-May 10. More information here.

the ørigin of birds 
Opening Reception Friday April 11th, 7-11 pm 
The PROVE Gallery

Kathy McTavish continues to produce astonishing work. What follows are some of her notes about the show to whet your imagination's appetite in preparation for this show.  There will also be live music from the Cosmic Pit Orchestra. See you there!

artist notes

The ”origin of birds” exhibit at the Prøve includes a multimedia installation and interactive web site created by a film generator that I call the “graffiti angel.” The origin of birds mixes image, sound, data, text and a live twitter stream to create a video collage / a multi-sensory torrent. The installation includes multiple projections, live performance, and QR code “portals” into an interactive web environment for viewers with mobile devices.

The Saturday workshop / discussion will take a look at creative transmedia / storytelling across boundaries. I will share examples of artists / writers working in this emerging form. We will talk about the confluence of technology and art - drilling into some of the tools used to create the exhibit including html5, css3, javascript and Adobe Creative Cloud editing software. The workshop will be accessible to everyone.

The background story - the origin of birds:

According to an ancient Greek story, the god Chaos was the first to emerge at the creation of the universe. Soon after her came Gaia (Earth), Tartaros (the Underworld) and Eros (Love). In many versions, Chaos then gave birth to the Birds. From the primordial depths of time, from Chaos herself came these winged first beings. This wild birthing created migrations and flight.

In more recent times, soon after Darwin published his book, On the Origin of the Species, scientists began a heated debate about the origin of birds. Most scientists today believe that birds are one of the few remaining descendants of the dinosaurs.

In our own brief Anthropocene era, we are witnessing a rapid increase in the rate of extinction. We are in a geologic epoch marked indelibly by a human-created, asteroid-scale period of rapid loss of life as we know it on the planet. This planetary devastation is entering a very fast-moving era, and soon birds quite possibly will be swallowed back into some primordial chaos.

The origin of birds project is funded by the Jerome Foundation. This activity is also funded by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. Thank you Minnesota!

There's more happening in April than I have time to express, and right now it's time for me to hit the road.

Art goes on all around you. Engage it.