Now You Know Where The AICHO Building Downtown Is Located

Giclee reproductions of work by Rabbet Strickland can be found here.

For the past five years I have been writing and telling people about events at the AICHO, former YWCA that houses the newly named Dr. Robert Powless Community Center. All too often I'm met with blank expressions. "Where's that?"

Well, now we know. As you drive East on Second Street from Mesabi and past the courthouse, we've got a landmark. Here's the backstory from yesterday's DNT regarding the new mural on the West-facing side of the AICHO property.

Now that you know how to find it, I'll mention again the Indigenous Arts shop inside where you can find gifts and various items created by local

Detail from Leah Yellowbird piece.

artists and craftspersons.

KBJR also produced this account of the new mural.

But art is not the only thing happening here. Housing for homeless families has been created, along with a deepened sense of community.

When I met with director Michelle LeBeau last week I learned that AICHO now owns five properties, including a battered women's shelter and a new facility in the developing West End that includes a larger gift shop and laundromat, along with more housing. Low income housing is a critical need here in the Twin Ports.

Moira, on staff here, is a superfine artist in her own right.

"Creation Story" by Karen Savage.

Here's my original story on the mural, and what follows are some additional photos from the roof and inside the gift shop.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.

Back to the Age Old Question: What Is Art?

It used to be obvious. Or so it seemed. Art galleries, collectors and museums preserved and displayed the art from each generation. In the past century a breakdown occurred, and over time it no longer became clear what was and was not considered art. Warhol's Brillo Boxes contributed.

"Doubles, With Baseboard" -- 12"x 16" Oil on Panel, Frank Holmes

I woke the other day thinking about a gallery in which lumber had been stacked in the middle of the room as one of the pieces of art in an exhibition there. The question being asked, I believe, is whether the same lumber stacked behind Menard's would be considered art, or does it only become art when stacked in a museum or gallery?

I remember seeing Warhol's Brillo boxes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They looked strikingly out of place, as if the janitor had put them down at the top of the stairs and forgot to go back and pick them up. Duchamp's famous urinal is also here in this same museum.

These latter two examples exemplify the post-modern ethic of questioning authority. Who decides what is art and not art? Who decided what is good and bad art? At one time print making was a craft outside of the realm of fine art. When is it sculpture and when is it simply ornamental embellishment?

As one reviewer stated regarding an Arthur Danto book, "Being an artist this question is never far from my mind on a daily basis." I myself can't say it is a daily question, but it certainly has been a recurring one. (Check out my 2012 posts related to this topic: Culture or Trash and It's Interesting, But Is It Art?)

While rummaging through listings on Amazon.com about this theme I came across a book carrying the same title as that last blog post, But Is It Art? by Cynthia Freeland. The book looks interesting and one of the comments on its subject matter is by Arthur C. Danto himself: "I know of no work that moves so swiftly and with so sure a footing through the battle zones of art and society today."

"Doubles" -- Oil on Panel, Frank Holmes

When one travels through quotes about art, one more often finds quotes about the feelings art generates than a definition of what art is. Here are some examples.

"Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man's emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity."
Leo Tolstoy, in an essay "What Is Art?

"Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known."
Oscar Wilde

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."
Thomas Merton

These kinds of quotes inspire artists, but avoid the black-and-white definitions that dogmatists are hoping for, and many artists don't really care all that much about how art gets defined as long as they are able to do, to produce, whatever it is that is striving to emerge from within. It doesn't always have to be beautiful, but it does seem necessary for the public to trust that the art is sincere or authentic, though maybe the only arena that matters is the one in which the artist herself or himself stands before the blank canvas -- or blank sheet of paper -- and does battle alone.

Georgia O'Keeffe stated, "Filling a space in a beautiful way. That's what art means to me." But what about the artist striving to reflect the world, whose vision of the world is its horror?

* * * *
Well, this is a discussion best left for another day. It's too big of a question for the small amount of time I have at this moment...

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

Art Credit: Paintings by American artist Frank Holmes, winner of 1973 Prix de Rome.

Sam Shepard: Actor, Playwright, Risk-Taker and Dylan Confederate

"I hate endings. Just detest them. Beginnings are definitely the most exciting, middles are perplexing and endings are a disaster. … The temptation towards resolution, towards wrapping up the package, seems to me a terrible trap. Why not be more honest with the moment? The most authentic endings are the ones which are already revolving towards another beginning. That’s genius." 
--Sam Shepard

I'm not sure how it happened by over the course of a lifetime there have been so many good books I read that later became Hollywood films. Among them, Andromeda Strain, Fantastic Voyage, Planet of the Apes, Charlie Wilson's War, The Godfather and many others. One book that I thoroughly enjoyed at the time when I read it was Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff. Like all great books, especially those with massive page counts, translating them to the screen has to be a challenge as there are so many details and in a Hollywood film so little time.

Though the film is purportedly a story of the first seven astronauts who helped propel the United States forward toward that impossible dream of landing men on the moon, it turns out that an eighth superhero memorably emerges, a man who diligently risked all behind the scenes, or above and beyond them, to set the stage for those other seven men who essentially rode tin cans into outer space during the Mercury program. That man was Chuck Yeager. As Johnny Cash might drawl, "Here was a man."

When the film was released in 1983 there were stars a-plenty, a first-rate screenplay and technical excellence in every aspect of the production. In the end they garnered 4 Gold Statues and a number of other nominations that showed the film, too, had the right stuff.

One of these nominations, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, went to Sam Shepard for his role as the now renowned Chuck Yeager.

When I think about the making of this film, I ask myself if the three major characters made jokes about their names and roles. Here's why. The role of Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut, was played by Scott Glenn. The role of John Glenn, first American to circumnavigate the globe in outer space, was played by Ed Harris. So Harris played Glenn, and Glenn played Shepard, while Shepard played this unknown character who might be best characterized as the daringest space cowboy of them all.

* * * *

So Sam Shepard has passed away -- an actor, playwright, director, author and screenwriter. As a playwright he earned a Pulitzer Prize. As an actor he starred in at least 25 films, most memorable for me being the film cited above, plus Black Hawk Down, Paris Texas, All the Pretty Horses and August: Osage County. He was also the evocative narrator in that classic E.B. White story Charlotte's Web.

* * * *

Dylan Collaborations
I've lost track of how many articles and stories that mention Dylan and Shakespeare in the same breath. Earlier this week I read the 1986 Rolling Stone interview titled Sam Shepard on Working With Dylan, Why Jim Morrison Has No Sense of Humor in which the leadoff question had to do with playwright Sam Shepard being compared with Shakespeare, and Shepard asserting Shakespeare didn't exist.

It's not listed in most of Shepard's credits but in addition to everything else for which he's known, he was also a songwriter, co-writing "Brownsville Girl" with Bob Dylan, which uses a Hollywood film starring Gregory Peck as a touchstone for its storyline, and was later included on Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Volume III. This is just one of many Dylan intersections in the course of a lifetime.

Shepard's early years in New York included a relationship with Patti Smith, who last December read Dylan's acceptance speech at the Nobel Academy and sang "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall."

In the early 1980's Shepard began a relationship with Jessica Lange, who played Nina Veronica in Dylan's 2003 film Masked and Anonymous. Lange, for what it's worth, is a Northlander who was born in Cloquet, Minnesota, about 15 minutes south of here, and graduated from Cloquet high school.

Shepard's most extensive involvement with Dylan was as co-writer of Renaldo and Clara, described alternately as an incoherent four-hour flop or a coherent creative endeavor blending three different ways of telling a story.

* * * *

And now, an unusual twist on this story. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio in the early Fifties. When I was two years old the Cleveland Plain Dealer began covering a murder case in which a doctor named Sam Sheppard allegedly murdered his wife. I doubt that I would remember this incident except that years later, after Sheppard spent many years in prison, Dr. Sheppard's case was returned to the courtroom amidst much publicity and public outcry. It was a brutal murder and though it seems everyone knew he was guilty, in the re-trial he won is freedom because the first trial should have been thrown out of court as a mistrial.

I was an impressionable 14-year-old when the Supreme Court weighed in. The name Sam Sheppard had become so embedded in my mind as a doctor who murdered his wife and won release from prison that when the writer/actor Sam Shepard's name began to emerge in the 70's I mistakenly thought that this was the same man. It was quite some time before the fog cleared on this matter for me.

* * * *

Sam Shepard the author/actor/playwright passed away on July 27. For an extensive tribute see this July 31 N.Y.Times story.

For me the biggest takeaway was reading again how productive he was. I'd be interested in learning more about what drove him. He undoubtedly wasn't doing it for the money. He had enough money to live comfortably. It's clear he had an artist's drive, the need to produce.

I'm going to close with this statement that Shepard made once that I can totally identify with. Jonathan Winters once said something nearly identical about painting (being an artist.)

"Being a writer is so great because you're literally not dependent on anybody. Whereas, as an actor, you have to audition or wait for somebody else to make a decision about how to use you, with writing, you can do it anywhere, anytime you want. You don't have to ask permission." 

Rest in peace, Mr. Sam.

A Flurry of New Twin Ports Murals: Signs of the Times?

What an interesting year for public art here in the Twin Ports. In April I shared my enthusiasm for the murals and public art that I saw in St. Petersburg, commenting how I would like to see more here. Clearly I was not alone in this, for it seems that mural have been springing up right and left on both sides of the bridge. Three weeks ago a new mural was "unveiled" in the new Craft District and earlier this summer a new mural appeared high up on the home of the Red Mug at Hammond and Broadway in Superior.

This week I was driving East on Second Street when I noticed a new mural taking shape atop the former YWCA that now houses AICHO and the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center. The mural was in its final stages when I ascended to the rooftop Wednesday during my lunch hour to get an up close view of the three artists in action, Votan Ik, Derek Brown and Leah Lewis. The first half of this week has been perfect for outdoor painting.

Leah Lewis of Albuquerque is of Hopi, Zuni and Pueblo ancestry.

Derek Brown is Dine from Ganado, Arizona.

There's been a lot happening here at the American Indian Community Housing Association. The facilities are aesthetically rich and continuously moreso. They have recently opened an Indigenous First gift shop where people can come buy art and a variety of goods made by local artists, among them Jonathan Thunder and Leah Yellowbird. To be quite frank, and I mean this quite seriously, the value of Leah Yellowbird's original art ought to be comparable to anything created by any artist over the past fifty years. Her work must be seen to be fully appreciated.

Votan Ik of Los Angeles assembled the team.

Now back to our theme. I asked Votan, an L.A. artist of Mayan descent, how he came to be a painter of murals. "I've been doing art all my life," he replied, "but what gave way to murals was growing up as a graffiti artist."

Upon learning he had Mayan roots, I wondered if there were connections between graffiti art and the devotion to public art that I saw during my year in Mexico.

"Public art is crucial because it yields to dialogue, especially on issues that are dismissed by mainstream media," Votan asserted.

When I asked how he ended up in Duluth, and why this image was selected, he stated, "This mural was put together by Honor the Earth and AICHO. I've worked with Honor for the last 5 or so years and we've been finding creative ways to address issues revolving around oil."

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Thunder Notes

Three pieces by Jonathan Thunder in the AICHO Indigenous Gift Shop

This summer Jonathan Thunder's art has been receiving some of the attention it deserves as part of a solo exhibition in the Morrison Gallery at the Duluth Art Institute. On Tuesday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m. the artist will be giving a talk along with a book signing, hosted by Kathy McTavish at Duluth Art Institute Galleries, Duluth Depot, 506 W Michigan Street. Thunder, who was born on the Red Lake Reservation and raised in Minneapolis, studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Art Institute International Minnesota. His solo exhibit features Ojibwe deities placed in a contemporary context. A catalog with color images includes an intro by Anne Dugan and an essay by Mason Riddle, a Saint Paul-based arts writer.

* * * *
It's Friday. Hope you have special plans this weekend. Don't forget Shawna Gilmore's Woodlandia opens tomorrow at the Lakeside Gallery, 1-3 p.m.

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

Throwback Thursday: Influential Books

THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARED SEVEN YEARS AGO TODAY

I just finished reading To Kill A Mockingbird, and I can only say it deserves all the accolades it has ever received. The book is so much more than a story. It is a mirror reflecting the distortedness that infected our culture as a result of racism. The writing is beautiful and vivid, and the manner in which the story is told is singular. Thank you again, Ms. Lee.

Interestingly enough, To Kill A Mockingbird never made it to the top of the New York Times Bestseller List, which was birthed on August 9, 1942.

I mentioned last week that Mockingbird was named in a 1991 survey as one of the most influential books of all time. You might be interested to learn some of the other books on that list in the order they were listed. NYT #1 Bestsellers are in bold.

1. The Bible, whose Revised Standard Version and New English versions were both #1 when released.
2. Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand ("Who is John Galt?")
3. The Road Less Travelled, by M. Scott Peck
4. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
5. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien
6. Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell
7. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
8. The Book of Mormon
9. The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan
10. A Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
11. Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl (tie)
12. Passages, by Gail Sheehy (tie)
13. When Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Harrold Kashner

It's been said that the biggest influences on our lives are the people we meet and the books we read. So a list of most influential books is also a good barometer of the culture. If I were a betting man, I would guess that a number of these books would not appear on a list compiled today, 19 years later.

Actually, with a simple Google search you can come up with all kinds of lists of "influential books", but most seem to be individuals conjecturing on what books were most influential in history, or others outlining their own personal lists (eg. NY Times blogger Ross Douthat) which can often make a good starting point for your next reading program.

Lists like this can also be very personal, and a book that I found influential might not have any significance for the next person. For example, unless you're ambition is to be an influential writer yourself I doubt the book You Can Tell the World will be on your list.

The manner in which the list is assembled will certainly influence the outcome, too. The list above was assembled in conjunction with the Book of the Month Club, few of whom were compelled to include Marx or Thoreau on their lists, authors whose influential works have produced worldwide reverberations.

In the meantime, what's next on your reading list? There really are too many books, and so little time.

* * * *
Addendum 2017
When I look back on this blog post from 2010 I find the book list to be quite America-centric. Marx & Engels' Communist Manifesto was certainly influential, as was Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. Darwin's The Origins of Species would have to be included, as well as Plato's Republic. Let's include Orwell's 1984 while we're at it. If you've not read it, then find a copy and you'll see why this was such an important book.

At the time I wrote this I'd yet to publish any books myself but was working on one. As of today I've produced more than a half dozen, which you can check out here.

Any excuse to read is a good one. Read!

August Twin Ports Arts Happenings

Suumertime, and the livin' is easy,
Catfish are jumpin' and the cotton is high...

Every part of the world has its own signs of summer. In Minnesota, August is the season for farmer's markets, raspberries, early corn. Target and Walmart are stocked with back-to-school supplies already. As for the local arts scene we have plenty happening. Here's the lay of the land for this last month of summer.

Tuesdays, August 1, 8, & 15, 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Art Canopy, Duluth Depot Porte-Cochere, 506 W. Michigan Street

Adventure into art with free demonstrations and art-making experiences this summer. Each Tuesday the Duluth Art Institute invites the general public to get inspired and messy under the Duluth Depot canopy from July 11 to Aug. 8. Not sure why it says August 15 above and only August 8 here, so if in doubt, contact the Duluth Art Institute for more information, 218-733-7560 or info@ duluthartinstitute.org

Friday, August 4, 8:35 p.m., The Secret Life of Pets, PG, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Saturday, August 5, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Woodlandia, featuring works by Shawna Gilmore at Lakeside Gallery.

Monday, August 7, 5-7 p.m. Art Opening Reception: Gabriel Christopher Dee's 'Muse: Images of Women', Zeitgeist Arts Atrium, 222 E. Superior Street "Presented by Duluth Superior Pride & Zeitgeist. This show will depict images of women in various mediums including: photography, oil painting, watercolor painting, and drawing. It will include both portraits of women close to the artist as well as imagined women. The styles will vary from Realism, Impressionism, Romanticism, Classicism and Surrealism. Themes will vary from the serious to the whimsical. This show is dedicated to all the women who have touched the artist’s life and to the memory of the artist’s sister and grandmother."

Monday, August 7, 5-7 p.m. Art Opening Reception: Seth Korpi, Zeitgeist Arts Café Mezzanine, 222 E. Superior Street

"Seth is an emerging artist from Northeast Minnesota who loves working with ink and acrylics mostly on paper, canvas, or wood."

Thursday, August 10, 6:30 p.m., Lyric Opera of the North's Summer Sparkler, Historic Scott House, 1321 County Road 4, Carlton (click blue text for driving directions) "Final Performance of the Year! Usher in a new season with an outdoor concert and fundraiser featuring Vicki Fingalson, Sarah Lawrence, Cal Metts, Jeffrey Madison, and Beth Sobczak. Songs inspired by childhood and the dreams we love to dream! Also: terrific raffle items and other ways to support little opera of the north!"

Tickets: General Seating, $25; Bus Transportation available from multiple locations, $12, Picnic Box Supper, $12.

Friday, August 11, 8:25 p.m., Marley & Me, PG, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Friday August 11, 3-7 p.m., Under the Spreading Walnut Tree Art Festival, P.K. Anderson House, 8th Street and Highway 61, Two Harbors (also known as the Lake Superior Hiking Trail Information House) This fair runs August 11-13, see further dates and times below. This festival is put on by Artists & Event Coordinators Christine & Terry Williams of Infinity Arts & Designs.

Saturday, August 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Under the Spreading Walnut Tree Art Festival, P.K. Anderson House, 8th Street and Highway 61, Two Harbors. This festival is put on by Artists & Event Coordinators Christine & Terry Williams of Infinity Arts & Designs.

Saturday, August 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Nice Girls of the North 2nd Saturday Marketplace, Lakeside Lester Park Community Center (the former Lakeside Library), 106 N. 54th Ave. East

"Free coffee, cookies, and a friendly atmosphere await while you browse a collection of handcrafted clothing and bags, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, photography, personal care products, baby items and much more. One central checkout, most major credit cards accepted."

Saturday, August 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Lake Superior Art Festival, Brighton Beach

Friday, August 18, 8:10 p.m., Alvin & The Chipmunks, PG, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Saturday, August 19-20, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Art in Bayfront Park  (Ends Sunday at 5:00 p.m.)

August 19 & 20, Cookin' at the "O" -- Jazz and blues weekends in the Carlton Room. Three-course dinner and live jazz with Pippi, Glenn and Friends. (Upcoming shows are also scheduled for September 29 & 30.) Book your Carlton Room reservations here at the Oldenburg House website.

Wednesday, August 23, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Zentangle (R) & Wine with Esther Piszczek, CZT, Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road.

Come experience the fun and relaxation of drawing simple, repetitive line patterns with pen and ink and pencil shading. No previous drawing experience necessary. Class Cost: $35; Supplies: $10 (or use supplies provided without additional cost). RSVP to episzczek@gmail.com. Seats are limited.

Friday, August 25, 8:00 p.m., Sing, PG, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Special thanks to Esther Piszczek for her help assembling the local arts monthly update. 

* * * *
Rain or shine, there's art to be seen here. Don't forget the Tweed and the Duluth Art Institute.

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

Marking an Oldenburg Moment in Time with an Official Proclamation

The transformation of the Oldenburg House in Carlton has been a thing of beauty. On Saturday I wrote about that very special evening of music featuring Pippi Ardennia, Glenn Swanson and friends. It's primary aim was a thank you to all who helped with the renovation of this grand old house in preparation for the next chapter in its story.

In addition to continuing as a Bed & Breakfast, during the months ahead the Swansons aim to host three-course dinner parties with live jazz. Upcoming shows are scheduled for August 19 & 20 and September 29 & 30. Book your Carlton Room reservations here at the Oldenburg House website.

Glenn and Emily prepare to read the Proclamation.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS

the historic and timeless setting known as Oldenburg House has since its founding in 1894 drawn together people of goodwill to conserve this region's history and beauty;

WHEREAS

the talents, creativity, ethical practices and industriousness of the skilled craftspeople contributing to the ‘2017 reimagining of Oldenburg House’ have set the stage for a very bright future;

WHEREAS

the generosity of spirit expressed by these skilled artisans and advisors has strengthened Oldenburg House and will be clearly recognized in all its future endeavors and activities;

NOW THEREFORE

Glenn and Emily Swanson do hereby honor and express their heartfelt appreciation, warm friendship and love for all who so graciously supported this effort.

We proclaim the great friends and partners identified below to be Official Oldenburgers;

* * * 

Leslie and Helen Swanson

William and Margaret Fuerste

Keith Stoltzfus, Worn Stairs

Bryan Gustafson, Wyatt Lemke, Jonah Parrott, Worn Stairs Crew

Ethan Gamble, Silverbrook Services

Dave Pritchett, Rudy Law

Bill Tresch Kitchens

Marcus Wise, Mason

Kevin Thoresen, Billy Peterson, Pippi Ardennia, Brian Neilsen

Tyler Swanson, TYLT Graphic Design

Roger and Jan Halverson, Matrix Resourcing

Brian Olsen and Dave Hurst-Great Concrete Guys

Kara Ketola and Shanna Wolfe, Woodland National Bank

Dan Hammond, Morningstar Woodwork, Inc.

Dan Barta, Barta Plumbing

Chris Lebrasseur, Mark Wisneski, Black Diamond Electric

Jim Suttie, Black Goose Chimney

Matt Boo, Duluth Stove and Fireplace

Chris Sundbom, T and C Hardwood

Matt, Alex, Matthew, Ben, Little Moose Painting

Mark Hagen, Hagen Glass and Paint

Michaela Rai Lemke, Matthew + Rai Creative

Doug Omar, Omar’s Sand and Gravel

Oldenburg Staff: Jarod Robertson, Cassidy Abbett, Jacob Sandkuyl, Aly Cassandro

We further declare that July 28, 2017 is the night to celebrate and appreciate the Oldenburgers’ tremendous achievements and we welcome them always to celebrate the milestones of their long and happy lives at this special place.

Emily Swanson

Glenn Swanson

July 28, 201

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For a first class experience, visit the Oldenburg House and make a memory.