AFH UPDATE [September 2014]

If Scotland votes YES to independence from England, I'll be applying for citizenship as soon as possible and moving there. Saor Alba.

Since the DLGN show, I have been writing a book. Actually, the story kernel is something penned for "Code Duello, Old Hick + A Big Bang." It's a cyberpunk-/Rob't E. Howard-inspired, novadic, asymmetrical preface to my doctoral paper, which I'll be starting to compose soon [more on that in a bit]. The first two chapters of Urbane Savage are the fall entry for the 4Dimensions Blog.

DIM TIM is running as a write-in candidate in all USA elections. I'm considering performance material in support. Stay tuned.

I've settled on the subject of the EGS dissertation. After many, many shunts and feints, the winner is the Matterhorn Project. That was a big, long circle or spiral, to get back to where this project started.

[Pattern]M-horn, digital file + output print, exhibited in 2010 at ANDLAB with Gramatica Parda collective. 

New AFH Studio, BOS2014 news, DLG-N exhibit update, & more

I moved into a new studio in Bushwick. It's an enclave for artists, and I love my new neighbors. I'll post more about the community soon. The production on my upcoming exhibit at David Lusk Gallery in Nashville has commenced. For those of you keeping track, the timing of the show has been changed. The exhibit [working title: "Code Duello, Old Hick + A Big BANG"] has been pushed back to the first week in July. Also, this will be a solo exhibit, now (not a two-person show). 

"COOL DEPUTY"; 10.25" X 10.25"; Acrylic paint, ink, silver tape, woodblock print, digital prints (on canvas and adhesive paper), Plexiglas and frame (fixative, varnish layers); 2013 (1997-2013)

I will be contributing a piece to the BOS2014 Benefit this year, to support Arts in Bushwick ("Cool Deputy," see image above). I am getting really excited about the tour and all the community-building events associated with it. The text and images posted in this month's (April 2014) 4Dimensions blog were generated for Pickthorn BK. I'll be participating again this year in Pickthorn's weekend-long activities for BOS2014. Their 2014 theme, appropriately enough, given Chelsey's accomplishments as a colorist in her field, is "COLOR." So far, I've been helping Jocelyn percolate ideas, in pre-production popcorning sessions, and we'll see what else develops. It's going to be fantastic! I'll be posting more info as we get closer to the event(s).

Upcoming AFH in 2014

A couple of recent developments:

• I've been slated for a 2-person show at DLG-Nashville in June. The tentative working title is "Old Hick & a Big Bang." The idea is to mash-up Andrew Jackson and some new material on the origins of the universe [see link to an article in today's New York Times for one of them]. The exhibit narrative draws from research data gathered for the Code Duello series executed at my chashama/Chanorth residency, and on my recent trip to Tennessee, which included a visit to the Hermitage, Jackson's historic cotton plantation and residence. 

"I killed the bank." - Andrew Jackson (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

• I'll be working with Arts in Bushwick on this year's iteration of Bushwick Open Studios, the 8th one, NYC's biggest/best, and - arguably - the world's most rad artist zoo. I've attended a couple of BOS2014 mixers, and signed up for the Press Team, and may also be producing some AiB Blog entries, if all works out. At this point, I'm not sure what my BOS2014 studio presentation will feature. Stay tuned. 

A scene from AFH BOS2013 at Brooklyn Fire Proof, which included wall paintings by Shane Kennedy for the Society for the Prevention of Creative Obsolescence (not pictured).

• My old friend, boss saxophonist and composer Max Abrams, who has an awesome new record out [Sway], contacted me around the trip to Nashville. He's evidently up in Manitoba on some crazy muso mission, but we e-chatted, and Max invited me to create moving images for an as-yet-undetermined selection from Sway. I of course agreed and am close-listening to several, which he suggested. One is the title song, featuring Mavericks (etc) star Raul Malo. Neat enough, during my stay in the Music City, which included a few evenings at Dane Carder's great studio at Chestnut, the Mavs were rehearsing a couple doors down on the same floor. What great moments, to pass by in the hall, taking in the sounds of those great performers, including old pals Jerry Dale and Robert (I'm assuming - I didn't knock and interrupt their practice to say hi, although mutual friends assured me I should've; ...next time...) ∞ Anyway, I will post updates on project progress here.

• When it rains, it pours. The collaboration with Max will run concurrent with ongoing and similar work with both Wilson Novitzki and Bold Jez. Wilson is about to leave on another European tour with R. Stevie Moore, and he has a really compelling photography project piggybacked on those plans. Check out his Kickstarter for more info (and to donate to this worthy creative cause). Wilson and I haven't sat down and hashed out a plan, but I'm hoping we do a DisciplineAriel 2.0 project. Jez has forwarded me several songs he recorded recently (which you can listen to at his Soundcloud). In my mind, Jez is one of most remarkable and unique talents I've encountered in three+ decades of wanderings & encounters amongst the Mighty Unfettered, the authentic and true snowflakes & fearless. We discussed my creating a full album's worth of 4Danimations (10 Songs). He's doing his works with majesty & dignity. My turn's coming. 

Jez + Pemakar [PJM2014]

Wilson @GFS, 2013, during installation of "Reliability"

Fall 2013

It's been a beautiful autumn here in the city. Since returning from the Chanorth residency, I've been writing a text on free speech and property. One of the chapters will be published in the Brooklyn Rail's November issue. Good Faith Space is active, with Voyage of the Hippo 2 in September, and three shows planned for October, Including the launch of Wilson Novitzki's musical program, The Maintenance Series, a screening program (no title yet) featuring "Elementals," short films and animations by the amazing Eric Leiser, and another iteration of Shane Kennedy's iconic wall paintings, for the Society for the Prevention of Creative Obsolescence, in an expo called, "Something About Encryption." In November GFS will be participating in the Standard ToyKraft fundraiser gala. In the project room we will be presenting small works by our core Spacers, and introducing some of the outstanding artists we will be showing in 2014, like Jakey Begin and Konstant. 

Summer 2013

The DIM TIM exhibit at SLAG closed in early July, and along with it, the staging studio/presentation space at Brooklyn Fire Proof (see AFH Projects for more info). Summer in NYC brings hot temperatures, and this years' were record-breakers. Migration to the Hamptons, trips upstate, to the beach and all over are the norm. SLAG owner Irina Protopopescu installed several DIM TIM pieces at a collector's residential art space in an ersatz gallery group show (image above).

AFH/Good Faith Space is hosting monthly exhibitions. This month our project room at STK is presenting Dane Rex's "Nonesuch," the Bushwick-based artist's first solo show. Wilson Novitzki will be producing an audio environment for the event on August 2. The GFS exhibit calendar for the remainder of 2013 is almost full. Expect new expos by Shane Kennedy, who has left for Serbia and Romania for the next stage of Voyage of the Hippo; Bushwick-based photographer Jakey Begin; Eric Leiser, who's busy with new films, paintings and holography; Bold Jez and others. Look for announcements here. 

I will be attending a chanorth residency in August/September, to work on large ink on polyester paintings.