by Christina Waters | Aug 23, 2009 | Art, Home |
It wasn’t simply a long week of long, sumptuous operas. It was a pilgrimage. A spiritual journey, in which — thanks to the power of music so beautiful we mortals don’t deserve it — the haunting fact of mortality was made thunderingly clear.
The four operas comprising The Ring of the Nibelungen created by Richard Wagner 150 years ago, require stamina, patience, a huge investment of time and money, and the willingness to be open to the magic of theatrical make-believe. For those able to surrender, The Ring rewards with what must be the ultimate performance experience. And every four years since 2001, Seattle has become a world shrine for Wagner’s devoted worshippers.
Valhalla’s leitmotif has been swirling through my head for the past week, blazing with French horns and diminished sevenths. I can only liken it to a biochemical firewalk — once your sensory tastebuds have been consumed in the flames, you’re never the same. And frankly, I still don’t know quite how to articulate the power (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jul 7, 2009 | Art, Wine |
Once again the Museum of Art & History in downtown Santa Cruz hosts an alfresco event devoted entirely to al fresco artwork. The juried selection of 25 of the area’s top plein air painters — including several from beyond the Monterey Bay region— will be on hand this coming weekend to show, sell and demonstrate their expertise with the colors and forms, light and atmosphere of paintings made outside the studio. Yes it is the positively all-new Plein Air Affair.
The moody landscapes created by Andrew Purchin (Pogonip Path shown here) are included in the substantial show, which will fill the courtyard between Vinocruz and Lulu Carpenter’s from 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. In addition to vibrant artworks by Charles Prentiss, Jennie McDade, Brian Rounds, Frank Galuszka and many others, plan on plenty of live music and refreshments throughout the weekend. And as a terrific bonus, you’ll also find Vine Hill winemaker Sal Godinez pouring his award-winning pinot noirs at the oh-so-conveniently-located Vinocruz, from 3-5pm, on Sat, July 11. All the more reason to add this downtown hot spot to your weekend calendar.
Full details on this year’s Plein Air weekend are available at the MAH website. Be there!
by Christina Waters | May 30, 2009 | Art, Home |
Give your eyes a plein air odyssey, at the 79th Annual Statewide Exhibit, filling the Santa Cruz Art League from May 30-June 28.
Irreplaceable Places: Contemporary Landscape Painters of California — showcases fine work from some of California’s leading landscape painters, including Santa Cruz painter Pat Woodman, a virtuoso of clouds.
Reception: Saturday, June 6, 3-5pm (more…)
by Christina Waters | May 30, 2009 | Art |
Also opening this week is a substantial group show exploring the human figure. Nine area professionals, including abstract expressionist Claire Thorson (a true clairvoyant), show their work at five Santa Cruz County Bank locations, through September 4.
Curated by Joan Blackmer, the show features an Artists’ Reception, June 3 – 5:30-7:30pm, at the 720 Front Street location. . . .
and don’t miss the second installment of the Digital Arts/New Media InterACTIVATE exhibition, Opening Reception Friday, June 5, 6:30-8:30pm (free and open to the public). The show is a collection of MFA thesis presentations from UCSC’s digital artists, all astonishing, all tech.
by Christina Waters | May 23, 2009 | Art, Home |
Just to prove to you that UCSC arts scholars are messing with traditional art categories – check out this installation of day-glo orange cones. That’s Sesnon Gallery Director Shelby Graham doing the finishing touches.
At the Irwin Scholars 2009 show — reception May 27, 5-7pm. On exhibit through June 13.
Featuring the award-winning artwork of:
Dana Ashton, Jory Bidart, Ben Blair, Ivan Yi-Heng Huang, Anna Huemmer (the cone queen), Jordan Jurich, Conner MacPhee, Maya Manvi, Danni Tsuboi, Jordan Tynes, Bryce Walker, Vince Waring and Mathew Zefeldt.
by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2009 | Art, Home |
Tandy Beal joins her old friend, Bobby “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” McFerrin in Abu Dhabi late April/May– thirteen time zones away! She will dance with him in performances at Al Ain and the Emirates Palace. She will also stage several local dance groups for the performances. What an adventure in cross-cultural art-making with Arabic singers and dancers-and Bobby’s American magic!
And kudos to Beal & Company awarded $15,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts for an upcoming full-length production with dancers, actors and video.
Especially in this fiscal climate, making art is always the best revenge!
