Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts October 10th through November 25th, 2009

Opening reception: October 10th, 2009. 7:00 p.m.
’Ä®’Ä®Location: Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts. 2043 North Miami Avenue. Miami, FL 33127
’Ä®’Ä®Dates: From October 10th through November 25th, 2009’Ä®’Ä®
Admission: Free’Ä®’Ä®
Regular hours: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

CECILIA PAREDES | Fugitive Dreams

Paredes combines origin, nature and femininity to create a beautifully subtle blend of visual aesthetics, self-introspection and representation. Her artwork is created through the lens of past and present life experiences, integrated with cultural, poetic and environmental influences. Her immersion in a variety of cultures gives her a nomadic perspective that informs her work. Her itinerant existence is reflected in her art as she wanders, and metaphorically portrays her many selves. Paredes explores exactly where she fits in with the natural world. In more recent photo-performance works, she shifts her focus to feelings about migration and displacement.

Paredes' work recognizes the inherent relationship between the origins of humanity and the natural world. While methods and aesthetics have changed, she addresses the same range of issues from origin, to migration, to femininity. Her balance between traditional artistic methods and the incorporation of natural elements creates a genuinely beautiful fusion and contrast between art and nature - where her art always insinuates itself. As much as these images and objects are viewed in public, they retain a sense of privacy or ritualistic secrecy. In the process of creating and interpreting, the artist seeks a poetic connection to the world. And the art produced through her investigations creates a window into a reality where she expertly delivers a simultaneous sense of enchantment and verisimilitude.
An Animal in Her Time, Ruth Miller and Mark Jew.

Project Room
CHRIS NATROP | Dewdrop Cloud Machine

Natrop employs transparent plastics, video projection and multi-channel audio alongside intricate, hand-cut paper to create fully immersive environments within gallery and museum spaces. Viewers are encouraged to enter these installations to experience the realm where elements of light, shadow and form coalesce into a fully unified world. Most individual components are hand-cut in the studio, then custom-arranged for a particular space. For works on paper, each piece is spontaneously created without the use of patterns or pre-drawing - this stream-of-consciousness approach is the crux of the artist's practice.

Graphic silhouettes emerge from meditative-channeling activated by the repetitive practice of cutting paper. Natrop works on sheets of Lenox 100 paper stretched out on his studio wall. Wielding a standard utility knife, he spontaneously cuts away creating a hybrid of landscape imagery. Natrop's free-form "knife drawing" process reveals negative space by removing emptiness in-between forms. Often an amalgam of things previously observed, the graphic nature becomes a freeze-frame of Natrop's own surroundings revealing his particular sense of place. In many cases one feature will be multiplied, resulting in a dense layering of a single element. A multiplicity of water droplets, crawling vines or cracks in the pavement may be rendered and reworked within each installation. Emotional forces further contextualize the work within this structure: anticipation, apprehension, disorientation or joyfulness often encapsulate the work's inherently myopic narrative. This fusion between internal, emotional space and external, physical landscape is the framework for much of Natrop's practice.

Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts
2043 N Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Ph: 305.576.1804
Fax: 305.576.1805
info@dlfinearts.com
www.dlfinearts.com

For more information about local openings and events, please visit www.miamiartguide.ca

Cremata Gallery presents "Cardo ni ortiga cultivo ... " A solo exhibition by Pepe Herrera Friday, October 9th, 2009. 7:30 p.m.

Pepe Herrera. From the series "La ciudad de las columnas". 2009. 46" x 46". Mixed media on canvas

’Ä®Opening reception: Friday, October 9th, 2009. 7:30 p.m.’Ä®’Ä®
Location: Cremata Gallery. 1646 SW 8th Street. Miami, FL 33135’Ä®’Ä®
Dates: From October 5th through November 2nd, 2009’Ä®’Ä®
Admission: Free
’Ä®’Ä®Regular hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. and Mondays by appointment

’Ä®’ÄúCardo ni ortiga cultivo ... ’Äù the one-man show by Cuban artist Pepe Herrera presented at Cremata Gallery, is his ’Äúopera prima’Äù in our city. He arrives preceded by his recent and very successful participation in two major exhibitions in Spain: ’ÄúEntre rˆ‚as’Ķ’Äù reviewed extensively in El Nuevo Herald (July13th, 2009), inaugurated in the very center of Madrid’Äôs art triangle next to the Prado Museum, and ’ÄúLa isla expandida’Äù showcased at Huelva’Äôs Museum of Art.’Ä®’Ä®Pepe Herrera is a master twice over: he enjoys international recognition as an outstanding figure of the celebrated 1980s Cuban generation, and at the same time, he is one of the best serigraphers of our time. His move to Barcelona 20 years ago and later to Madrid helped him become a major player in the European market. In his previous visit, he launched the first of a series of serigraphs of master Cundo Bermˆ†dez carried out by him, edited by Cremata Gallery. Let this exhibition, full of mystery and subtlety, fill you with wonder as it explores an imaginary garden.’Ä®’Ä®

Cremata Gallery ’Ä®1646 SW 8th Street’Ä®
Miami, FL 33135’Ä®
Ph: 305.644.3315
’Ä®Cell: 305.300.0068’Ä®
Fax: 305.644.3319’Ä®
cremata@crematagallery.com
’Ä®www.crematagallery.com

Panamerican Art Projects presents Gustavo Acosta and Carlos Gonzˆ°lez

September 12th, 2009. 6:00 p.m.

Left: Gustavo Acosta. The Glass Shield. 2009. Acrylic on canvas. 96" x 64". Right: Carlos Gonzˆ°lez. Finding light. 2009. Stainless steel. 72" x 86" x 80"

Opening Reception: September 12th, 2009. 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Panamerican Art Projects. 2450 NW 2nd Avenue. Miami, FL 33127
Dates: From September 5th through October 3rd, 2009
Admission: Free

Flying was a dream and an obsession for centuries until the airplane was invented. Although now we are able to fly assisted by mechanical devices, we still look at birds in a mix of wonder and envy. As a result, wings are seen as the means of transforming, and flying as the ultimate metaphor for freedom, the image of total liberation. In art history there any many examples of artists who have been inspired by the act of flying and as a consequence reflected it on their works.

Here we have two contemporary Cuban artists whose works are connected to this idea: Gustavo is using it as a resource for his paintings and Carlos is more interested in the actual possibility of flying, translating this interest to his sculptures.

The Great Systems - Gustavo Acosta

The idea of being constantly watched drove him to paint what seem like views seen through night vision goggles. These images looked like they were made by somebody who went around while everybody was sleeping and registered what he saw. While experimenting in this direction Gustavo started to play with the color green and the infinite possibilities that it offered. This led him to use the color as a filter, as if he was permanently looking at his surroundings through a green glass. The result is this group of paintings in which he has ’Äòsoftened’Äô the color in a more even tone, getting farther away from the goggles effect and giving the impression of an image captured when the light had a rare diffusion.

Secret codes

In this series of works Gustavo is exploring night views in which he shows us how cities are mapped out by their lights reflected against the dark background of a starry night, almost like electric Nazca lines. There is a sense of abstraction with pure color points made of light dots, the pitch black background emphasizing the emptiness between the ground and the air.

Flights of Fancy - Carlos Gonzˆ°lez’Äôs sculptures

In this new group of sculptures Carlos Gonzˆ°lez continues exploring the natural world yet with a clear departure from his last solo exhibition a couple of years ago. His hard angular forms have dissipated, giving space to more organic and voluptuous pieces. While the previous works reminded us of insects, these new ones are inspired by birds and connected elements such as seeds and flowers. Carlos keeps looking at nature for inspiration and these pieces are his very personal interpretations of it. Seemingly mimicking wings and plants he is bringing to light the overlapping of nature, science and flying devices that seem ready to take off. While the works look like mechanical artifacts, there is still the poetry of nature. The monumentality of his work is balanced by the delicacy and intricacy of each piece, part of a complicated yet delicate oeuvre.

PanAmericanArtProjects
2450 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Ph: 305.573.2400
Fax: 305.573.0720
miami@panamericanart.com
www.panamericanart.com

Parisian Laundry est fiˆ®re de prˆ©senter ’ÄúPostˆ©ritˆ© ’Äì Posterity’Äù

English follows.

Montrˆ©al ’Äì PARISIAN LAUNDRY est fiˆ®re de prˆ©senter ’ÄúPostˆ©ritˆ© ’Äì Posterity’Äù, la premiˆ®re et tant attendue exposition solo de notre trio d’Äôartistes quˆ©bˆ©cois BGL, su 26 septembre au 21 novembre 2009.

L’ÄôATTITUDE PARISIAN LAUNDRY BGL

Nous nous ˆ©tions donnˆ© rendez-vous dans une de ces grandes stations pˆ©troliˆ®res qui accueillent un comptoir ˆÝ cafˆ©, approvisionnˆ© la voiture en musique, en essence’Ķ Une enfant de 10 ans nous accompagnait dans cette rˆ©gion situˆ©e sur la Rive-Sud de Quˆ©bec qu’Äôon appelle La Beauce, une campagne magnifique et dense, modestement peuplˆ©e, plus prˆ®s de la ville de Quˆ©bec que de Montrˆ©al.

Nous avons roulˆ© pendant presque 4 heures, nous nous sommes perdues dans toutes les Rue Principale de tous les villages qui portaient des noms comme Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds et Sainte-Agathe-de-Lobtiniˆ®re. Nous nous sommes tellement, tellement perdues, et nous avions seulement quelques gorgˆ©es d’Äôeau de source et une poignˆ©e d’Äôarachides au vinaigre pour nous garder en vie (bon d’Äôaccord, j’Äôexagˆ®re). Nous avons aussi blaguˆ© au sujet de paysages qui ressemblaient ˆ©trangement ˆÝ des ‰ìuvres d’ÄôEd Burtynsky, et la tradition de la peinture de paysage’Ķ Nous avons roulˆ© ainsi, ˆÝ travers ce no man’Äôs land, jusqu’ÄôˆÝ ce que nous trouvions enfin le Rang Saint-Jean dans le village de Saint-Sylvestre. Nous sommes arrivˆ©es en ˆ©coutant la musique de MIA dans le tapis, en chantant et en prenant des poses hyper urbaines et caricaturales. Nous avons trouvˆ© le trio quˆ©bˆ©cois BGL ˆÝ l’Äôouvrage. Ils s’Äôaffairaient ˆÝ tremper des squelettes de sapins dans une peinture d’Äôun vert hyper vif, saturant la couleur naturelle de l’Äôarbre par celle artificielle de leur choix.

Sˆ©bastien Giguˆ®re a achetˆ© la maison il ya quelques annˆ©es. La cave en pierre, creusˆ©e ˆÝ la pelle tˆ©moigne de l’Äôhistoire du bˆ¢timent construite ˆÝ la fin du XIXe siˆ®cle, de la rudesse de la terre, de la neige et de la solitude.

Aprˆ®s la visite de l’Äôatelier, nous avons dˆ©gustˆ© un lunch typique au casse-croˆªte du village d’ÄôˆÝ cˆ¥tˆ©: le classique cheeseburger, une poutine qui aurait pu nourrir une famille de 8 personnes au complet’Ķ BGL a mangˆ© ˆÝ la hˆ¢te, des nuages denses apparaissaient ˆÝ l’Äôhorizon derriˆ®re les montagnes: ils devaient retourner rapidement ˆÝ l’Äôatelier pour ranger les arbres peints ˆÝ l’Äôabri dans la grange. Parisian Laundry voue toute sa programmation de l’Äôautomne 2009 ˆÝ une ‰ìuvre majeure de BGL qui prˆ©sentera un nouvel environnement immersif sur les 3 ˆ©tages de la galerie.

Postˆ©ritˆ©-Posterity tˆ©moigne de signes locaux, de bouffe et de la campagne. C’Äôest la suite de cette exploration de notre relation avec la nature que poursuit BGL. Nous devinons le paysage canadien transformˆ© dans une rˆ©alitˆ© actuelle, une lutte entre l’Äôenvironnement et ce qui est artificiel. Nous devenons hyper conscients de nos habitudes d’Äôinterminable consommation et de cette culture du jetable. C’Äôest en fait ce qu’Äôexploite BGL avec ce projet en utilisant des objets et des matˆ©riaux recyclˆ©s remaniˆ©s et prˆ©sentˆ©s dans le contexte de la galerie d’Äôart. Cette importante exposition prˆ©sentera une fabrique d’Äôarbre de Noˆ´l, ainsi qu’Äôun marchˆ© aux puces contenant des objets tˆ©moins de l’Äôatelier et d’Äôinstallations ˆ©phˆ©mˆ®res. Devenons des touristes!

BGL a bˆ©nˆ©ficiˆ© du Programme de soutien ˆÝ la production de l'OEil de Poisson.

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BGL ’Äì POSTˆâRITˆâ/POSTERITY

26 septembre ’Äì 21 novembre, 2009

Vernissage publique le 25 septembre, de 8:00 ˆÝ 10:00. Les artistes seront prˆ©sents

Informations: Jeanie Riddle ou Silvia Casas

t: 514.989.1056 info@parisianlaundry.com

Montrˆ©al, September 10 2009 ’Äì PARISIAN LAUNDRY is proud to present BGL’Äôs first solo exhibition ’ÄúPostˆ©ritˆ© ’Äì Posterity’Äù in the spectacular industrial gallery, from September 26 to November 21, 2009.

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PARSIAN LAUNDRY BGL SWAGGER LIKE US

We meet at the ubiquitous petrol station cum coffee stand, loading the car with music, gas and a ten year old and are off to the lower north shore of Quebec- a region know as La Beauce- gorgeous and dense country side, modestly populated, nearer to Quebec City than Montreal.

We drive for almost 4 hours, lost in one street villages with names like Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds, St. Phillippe and Sainte-Agathe-de-Lobtiniˆ®re. We are lost lost lost with only a few sips of water and a few handfuls of vinegared peanuts between the 3 of us to keep us nourished and alive (ok I exaggerate) and joking about finding Ed Burtynsky landscapes and the tradition of plein air landscape painting until finally we find the Rang Saint-Jean in the town of Saint-Sylvestre. We are blasting MIA and posturing urbanism, only to find the Quebec based trio BGL working away. They are drenching skeletons of last years pine trees in the densest of pthalo green, saturating the natural with their artificial color choice.

Sˆ©bastien bought the farmhouse a couple of years ago. Built in the 1800’Äôs, the basement cave seeps history and one reads the harshness of the land, the snow, and the solitude.

After our ’Äòstudio visit’Äô, we head for lunch to a local casse-croˆªte where we enjoy the familiar cheeseburger and portions of poutine large enough to fuel a family of 8! BGL eat with haste, enormous rain clouds are creeping over mountains and they will have to bring their saturated trees into the barn for safekeeping and art making.

Parisian Laundry will dedicate its entire fall program to a major solo work by Quebecois collaborators BGL who will present a brand new immersive work on all three levels of the gallery.

In Postˆ©ritˆ©-Posterity we witness a translation of local signage, foodstuff and countryside. It is a continuation of BGL’Äôs investigation of our unpredictable relationship with nature. We feel the Canadian landscape transformed into the actual, a wrestling of environment and the artificial. We become hyper aware of our boundless consumption and throwaway culture and this, in fact is exactly what BGL are engaging with- a recycling and reusing of materials all restaged and recontextualized in the gallery. This massive exhibition will present a seasonal ornamental tree factory as well as a ’ÄòMarchˆ© aux puces (flea market)’Äô showing off over 10 years of studio ephemera. We are tourists.

BGL received financial help from the Production Program of L’Äôoeil de Poisson, Quˆ©bec, QC.

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BGL ’Äì POSTˆâRITˆâ/POSTERITY

September 26 ’Äì November 21, 2009

Public vernissage on September 25, 8-10pm. The artists will attend.

Information: Jeanie Riddle or Silvia Casas

t: 514.989.1056 info@parisianlaundry.com

Miami Dade College opens its Gallery Season at the Freedom Tower with an Exhibition of the Works of Late Cuban Modern Master Cundo Bermˆ†dez

Location: Freedom Tower. 600 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132

Dates: From Sept 4th through Nov 7th, 2009

Hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays: 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission: Free

The Miami Dade College (MDC) Art Gallery System (AGS) officially opens its art gallery season by paying tribute to one of Cuba’Äôs greatest artists, the late master Cundo Bermˆ†dez, with the exhibition Under a Brilliant Sun: Cundo Bermˆ†dez into the 21st Century at its National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower starting on September 4th, 2009. The exhibition runs through November 7th and is made possible by Bank of America. The exhibition will honor the artist's fertile career and his contribution to modern art by highlighting an outstanding selection of more than 100 paintings, drawings and sculpture, including an important part of his latest artworks never shown in an exhibition of this magnitude.

Cundo Bermˆ†dez, one of the last members of the important Cuban Vanguard movement, died on October 30th, 2008 at the age of 94. He had called Miami home for the last twenty years of his life and was painting and drawing up until the end. Cundo was one of the first Cuban Modernists to be collected by the Museum of Modern Art as two of his nine paintings exhibited in the landmark Cuban Paintings exhibition in 1944 were accessioned.

He was a very prolific artist who lived for his art. Only music rivaled this passion of his and he was known to paint and draw while listening to favorite works by famous Cuban composers. It is, therefore, not surprising that one of the works for which Cundo is best known - at least in Miami - is the wonderful mural he designed for Miami’Äôs Center for the Performing Arts (now the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts). Designed during the years 1997-1999, it heralded a new phase for Cundo as he entered the 21st century determined to create a body of work for a new era. Approximately half of this exhibition is devoted to these works - a testament to the artist’Äôs remarkably strong will to create.

Over the more than 70 years of a long and illustrious career, Bermudez had accomplished so much. From participation in the groundbreaking MoMa exhibit of 1944 to the completion of major public commissions to representation in major public and private collections, Bermudez was one of the leading figures in 20th Century Cuban art.

’ÄúWe are honored to be the site of the first major exhibition of Cundo’Äôs work following his passing. It’Äôs especially moving to pay tribute to this great artist at the Freedom Tower,’Äù said MDC President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrˆ„n. ’ÄúI want to thank Bank of America and the college’Äôs art gallery system team for making this exhibition possible.’Äù

Under a Brilliant Sun: Cundo Bermˆ†dez into the 21st Century honors the prolific career of Bermˆ†dez and his contributions to modern art by showcasing a selection of works that includes some of his latest and featuring pieces never shown in exhibitions.

This exhibition highlights a considerable body of work created by Bermˆ†dez in the last decade of his life when he called Miami home. ’ÄúMeeting Cundo and watching him work was one of the highlights of this author’Äôs curatorial career and I am honored to have had the opportunity to spend time with him. It is not often that an art historian is able to meet an artist whose career spanned so many years.’Äù said art historian, researcher and curator of the exhibition Ruth Grim.

Cundo Bermˆ†dez is part of a generation of artists that reshaped and gave new directions to art in Latin America like the depictions of daily life of their own rounded existences and the use of new concepts in the linear treatment of the figure. These approaches are common in artists like Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Josˆ© Clemente Orozco in Mˆ©xico; Fernando de Szyszlo and Ricardo Grau in Perˆ†; Joaquˆ‚n Torres-Garcˆ‚a and Gonzalo Fonseca in Uruguay; Tarsila do Amaral in Brazil; Emilio Pettoruti, Juan del Prete and Gyula Kusice in Argentina and Armando Reverˆ„n in Venezuela.

’ÄúThis unique exhibition is a point of departure to explore the many other elements of painting that were not only important to Cundo but also to the evolution of Cuban and Latin American art through modernism’Äù. Said Jorge Luis Gutierrez, Director of MDC Art Gallery System. ’ÄúThis exhibition provides a complete narrative to the many facets of his remarkable accomplishments.’Äù

As MDC now serves as the proud steward of the Freedom Tower, thanks to its donation to the college by Pedro Martin and family, it is using the building as a significant educational and cultural center. In the recent years since MDC acquired it, the iconic building has been used for other major art exhibitions, including showcasing the works of great artists such as Salvador Dalˆ‚, Goya, Leonardo Da Vinci, Janet Cardiff, Carlos Alfonso and Wendy Wischer among others.

About the Artist

Born in Havana in 1914, Bermˆ†dez was a founding member of Cuba’Äôs Association of Painters and Sculptors. He led the tide of modern Cuban art in the 1940s and 1950s drawing from the people, landscape, music and political climate around him. He led the continued modernization of Cuban art during the 1940s and 1950s and on canvas, synthesized the character and national identity of his homeland through the color and luminosity of its iconic people, sites and musical scenes. His works have been exhibited across the globe. He passed away at 94 on Oct. 30, 2008, at his home in the Westchester neighborhood of Miami-Dade County.

Exhibition Catalogue

Accompanying the exhibition will be a publication featuring color reproductions, with text by art historian and curator of the exhibition Ruth Grim, and introductions by art historian Vivian Donnell Rodriguez, Executive Director of Cultural Affairs at MDC and Jorge Luis Gutierrez, Director and Chief Curator of MDC Art Gallery System.

Organization

The Miami Dade College Art Gallery System proudly presents the lifetime work of this great modernist master as part of is arts program oriented to welcome and engage all visitors by offering personal, extraordinary experiences that connect art and ideas to stimulate the thriving, creative community that is Miami. The Mission of the Miami Dade College Art Gallery System is to encourage the appreciation and understanding of art and its role in society through direct engagement with original works of art and art-related creative processes. The AGS organizes exhibitions and educational programs to offer enjoyment and encourage inquiry, while building and preserving its collections in trust for future generations.

With a system of seven art galleries throughout Miami Dade and the art spaces at the iconic Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami, it is the largest art network in Florida.

For special hours, guided tours and education events and programs please contact: MDC Art Gallery System at 305.237.7186, 305.237.7700, galleries@mdc.edu or visit www.mdc.edu

For more information about local openings and events, please visit www.miamiartguide.com

Art at the Harbourfront Centre

Nine spectacular visual arts exhibitions set to open at Harbourfront Centre, June 27-September 13

This summer, Harbourfront Centre is excited to showcase an array of visual arts exhibitions. Highlights include the unparalleled outdoor photo exhibition RESPECT: A Photo Odyssey Celebrating Canada's Boreal Forest; exhibitions that are part of World Routes 09 presented by RBC feature works by Canadian and international contemporary Aboriginal artists, along with the work of a Taiwanese artist; and new works by Craft Studio artists-in residence.

The public opening reception takes place on Friday, June 26, 6-10pm at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Admission to the reception and the exhibitions is free. Exhibitions run from June 27-September 13. Exhibition hours for main gallery: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, noon-6pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-8pm; closed Monday except holiday Mondays, noon-6pm; Regular hours for the Craft Studio: Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit harbourfrontcentre.com/visualarts/yorkquaycentre.cfm

Planet IndigenUs Exhibitions
Visual arts exhibitions form part of Harbourfront Centre's Planet IndigenUs festival, August 14-16 and 21-23, which explores contemporary expressions of world indigenous cultures. Planet IndigenUs is co-produced with Woodland Cultural Centre, Brandford ON, and generously supported by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.

ALTERNATION: Terrance Houle, Hannah Claus, Tom Jones, Mark Igloliorte, George Littlechild, Jewel Shaw
Curator Ryan Rice has brought together artists from across Canada and the US to explore the day-to-day shifts in traditional and contemporary Indigenous cultures and societies in photography, video and mixed media installations. It is about reaction and distraction, oppression and sovereignty, and absence and presence. Each Indigenous artist represents their relationship to their nation, through alter-nations and sub-cultures that define their multi-centered selves as ever-changing sites to a global/local environment of expansion and contraction/integration and segregation, that is public and/or private. Issues of land, personality/identity, integrity, hybridity, erasure, preservation, community, peace and love are a continuum of tradition; a paradox between transitions and consistency are explored within the exhibition.

Shaping Stories: Michael D. Massie
This exhibition highlights the artist's work in stone and metal. Massie's work is a reflection of his mixed Inuit, Mˆ©tis and Scottish heritage. In it, he investigates both traditional and contemporary themes. This fusion of ideas, techniques and traditions is a hallmark of Massie's work. He has achieved renown for his innovative teapots that express his sublime skill at amalgamating powerful imagery and stories from his Inuit heritage with a contemporary European aesthetic. The tea ceremony, ritualized around the world and the teapot, an iconic form used by many craft artists is a signature image for Massie. His intimate portrayals of the teapot celebrate and pay homage to his grandmother. This exhibition is co-presented with Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver BC.

Flight to the moon: Keesic Douglas
Douglas explores issues surrounding First Nations issues from an insider's perspective through his own Indigenous lens of being an Ojibway artist. Selections from Keesic Douglas' still photography and video work The Vanishing Trace’Äîwinner of Best Short Documentary at the 2007 imagineNATIVE Film Festival, Toronto as well as Landscapes are installed within York Quay Centre and on its faˆßade.

maang (message stick): r e a
r e a (Aboriginal, Australia) presents a three channel video with sound entitled, maang (message stick), 2007, as part of a larger body of work where the artist works exclusively within the parameters of Indigenous language as comment on loss of land and language, but also the possibility of renaissance, revitalization and regeneration of people, land, language and culture.

Communities II: Frank Shebageget
Communities II’Äîthe exhibition at Service Canada at Harbourfront Centre’Äîis an ongoing art piece. A large tarpaper surface (9 x 16 feet) contains the written names of 688 Aboriginal, Inuit, and Metis reserves, communities and bands. The drawing is completed on tarpaper, because the current list is temporary, and will always need continuous updating.

TELUS TAIWANfest: A New Journey Exhibition
Mother Nature: Chen Shu-yen
Mother Nature is a fibre-based installation by Chen Shu-yen, using the indigenous techniques and materials of Taiwan. Chen also presents Soul House, a larger site specific work during Planet IndigenUs and TELUS TAIWANfest: A New Journey, which takes place August 28-30.

Craft Studio Exhibition
2 X 6: Lizz Aston, Deborah Freeman, Shuyu Lu, Adriana McNeely, Meredith Robb, Rachel Robichaud
Harbourfront Centre presents possibility. This exhibition introduces the work of recent additions to the Craft Artist-in-Residency programme. It showcases new work in metal, jewellery, glass and ceramics.

RESPECT: A Photo Odyssey Celebrating Canada's Boreal Forest
Harbourfront Centre is proud to present the remarkable outdoor photo exhibition RESPECT: A Photo Odyssey Celebrating Canada's Boreal Forest. More than 70 giant-sized aerial photographs of Canada's boreal forest will occupy the grounds of Harbourfront Centre through October 12. The exhibition is open to the public seven days a week, 24 hours a day. This impressive exploration of one of Canada's most important natural resources is presented in partnership with Montrˆ©al-based Boreal Communications and SAJO.

RESPECT is the result of a journey that began in 2006 to document and capture the quintessence of Canada's boreal forest in order to raise awareness for the preservation of our natural environment, and promote the boreal region as one of the Earth's most crucial resources. Outstanding works from a team of nine renowned photographers demonstrate the complexity and beauty of the boreal region. The exhibition at Harbourfront Centre features exclusive, never-before-seen photographs of the Far North of Ontario taken between October, 2008 and June, 2009.

RESPECT is curated by Louise Lariviˆ®re. Prominent photojournalists Allen McInnis, Kazuyoshi Ehara, Jim Ross, John Woods, Todd Korol, Dan Riedlhuber, Jeff Bassett, Chris Young and Andy Clark are the lens through which the public will see the boreal region of Canada. For information and bios about the team and the story behind RESPECT, visit harbourfrontcentre.com and www.borealcommunications.com. RESPECT is generously supported by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Canada.

People We Met Along the Way: a photo essay on the boreal forest of Canada and those who live there
Part of RESPECT on exhibition through September 13
Photographer Chris Young provides intimate portraits of the unique communities who live in this region. Also included is the short documentary Take me to the River. This video loop is a journey through the seasons as the Albany River and Ontario north unfold their secrets. It is an exceptional aspect of the RESPECT project which highlights the immensity of this land mass north of the 50th parallel in Ontario. Take me to the River premieres at the opening reception from 7-9 pm (Studio Theatre). Curator Louise Lariviˆ®re will also be on hand to introduce the film.

FOCUS: Shift

Harbourfront Centre wants you to shift gears.

What does it mean to change your perspectives on idea, explore new ways of approaching an old notion or to literally shift gears? From June to September, Harbourfront Centre explores the idea of "shift" throughout its programming. How does an ever-changing culture influence the lives and experiences of artists? What happens when we view the world from a different vantage point? What can be learned from migration, relocation and transformation?

Harbourfront Centre: Change perspectives.

SHIFT is part of an ongoing focus in programming. Our Lens. Your View.

Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame opens 2009 on a high note

EMP|SFM opens 2009 on a high note

High attendance at free and low cost events and steady paid admissions, make for a promising start to 2009

SEATTLE’ÄîExperience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) has opened the new year on a high note with a promising start to 2009. In January, EMP|SFM welcomed 3,300 guests to its public programs, including an All Access Night on New Year’Äôs Day, three Oral History Live! events with David Bryan, Jim Sherraden and Al Kooper; an Exposed: Inside Film screening of Pi and EMP|SFM’Äôs annual Jazz in January programming.

Excellent attendance during these January events put January 2009’Äôs overall attendance numbers seven percent over January 2008’Äôs attendance numbers. In total, just over 18,000 people came through the museum’Äôs doors via paid museum admission or to enjoy EMP|SFM’Äôs public programs. Yearly overall attendance for 2008 was up three percent over 2007.

EMP|SFM will continue to provide free and low cost programming in 2009 with programs such as Oral History Live!, Exposed: Inside Film, Pop Conference and its Sound Off! underage battle of the bands competition.

EMP|SFM is proud to host the West Coast premiere of Jim Henson’Äôs Fantastic World. This highly anticipated exhibition, organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution will be on view this spring and summer in the science fiction galleries at the museum.

Exhibitions opening in 2009

empsfm.org/exhibitions

Jim Henson’Äôs Fantastic World

May 23-August 16, 2009
Jim Henson (1936-1990)’Äîartist, puppeteer, film director and producer’Äîcreated elaborate imaginary worlds filled with unique characters, objects, environments and even languages and cultures. His work is enjoyed in dozens of languages in more than 100 countries. Jim Henson's Fantastic World offers a rare peek into the imagination and creative genius of this multitalented innovator and creator of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and other beloved characters.

The exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Henson’Äôs talent as a storyteller and visionary. Among the variety of exhibition objects are puppets, television and movie props, photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and original video productions, including excerpts from Henson’Äôs early career and experimental films.

Jim Henson's Fantastic World was organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in cooperation with the Henson family, The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, LLC, and Sesame Workshop.
This exhibition is made possible by The Biography Channel. Additional support has been provided by The Jane Henson Foundation and Cheryl Henson.

Spaced Out: The Final Frontier in Album Covers

August 15, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010

Organized by EMP|SFM, Spaced Out: The Final Frontier in Album Covers presents 117 spaced-themed record album covers released between the 1940s and 1969’Äîthe dawn of the space age. In the post-war years, humanity seemed on the verge of taking a giant leap into space. Futuristic themes filled popular culture. Space was the place, and everyone wanted to be there. Musicians thronged to the fad, and space themes invaded album covers of every genre including pop, jazz, folk and classical.

These album covers embody the fantasy and mystery of space’Äîwhat we imagined it to be, what we hoped it would be.

Programs

empsfm.org/programs

Sweet Deal Sundays

Sundays in February, EMP|SFM visitors can park for free in the new Seattle Center Garage on 5^th Ave. N and Harrison St. Visitors can bring their parking stub with them to an admission desk, and EMP|SFM will deduct their $7 parking fee from a regular paid admission.

All Access Nights

In January 2007, EMP|SFM began offering free admission and live music from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Since its inception, the museum has welcomed more than 42,000 visitors during All Access Nights. All Access Nights are sponsored by The Boeing Company.

Family Days

EMP|SFM hosts Family Days on the third Saturday of every month. Family Day activities can include interactive art projects, live music from local bands, free instrument workshops and more. Family Days are sponsored by IKEA.

Oral History Program

EMP|SFM is proud to have an oral history archive of more than 800 interviews filled with tales from musicians, producers, authors, filmmakers and artists who have shaped American popular music and science fiction. More than a hundred of these interviews are featured in the Sound and Vision: Artists Tell Their Stories exhibition currently on display at the museum. In addition, the Oral History Live! series at EMP|SFM features intimate interviews before a live audience. Recent guests have included, Al Kooper, Krist Novoselic, Billy Cox and Clive Barker. Oral History Live! is sponsored by Wells Fargo and The Boeing Company. Upcoming Oral History Live! events include: Stockpiling Star Wars: Inside Gus and Duncan’Äôs Comprehensive Guide to Star Was Collectibles Feb. 23 and Perspectives in Poster Design March 11.

Exposed: Inside Film

Through its Exposed: Inside Film series, EMP|SFM screens cult favorites and classic sci-fi films. Each screening is followed by a behind-the-scenes look through an interactive discussion with local filmmakers and experts in the subject matter, or with actors, directors or screenwriters associated with the film. Upcoming films include: Outlander Feb. 17 and Of All the Things April 21.

Sound Off! 2009

Sound Off! is the Pacific Northwest’Äôs largest battle of the bands. A launching pad for musical careers, Sound Off! has enjoyed hosting many young up-and-coming bands over the years including Schoolyard Heroes, Idiot Pilot, Mon Frere, The Lonely H, Dyme Def, The Lonely Forest, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head and New Faces.

Early last year, EMP|SFM crowned New Faces as winners of Sound Off! 2008, since then, they’Äôve been propelled into Seattle’Äôs music scene. Just a few months after their win, they were signed by Loveless Records, released their first album, Two Years’Äîwhich was just named top local release of 2008 by Three Imaginary Girls, and played to adoring fans at Bumbershoot.

This year’Äôs semifinalists include Dearboy, Dyno Jamz, Love Trucker, Schoolboy Gutbuster, Brier Rose, Free City Collective, Makeup Monsters, The Mission Orange, Cyrus Fell Down, Kids Get Hit by Buses, Razpy & The Vigilantes and Sol. Upcoming semifinal concerts are held Feb. 21 and 28, 2009 and the finals are held March 7, 2009.

Sound Off! 2009 is sponsored by IKEA, Shure’Äî’ÄúThe Official Microphone of EMP|SFM,’Äù 107.7 The End, KEXP 90.3, KORG USA, Epiphone, Bumbershoot, The Stranger, NoStankYou.com, Orbit Audio, Glenn Sound Studio, London Bridge Studio, Northwest Folklife, The Vera Project and Redmond's Old Firehouse Teen Center.

Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival

EMP|SFM, in partnership with SIFF, presented the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival Feb. 7, 2009 at the Seattle Cinerama Theater. The annual festival brings together industry professionals in filmmaking and the genres of science fiction and fantasy to encourage and support new, creative additions to science fiction and fantasy cinema arts.

After Hours

EMP|SFM is proud to partner with the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) to present After Hours, a new all-ages event at EMP|SFM designed by teens for teens. After Hours is an exciting, new all-ages event that takes place three times throughout the year. The evening features a dance party with a local DJ in Sky Church and can include access to gallery spaces, live music by local bands and film previews from student filmmakers. The next After Hours event is March 27.

Education

empsfm.org/education

Experience: The Band

Experience: The Band began in fall 2007 as a partnership between EMP|SFM and the Berklee College of Music’Äôs City Music Network.

This year-long, innovative, full scholarship program integrates instrumental and vocal instruction in rock and jazz, ensemble performance and musicianship classes with state-of-the-art online learning materials.

Experience: The Band rehearses together every Saturday from late September to early June, with several public performances scheduled throughout the year. Band members are also eligible to be considered for scholarships to Berklee College of Music’Äôs five-week summer performance program, as well as full tuition scholarships to Berklee College of Music. Experience: The Band’Äôs next showcase is March 21 at 1 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Experience: The Band is supported by JP Morgan Chase Foundation and Puget Sound Energy Foundation.

Pop Conference

The Pop Conference at EMP|SFM, now in its eighth year, joins academics, critics, performers and writers of all kinds to discuss popular music. This year’Äôs conference topic is ’ÄúDance Music Sex Romance: Pop and the Body Politic.’Äù The conference runs April 16-19, 2009.

Lessons & Workshops

Lessons & Workshops at EMP|SFM are weekend and evening classes for adults and teens 16 and older. This series provides in-depth, hands-on training on a specific music or science fiction-related topic. Lessons & Workshops are added throughout the year. Guitar 102 begins Feb. 18 and Stayin' Alive: Rock Band for Adults begins April 27.

Camps and Teen Artist Workshops

EMP|SFM’Äôs Camps and Teen Artist Workshops take youth on a journey of artistic exploration and self-discovery during their spring and summer breaks. Visit empsfm.org/education for a complete list of 2009 camps and workshops offered by EMP|SFM and partners Pacific Science Center and Seattle Children’Äôs Theater.

2008 Wallace Excellence Award

In November, EMP|SFM was granted a 2008 Wallace Excellence Award. EMP|SFM was among eight other Seattle arts organizations to receive the prestigious award, including On The Boards, One Reel, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theater, Seattle Youth Symphony and SIFF. EMP|SFM is thrilled to be among this impressive list of local arts organizations and to be honored by The Wallace Foundation.

EMP|SFM received a $585,000 grant to expand and enhance youth-driven programming that leverages the museum’Äôs unique collections and offerings to generate online content for the public. The museum will announce its specific plan to implement the grant later this year.

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Museum Hours:

EMP|SFM is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 2, 2008 through May 21, 2009 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 22, 2009 through September 7, 2009.

Museum Admission:

General adult admission to both Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) is $15. Admission for seniors, youth, military and students (w/ID) is $12, and admission for children under 5 is free. One ticket gives access to both museums.

Web site:

empsfm.org

Address:

325 5^th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

Box office:

206-770-2702

Current exhibitions include:
American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print
October 11, 2008 ’Äì July 16, 2009
American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print illustrates the fascinating fusion of art with popular culture and music history. Featuring the work of one of the nation's oldest operating printing shops’ÄîNashville, Tennessee's Hatch Show Print’Äîthe exhibition highlights the uniquely American posters produced to advertise everything from vaudeville shows, state fairs and stock car races to the Grand Ole Opry, Elvis Presley and Herbie Hancock.

Founded in 1879 in Nashville, Tenn., Hatch Show Print is still a working letterpress and design shop, creating posters today using the same letterpress methods as yesterday. American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print features historical and contemporary posters and original wooden print blocks’Äîsome never before seen by the public.

The exhibition, organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, is supported by America's Jazz Heritage, a Partnership of The Wallace Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition is supported locally by 4Culture.

Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels
May 16, 2008 ’Äì April 19, 2009

Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels celebrates our long fascination with humankind's technological version of itself. This exhibition draws from a one-of-a-kind assemblage of toy robots, which noted designer Tom Geismar has been collecting for decades. Inspired by antique tin and wooden toys, samurai warriors and mid-20th century Japanese film characters, these intricately detailed and beautifully designed miniatures are set against EMP|SFM's backdrop of life-sized robots, androids and cyborgs from the world of science-fiction film and television.

Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound
April 26, 2008 ’Äì April 11, 2010
Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound illustrates Hendrix's musical evolution from his early days in Seattle, to his time as a journeyman musician touring the southern "chitlin' circuit" and in New York City, to his explosion on the popular music scene in London and beyond. The exhibition and the visitor experience weave together the various musical styles and cultures that Hendrix soaked up throughout his all-too-short journey.

About the EMP|SFM Building
Since EMP opened in 2000 and SFM in 2004, EMP|SFM has welcomed more than 4.3 million visitors through its doors. From its museum planning stages in 1998 through 2007, EMP|SFM has been a key economic driver among Seattle nonprofit arts and culture organizations, with combined EMP|SFM institutional expenditures and EMP|SFM audience-member spending resulting in $580 million dollars of local economic impact. EMP|SFM is housed in a 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. This spectacular, prominently visible structure has the presence of a monumental sculpture set amid the backdrop of the Seattle Center.

About Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project (EMP) is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock ’Äòn’Äô roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock’Äôs influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres. Visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the creative process by listening to musicians tell their own stories.

About Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (SFM) is the world's first museum devoted to the thought-provoking ideas and experiences of science fiction. SFM’Äôs exhibitions promote awareness and appreciation of science fiction literature and media while encouraging visitors to envision new futures for humanity. In the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, the museum pays homage to the most respected of science fiction practitioners’Äîwriters, artists, publishers and filmmakers.

Experience Music Project

Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

t: (206) 262-3245 f: (206) 770-2727

330 Sixth Avenue North Suite 200 Seattle WA 98109

target="_blank"empsfm.org

Current Exhibitions

American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print

October 11, 2008 ’Äì July 16, 2009

Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound

April 26, 2008 ’Äì April 11, 2010

Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels

May 16, 2008 ’Äì April 19, 2009

Upcoming Exhibition

Jim Henson’Äôs Fantastic World

May 23 ’Äì August 16, 2009

Slavery and the Absence of Truth. Online Solo Exhibition by Juan Carlos Llera

Slavery and the Absence of Truth Online Solo Exhibition by Juan Carlos Llera

Click image to download PDF Where will you be in 100 years and how prepared are you for this crushing reality? Can you separate the real from the delusional? Why do we, as a society, create the world we inhabit on a daily basis and feel victimized over what we see on the 10:00 p.m. news all the while never becoming conscious of the role we play in our own self created suffering? Contemporary Cuban American Artist Juan Carlos Llera presents a series of virtual works intended to encourage reflection and ignite consciousness in the viewer. Through a virtual world of ones and zeros you are cordially invited to download and view his one man show "Slavery and the Absence of Truth" in the form of a PDF file which contains the unreal conceptual snapshots of the thoughts that generate them. It is the conceptual world and its relationship to natural truth which is being explored here. It is visual poetry constructed to break through thought and gain access to consciousness and awareness in its purest form. Please accept an invitation to participate in the work by downloading, viewing, reflecting and commenting on the material presented. For more information, please contact the artist at: llera@bellsouth.net