The Days of Tumblr

I have enjoyed using this as a testing ground for my blog and the voice and direction of my Web endeavors but I have decided to switch to using Tumblr as I feel it is more dynamic medium for me to share my thoughts and ambitions and expositions. I will keep this Blogspot up as a archive of what I have done so far. To get to my Tumblr please go to:

The Jauad of Things Tumblr
Http://JauadofThings.tumblr.com

The Birth of a Zine

Skimming Art Magazines?

     I was skimming Art Forum and to my dismay I barely saw any mention about the great D.C. art community. I think this has sparked the thought of looking at the Art Magazines that are being published and finding out a way that I can bring a magazine to D.C. With that came the birth of the idea of a local D.C. Art Zine. I am looking for contributors at this point. So if you are interested in submitting articles about things pertaining to the local art community. Please E-mail me, Kamal Jauad Abdelilah, at JauadOfThings@gmail.com. I am especially looking for anyone interested in helping with graphic design, journalists, artist contributing work for the magazine. I am toying with the idea of a small print circulation and then selling the Zine in pdf format or getting it ready for Kindles and Nooks.

I am looking forward to hearing from all of you!!!

Jauad Musings - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

            I feel like the past few years there is a strong sense of optimism and change in the District area’s art community. I can see it in the openings I go to, in the new people that have moved here from other areas, in the students, in the artists… I have a feeling even more major changes are on the way for D.C. Its an interesting dynamic that I see from the somewhat conservative tone that sets the scene for what I use to think was just a government town.  I think people genuinely want to explore new things, new ideas and art helps to set the stage for that.

           My dilemma as of late has been to stay in D.C. and be a part of this change or move back to my dear New York. If we look back to the New York of the 70s and 80s one can recall how difficult things were in Manhattan.  People were certainly roughing it and the framework was just establishing itself for contemporary artists to explore their work. While in this area some of the parameters are different… I think we should take time to study the history of a city with such a vibrant art community. We can take cues and apply that to what is going on in the district now.

  

          I think the climate here, since things are more difficult and the rules are still being written, new things are being shared in the District that have not been seen here…there is some accountability and responsibility. There seems to be an opposing energy that I witness to this creative flux. But I think the creative drive is strong. I think the friction that exists in the District though can be even more of a catalyst for great work.  

I wanted to share a little of my thought process on why I want to stay in D.C. I would like to explore more about topics like this and revisit this but I wanted to start to use this blog as a way to visit some of my personal experiences in the local art community. Hopefully this can be a jumping board and start discussions. More to come!!!

A Marriage of Social Media

So I have decided to make some changes in how I present my blog to make things more seamless. I will use the space of blogspot for articles mainly, my conclusions from shows I go to, interviews with local artist, and things of that nature. I plan to use twitter and Facebook more to share and learn about things that other people are doing in the Local Art Community in Washington, D.C...

On Twitter I can be found at: Http://www.twitter.com/Jauadofthings

On Facebook I can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jauad-of-Things/248851011820291

I think be fully utilizing and integrating the three different platforms. The sharing and spread of information can be more seamless and effortless. My goal is to be a connector, a person who helps push the catalyst and dynamic for collaboration, growth and the pure love of art and what it means to each of us.

Iona Rozeal Brown speaks at the Corocoran 11-03-11

Iona Rozeal Brown's work explores cross-cultural identities in an interesting, original, and engaging context. But to see her speak gave her images more potency for me. She has a genuine spirit and welcoming energy about her work. Brown especially expressed her empathy with all young women..."I want to wrap my wings around them."The work is a way, I think, that Brown is processing things within herself in a very positive, spiritual manner. I enjoyed hearing the inspiration and background of her work. Her influences stem from things like Hip-Hop, Kabuki and Sci-Fi Writer Octavia E. Butler. An interesting topic that was explored is Hair and how that plays into identity within black culture as well as Japanese culture. 

Brown takes it to the next level, exploring how Japanese youth sub-culture explores hip hop culture. The work has a lot of aesthetic potency...the images are very loaded. What may look simple to the untrained eye, is in fact quite complex. Brown addresses questions of race and identity in a very unique cross-cultural way.  To sum it up.. beautiful, engaging work. 

Tonight, November 4, at G-Fine Art There will be a reception for a showing of some new work:

G-Fine Art

1350 Florida Avenue, N.E. (@Orren St, N.E.)

Washington, D.C. 2002

Reception: 6-8PM

http://www.gfineartdc.com/

Below are Photos from the discussion at the Corcoran last night, Thursday, November 3.. Some of the photos got a little messed up fro some reason but I thought I put them up anyway because they looked cool.

Working Backwards

I have been M.I.A. from posting. I plan to post the most recent things I've been to and go backwards. Hope you enjoy : )

Art DC: George Mason University "Shore to Shore-Interweaving Memories, New Realities" International Video Exhibition -Reception Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I have become more and more fond of video art and its capacity to explore and present ideas, themes and questions in a vast multitude and breadth. The University I attend, George Mason, is showcasing a series of Latin American Artist and their Polish counterparts. Shore to Shore is a biennal celebrating ten years. The show showcases selected videos from the past 5 Biennials. What I find interesting is how artists from both countries are exploring stories using the video medium that confront a "...fast changing society, decades into transition from ditatorial and repressive regimes.

There will be an opening reception on Tuesday, September 6. The show runs to September 23, 2011.


Time/Date:
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
6:00-8:00PM

Location:
SCHOOL OF ART
Art&Design Building, Room 1001
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone:
703.993.8950

Web:
School of Art Gallery Website:CLICK HERE

Metro:
Vienna (Orange Line)
[Take Metro to Mason shuttle....its free]

Art DC: The Fridge "Love & Guts-30 Years of Thrasher Magazine" One-Night Only Reception

For those of you we grew up skateboarding, Thrasher magazine is something very familiar. For those of you unfamiliar CLICK HERE. They are celebrating 30 years of being in print, 1981-2011. This traveling one-night show was in New York and will also be in Orange County. Be sure to check it out and come back to the blog for a post show write-up.

Time/Date:
Friday, September 2, 2011
6:00-10:00PM

Location:
The Fridge
Rear Alley, 516 1/2 8th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone:
202.664.4151

Web:
Http://www.thefridgedc.com

Facebook Event Page: Click Here

Metro:
Eastern Market (Orange/Blue Line)

Art DC: Longview Gallery "Containment and Diversion" Thomas Burket-Opening Reception- Thursday, September 1

I got an e-mail about this show this coming Thursday at Longview Gallery and it looked very interesting. Here is the tidbit that Longview Gallery wrote about the show:

"...featuring approximately 15 mixed media works on paper by Washington-based artist Thomas Burkett. This marks the first solo show of Burkett’s young career. Thomas’ work explores topics currently headlining news stories around the country. Wide spread water shortages in much of the south caused by the breakdown of manmade containment and diversion equipment, exemplifies his belief in our inability to exact control over nature.

Growing up in the grandeur of the Western United States, Thomas Burkett gleaned an impression of invincibility and an air of confidence that abundant land resources is a right of passage. Now, as an outside observer, he realizes his utopian West is both a place of grandeur and illusion. An urban identity now confronts his notion of abundance with the reality of a water crisis and a realization that we have settled in an environment that challenges our subversive tactics of control. Determined to examine our control of water, the work in Containment and Diversion portrays the damming, diverting, and polluting of water – life’s most vital substance."

I will write a post-show article after going this Thursday. Below is all the specifics.



Time/Date: Thursday, September 1, 2011
6:30-8:30PM
Location: Longview Gallery
1234 9th Street, NW (M & N St)
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202.232.4788
Web:Http://www.longviewgallery.com
Facebook Event Page: Click Here
Metro: Mt.Vernon Sqaure (Green/Yellow Line)

DC: Block Party for Closing of Irvine Contemporary- August 27, 2011

This Saturday, August 27 Irvine Contemporary is closing up shop at its 14th Street, NW location. Come help celebrate a great gallery with a block party. Will Eastman and Yoko K will be Djing.

Here is an excerpt from the email I got about the event:

"This summer marks the 10th anniversary of Irvine Contemporary and over 5 years at our 14th Street gallery location. We will be moving out of our gallery space at the end of August, and we are concluding our time on 14th Street by celebrating our artists and recognizing the community that has been the life of the gallery at this location."

It also is the closing of the "Artists Tribute 2" exhibition featuring work by: Shepard Fairey, Gaia, Melissa Ichiuji, Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi, Akemi Maegawa, Sebastian Martorana, Alexa Meade, Susana Raab, Kerry Skarbakka.

Access the website below to get more in depth about the show and the artists.

Time: 6:00PM - ?
Where: Irvine Contemporary
1412 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
Web: Http://www.irvinecontemporary.com
Metro: Mcpherson Square (Walk up 14th Street)
Phone: (202) 332-8767