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

Lecture: Italian Contemporary Photography @ The National Gallery of Art -August 21, 2011-

The National Gallery of Art is have a lecture on Italian Contemporary Photography this Sunday. THe website did not provide much information about Adam Davies, the speaker, or details, I think this should be of interest; especially those of you interested in contemporary photography. I also find it of interest on a personal level because I am Half Italian. This is part of the summer lecture series, "All Things Italian" going on at the Nation Gallery of ARt.

Location: National Gallery of Art
4th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
East Building Concourse, Auditorium
Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial (Green/Yellow)
Date: August 21, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm
Web: Http://www.nga.gov/programs/lectures

E8: Scuplture Series-"NAVE" Sean Lundgren- Transformer Gallery- Post Show Article

I was walking on my way to whole foods when I had stumbled upon an opening at Transformer last night, Thursday, August 4, 2011. A intimate space with always very interesting installations that utilize the space. I was very happy that I decided to walk in, despite being in gym clothes and with my whole foods shopping bag.

This was the last show in the E8: Sculpture series. The current one being "Nave" with Sean Lundgren running through August 13,2001. The other artist featured were Oreen Cohen "Running Drill" which ran July 7 -16 and Lindsay Rowinski "Trying to be There", July 21 - 30. This series was presented in part with the Exercises for Emerging Artist program at Transformer.

Here is a little background on Transformer direct from the press release I felt summed it up best:

"Transformer is a Washington, DC based...artist-centered non-profit visual arts organization, providing consistent, supportive, and professional platform for emerging artists to explore and present experimental artistic concepts, build audiences for their work, and advance their careers...Transformer connects and promotes emerging visual artists within regional, national and international contexts through exhibition and programs partnerships with artists, curators, commercial galleries, museums and other cultural institutions..."

The exhibtion is open to the public 1:00-7:00pm this Friday and Saturday and next week.

Here are some photos I took from the show:

transformer
1404 P Street, NW (14th & 15th St)
Washington, DC 20005
202.483.1102
Tttp://www.Transformergallery.org

THE METASCHEMATIZIONS-Boys Be Good-Morton Fine Arts- Post Show Article

The Boys Be Good's "The Metaschematizions" show at Morton Fine Arts (http://www.mortonfineart.com/)
1781 Florida Ave NW (at 18th & U Sts)
Washington, DC 20009

on July 22, 2011 had a good turn-out of people. Although I do not know how many pieces sold I think the Boys Be Good Collective is here to stay with another show coming this fall.

I think DC is great need of a Queer based Art Collective that poses questions and opens a dialogue of the gay identity. Considering the size of the queer community, we need it. Despite Washington's quite conservative undertone...there is growing resistance to this conservative leanings with liberal, artistic bent individuals aimed to create change and an open-mind.


Boys Be Good is made up of: Nicholas Abriola, Armando López Bircann, Christopher Cunetto, René Mauricio Medrano, Jason Edward Tucker, and Chris walker. More detail can be found out about each Artist at the Boys Be Good Website: http://www.boysbegood.com/

I got a chance to get some comments post show from two of the artist: Armando López Bircann and René Mauricio Medrano.

Bircann expressed that the inspiration for his work is about exploring the creation of "personal religion through icons that are personal." His medium is video and though video creates moving portraiture. Rather than in a painting where the components are still, video provides a different kind texture along with real-time movement.If you are interested in a Video Portrait, Bircann can be contacted via email at arlobi@hotmail.com.

Bircann goes further to say that his work is about "interrupting day to day life with something magical and real for the individual." The video compositions are "visual responses to emotion there to serve as a focus for feelings and thoughts." The term"Visual Poetry" is used to help create an understanding and context for how the work can be better understood.

The process by which this is all done is by documenting performances that are enhanced by using video. When is making the video portraits he tires to engage the other person.

Here is an example of one of Bircann's works...not a video portrait but a piece that I interpreted as capturing the feeling that going out in the night life offers...using Gaga looped backwards:

cardnial conjure from arlobi on Vimeo.

Some Photos of from the show:

A still of a video portrait done by Bircann:

René Mauricio Medrano was the other artist I manage to get some input on his process and inspiration between his work. Medrano sent me a beautiful breakdown of his work. Here is the directo quotes straight from the mouth of Medrano:

"[explanation of concept] Superficia makes evident the struggle between spaces and the defining power of spaces on prevailing realities. Through this investigation I have been able to develop a fascination for the superficial and its capability to determine certain truths. The reduction of this concept as an investigation of space, reality, judgement, existence, truth and arguably art-making validates the power of superficiality as it becomes the notion that connects each investigative point of interest to one another.

[formal/visual explanation] What Superficia as a piece does to satisfy its originating concept is by existing as both exterior and interior spaces simultaneously. The struggle is made apparent in that both “invisible” and superficial exist harmoniously in a illusionistic instance in time. The projection of this superficial ephemera as vomit makes evident that these objects which determine the makings of visuality have at once point existed internally and invisibly. "

Some Photos of Medrano and His Work:

I have always enjoyed conceptually charged pieces that open up a dialogue and hopefully give some new insight to the audience. I am eager to see what other works Medrano has in store for us.

I really enjoyed Christopher Cunetto's sketches that had a homo-erotic and also fantasy like feel. I asked if there was any influence of perhaps James Bidgood or Pierre Gilles and he said there was.

Here are some photos of his work:

I fell in love with this portrait. I thought it was beautiful...and I noticed a red dot next to it towards the end of the reception.

Jason Edward Tucker exlpored photography with two different sets of work with different themes. The first was a series black & white photographs of models in panty-hose with ballons stuffed in odd shapes. It was interesting to see how Jason was exploring ideas of the body and gender. Tucker goes on to use a quote by Judith Butler to help reflect the concept behind what the photographs are trying to explore:

“Gender is the repeated stylization of the body, a set of repeated acts with a highly rigid regulatory frame that congeal over time to produce the appearance of substance, of a natural sort of being”

To get a better sense of what his process and inspiration here is what Tucker had to say about his work:

"My final project is based around the body and the way we perceive anatomical form. By altering the way in which you view the body, I aim to create abstract shapes and shadows without allowing the viewer to focus on the identity of the model. Using pantyhose to equalize the body, and balloons to distort; I try to remove traces of gender and outward identity. I want the modifications to the body to remain looking organic and natural, yet at the same time causing the viewer to question not only who they are looking at, but also what they are looking at. We live in a culture that is entirely obsessed with body image and gender roles; I hope to reach into the murky disconnect that exists between humans and their bodies and play with the circulating themes and theories involved. If I am able to separate gender identity from a body as a form, I will be able to change the “gaze” of the viewer to focus on the anatomy and shapes created by distorting musculature and pose."

[Discussion of the second series of photos by Jason will be added to this post soon
]


A Photo of Jason Edward Tucker:
[Photos of work coming soon]

Nicholas Abriola explored photography with an interesting context. The intense, gestural, and emotive black white photographs of a male figure were intense to absorb. What I found interesting was the context and inspiration behind them; the process of coming out. I found this to be an interesting way to explore perhaps the harshness and mental strife one can go through in coming out in an unconventional manner. Abriola gave mequite a well-thought explanation of what his work is exploring:

"Untitled' depicts the powerful transformative experience of coming out of the closet. This triptych, focusing on three forms of this process: the body, the mind, and the spirit, is telling of the triumph over struggle and emergence into the light of personal freedom."
"The body is the tangible carrier of transformation; the mind is the machine that is elevated to a new level of consciousness; and the spirit is the essence that is always true.
"It can be said that any personal struggle is processed through these three pillars of our being. Perhaps our many different struggles, whatever they may be, are more similar than we know; although we are changed in different ways, it is the strength and courage to persevere that unites us all."


Photos of Abriola and his work:

Here are some other pictures from the show:

Opening Recpetion D.C. - Resident Artist Mei Mei Chang's "61" Installation Based Exhibition - Honfleur Gallery - Friday, August 5, 2011

I came across Mei Mei Chang, a mixed-media Artist (Painting, Installation, Photography, Paper, and Drawing), when Go-Mama-Go was still open on 14th Street, NW back this past winter. I was interested in her pieces that explored use of a sewing machine with other mixed media. I am curious to see what her show this Friday has in store called "61". 61 being the days she will be staying in residence at the Anacostia art gallery Honfleur Gallery.

Here is a preview of the Installation courtesy of Mei Mei Chang herself:

Go to Chang's website to explore her work: http://www.meimeichang.com/


The opening of Chang's installation coincides with Honfleur Gallery's "East of The River" juried exhibition in its Fifth year. This year features work by: Jonathan Edwards, Jon Malis, Lark Catoe-Emerson, Deborah Terry, Marlon Normon, Danielle Scruggs. I am not familiar with these artist but an eager to see what they have to show. The exhibit is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The panel of judges consisted this year of :

Stephen Bennett Phillips
(Director of the Fine Arts Program at the Federal Reserve Board)

Renee Stout
(Washington, DC based Artist)

Susana Raab
(Photographer, Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum)

Facebook Event Link

To learn more about the Honfleur Gallery go to there Website: Http://www.honfleurgallery.com/

Address: 1241 Good Hope Road SE (@ 13th St.,SE)
Washington, DC, 20020
Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Metro: Anacostia (Green Line)

"Take Green Line to Anacostia. When exiting the metro turn right in the direction of the school and church, which are on Howard Road. Make a left at the light onto Martin Luther King Jr SE. Walk 10 minutes - past Talbert Street, Morris Road, Chicago Street and Pleasant Street, the Big Chair. At Good Hope Road and the 11 street bridge, make a right and Honfleur is at 1241 Good Hope Road. Cross street is 13th"

Phillips After 5- August 4, 2011- "Spirituality in Art"

I have yet to attend a Phillips After 5... seems they are quite popular and you need to RSVP in advance for the event to ensure entry. But this one really stuck out to me. Below is the excerpt from their email on this coming Thursdays "After 5":

"Soothe your soul with chair yoga classes from Tranquil Space, tastings from SILENCE TEA, and gallery talks on Kandinsky's ability to see color and hear sound. Music and videos by Robin Bell respond to art by Kandinsky and A. Balasubramaniam, and Jay Kishor performs Ragas on Guitar throughout the evening."

Here is the link for the facebook page: Facebook Link Click Here

...And here is the link for page to make your reservation: RSVP Link Click Here

Time: 5:00PM - 8:30PM
Admission: $12 (Adult)
$10 (with Student I.D.)
Location: 1600 21st Street, NW (21 ST & Q St)
Metro: Dupont Circle

Official Phillips Collection Webpage

Long View Gallery "Refresh" Show -Pictures and Video

The Long View Gallery's "Refresh" show seemed to be a success with a large turn out. Live Music was performed by the Laissez Foure a "swingin' jazz quartet.' I throughly enjoyed the music and thought it would be perfect to accompany the mood of a leisure Sunday while writing in my journal reflecting. Check them out at:

Http://www.laissezfoure.com


Here is a brief interview with Ryan McCoy about the inspiration behind his work.



McCoy explains how the dates in his work reflect the period in time in which the work was created and the experiences related to that time. He hopes when people view his work that perhaps they can see societal metaphors of ash and rust and something emotive. He emphasizes that he is trying to make an honest piece where he is engaged. The pine needles are significant because he grew up near pine needles and went camping with his mother as a child. Pine needles reflect time in life and nature and perhaps relationship with mother. The process is just as important as the end result...the action of collecting the pine needles, making the ash, going to the grove in the early morning and writing and reflecting is perhaps cathartic for McCoy. The process is very personal to him.

McCoy also is trying to capture and reflect how words don't explain or describe everything... That his piece is trying to express, in a way, what words can't. I love the texture of the piece and actually tried to smell it to see if I could get another sense activated when experiencing the work because of the ash and baby powder. But alas, I didn't want to look crazy so didn't smell for long. I think the piece is interesting and conceptual giving a visual to things that are abstract like our thoughts and emotions.

Following is a brief interview with Zach Sherif about his inspiration and process:



Sherif's beautiful hand-blown glass chandeliers are stunning to look out. Vibrant and colorful, they would be a great touch in someone's home. In the video Sherif discusses the importance of lighting. The glass is made in Egypt and he assembles the chandeliers in his workshop in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of D.C. He actually had a feature recently in Marie-Claire in which he was professed as revitalizing the hand-blown glass craft in Egypt. It seems like this is on the verge of becoming a lost craft in Egypt. He moved to D.C. recently from New York and is enjoying the quality of life in the District.

I did not get a chance to interview any of the other artist but include works I enjoyed in the accompanying photos.