ROMANBLOG

Artist, R. L. Croft

2008-04-11T08:53:00.003-04:00

Floorwork, wallwork, drawings and what the artist calls impromptu, are all part of R. L. Croft's colorful, fragmented world.

Above, Speak by R. L. Croft.

Phillips' Mill Photographic Exhibition

2008-04-08T16:04:00.003-04:00

The 16th Annual Phillips' Mill Photographic Exhibition is coming up and runs from June 1 through June 22nd. I have visited there before and besides the beautiful setting of the mill and Bucks County in general, they really have great receptions.

Above, Mike and Pike, by photographer Todd Trice.

Blank Canvas?

2008-04-07T14:48:00.005-04:00

I saw a surprising item in the WHYY newsletter. Here is how it reads.

"Coming in May on Y Arts: WHYY explores the Philadelphia region's diverse arts and culture community in On Canvas, a new weekly series premiering Wednesday, May 28 at 9 p.m. on Y Arts — WHYY's 24/7 digital Arts & Culture TV channel. Watch it on Comcast Digital Cable Channel 241; Verizon FiOS Channel 874; and over the air on Channel 12.2 on digital TVs."

This could be great but I suspect the use of the word "Canvas" in the title of this series. I doubt there will be many, if any painters. So far WHYY has not been much of an alternative to the mass media locally when it comes to the visual arts. I don't know of any artists that have been contacted for interviews or studio visits yet. I hope I am wrong and that this turns out to be a truly diverse, inclusive series, with the visual arts and the artists themselves front and center as the title suggests.

Who influenced who?

2008-04-03T13:05:00.007-04:00

In a recent post on artist/filmmaker Julian Schnabel I wrote how his work had been a positive influence on me. Well, after seeing one of the scenes from his great new film, The Butterfly and the Diving Bell, I think I may have influenced him. The short abstract scene of insects superimposed on flowers looks so much like the opening to a video I made on artist Nic Coviello, that I was shocked. Of course it is probably a coincidence, but the similarities are very strong. Mr. Schnabel or someone on the crew may have done the same thing I did, to get old stock footage of insects that are in the public domain and layer it over the image of flowers. Or maybe this is a cliche film thing like - it is always possible to park directly outside the building you are visiting. More film clichés. I don't think of film cliches as a bad thing though. I actually like them, and think of them as a sly inside joke when I see them.

The video on Nic Coviello with my version of the scene (flower photo by Nic Coviello shown above). You need Quicktime to play this version. I highly recommend seeing The Butterfly and the Diving Bell, which is now available at Netflix.

Relics, Myths and Yarn

2008-04-02T15:31:00.008-04:00

You still have until April 18th to see "Relics, Myths and Yarn" at the The Schuylkill Center. It's a beautiful place to see an exhibition and to wander around the grounds. The Center For Emerging Visual Artists (CEVA) artist Darla Jackson, John Karpinski, Matthew Neff , Tara O'Brien and Serena Perrone are presenting their work.

Above, Goal Orientation 1, by John Karpinski.

A review in the Inquirer by Edith Newhall.

Melinda Steffy at Sam Quinn Gallery

2008-04-01T14:49:00.002-04:00

"Particular Memories (Amid the Vast Emptiness of Forgetting)" by Philadelphia artist Melinda Steffy will open with a reception on Friday, April 18. For the concept behind the show and more information visit here.

Above, Untitled, 25x27 inches, tumeric on canvas, 2008, by Melinda Steffy.

Lost Photos of Diane Arbus

2008-03-30T17:34:00.003-04:00

First Person Arts will be taking a trip to see the 28 newly-discovered Diane Arbus photographs from Hubert's Dime Museum and Flea Circus at Phillips de Pury Auction house in NYC, and you can join them! Tickets and more information are are available at Brown Paper Tickets. It is coming up on Saturday, April 5th, so there is no time to waste.

Above, Photo by Diane Arbus. Not one of the lost group.

Painters Plenty

2008-03-26T10:11:00.005-04:00

I really like what Chris Ashley at "Look, See" has been doing on his blog lately. He is paying homage to other artists in two ways. First, by introducing us to painters that we might not find otherwise, usually because they live on other continents. Second, is that he is capturing the essence of other artists style in his own pared down html drawings. He then gives us titles that hint at who the artist is, i.e. Untitled (after DW).

So, following a good example I am posting the work of Sergej Jensen, an artist from Denmark.

Above, Purposless Explosion, 2006, Fabric and tempera on canvas, 29.5 x 21.675 in. by Sergej Jensen. Image from White Cube, London

You are invited to Gallery Night

2008-03-17T17:19:00.006-04:00

My current show, DEEP, at the Philadelphia Art Alliance Satellite Gallery will be part of Gallery Night on April 18. I will be there and I hope you can come by.

A number of art spots in Center City will be open late and will have refreshments on hand. Sign up for City Paper's after-party party to be held at Vango from 8:30-10:30 pm.

Above, The Philadelphia Etchings: Janet Towbin at the Print Center

Julian Schnabel, artist and filmmaker

2008-03-16T13:32:00.005-04:00

They say one true sign of a great artist is that they influence other artists. Even though my work shows no obvious signs of that, I would have to say Mr. Schnabel has been a great influence, for both his painting and film work. A number of the artists that I have taped over the past 4 years have mentioned his name as well.

Here are links to a couple of video interviews with Julian Schnabel from Charlie Rose. This one focuses primarily on the movie "Butterfly and the Diving Bell." And this very short piece from the "green room" with some good advice for artists, and everyone for that matter.

Above, Amor Misericordioso, Installation View, 2006. McClain Gallery.

Thank you fellow artists

2008-03-14T10:11:00.006-04:00

Approximately six weeks into my show at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, I would like to thank all of the artists who have posted reviews, videos and mentions. So far, Robin Rice at City Paper is the only media outlet that has mentioned the show, other than a listing, but then there is still time.

There are numerous reasons why it is important to get feedback on a show, the most obvious being that more people might be compelled to go experience the exhibition for themselves. But more importantly, artists generally work alone and have little contact or feedback from the outside world while making the art. So to receive reviews by art critics and other artists on an individual work, or the way a show is presented in a particular space, and the best thing of all, words that bring new insight to the work, can be of great value. Visual art is made to communicate and it is better when the communication is back and forth and not a monologue.

The following are links from those who have in some way mentioned the show so far.

Steven Alexander

Chris Ashley

Vittorio Colazzi (essay, pdf)

Lynne Dunham

Pam Farrell

Ann Tracy Lopez

Tim McFarlane

Douglas Witmer

Time for a music video break

2008-03-10T01:01:00.004-04:00

From the Youtube info. "'Heima' (icelandic for "at home" or "homeland"), truly, shows sigur rós as never before. whereas seeing the group live is normally a large-scale and sometimes overwhelming experience, making full use of lights and mesmeric visuals, 'heima' was always intended to reveal more of what was actually going on on stage. it does this via long-held close-ups and a rare intimate proximity, without ever once breaking the spell."

'Heima' was directed by Dean Deblois.

I suggest watching this one fullscreen with headphones on.

Vincent Romaniello, video

2008-03-03T15:22:00.014-05:00

In Part One of Transforming Materials into Meaning, I demonstrate how I make my the work. I have taken techniques originally developed for fresco painting and put a contemporary spin on it. For instance, I don't use intonaco but instead apply a mixture of acrylic ground along with my own combination of ingredients. In the near future I plan on adding additional footage about the meaning and inspiration behind the work.

Quicktime version (higher quality)
YouTube version

Artwork, video and music by Vincent Romaniello. Above an outtake from the video which shows a detail of a painting from the side.

Barnes Class Visits DEEP

2008-03-01T09:44:00.009-05:00

A group of students from the Art Now class visited my exhibition DEEP at the Philadelphia Art Alliance Satellite Gallery. I shared the secrets of how the work is made using actual tools and materials along with a series of short videos that I will be releasing soon and posting here on this site.

This class, the brainchild of instructor John Gatti, is being offered by the Barnes Foundation. After the group left my show they were given the treat of tours at a number of other venues including the Gijs Bakker and Jewelry show across the street at the Art Alliance main building. Then they were off to the to the Print Center, Fleisher Ollman and the Schmidt Dean gallery, all within easy walking distance of each other in Center City, Philadelphia. Every week they will explore different galleries, museums and artist's studio around the area as well as have guest lecturers at The Barnes. You can always map out your own tour, or better yet, sign up for Art Now.

Above, a class member checking out the texture, with permission of course, of one of the works in DEEP.

Artist, John Tallman

2008-02-28T09:57:00.003-05:00

John Tallman makes textural works from various materials in both 2 and 3 dimensions.

Leap Year at the Sketch Club

2008-02-26T15:44:00.002-05:00

The Philadelphia Sketch Club will be celebrating the Leap Year by inviting you to meet, party and discuss art with fellow artists on Friday, February 29 from 5-8:30 pm. The event is free and refreshments will be served. Click here to download all the details. Artists, check out the juried exhibition opportunities.

The Fiber in Art

2008-02-26T14:10:00.005-05:00

The Wood Turning Center has an interesting spin on fiber art as part of a citywide celebration for all things fiber. “7 Visions: Wood as Fiber” will be opening on First Friday in March and features the work of Dorothy Gill Barnes, Michael Brolly, Markku Kosonen (work shown above), Dona Look, Bill Luce, Debra Sachs, and Jack Slentz.

There is an International Fiber Symposium being presented by the University of the Arts that addresses "issues about the state of contemporary Fiber, Textiles and material studies, and interrogate, debate and consider the place of Fiber and Textiles as an expressive force at this time." Other exhibitions and events are happening throughout the month of March and beyond.

Painter, Jackie Saccoccio

2008-02-21T18:43:00.004-05:00

I have run across the work of Jackie Saccoccio a few times while surfing around, and her paintings never fail to stop me in my tracks. More of her work can be seen at Eleven Rivington in New York.

Winter is Heating Up

2008-02-18T10:28:00.007-05:00

A number of artists that have graced this vlog with their art are having exhibitions this winter. No snow, lots of shows.

Chris Ashley, *Tim McFarlane and *Douglas Witmer
Considerable, University of Dayton, OH, curated by Jeffrey Cortland Jones, Mar 3–Apr 4, 2008

*David Foss and Michelle Marcuse
Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition: Choice Abstractions, Mainline Art Center, Haverford, PA, Feb. 15–Mar 18, Reception, Friday, Mar 7, 6–9 pm

*Tremain Smith: Doorways, Walls, and Floorplans, Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont College, Rosemont PA, Feb 4-Feb 28

*Amy Stevens, Natural Selection, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, MD, Feb 19-Mar 29, Reception, Feb 29, 7pm

*Kathryn Pannepacker, Stitch: Contemporary Fiber Art. 614 S. Ninth Street, Philadelphia. Reception, Feb 23, 1:30-7 pm

Scroll down for more shows. Write in and let me know if I missed you.
*see sidebar for movies on these artists

Above, Untitled, 2008, acrylic on paper, 20 x 20" by Tim McFarlane

Painter, Steven Alexander

2008-02-13T12:21:00.003-05:00

I originally met Steven Alexander thanks to the internet. We were both having shows in Texas and through email talked about possibly attending each others receptions. When he saw I was having a solo show locally he came down to see it. Steven is an excellent painter as you can see from the image above. Hopefully we will get a chance to see his work here in the Philadelphia area. He also is quite a writer and also teaches. He reviews the current Mark Bradford show at Sikkema Jenkins and Schnabel's new movie.

Opening Reception

2008-02-08T11:03:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to my opening reception of DEEP last night at the Philadelphia Art Alliance. For those of you who missed this reception there will be a similar event coming up as part of Gallery Night on Friday, April 18, 5-8:30 pm.

The Satellite Gallery is not your typical white cube. And unlike most shows people commented about the space and how the paintings were intergrated into it. Some people thought I made the work specifically for the space. Others said they really liked how each painting had a separate space. The lighting is low and rakes across the surfaces which creates a mood that is deep (only kidding). When I first visited the gallery I thought of it as an art chapel. The idea of art as object and how architecture and art were once integrated is touched on in Vittorio Colaizzi's essay.

The exhibition will be up through May 18. Here are the details. Also on view at the first and second floor galleries across the street at 251 South 18th Street is Gijs Bakker and Jewelry.

Jim Lee at Gershman Y

2008-02-01T12:26:00.000-05:00

Jim Lee: Constructed Paintings
Gershman Y at UARTS
February 18 - March 19
Opening reception, 5-8 pm Friday, February 8
401 S Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
215.717.6480
rwg@uarts.edu

more work from Jim Lee
more from Rob Matthew's site.

"In the Beginning" at UPENN

2008-01-30T15:35:00.000-05:00

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate Humanities Forum is presenting the exhibition “In the Beginning: Exploring Origins in Contemporary Art” which is centered around the theme of Origins. The show runs from February 4-29, with a the closing reception to be held on Friday, February 29, from 5-7.

Above, a painting by one of the artist in the show. Fables of the Reconstruction, 36 x 73 inches, encaustic on panel, 2007, by Pamela Farrell.

AIA with AIP

2008-01-26T16:11:00.001-05:00

Art In America's February issue includes two artists and a writer from Philadelphia. It isn't unusual for AIA to review artists from outside New York City's borders, but although I haven't kept count, I think there have been a couple more with Philadelphia artists over the past year. Anne Fabbri is a Philadelphia art scene treasure, not only as a writer, but as a curator and art advocate. I also think it is great that Philadelphia is being represented in the art press by artists like Zoe Strauss and Daniel Heyman, (see the sidebar for his movies), who both create serious work for serious times.

Above, Untitled 2000-05, digital slide projection by Zoe Strauss.

Plamen Veltchev: Works on Paper

2008-01-24T09:43:00.000-05:00

I was at the DaVinci Art Alliance the other night and saw an impressive show titled Plamen Veltchev: Works on Paper. It closes soon so try and catch it this week.

January 6 - 27, 2008
Saturday and Sunday, noon - 5 pm
Da Vinci Art Alliance
704 Catharine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
tel 215-829-0466