Culture Surfing

Ayed Hallim collects refuse and discarded objects in “Instrumentalities, ” a new collection of bricolage works in Eyedrum’s small gallery. In his statement, Hallim says, “Walking about the city long ago ceased to be mere exercise, as it is also the way I “shop” for materials, all of which came to me from urban gutters, alleyways, and parking lots.”

The reception for “Instrumentalities” begins at 7 pm. At 9 pm, Hallim will perform in Eyedrum’s First Thursday Improv on some of the objects included in the exhibit.

Continue reading “Preview Ayed Hallim’s work at Eyedrum” »

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Dance Truck performances from Tahni Holt and Elizabeth Ward at Eyedrum this Saturday.

There’s still snow out on the roads in Atlanta today, but don’t let that stop you from seeing all the great art around town this weekend. The Castleberry Hill Art Stroll lands tonight, including a couple great sculptural openings at the Marcia Wood Gallery and the New Decade Group Exhibition at the Krause Gallery. On Saturday, Eyedrum will deliver two great events from Chung ‘Fanky’ Chak and Dance Truck. Sunday will be a great day to catch up on recently opened shows around town, like Time Line at Young Blood Gallery and the Marcel Breuer collection at Museum of Design Atlanta.

All the details after the jump.

Continue reading “Weekend Arts Agenda: Snow Stroll!” »

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Floral, Tokyo, 2007, 40”x40” archival digital pigment print

Hong Kong native Chung Fanky Chak makes digital photo collages on a massive scale. The square 40″x40″ prints  focus on different urban environments, Hong Kong, New York, Tokyo, and Montreal among them, examining visual stereotypes and expectations. Chak’s show, “The Boxes Project,” opens on Saturday January, 9 at Eyedrum, including a participatory collage made from photos by Atlantans. Chak will speak about the work at 5 pm and Dance Truck will present a performance by Tahni Holt and Elizabeth Ward at 6 pm.

We caught up with Chak earlier this week to ask him a few questions. You can check out his answers and a preview of the show after the jump.

Continue reading “A few questions with Chung ‘Fanky’ Chak” »

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For CL’s ninth annual Fiction Contest, nearly 150 fans of good stories, delicious food and fantastic fannies slipped into Eyedrum on Wed., Jan. 6. Apparently, good things come in threes. There were three readings of the winning stories, three judges to introduce them, and three of the lovely ladies from Blast-Off Burlesque performing numbers fit for this year’s theme, “Slip.” The Depeaux provided New Orleans-authentic eats, and Grounds Coffeehouse brewed up the java and sweet treats.

See more pictures from CL’s Fiction Contest party at Eyedrum.

(Text by T. Lagon Photos by Joeff Davis)

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Chante LaGon and Debbie Michaud discuss CL’s ninth annual Fiction Contest. With more than 200 entries submitted focusing on the theme “slip,” CL’s editorial staff and three surprise judges had the tough task of narrowing the field down to three winners. Read the winning submissions in this week’s paper (out today!) and join the CL staff in celebrating the winners at our Fiction Contest Party at Eyedrum tonight (Wed., Jan. 6). Come out to hear readings from the winners, a titillating performance from Blast-Off Burlesque, and sift through music and books from our massive press closet. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

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The Royal Wigs, NYC, 2007.

The Boxes Project at Eyedrum needs your photos of Atlanta today and tomorrow. New Jersey based artist Chung Fanky Chak will arrange the images into a massive montage of Atlanta’s urban space. Chak asks that the photos be unframed, 4×6, and focus on Atlanta’s spaces, buildings, and unique features. No portraits or pet pictures, please. Volunteers will be at Eyedrum between 1 and 6 pm today and Sunday to receive the photos.

The Boxes Project will exhibit montages created in NYC, New Mexico, Berlin, Montreal, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, as well as the box created this week in Atlanta. The finished local product will be unveiled at an opening on January 9.

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Until I see something good by Sara Hobbs

Clean your paintbrushes, dust off your cameras and put on your ‘creativity’ hat ’cause it’s the weekend and the art world is waiting.

Continue reading “Weekend Arts Agenda: Keeping you warm on the frostiest of days.” »

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ROOT CANAL: "Untitled" by David Baerwalde

The end of the year is always a good time for taking inventory, writing lists, and otherwise making sense of the previous 364 days. If one were interested in taking an inventory of Atlanta’s art scene in 2009, FORM: artistic independence would be a good place to start.

The annual publication, now in its second year, selects submissions from artists who live within 100 miles of Atlanta and binds them together in a big, hardbound book. Williams-England, a nonprofit design firm based out of WonderRoot Studio, has done an admirable job designing the volume and making sure the work has enough room on the pages to breathe.

Folks who’ve kept a close eye on local artists will likely recognize some pieces here. Among them is Aubrey Longley-Cook’s clever “Blue Bird,” a discreetly obscene piece of embroidery used in Mondo Politico earlier this year during the MondoHomo festival. Seen in context with Longley-Cook’s other masculine embroideries, the hand-stitched middle-finger print retains the same clever power it held months ago as part of the exhibit.

Continue Reading “Anthology FORM looks back at the year in ATL art”

(Photo Courtesy David Baerwalde)

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Role Model Citizen by Fahamu Pecou

As usual, here are a few arts events to add to your weekend roster. Also, don’t forget about the Hense exhibition at The Rail Yard and the Kvares show at Beep Beep. This weekend’s art scene is chock-full so enjoy.

FRIDAY (Today)

Head to Castleberry Hill’s tattoo parlor/art gallery City of Ink to check out John Hairston Jr.’s vivid, realistic graffiti-style art. His latest work, Hollywood Africans, celebrates the life and career of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Walk away with a unique perspective on one of the world’s first African American art greats and maybe even some new ink. Free. City of Ink. 404-525-4465. www.thecityofink.com/.

Fresh from the NYC fashion scene House of Diehl’s Style Wars hits Atlanta runways. Watch designers battle head-to-head and make killer creations in 5-minute knock-out rounds. It’s Project Runway on crack! $15-$20 7:30 p.m. Opera. 404-874-0428. www.houseofdiehl.com/stylewars.

SATURDAY

Eyedrum’s First Annual Ear Ball is sure to satisfy all your aural cravings. The event–originally conceived as a fund raiser–is a showcase of the works of a diverse pool of local sound artists. Whether you’re into jazz improv or are looking for some electronic soundscapes Eyedrum’s got you covered. Pay what you can. 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.

Get This! Gallery is housing Atlanta neopop artist Fahamu Pecou’s first solo show. Whirl Trade was inspired by Pecou’s travels in Africa and explores the interpretations and misconceptions of blackness in African-decended communities. Through images that are arranged as faux magazine covers he sends a powerful message about popular media and the power of influence. Free. 7-11 p.m. Get This! Gallery. 678-596-4451. Gethisgallery.com.

SUNDAY

It’s Pecha Kucha time! Volume 14–the last of the fall season–is titled Back to Basics. The diverse roster (including CL favorite Danielle Roney and former mayoral candidate Kyle Keyser) promises to provide some tasty food for thought and make for lots of candid conversation. Free. 7 p.m. Octane Coffee Lounge (Westside). www.atlantapechakucha.com.

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NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: Eyedrum swells with visitors during a recent art opening for Tweet Design's second annual Day of the Dead show on Oct. 23.

It’s appropriate for Eyedrum that, even when discussing such a mundane subject as financial viability, the arts organization’s board chairman, Allen Welty-Green, speaks in terms of colors.

“Using the threat advisory scale, I’d say we were code red in July, then orange, and now we’re down to yellow,” he says. “Sometimes it takes a crisis to give you a wake-up call.”

Welty-Green is referencing Eyedrum’s mid-year near-death experience, when the organization found itself unable to scrape together enough money to pay rent — again. At the time, the board issued an S.O.S. in the form of a press release titled “Eyedrum may soon call it quits,” which threatened the potential “demise of Atlanta’s longest-running alternative art and music space.”

But that was then.

Continue Reading “All eyes on Eyedrum”

(Photo by Alan Friedman)

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Eyedrum Gallery is hosting a Day of the Dead art show that opened on Oct. 23 and will run through Nov. 29. Artists from all over the country decorated over 80 miniature coffins to display at the show. Patrons of the art gallery were treated to a performance from Uncle Daddy and the Kissin’ Cousins along with the portrayal of a colorful part of Mexican culture.

(Photos by Alan Friedman)

Click on the picture above to check out more photos from the show.

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"Autobiography: Egypt (Cairo Resdential) 1974," by Howardena Pindell. Join the artist for a talk Sat., Oct. 24.

Here’s the weekly rundown of the fiercest arts events happening around town this weekend.

TONIGHT (Friday)

Tweet Design presents their Second Annual “Day of the Dead” art show at Eyedrum. The show features over 80 mini-coffins decorated by artists from all over the country. See this cool tribute to the departed and join them from 8pm-12 am for their opening night fiesta. Get ready for some mean sangria, tasty taquitos and tunes from Uncle Daddy and the Kissin’ Cousins. Free. 8 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.

SATURDAY

Howardena Pindell stops by the Sandler Hudson Gallery to discuss her latest exhibition, “Autobiography: Strips, dots, and video drawings”. The show includes work from Pindell’s 25-year career.  Most known for her use of varied techniques and mixed-media works, her work also explores a multitude of socio-political issues such as racism and feminism. Free. 2 p.m. Sandler Hudson Gallery. 404-817-3777. www.sandlerhudson.com.

Ever wonder how your favorite old-school Saturday morning cartoons came to life?  Through ASIFA-Atlanta’s “Animation Draw” you can get a little insight. This workshop presented by WonderRoot Community Arts Center explores the core principles of traditional hand-drawn animation. By the end of this five hour workshop you’ll have learned how cartoons are made and have  several short animations of your own to brag about. Free. 2 p.m. WonderRoot Community Arts Center. 404-254-5955. www.wornderroot.org.

For the first time ever Brotherman Comics is showcasing their unique brand of comic book art in exhibition format.  “Drawing from the Soul: The Official Brotherman Comics Art Experience” opens Saturday night and gives fans an inside look into the Brotherman World.  See how the creators go from concept to development to finished product and craft an original philosophy and an edgy visual experience along the way. Free. 7 p.m. Studio Clout. 404-688-2787. www.studioclout.com.

SUNDAY

The Marcus JCC of Atlanta invites you to “Lunch and Learn with Lorraine Peltz.” The latest exhibition of the Artist’s work–”Excellent Hostess: Paintings and Works on Paper”– is an homage to her mother’s survival of the Holocaust.  The series of paintings contrasts the exterior world with an interior space of comfort and memory. Go for the talk. Stay for the lunch. Free. 11:30 a.m. Dunwoody, The Marcus JCC of Atlanta. 678-812-4000. www.atlantajcc.org.

The Contemporary developed a day of sculpture and photography activities for the family inspired by Corin Hewitt’s “Seed Stage”.  “Seed Stage”–presented at the Whitney in NYC–investigated the processes of harvesting, consuming, building, documenting, and recycling.  For months the artist worked in an exhibition space/science lab/kitchen/art studio as an audience watched.  After an educational day of family fun make sure you check out Hewitt’s photographs of his experimental New York exhibition. Free. 1-4 p.m. The Contemporary. 404-688-1970. www.thecontemporary.org.

The High Museum teams up with Mattress Factory Studios for a Membership Drive Kick-off Party. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet emerging and established artists, tour their studios, and learn more about the High’s Art Partners program.Original works will be raffled off throughout the evening . Take a look at some of the featured artists works beforehand on the Mattress Factory Studios website. Free (reservations necessary RSVP @ high.org/mattressfactory). 4 p.m. Grant Park. www.high.org. 404-733-4444.

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See 'The Accumulation of Change' at Eyedrum Fri., Oct. 16.

This weekend’s arts calendar is jam packed with a little something for everyone, whether you’re into wearable art or are fascinated by DNA and all things genetic.

TONIGHT (Friday)

Beep Beep Gallery presents Pretty Awesome at Aurora Coffee L5P, a combo art auction/concert/fund aiser. In an effort to host more all ages shows (and keep up their rep as the 2009 Best of Atlanta Readers Pick for Best gallery spotlighting local artists) art from 25 local artists, including Lucha Rodriguez, Ann-Marie Manker and Shaun Thurston, will be auctioned off between 7 and 10 p.m. Afterward, for only $5, there’ll be a concert featuring Carnivore, Recompas, El Fossil, Pleasure Cruise and Em! (The Back Pockets). Auction: Free. 7-10 p.m. Concert: $5. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Aurora Coffee Little Five. 404-429-3320. www.beepbeepgallery.com.

Lelavision brings The Accumulation of Change, a unique and interactive performance, to Eyedrum. Expect a hybrid art-science experience that blends Lelavision’s kinetic musical sculptures, music and dance with the research of biomolecular chemistry professor Dr. David Lynn of Emory University. Audience members will participate in a twisted and spectacular game of genetics through the use of classroom clicker technology as they learn about the chemical origins of life and Evolution. $10-$15. 8 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.

Continue reading “Weekend Arts Agenda: A little of this, a little of that” »

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Local arts nonprofit Eyedrum continues to face a dire financial situation. After an announcement last July explaining that the arts org could be forced to close its doors, Eyedrum rallied and held an art auction to raise some much-needed cash. The auction grossed roughly $15,000, but much of that was quickly swallowed up by past-due rent and other debts.

Eyedrum’s biggest challenge may be it’s high rent costs. As CL’s Wyatt Williams reported last month, “The group readily admits it can’t afford the cost of rent for its massive converted industrial space in Grant Park. There’s been some talk about moving, but the Board of Directors is divided on the issue. Regardless of some of the board’s desire to change locations, its lease on the Grant Park property runs through December of 2010. Negotiations with the landlord, Braden Fellman, have deteriorated. ‘They’re a landlord, they want their money. They don’t say anything, really, though. They don’t return phone calls, e-mails.’”

Enter the 24-hour Dance-a-Thon — Eyedrum fundraising Part Deux this Sat.-Sun., Sept. 26-27. The event’s organized by the Harold Group and Atlanta’s independent arts community, according to a press release, and involves dancing, an art sale, and a bicycle scavenger hunt. Complete details follow after the jump.

Continue reading “Eyedrum fundraising Part Deux” »

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