"Read More" public art in the Cleveland Flats... perhaps by The Sign Guy

Recently I received a parking ticket while parked at a meter in University Circle. In some ways  this was nothing unusual for me. I often park at meters when I drive to University Circle for work or entertainment (usually several times a week). Like most people I know, I accept that once in a while I will get delayed or loose track of time and get a ticket. I have always paid my tickets without a complaint.

The nearly completed Richard Fleischman addition to the Putnam Collection, in University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio - photos by Evelyn Kiefer - Logo by Norm Roulet - 07/17/08

Fleischman Sculpture Pan Logo on REALNEO, July 18, 2008, by Evelyn Kiefer

 

The Mildred Andrews Putnam Sculpture Park by Richard Fleischman is the newest work in the Putnam Sculpture Collection. The blue steel elements (almost Wedgewood Blue) rise out of the soil like monumental blades of some exotic grass and stand 40 feet tall. The installation also includes an elegant line of birch trees, a sculptural concrete seating/theater area and path and artistic lighting. The park is intended for the use of Case Western Reserve University  and the surrounding  community. A beautiful place for people to study, play or gather, it is located at a strategic gateway to University Circle and an exciting site of reinvestment and development.

Three great videos of animated plastic bag artwork - 'ya gotta see it to believe it!!!

PND

by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07.12.08
Air Bear, Garbage Bag Sculpture by Joshua Allen Harris

"Look, it's art!" exclaims a passer-by as the plastic garbage bags tossed in a pile on a New York Subway grate come to life.

I was thrilled to receive news today that one of my favorite NEO artists, Pamela Dodds, a REALNEO artist of the Day, has been awarded a $25,000 Individual Support Grant from the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation. The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation was established by American artist Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974) and his wife Esther.  The foundation provides large grants to ‘serious, fully-committed artists,' ‘regardless of their level of commercial success.'  This year the foundation received 482 applications from which twelve artists were selected to receive awards. I'm proud to say Evelyn and I have one of Pamela's inspiring and impressive linoleum cut prints in our collection... "Drift", above... perhaps it is time for more area collectors to seek out her work... website here!

Orwellian.  Most people don't remember the hysteria that accompanied the auspicious year of 1984.  I do.  I lived it in the London of George Orwell's down-and-out.  I attach photos for your enjoyment.  Big Brother is watching, afterall.  How old were you, Reuben?  Ten?

When people wonder what is the value of a local daily newspaper, I must point to the story of Shaw High School Band, which was invited to China to perform but could not afford to do that. The Plain Dealer article "Bang a Drum, Proudly", by Connie Schulz, raised enough attention and funding to get them there, from where they just returned in triumph (nicely covered in the PD here, today)... a $500,000 whirlwind phenomenon all occurring in less than 6 months!

I love art, and much in the Cleveland Museum's collection, and the old and newish CMA, but I am not convinced the current reengineering of the museum is economically positive for the region, and I am very displeased with their new slogan "art is back" as shallow and disrespectful to the real NEO arts community, which has never left. The museum needs to better explore its identity and role here, as so many arts organizations, our population and economy transition, and the CMA takes a proportionately larger share of the arts funding pie. If CMA is spending $100s millions constructing new edifices for old mold and cobwebs, I will be very disappointed. I'm waiting to see Rub put his shine on anything, other than proclaiming art is back in a place it never left. What do you think... did art leave?

This Saturday celebrate the first day of Summer with two great arts and shopping events on the Westside, both within walking distance of each other: Gray's Auctioneers June Emporium Auction and  the Clifton Arts and Music Fest. The Clifton Arts and Music Fest is from 10am - 6pm, located on Clifton Boulevard between W. 112th & W. 117th Streets, walk Clifton Boulevard early, see some great art and then walk or drive up to Detroit Avenue and cool off in Gray's Auctioneer's air conditioned gallery.

Two people reported to be HEK and MAK were reportedly arrested, May 30th, 2008. Jeff Buster and I have had a great interest in the work known all around NEO as HEK, and we both seem to wonder if there is really anyone to "arrest" as HEK, for HEK, as HEK seems the identity of many... the voice of many... and is today's Art of the Day.

Chiefs meeting in Cleveland

East Cleveland does not have a historical society like Westlake or a popular annual home tour like Ohio City, but it should. So for now, I am founding the online East Cleveland Historical Society on Realneo. Please feel free to join. There is no membership fee. Membership only requires that you share your knowledge and research.

I was saddened to learn today that the excellent Northeast Ohio painter - a Cleveland Institute of Art graduate and productive artist - Scott Miller passed away, this weekend. I'm sure detals will follow here and in other arts media. My mother taught Scott at CIA and remembers him as a great talent, who lived life his own way. Scott just had a powerful show of recent work at Gray's Auctioneers Gallery, in December 2007, at which I shot these photos of Scott and his work - I'll post more later.

I will soon be planting my garden in East Cleveland. There are many varieties of herbs, vegetables, annuals, perenials, trees and shrubs that I would like to include. My yard is a clean slate. There is no sign of any past plantings with the exception of an evergreen by the front porch that must be at least 50 years old.

When was the last time you went inside the Cuyahoga County Courthouse? Did you visit to find Justice? If so, here are some directions: once past tangle of guards, pocket content checkers and metal detectors walk into the voluminous lobby area, up the stairs and into marble column heaven. Look to your right as you face north and Justice will reveal herself to you. You'll gasp.

Does this night shot of Good Year's noisy, fuel-sucking,   electronically advertizing Blimp pounding down  commercial money messages over the Indian's commercial electronical big screen stadium filled with it's captive electronically numb audience constitute GRAFITTI? 

At first we thought he was a little wacky. Later we knew he was totally whack. My brother Stephen Kirby Miller passed away alone in his home somtime in late October 2007. Above and below are some of his artworks I just happened to be perusing this evening.

A collaborative effort involving the best of the Gordon Square Arts District, Including Art Galleries, Artist & Design Studios, Art Auctions, Performance Theatres, Music & Entertainment Businesses, Retail Stores, Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Houses…

Over the past few weeks, I've noticed strange Clevelandesque slogans posted on billboards around town, with the attribution "Mind of Cleveland". I remember wondering if this was another Cleveland+hype campaign... or about AIDS prevention... and planned to google it later...

While snow piles up outside in NEO,  in Hawaii the anthurium are brilliant, waxy red.   A  friend just arrived Friday from Hawaii and hand carried these spectacular delicate stems.   What a thoughtful present.

At the Cleveland Institute of Art 62nd Annual Student Independent Exhibition, there is a video (or is it black and white film?) short, by Zak Long and Erin Robinson, "Cleveland Vacation", that captures the haunting tragedy of Cleveland especially well. Filmed in an historic home movie relic style, at the blighted national historic landmark Coast Guard station at Whiskey Island, with a backdrop of Lake Erie and freighters,  this video is beautifully composed and edited, with a great score and sense of irony - I watched it twice today.and it is my choice for Art of the Day... a great reason to visit the CIA SIE!!!

 

Gray's Auctioneers Saturday March 1st sale was an exciting event in the fine arts market with the sale of two paintings by important California Impressionist painters, Orrin Augustine White and Arthur Grover Rider.  This was probably the first time works by these artists were sold in Northeast Ohio.

Both works had languished for decades in a Cleveland area home, their historical significance and value unrealized until they were discovered discovered by auctioneer Deba Gray. Both paintings were securely identified by the artists' signatures and original gallery stickers on the back of one of the canvases. The consignor was thrilled to find out that the paintings, which she believed to be worthless except for their gilded original frames, were actually worth thousands of dollars. Gray's Auctioneers featured both paintings on  their promotional postcard and on the cover of their auction catalog.

Dear Friends,

Please join me tonight for the reception of "Collector's Choice - Fifth Annual" at Heights Arts Gallery, (next to the Cedar Lee Theatre.)
     

    

 

    
March 14, 2008- April 13, 2008

Convivium33 Gallery
1433 East 33rd Street (off Superior Ave.)
216.881.7838 or www.josaphatartshall.com
Gallery Hours: 
Tuesday-Friday: 11am-2pm & Weekends -10am- 2pm

  Opening Reception: Friday, March 14 from 6pm –9pm
 
World-renowned Cleveland artist, Reverend Albert Lee Wagner passed away on September 1 of 2006 leaving his family, his ministry and his art behind.  For Cleveland’s “Black Moses,” God and art were his salvation.  The Salvation of the Reverend Albert Wagner is now coming forward; THE EXHIBITION showcases his art and shares his story.  It is all very continuous, powerful and left up to interpretation. 
Please join Convivium33 Gallery and his ministry, The People Love People House of God, as Convivium’s gallery doors open to a collection of works that speak to you and take you on a journey of redemption and salvation.  Albert believed that his art was an extension of his ministry and his personal beliefs.  As it grows in prominence, the Reverend’s work has become a powerful extension of his voice, allowing his message and mission to live on.

Preview the exhibition at special mass on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm at Convivum33 Gallery. Join the artist’s family and friends, for a unique evening, as his daughter and minister of his parish, Sister Bonita celebrates Albert’s art and serves his parish.   There is no charge for the evening but seating is limited.  Please call Convivum33 Gallery for reservations or visit http://www.josaphatartshall.com/gallery/schedule.php
 

THE EXHIBITION is just one of several captivating simultaneous events focusing on the art and life of Reverend Albert Wagner. 
ONE BAD CAT:  The Reverend Albert Wagner Story is the focus of a new FILM recently awarded the coveted “Best Documentary” category at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, California.  ONE BAD CAT will debut at the Cleveland International Film Festival March 6-16, 2008.  (Cleveland International Film Festival 866.865.FILM or www.clevelandfilm.org. for details.
Visit http://www.onebadcat.net/Status.html to view a trailer.

 Join SPACES for a reception Thursday, March 13 at 9pm after the screening of One Bad Cat, a documentary on the life and art of Reverend Albert Wagner at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Director of the film, Tom Miller, along with friends and family will speak about Wagner’s work and respond to the film. Various works by Wagner from public and private collections will be on view that night only.  This event is free and open to the public. Call 216.621.2314 or visit www.SPACESgallery.org for more details. SPACES is located at 2220 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland OH 44113 . 

This auction features some real art treasures discovered in Cleveland area homes by auctioneer Deba Gray.

Lot 342. Arthur Grover Rider american, 1886-1975) Cracked Bottle, Oil on Canvas. Estimates $10,000-$15,000.

Michael Chattem, Semen is Thicker Than Blood. Blood, ink, marker

One of the greatest times when the Cleveland School May Show is the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Annual Student Independent Exhibition, now in its 62 year. Drawing from a huge, diverse body of work in every imaginable media and medium - this year, including semen?! - from an awesome pool of talent, connected by a world-class arts college, in a great arts community, the SIE always delivers an inspiring, mind-expanding experience of genius.

Jessica Jurca, Reliquary to the Brontosaurus. Enamel on Copper, pine.

Splashing up such colorful and lusty images has to be therapeutic for the artist.  Right on the edge of an urban dumping ground, full of scrap tires and trash, here's this little fellow sitting comfortably with his leg on the ledge (complete with scrap tire and vines) waving at the buxom gal below.