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...

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.

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.

 

How can the Internet be used to preserve an artist's legacy? Can the Internet make an artist accessible to the world when their work is not exhibited in museums or found in art history books? Is art experienced through the Internet and never seen in person as meaningful and inspiring as art experienced in person? Most of the Realneo community would agree that the Internet and social networking is a useful tool in promoting artists and arts events, but what are the untapped possibilities and limitations. What role can the Internet play in preserving art for the future? As we begin the 21st century there are more artists in the world than ever before, more art work created and probably larger audiences for art as well. But with more artists and art created there is also more art being lost.  
 
Several recent experiences have led me to ponder how the Internet might be used as a cost effective and space saving way to preserve and promote an artist's work for the future. One such experience was Wednesday afternoon February 6th, I had the pleasure of visiting the studio of local artist Gina Brand. Gina Brand is a sculptor, though I am reluctant to give her such a limiting title. On this recent visit I learned that for her entire career she has also painted and produced beautiful charcoal drawings.  
 
Gina Brand has been part of the Cleveland arts scene for many years. A Cleveland Institute of Art graduate, she has been tirelessly producing work that is consistently high quality, both technically and aesthetically strong for many decades. Her studio is filled with works in progress, recently completed works (may of which are sold) and older works that represent her artistic development over the years. Her studio space is in an old warehouse, which I would guess was once used by Cleveland's thriving turn-of-the-century garment industry, is filled with natural light and well organized, though it is obviously the site of much artistic activity.  

It's a new year and a new day of the week for Gray's Auctioneers monthy auctions! The first auction of 2008 is this Saturday, January 26th at 1 pm. In this auction you will find the typical great deals and unique and interesting items. There are vintage and antique Chinese decorative items, textiles and furniture. There are some high quality vintage dining room sets by makers such as Ethan Allen and Drexel Heritage that are sure to sell for such low prices that it will make anyone who buys such stuff for retail ill. There is a very handsome Arts and Craft desk. The newest jewelry consignments are tasteful and priced to sell (great Valentines Day gifts). The real deals of this auction, in my opinion, are the fine art. There are some great prints mixed in lots of "framed decorative items." But, by far the coolest thing in the whole auction is a hand made model of the Quenn Mary made by E. K. Koos in a hand made glass and teak wood case.

Global warming will bring an end to white Christmas and winter as we've always known in, here in NEO, so during the first real snowstorm of this season, December 16, 2007, I went in search of a visual symbol of NEO, in my neighborhood, strong enough to stand out in white-out conditions, and I came to the Breuer! Not the Breuer Tower, of global controversy, but the Breuer Museum wing of global celebration, design elements of which are featured in the latest additions to the Cleveland Museum of Art, shown on the left here, now evolving form in the hands of Vinoly.

Derek Hess showcased his latest work in a one-night exhibit at Kelly Randall Gallery, in Tremont, December 14, featuring new prints and original illustrations and collages that continue growth and demonstrate innovation in this fine artist's work. His work makes powerful statements in form and message, and Derek's message is stronger and more on-target than ever, in these troubling times.

Three reasons to shop at Gray's Auctioneers this Sunday.

This Friday CIA grad and local artist Scott Miller will present his new works (never before exhibited in Cleveland) at Gray's Auctioneers Gallery. Scott Miller is an internationally acclaimed painter who typically shows and sells his work in L.A. Though it is far too simplistic to call them floral paintings, Scott Miller has titled this series "Epiphyte." If you are not up on your botany, an epiphyte is a plant that relies on another for physical support but does not feed off of it parasitically -- think ferns and orchids. These paintings are dark and sensuous and as visually interesting as they are conceptually stimulating. Come enjoy a glass of wine or maybe something stronger, meet Scott Miller, and be among the first to see what will certainly be a world class art exhibition. Suddenly I feel fortunate to be in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Institute of Art is extraordinarily important to Northeast Ohio and the world for the great artists and designers educated there, and for the great artists and designers who are the educators, and staff. Each year, the work of the diverse CIA faculty is showcased in an exhibition not to be missed... the reception for 2007 was last Friday, December 7, and a great event, as always... perhaps the last ever in the historic Gund Building Reinberger Gallery space, as the CIA moves in total to Euclid Avenue.

As part of the Star Neighborhood Development planning for the Star Complex and surrounding one mile radius, I have been planning the redevelopment of the current Cleveland Institute of Art Gund Building and land, on East Boulevard in Cleveland, shown below (full size image here).

The Friends of Art, CWRU staff and the John and Mildred Putnam Sculpture Collection team of Harvey Buchanan and Evelyn Kiefer picked the perfect time and day to hold a reception celebrating the addition of work #45 to the world-class Putnam Sculpture Collection, at University Circle, as David Deming's "Inner Circle" is a work of art that changes dramatically with light in the environment, and sunset is an especially beautiful time to view this work.

University Circle is a community of overlapping circles of interdependent institutions, boards, patrons and public interests that in some way touch every life in the NEO universe, worldwide (well illustrated by the current Cleveland Orchestra tour of Europe). So thoughts of "Inner Circles" within this star-power constellation bring illusions of grand people and designs. So true, as the latest "Inner Circle" added to University Circle is a very sharp and strong sculpture by Cleveland Institute of Art President David Deming, commissioned by the Putnam Sculpture Collection, of Case Western Reserve University... a great collision of worlds.

This Tuesday, the day before Halloween, The John and Mildred Putnam Sculpture Collection and The Friends of Art have a treat for all of NEO. The day begins with a tour from 12 noon - 1 pm of some of the highlights of the John and Mildred Putnam Sculpture Collection. The John and Mildred Putnam Collection is a remarkable collection of over 35 sculptures by "regional" artists located indoors and outdoors around the campus of Case Western Reserve University and in University Circle. The tour begins at the sculpture MERGING, infront of Guilford house, Belflower Rd., behind The Cleveland Institute of Art's Gund Building on North Campus. Tour is weather permitting and will be cancelled if there is substantial rains during 12 pm - 1pm. Please wear comfortable walking shoe and warm clothing if necessary!

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Three Chinese bamboo and metals chairs, est. $60-80

An important addition was made to The John and Mildred Putnam Sculpture Collection, located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and the grounds of University Circle, with the installation of a fantastic steel sculpture by masterful sculptor and Cleveland Institute of Art President David Deming, which is titled "Inner Circle". Located by the Case residential village, across from the Starbucks, at the intersection of East 115th, Juniper and Bellflower, this work is a great addition to an important art collection, curated by Evelyn Kiefer, that makes University Circle a much more inspiring and remarkable place, with public art.

The Women's Council Speaker Series Committee is pleased to welcome Dr. Landau, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University. She has taught in the Cleveland Museum of Art/CWRU Joint Program in Art History since 1982, with courses specializing in 20th-century American and European art and theory, particularly Abstract Expressionism. Considered the leading expert on Jackson Pollock, she is the author of the definitive book on the artist (1989).

I grew up and lived in Cleveland and, other than school, stayed here until I moved away for about ten years. Since coming back home, one distressing thing I've noted is that decision-makers, at all levels, closely guard information, almost as if a Captain who would rather go down with the ship, than loosen up and perhaps not go down at all.  The Medical Mart non-debate has all those strange dynamics.  Is it possible, I wonder, if a true, public-private partnership on a Medical Mart/Convention Center/Urban Design District might actually make sense after all?

My friend Katrina will be guest bartending with Thomas Barbric' the regular bartender at Light Bistro (formerly Parker's) on Thursday, June 26th from 4:30 - 8:00 (Happy Hour) all tips will go to the Cleveland Animal Protective League.  There will be complimentary Tapas as well as a few other appetizers for $5. 

 

Last night I stood on the sidewalk on the newly completed Euclid Corridor section at Playhouse Square at the Ingenuity Festival. The sidewalk there is paved with a sort of shiny brick-like pavers rather than concrete, but I kept looking for the tree planters. Cleveland Foundation’s logo is a tree right? So where were the trees? There were none to be seen at that corner. I was standing right at the entrance to the building that houses the Cleveland Foundation’s offices. Didn't they release a statement saying that all applying organizations must state their sustainability goals; that all capital projects applying to the foundation must meet LEED Standards? So I began to wonder; with our county leaders hell bent on a hypocritically "greenbuilt" administration building project (which entails the demolition of a cultural icon – the Breuer Tower), when will we see the Cleveland and Gund Foundations going green? What are each foundation's stated sustainability goals? Do they offer RTA passes for their staff members? Have they invested in carsharing so that their executives and program officers can ride the train to work, but use Citywheels to attend meetings outside the offices when necessary? Do they have residency requirements like the public servants in Cleveland? How could they drive the green infrastructure needs of the region through their own example? Have they suggested to their landlords that energy audits be performed on the building that houses their offices?

 

The Fine Art & Antiques Auction preview began on Wednesday and continues through Saturday (11-8 Wed. - Fri. & 11-6 Sat.) but Friday night should be especially fun. From 5:30 - 8 there will a special reception and exhibition of photography by Cleveland artist Ruggero Fatica. Gray's Auctioneers promises to be the new hip place in town to see art, buy art and see and be seen.

I've appreciated having Cleveland Magazine pick up some of my photos from REALNEO for publication in their print edition - last time featuring the Van Duzer show at Convivium and this month featuring Gallery U-Haul, and my wife Evelyn and son Claes, at the April 11, 2007 Tremont Art Walk... I look forward to seeing you at Patsy Kline's homeless gallery at the July 13 Tremont Art Walk, where she will hold a Gas Money Garage Sale.

My wife and I are big fans of NEO artist Gina DeSantis - I started buying her functional ceramic pieces when she first showed at Buzz (we love her rice bowls designed with chopsticks in mind). When Buzz closed, we hunted Gina down to continue buying her work. So, when she announced Level Three Gallery it was such good news... be sure to check Level Three Gallery and Gina's work (above) out at their upcoming show, described below...