Gifts and Purchases Help MoMA Close Gaps in Its Holdings

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The Museum of Modern Art has recently acquired a disparate group of artworks, adding muscle to its already world-class permanent collection. Some were gifts promised years ago and only now finalized; others are newer additions that suggest the areas that curators feel need to be strengthened.

Of all the donors the hedge fund billionaire Steven A. Cohen is by far the most high profile. Although he is currently in the hot seat as the government’s insider trading investigation intensifies, Mr. Cohen has made good on his promises to MoMA and is even continuing to give it artworks.

Among the completed gifts from him and his wife, Alexandra, is an untitled painting by the German artist Martin Kippenberger from his series “Dear Painter, Paint for Me.” It is a photograph of Kippenberger seated on a discarded sofa on a New York City sidewalk. Another is “Rancho,” a 1968 canvas by Ed Ruscha — one of his so-called “liquid letters” paintings, or canvases with letters rendered in a trompe-l’oeil manner so they appear to be dripping down the canvas or are still wet. A third Cohen gift is an untitled Cy Twombly sculpture from 1955.

More recently the Cohens gave MoMA “House of Flowers (see you there),” a painting by the British artist Peter Doig from 2007-9. It’s a colorful canvas depicting a lone, shirtless man.

“We have a personal connection to these artists and are thrilled that museum visitors will view these pieces in their appropriate contexts as part of MoMA’s permanent collection,” Mr. Cohen wrote in an e-mail.

A group of works by Lynda Benglis from the collector Glenn Fuhrman through his family foundation and Agnes Gund, president emerita of MoMA, broadens the museum’s collection of work by female artists from the 1970s. “Lagniappe II Glitter,” a 1979 sculptural wall relief of cast paper, pigment, paint and glitter, is among the most interesting. Curators have also been aiming to close a far bigger gap in the museum’s holdings by adding work by African-American artists from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. It’s not just MoMA that has been focusing on this area. Recently the Brooklyn Museum acquired a collection of work by many of these artists.

“The story we tell about the history of art since 1945 is changing, and the voices of these artists are crucial to our more expansive, more nuanced and much more interesting take on this period,” said Ann Temkin, MoMA’s chief curator in the department of painting and sculpture, explaining the addition of 12 works by six African-American artists. All of them are currently represented in “Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960-1980,” an exhibition on view at MoMA PS1 in Queens that was organized by the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

Two sculptures by David Hammons, including “Untitled (Night Train)” from 1989, are part of a gift by A C Hudgins, a trustee, and his family, who have also given the museum one of Senga Nenguid’s so-called “pantyhose pieces,” a single pair of darkly colored, stretched and distorted nylon pantyhose tacked to a wall with splayed limbs, from 1976. The museum also received two assemblages by Betye Saar, from Ronald S. Lauder, MoMA’s honorary chairman, and his wife, Jo Carole.

MoMA bought several works too, including John Outterbridge’s “Broken Dance, Ethnic Heritage Series,” from 1978-82, one of his assemblage sculptures, as well as “The Lifted X,” a welded steel sculpture by Melvin Edwards from 1965. And the museum’s drawing committee purchased Charles White’s “Black Pope (Sandwich Board Man,)” a 1973 image of an African-American man draped in robes and wearing a large cross on his head, flashing a peace sign with his left hand.

VEZZOLI’S ‘TRINITY’

The Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli has made a career out of masterminding spectacles. There was the time at the 2005 Venice Biennale when he created an old-fashioned movie theater with pea-green velvet seats where he showed his raunchy four-minute fantasy trailer for a “remake” of Gore Vidal’s 1979 film “Caligula,” starring Courtney Love, Benicio del Toro, Milla Jovovich and Helen Mirren. Or when he transformed the Gagosian Gallery on 21st Street in Chelsea two years ago into a kind of Gothic church, where he displayed digital copies of old master Madonna and child paintings, each with the faces of supermodels from the late 1970s and ’80s — Christie Brinkley, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell — set in heavy gold frames that drooped at the bottom, Salvador Dali-like.

Now fans and foes can ready for a trilogy of fantastical exhibitions under the umbrella title “The Trinity.” In May there will be “Galleria Vezzoli,” at the Maxxi, the national museum for contemporary art in Rome; in the fall “The Church of Vezzoli,” at MoMA PS 1 and in the fall and winter, “Cinema Vezzoli,” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

“They are three separate but related exhibitions examining different aspects of his work,” said Giovanna Melandri, the president of Maxxi, adding that its futuristic building, designed by Zaha Hadid, will be transformed into an overdecorated 1800s-style museum that will display 15 years of Mr. Vezzoli’s work. Perhaps even more ambitious will be a reconstructed Romanesque-style church from Pisticci, a small town in Southern Italy.

The church will be dismantled and transported by boat to PS1, where it will be rebuilt in the courtyard. “It’s nearly 50 by 35 feet,” said Klaus Biesenbach, the director of PS1, who estimates that it will take a month and a half to install. Inside the church will be a program of performances and videos. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles will explore Mr. Vezzoli’s passion for European cinema and Hollywood stardom.

“Each museum is doing one-third of the trinity,” Mr. Biesenbach said. “All together it is a single conceptual art project.”

ABSTRACT AVENUE

Thirteen new steel sculptures by Albert Paley will adorn Park Avenue between 53rd and 67th Streets from June 29 through Nov. 8, according to the New York City Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Paley, who lives in Rochester, has created a series of abstract works that will rise as high as 21 feet. The exhibition is part of a program that began in 2000 and has featured artists like Tom Otterness, Robert Indiana and Niki de Saint Phalle.

A version of this article appeared in print on February 22, 2013, on page C24 of the New York edition.

Notre Dame’s Center for Arts & Culture readies for opening

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South Bend Tribune/GREG SWIERCZ ¿It¿s a very beautiful space,¿ says artist Joseph Segura, whose professional print studio is now located in the former gymnasium at the University of Notre Dame¿s Center for Arts & Culture, 1045 W. Washington St., South Bend. The building, vacant for the past decade, previously was a neighborhood center. (February 21, 2013)
By MARGARET FOSMOE – Like Margaret on FacebookSouth Bend Tribune5:41 p.m. EST, February 21, 2013

SOUTH BEND — For decades the red brick building on West Washington Street dispensed health care services and free milk to poor families.

When its halls went silent a decade ago, the building fell into disrepair. Some people wondered if it would be torn down or fall victim to fire or vandals.

The former Hansel Neighborhood Service Center at 1045 W. Washington St. has found a new life as the University of Notre Dame‘s Center for Arts & Culture. It’s being readied for its new role providing artistic and cultural experiences for community residents.

Children’s voices again are heard in the hallways, thanks to a pilot after-school tutoring and arts education program that launched this month.

When it officially opens in March, the two-story building will contain:

* The Notre Dame Crossroads Gallery for Contemporary Art, featuring changing exhibits.

* Segura Fine Arts Studio, a commercial print studio led by artist Joseph Segura.

* Notre Dame’s community relations office.

* Programming, including tutoring, art education, public lectures, a summer youth innovation camp and other events.

There will be a community open house March 27 to mark the opening.

Those planning for the facility worked with other institutions to make sure they weren’t duplicating offerings that already exist locally. The center’s events and exhibits will focus primarily on African-American and Latino arts and culture, said Jackie Rucker, Notre Dame’s associate director of community relations.

“There will be activities here you won’t find anywhere else in the city,” said Gilberto Cardenas, a Notre Dame professor and the center’s executive director. He formerly served as director of the university’s Institute for Latino Studies.

In the tutoring program, about 20 children in grades 2 through 4 visit the center after school four days a week for tutoring followed by an hour of art-based enrichment activities, literacy program director Jennifer Wittenbrink said. Most of the children are Madison Primary Center students. The volunteer tutors are area college students and community residents.

The Center for Arts & Culture will host collaborate events with other nearby cultural institutions, including Indiana University South Bend‘s Civil Rights Heritage Center, which is just across the street.

Renovating the building for its new use required a $2.8 million partnership that involved Notre Dame, the city, South Bend Heritage Foundation (which owned the building), the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and Vanir Construction Management Inc. of California.

A glazed terra cotta artwork of a swaddled babe against a blue background, original to the building, remains above the front door. It’s a replica of one of the medallions of infants created by Italian Renaissance sculptor Andrea della Robbia. (The original in in the Gallery of the Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence, Italy.)

“The plan was to preserve as much of the architectural character as possible,” Rucker said. Inside, the original staircase and terrazzo tile floors remain.

The art gallery, a kitchen and offices are on the main floor. The second floor contains multipurpose rooms, more offices and a computer laboratory.

Winter light streams in the glass-block windows of the center’s former gymnasium, which has been transformed into Segura’s art studio.

“It’s a very beautiful space. The light here is amazing,” said Segura, an artist who works in both printmaking and film.

Copyright © 2013, South Bend Tribune

Transformation of African-American art to be showcased

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By Kevin Hall/Staff Reporter

Eastern community members can track the progression and transformation of African-American art through the ages during “EvolutionZ of Art.”

The members of Zeta Phi Beta sorority plan on starting off Black History Month by hosting this event. said DeShawnte´ Mackmore, a sophomore psychology major.

The event will show not only the transformation of art in African-American culture, but it will also focus on the progression of African-American art as well.

Mackmore said “EvolutionZ of Art” would cover several aspects in which African-Americans have transformed art into a significant aspect of their culture.

Members of the sorority plan to teach people about art in African-American history through reenactment, she said.

The presentations at the event will consist of poster boards containing vital information about the person that is represented in front of the boards that they will be displaying.

“The EvolutionZ of Art” will be a showcase with a wax museum theme, Mackmore said.

Several famous African-American artists will be in attendance, she added.

Whether it is an author, poet or musician, art comes in various mediums, and the members of Zeta Phi Beta plan to show appreciation of them all, Mackmore said.

The list contains a variety of artists, from names like Maya Angelou to Condoleezza Rice. The event will cover a wide time-range of art in African-American history, from the 1920s all the way to about the mid 2000s.

Although “EvolutionZ of Art” is a celebration of African-American history, members of the sorority urge everyone to come out and support the event 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The event is free of charge and opened to everyone.

Secia Larnce, the special events chair of Zeta Phi Beta, said she felt as though everyone can benefit from this event and learn more about African-American culture and their expansion in the world of art.

Larnce, a senior communication major, said that the participants will take away an appreciation for art in African-American culture.

“I think this gives people a way to open their eyes and expand their knowledge passed just the African-American movement and passed slavery,” she said.

Larnce also said she was excited for the event because she said that it will show the major growth that took place in order for African-American art to get to the point that it has reached today.

“The growth in African-American art makes me proud, especially as an African-American to see my people grow towards bigger things,” she said.

“It’s just nice to see so much variety in African-American people.”

Kevin Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or kphall@eiu.edu

Photographic Artifacts of Black Civil War Troops

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In reality, African-American prisoners of war were killed en masse. Black troops in action endured lower wages and poorer medical care and living conditions than their white counterparts. But soldiers of both races did have surprisingly easy access to the luxury of photography.

Photographers ran government-sanctioned booths near encampments, selling souvenir portraits. The images of black personnel, from officers to gravediggers, are now on view widely in 150th-anniversary commemorations of the Emancipation Proclamation. They provide a nuanced view of African-American life at the front, even though some of the subjects can no longer be identified.

“There’s a lot of interpretation that comes in,” the Manhattan photography dealer Thomas Harris said, while leafing through an album of Civil War photographs that took two decades to assemble. He has acquired images of Nick Biddle, a black Pennsylvanian who was attacked by racist onlookers while marching in Baltimore, and Albert Bailey, an African-American sailor who served on ironclads.

Mr. Harris has lent three photos of black privates on duty at a Confederate prison camp near Rock Island, Ill., to a show that opens April 2 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Photography and the American Civil War.”

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American History in Washington both have exhibitions now with images of African-American soldiers. A show focused on the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, led by Robert Gould Shaw, a white colonel, opens next month at the Museum of African American History in Boston. The National Gallery of Art in Washington has an exhibition opening this fall about the 54th and the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s memorial to Shaw.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, now under construction in Washington, has been building and lending its collection of Civil War portraits and evidence of triumphs and suffering. It was recently given a silver medal, one of about 200 that Gen. Benjamin F. Butler awarded to black veterans, inscribed “Distinguished for Courage.” It bears the soldier’s initials, but his full name has not yet been determined.

The donor’s family had found it at an estate sale, without much provenance information, but with a well-preserved ribbon attached. “It was treasured and kept safe,” said Michèle Gates Moresi, the museum’s curator of collections.

Postwar portraits of black veterans in uniforms bedecked with medals are on view through March 16 in “Visualizing Emancipation,” at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Manhattan. The show (with a related book, “Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery,” from Temple University Press) also includes photos of Nick Biddle and two of Frederick Douglass’s sons, Charles Redmond and Lewis Henry, dressed for battle.

Frederick Douglass recruited volunteers for the Union partly by giving speeches at Camp William Penn, a training center for black officers outside Philadelphia. In a new book, “Camp William Penn: 1863-1865” (Schiffer Publishing), the historian Donald Scott Sr. describes how tourists thronged the place.

“Colored and white ladies and gentlemen left the city of Philadelphia in carriages, hacks, omnibuses and cars, for the camp of the colored soldiers to see them drill, and to see a flag hoisted,” a newspaper reported in 1863. The visitors using public transportation, Mr. Scott notes, would have been strictly segregated.

Such paradoxes often surprise researchers in the field. “There are all these twists and turns that just kind of boggle your mind,” the historian Linda Barnickel, author of “Milliken’s Bend: A Civil War Battle in History and Memory” (Louisiana State University Press), said in a phone interview.

Her book, about an 1863 Confederate assault near Vicksburg, Miss., recounts how former Louisiana slaves fighting there were recaptured and sent back to plantations. Yet a Texas general praised their “considerable obstinacy” on the battlefield. A female slaveholder in the area pondered in her diary whether she should pay her slaves, to tempt them away from Union Army wages.

Scholarly discoveries have appeared on the market as well. In October the 1860s diary of a white lieutenant, Adoniram J. Hastings, who led African-American troops, brought $1,400 at Gateway Gallery Auction in Chambersburg, Pa. A few weeks ago a photo of Luther Hubbard, a black sergeant stationed in South Carolina, sold for $2,560 on eBay. Hubbard had posed against a studio’s formal painted backdrop of a garden colonnade.

In a March 21 sale of African-Americana, Swann Auction Galleries in New York will offer portraits of Alexander H. Johnson ($750 to $1,000), a Massachusetts drummer boy, and of a decorated officer ($3,000 to $5,000) tentatively identified as Christian Fleetwood, who impressed Butler by carrying Union colors through fallen comrades near Richmond.

On Saturday the filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris is hosting a Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Roadshow at the Schomburg Center, part of a series of open houses seeking photos and anecdotes. (With the historian Deborah Willis, he is also making a documentary due this fall, “Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People.”)

Previous open houses have attracted artifacts dating to the 1860s. “It’s amazing how much stuff emerges, how much material is in people’s homes,” Mr. Harris said in a phone interview.

FINE FEATHERED FARE

Exhibiting feathered objects can be a dicey proposition. Importing them is complicated because of government regulations meant to protect endangered birds, and shocks in transit can damage fragile quills.

So when the Manhattan tribal art dealer Charles Moreau told colleagues that he was organizing a show of feathered pieces from the Amazonian basin (through March 9), they discouraged him. The typical reaction, he said during a recent gallery tour, was, “Charles, you’re crazy, you’re going to end up in jail.”

The gallery, Moreau & Montagut, is offering a Brazilian crown made of straw and toucan feathers ($4,000), which has long been legally on the market and belonged to the British collector James Thomas Hooper. Wooden clubs, paddles, vessels and masks have prices starting around $2,000.

Hundreds of 1980s drawings ($2,500 each), which a Brazilian anthropologist commissioned from tribe members, depict villages, mythological creatures, feathered outfits and earrings, birds and rain-forest trees felled by loggers.

A few wispy feathers are attached to the back of one drawing. “Maybe it was a gift for the anthropologist,” Mr. Moreau said.

source…

African American Trailblazers in Virginia History Honored

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In celebration of Black History month, The Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL) will open two exhibitions on Feb. 11, which feature the work of two Virginia artists whose works explore African American themes. PAAL’s main gallery will feature an exhibition of paintings by award-winning artist Philip Muzi Branch whose recent paintings visually articulate the religious, political and social manners, as well as the customs of African American culture. PAAL’s upstairs gallery will feature an exhibition of recent paintings by S. Ross Browne. The artist describes the works that will be on view are “all stemming from a desire to understand the enigma in the dichotomy of human compassion and apathy as it relates to race and race relations.” Feb 11 6 – 9 pm. The exhibitions will remain on view through March 5, Tues. – Fri. 12 noon – 6 pm; Sat. 10 am to 4 pm. 7 E. Old St. 861-4611 www.paalart.com

What is Art Again ?

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One of my passions (among the many that I have) is art! I love looking into all works of art, decode its hidden meaning, its depth and the many layers lying underneath, in between, and filling in those gaps with my own thoughts.  While I am completely fascinated by the fact that the term “art” can be applied to a vast array of things, and is often used to describe something done, I always find myself asking “What is Art??”

My definition of art is simply this: Art is act of creating. Any form of creative outlet and expression, that being an oil on canvas painting, modern dance, photography, playing a musical instrument, a building structure engineered to perfection, graffiti that reflects the grit of the streets, and a window design on the outside of a store front; is art. While varying opinions may sway, while critics will always comment;who is to judge, but the creator himself/herself??  This is the key thing I love most about art.  It is truly in the eye of the beholder.

In art criticism, there are two things that critics look for to call something art, those being form and content.  Form is the actual material, the matter used, and the principles of the design. Content is a representation of the idea by the artist, the significance of the representations, and the overall impression left behind on the audience.

Next time you call something art, contemplate whether it possesses form and content. Ultimately, you are the one to decide!
Above and below are representation of what I deem is art.

Enjoy!

“I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”
— Marilyn Monroe
I’m 26 years old and getting ready to conquer the world one cat walk at a time. Yes, I am a crazy beautiful mess!! Impossible to understand, irresistible to love, and unimaginable to fathom. I am an enigma in so many ways. I also love effortless and deeply, give my all in everything, and stand up for what I truly believe in.  I have high expectations that are difficult to meet, but  when they are met, I reciprocate ten fold.
 It’s simple, you either love me or leave me alone.
ChamyChula

Art by David Charles, Baltimore, MD

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Art by David Charles, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore artist David Charles creates his vibrant, provocative drawings from his childhood experiences watching his Northwest Baltimore neighborhood of Park Heights as it was ravaged by drugs, violence, poverty and police brutality.
“I saw the R-rated version straight from the streets and whatever I experienced I created through art,” he says.

read more……

What Is Art?

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From , former About.com Guide

I could tell you that art plays a large part in making our lives infinitely rich. Imagine, just for a minute, a world without art! (You may think “So what?” but please consider the impact that lack of graphics would have on your favorite video game.) Art stimulates different parts of our brains to make us laugh or incite us to riot, with a whole gamut of emotions in between. Art gives us a way to be creative and express ourselves. For some people, art is the entire reason they get out of bed in the morning. You could say “Art is something that makes us more thoughtful and well-rounded humans.”

On the other hand, art is such a large part of our everyday lives that we may hardly even stop to think about it. Look at the desk or table where you are, right this minute. Someone designed that. It is art. Your shoes are art. Your coffee cup is art. All functional design, well done, is art. So, you could say “Art is something that is both functional and (hopefully) aesthetically pleasing to our eyes.”

You might say “Art is in a constant state of change, so nobody can really pin down what it is.” The constant change part is true, but the not pinning it down part is going to get you a bad grade. It may even raise a comment or two about your being some sort of wisenheimer. Don’t go this route.

You might even say “Art is subjective, and means something different to every single person on earth.” This, too, is the truth. I would caution against this approach, however, as it would require a stack of paper from here to the moon to cite all of your 6.8 billion references.

Now, everything just stated has elements of truth, but is largely based on opinion. My opinion is, frankly, useless in your paper-writing endeavor. Form your own opinions (that should be the reason you are receiving an education, after all), and be sure to sprinkle them in your answer … which needs a factual basis, so here are the cold hard facts:

Art is form and content.

“Art is form and content” means: All art consists of these two things.

Form means:

  • The elements of art,
  • the principles of design and
  • the actual, physical materialsthat the artist has used.Form, in this context, is concrete and fairly easily described–no matter which piece of art is under scrutiny.

    Suppose you’ve written: “One half of all art is form. Here is how Goya’s The Shootings of May Third, 1808 fits in.” You would then go on to provide details about how Goya used color, value, space and line (elements of art). He used balance, contrast, emphasis and proportion (principles of design). He composed the aforementioned elements and principles on canvas, using brushes and oil paints (the physical materials).

    The example just given employed a work of Western art, and was written in English. It doesn’t take much of a leap in imagination, though, to understand that the concepts behind “form” could be applied to any piece of art, created anywhere on earth, at any time, using any language. With that, we have successfully covered “form.”

    Content, now, gets a little more tricky. Content is idea-based and means:

    • What the artist meant to portray,
    • what the artist actually did portray and
    • how we react, as individuals, to both the intended and actual messages.

    Additionally, content includes ways in which a work was influenced–by religion, or politics, or society in general, or even the artist’s use of hallucinogenic substances–at the time it was created. All of these factors, together, make up the content side of art.

    Returning to the Goya example, you might comment on the fact that the shootings were an actual event. Napoleon had invaded Spain, at the time, and subjected it to six years of war and revolution (political and social influences). There had been a revolt by citizens of Madrid, and they were summarily executed (historical context). Goya, obviously, didn’t think this was good and recorded the stark horror for all posterity. (He was successful at conveying that which he meant to convey.) We react to the painting in our different ways – usually with mixed feeling of revulsion, anger and sorrow.

    Again, we are discussing content using one picture as an example, but the same parameters apply to any piece of art.

    That’s my best reply, then. The first four paragraphs are applicable – with infinite variations, up to, and including, “The way my girlfriend puts on her eyeshadow is art.” Just be sure that your main argument includes “Art is form and content.” You can certainly think of some great examples using works of art that you know and/or enjoy. Now. Go get cracking on that paper and, next time, don’t wait until the last minute.

Seventies style is stayin’ alive: tips to keep up with the trend

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(BPT) – From home decor to fashion and food, the styles and trends of the 1970s have slowly been creeping back into the mainstream, and this year they’re out in full force. Don’t be alarmed when you see the vibrant colors, bold patterns and relaxed entertaining of the decade taking over in today’s world. There are many ways to embrace the retro style while staying thoroughly modern with some simple expert tips. –

Beauty and lifestyle expert Alexis Wolfer of TheBeautyBean.com has some simple suggestions for bringing the best of the ’70s to the current day.

“Fashion is always one of the earliest indicators of style re-emergence,” says Wolfer.

The popularity of mixed prints and varying textures is straight ’70s, and aspiring fashionistas shouldn’t be afraid to take risks.

“Keep all prints in the same color family and you can wear those striped pants with a polka dotted top,” Wolfer recommends. “Tweed, velvet and suede take boring basics to trendy new heights. Swap out your go-to little black dress for a velvet one to entertain in ’70s -inspired style.”

It’s not just personal fashion that is getting the ’70s treatment – this trend is popping up in home decor as well. Forty years ago, colorful appliances were must-haves to match shag carpets and paneled walls. Today the color is back, but dull green refrigerators are being replaced by brighter, more playful colors, like a tangerine orange KitchenAid stand mixer, a purple Keurig coffee machine or a bright red washer/dryer. –

Appliances aren’t the only place in the kitchen where trends are re-emerging. Back in the ’70s, the Swiss tradition of fondue, shared around a table, was all the rage at dinner parties and social gatherings throughout the decade. Today, inspired by fondue restaurants, like The Melting Pot, and easy-to-prepare at-home options, people are breaking out their fondue pots more than ever for easy entertaining and a fun, social meal to enjoy.

“Fondue pots, either electric or candlelight-powered, are inexpensive and easy to find at retail chains or online,” says Wolfer. “Emmi Roth USA has a fantastic line of ready-made fondues that are simple and really delicious. Just open the package, pour into the pot and stir!”

Entertaining in the ’70s also meant playing games. “The ’70s brought game night into the spotlight and it’s making a comeback,” says Wolfer. “With family or friends, plan your own game night with classics like Twister or modern ones like Cranium. It’s inexpensive and fun for all ages.” Bring out games that can work with teams or individual players so that everyone is included, no matter how many or how few guests there are. Having small prizes for the winners will increase the excitement and make the party more memorable, so pick up some small items like scented candles, decks of cards or gift cards to local shops or cafes for the game night victors to take home.-

The ’70s was a complex decade but there was no shortage of fun, and embracing the tastes and trends of those days gone by can bring newfound vibrancy and enjoyment into the present.

2013’s hottest home trends and easy upgrades

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(BPT) – The top home decor trends for 2013 are already emerging, and homeowners seeking a fresh look will find a lot to love. Not only can these looks be accomplished in minimal time – they’re budget friendly and easy enough for DIYers to finish in a weekend or less.

Giving your home an updated feel doesn’t require a full-scale renovation. Instead, focus on simple updates for the most frequently used rooms in your house. When you’re ready to get started on your home’s new look, let these trends of the year be your design guide.

In the kitchen

Kitchens need to be functional, but in this hub of the home style is just as important. Upholding practicality while adding visual interest is a top trend this season. Two-toned upper and lower cabinet colors are rapidly growing in popularity as a way to let homeowners customize their kitchen spaces and express their personalities.

* Maple is the style frontrunner when it comes to wooden cabinets, but painted cabinets in white, black and gray tones are also on the rise. Whether you opt to replace your cabinet fronts or paint them, your efforts will give you impressive – and fast – results.

* On the functionality front, innovative hands-free faucets simplify cooking and cleaning tasks while requiring minimal effort to install.

* Open shelving is seeing a boost in popularity. Both glass-fronted cabinets and simple open shelves capture this trend, allowing you to put your style on display while creating a sleek, updated look.

In the bath

A luxurious-feeling bath doesn’t need to make big demands on your wallet. By making a few on-trend updates, you’ll give your room designer appeal guaranteed to make an impression.

* Updating the vanity, often the focal point in a bathroom, provides immediate results. Customizable modular options like those from the allen + roth Windelton line let you create a storage-savvy vanity that fits virtually any bathroom while also adding functional drawer and countertop space.

* Tiling provides the perfect solution to add extra personality to your bath. Right now, trends offer two different but equally chic directions – large-scale tile and small-scale mosaics. Tiles with wood-like appearances are also gaining popularity; they create a warm, inviting look, but offer the wet-space practicality of tile. If it’s your first time tiling, home improvement experts at stores like Lowe’s can provide guidance to get startedwith your tile flooring.

Throughout the home

When it comes to low-effort, big-impact changes, it’s hard to beat a fresh coat of paint. For walls that feel drab, boring or outdated, new paint makes a color statement and draws attention to architectural details. Follow these paint tips to make an instant, dramatic impression:

* Alter the dimensions of a space by painting ceilings a slightly lighter color than the walls.

* Create patterns and shapes using painter’s tape. Stripes, chevrons and ombre effects are perfectly on-trend.

* Highlight architectural details by painting interior doors and trim in a colorful hue instead of traditional white.

In one weekend or less, these simple changes will make your home feel like an entirely new space. So when the seasonal urge to renovate sets in, don’t resist – reinvigorate your home with these ideas. Find more decorating trends and inspiration at Lowes.com.

Find inspiration for your home in 2013 with the latest design trends

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(BPT) – Did you begin the year with an updated fitness regime? Are you pursuing new hobbies or getting better organized? Why not make a few changes to not only yourself, but also your home? By incorporating cutting-edge design trends, you’ll add color and style.

Patterns that pack a punch

“No one wants a house that lacks personality,” says HGTV designer and television personality Taniya Nayak. “The easiest way to infuse your style – while being on-trend – is with an impactful pattern.” According to Nayak, there are a few prints to be on the lookout for in 2013:

* Chevron: a bold, dramatic, V-shaped pattern

* Geometrics: graphic, colorful shapes, delivering a vintage-modern look and feel

* Ombre: subtle color gradation of similar shades that’s extremely versatile

* Ikat: tribal, swirls and diamonds reminiscent of tie-dye

* Moroccan: culturally-inspired, timeless and exotic motifs

“These powerful patterns can be easily achieved with a fresh coat of paint and a premium painter’s tape, like FrogTape Multi-Surface and Delicate Surface,” adds Nayak. “Treated with PaintBlock Technology, FrogTape can be used to create these new, intricate patterns for a haute interior. And best of all, FrogTape will help deliver sharp lines, making your handiwork look like that of a professional.”

When using bold patterns, it’s best to find the right pairing of both the color and the print to not overwhelm your space. If you’re looking to use bright colors, incorporate the patterns onto one accent wall or window treatments. If you’re using neutral hues, try using a pattern on a larger scale, around the entire room or even a piece of furniture. “You don’t want the elements of a space to fight each other,” advises Nayak. “Considering the color, scale and intensity of any pattern in relationship to the rest of your decor will leave you with a finished space that is perfect for 2013 and beyond.”

Mixing up materials

“The key to updating your home with the latest trends is finding a balance,” says Nayak. “It’s all about making it personal and adding elements that fit your lifestyle and design personality, without breaking the bank.” One great way to make a big impact on a small budget is to mix materials, creating a blend of polished and raw in a room with modern and industrial elements.

“The rustic look will be extremely popular in homes in 2013, as it’s elegant and comfortable,” adds Nayak. “It provides a feeling of richness and warmth, while still being comfortable to actually live in the space.” A great material for achieving the industrial and modern look is reclaimed wood. From frames, to furniture, this aged, repurposed wood can bring richness and a dose of style to any space.

Mixing materials can also mean utilizing different finishes throughout a room. In the kitchen, using contrasting materials makes your space look personalized. Try a mix of wood and painted finishes for a more layered and collected feel. By resisting the urge to perfectly match every piece, you’ll have a space that looks current and works nicely together.

Look for the unexpected

“Just because a product is made for a specific purpose, doesn’t mean you can’t reimagine how it could be used,” says Nayak. “For example, hanging materials on the wall that are typically used as flooring can be breathtaking. Wood planks or concrete panels, featured vertically and not just on the ground, add richness and texture.”

Another great tip to accomplishing this trend is to look at construction materials in new ways. Molding and paneling can add architectural detail well beyond crown molding and baseboards. Installing framing on a wall and painting it with complementary paint colors can change the look and feel of any room. “Unique treatments instantly increase the texture, depth and visual appeal, without spending a lot of time or money,” says Nayak. “And the greatest feature is that these updates aren’t permanent, meaning you can continue to change your space as your style – and home design trends – evolve.”

Finishing touches

“The key to incorporating any trend is to make sure it accurately represents your style,” adds Nayak. “The finishing touches are the final way to infuse personality into your updated space.” Whether it’s utilizing accents like pillows, throws and frames in your favorite colors, or a rug that reminds you of a beloved piece of clothing, your home will truly come to life when it depicts who you are in its designs.

Ten lucky home decor trends for 2013

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(BPT) – Despite its negative reputation, the number 13 doesn’t always have to be unlucky. Take these top 10 decor trends for 2013 from design experts, manufacturers and trend forecasters across the country. They’re fresh, fun and sure to bring good fortune to any home.

A splash of color

Industry leader Pantone’s annual fashion color report sets the tone for home decor as well as clothing, and the spring 2013 report is no exception. Its softer-hued palette of Dusk Blue, Lemon Zest, African Violet, Grayed Jade, Linen and Tender Shoots is emboldened by Monaco Blue, Poppy Red, Emerald and Nectarine. Marc Thee, founder of the No. 1 residential interior design firm in the country, also sees a move toward pure color palettes such as cream and sea glass, khaki and white, or neutral with a pop of yellow.-

Not your mama’s wallpaper

Repositionable wallpaper is a decorating mainstay, says Todd Imholte, president of Murals Your Way, whose website, www.muralsyourway.com, is the top online destination for wall murals worldwide. The company’s10 collections of peel-and-stick wallpaper are available in such themes as Vintage, Dots, Flower Prints and Mostly Modern, and can be removed and reused hundreds of times without losing their adhering qualities. Because the company offers color matching, customers can match their repositionable wallpaper to an existing paint color, updated decor or the new Pantone color palette.

Cooking up smart ideas

Next year’s contemporary kitchen will include European frameless laminate cabinetry, multi-tasking appliances, hands-free faucets, and increased smartphone and tablet functionality, according to Jamie Gold, a certified independent kitchen and bath designer in San Diego, Calif. Value-oriented remodels will remain popular, she predicts, with homeowners incorporating existing flooring, fixtures, cabinets and/or appliances into their design plans to save money and retain favorite design elements.

Let it shine

Jeff Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, says energy-efficient LED products will continue to dominate lighting, and will be prevalent in coves, tray ceilings, toekicks, and under and above cabinets. Chrome and polished nickel will appeal to the emerging “Y” generation and baby boomers modernizing their retirement homes. Tall, slender outdoor lanterns in contemporary, cottage and transitional styles will work well for those in smaller urban spaces.

Heavy metal

Susan Goldstick of Susan Goldstick, Inc. predicts home furnishings will also shine in 2013. New metals such as rose gold and gun metal will be mixed, and pierced, hammered and oxidized textural metals will be especially popular. Vendors will add metal to their wood pieces, and faux animal print metalics will provide texture and reflective light in the textiles arena.

There’s no place like home

Even as the economy shows signs of improving, homeowners still find comfort in “cocooning” in the warmth and safety of their homes, says Graeme Smith, conceptual designer at Second Nature kitchens.- Adding an on-trend color such as cranberry or velvety chocolate to a soothing palette of muted tones and delicate detailing creates timeless interiors, and incorporating vintage pieces fosters a sense of nostalgia, heritage and solidity.

Woodn’t it be nice?

Next year’s trendy furniture will boast reclaimed wood or reclaimed-looking synthetic wood, according to Lenny Kharitonov, president of Unlimited Furniture Group, Inc. Combinations of wood and metal will be popular, such as a desk with a wood top and an iron base. Thee also sees a new freedom to mix metals, linen or stone into wood, with the juxtaposition of materials and finishes creating a beautiful combination.

Watch your step

Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director at Daltile, notes that one of the biggest style trends of the year will be porcelain tile that emulates the look of hardwood in high-traffic areas, offering the natural beauty of wood with the long-lasting durability and ease of maintenance of tile. Rectangular-sized tiles – particularly those in long, linear plank styles – will remain popular in floor and wall applications.

Back to nature

Consumers’ eco-friendly focus on using organic, sustainable materials will continue into 2013. Orange, Calif.-based Budget Blinds recommends woven wood shades made from bamboo, grasses, jute, reeds, rattan and other natural renewable resources for honest, simple beauty. Smith suggests using timber and wicker furniture, ribbed and woven finishes on accessories, and layered wool throws in the living area of the kitchen to bring a sense of the outdoor into the home.

You can judge a book by its cover

Exterior design and landscaping say just as much about a home as its interior architectural counterparts. Artist and designer Pablo Solomon touts stone, concrete and brick that blend into the environment, requires little upkeep, and is superior weather susceptible wood decks, rust-prone metals and dulling plastics. He also sees increased use of eco-friendly native plants to save water and reduce pesticides.

Moving or improving? Tips for a flawless painting project

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(BPT) – Did you know spring is the best time to sell your home? And now that the housing market is bouncing back, there’s never been a better time to do it. But even if you’re planning to stay put for the long haul, chances are there are some much-needed touch-ups you could be doing to keep your home in tip-top shape. And you don’t have to break your back, or the bank, to do it. In fact, adding a new coat of paint is a quick, affordable, and possibly the most impactful, way to get your project done.

Prep, prime and primp

Misusing color can be a surefire way to turn people off from your home. For a more inviting look that nearly everyone can enjoy, opt for neutral paint colors. A subtle beige, slight grey or even white can do the trick.

First, move furniture out of the room and place drop cloths to protect the floor. Remove any picture frames, outlet covers and wall decor. Then, gently scrub the walls with a mild detergent and water mixture using a soft sponge to remove any dirt, grime or lint. Don’t forget to prime your walls before applying color to ensure the best end-results.

Paint like a pro

For an ultra-smooth finish, try Purdy’s line of Ultra Finish roller covers. These premium microfiber roller covers, available in 9-inch lengths and varying nap thickness, provide an even release of paint and deliver a consistent application from start to finish. Plus, they work great with any kind of paint and finish, including satin, semi-gloss and gloss, taking the guesswork out of the DIY equation.

When applying paint, start at the top and work your way down. For superior results, you’ll want to fill the well of your roller tray with paint, dip the roller in half-way and then roll it back onto the tray’s angled platform to easily remove excess paint. This will reduce dripping and improve overall paint cover. The best approach for applying paint? Use your roller cover to make an overlapping “W” pattern in a 2-foot by 2-foot area; then fill in and repeat.

For smaller interior paint projects or tight spaces, Purdy also has a variety of innovative mini roller choices that are versatile, lightweight and can quickly and easily deliver a perfect finish with smooth rolling action. These combined features make them the ideal applicator for a variety of projects like painting doors and cabinets, to freshening up tables, chairs and even bedroom furniture.

Keeping your color conviction

If you’re still feeling deprived of color after your painting project is complete, never fret. There are several ways to add a pop of color throughout your home without slathering the walls with offensive paint colors. Try incorporating fun accent pieces in your favorite colors – think lamps, frames, pillows and rugs. You can even include larger focal pieces like royal blue armchairs or a patterned couch to make a bolder statement. By keeping the overall aesthetics of your home neutral and inviting, and enhancing them with a few sight-provoking embellishments, house guests will be asking you for home decorating tips. And if your end goal is to get your home sold, consider these minor improvements a step in the right direction.

SMC celebrates African American art

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Bernard Kinsey (Right) shakes Mack Massey's hand (Left) after receiving a signed copy of the book with his father Bruce Massey (Center) at the African American Treasures Exhibit on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the Santa Monica College Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery. (Photo: David J. Hawkins/Corsair)

Ryan Sindon
February 20, 2013
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Top Stories

Just in time for Black History Month, Santa Monica College held an opening reception for “African American Treasures: History and Art from the Collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey” at the Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery on Friday evening.

The collection is organized in chronological order from left to right, with each piece displaying an integral part of American history and its involvement with African Americans. The story of African American culture is told by using paintings, sculptures, illustrations, and historical documents.

Featured throughout the exhibit is a letter from Malcolm X to his editor, a letter from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to his literary agent, an illustration named “First Colored Senator and Representatives,” and many more historical documents and art pieces.

The pieces in the room show the visitor that history does not just exist in textbooks. There are many sketches, illustrations, sculptures, and paintings ranging from traditional landscapes to abstracts, all created by African American artists.

Professor Ron Davis, chair of the art department, described the collection as a “global setting for art.”

Members of many different communities showed up to the opening. Among them were administrators, trustees, professors, SMC students, artists and Santa Monica citizens. Artists that were in the collection showed up to the opening as well.

“It’s important to get out into the local community and see the artwork,” said SMC student Heather Tijman, an art major.

SMC President and Superintendent Dr. Chui L. Tsang expressed the importance of the exhibit, calling it “a rich and wonderful collection to help students learn about the rich history of America.”

Trustee Rob Rader called the exhibit “a unique collection that needs to be seen.”

“The collection is both aesthetically and socially significant,” Rader said.

The Kinseys are a retired couple who reside in the neighboring Pacific Palisades. They are collectors of art and historical documents.

“I collect the art of the living, and my husband collects the art of the dead,” Shirley Kinsey said.

The Kinseys gave two tours of the gallery throughout the evening, and spent time describing the importance of each piece in the collection.

“African American history is American history,” Shirley Kinsey said. “We need to learn more about each other’s culture as well as our own.”

Bernard and Shirley Kinsey will also be hosting a lecture at the Broad Stage titled “The Kinsey Collection: Black History Explored Through Art and Legacy.” The lecture will go over ideas such as the myth of absence. The event will take place on Feb. 28 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a reception in the art gallery.

“African American Treasures: History and Art from the Collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey” can be seen at the Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery in the Performing Arts Center, located at 1310 11th St.

Gallery hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The exhibit will be at SMC until March 9.

GMOA show highlights African-American artists William Johnson

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By Andre Gallant

Tragic lives in the art world are so common as to be unfortunately dismissible. Poverty. Infamy. Obscurity. Traits of certain artists have become the stuff of cocktail jokes.

There is humor to be had, sure, but there also is reality and the weight of its stupid truths bearing down on a person. In short amounts of time, artists like William H. Johnson, a Harlem Renaissance-era painter from the deep South, were able to glean and pass on true beauty found by peeking around the mass that would soon crush them.

The entire arc of Johnson’s painting career is on display in “William H. Johnson: An American Modern,” a new exhibition at the Georgia Museum of Art that opened last Saturday and runs until May 12. The show begins with a look at his heavily influenced years in Europe and ends with the jazz and folk lens through which he finally attained his lifelong artistic goal, all before mental illness captured him at 46 and relegated him to life in a hospital.

Only recently has Johnson’s art risen to national prominence, buoyed especially by President Obama’s selection of four Johnson paintings to hang in the White House.

“In all my years of painting, I have had only one absorbing and inspired idea — to give, in simple and stark form, the story of the Negro as he has existed,” Johnson told the New Amsterdam News in 1946, a quote that’s printed on a wall in the exhibiting gallery.

It took Johnson until his 40s to achieve his inspired idea by returning to his native South Carolina and adopting a bountifully colored folk style, but the steps he took to get there are equally notable.

Johnson was born in 1901 to a housekeeper mother in Florence, S.C. His father, supposedly, was a white man with some social status. Growing up, William worked as a field hand alongside his able-bodied stepfather, and cared for his younger brothers and sisters.

Johnson’s artistic talent developed at an early age, but he left school as a teenager to help support his family following an accident that disabled his stepfather.

At age 18, Johnson packed up for New York, where he expected to work, save money and eventually study art.

In New York, he found support from his instructors at National Academy of Design, and soon set off for Europe, where he would meet his Danish wife and fellow artist, Holcha Krake. Work created during Johnson’s European stretch is heavily reminiscent first of the post-Impressionists and then later of Expressionism.

Landscapes, mostly, catch Johnson’s eye in his European work, and are given movement by Johnson’s accentuated lines, much like his contemporary and inspiration, Lithuanian artist Chaim Soutine.

Johnson found some early financial success among Norwegian collectors, and he devoted a number of paintings to the country’s quaint, austere fishing villages and harbors. The colors and shapes are stark and abstract, with boats represented as soft-cornered white and brown blobs; hints of blues, yellows and reds evoking the typical colors of fishing towns; and with grey tones scheming as sky in the background. Only through removed inspection does the shape of a village emerge.

A certain painting from Johnson’s time in Northern Europe — he traveled extensively with Krake to France and north Africa — hints at his future exultations of the common person. “Danish Youth” depicts a young Scandanavian male through which Johnson tried to show the subject’s history as reflected through the lines in the stretched across his skull. The boy’s history, geography and culture are delivered through Johnson’s rendering.

Krake and Johnson eventually would flee Europe over fears of what the rise of Nazism would mean for an African-American artist.

But back in New York, Johnson would again experience racial prejudice and suffer the loss of much of his work by fire. In this time, he would produce a stretch of work influenced by his Harlem environment and the jazz that surrounded him. In his earlier post-impressionist work, exaggerated lines gave still images a sense of movement.

Paintings like the “Jitterbugs” series used sharp lines and angles paired with bright Gauguin-like colors to show modern African-Americans in a modern city dancing to a modern music.

Following Krake’s death from breast cancer in 1943, Johnson would head south to paint what seem like the precursors to those jumpy jazz images.

Using found materials like window shades and cardboard, Johnson painted in a style that would be confused for folk art if the viewer wasn’t aware of the artist’s background. Paintings like “Sowing” and “Aunt Alice” are flat, colorful and simplified, using out-of-proportion hands to show action. Johnson often referred to the primitive elements in his work, and in the South, those elements shined.

Johnson would head back to Europe to live with his deceased wife’s family, but soon mental illness would take hold, and he would spent the rest of his days before his death in 1970 hospitalized in New York state.

Accompanying the Johnson exhibit are a number of events offering family involvement with the works. The first of such events is Thursday, a Black History Month dinner at 6 p.m. highlighting the work of local artist Harold Rittenberry that includes a guided tour through the Johnson show. Family day on March 23 focuses on Johnson’s portraits and invites attending families to paint portraits in the bright and bold style of the artist. The museum’s chief curator, Paul Manoguerra, leads a free tour of the show at 2 p.m. on March 27.

William H. Johnson: An American Modern
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. to Sat., until 9 p.m. on Thurs., and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St.
Cost: Free
Call: (706) 542-GMOA
Online: www.georgiamuseum.org