Rachel MacFarlane

work

2012-01-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

Waving Our White Flags

30 x 36 Inches

Oil on Mylar

2011

Passageway

20 x 16 Inches

Oil on Linen

2011

Breaking Apart

72 X 60 Inches

Oil on Canvas

2011

Lost and Found

72 X 84 Inches

Oil on Canvas

2011

Take Off

44.5 x 33.5 Inches

Oil on Mylar

2011

Climbing

50 X42 Inches

Oil on Mylar

2011

Held Up

30 x 30 Inches

Oil on Canvas

2011

Space Eater Takes Motion

72 x 60 Inches

Oil on Canvas

2011

Expedition

40 x 70 Inches

Oil on Mylar

2011

Install Shots from the show at Nicholas Metivier Gallery

2011-11-30T18:50:00.001-08:00

Courtsey of Daniel Neuhaus - Many thanks Daniel!

Some Press

2011-11-30T13:59:00.001-08:00

Two generous writers chose to write about the work from the show. Here are the links below! Thank you to the writers for choosing to highlight the work!

Canadian Art Junkie:

Rachel MacFarlane, clearly an artist to watch

A.Centric: Sofia Farmer

Review: Rachel MacFarlane at Nicholas Metivier

Echolocation Issue 11 LAUNCH

2011-11-27T16:01:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday there's a magazine Launch for the 11th Issue of Echolocation. My good friend Brendan Bowles, who's an excellent writer and recent masters graduate from University of Toronto, asked me to submit some of my work to this publication ( I also helped by making the poster as seen above!) It launches this Tuesday and some writers will be reading! Everyone is welcome, its sure to be a delight!

NOTE: THIS event has been changed to the Ossington!

TRIANGLE ARTISTS FUNDRAISER

2011-11-09T20:08:00.001-08:00

'Through Thick and Thin'

8x8 Inches

Watercolour on paper

2011

I donated this piece to the Triangle Artists association fundraiser called 100 x 100.

In 2010 I participated in the Triangle Artist's Workshop. It was one of the most significant things I have ever been a part of, and due to their generosity when they asked me for a piece I happily complied. There's lots of other great work being sold also please check out the site here - http://trianglearts.bigcartel.com/ all the work is being sold for only 100 dollars! Its a great way to acquire some great art and help out an important association. CHECK IT OUT

Show

2011-11-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Here are some install shots from the show and just a couple of opening night.

I had my good friend Daniel Neuhaus photograph reproductions of the work on film last Friday and soon I will be able to update the site with professional photographs also. Stay tuned!

1st Solo Exhibition of Paintings - Nicholas Metivier Gallery

2011-10-02T13:08:00.001-07:00

I am very excited to announce my upcoming Solo show at Nicholas Metivier Gallery. The show includes a lot of brand new work, most of which I have not posted on this site or on my personal website. So its sort of a big surprise! There are quite a few pieces on Mylar and some large scale works on canvas. I'm thrilled to finally see the work in one clean space and not the grey harsh reality of my concrete studio. The work is complemented by a small group show of some really amazing artists I admire. I am very blessed to have this opportunity and I hope people have a chance to go and take a look!

Details below!

Rachel MacFarlane

October 13–November 5
reception for the artist: Thursday, October 13, 6–8pm

Rachel MacFarlane, Guide, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 72 × 60 inches

We are pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Toronto artist Rachel MacFarlane. MacFarlane's paintings are kaleidoscopic spacescapes that balance recognizable forms with abstract painterly detail. Based on maquettes of found materials, the paintings oscillate between real and imaginary, object and place. Psychedelic colour, puzzle-like shapes and overlapping planes wrap, twist, fold and dissolve, referencing Post-Impressionism, Cubism and Surrealism.

paintings by Rachel MacFarlane

Michael Awad
Edward Burtynsky
Ric Evans
John Hartman
Robert Polidori

STRUCTURE

October 13–November 5
reception for the artists: Thursday, October 13, 6–8pm

Edward Burtynsky, Shipyard #18, Qili Port, Zhejiang Province, China, 2005, chromogenic print, 50 x 40 inches, edition of 9

To complement MacFarlane's exhibition, the group show Structure presents works that also explore the dynamics of space and form, featuring works by Edward Burtynsky, Robert Polidori, Ric Evans, Michael Awad and John Hartman. Like MacFarlane, they artists sample visual moments from the real world and make them extraordinary.

Nicholas Metivier Gallery
451 King Street West
Toronto ON M5V 1K4
(416) 205-9000
metiviergallery.com

SNEAK PEAK

2011-08-26T12:43:00.001-07:00

Detail from a new piece on Mylar - Not Yet Titled.

I have a show coming up... stay tuned for details.

Carnival Group Show

2011-07-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that I am participating in a group show at Nicholas Metivier Gallery that opens August 4th.

CARNIVAL

AUGUST 4TH TO 25TH
GRAND OPENING: THURSDAY AUGUST 4TH, 6 TO 8 PM
NICHOLAS METIVIER GALLERY

FEATURING GALLERY ARTISTS:
SHELLEY ADLER • MICHAEL AWAD • EDWARD BURTYNSKY
MAX DEAN • RIC EVANS • KATHARINE&# xA0;HARVEY • JAMES LAHEY
HOWARD LONN • RACHEL MACFARLANE • MALCOLM RAINS

Nicholas Metivier Gallery
451 King Street West, Toronto ON M5V 1K4, (416) 205-9000
metiviergallery.com

Art's Open Art Auction

2011-05-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hold to Be Still
35 x 55 Inches
Oil on Mylar
2011
(being auctioned in frame under glass)

Every year Nicholas Metivier Gallery puts on a charitable art auction and golf tournament for funding of art programs for at-risk youth. For the second year I have happily donated another piece. Even if you can't make the event you can still make a bid! There's also great work from a slew of other great artists including :

Mara Korkola
Stephan Appleby-Barr
Jeff Bark
Edward Burtynsky
Aurora Canero
Greg Hardy
John Hartman
James Lahey
Charles Meanwell
John Scott
Michael Smith
Chris Temple
George S. Zimbel
Patrick Hughes
Tim Pitsiulak

CHECK OUT THIS LINK to see the other work - http://www.metiviergallery.com/golf_auction.php?collection=auction

Here's some more information:

Arts Open Golf Classic and Art Auction is an annual charity event raising funds and awareness for art programs that support at-risk youth. Proceeds from the 2011 tournament and auction will go to Arts for Children and Youth. AFCY allies with high priority communities and empowers marginalized children and youth by engaging them in hands-on, community-and school-based arts education programs that respect existing culture and community activity.

The auction takes place May 30 at at The Club at Bond Head.
See HOW TO BID for more details.

Teaser

2011-05-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Total Control - 16 x 16 Inches - Oil on Mylar - 2011

Below : Detail

Drawings

2011-04-25T14:50:00.001-07:00

In Movement - Transition #1 - India Ink on Paper - 9 x 12 Inches - 2010
In Movement - Transition # 2 - India Ink on Paper - 9 x 12 inches 2010
In Movement - Transition #3 - India Ink on Paper - 9 x 12 Inches - 2010

Here is one set of my ink drawings. This particular series was completed at the triangle workshop in New York last september. I'll post a few more drawings soon!

Watercolours

2011-04-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I paint watercolours. I have a huge pile at my house - its what I do when I can't make it to the studio. It's what I do when the water is boiling. It's what I do when it's late at night and I can't sleep.

These are just a few that I recently had a chance to scan.

2011-02-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

Long Nights in the Studio

2011-02-13T23:42:00.000-08:00

On The Brink of Collapse

Oil on Mylar

Approx 30 x 36 Inches

More work to update soon!

STUDIO SHOTS - NEW WORK

2010-11-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Performer in Movement
30 x 30 Inches
Oil on Canvas
2010

Hazard Shelter , Shelter Hazard
30 x 30 Inches
Oil on Canvas
2010

Caught
30 x 30 Inches
Oil on Canvas
2010

There are a lot of exciting things happening in the studio. Including more work on that fantastic support material mylar - I'm very obsessed.
The new work is coming along. At the top you can see three new 30 x 30 inch pieces on canvas that I recently completed.

Below are some cool insider shots of my studio!

Also:
From Dec 1-5 some of my work will be included at the Nicholas Metivier Booth at Art Miami.

Some Work from The Triangle Artist Workshop

2010-09-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

The view from my studio.

I made this installation, it's called 'Private Moments'

Stand Still 30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas

We Would Sink to Stand 40 x 30 inches Oil on Mylar 2010

Constand Consumption 40 x 30 inches Oil on Mylar 2010

An Inability to Hold 34 x 49 inches Oil on Mylar 2010

Some work hanging on a wall.

TRIANGLE

2010-09-21T07:59:00.001-07:00

http://triangleworkshop.org

Click this link above to see what has been happening at the Triangle Artists Workshop so far.

Also on Saturday the 25th from 1-7pm we have an open studio exhibition at 45 Main St. Suite 800 in Dumbo Brooklyn.
It is part of the Dumbo arts festival and everyone's work is looking really exciting!

Complex Procedure

2010-09-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

Complex Procedure

72 x 60 Inches
Oil on Canvas
2010

TRIANGLE ARTISTS WORKSHOP

2010-08-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

'Performer' 72" x 60" Oil on Canvas 2010

'Sun Blocker' 30" x 30" Oil on Linen 2010

'Exporter' 20" x 20" Oil on Linen 2010

'Wrapped for Rest' 10" x 10" Oil on Panel 2010

Starting on September 12th I will be participating at the Triangle Artists Workshop this year in Brooklyn New York. I'm very excited and eager!

Above are some recently completed works.

More work soon. Also I recently updated my website www.rachelmacfarlane.com

2010-07-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Tunneling - 10 x 10 inches - Oil on Panel 2010

Paused in the Radiant Light - 6 x 7 Feet Oil on Canvas 2010

Caged - 10 x 10 inches Oil on Panel 2010

2010-07-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Gravitational Pull 12 x 12 inches Oil on Panel 2010

Touching in the Dark - 10 x 10 inches Oil on Panel 2010

Converging 10 x 10 Inches Oil on Panel 2010

In the Stellar Darkness Dust Fell - 20 x 20 Inches Oil on Linen 2010

2010-04-28T11:53:00.001-07:00

Above: 'Vertigo' 20x 20 Inches Oil on Panel
This work will be auctioned off at Nicholas Metivier's annual Arts Open auction. Arts Open is ' a grassroots organization that raises money for organizations that provide educational programs in the visual arts to at-risk and underprivileged youth. The Arts Open Foundation is dedicated to fostering the growth and creativity of future generations. ' See details here.

'Space Eater Mimics Flight' 11 x 14 inches Oil on Canvas 2010

'Toxic Phenomenon' 18 x 18 inches Oil on Panel 2010

'Magnetic Space Eater' Oil on Panel 24 x 30 inches 2010

New Work

2010-04-22T20:13:00.001-07:00

Breathable Atmosphere - 24 x 30 Oil on Panel

Destined to Fall with Grace - 20 x 2o Oil on Canvas

Arc of Sceptics - 20 x 20 Oil on Panel

Sort of Newbies

2010-03-31T12:21:00.000-07:00

Peace Keeping, 10 x 10 Oil on Panel 2010

Breathing and Waiting, 10 x 10 Oil on Panel 2010

Oscillation, 10 x 10 Oil on Panel 2010

Recently photographed paintings from my miniature series.

I'm working on a new one right now that I'm really excited about.

These are all ten x ten oil on panel. No more news.

Sick Paintings

2010-03-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have been painting some very small works on panel. All the pieces are around 10 x 10 inches and 12 x 12 inches because I don't have the energy to work on a massive scale. This has created a new series of work that parallels the larger scaled work.

Here are a few paintings. Please excuse my lack of posting.

Studio & Some Exposure

2009-08-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me for so rarely updating. Commuting, moving in to the studio, setting up, working, packing to move into a new place, trying to go to all of my friends show openings, and organizing all of the rest of life's tiny multiple obligations has been wonderfully engaging but it leaves little time for this blog of mine.

Above is a photograph of one view of my new studio. I'm starting to get back into the grind. You can't see it in this photograph but I picked up a 6 by 7 foot stretcher from Tern Art a few weeks ago, and I think after working on some studies I'm going to attack that beast of a stretcher. Its been quite a while since I've had enough space to work on any paintings of that scale.
Below is a photograph of an ad in which O.C.A.D. used a detail image of a piece of mine. I didn't know about it and some friends informed me, I was disappointed to say the least to discover they had misspelled my last name. MAC-not mc. Oh well it's still really great, and I'm pretty proud. Go check it out if your visiting O.C.A.D. or the A.G.O.

One last announcement, my friend and soon to be new roomate, Rebecca Fin Simonetti, is participating in a group show with a lot of other great artists at Board of Directors, it opens this Thursday Sept. 3rd from 6-9. BE there!

Moving Moving Moving

2009-08-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

I have been encouraged by my good friend Anna Pantchev to update my blog more often. This is for you darling. Also if anyone actually reads this you really must go by Le Gallery to see the group show Who's got the Papers she is participating in. Check out her blog www.annapantchev.blogspot.com

Also I stopped by Alex Mcleod's opening at Angell Gallery. His work makes my mind explode (in the best way possible). Please if you haven't had a chance to see it in person go by Angell Gallery.

I finally have my studio space. I move on Tuesday because my sweetheart Aunt and Uncle are lending me their van. Its on Niagara south of Queen so I plan on spending breaks in Trinity Bellwoods and at that coffee shop with a squirrel for a logo. I can't wait to set up and once I get working I will post pictures. I have a long list of plans.

Cheesy stuff - The Mayhem show was mentioned by David Balzer in the print magazine Toronto Life and online HERE
It was reviewed on Toronto Star blog by Murray Whyte - HERE
And... an image of one of my paintings in the show was chosen for the full opening and event listing page on the Canadian Art website - HERE

Sheltering

2009-07-10T11:59:00.001-07:00

Sheltering, 36X36 inch Oil on Canvas 2009

I am trying to put my life back in motion. I found a studio space on Niagra street that I believe I can afford. It is not pretty and it is too dark but its large enough, in an area I like, close to other great artists studios and I think all it needs is a little love. 200 square feet of pure freedom. It's shared with 3 other artists. I also think I may have found a job that will allow me to work in the later afternoons to evening. The rough plan is to commute in the early mornings, paint, head to work, and come back. Forcing me a daily dose of art production, income making, and free rent. Once the studio and job get rolling, I will figure out a reasonable living situation. Its about time I don't have things too easy, and I'm excited to get back to Toronto and put my nose to the grind stone.

Above is a piece I am proud of that I completed in Florence.

I'm really excited about the show that's coming up. I feel so honored to be grouped with the other artists who are showing. My pieces included in the show were completed pre-europe, so for those who have seen them consider yourself notified. The other artists are completely inspiring and I highly recommend seeing the show.

Mayham - Nicholas Metivier Group Show - Chance to See my Work in Person

2009-07-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

MAYHEM July 23 to August 22, 2009 reception for the artists: Thursday, July 23, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Nicholas Metivier Gallery

Rachel MacFarlane: Hidden Avenues, 2008; oil on canvas, 72 x 72 inches

Rachel MacFarlane uses tiny maquettes of found refuse as reference for her chaotic painted worlds. In these disorienting illusions, discarded objects transform and become weightless, anthropomorphic and monumental. Carlos and Jason Sanchez: Bloody Bed, 2002; chromogenic print 40 x 50 inches

The photographs of brothers Carlos and Jason Sanchez explore the psychological landscape of contemporary society. Documentary in appearance yet carefully staged, their images reveal the deep, complex and shifting meanings behind issues from the mass media as well as our collective unconscious.

Michael Smith: Backwoods (Night), 2009; acrylic on canvas, 54 x 64 inches

Michael Smith paints sites of history and war, yet the works are highly abstracted to emphasize elemental force and sensation such as movement, heat and light. The resulting imagery is in a constant state of flux, on the brink of dissolution.
Martin Bureau: Du plomb dans l’aile, 2009; oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches

Martin Bureau explores the tension between nature and technology. His recent paintings depict hybrid creatures – birds of migration and fighter planes. These paintings seek, in both image and physical application of paint, a balance between construction and destruction, harmony and turmoil.
John Scott: General Dark Matter, 2009; mixed media on canvas 92 x 62 inches

John Scott’s drawings depict icons of history, religion, war, politics, science fiction and technology and prophesize the fragmenting of our psyche by technology and war. His latest series of Dark Commanders are looming omens, shadows of an ominous world.

paintings by Rachel MacFarlane
photographs by Carlos & Jason Sanchez
paintings by Michael Smith
artworks by John Scott

Nicholas Metivier Gallery
451 King Street West
Toronto ON M5V 1K4
(416) 205-9000 metiviergallery.com

Potsdam photos & Leaving Europe

2009-06-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Above Some Photos from Our Trip to Potsdam

I have about 9 or 8 days before I return back to Toronto.

About 7 before I leave Berlin for a 15 hour train ride to Florence with about 4 stopovers through the Swiss alps, and then one day in Florence to pick up my luggage, see Pontormo, cross the Ponte Vecchio, have a drink at art bar, eat at il vegetariano, have my last euro cappuccino, and resort my luggage so that I don’t have to pay ridiculous overweight charges.

On July 1^st I leave at 8:10 from Florence Airport. I’ll be in Toronto around 2 in the afternoon. My mind is basically in panic mode. The only thing that is calming me down is by saying to myself repeatedly “I will be back. I will be back,” the fact that I get to see so many familiar and kind faces upon my return and that I’ll finally make some sort of more permanent studio space where I can finally expel all these ideas that are making me dizzy daily.

I love you Berlin.

I love you Toronto.

I love you Italy.

I love the idea of home but I’m more confused than ever of what that is exactly.

Mie Olis Kjaegaard & Schokoladen - Delicious!

2009-06-10T07:22:00.001-07:00

Some shows that are coming up right before I leave that I have to see

Daniel Richter - Contemporary Fine Arts

Richard Deacon – Galerie Thomas Schulte

Andrea Butzer – Guido W. Baudach

Bridget Riley – Galerie Max Hetzler

Simon Startling –Neugerriemschneider

Jan Christensen – Gerhardsen Gerner

I like to make lists.

Yesterday Lex and I went to Duve contemporary to see new work by Danish artist Mie Olise Kjaegaard.

We had a lovely time talking to their art intern. She was generous with her time and explained that this gallery who has been open for about one and a half years exhibits work that is as young and professional at it is. This small space by the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum only barely accommodated the powerful sculpture and painting works by Kjeagaard. I had discovered her work while researching in Florence Italy, and was greatly intrigued and excited by the privilege to get a first hand look. The work was painterly, and researched (all of the work was based off of structures which exist in the Artic Circle). I have to say though that I liked some of the work I saw online more. This is mainly because I’m not a fan of all white backgrounds, and her new allover splashy application of paint. I just feel that I can’t enter the space. Although I understand that the milky white void was something which arrived out of her research process. In a way I almost wish it was more emphasized; perhaps a differientation between the material application of structure and the vast space of the context of the artic. Admittedly, I am being extra critical because I was expecting a lot and I think she’s making some truly impressive work. She’s a great painter, and the constructions she makes along side her painting practice are informative, imposing and impressive.

Check out images of the show at www.duvegallery.com

Sunday

Lex and I went to a market in Mauer Park in Prenzlauer Berg.

I bought a hand made and unusual hat.

I had German pizza.

Lex ate really delicious currywerst.

He purchased some gorgeous old black and white photographs of what we believe are Swiss mountain hiking paths ( some Swiss people we met educated us on the topic).

Then we ventured to a place called Schokoladen where we had a three course traditional German meal with entertainment for only 5.50 euros, with Lex’s old friend, and my new friend Tobin. Supposedly they do this every week, needless to say we will be returning. We met some people, drank delicious red wine, and smoked heavily. When we returned home we painted and sang.

I never want to come home.

If only I could be in more than one place at a time.

The Problems with Primary

2009-06-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Today we saw Imi Knoebel at the Deutsche Guggenheim.

I feel that for what Knoebel is trying to achieve he is doing an excellent job. What I have realized is that I’m just not that interested. As much as I like work which considers the past, this work of regurgitation is part of a constant bombardment of painting which refers to the death of painting and its problems by referencing and re-referencing into a semiotic black hole. It just plain depresses me and leaves me feeling hollow. I do think that some of the work was nicely considered, the surfaces of the paintings/constructions were beautifully executed, and the palette was interestingly optical and at times achieved surprising affects. Although, I wish I could read at least one artist statement which doesn’t include boasting about Knoebel studying under Beuys, as if it somehow will justify this work. As far as I know about Beuys I think he would be disappointed with the mass produced material mimicry, general coldness of surface quality, and lack of saying anything past the formal issues regarding Barnett Newman’s infamous statement ‘who’s afraid of red, yellow and blue?’ I’m not afraid of red, yellow and blue; I’m just not interested in it when it is the dominant thesis of a body of work.

This is a picture I took afterwards.

Diagrams, Seating Charts & the Ambiguous Quality of Yellow Amy Sillman At Carlier Gebauer

2009-06-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Lately it’s been Lex and I against the apartment. There was a leaky pipe in our bathroom. Finally at 7:00 in the morning on Friday a plumber came and patched it. This finally gave me the opportunity to see the Amy Sillman show I’ve been craving to see. Was it as incredible and fulfilling as I expected to be? Short Answer: Yes.

This show seemed to showcase many of Sillman’s well known recent tendencies as an artist. It provided an assortment of ink drawings on paper from what must have been a continuation of her third person singular series. This series was based of the initial premise of working from rough studies of couples or pairings of people interacting. Its as if Eric Fischl combined with the stylistic handling of Guston and/or Scheibitz. Also, there were large scale paintings that I assumed were evolved from drawings such as these, with a notably optical and bright palette, conflicting spatial plays, diagrammatic geometry and simplicity with obvious limbs and fleshy mounds, organized into Diebonkorn-esque compositional structures.

Thirdly, some paintings resonated as more abstract, less about the body but rather about architectural spaces. The forms which seem to fornicate and repel, seemed less like figures and more like some anamorphic versions of oddly coloured frames, and planes of structures. They seem more like the paintings that she worked on pre-third person singular series.

Lastly, the show included two other additions to her paintings and drawings – a zine about diagrams, and several versions of fake seating plans for parties (or at least with pseudonyms). The seating charts, were dry witty remarks about the bourgeois and unsettling nature of the art world, including made up characters such as “ Miss Wanda Dibbleschaft – The queen of postmodern mean, with a cruel mouth, a big Gucci belt, and a degree in curatorial practice from Sotheby’s. Not a hair out of place. Loves to bandy about the fact that she worked with people who had worked with Horkheimer in the 60’s. Angling to be named American editor for “Mote” magazine.” The zine Sillman made was sold for 1 Euro, is supposedly the first of 4 she will be producing, and part of an edition of 500. The zine included many interesting, and funny diagrams, and included an essay called ‘Notes on the Diagram’ which covered everything from the Higgs boson model to a hilarious allusion to the recent movie The Wrestler, proving that Sillman combines the sensibility and grounding in the pedestrian, and everyday with an honest understanding of theory. Unfortunately the rest of the article will be featured in consecutive editions of the zine, and now I have to figure out how to get man fan hands on those future copies!

I can hear a critic in my head exclaiming words such as ‘unfocused’. ‘no thesis’, and ‘convoluted’ but for a long-time-Sillman-follower but first-time-in-person-viewer all I could do was sigh in satisfaction. Not only that but the show made me feel liberated as a painter, because it expressed that it is okay to have multiple but rhythmically related tendencies.

check out images of the show by clicking on this link!

http://www.carliergebauer.com/de/kuenstler/amy-sillman/zum-gegenstand.html

Field Recordings Near Nollendorf

2009-06-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

Today, I explored my area. I brought along my brand new ( to me ) used tape recorder I purchased a couple of weeks ago at a massive junky flea market. I've been collecting sounds, feeling like a detective, and enjoying my anonymity realizing I could come off as some sort of creep waving around this thing while people whistle in the grocery store. The possibilities are endless for these recordings, and so far completely undefined!

Lex has been working on paintings all day without me, while I sat and drank coffee, sketched, wrote and took note of the sweet piles on the street.

Thsi last photo is of the Amy Sillman Zine I picked up on Friday.

Floating Dam, and Orange Hail Storms

2009-05-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

1. Floating Dam ( around 78 inches tall) Completed in Florence about a month ago.
2. Crappy photo of A graphite Drawing I'm working on.
3. Hailing At Sunset (the view from our balcony)
4. Nice Street Art
5. Gorlitzer Park
6. Minute Sculpture

Later, I'll post about my experience seeing the Amy Sillman show. Right now I'm still digesting it slowly for every bite it was worth.

I'm having dystopic dreams of endless obstacle courses.
The playgrounds here are unsafe, unusual and endless sources of inspiration. I feel like a creep hanging around them drawing and photographing.
I'm scared of (maybe) and interested in locative art. Borders, imaginary things around me, a presence that I cannot see; they may as well be ghosts. Bouncing off of intangible signals, faster than I can speak, than I can process, in directions I might not even be able to comprehend. I trust paint. I trust what is in front of me. I trust the simple waste of the everyday - the knowingly consumed.

Applying online for various things is exhausting, and a waste of my time in Berlin.
Tomorrow I will see Eric Fischl and Mie Olise Kjaergaard. I hope.

Yesterday I burnt my hair and eyelashes. Lex would not stop laughing. Eventually neither could I. Generally I still have both.

Rainbow Over Berlin - Thorsten Brinkmann

2009-05-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

Lex and I had been planning on seeing a show of artist Thorsten Brinkmann, ever since we saw his photographs at the Bologna Art Fair a few months ago. We ventured around the fair with separate friends. I remembered dragging my feet through the last hauls of the fair, exhausted and feeling like a zombie when I finally came around to a smaller booth with about four of his photographs and a gigantic catalogue of his work. As worn out as I was, I flipped all the pages of the database of his work. Lex and I met up at the end of the day, and both of us had the words ‘Thorsten Brinkmann’ ready to slip off our tongues; his name scribbled in bold on the pages of our sketch books.

We were both very thankful to finally see a proper exhibition of his work, when we ventured out to Galerie Kunstagenten today. In one room painted a bright but definitely burgundy red complete with crown moldings, a navy desk chair rests in the middle of a large elaborate construction comprised of a faux wood wardrobe and other reconstructions of furniture probably provided by flea markets or trash piles. The hind legs of the chair rest elevated on a wooden platform, and the front left leg balances upon a precarious stack of two china cups, leaving the right one floating and immobile. The walls of this room are adorned with gracefully colour-balanced, and uncannily rendered photographs of the sculptural arrangements that Brinkmann creates.

The front room introduces the show by holding captive a dizzying structure of decapitated and reassembled legs, headboards, and frames of what can only be assumed were once ikea beds. It’s as if the beds were once alive, untamed and procreated this wild hybrid modernist beast of silver and matte black metal limbs.

Needless to say I liked the show. Most people, after seeing his work would assume that I would. Brinkmann balances the grandiose with the minute and the everyday. He depicts the quotidian with, what I feel it deserves, a haunting and elevated presence.

Check out the show online at:
http://www.kunstagenten.de/

We continued our day, which brought us to some other galleries on the brink of closing. Eventually we lead ourselves to a huge artist complex, that is probably infamous but I don’t know the name. There was an outdoor sculpture garden, and bars underneath what was probably studio spaces and shared living. We had a coffee, sketched, and took some snaps before wandering on towards Friedrich station. Over a canal we were confronted with a huge and bright rainbow ( actually it was a double!) Talk about one perfect day.

Hoorn, Holland - Ship of Fools

2009-05-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

We came to Berlin May 1st, but almost immediately left for Hoorn, Holland to see Ship of Fools at Hotel MariaKapel. This was a wonderful collaborative effort, initiated and planned by Toronto artist Swintak. My uncle Don Miller was one of the collaborative team, along with Mitzi Pederson, Millie Lytle, Chad Jagoe, John Marriott, and Olia Mishchenko. They generously allowed Lex and I to stay at the residency, play in the ship, jam on their organ, and generally harass them even though they were exhausted from building an impressively large ship in a short period of time. It was a wonderful experience. For more information check out http://impossibleship.wordpress.com/

Berlin, Italy

2009-05-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

Okay so I've joined the Blog bandwagon. I probably should have done this about 8 months ago when I first moved to Italy. Instead, I've already left Florence Italy, and am currently in Berlin, Germany.

Lex and I are subletting an apartment here. We've covered a section of our living from in drop cloths and are attempting to work on series of small paintings and drawings.