access+ENGAGE the definitive alternative arts journal
Issue #1
In this Issue:
It hardly feels like we’ve shoveled enough of the white stuff to call this winter. Actually, we’re feeling a kind of tentative optimism around here usually reserved for March. Maybe that’s because, like proud new parents (still a little tired from a few too many sleepless nights), we’re excited to offer you the inaugural issue of access+ENGAGE. Consider this our “Minnesota Howdy” issue—our way of saying hi and introducing you to a few gems from mnartists.org. We’re awfully happy to rendezvous with your inbox twice a month. If you’ve got friends who should be getting this (and, really, isn’t that everyone you know?) we won’t mind if you pass it on.
Jennifer Davis
Balancing Act
Collage artist Jennifer Davis’s pieces—sometimes tinged with melancholy pastels, occasionally silly and fanciful—are memorable for their instinctive wit, childlike sincerity, and eye-catchingly surreal graphic touches. Explore a collection of her new work, annotated with her surprising insights about migration, paper dolls, and the constant juggling women do.
Read the full article here.
Also, check out her new show, Orbital Me, with Daniel Buettner at Rosalux Gallery (located at the Open Book Center in Minneapolis), running until January 31, 2006.
Zoom In: in—depth glimpses into the lives and work of our featured visual artists
Sampler: music, video, or digital clips from new media innovators
Point of View: first—person dispatches from artists, writers, and performers
You Are Here: must—see events, trends, and happenings throughout the state
mnAccess: can’t—miss passes, discounts, and deals from our sponsors
Behind the Process: Artists Confess All (well… some, anyway)
Paul Bunyan! Taco Bell! Pirates! Evil Twin Sisters!
Sometimes, insights on the “artistic process” benefit from more life context: a little behind—the—scenes dirt on junk food, TV, and unsavory teenage employment. We asked a few notable Minnesota artists about their lives, their work, and to give us the skinny on some of their guilty pleasures.
David Danielson: photomontage/collage artist, Roseau, MN
As a kid, what art first impressed you?
I was impressed with the talking Paul Bunyan in Brainerd—it waved, called your name, and rolled its eyes.
When did you consider yourself a “real” artist?
I think when my sixth grade teacher deftly used child psychology by allowing me to exhibit my drawings of monsters and pirates on the classroom lockers instead of making me sit in the hall.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I had a summer job at a farm implement dealership which required that I handle cases of dynamite—the old, unstable kind that could blow up for no reason.
Favorite TV show past or present?
The Avengers, which started my life long passion for manor-born Euro-vixens and aristocratic decadence.
Kao Lee Thao: 3-D animator, Savage, MN
What would constitute the perfect day?
Waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and ending the day with the smell of turpentine—if I could paint all day, I would.
Best underappreciated arts resource in Minnesota?
Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT); I have CHAT to thank for inspiring me to start painting.
What’s the most vivid nightmare you remember from your childhood?
I dreamt I had an evil twin sister and it made me realize how cruel I could be. It was the scariest dream—I still get goose bumps thinking about it.
What’s the first record you bought with your own money?
The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I worked at a Taco Bell in Rapid City, South Dakota for a couple months when I was about 15. I had to wear a uniform that was too big, and I always smelled like lard (*) and frozen meat.
Who, living or dead, would you love to have over for an intimate dinner?
Neil Young or Johnny Cash.
When did you first consider yourself a "real" artist?
I don’t really know the difference between a "real" artist and a "fake" artist…
What would constitute the perfect day?
Sun, no work and writing a good song.
You can read the full responses from these artists, not to mention even more Q&A with St. Paul poet Stephen Burt, Rochester-based illustrator Chuck Hughes, Minneapolitan filmmaker Mark Wojahn, Hawley-native sculptor Duane Mickelson, and Duluthian DJ and musician Zac Bentz by clicking here.
Right Where We Live: Visions of Home
If you’re the type who finds a drive-by, sunset glimpse into someone’s arts-and-crafts bungalow dining room irresistible, have we got some shows for you! The Walker Art Center’s Some Assembly Required: Contemporary Prefabricated Houses exhibit of upscale prefab homes may well be your first stop. The Weisman’s HOME House Project: The Future of Affordable Housing also offers an inspirational window into a variety of award-winning, ingenious twenty-first century architectural designs for housing for the rest of us. If you prefer a more historically-minded approach, the Minnesota History Society’s engaging interactive exhibit, Open House: If These Walls Could Talk, will be right up your alley, with the story of 118 years in the lives of the many Minnesota families who’ve resided in one ordinary house.
If you’re still hungry for more, you’re likely already planning a trip out to Soap Factory’s five—week, live—action ice house spectacular—the Art Shanty Projects on Medicine Lake. Participating “shanty” artist Sarah Peters offers her can’t miss picks for you here.
Image: Pie Shanty, courtesy photographer and Sarah Peters.
Minneapolis: Intermedia Arts.
Show opens January 26
This gripping exhibit documents and tracks the lives of those who’ve fled genocide in Somalia, Rwanda and the Jewish holocaust with revealing photos by Abdi Roble (in partnership with Arts Midwest), Mike Rosen and Paul Corbit Brown.
Minneapolis: Brave New Workshop.
Preview February 2, official opening February 10
Hurricanes, bird flu, and floods—oh my! For their 254th original comedy sketch workshop, Brave New Workshop offers its uniquely biting send-up of emergency management and media disaster coverage gone awry.
You can see more of our picks for February events in the Twin Cities metro
here.
More than Skin Deep: Meditations on the Sculpted Form
Lanesboro’s Cornucopia Art Center is featuring an extravaganza of work celebrating the human figure: Sculpture Invitational: Awakening the Human Form, with contributions from an eclectic array of Minnesota artists, including Perci Chester, John Benson, Thomas Zahn, Lester Hoikka, Katherine Sandnas, Albert Belleveau, and Duane Mickelson. You can catch the opening reception
February 4.
On a related note, be sure to check out the Commonweal Theatre Company’s Ibsen Festival from February 3-5, especially their companion production of Henrik Ibsen’s last play about an aging sculptor inspired anew by the model for his greatest work: When We Dead Awaken, opening February 4.
Image: Free Fall, by Thomas Zahn.
Reprinted courtesy of Cornucopia Art Center.
Rochester: Rochester Art Center
This seminar is the February 2 installment of RAC’s Contemporary Art 101 Series
Rochester Art Center’s Education Director, Scott Stulen, will lead a discussion about the issues surrounding borrowing, mixing, and repurposing existing materials to create new artwork. From copyright to appropriation as cultural commentary, the seminar promises to be a lively, timely conversation. This lecture is part of the Center’s free art history series, Contemporary Art 101. For more information on this installment and the series as a whole, visit the Center’s website.
Winona: Page Theatre
(Saint Mary’s University), February 4
Much—acclaimed jazz band with deep Minnesota roots (not to mention the multi—talented musician Dave King) are touring with material from their irresistibly listenable new CD Suspicious Activity.
You can see more of our picks for February events throughout the state here.
Special Discounts
Cornucopia Art Center is offering a 10% discount on any class or workshop (with paid reservation by March 1) for access+ENGAGE subscribers.
Pricing
SPECIAL HALF-PRICE GALLERY ADMISSION to the WALKER ART CENTER for access+ENGAGE subscribers!
Simply mention
special offer code #48 to receive Walker Art Center gallery admission for only $4 (half-price). Good through February 28, 2006.
Project Director, mnartists.org: Kathleen Kvern
Editor: Susannah Schouweiler
E-journal design: Brand & Butter
Featured Contributors and Artists
Banner image: Busy, by Jennifer Davis, acrylic/collage/graphite/charcoal/pastels, 48” x 24”, 2005. Reprinted with artist’s permission.
Art Shanty commentary and images: Sarah Peters
We’d love to hear from you. Email us with your suggestions and comments.
The mission of mnartists.org is to improve the lives of Minnesota artists and provide access to and engagement with Minnesota’s arts culture.
