Effort Distance

Jen Nazzaro, How Effort and Distance are Linked

Charcoal, graphite and crayon on paper, 22x30"

One of my favorite people is showing her new drawings in the Schlosberg Gallery at Montserrat this month. Jen Nazzaro's ethereal landscapes are created within a narrow color palette of black, grays and whites. Nevertheless, she is able to create a tremendously rich surface through exquisite mark making using charcoal and graphite.

Beauty Looks Great Over Your Couch

Brian Ulrich, Untitled_Thrift, Toys, 2006

Chicago-based photographer Brian Ulrich visited Montserrat on Nov. 29th and 30th. He participated in A Contemporary Cocktail a casual evening event and gave a great lecture on his work. He spoke of consumerism, social messages in his work (yes, they are there and he is not afraid to say so) and the role of beauty. We talked about how beauty is back. After being a dirty word in the art world for so long, it now again is an acceptable, perhaps even desirable adjective when describing someone's work. To which Brian replied in a deadpan voice, " Yeah, beauty looks great over your couch." He is right of course, beauty sells. He and I discussed the new 'arty' photography coming out of Germany these days, (his participation in) Art Basel, and the state of the art-world. His next project will focus on high end consumerism, specifically on the the art world it self.

Brian's work is on view in the Montserrat Gallery through February 2nd in the exhibit Cornucopia: Documenting the Land of Plenty. Email me if you would like an exhibit catalogue mailed to you.