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Summer Drawing Show

By Tom Ran

Published: August 4, 2010 under Art

"Summer Drawing Show" at Family

Photo: Geoff McFetridge

Family, the book store from Los Angeles is hosting an incredible show in their back room gallery. “Summer Drawing Show” will consist of five artists from both sides of the coast including Ben Jones (Paper Rad), Denise Kupferschmidt, Richard McGuire (Liquid Liquid), Meryl Smith, and the mighty Geoff McFetridge. Meryl Smith’s work was recently seen in Spike Jonze’s latest film I’m Here. Exhibition opens tomorrow and will conclude on the 7th of September.

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“Swell: Art 1950-2010”

By Tom Ran

Published: July 23, 2010 under Art

"Swell: Art 1950-2010"

Photo: Swell

You needn’t be a participant of the sport to appreciate “Swell,” a massive exhibition spanning six decades on surf culture and the art that comes from it. The show occupies three separate galleries in Chelsea including Friedrich Petzel Gallery, Metro Pictures, and Nyehaus. The decades in which this school of work thrived was overshadowed by the Modern and Minimalist movements but is now having its day in the sun. Though many of the artists are west coast based, New York is also a focus in the exhibition. One of our favorites, Thomas Campbell, is included, along with Pop artist Edward Ruscha. “Swell” will be on view for another two weeks. Visit each of the galleries’ sites to see a sample from the show.

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The Hole

By Tom Ran

Published: July 15, 2010 under Art

The Hole

Photo: The Hole

An end is a certainty for everything. However, sometimes an end can blossom into a beginning. Take The Hole for instance. To fill the void that was left behind by Deitch Projects, two former employees of the gallery, Kathy Grayson and Meghan Coleman have attempted to fill the void by opening up their own gallery. With the support from Jeffrey Deitch himself, Grayson and Coleman were able to secure a space in Soho free of charge for the next seven months. The gallery opened its inaugural exhibition late last month with a group exhibition of unfinished works. A press release was issued through their website that read like a casual announcement rather than a traditional press release.

The sense of excitement and interest is apparent, the gallery has seen its fair share of coverage. Nonetheless, the future of The Hole is uncertain, will it be the force that it wishes to fill or a side project that fades? We hope it’s the former.

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Art Shows

By Tom Ran

Published: June 9, 2010 under Art

Devendra Banhart, part of a group exhibition at Half Gallery

Photo: Devendra Banhart

“A Ways A Way” curated by Meredith Darrow & Devendra Banhart at Half Gallery. Featuring artists Devendra Banhart, Scott Campbell, William Eadon, Kevin Long, Megan Marrin, Keegan McHargue, Fabrizio Moretti, Angeline Rivas, and Adam Tullie.

“The New Grand Tour” at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery with Young Kim, Deanne Cheuk, José Parlá, Rey Parlá and Rostarr. The exhibition is on view until July 17.

From LA, SF, NY to Philly, Rich Jacobs returns with another installment of Move. We believe this one is number 20 in the ongoing group show. “Another Move” is now on view at Space 1026 in Philadelphia.

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Lawrence Weiner

By Tom Ran

Published: June 7, 2010 under Art

Lawrence Weiner at home

Photo: Dwell Magazine

Lawrence Weiner despises Helvetica, he finds it authoritative and prefers Franklin Gothic Condensed. This text based conceptual artist has influenced Barbara Kruger and is a founding figure of Postminimalism. Though his work may seem site specific at times, he states it’s “there to let people find their place within the culture, rather than within a specific area.” Weiner recently let Dwell Magazine into his West Village home, where he and his wife Alice Weiner talk about the process that went into designing their three story building. Read about it here and watch this brief interview on Lawrence Weiner directed by Hillman Curtis.

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Events

By Tom Ran

Published: May 27, 2010 under Art

Carl Aubock at Mondo Cane

Photo: Mondo Cane

There are several great openings locally and in the Bay Area in the coming days.

Austrian designer and student of the Bauhaus, Carl Aubock has a show at Mondo Cane in Tribeca. Do not miss this. (via Reference Library)

Harry Allen will be at Apartment Therapy’s next meet up on June 9th. Though Allen is best known for his resin piggy bank he has designed interiors for Supreme and Kid Robot.

Miranda July’s “Eleven Heavy Things” at Union Square Park’s Center Lawn opens this Sat, May 29th.

Dirty old man or art genius? Terry Richardson’s A4 magazine returns with its fourth issue and to celebrate a party will be thrown tonight at Maccarone Gallery from 8-10pm. (via ANP Quarterly)

Barry McGee Leave It Alone and Clare Rojas Together At Last at the Bolinas Museum in California. Opens June 19th. (via Juxtapose)

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FEATURES

The Mast Brothers

By Tom Ran
Michael Mast and Rick Mast of Mast Brothers Chocolate

Photo: Mindy Best

The Mast Brothers Chocolate factory occupies only three rooms in a nondescript building in Williamsburg. The first doubles as a storefront that opens on the weekend to customers with much…

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Roman & Williams Studio Visit

By Tom Ran
Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch in their studio

Photo: Rose Callahan

The partners behind Roman & Williams, Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch are anti minimalists. It’s apparent in the spaces they create.

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Billykirk Studio Visit

By Tom Ran
Chris and Kirk Bray of Billykirk

Photo: Rose Callahan

Billykirk’s studio is surrounded by things, equipments, flat files, paintings, photos, and memories.

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