Large scale art fairs don’t usually occur during this time of year, they usually happen in March along with the Armory. But with the introduction of London’s Frieze Art Fair, Pulse has decided to join in on the excitement. This week will see Pulse and Frieze competing for attention in NY, with Frieze taking over Randall’s Island and Pulse at the Metropolitan Pavilion. One of the galleries that will be exhibiting this year at Pulse is Canada’s Cooper Cole based in Toronto. They will be presenting works by Canadian born, Los Angeles based artist and designer, Geoff McFetridge. McFetridge is one of those rare breed of artist who can fluidly move between the commercial and art world. He’s done work for Pepsi, Nike, and MTV while exhibiting work at large and small scale galleries and museums around the world. Cooper Cole will be exhibiting his work in an upcoming show at the gallery in November.

Over a year has past since the massive earthquake hit the eastern coast of Japan in a region called Tohoku. In an attempt to shed light on this region, 21_21 Design Site, a museum based in Tokyo founded by Issey Miyake, Naoto Fukasawa, and Taku Satoh, has assembled a new exhibition called “TEMA HIMA: the Art of Living in Tohoku.” A team was put together to curate the exhibition combing through the six prefectures within Tohoku. The show will be examining the people, places, foods and living spaces through their TEMA (effort) and HIMA (time). 21_21 explains: “Farmers who pass on their unique traditions; craftsmen, who breathe life back into handcrafts; workshops with young talents to examine new possibilities for making things… Our encounters with the determined and positive people of Tohoku bore fruit as a single exhibition.” Approximately 80 items will be on view accompanied with photographs and footage to show the resilience and creativity of the people from Tohoku. “TEMA HIMA: the Art of Living in Tohoku” opens tomorrow and will be on view till August 26th. Visit the site’s blog to catch up on their preparations for the exhibition.

It’s difficult to categorize Theaster Gates’s work. With an MS degree in urban planning and ceramics, he has been able to immerse himself in various mediums including sculpture, performance, and ceramics, with subject matters that are cultural, historical and community based. While his work creates awareness to economic disparity, Gates has taken it upon himself to make the changes he discusses by turning talk into action. He purchased a foreclosed building in Chicago’s South Side and created the Dorchester Projects, its purpose is to “explore the ways thoughtful spaces committed to art, public education, design, and advocacy can contribute to the cultural and economic redevelopment of a neighborhood.” This initiative lives outside of Chicago as well with developments in Detroit, Omaha and St. Louis. Gates has started a nonprofit organization called the Rebuild Foundation, purchasing abandoned buildings with the intent to transform urban blight into creative communities through the arts.

Donald Judd put Marfa, Texas on the map and with the help of the Chinati Foundation, made it a destination for other artists and creatives to be a part of. Though it is still very small it has grown tremendously since Judd established himself there. Hoteliers, chefs, and artisans have made it there business to be in Marfa. Starting March 24th, and six weeks following, Heath Ceramics LA will bring a flavor of the town to Los Angeles, literally and figuratively. (Via Bureau of Friends)

From Heath Ceramics:
Meet the artists + see the work // Opening Reception March 24, 2012, 5-9 pm Jamey Garza, furniture Constance Holt, textiles Pat Keesey, wood El Cosmico, posters Marfa Brands, recycled glass and soap Texas Ranch Food BBQ, tequila cocktails and Mexican beer — Eat and drink with chefs Larry McGuire, Lou Lambert and friends. Live musical performance by Amy Cook.

Next spring, New York City’s iconic water towers will receive a temporary new look in a public exhibition across the five boroughs. The Water Tank Project is an initiative to raise awareness on water as a precious resource. For twelve weeks in 2013, artists, musicians, scientists, and NYC residents will have their take on the topic. With a prestigious curatorial team that includes Neville Wakefield from MoMA’s PS1 and Lisa Dennison, chairman of Sotheby’s, and artists Ed Ruscha, Marilyn Minter, Jose Parla, Catherine Opie, Lawrence Weiner, Fab5Freddy, and many others, this will surely be one of the biggest public art events in 2013. Read more about the project on its site, World Above the Street.

As a New Yorker, it’s hard to imagine what 65,000 sq ft means while living in an apartment that is only 750 sq ft. But for a couple former Manhattanites, Brandon & Amy Phillips, it’s a tangible reality. Their building in Geneva, NY is a three story turn of the century factory that they have come to call The Cracker Factory. We’ve mentioned Brandon and Amy before, they’re owners of the furniture company, Miles & May, and they’ve turned their work facility into an art and community space. Along with manufacturing all of their furniture, the Factory hosts letterpress classes, art openings, live performances and numerous other events. They have embraced the community and developed fertile grounds to foster creative energy. It’s inspiring to see individuals creating a scene in smaller cities.