Post burnout
John Rankine
10/18/2012
Thanks to all who came out to participate or just enjoy the “Field Burn” last Sunday. The weather dependent art piece that was to go up in flames and be the finale for “Finding Nature – Art in the Landscape” and the May Festival of the Arts finally had its day after a five-month long Burn Ban.
Of course the irony was that the torrential two-day storms right before made ignition a bit of a challenge – but kudos to the pyrotechnic team of Ranaga Farbiarz, Andrew Schwerin, Michael Boardman, David Roll and Doug Hausler for their fearless dedication to get the sculptures glowing. Overheard from a young couple sitting on the ground enjoying the evening, “Fire is magic”– plus I got to sleep soundly without worry of burning down our lovely county.
Last week I attended the world premier of the documentary, The Art of Crystal Bridges, at the AUD. It was the first time the film was shown outside the museum with a couple of Bridge’s staff and the film’s accomplished director and guest speaker, Larry Foley, in attendance.
Unfortunately it was not well attended – about 30-plus people filling the 980-seat theatre, making an awkward moment for Mr. Foley who obviously had to be disappointed in the turnout. At the end of the film I found myself clapping louder then I should have to help compensate for the poor attendance, because the film, while factually interesting, showed little of the imagination of the actual museum. It’s a well done 22-minute Crystal Bridges infomercial available on DVD in the museum gift-shop. “Pedestrian” was the word my visiting friend, writer and former Eurekan, Jane Fishman, used to describe it.
There was an impromptu drumming Saturday to make up for the previous weekend’s washout, but a very loud and close bolt of lightning sent drummers bolting out of Basin Park – ending the party early.
It was also the Second Saturday Gallery Walk and I attended shows of several interesting featured artists, the best being Diana Harvey at Zarks. Diana’s small still lifes featuring birds with obvious homage to old school technique were captivating. Her use of color and light and the detail in a delicate piece of lace or the Japanese Lustreware teapot – were, using an old-fashioned word, lovely.
Zarks is a fairly small gallery that’s mostly 3D in nature and new owner, Sallie Overbey, acknowledges that hanging paintings, even small ones, is challenging. How nice it would be to view Harvey’s paintings within the luxury of space.
And they say my work is dark – wait ‘til you see “Ms. America” by artist JD Davis. The 11x7ft. acrylic will premier at the Zombie Invasion Art Show at The Space, Friday Nov. 2, right after the Zombie Crawl down Spring St.
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