Author Archives: cwongyap

Sights

See: Off the Page, Risa Puno

Digital art books?

In “Off the Page” (Frieze Magazine, Issue 139), Sarah Hromack reviews Paul Chan’s Badlands Unlimited publishing venture. It’s an opportunity for readers to consider the future of digital artist’s books. It’s an interesting read—have a look!

Psychology in art

I was recently introduced to the work of Risa Puno, a NYC based sculpture/installation/media artist. Many of her themes (such as pseudo-scientifically addressing and registering emotional states, offering sensations targeted at psychological responses) and media (spotlights!) really resonate with me and my work. You can see lots of Risa’s past projects at her website.

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Art & Development

See: Domus Magazine (Italy)

I’m really enjoying the graphic design of Domus Magazine, out of Italy. Or more accurately, I’m enjoying its web design: large, handsome photos and just two type families on a very clean grid. With the selective use of color and scale, there’s typographic contrast that expresses style and energy. Fanciful and functional.

Long texts on the web doesn’t have mean that the text has to be tiny or spread across several pages. Domus sets type huge, with a comfortable column width; they break the text flow often with the liberal use of photos. Domus’ designers didn’t fret that there’d be too much “under the fold” or too much scrolling. Good for them. The daring design is well worth it.

There’s also some good art reporting from around the world. Here’s three of my favorite things together: a review of Dan Graham’s exhibition at Eastside Projects (Birmingham, UK) in Domus Magazine. I love that there’s a Google Map at the end of the review for viewers’ convenience.

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Art & Development

Exhibition views of T_XT_RT @ Jenkins Johnson Gallery

Selected views of the current text-based show. Photos by Courtney Johnson.

Works by Nathaniel Donnett, Tim Etchells (Shouting your demands from the rooftop should be considered a last resort), and yours truly.

Works by Nathaniel Donnett, Tim Etchells (Shouting your demands from the rooftop should be considered a last resort), and yours truly.

Works by Samson Young, Burt Richie, Tim Etchells, Young, Jack Pierson, and Jeremy Burt.

Works by Samson Young, Burt Richie, Tim Etchells, Young, Jack Pierson, and Jeremy Burt.

In the project space: My installation, _Unlimited Promise_ (2009–2011, installation, foil-laminated paper, thread, light, shadow, dimensions variable).

In the project space: My installation, _Unlimited Promise_ (2009–2011, installation, foil-laminated paper, thread, light, shadow, dimensions variable).

There’s lots more work in the show. The exhibition continues through June 25, with readings on May 19 and June 2. Stop by.

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Sights

See: The irrepressibly exuberant paper assemblages by Michael Velliquette at DCKT Contemporary

Michael Velliquette, Lil' Orphist 2010 paper, acrylic, gator board, glue 13 ½ x 10 x 3”; 15 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 3 3/4" mounted.

Michael Velliquette, Lil' Orphist, 2010, paper, acrylic, gator board, glue, 13 ½ x 10 x 3”; 15 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 3 3/4" mounted. Source: DCKTcontemporary.com.

By luck, I caught the penultimate day of Michael Velliquette’s solo show, Awaken and Free What Has Been Asleep, at DCKT Contemporary.

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News

Shop Talk feature in Art Practical, and conversation @ SFMOMA

Shop Talk is a series of articles in Art Practical and conversations at SFMOMA about artists’ survival strategies.

MY FEATURE IN ART PRACTICAL

I’m a proud contributor. I had the pleasure of interviewing artists Tattfoo Tan, Amanda Curreri, and Torreya Cummings and collaborative Earthbound Moon to develop a feature story for “Portrait of an Artist, Wily and Engaged,” published on Art Practical today. The feature focuses on strategic optimism, bridging some of my research in the ongoing Positive Signs series on SFMOMA’s Open Space blog.

5/12: CONVERSATION

And, if you’re free, talk about the issues at SFMOMA next Thursday…

Thursday, May 12, 7pm
Shop Talk: Part Three
“What are the economic realities that artists face?”
With presentations by the artist team Sean Fletcher and Isabel Reichert, artist Cheryl Meeker, and writer Lara Durback.

Please join Open Space and the online journal Art Practical on May 12th for the final installment of our three-part series of conversations considering the survival strategies artists develop and adopt to further the social reach of the aesthetic and critical capacities of their work, as well as gain recognition and financial viability.

Koret Visitor Education Center
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 Third Street
San Francisco, CA

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Art & Development

Free Ai Weiwei: Seed the Embassy

Via a Facebook event created by Christian L. Frock:

Protest and disrupt business-as-usual from a distance. Give form to the vast digital community that demands Ai’s release: In honor of Ai’s “Sunflower Seeds,” send seeds to the Embassy as a gesture of protest, from home or online.

100 seeds + standard envelope + single page letter = $0.64 US Domestic Postage or 2 First Class stamps

Find seeds: groceries, liquor stores, hardware, garden/pet supply

Or buy online and ship direct to Embassy:
Chinese Embassy
Attn: Mr Zheng Yesui, Ambassador
3505 International Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Examples here.

Sample letter of protest:
I am writing to express my concern about the ongoing detention of artist Ai Weiwei. It appears that Ai’s detention violates international law. There is no justifiable reason for his sudden disappearance and the lack of information provided by the Chinese government concerning his whereabouts and condition. Ai is widely regarded as one of the most important artists and cultural figures of our time. His detention sends a negative message to the world about the China’s commitment to human rights, freedom of speech, and due process of law. I respectfully request that the Chinese government immediately release Ai Weiwei.

>>>> OUTSIDE THE U.S.
Recreate this demonstration: organize appropriate information and go viral. Provide Embassy mailing address, sample text, sources and correct postage details.

Learn more about Ai’s detention at freeaiweiwei.org

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Art & Development

Art Competition Odds: Bemis Center Residency

The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts received 593 applications this year for 36 awards.


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or 1:16, or 6%

See all Art Competition Odds.

[Note: Apologies. The data visualization in this post had previously displayed an incorrect number of slashes. Correct February 23, 2012.]

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