The morning light is
the most beautiful light

If I was a painter
I would paint while I run

A claymation movie by Madison Blinn
Based on the book Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
Song is Goodnight Moon by Said the Whale

About the book
Little Blue and Little Yellow are best friends, but one day they can’t find each other. When they finally do, they give each other such a big hug that they turn green! How they find their true colors again concludes a wonderfully satisfying story told with colorful pieces of torn paper and very few words. Leo Lionni launched his children’s book career in 1959 with Little Blue and Little Yellow, and this 50th-anniversary edition, complete with Lionni’s own explanation of how the book came to be, is sure to resonate with children today.

“Abstract art with heart.” —School Library Journal’s Top 100 Picture Books Poll (voted #66)

More info…

Thank you Erica and Enjoy for this opportunity!

The Weight of Jupiter
On view May 19 – June 11, 2011
Opening next Tuesday, May 17, 6pm
Enjoy Public Art Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand

Consisting primarily of gaseous and liquid matter, the atmospheric composition of Jupiter renders the gas giant without a solid surface; seemingly appropriate, considering it was named after the Roman God of Sky and Thunder. To navigate the landscape of Jupiter’s surface, would require a submarine type vessel – one that could withstand the sheer mass of Jupiter’s gravitational force, without surrendering and being subsumed into it’s string of satellite bodies. The works of Lisa Benson, Rossana Martinez and Zoë Rapley in The Weight of Jupiter captures the possibility of a momentary exploration. The nature of the works evoke a delicate and ephemeral experience through the simplicity of materials. Somewhat fleeting in nature, their dynamic offers a quiet consideration into the ways the processes of production were able to develop and unfold.

Martha Graham’s choreography embodied by a Google doodle
By Ben Quinn at The Guardian

Martha Graham, the American dancer and choreographer whose name became synonymous with ‘modern’ or ‘contemporary’ dance, is celebrated in Google’s latest doodle today, marking her 117th birthday.

In an eleborate piece of animation, the doodle is based on a dancer who performs a series of striking, Grahamesque routines to spell out the six letters of the search engine’s name.

Graham, whose influence on modern dance has been likened to the legacy of Pablo Picasso and Frank Lloyd Wright in their own spheres, passed away at her home in Manhattan in 1991 at the age of 96.

However, she had sealed her place long before then in the pantheon of great artistic revolutionaries of the 20th century, having been credited with developing a new and codified dance language that smashed the traditional mold and established itself as a lasting alternative to the older ballet tradition.

According to Time magazine: “Her fierce choreography sometimes amazed and sometimes horrified, but in it she embodied modern dance — arrogantly and spectacularly.”

Initially acclaimed as a great dancer in her own right, the Pittsburgh-born daughter of a Victorian-era mental health physician, she contined to perform late on in to her life and left the stage at the age of 75 when she gave her final performance in 1969.

Graham choreographed more than 180 works, looking on enviously later in life at young dancers performing in her signature style, based upon contraction and release of the body.

Her legacy lives on in the techniques used by dance companies around the globe, including the Martha Graham Dance Company, which has continued to develop contemporary dance since its founding in 1926, often rooting works in contemporary social and political contexts.

I went to Socrates Sculpture Park and was glad to see their current exhibition entitled Vista. It was refreshing to find a clever group of sculptures/installations in one place. Three dimensional is my kind of place — especially if it welcomes public interaction (try to follow that arrow on a windy day) and includes a great view of Manhattan. A must see this summer, Vista will be on view until August 7, 2011.

VISTA
On view May 8 – August 7, 2011
Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, NY

Artists:

Ivan Argote
Jillian Conrad
Priscila De Carvalho
Blane De St. Croix
Michael Clyde Johnson
Leif Low-beer
Steven Millar
Slinko
Howie Sneider
Rob Swainston
Jason Tomme

Vista explores the ways that methods of viewing and observation determine the assessment and evaluation of an object or scene. The works in the exhibition will employ visual alignment, perspective, and the framing of a site-line or point of view to dictate perception. The show will re-examine themes and ideas that were initially laid out in the Park’s 2002 show View and is being curated in response to a reemergence of these topics in current artmaking practices. The Park’s location along the East River provides a spectacular view of Manhattan that is the backdrop for all the exhibitions presented at the Park. This show will take particular stock in the Park’s location and the outlook that it affords of urban greenspace, iconic cityscape, river and open sky. Curated by Alyson Baker with Lars Fisk and Elissa Goldstone.

Image:
Ivan Argote
One Way, 2011

Mother’s Day is every day, but I welcome all the love this weekend and…since tulips are my favorite flowers — I’ll take them!

Running after a very active toddler and attempt to find balance as an artist is a challenge. But this active and happy boy is a huge part of what I am. Having kids gives us busy adults such fresh perspective on how to enjoy great and simple things.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Toddler Behavior Adults Should Try
By Chemistry Mama

What I Am
By Will.i.am

If what I am is what’s in me
Then I’ll stay strong – that’s who I’ll be
and I will always be the best
me that I can be.

There’s only one me, I am it
have a dream I’ll follow it
It’s up to me to try.

Oh! I’m a keep my head up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna quit
I’ll be getting stronger.

And nothing’s gonna bring me down (no!!)
Never gonna stop, gotta go.
Because I know
I’ll keep getting stronger.

And what I am is thoughtful
what I am is musical
what I am is smart
and what I am is brave
what I am is helpful
what I am is special
There’s nothing I can’t achieve.
Because in myself I believe in oh

Gonna keep our heads up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna quit
Just keep getting stronger.

And nothing’s gonna bring us down (no!)
Never give it up, gotta go.
Because I know
I’ll keep getting stronger.

What I am is super
what I am is proud
what I am is friendly
what I am is grouchy
what you are is magical
what you are is special

There’s nothing I can’t achieve.
Because in myself I believe in oh

Gonna hold my head up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna stop
I’ll be getting stronger.

Nothing’s gonna bring me down (no!)
Never give it up gotta go, oh… yeah…
I’ll keep getting stronger.

“I went from being an artist who makes things to being one who makes things happen”

-Jeremy Deller

Living as Form presented by  Creative Time
On view May 18-October 16, 2011
Essex Street Market building and throughout the Lower East Side, NYC

Around the world artists and non-artists alike are blurring the forms of art and everyday life, creating cultural projects that emphasize participation, dialogue, community engagement, and activism around social issues. These socially engaged works emerge not only out of visual art, but also from a vast array of disciplines that use the tools of art to affect everyday living — from performance to architecture, and from activism to urban planning. Living as Form takes an unprecedented look at over 20 years of these alternative practices, and the role artists have played in reshaping our world…

Lamentation
Choreography and Costume by Martha Graham
Music: Neun Klavierstücke, op. 3. no. 2 by Zoltán Kodály
Premiere: January 8, 1930 at Maxine Elliott’s Theatre, New York City

Body Geometry, 2011
Momentary performances
Blue and hot pink fabric, orange clothing

I just had a chance to see this wonderful installation after an early work meeting and on my way to the office. The experience was magical! Simple moments like this are the reason why I love this city…

Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts
The American Folk Art Museum has dramatically transformed the Park Avenue Armory’s historic 55,000-square-foot Wade Thompson Drill Hall with the installation of 650 red and white American quilts, all of which are on loan from the collection of Joanna S. Rose. It is the largest exhibition of quilts ever held in the city. This magical but ephemeral moment will ultimately be captured in the pages of a fully illustrated catalog copublished by the American Folk Art Museum and written by Elizabeth V. Warren, guest curator of this spectacular presentation.

more info…

If You Never Did, You Should
By Jessica Bellofatto

“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.” ~Dr Seuss

Happy birthday to Dr. Seuss (born March 2, 1904) and what a fantastic message to us all. As I prepare for our women’s Yoga and SUP retreat with my friend Gina Bradley (founder of Paddle Diva) here in Rincon, Puerto Rico, these words most definitely resonate with me.

story continues…

This is the beauty of five wonderful boroughs — and the space between — you just never know when you will be part of something creative and magical.

Enjoy!

Writing on the Run by Araina Bond, a nice read in Runner’s World about author and distance runner, Michael Collins. I totally understand the connection between creativity and running…it feels so good!

My favorite lines:

“Collins never hit the trails without a pencil and paper in his pocket… I began training hard, 80 miles a week, stopping here and there, writing down expressions that became the touchstones for what I would write about later that night after work, he says.”

“To Collins, writing and running are natural companions. Beginning a book on a run has always been the most natural process, he says. I could not imagine sitting before a blank computer screen. Having that pause in the day with the release of endorphins frees up ideas.”

Arevalo Gallery: Merging with the Greats
By Manuela Gabaldon

The whole article is wonderful, but loved this sentence:

“He is on a clear mission to communicate the importance of understanding the life of a piece – why it was made, where it was made, and how it came to be here, before our eyes.”

If you go or live in Miami, don’t miss this awesome space. Congrats Francisco!

Last week, I was fortunate to present a new project at Towson University in Maryland. The exhibition curated by Prof. Susan Isaacs and entitled Fluid celebrates the 75th anniversary of the American Abstract Artists.  I was in great company with friends and artists, Lynne Harlow and Marthe Keller. The whole experience was simply wonderful — from the train from NYC to Maryland, the university and all the beautiful community who joined us for the opening. Universities have the most amazing energy and are so full of creativity.

I’ll be adding more images and information soon, but for now here is an image of the evening’s performance/collaboration with TU’s Dance department students and Prof. Vincent Thomas (VTDance) …which was absolutely inspiring.

Thank you Susan, Vince and all at TU!

Image:
Rossana Martinez
Wrap Yourself Around Me, 2011
Installation/performance with reused fabrics, artist book and ribbon

Your Eyes Give Me Something to Dream is an ongoing series of multiples made out of recycled newspaper and words. The words are taken from tags I frequently use in the blog, art & life.  Everyone is invited to take pencils by making a small donation. The money collected is donated to an organization related to the environment and protection of trees.

–John Lennon

You and Me
By Dave Matthews Band

Want to pack your bags something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we’ll be gone, gone
Moon and the stars will follow the car
And then when we get to the ocean
Gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh and when the kids are old enough
we’re gonna teach them to fly

You and me together
We could do anything baby
You and me together yes, yes
You and me together
We could do anything baby
You and me together yes yes

You and I were not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed we’re gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky, we’re gonna ride the blue
All the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world

Oh and when the kids are old enough, we’re gonna teach them to fly

We can always look back at what we did
Always remembering how you and me did
Right now it’s you and me forever girl
And you know, we could do better than
Anything that we did
You know that you and me
We could do anything

You and me together
We could do anything, baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything baby

It’s so small
Till we reach the end of the world ]]> http://www.rossanamartinez.com/2011/01/together/feed/ 0 http://www.rossanamartinez.com/2010/11/senses/ http://www.rossanamartinez.com/2010/11/senses/#comments Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:00:08 +0000 Rossana Martinez http://www.rossanamartinez.com/?p=1534

So scary — it’s November already. What happened to 2010?

Hope you all had a great Halloween. Brooklyn looks beautiful in fall colors.

Enjoy!

On the Run, a blog about the New York City Marathon. The Marathon this year is on November 7 and will have about 43,000 runners. So looking forward to it!

A Running Start, a free online coaching resource developed by New York Road Runners in response to rising obesity levels in children.

Enjoy and wishing all a happy healthy weekend!

Among the many reasons I couldn’t find time to write is that I have been having longer, deeper runs. Yes, my usual 3-mile runs have matured into 6, 7 and lately 8 miles. Longer runs make me feel great and have me inspired and playing in the studio much more. I’m still thinking about it, but I may run a half-marathon next year. As you can see in the photo, I have an incredibly active trainer who keeps me on the move in running and non-running days.

As part of my job, I’ve been taking an interesting class and traveling around the city. I like that I’m spending more time meeting people, and visiting and learning about new places in the city. There are days that my commute is so long, but to see the positive side of it, at least I’m not in front of a computer all day.

At the beginning of the month, we traveled to Miami for the opening of Matthew’s two-person exhibition (with David E. Peterson) at Alejandra von Hartz Gallery. It’s nice how art takes you to places. Loved her gallery space and the exhibition (on view thru Oct. 30) has great energy and dialogue. The art world needs more galleries like hers. Alejandra has such a friendly and welcoming personality. Congratulations Matthew and David!

Image:
Michelangelo
Sistine Chapel
fresco
ca. 1511

Happy weekend everyone!

“Rather than entering any situation wondering how it will serve you, let your entire motivation be to serve the greater good. Ask yourself constantly, how do I serve here, rather than how does this serve me and you put yourself in the great flow, which paradoxically causes life to serve you far better.”

Enjoy!

Finding of the week:

“We always need to remember that behind almost every great moment in history, there are heroic people doing really boring and frustrating things for a prolonged period of time.”

From New York Times, My Favorite August by Gail Collins.

If you want to get a real view of what an artist’s life is all about, check out Julian Dashper (1960-2009): It Is Life at MINUS SPACE. On view from August 7 until September 4, 2010. A must see, read, experience, feel.

In 2007, I wrote the post, Your Heart Makes Me Feel, after I read a wonderful tribute to artist Elizabeth Murray (1940-2007) in The Brooklyn Rail. Since then my feelings about the connection between art & life have only deepened more…

As Robert Gober wrote: “…art comes out of life, and that you had better pay attention.”

Image:
Julian Dashper (1960-2009): It Is Life, MINUS SPACE

The taste of summer is…

fresh
I’ve been giving life to those whispery notes/sketches I often add to my Eco Ciak. I love that little recycled paper sketchbook. It’s always a fun process to go back to the notes/sketches and try to understand the where/what/how/why.

warm
To me there is nothing like a simple and open conversation about interests, ideas and life as artists. I had the opportunity to moderate the virtual panel Resource: Where Abstract Art is (From) with a great group of artists: Glen Cunningham, Mark Dagley, Laura Fayer, Molly Herman, Lori Kirkbride, Ben LaRocco and Rachael Wren. All artists were part of Source, an exhibition curated by Susan Ross and Melissa Staiger. Both, exhibition and virtual panel, were presented and sponsored by PowerHouse Projects. Source was on view at The Halls at Bowling Green from April 22nd through May 28th. Check out the virtual panel and take a look at their websites. It’s all good!

sweet
I finally signed up my family to a CSA. The fruit begins to arrive next week. I’m excited and so looking forward to it…

The upcoming weeks and months look exciting and enriching as well. This fall, I’ll be taking a course on advocacy for children at Citizens Committee for Children of New York. This is such a great organization and resource in the city.

More soon and I wish you all a great rest of the summer.