The morning light is
the most beautiful light

If I was a painter
I would paint while I run

I’m so uber proud and grateful to be part of the exhibition, Voces y Visiones: Gran Caribe at El Museo de Barrio; Curated by Rocío Aranda-Alvarado. I simply love everything about this place: the staff, building, colors, cafe…!

VOCES Y VISIONES: Gran Caribe
Drawn from El Museo del Barrio’s wide-ranging Permanent Collection, this exhibition features works that explore the vast diversity and complexity of the Caribbean basin, as an accompaniment to El Museo’s upcoming exhibition, Caribbean: Crossroads of the World, presented in collaboration with Studio Museum in Harlem and Queens Museum of Art.

The Caribbean has been both a subject and a source for visual expression prior to its relationship with Europe. This history, marked by a constant flow of people, objects, ideas, and images into and out of the region, has affected artistic development and practices in the Caribbean basin as well as in its counterparts in the Diaspora. This installation of Permanent Collection objects takes a narrative approach to some of the themes developed in the larger exhibition, exploring the connections between personal experiences and visual expressions. The works seen here explore the human need to move from one place to another, the urge to make epic narratives from personal stories, and the desire to share one’s love for a homeland with others. As the title implies, the islands, the coastlines and the waters that unite them are all part of this study.

The exhibition explores four related themes that focus on the connections between spirituality and daily life, the shifting of people into and out of urban spaces, the persistence of abstraction as a visual language, and the constant presence of the water. Among the featured works is a large-scale painting on hand-made paper by Puerto Rican artist Rossana Martinez. This work considers islands: small, golden, irregularly shaped forms that cover the rich cobalt blue of an endless sea. Other featured objects include a selection of Haitian paintings, featuring a work by Prefet Duffaut; Puerto Rican and Guatemalan masks; sculptures by Charles Juhasz -Alvarado and Federico Ruiz; photographs by Ana Mendietaand a trio of En Foco artists, Charles Biasiny Rivera, Roger Cabán and Felipe Dante; and a costume worn by Coco Fusco in a performance as Queen Isabella, created by Pepón Osorio.

Gran Caribe considers the significance of race and ethnicity, language and dialogue, affinities and differences throughout this part of the world. Artists for whom the Caribbean is both a point of departure and a homecoming are included, as are critical voices that explore new ways of thinking about how Caribbean bodies and voices are represented.

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…

Known for art that celebrates the virtues of community, hard work, and living gently on the planet, Nikki McClure here explores a topic close to her heart: the farmers market. Alternating between story and fact, this lovingly crafted picture book follows a mother and son to the weekly market. As they check off items on their shopping list, the reader learns how each particular food was grown or produced, from its earliest stages to how it ended up at the market. To Market, to Market is a timely book that shines awareness on the skill that goes into making good food.

-Editorial review from Amazon

Happy summer!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Teaching Kids to Think Big
By Caleb Gardner

My parents always focused on the outputs of what they saw as a successful life: get a steady job, get married, have kids, open a 401(k), die as materially well-off as possible… But I think this is where we can change the definition of success for our son. I’d much rather encourage him to do something he loves, to make a difference, to think for himself – to live life to the fullest. The outputs can be a natural extension of that, but I’d rather focus on the outcomes of a life well-lived.

story continues…

The Bilingual Advantage
By Claudia Dreifus

There are two major reasons people should pass their heritage language onto children. First, it connects children to their ancestors. The second is my research: Bilingualism is good for you. It makes brains stronger. It is brain exercise.

story continues…

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.

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

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…

Color Moves: Art & Fashion by Sonia Delaunay
Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum
On view until June 5, 2011

From exhibition’s website:

“Sonia Delaunay (1885-1979) was an a modern artist and designer who merged art and everyday life… More than any other medium, textiles proved her idea that color was ‘the skin of the world’…”

From New York Times review:

“I have lived my art,” she declared on more than one occasion, and indeed she had. Adamantly ignoring the stifling distinctions among the categories of fine, decorative and utilitarian art, she painted, sewed, drew, embroidered, stenciled and above all designed her way through a long, eventful life, guided by an inborn faith in color’s visionary force and a survivor’s instinct for adaptation. An important artistic turning point that confirmed her interest in the clash of forms and color that she and Robert called “simultaneity” was simply a patchwork coverlet she made for their son in 1911; in 1962 she proudly wrote a friend that it was “nowadays shown in art galleries as one of the first abstract paintings.”

complete review…

Image:
Still from film Le P’tit Parigot
Written by Paul Cartoux
Directed by René Le Somptier
France, 1926
Collection Antoine Blanchette

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

Love is in the sweet details… These photos from the photoblog For the Love of Brooklyn remind me why I love to run in the city.

Enjoy!

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!

One absolutely beautiful day,
two trains,
three boroughs,
equals a magnificent view of endless diversity.

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”
-Confucius

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!