Adam Simon: Fine Art Adoption Network

A book about one of my favorite art projects, the Fine Art Adoption Network, is now available from Art in General. Information about obtaining the book can be found on Art in General's website.

Launched in 2006, the Fine Art Adoption Network is a network that uses a gift economy to connect artists and artworks with potential collectors. As the website continues to connect artists with admirers and potential adopters Adam Simon: Fine Art Adoption Network documents the stories of a few of these adoptions and includes an essay on the project by David Trigg.

After you read David Trigg's essay, go out and buy BOMB magazine that features more Adam Simon, including a spread of his paintings accompanied by stories by Matthew Sharpe.

Summer Artist in Residence: Sharon Butler

For immediate Release

Sharon Butler: Pocket Utopia’s Summer Resident Artist

July 1 – July 31, 2009

Reception for the resident, print release and cocktail party: Thursday July 16th 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
@ POCKET UTOPIA, 1037 Flushing Avenue-[Just off the Morgan L, Bushwick]
Open by appointment, Call: 917-400-3869

Pocket Utopia is pleased to announce the summer artist residency of Sharon Butler. After taking the previous and last show down, the exhibition space is empty, so Butler is ready and makes a return visit to the space for a 4-week residency. Butler, a painter and writer, maintains the art blog Two Coats of Paint, and is a Contributing Writer at The Brooklyn Rail.

Butler will continue a sketchbook series that combine architectural form with eccentric perspective and irresolute draftsmanship. Ms. Butler is the sixth resident artist to set up “studio” in the space. Working during the day, the passerby can catch a glimpse of or catch up with Butler while she works. Pocket Utopia continues as a far away space run by artist Austin Thomas.

Image: Sharon Butler, sketchbook 2007-2009 Collage and pencil on paper 8.5" x 11"

the image above is available through 246 editions

Inside and out and over

Walking Grant to camp this morning through a quiet Manhattan gave me an opportunity to look up. I love spotting old and sometimes original widows that haven't been replaced by energy-efficient double hung numbers. Pictured here, these old windows provide me with a view. Spotting old pane is my sidewalk obsession.

Not a pane, but a panel or rather a salon, the final salon occurred yesterday and into the evening at Pocket Utopia. I think Kevin Regan and Andrew Hurst make for a good pairing. They were like a window, one an upper and the other a lower half...Temporal and spatial joined together in a place with white walls.  Now all is quiet with Grant at camp and my entire apartment needs a cleaning including my six dirty windows.

Provisions

I went to a great show at the Nathan Cummings Foundation
tonight, organized by the Provisions Library in Washington, D.C. The show, titled Close Encounters 2: Acts of Social Imagination runs through August 28th.

Provisions Library is a social change learning resource that amplifies compelling voices that challenge and redefine the mainstream. Its library and online services are a trusted source for alternative perspectives on a wide range of social change topics and its innovative exhibitions and public projects strongly engage the arts as a powerful means of exploring social issues.

Provisions features on-site programs such as exhibitions, screenings, workshops as well as fully accessible online study guides, virtual exhibitions. Provisions is grounded in the values of peace, justice, sustainability, social responsibility and respect for the diversity of life. Awesome!

I saw Brice Marden at the show and he asked me if I wanted to go walk the High Line! It was a perfect night for a stroll!

Image above Patrick Keesey from the Bespoke Gallery

All things Dumbo & Beauty Underfoot at Smackmellon

I'm having a closing gathering for a show I have in Dumbo on Saturday from 4pm to 7pm:

+ KRIS GRAVES PROJECTS
111 Front ST. #224, Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.krisgravesprojects.com
212-796-7558
Sat-Sun 1-6pm

subway: F train to York, A/C train to High Street-Brooklyn Bridge

Austin Thomas
Practice Space

June 4 - June 28, 2009
closing reception: Saturday, June 27, 4-7pm

There are also 2 other good shows to check out in Dumbo:

Smackmellon
Beauty Underfoot
curated by the amazing Jeanne Gerrity
92 Plymouth Street @ Washington
Brooklyn, NY 11201

with Adriana Farmiga, Petrova Giberson, Isola and Norzi, Fawad Khan, Gareth Long, Alison Owen, Mike Quinn, Yumi Janairo Roth, Jen Schwarting, Secret School and the K.I.D.S., Charwei Tsai

&

Dumbo Arts Center
Structured Simplicity
Curated by Felicity Hogan
30 Washington Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

with Mai Braun, Hilary Harnischfeger, Elana Herzog, Fabienne Lasserre and Amy Yoes

Smackmellon is doing amazing things!

Peter Greenaway

I've always been a Peter Greenaway fan and Roberta Smith wrote up a nice review of his current piece in Venice. Greenaway's multimedia installation is based on the Italian Mannerist Paolo Veronese’s gigantic painting, The Wedding Feast at Cana. The installation is set in a Palladio-designed refectory, a salient element for the installation, for Palladio is considered the quintessence of the High Renaissance with his calm and harmonic construction. Sounds like the ultimate Venetian experience; sight, sound, architecture, water, and art (and good food). Let's go.

The Final Salon @ Pocket U, Sunday, June 28 - 4 pm

Pocket Utopia presents: "Finally Utopic"
The Final Salon
Sunday, June 28th at 4:00 pm
with readings by Andrew Hurst and Kevin Regan and Ben Godward's Goddess will flow again! Please join us.
"Finally Utopic" also features the work of
Rico Gatson, Valerie Hegarty, Molly Larkey and Jonathan VanDyke

POCKET UTOPIA
1037 Flushing Avenue
[Just off the Morgan L, Bushwick]
Open Saturday and Sunday 12-6 p.m. and by appointment
Call: 917-400-3869
Pocket Utopia, 1037 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
image: Ben Godward "Goddess (With post modern tits)" 2009 dim. variable Mixed media with beer