Every penny

I had a feeling, but it's pretty much been confirmed. I spent every single penny I had and probably would have had on Pocket Utopia. A dream realized, money well spent. What else would I have spent the money on? Lehman Brothers? Madoff?

Pictured above, soon to be one of the group of international artists in resident at PU, Silvina Arismendi (Uruguay). The picture is of the artist ripping up pictures of her belongings.

Switch Off

Just in by gal pal, Tracey Moffatt, Saturday is switch off your lights day! Here's the details, TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS at 8:30 pm on Saturday, March 28th for one hour. According to the NYTimes, Lights Out day will start in Fiji.

In December 2009 world leaders meet in Copenhagen to agree on a post-Kyoto policy for tackling climate change. One billion people voting with their light switch during Earth Hour will create a powerful mandate for our leaders to take strong and decisive action on climate change in Copenhagen. With the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote, Vote Earth is a global call to action for every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet.

1. Attend a local Earth Hour event or organise your own by throwing an Earth Hour street party with your neighbours
2. Gather family & friends for a night picnic in your local park and look at the stars
3. Enjoy a family dinner by candlelight
4. Organise a treasure hunt in the dark
5. Take the dog for a night walk
6. Have a candle-lit bath
7. Sit in the dark and share stories
8. Organise a family night playing board games
9. Share a romantic night in with your loved one
10. Upload your ‘on the night’ photos and videos to flickr and YouTube respectively, and then add them to the Earth Hour flickr group and the global YouTube Group.

Try harder

I like that art makes you try harder. I woke up early this morning so that I could go see the Bonnard show at the Met before opening up Pocket Utopia. In preparation, I reread an essay about Bonnard in Michael Kimmelman's book Accidental Masterpiece.

At Pocket U, I'm attempting to read a book titled Art Power which is way over my head, while greeting visitors to the space and discussing future plans for Pocket Utopia that might include expanding the space for artists to work, creating an archive project, and putting art in hospitals or other like institutions.  By late afternoon the discussion focused on a specific plan to exhibit art made by shelter residents.

Now, I'm picking out a piece to donate to the Momenta Art Raffle which will need to be framed and delivered. I'm packing up prints, part of a new Pocket Utopia edition by Brece Honeycutt, before running out to the store because there's nothing for the little one or my mom, who arrives tomorrow, to eat.

After the groceries are put away, I'll listen to a sample of Sarah Vaughan's "Just a Little Lovin' " as described in "Finding that Song." Tomorrow, it's play dates and procuring tickets to the circus!

Brece's picture of her prints above.

Making Statements

There's a great article on Bill Cunningham in the New Yorker. The article alerted me to his weekly audio file, a must hear.

Another must hear is the audio file of Jerry Saltz! Go listen!! Here's Jerry's post on the Armory.

Then go read my good buddy's "armchair activist" blog titled 13.7 BILLION YEARS, reporting on conservation, natural science, animal rights and the environment -- with quick and easy ways to get informed and involved.









PHOTOGRAPH: CLINT SPAULDING/PATRICK MCMULLAN

Keeping it real

As Pocket Utopia, in its current state, moves onto something else, I've been trying to keep it real.  It is what it is...

Molly Larkey sent around some awesome images of new work.

Adam Simon was interviewed by TimeOut.

The picture above was taken by Terry Girard almost 2 years ago at Pocket Utopia before renovation. He was in a show titled "Not yet Utopic. There have been 18 exhibitions at Pocket Utopia. There 3 left.

You didn't miss a thing!

So, you didn't make it the Armory this weekend?  No problem.  Go on a guided tour with Loren Munk. He'll also take you around Pulse.

If you missed Adam's opening, here's a look at everyone looking.


Don't forget, coffee talks, Sundays after 2 pm, are served up by resident artist Kevin Regan.



Now, it's time for a flash back.

Adam Simon

I didn't forget I had a blog.  I just forgot how to draw out the utopic in my daily life until last night.  Enter artist Adam Simon and his show at Pocket Utopia, opening Saturday, March 7th, starting at 6:00 pm.