Photographing Continual Creations All Around Us ...
... that and art, photography, music happenings, and opportunities for artists!
Before I get into what cool stuff is happening where, I thought I’d start with this:
Several months ago, I took this photo (above) of one small part of a large wall, on the Lower East Side, covered continually with paint and papers of all kinds. I’m sure it was created by many people, with many different materials (and purposes) over a long period of time: spray paint, glued stickers, flyers, drawings, paper and more. My sense is that artists, and others who post on this wall, collaborate without being together, and with different goals. The creation here changes over time. I’m an abstract artist and photographer and I call what’s above abstract photography, as others do, too. Each person who takes a photo here focuses on what they each dig, and create something unique. I’d love to meet others who took/take photos in this outdoor space. And I wish it was possible to be in the same room of everyone who participates in this unplanned, ongoing creation. There is “art all around us” but it’s not just in museums and galleries. It’s everywhere we look.
Artist Opportunities!
There’s an open call for artists’ residencies on Governor’s Island, due March 10.
Bronx Council on the Arts offers three free, virtual workshops in March for performing, visual, and media artists, called “The Art of Presentation: A Practical Guide to Building, Crafting, and Perfecting Your Portfolios.” (I signed up for the visual arts workshop.) And related to the workshops, BCA also recommends reading online, “How to Write an Art Proposal in Six Easy Steps.”
Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice in Soundview is “seeking artists to help us create the Bronx’s newest public space: The Soundview Economic Hub. All info here. They’ve extended the deadline for applicants to March 10!
Exhibits
Several artists who show their work Elisa Contemporary Art, a gallery in Riverdale, on Mosholu Avenue, is taking part in the Spring 2023 Affordable Art Fair in Manhattan. More info and images of the artists’ work here. This piece, “Porphyrous,” is by Paula Brett:
I’m looking forward to the next exhibit, “Leftovers,” by Alexis Marie Montoya at the Casita Maria Gallery in Hunts Point. There is a free opening celebration, with DJ music and refreshments, on Thursday, March 21, from 5:30 to 8 PM.
The Bronx Museum, on the Grand Concourse. presents the group show, “Bronx Calling: The Sixth AIM Biennial (Part I)” through March 31.
This Sunday, March 10, the Riverdale Arts Association presents an opening reception of “Artist’s Choice,” the work of its members. It’s from 5 to 7 PM at the Riverdale Temple. More info here. And you can see the work of many of its members here. You can also learn about joining RAA here.
Gallery 505 in Riverdale features “Daylighting by Tibbets En Plain Air,” by artist Noel Hefele, through March 29.
Derfner Judaica Museum, also in Riverdale, presents “Aspects of Appearance: Portraits from the Collection in Context,” through June 30.
The Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose will have its opening for “Conzo: A Look Back at the Bronx,” 1977 to 1984,” on March 22. It’s the work of accomplished documentary photographer Joe Conzo, who grew up in the South Bronx. Some of his photography in the South Bronx is on his website.’’ Here are just a couple of photos from the exhibit:
Free Workshops/Programs for Kids and Teens
Through its Youth Photo League, Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose offers “free after-school and summer documentary photography programs [that] teach middle and high school Bronx students to use photography, writing, and research to explore social justice issues and prepare them for college and future careers.”
Blue Door Arts Center in downtown Yonkers features many kids’ and teens’ art workshops.
Live Music
The whole month of March at Pregones/PRTT in the South Bronx features all kinds of cool concerts. Check it out!
On March 16, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Mind Builders in Wakefield hosts Rock Night, a free rock music concert, performed by members of the Mind-Builders Stage Band and Music Department faculty. Spots are limited so RSVP here.
More ongoing live music at An Beal Bocht in Riverdale; and there’s also live music and an all-women comedy night this weekend at Starving Artist on City Island.
Ongoing concerts at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and at Hostos Center For Arts & Culture.
Making a Good Point: Steven Pressfield
In the past few years, I’ve read a lot of books regarding creativity and underlined many of the authors’ good suggestions. I find many useful and thought you might too.
Here’s one from Steven Pressfield’s book, The War of Art
Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign.
Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do.
Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.
Resistance is experienced as fear; the degree of fear equates to the strength of Resistance. Therefore, the more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that the enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul. That’s why we feel so much Resistance. If it meant nothing to us, there’d be no Resistance.
Have a great week and weekend, everyone. I hope you get to see or do something mentioned above!
Thank you, Jordan! Love that photo created anonymously by who knows how many people. Also love the quote from The War of Art, and look forward to checking out the book!