Events for Thursday January 8–Jan 13, 2015
Funny, the last time I posted about events here I mentioned how infrequently I post about events here. At least this time it’s not about Open Studios. With that out of the way, there are five exhibitions and a record release that I want to point out:
- Ellie Irons is in Systematic Sampling, a group show at Stream gallery that opens tonight (tonight, as in Thursday, January 8th!), 7–9:30pm off the J/M/Z Myrtle Broadway stop in Bushwick.
- Zach Nader’s channel surf opens at Microscope Gallery on Friday, January 9th. You may have seen Nader’s car commercial video which made the rounds a while back.
- Netart badass Marisa Olson has a solo exhibition, Getting Ready, at Transfer Gallery, closing reception is on Saturday, January 10th, 7–11pm.
- Meanwhile, on the other side of Bushwick, Outlet gallery is opening Mark Dorf and Julian Lorber’s Second Nature, January 10th, 7–10pm.
- Also closing soon, that I haven’t made it out to yet, is Sebastião Salgado: Genesis at the International Center for Photography, which is across the street from where I work so no excuses here. Through this Sunday, January 11th.
- Hairy Sands are releasing their new album, Tears at a show at Trans-Pecos in Ridgewood, Queens (also convenient for me). Tickets are $8, doors open at 8pm on Tuesday January 13th.
The Fire This Time
David Remnick on the NYPD vs. Mayor de Blasio:
The police commissioner, William Bratton, was diplomatic, calling the gesture “inappropriate.” It was worse than that. It was an act of profound disrespect not only to de Blasio but also to the Ramos family members, who were there to grieve, not to witness a petulant display of resentment.
Soundtrack: Be Free by J. Cole or perhaps Come Out by Steven Reich.
The State of Detention: Performance, Politics, and the Cuban Public
Cuba may be an island but its culture does not exist solely for local consumption. Bruguera’s foreign audience is the only one at present that can easily consume the flow of information about her artistic proposals, political views, and serial detentions. The Cuban people remain outside the picture so to speak, but Cuba’s status as an art world superpower comes under scrutiny.
2015 resolutions
I have some resolutions for the new year. By posting them onto a public weblog I believe they become officially binding.
- Write more, and read more to improve my writing.
- Live more in each moment. To that end, be more aware of how my time is spent.
- No new projects. Focus instead on fixing and improving things I’ve already begun.
In 2014 Ellie and I exchanged resolutions. Three times a week we each have our respective tasks: I have a regimen of stretches and exercises, and she is supposed to meditate for 5 minutes. We began last January and have been offering each other reminders when we forget to keep up.
My exercises—along the lines of Pilates or Yoga—feel part of my routine now. It seems that one has stuck, and now the resolution has become unnecessary. That ought to be a meta-resolution each year.
Ellie also does her own stretches and exercises, but doesn’t need the same spousal nudge to keep up with her routine. For the sake of balance, I’ll throw in a bonus fourth 2015 resolution: also make time for meditation.
Me talking about the Somebody app on BBC
I was interviewed by BBC correspondant Anna Bressanin for a show called Trending, talking ‘bout Miranda July’s Somebody app. I’ve been using the service a bit, and it’s a lot of fun. The app is imperfect; the software is buggy, and I don’t like that it only works for iPhone, but the idea itself is interesting.