Is Final Friday Still A Thing?

Andrew Burkitt

Little Itchings

Bourgeois Pig

Hearing little buzz about the upcoming Final Friday prompted a tweet from @Larryvillelife of the famed Larryville Chronicles "Are we certain that Final Fridays is still a thing?"

While the yellow Final Fridays flags still hang outside venues, there has been a sharp decline in attendance. Some exhibitions have been dead.

Is it too cold for art? The harsh weather of late  is part of the problem. While event reporting, our own usually dedicated  LA corespondents have even been led astray with invitations of ducking in from the cold for a drink where one hot toddy leads to four.

We will be out and about this Final Friday and will report back what we see and hear.

Meanwhile, we like this post from Love Garden seen on the Final Friday website.  Will they really serve free tacos?

“Taco ‘Bout It”

a show inspired by the taco

*catered by Taco Zone and The Replay Lounge

Free Tacos

More information about this Final Friday: : http://finalfridayslawrence.wordpress.com/2014/02/

Surreal: Shana Moulton at the Spencer

Shana Moulton will help school us in the newest in contemporary video and performance art trends when she visits the Spencer for a lecture on Thursday.  Her work deals with self conscious personal and present-day issues. Her alter-ego, Cynthia, is a little paranoid.  The humorous works are surrealistic.

In an interview with Flash Art Magazine, interviewer Marco Anonini asked Moulton how she would describe her work to a complete stranger? Moulton's reply

 Narrative, short videos and performances that usually feature my alter-ego, solving puzzles of self-discovery. If it is a friend of my parents I’ll use the Blue Man Group as a point of reference; if it is another artist or a curator, I’ll mention people that have influenced me like Michael Smith, Miranda July, Eleanor Antin, Maya Deren.

Lecture is at The Spencer Museum of Art, Thursday, 6:00.

Read the interview with Flash Art Magazine here: http://www.flashartonline.com/interno.php?pagina=articolo_det&id_art=422&det=ok&title=SHANA-MOULTON

See the Spencer info here: http://www.spencerart.ku.edu/programs/calendar.shtml

The New Mythology: Dan Lowe

Dan Lowe by his experience wheel

What are our contemporary myths and how do they relate to rituals of the past? Dan Lowe is exploring contemporary myths and rituals in his installation The New Mythology.  It is on view now at Art and Design.

The space at Art and Design has been transformed into a spiritual chamber. The installation includes an  empty turning experience wheel inspired by Buddhist prayer wheels.  A computer located at the top of a platform viewed after climbing steps shows instagram selfies.  A live stream makes the installation interactive, as well as the many mirrors that encircle. 

The installation is accompanied by a live stream located here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/thenewmythology?rmalang=en_US

Dan's "poem" with many instagram examples is located here http://thenewmythology.net/

The closing reception is Thursday from 7-9 p.m..

Our Smitten Sunday Event List

Corespondents at Larryville Artists have been pouring over the many happenings today and are quite smitten with a few. Some of the events are a bit of a mystery.   Check out our top picks for today.

1. Dan Lowe's The New Mythology at Art and Design
Drop by Dan Lowe's Thesis exhibit at Art and Design starting at 1:00 today.  Last we heard, he was busy making the finishing touches on his interactive kinetic and digital images. The only pic of the show Dan's posted so far is the one below ( yikes!).  It is all very hush-hush, but we are told it will be very exciting.

2. Bobby Seale at the Kansas Union

Former black panther leader Bobby Seale will speak at the Kansas Union today at 5:00 according to a twitter retweet by @larryvillelife.  It's difficult to find much information about this event, which leaves an aire of secrecy. A teaser describes it as "A Walk Through Black History."  We are intrigued!

3. Badlands at Film Church

Starting at 7:00, Liberty Hall will show Badlands on the big screen.  

Check out the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1450741231820893/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Terrific Art Shows Unveiled

Marty Olsen at Pachamamas

Marty Olsen's new works on paper are inspired by the divine in both imagery and intent.  These small and large paintings combine free brushstroke work with details of symbolism taken from major religions. The colors are vivid and lavish with a free spirited feel.  

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Rachel Forrest at the Kansas Union

Oil painting by Rachel Forrest

Rachel Forrest's elegant new show of large and medium landscape paintings at the Kansas Union reflect the regional scenery of Kansas.  Rachel chatted with us about her work during her tasteful opening reception. She told us she fell in love with landscape painting while studying in France in 2013.

Check out more of her paintings here: http://www.rachelforrestart.com/#!recent-paintings/c16wh

Le Jardin by Rachel Forrest

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Dan Lowe

The New Mythology

Art and Design

And, don't miss Dan Lowe's Thesis Exhibit at Art and Design that starts on Sunday, with a closing reception on February 27 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.. The exhibition will be interactive, with kinetic and digital images and video installation. 

Photo of Dan Lowe by Luke Jordan

The Pope of Trash Visits Lawrence

Kelly with John Waters 

taken at the Eldridge Hotel

Lawrence was on Waters alert yesterday as fans tweeted sightings of him in local stores.  The "Pope of Trash" was in town to give a talk at The Lawrence Arts Center.  The Pope did not disappoint the enthusiastic crowd at the AC as he lectured about gay status, growing up in Baltimore, his love of books, and his movie making. 

John Waters has a zest in what others find repulsive. 

Famous quotes:

We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them.” 

“To me, bad taste is what entertainment is all about. If someone vomits while watching one of my films, it’s like getting a standing ovation. But one must remember that there is such a thing as good bad taste and bad bad taste.”

“If someone is racist and really cute, could you still have sex with him? I have to admit the answer is yes. I have. You just change the subject or shout, ‘La la la la la la la,’ covering your ears when he speaks nonsense. If all else fails, stick something in his mouth to shut him up."

According to the documentary film and book Midnight Madness, Waters' filth epic Pink Flamingos is considered one of the six ground breaking independent films in the midnight movie circuit in the 1970's and 1980's.  Many of the midnight movies pushed the boundaries between bad taste and social taboos.  For those fringe movie goers, attending a midnight movie was a badge of honor not only to stay awake, but to stretch intellectually and explore social sensibilities. Sadly, the end of the midnight movie era came with home movie rental. 

John Waters still has movie plans, but his latest projects include a book about hitchhiking across the Untied States and an international art installation.  

The Ethereal Beauty of Housekeeping

The Read Across Lawrence book, Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson, seems like a strange pick. Written in 1980, it is not current fiction and is a little obscure.  However, the publishing date is unimportant as events in the book are ambiguous. The narrator relates to experiences as if describing a dream or fantasy. Place and time era are muddled and nailing down facts about people are elusive.

This intangible quality makes the book haunting, including description of memory and what memory means, and the inside and outside worlds of both character and physical environments.

Housekeeping has been on 100 greatest novels of all time lists including the Guardian Unlimited and Time.  We recommend this short and thoughtful read.

Photo by Pat Connor

Newsy: Bathroom Art tile for the Library and Read Across Lawrence

 Kids making tiles for the library project

Bathroom Art Tile
Many Lawrencians are creating art tiles that will be permanently installed in the family restroom of the children's area of the new Lawrence Public Library. Pillars of the community including the PBR Book Club are partaking.  We interviewed a member of the PBR Book Club who said "We are making a unique contribution to our city's bathrooms as we participate in this special fundraiser.  We will be part of history!"  The event is sponsored by the Library Foundation. Larryville Artists will post pics of the tiles when they are fired and installed.

Read Across Lawrence
The Read Across Lawrence book for 2014 is Housekeeping by Marilynn Robinson.  Copies of the book are available for free while supplies last at the information desk of the Lawrence Public Library. 

Marilyn Robinson is coming to Lawrence to speak on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church ( 725 Vermont Street).  There will be a film screening of Housekeeping on March 4 at 7 p.m. at Woodruf Auditorium at the Kansas Union (cost is $5.00).  In addition, there will be discussion through the month.  Read more about the book and these events here: http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/news-events/read-across-lawrence13/read-across-lawrence-2014/

The book is also available on audio.


About Housekeeping
Housekeeping is the story of two sisters raised in isolated Fingerbone, Idaho.  The family is plagued by loss, and the sisters are raised by a series of family members culminating in their last hope, their aunt, who is a boxcar drifter.

Nerd Nite: Hey Girl! And Book Porn

The Pachamama's signature drink Hey Girl!

Love is in the air and Valentine roses are on desks of our correspondents in the staff room of Larryville Artists.  Our latest update is on last night's Nerd Nite at Pachamama's. 

(What's so Nerdy about) Sex Love and Understanding was last night's theme.  Although we sat through presentations, our favorite was the greeting from co-boss Chad O'Bryhim. O'Bryhim gave a short lecture on book porn posing the question "Do other book worms fondle their books?"  Evidentially, higher ed learners have a higher satisfactory rate with their sex life.  "Nerds know what they are doing."

We also learned that the urban dictionary word Sapiosexual is someone who finds intelligence the most sexually attractive feature. 

The drink of the evening was the Hey Girl!.  @theluckynun writes "This Hey Girl! is more like a weak 'Oh Hey!' from that guy you disclosed a crush to last month while drunk."  We liked the rose petal...classy!

Here are our party pics from last night. 

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We love books!

Lawrence Cold Outside but Hot for Burroughs

Photo of William Burroughs with Lawrence resident Pat Connor

Much of Lawrence has William Burroughs fever, as we acknowledge his 100th birthday with celebrations at the Arts Center, The Spencer Museum, and in local bars.  When grilled, most Lawrencians admit to never actually finishing a Burroughs novel.  Nevertheless, Burroughs is one of our most famous celebrities as demonstrated by the fact that many other famous people made the trek to Lawrence to see him.  Commemorative drinking glasses with Burroughs' face as well as a beer dedicated to him are selling like hotcakes.

One thing we learned from these celebrations is that the locals love to tell personal stories about Burroughs. One experience is in the form of a photo series made by local resident Pat Connor.  These photos show Burroughs as an old man in his later years when he lived in Lawrence.

Hear our favorite news story about Burroughs' life in Lawrence here.  Frank Morris reports and gets a Burroughs haircut. : http://kcur.org/post/william-s-burroughs-and-lawrence-kansas-linked-inexorably#.UvL4vT10OSc.facebook


Read 97 things about Burroughs (posted by The Lawrence Public Library) here: http://flavorwire.com/148558/97-things-you-didnt-know-about-william-s-burroughs/view-all/

Drawing Baroque at Fatso's and Open Drawing at KU

The Thieves Guild has a great drawing event on Monday.  They are presenting Baroque-en Hearts Club, where Foxy by Proxy's Bunny Baltimore will be posing for us at Fatso's.
What to bring: $5.00 at the door, money for great drink specials, and drawing or photography supplies.  The time is 7:00-10:00.

Here is what the Facebook invite says about the event:
Visions of romance and grandeur abound in the old masters’ paintings. Join the Thieves Guild for an enchanted evening of sketching alluring poses inspired by Baroque painters. Modeling and performance provided by the beguiling Bunny Baltimore of Foxy by Proxy.

Read the Facebook invite here: https://www.facebook.com/events/205909366279824/

The Art Night Returns in September 

Thieves Guild Session

From Drawn of the Dead in October

Thieves Guild Session

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Open Model Yesterday
Yesterday was a cold day, but we were warm inside a drawing studio at Art and Design for an open model session.  Scarlett was our wonderful model and Matt was our moderator.

Matt was our moderator

The Middle at Art and Design and Open Drawing Today

Dog Park Series

Luke Jordan

One of our staff members spotted an impressive exhibit at The Art and Design Gallery.  The Middle: Photo-Based Works by Artists Living in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa encompasses many approaches in the area of photography.  Although the subject matter of the works are intriguing,  the show consists of a wide range of styles and formats, proving that photography is still evolving and that experimentation is still possible.

We visited the opening on Final Friday.  We asked photography teacher Angela Perkins about some of the techniques used by the artists in the show.  "The show is a good representation of where photo is currently."  She explained that current photographers work in a variety of processes to achieve images including film, digital, photogram, pigment prints, hybrids, and others.

We have many favorite pieces.  Luke Jordan's Dog Park features two horizontal format prints which look abstract and create a story.   We also liked, A Few Pommes Frits consisting of many small pigments prints of a line, with a minimalist appearance.  On closer look, the lines are actually images of a single french fry, each with their own character for each frame.  In another picture of two girls in dresses, we see one of them holding a card that shows it is Christmas day for them.

The show runs until February 7.
Here is the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/690740907636678/?source=1
Gallery hours for Art and Design are:

!n the Art & Design Gallery Gallery Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed 8:30am—4:30pm Thurs, 8:30am—9:00pm Fri, 8:30am—1:30pm Closed Saturday Sun, 1:00pm—4:30pm

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Open Drawing at Art and Design

Today is the first open drawing session of the semester at Art and Design.  The session is from 11:00-2:00.  Bring drawing supplies to room 405.  The session is free and open to the public.