Category Archives: art

Sep26

the rock.

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Karen Schaefer took her turn at painting the Rock in Ann Arbor’s George Washington Park, announcing her conclusion about the boulder that was put on the spot in the 1930s. Schaefer wrote her master’s degree thesis on the Rock, (Objects that communicate).

 all kinds of people with all kinds of agendas paint the rock in this decades-old tradition in ann arbor. the chat below was found on my community website and i especially loved how s.a. was at the ready with his how-to directions and a bit of historical support. 

G.A. Does anyone know how much paint is required to paint a message on “The Rock” at Hill and Washtenaw?

P. L. Funny, my husband and I were just talking about this when we drove by it the other day.

S. A.  Old gallon of house paint for the base, one old mop or broom, go to Denny’s down the road, come back and it’s dry for the message.

T. S. Can’t believe that no one has commented that is is illegal and vandalism…

S. A. Even Al Gallup, the living son of the Gallup who placed it there in honor of Washington, is okay with it.

‘passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,

because if you’re passionate about something,

then you’re more willing to take risks.’

—yo-yo ma

Sep23

on target.

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ALPINE, TEXAS

Target Marathon

This is probably not the Target you’re looking for.  

At some point in 2016, persons unknown adorned a tiny cinderblock shack along US 90 with the big-box chain Target’s lettering and bullseye logo. Located about 15 miles outside Marathon (pop. 430) in Brewster County, Texas, the shack is now unofficially known as the Target Marathon.

The raison d’être of the Target Marathon remains unclear. It was perhaps inspired by the Prada Marfa, an art project in the West Texas desert. Unlike the Prada Marfa, however, no one has ever claimed to have created the Target Marathon. Both “stores” are non-operational, although the Prada Marfa does at least contain some Prada merchandise.

The tiny Target contains absolutely nothing, save for some sand and an occasional desert creature sheltering from the midday sun. So if you’re trundling along US 90 and spot the bullseye up ahead, don’t get all excited about discount goods.

But if you appreciate unusual art installations, if that’s what you can call the Target Marathon, then pull over and have a look. Don’t delay, however, or it might not be there at all. As no one has claimed ownership of the Target Marathon, and it could conceivably be stripped, knocked down or otherwise altered at any time.

The Target Marathon is located about 15 miles west of Marathon on the way to Alpine. You’ll see it on the south side of the US 90 alongside some railroad tracks. Entrance is free for humans, rattlesnakes and all other desert dwellers. Target REDcards are not accepted.

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‘a creative project is a moving target.

you never end up where you start.’

-evangeline lilly

 

 

 

 

 

 

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credit: atlas obscura

 

Sep21

transforming.

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kinders transform with hands, finger paint, foil, and joy. 

 

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“the goal of life is rapture. art is the way we experience it.

art is the transforming experience.”

— joseph campbell

Sep13

on the wall.

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Finally! Your color-on-the-wall childhood dreams just became a reality.

All you need is this black-and-white floral wallpaper and some washable markers.

https://etsy.me/2MXZp3f

 

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“you have to color outside the lines once in a while

if you want to make your life a masterpiece.”

-albert einstein

 

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image credit: etsy.com

 

Aug5

melted heart.

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lucky encounter

of a piece of summer’s art –

when crossing paths 

with a melted ice cream heart.

 

 

 

—

“besides being a useful adjunct to courtship,

ice-cream is often employed to feed poets upon.”

~”A Few Casual Remarks on Ice-Cream,” Puck, 1881 

Jul20

energy.

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some whiz around at the art fair

buzzing amidst lots of creative energy.

some wind down in a hammock

amidst the shady trees

zapped and looking to recharge.

 

—

“we should all relax about life

because you don’t have a clue as to what’s really going on.”

-barry sonnenfeld (american cinematographer)

 

 

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university of michigan diag, ann arbor, michigan, usa

Jul19

uphill.

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ann arbor art fair is coming today.

bring it!

—

“it is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is from the top.”

-arnold bennett

 

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photo credit: ann arbor/scio hill- 1980s,*eck stanger-ann arbor news, aadl archives, ann arbor townies

*Eck Stanger, chief photographer for the Ann Arbor News for 40 years, landed the job because he was the only News employee able to read the German instructions for his secondhand Speed Graphic camera. Or so the legend goes. Over the course of his four decades as photographer – and the News’ sole photographer during its first 12 years–“one-shot Stanger,” as he came to be known–captured famous statesmen, princes, and presidents, as well as eminent artists, musicians, scientists, and athletes. But he spent most of his time capturing everyday Ann Arborites with skill and a keen eye.

Jun27

the papermaker.

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i have always had a great love of paper

especially handmade

each piece unique

the feel, the smell, the beauty,

 the unlimited opportunities

to decorate it, to write and draw and paint upon it,

to fold it, to cut it, to wrap with it, to read from it, to create with it.

the short film below is a glimpse into the life of an artisan

who is also passionate about paper.

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“The Papermaker“ is a short documentary about one of the last handcrafting papermakers in Europe and his great love for paper. Gangolf Ulbricht makes unique tree- free papers by hand. For international artists, conservators, photographers, printers and many more. He learned his uniqe craft in Germany, Japan, France and England. In this short film we see him producing his fine paper in his basement studio in the Arthouse Bethanien in Berlin-Kreuzberg. He talks about his love and dedication for this craft – and it ́s future. Gangolf has worked for a number of known artists like: Jenny Holzer, Louise Bourgeois, Guenther Uecker, Jonathan Meese, Damien Hirst, Christiane Baumgartner, Matthias Weischer and many more.

https://uncrate.com/video/the-papermaker/

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“fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”

-william wordsworth

 

 

 

 

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credits:

Directed by DANIEL EGENOLF
Director of Photography LINE KÜHL
Edited by BORIS SEEWALD
Music by RALF HILDENBEUTEL
Sounddesign by ALEXANDER HEINZE
Produced by kingsandkongs.de

May16

everything.

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kinders find tiny ants, roly-poly’s, and baby spiders

when playing on the sidewalk

and decide to create a playground for them

using all of their pretty chalks. 

—

“everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

-confucius

Oct6

the most important thing people did for me was to expose me to new things. – temple grandin

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IMG_0953

our class went to see

 nick cave’s art exhibit

up close and personal

sound suits

colors

swirls

dancing

textures

fun

then made

their own accessories

in his style

and

learned so much

about art having no boundaries

 how things can look and sound and feel

art can be found in all kinds of places

and

most of all

that each of them are artists in their own right.

gm1009_nickcave

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http://knightfoundation.org/blogs/knightblog/2015/7/1/nick-cave-exhibit-launches-in-detroit/