Review of the Lars Elling “Fictions” exhibit at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery

Wow. If I had $24,000 I know where it would go… and that would be to the Lars Elling painting”Pavane for the Playing Dead’ currently being sold at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery. This exhibit, which has been extended, is no small success. Half of their collection has been sold since May and with good reason. Lars Elling’s paintings are incredibly vivid and really resonate.

The artist himself, is a published playwrite, and you can see the way drama plays a role in his paintings. It seems as if every painting is a the story of an unforgettable (good or bad) memory that took place in a dreamlike location revisiting in the form of nostalgia. The Nicholas Robinson Gallery did an exceptional job currating their complete top floor with Lars Elling’s paintings. They have the power to fill the void and starkness of a white empty space with their undeniable presence. Here is a look at some of Lars Elling’s work, including my favorite, “Pavane for the Playing Dead” currently on show at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery:

 

"Night and Day" painting by Lars Elling. Sold already at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery

 

Lars Elling's Camera Lucida, currently on show at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery.

My favorite painting of Lars Ellings' show at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery in Chelsea, "Pavane for the Playing Dead"

 

Another vivid painting by Lars Elling at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery.

 

While these photos let you look at the subject, please to try to make it to the exhibit before it closes! The flattened, digital pixels do not captivate the texture, and the way the paintings change a room on the screen!

The Nicholas Robinson Gallery is located on 535 West 20th Street in Chelsea, New York. For more info visit their website at http://www.nrgallery.com/ 

C.A.

Pool Parties at the Williambsburg Waterfront. Dirty Projectors do the 1st of Many.

Sunday I went to the Dirty Projector’s show at the Williamsburg waterfront’s “Pool Parties.” The name “Pool Party” may be minorly deceiving to those of us who came equipped wearing bathing suits and swimmies, but the party was defanatley on. There are so many great things about this thing. First- off it’s FREE! Secondly, they have an awesome lineup that includes Girl- Talk and Grizzly Bear (who’s playing on my birthday). After you get over the great free concerts, you also can factor in the fact that the bands play with a background of the Manhattan Skyline. It’s not only beautiful, but from a Brooklyn-er’s perspective it’s a wonderful slap in the face saying Manhattan could never touch this!

There’s also great places to relax and tan on the grass if you’re into that sort of thing, designated dogeball and baskctball courts that hold endless tournaments during the event and beer tents (pricey, but affordable given the fact that you didn’t have to pay for the show). Check out some photos from Sunday’s Concert of the Dirty Projectors:

 

The Dirty Projectors performing their opening song at the Pool Parties on the Williamsburg waterfront.

This was the first band that went on at the Williamsburg waterfront Pool Parties last weekend.

Glorious view of the Manhattan skyline. Perfect backdrop for awesome band performances.

Along with a view of the Manhattan skyline we got a view of some good ol' Williamsburg gentrification.

Pool Parties in Williamsburg is also a great place to enjoy the sun.

Me being silly and enjoying the sun in my bathing suit.

 

Dirty Projectors performing their hit song, Stillness is the Move at Pool Parties last weekend.

 

Converse stuck an interactive corporate hand in the Williamsburg waterfront Pool Parties. I wonder if all of the shoes ended up being colored in.

 

The official schedule for this summer's Pool Parties in Williamsburg.

New York’s Summer of Weird Clouds

 

Bushwick does dramatic clouds.

 

And earlier that same day...

Has anyone else noticed that along with the weather being so weird in New York this summer… so have the clouds? Take a look at these two pictures I took in Bushwick in the same area on the same day. I have been absolutely fascinated with this summer’s weather. Especially the clouds, so if anyone has any pictures please share!

 

C.A.

2009 Bastille Festival; Who Knew the French Partied in Brooklyn?

I had no idea what a Bastille Festival was, or that French people ever came to party in Brooklyn… but it’s New York and everything is not only possible, but probable. Here are some photos from Smith Street’s 2009 Bastille Festival which included:

– The World’s 2nd largest Pentanque Tournamen

– Fine wine

– Skateboarding exhbitionanists sponsored by Homage (Skate Shop on Smith Street)

– The Bar Tabac hosting a classic- rock coverband after the festival. The bar was packed with drunk people dancing to Free- bird and Lay- Down Sally! It was awesome. 

– and really loud Spanish Music emulating from Mexican Restaraunt Coco Rocco. (Don’t you love it when the Latin American’s and teen-age skateboarders take over the French Party)?

 

Never knew what Petanque was or that people in Brooklyn played it, but they cleared out a whole block on Smith Street for it so it must be important.

 

I wasn't there to see the band, but the aftermath seemed pretty sweet.

 

Some people conjuring up some fun and mischief outside the Bar Tabac.

 

This ended up just serving as a drink stand.

 

I hope they got the sand for Smith Street's Pentanque Tournament from Coney Island

 

Homage set up their skateboarding section right in front of the store I work at, We the Free... and we were happy to have an all day show!

 

A bunch of people crowded around a guy breakdancing wearin a V- for- Vendetta mask (who I think usually performs at the Union Square stop on the L).

 

Brooklyn Skaters enjoying the Bastille Festival. Not very french, but very Brooklyn!

 

Who said the G train never lead to nothin’! Supposed to be more festivities on Bastille’s actual celebration day, this Tuesday.

 

C.A.

Review of the Highline Renegade Cabaret!

Thursday night I actually went to the showing of the Renegade Cabaret on the Highline. The New York Times article recently published about it really pumped me up to hear Elizabeth Sochack  sing again. I happenstanced upon the opening evening of the Renegade Cabaret, June 9th, when I went on the Highline for the first time. From a distance I heard acapella vocals emulating from the North end of the park. Just like and curious cat I ventured near to see what it was.

The noise belonged to Pattey Heffley who was MCing a night of jazz tunes in reaction to “31 years of obscurity,” all changing due to the opening of the park. This sort of change that happens in New York City is something that all New Yorkers encounter. This made me delighted to find Ms. Heffley not only exploiting her prime real estate, but relating the issue in a light- hearted, humorous and delightful way! The Renegade Cabaret is just another way for people to enjoy the Highline.

 

The Infamous Lanterns: You know something’s up 

 

 

After June 9th I researched the Renegade Cabaret in hopes that Heffley would still host future performances for Sochack on her balcony. I came across all sorts of online viral groups and made it to the performance held last Thursday.

There are many things to be said about the Renegade Cabaret performances. They’re casual, humorous, free, and really for the people of the Highline to enjoy. While the sound system isn’t the best, Sochack sings effortlessly despite the fact that hundreds of strangers are watching her and she has no backing band. She keeps the tunes short so that the don’t begin to sound stagnant while Heffley gives mini monolouges between songs that make everyone laugh, and break up what would otherwise be the monotony of straight acapella. I hope to see the Renegade Cabaret become a favorite past time of Highline lovers and New Yorkers!

 

C.A.

“Broken Glass” at MCNY

“Broken Glass” not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. Online I saw reproductions of the photographs and the content looked amazing. In person the photographs seem as if they are breathing.

Ray Mortenson was able to capture so many beautifully broken buildings that held no sign of current life and only traces of the aftermath of life. Each building seemed as if it was so instantly deserted that there must of been panic in its inhabitants of something so awful that they felt a desperation to leave. There are some photos where the abandoned buildings seem to go on forever and it makes you wonder how anyone could have possibly sought to live in the surrounding areas. Mortenson’s photographs act as the perfect documentation of the urban decay the South Bronx suffered in the 1980’s.

Ray Mortenson’s “Broken Glass” exhibit is on display from now until March 8th, 2009 at the Museum of the City of New York. For more info visit mcny.org

C.A.

Breathing New York