Kathryn Loichinger

                                                                                                                                

Kathryn  Loichinger

Within the span of a few weeks this winter I found myself in three most dissimilar locations; on Los Angeles’ sunny Wilshire Blvd., a dark alley on DC’s Capitol Hill and an even darker rural highway in Virginia’s Floyd County. Oddly all three places are capitols of a sort; the nation, entertainment and moonshine respectively. My purpose was actually the same for being at each. I was seeking and finding the unique result of human expression, ingenuity, character and spirit collectively called art. In LA the discovery  was the grand sculpture of Richard Serra, DC presented the provocative and lovely paintings of Laura Elkins and Floyd Co. hosted the most wonderful works of Kathryn  Loichinger; her photography.

Katie’s photos are special in their own right. They are uniquely original and stand out within any group exhibition as being true and the genuine article.  Her most interesting and appealing are her close ups and macro pieces. On this night she was exhibiting a series I call her “Red Leaf Photographs” and an album/book that collected a time lapse narrative. The books images were of a still life composed of different cheeses in the process of decomposing. I was reminded of recent works by Lexington’s Sally Mann a world class artist who Katie shares a similar esthetic and passion. It was also a comment on entropy and the ultimate loss of all things.

It wasn’t by chance that I was viewing Katie’s exhibit in Floyd Virginia. We had met several years ago at a local library where she worked as a librarian. She approached her library job in much the same way she approached her photography and she was not typical in that work either. She was upbeat, knowledgeable, always helpful and in a word beautiful.

Once before we had talked in any depth I found myself waiting in line behind a young boy. I remember him just standing looking at Katie dazed and bedazzled wanting to talk but not knowing what to say. She took it in stride and offered him suggestions for reading. We began to have short conversations and we found out that we were both involved in the arts. We have become mutual admirers and supporters of each other’s work over the years. Katie now works for Barnes and Noble where we continue to talk about the arts, politics fashion and just about everything. Katie’s a good person to know.

Katie continues to grow in life and experience and her work is all the richer for it. She uses the camera in much the same way the best musicians use their chosen instruments. Rather than producing and organizing the sounds of musical notes; Katie’s finely tuned instrument captures light and shadows as it exist around the forms, colors and compositions of nature. 

 If Katie’s photography could be described as a musical sound it would that of an oboe; mysterious, exotic, elusive and yet precise.   Largely self taught she is a gifted natural with a skill honed by a joyous dedication and a commitment to excellence.  

Katie’s wit and intelligence as expressed throughout her extensive portfolio seems to say: I have a secret that I’m willing to share, something delightful and alluring I want you to see.  These treasures are radiant, beautiful and bright; like Katie. 

Kathryn Loichinger

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              



                                    

         Julian Schnabel,

                 The   Hirshhorn

                          and The Mother of D.J. Spooky

A feature in the “Eighties” magazine “Geo” introduced me to Julian Schnabel and his paintings. He was grouped with fellow artists Francesco Clemente, Donald Judd and Sandro Chia. The art scene had become a little stale and was looking for some fresh blood. Here it was in this feature/ pictorial. I was blown away by what I was seeing. I was completely on board with these new guys and prepared for the thrill ride of a new epoch. These young artists were dubbed “The Neo Expressionist. “

Their individual stars were rising and they would be joined by a host of others including Eric Fischl, Donald Sultan and Robert Longo.  The works of all were at a high level but one I was certain would be the star among the stars; that distinction went to Schnabel. The key was the way he was photographed; painting on the beach shoeless and shirtless as he confidently worked seemingly oblivious to the photographer. He was painting on a huge canvas laid out on an otherwise isolated   beach using a mop as a brush. All this as he studied his efforts from behind dark sun glasses.  An art star was born Schnabel was making waves and navigating them. As a surfer he was riding the waves of the ocean and with equal adeptness as an artist riding the waves of a successful career. The art world was at a fever pitch and rising in scale, materials, galleries, patrons and most of all prices.

Schnabel had joined the stable of another ascending star; gallerist Mary Boone (the one time protégé of Leo Castelli).  Schnabel’s “Plate Paintings” were heavily featured by Boone and were everything an artist dreams his work could be. They were original, they were amazing and they were selling. Later he would move on to other unorthodox materials as surface including velvet, wood and Egyptian boat sails.

Schnabel had the attention of the publishing world as well  including traditional art magazines like Art News, Art Forum and beyond with Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ and Premiere all writing about him. Sixty Minutes and Charlie Rose were talking to him. The “Shirtless Schnabel” was evolving into the “Pajama Schnabel.” The painter/sculptor was becoming the film maker/director. Beginning   with the movie “Basquiat” he hit the film world like a punch to the gut. The film would introduce the life and works of Jean Michel Basquiat to a larger audience along with illuminating the workings of the art market of the Nineteen Eighties. “Before Night Fall” would launch Spanish actor Javier Bardem into the American market. “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” would garner Schnabel “Best Director” at Cannes and also an Oscar nomination

 His latest effort;”Miral” has won him greater respect as an artist who takes risks and ire in some camps who believe him wrong for his portrayal of the Palestinians as complete human beings. Schnabel’s films speak more to the man himself as humanitarian than do his paintings. Each of his film efforts have the common thread of believer in the human spirit and creativity to triumph. Sometimes the triumph comes from simply enduring. The reward being the act itself; of living of defiance of doing.

This year’s Spring Catalogue of events at DC’s Hirshhorn Museum announced that Julian Schnabel would make appearances on May twelfth and thirteenth. He was scheduled for two nights of talks on his own works and experiences along with his thought s on the art of Blinky Palermo. The Hirshhorn’s spring hosting of a retrospective of Palermo’s works provided a perfect platform for Schnabel. He had been a friend and admirer of Palermo. There would also be a screening of the Schnabel film “The Diving Bell and The Butterfly” followed by discussion. This was a major opportunity that I couldn’t miss. The Hirshhorn’s lectures and other after hours events are traditionally free but tickets are required on a first come basis. The rarity of a crossover celebrity artist of Schnabel’s caliber caused tickets to disappear fast online. I would have to go hoping for the chance of getting in as a stand by.  It would be worth it for the chance of meeting an “A” list artist whose work I admired and enjoyed.

I arrived at the Hirshhorn about an hour early on the twelfth. There was already a small stand by line of about five people patiently waiting. The doors to the museum weren’t open at this time so there was time for some mingling.  I started a conversation with a prominate looking couple that happened to already have tickets. They were interesting and this promised to be a memorable evening. We were joined shortly by a beautiful, stylishly dressed woman of a certain age. She also had a ticket. I was at least in good company. This woman told me she was “The Mother of DJ Spooky.”

Spooky had also been featured at the Hirshhorn recently.  In March he was the curator of an exhibition that I had submitted one of my short videos to. My entry had been rejected (there were only about five hundred other submissions). I told her this in a humorous but direct way “YOUR SON REJECTED MY WORK!!!” It happens…we laughed and we continued to talk about life, art and Julian Schnabel. As we talked and waited I happen to look as a group comes out of the revolving door entrance. I’m amazed to see that Julian Schnabel is among them. I tell Spooky's Mom “ look there he is…It’s Schnabel.”  He and his group are heading for a SUV parked on Independence Ave. She says “I have to talk to him…he knows my son”

She follows in hot pursuit and calls to him. I’m not sure that he’ll stop but he does. They begin to talk and within seconds I am right there with them and I join in the conversation. Julian politely tells us that he has to leave for a few minutes but he will be back and we can talk later. (Note that I am already on a first name basis). At this point I’m pretty much walking on air and I give thanks to the higher power that has made all this possible. Spooky’s Mom; who is actually Rosemary Reed Miller tells me when the doors open for ticket holders that she will save me a seat. She is much accomplished in her own right as a writer and fashion entrepreneur. I’m able to get in and I joined  Mrs. Miller downstairs in “The Ring Auditorium.”

I was fortunate to be able to attend both nights. They were each amazing. In person Schnabel is engaging, funny, informative and relaxed. Yes; he was wearing pajamas. I would have been disappointed if he had not.

Esperanza Spalding: Part Two

Esperanza  Spalding’s  “Chamber  Music Society” tour stropped in Roanoke a few Thursday nights ago. She thrilled, amazed and transported the area’s lovers of music and live performance to places that only the greatest artists can achieve. She played to a crowd that covered a large demographic range; all ages were represented. There is good music and there is really good music. Esperanza belongs to the latter and she is rare in today’s music climate. She has been blessed with every gift: she sings like an angel, plays like a demon, composes, arranges, and has stage presence that pulls everything together like a great maestro. Imagine through some miracle of nature or science that Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, Leonard Bernstein and Yo-Yo Ma were composited into one incredible talent. Throw in the vocals of Minnie Ripperton and you have some idea of the Spalding phenomenon.

Spalding has performed at the White House, the Nobel Presentation Ceremony, The Letterman Show and on PBS’s Austin City Limits. Cities from New York to Paris to London to Cape Town are on her itinerary.  It’s only natural that she would want to be at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke Va. We were very fortunate to have her in the area. Coming off her wonderful Grammy win and seeing her at what is essentially the beginning of a career is a thing to treasure. Her’s is a career that is certain to be legend. I am completely onboard for what will be a journey nothing short of incredible and a joy to follow.

El Dorado



 
Gaily bedight,
A gallant night
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of El Dorado.
But he grew old --
This knight so bold --
And -- o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like El Dorado.
 
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow --
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be --
This land of El Dorado?"
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied --
"If you seek for El Dorado."
                               Edgar Allen Poe

                                                                 "The Kinght And Death" by Albrecht Durer

Esperanza Spalding: Part One

Super Nova/White Hot; Hot!!!  and Rising…might be one way to describe the present state of Esperanza Spalding’s music career. She is nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, performing at the Pre- Grammy Show, the subject of articles in publications from “The New Yorker “ to “Billboard” and countless “Youtube”  videos all as she performs  live around the world. One benchmark of a really good artist is the caliber of people that want to perform with you; Stanly Clarke, Stevie Wonder, the illustrious Quartet “Fourplay” and Prince have all enlisted her talents.

 She has come on to the contemporary music scene like an unbelievable through bred  leaping out of the blocks. Running sometimes along with the pack then out distancing all of the competition and again with the pack but always slightly ahead. The music world hasn’t seen her likes  for many years. She just happens to be primarily a jazz artist and she is in a unique position as such. The only other jazz performer to be nominated as best over all new artist by the Grammys  was Nora Jones. Esperanza Spalding has the potential to change all music that comes after her. She is that good.

She reminds me of Yo-Yo Ma in the way that she seems to be the conduit that the mysterious entity that is music is transmitted into being. She is much like a spiritualist bringing forth a thing from another plane into our plane of existence. She is to marvel.








Esperanza currently has three solo albums: “Junjo” released in 2005, the self titled “Esperanza” in 2008 and most recently “Chamber Music Society” in 2010. Chamber Music is the first to feature mostly original compositions and arrangements. It is her strongest to date. She has chosen to cover Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Inutil Paisagem”, The Johnny Mathis classic “Wild is the Wind” and even puts the luminous   British poet William Blake’s “Little Fly” to music.





"Junjo"

  


"Esperanza"



This is inventive music that is challenging while still being beautiful to the ear and also renewing to the spirit. With this latest effort she does what great art should do, it breaks new ground while building on the past taking us willing as passengers. Her effort is a leap of faith into a wonderful new place that is hauntingly familiar.







"Chamber Music Society"





Spalding within the last few weeks has included performances in cities from Tokyo to Los Angeles and Cape Town. Her next weeks of performance will be in London, Paris, Barcelona and oh yes; Roanoke. That is correct Roanoke Va. at The Jefferson Center. I do plan to be there and I am excited!!! Part Two of this blog should follow the Jefferson Center Concert that is part of the “Chamber Music Society Tour.”

 If luck is a lady and fortune is good I may even talk with her and get some photos on what should be an enchanting evening.



Grammy Night is Feb. 13th






  




  

Four To See

Every year budgets are bigger, profits and tickets are higher, special effects are grander and more people stay at home. Plots are cookie cutter, the faces and costumes change but the stunts and characterizations are all the same.  It’s the state of film today. We’ll soon need a new descriptions of the medium other than film or the movies as what we see is increasingly digitally formatted. I find myself becoming less and less amazed, amused or moved by the product that at one time was a considerable art form.

In contrast to what I’ve just said I now I have to say that recently I have seen four movies (for lack of that new description) that have actually renewed my faith in the theatre experience. These were complete surprises and very welcomed. The title of these gems is:  “The Black Swan”, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”, “True Grit” and “The Green Hornet”. Yes; “The Green Hornet” was good enough to make my cut.  These features were all very different and they touched on varying aspects of humanity. They were funny, driven, compelling, intriguing, fanciful and daring. They chronicled many adventures, were gritty, black and one was a even a little “green”. I’ve included individual posters of all and below the poster I have my thoughts on each one. They are four to see.



 Black Swan



 This is Natalie Portman’s vehicle. She gives a compelling, believable performance that like her character should transform her actual career to another level. This is in a film that is in many ways pure fantasy. Set in the competitive, demanding but beautiful world of ballet it is really a dark psychological thrill ride. Director Darren Aronofsky has taken a certain art-house hit and somehow tapped into the main stream consciousness or possibly sub-conscious to forge a popular hit. The twist and turns are many, the intrigue abounds and you will never truly be sure of what is real and what is imagined.




The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

  The third adaptation from the Narnia series of books is completely wonderful, endearing and magical as a series for young readers and movie goers should be. There are no uninteresting scenes here. It is a pleasure from start to finish. One for the whole family’s enjoyment. New characters are introduced and old ones are developed. The special effects are used to develop the story and not merely gimmicks. This enchanting movie was able to capture and convey a sense of awe, adventure and the belief of infinite possibilities.  The leap into the fantastic that once was a staple of the movies is in full form here. 



True Grit



More than any of the films I’ve featured; “True Grit” is the most satisfying and brilliant. The original film is an American Icon and gave John Wayne his only performance Oscar. By placing their version more firmly into the actual time period the Coen brothers have envisioned a more realistic telling of the original source material. It is a remarkable thing to behold. The principal’s performances of  Matt Damon,  Hailee  Steinfeld and Jeff Bridges are to perfection and with no trace of modern quirks and mannerisms. The narrative is one of revenge, justice, perseverance and ultimately about the consequences of our life choices. This is a solid film, the result of creative talent at the height of their powers combined with and embellished by the shock of the new.



The Green Hornet

I really enjoyed seeing just how many things Seth Rogen and Jay Chou as the Green Hornet and Kato could break and or completely demolish. Keep in mind the source material was weak. The Green Hornet was an almost totally forgettable radio show from the thirties, a completely forgettable movie serial in the forties and a mostly forgettable TV show from the sixties (It lasted a grand total of one season). Bruce lee and the car were the only bright spots from the sixties Green Hornet.  Every truly popular super hero has at least one cool nick name; The Man of Steel, The Dark Knight, The Wall Crawler, to name a few. Everyone recalls lovingly referring to The Green Hornet as…The Green Hornet.  Anyway; the character was perfect for a movie with no seriousness attached to it. The laughs are built in because of the almost total lack of any history with any of it’s audience. Good satire with daring escapes, fist fights, car crashes, guns, bloody noses, martial arts and all done remarkably  without tights.



Oscar Night is Feb. 27th




                                                                      

                                                                                               
                                                                                                             




The Disney Concert Hall

Since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain I have wanted to see something of the work of the most celebrated architect of our times; Frank  Gehry. During this past Christmas Season along with my daughter and grandchildren I was privileged to see one of his most important achievements “The Disney Concert Hall” in LA. It was a complete and perfect joy for all.

                                                                                             

Like any truly wonderful work of art, architecture or craft it is always best to experience the thing in person. This magnificent building did not disappoint. It’s asymmetric design, playful use of geometry and nontraditional materials make it unique to the landscape. It is in many ways the companion and even a sort of extension of the Guggenheim Bilboa.  This is a stunning achievement, a spectacle of a building.

The concert hall is open to the public daily and there are guided tours or taped independent tours available. The interior is equally impressive as the massive exterior. Walls that often follow the contours of the outer surfaces, expansive abstract carpeting and wall art add a specialness to the inner space.

 Wood is used to great effect here both as decoration and support. There is a “Vietnam Memorial “ inspired wall displaying the names of the many contributors and founders of the Hall including Eli Broad, LA’s first citizen of the arts.

 “The Disney Concert Hall” is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and presided over by their illustrious and energetic conductor; the phenomenal Gustavo Dudamel. He has invigorated the idea of the symphony in very much the way that Leonard Bernstein did in the Nineteen Sixties. His approach and love of music is a perfect fit for the amazing structure that Gehry has built.

                                                                                    



As we walked around and through a marvelous achievement; a hallmark of a kind we took pictures. All of the photos are from that visit last December to “The Disney Concert Hall”.

Batman: Ceiling of the City

There is never too much for me to say about Neal Adams. He has been at the top of my list of artists and influences for many years and the subject of a previous Blog. I put together “Neal Adams…He’s  Back” last September. You may have already read it. If not It comes highly recommended. I have done several animations featuring his art work and here is the latest “Batman: The Ceiling of the City”. I used images ranging from his early works to the present to create this piece.

I recently found out that Neal is producing and directing something very similar with his company “Continuity Comics” he calls motion comics. Interestingly he is using the work of other artists rather than his own. His first effort is from a series of graphic novels by Josh  Whedon  and John Cassady. “Gifted” a tale of “The Astonishing X-Men” is phenomenal in it’s own right and perfect for adaptation.

 Adams has done other more historical subjects such as Anne Frank and New York’s Mayor LaGuardia. The man continues to work and to grow creatively. Did I mention that Neal Adams is great!!!

                                    Take a look at “Batman: The Ceiling of the City”

Mirror Mirror

  Among the most fascinating  of objects in our lives and world is the mirror.

We begin our day looking into one and we end looking usually into the same one. Throughout the day we see reflections in store windows, passing cars, silver and any suitable material. We use mirrors for reasons of vanity, necessity and for safety in and on our vehicles. Any polished object to be described to being as shiny as a mirror is the highest compliment.

                                                                                 
 Mirrors are important in the arts from painting to literature to film. Contemporary artists depend heavily on reflective mediums. Amish Kapoor and Jeff Koon s are examples of sculptors that love highly polished almost glass like chrome and paint in their creations. Robert Rauschenberg produced silk screened mirrors among the vast array of materials in his body of works. Picasso’s “Girl with a Mirror” is one of the most important and beautiful examples of 20th century painting. The mirror in the rear of “Las Meninas” is central to the narrative of the 17^th century master piece by Velasquez. “Through the Looking Glass” is a classic of children’s literature and where would the wicked stepmother in “Snow White’ be without her magic mirror and her famous line”Mirror, mirror…?” Writer Neil Gaiman loves the concept of the mirror world and has written on the theme in several stories. “Smoke and Mirrors” is the title of a collection of his short stories and where would any self respecting magician be without these critical props. 

Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean co-created an intriguing little film “Mirror Mask” another reverse (mirror) universe themed piece. Michael Jackson’s “The Man in the Mirror” is one of the most poignant as well as popular songs in modern music. Why so much attention to mirrors?

Mirrors allow us to see the one person in the room that we never see; ourselves. They also save us from a certain amount of embarrassment; can be somewhat consoling and are an aid to us when injured. They are an instant portal to another mystic place; our visual imaginations. Every image for this entry is computer enhanced and a mirror image. 

                                                                        

                                             Mirrors certainly are worth looking into.