Art Opening
Utilizing Minimalism
Noah Mendelson
Sat, Aug 1, 6–8pm
Bordello Gallery
Órganos 19
Maximize with less
By Noah Mendelson
| You may think of “Minimalism” as a few bands of color on a canvas, or even simpler, resembling a cross-section of a wall. |  |
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Minimalism was a mid-twentieth-century movement in art that didn’t really take off like movements such as Impressionism or Cubism.
Why is this? Well, it could be said it lacked punch, definitive ability, narrative, etc. Generally, I agree, although this movement was about expressing a feeling, a strength, a contemplation…and doing these things with less information. Many artists exemplified the pursuit. Many of us haven’t really related to Minimalism and it has yet to capture cultural majorities. However, that doesn’t deny grandeur.
For me, Minimalism is a chief cornerstone of art. Artists pass through Minimalist phases while creating something more elaborate. They must start with less before having more. The beginning phase is of the utmost importance because it carries us to the final stages of creation. Some of our most loved works are only a step past Minimalistic borders, converging with Abstractionism, or even Realism. Without the base, there is nothing.
It’s fascinating to bring Minimalism into the raw technical aspect of painting. “How can I create this effect more easily?” Less work, why not? Efficiency of process can harbor high aesthetic qualities. Cleanliness of color, concise lines and forms, are tasty to the eyes. Or that life-giving gesturial mark, crucial! I am not saying just make a pretty shape with sweet curvy lines. I am suggesting we contemplate sheer elemental character and its place in the final work. And can we maximize results with less?
You can view my new work in the upcoming show at the Bordello Gallery. A portion of proceeds will go to Jóvenes Adelante, a local nonprofit that awards academic scholarships.
To get to the gallery, go north on Hernández Marcías and make the first left after Insurgentes on Órganos. The gallery is on the right side of the street. You also can preview work at
www.leafgallery.com. For information, call 044 (415) 111-7115.
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Art Opening
Sam Seaman
Sat, Aug 1, 6–9pm
Galería/Atelier
Fábrica la Aurora
Heat and expansion
By Melanie Harris
| Sam Seaman doesn’t think about being inspired; painting for him is as much of a bodily function as eating or sleeping. A resident and fellow walker of the San Miguel streets and alleyways, Seaman has dedicated the past several decades of his life to painting what he sees on these daily jaunts—hot alleyways, clothes hung to dry, the bright façades of humble and not-so humble abodes. His crisp, clean paintings are expansive and inviting. | |
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Perhaps it is a bit bold to say that a Sam Seaman painting will never be confused with any other; however, his style is undeniably unique.
Seaman arrived in Mexico City from the Sudan and Britain in the late seventies to work with the Instituto Anglo-Mexicano de la Cultura on a project to bridge the gap between the US and its southern neighbor. In Mexico City, he found himself in the heart of the Club de Arte Mexicano, a boisterous group of artists he helped bring together, concentrated in Colonia Roma. Like many artists before and since, he found San Miguel had the perfect combination of la vie bohème as well as the quiet, the light and the space ideal for him to make his art.
A graduate from the Walthamstow College of Art in London, Seaman studied under many of the same professors who taught artist David Hockney. In the right place at the right time, Seaman got to live through the explosion in the arts, fashion and music that rocked London at that time. He admits his painting style took a while to make itself clear to him. He came to the conclusion that many of the flourishes and brush strokes that he saw going on around him added very little to the pictorial content to the work in progress, and was more like an unconscious “signing of the name” all over the picture surface.
He began attempting to paint in a flat way, with no visible brush strokes and no fine detail. He also simplified the composition to its most essential form—to a point that one less line would render the work abstract. This brought him in line with the Minimalism movement. However, he is not an abstract painter, so a friend and art critic suggested his style would most appropriately be called “Essentialist” as an alternative.
In Seaman’s words, “I see something that attracts me as I’m walking and want to make an image of it. I think my drive to this is maybe much more basic than any aesthetic concept—more related to man’s ancient tendency to make images of his environment since the distant past.”
This is the reason that hot alleyways and tropical beaches are common themes in Seaman’s work. The dazzling light and shade of a Mexican beach or a sun-scorched alley eliminate details and reveal the basic, almost abstract underlying form. It’s the bright lines of the colorful buildings against the pure blue skies that are the expansive images on which the eye should focus and celebrate, without getting bogged down in the cracks and crevasses that exist there in real life.
It is safe to say that Seaman is one of San Miguel’s somewhat-hidden treasures of the art world. His work can be found in the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, Belgium, England, Italy, India and Pakistan. In the US, some of his paintings are on permanent exhibition in the gallery of the University of California. However, we have the great fortune to have him in our proverbial backyard, and Galeria/Atelier is happy to present some of Sam Seaman’s newest works this Saturday with a cocktail reception open to the public, as part of the Fábrica la Aurora’s Summer White fiesta.
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Art Opening
Cactus
Sat, Aug 1, 6–9pm
James Harvey Gallery
Fábrica la Aurora 9D
Sculpted canvas paintings
By James Harvey
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My new show, “Cactus,” opens Saturday during the Summer White fiesta at Fábrica la Aurora. In this show I continue to experiment and use my unorthodox system of picture making, constructing three-dimensional canvases by hand-sewing them together and putting one on top of the other. |
I create a topographical surface on which I paint images (most of the time the two happen at the same time.) The inspiration for the paintings comes from the little cactus garden at the front door of the gallery.
Seen in reproduction, my paintings appear flat. However, when viewed in the gallery, they turn out to be something quite different and far more interesting. You can come to the gallery and judge for yourself.
I hope to create an interaction between the viewer and the artwork—the paintings seem
to jump off the wall and demand attention. Visit www.jamesharveyartist.com
to see examples.
Don’t be distracted by people in white running around La Aurora looking for little white rabbits. Just another party out here and everything will make sense in context.
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Art Walk
Pozos Artwalk Verano
Fri–Sun, Aug 7–9, 10am–4pm
Mineral de Pozos
Contact: Juan Palacios Baltierra
01 (468) 103-1668, galeria6@mac.com
Art walk in a ghost town
By Nick Hamblen
| The artists, artisans and galleries of Pozos, in conjunction with the Mineral de Pozos Turismo y Cultura, proudly announce and invite you to Artwalk Verano. This, the second and final Pozos Artwalk of the 2009 season, features art in various media and an opportunity to meet many of the artists. | |
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A particular treat for this event is the participation of the Pozos Art Project (PAP)—an outgrowth of the Pozos Children’s Project which has been touring galleries and museums in the US and Mexico for the last two years. The PAP has found a home in a beautiful and historical building right off the main square that doubles as studio and gallery space for the project. On display are the photography, art and printmaking work created by 16 university and high school students from the US as well 16 children from Pozos during two summer sessions. Students were mentored by Geoff Winningham (photography) and Janice Freeman (art). This space is not marked by an Artwalk number, but is easily found around the corner from Galería6 on the Jardín.
Galería6 is presenting the group show Almas en Transición (Souls in Transition) featuring the work of 11 artists, many from Pozos, and all but one from Mexico. Artists include Lena Bartula, Claire Cusack, Janice Freeman, Nick Hamblen, Gayle McClure, Claudia Moreno, Wenceslao Rodríguez, Ana Thiel, Beverly Sky and Montana Walsh.
Next door to Galería6 is the just-opened gallery/boutique of Pozos resident Eva Axelsson, Arte y Diseño de Pozos, featuring the work of Victoria Pierce, a mixed media artist and photographer who lives in San Miguel. As a signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, she was the first-place winner in the Sixth International Open Exhibition held in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Up the street at Hidalgo 21 is artist Gayle McClure’s gallery, Altered Art of Found Objects. McClure’s unique vision and the gallery’s beautiful gardens have made this a favorite stop on the Artwalk. When pressed for a description of her work, McClure states, “I like to think of it as looking at clouds and allowing my imagination to see whatever it is capable of. Altered Art uses rusty bits, castaway items and old antique pieces, and transforms these items into memories, legends and myths. What is discarded becomes beauty, mystery and humor.”
Across the street at Hidalgo 10B, in the restaurant/gallery Los Famosos de Pozos, Daniel Rueffert of Gallery 19 in San Miguel exhibits plein air paintings. Also on display is the photography of Bill Lieberman.
Up the hill toward Plaza Zaragoza one finds the beautiful Posada de las Minas hotel and restaurant. In the gallery space here Dave Winslow presents his photography show “Ten Years in Pozos,” a compilation of his favorite photos taken around Mineral de Pozos since his arrival 10 years ago. Included with the photos are his thoughts about what each photo means to him. The photos range from shots of the mines, magueys and natural beauty of Pozos to the people and fiestas of this pueblo fantasma. The Posada also features a large collection of beautiful works by Pozos artists throughout the space.
Two doors down are the studios of painter Janice Freeman and photographer Geoff Winningham. For all those who were disappointed to find this space closed at the Feburary Artwalk, this is a great opportunity to see a large amount of work by these most accomplished artists in a space that is rarely open to the public.
Back in the Jardín at Casa Mexicana’s hotel and garden restaurant, one can enjoy a mojito and take in a large collection of Picassos as well as other works by Mexican artists.
Across the square, the Pila Seca casera restaurant features the beautiful embroidery art of Maria de la Cruz Bustemante.
Also on the map are many tiendas and galleries offering handmade, pre-Hispanic musical instruments and jewelry. Look for Casa del Venado Azul, Camino de Piedra, Manos Creativas (dolls), Tienda Mineral de Pozos and Casa Linda.
We remind you, as always, Pozos has no ATM machines and many establishments do not accept credit cards, so bringing pesos is recommended. Likewise, the higher elevation in Pozos often makes for chilly days, particularly in the mornings and evenings, so dress accordingly.
Bus transportation to Pozos is available on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 from the Liverpool parking lot. The bus departs at 10am and leaves Pozos at 5pm, arriving back at Liverpool around 6pm. Bus tickets are available for 150 pesos at the Biblioteca Pública, Galería Pérgola at Instituto Allende and DeWayne Youts in Fábrica la Aurora. Tickets may also be purchased at the bus on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Art Auction
Edward Osman
Sat, Aug 1, 5–8pm
Galería/Atelier
Fábrica la Aurora
A call to action
By Melanie Harris
| The economic crisis hit San Miguel hard this past year; some would argue over the past two or three years. Among those hardest hit in any economic crisis are senior citizens and artists. | |
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When you have the fortune (or misfortune) to fall into both categories, it is a recipe for disaster. This is the case of San Miguel’s favorite WWII veteran and lifetime artist and art teacher, Edward Osman.
For those of you who have read my articles about this great man, you know that his emphysema has had him bedridden for the past three years after suffering a near fatal encounter with pneumonia. Every day is a challenge for him to get up, as he is attached to an oxygen tank and his muscles are quite atrophied. Unable to make it to his studio everyone remembers so fondly (once on Cuna de Allende and later on Ancha de San Antonio) he has resigned himself to painting in his imagination. Osman says, “I paint every day in my mind and one day I hope to make it back to a canvas.”
I usually enjoy my visits with Osman. Lately, however, I have found him in a state of depression, as he is at the end of his savings and unable to get out into the world and make a living in any other way. As his gallerist, I feel quite impotent, as I am unable to materialize clients or the money he so desperately needs. This economic crisis has led us to this point where we jointly have taken the decision to pull out all the best work from his private collection for a silent auction this Saturday.
I beckon all of Ed Osman’s many admirers to come out and show your support for all of his work as a San Miguel icon and dedicated teacher to many. Beginning bids are as low as US$400, and some of his finest works—once regarded as his personal treasures never to be sold—are on the auction block. This is an urgent call to action and, at the same time, a rare opportunity to acquire a masterful piece of San Miguel’s living art history. All proceeds go straight to Osman in order to pay his medical and nursing bills, and will help this great man in his time of need.
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