Spread Art

Spread Art Third Thursday May 2013

For the Art Detroit Now "Third Thursday" in May, Spread Art Co-Directors Thomas Bell and Christina deRoos both have work in the "Gun Control" exhibit at 555 Arts in SW Detroit.  Come meet thomas and Christina at the closing reception for "Gun Control" and check out over 25 artists from across the country and the metro Detroit area!

Thomas Bell - Ragged States of America

GUN CONTROL

CONTROL DE ARMAS

Why do we fear one another? What role does each of us play in perpetuating gun violence in American society?  What does “safe” look like?

¿Por qué tenemos miedo el uno al otro? ¿Cuál es el papel qué juega cada uno de nosotros en la perpetuación de la violencia armada en la sociedad estadounidense? ¿Qué significa estar “seguro” en nuestra comunidad?

Join 555 as we present a visual debate about the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the individual right to bear arms.  This exhibition is intended to provoke a lively political, emotional, and philosophical examination of the rights and responsibilities of gun ownership and use in a “free” society.

Ingreso 555 como se presenta un debate visual sobre la Segunda Enmienda de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos., que garantiza el derecho individual de portar armas. Esta exposición tiene como objetivo provocar una examinación animada política, emocional y filosófica de los derechos y responsabilidades de posesión de armas y su uso en una sociedad “libre”.

This exhibition includes works by over 25 artists from across the country and around Metro Detroit.

Esta exposición incluye obras de más de 25 artistas de todo el país y alrededor de Metro Detroit.

Opening Reception

Sunday, May 5th 6 – 9 PM

Recepción de Apertura

Domingo, 05 de mayo 6 – 9 pm

Closing Reception in conjunction with Third Thursdays art crawl

May 16th 5 – 9 PM

Cierre de recepción junto con el Tercer jueves del “art crawl”

16 de mayo 5 – 9 PM

555 Nonprofit Gallery & Studios

2801 W. Vernor Hwy. | Detroit,  MI  48216

(888) 496 – ARTS  | www.555arts.org

Gallery Hours TTh 2-5 PM Sat 11-3 PM & By Appointment

Galería Horas TTH 2-5 PM Sab 11.03 PM y por cita arreglada

Michelle Matson opens at Whitdel Arts May 17th

 Spread Art X Playground Detroit Spring 2013 Detroit Artist Residency Exchange artist Michelle Matson has been hard at work here in Detroit creating on a new body of work that opens on  May 17th.  Michelle arrived on April 17th and quickly settled in to her new studio accomodations in the 555Arts complex.  Following a welcome brunch at the Spread Art Resdiency House, Michelle has been busy preparing for the opening on the 17th.  Michelle has also been keeping a photo journal during her month long stay here in Detroit.

 

Spring 2013 Detroit Artist Residency Exchange:
Michelle Matson @ Whitdel Arts

This brand new body of work explores systems of humor, social and sexual themes.  
The intricate sculptures featured in this exhibition combine facsimiles of common everyday objects and figures into darkly humorous, sexually charged, dreamlike totems and tableaux.

In the site specific installation "Grim Reaper" a figure camouflaged almost completely by household plants guards a large scale abstract sculpture.  Reminiscent of ancient Egyptian statuary and architecture this piece borrows snippets of its vernacular from far flung corners of popular culture and art history.  One can see references to artists Nick Cave, Tom Friedman and Tony Smith, along with references to stereotypical "women's interests" gardening, fitness, and protecting the sanctuary of home.  Both absurd and haunting, Matson leads the viewer subtly into a surreal tableaux via exaggeration and misinformation: errors in the hard lines of branding logos, distorted body parts and jarring coloration. Using a limited palette of commercially manufactured colored paper and household construction materials, Matson creates dream-like shadow selves of the world we know.

In her "Tickle" sculptures, Matson employs geometric plaster forms, handmade plaster bananas and paper ferns to create delightfully humorous and sexually charged totems.  These smaller scale sculptures are complimented by entertaining and macabre drawings, which delve further into the surreal miasma of Matson's psyche.

Michelle Matson (b. 1981) received her BFA from the School of Visual Arts, New York in 2005.  Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles including the Zach Feuer Project Space, Postmasters Gallery, Stux Gallery, Flux Factory, Youth Group Gallery, Kravets Wehby Gallery, China Art Objects, Family Business Gallery and the Torrance Art Museum.  In 2011, she was selected to compete on the internationally syndicated Bravo reality television series "Work of Art, The Next Great Artist".  Matson was recently awarded a residency at Yaddo.  Her work is currently on view at The Parlour, Brooklyn, NY. 

Spread Art is an artist-run creative incubator designed to foster new works through residencies and collaborations with artists, curators, and organizations from around the world. Spread Art supports emerging artists through residencies, group and solo exhibitions, music events, and performance showcases, and also facilitates opportunities for youth and adults to explore their creativity and increase self-awareness through art. Spread Art supports the creation and evolution of art festivals and cultural collaborations locally, nationally, and internationally. www.spreadart.or 

Playground Detroit is a non-profit creative platform whose mission is to enhance Detroit’s artistic reputation by connecting artists, entrepreneurs, and influencers to opportunities within international art markets. By establishing a link between artistic communities in these cities, Playground Detroit seeks to inspire, elevate, and power leading lights of America’s creative economy. Through the presentation of inspirational art, engaging online media, powerful music, provocative educational events, and unique residency opportunities, Playground Detroit promotes artists, investment, and effective action for growth in Detroit’s internationally connected arts community. www.playgrounddetroit.com

Whitdel Arts: A division of CAID, Whitdel Arts is an 1800 sq. ft. professional exhibition space that showcases the work of local and international established and emerging artists. Whitdel Arts is located at 1250 Hubbard Street, Suite B1, Detroit MI 48209. Whitdel Arts is also located on the web at www.whitdelarts.com

 

 

Art Basel 2012 & A Sneak Peek into 2013

It's that time of year again! Spread Art is in Miami for all that surrounds Art Basel 2012...

We'll be stopping by Fountain Art Fair and checking out the exhibitions and performance art curated by Grace Exhibition Space.  If you are in Miami, do not miss the Non Grata Performances on Friday and Saturday nights! 

As always, the Wynwood district will be full of street art, murals, galleries, people, food and all night extravaganzas.  Other fairs Spread Art will be hitting up include, Select, NADA, Context, Miami Project, Pool, Verge.

Spread Art has been busy preparing for an abundance of creativity 2013.  Here's a quick look into next year:

Expanded Residency Opportunities:
Spread Art recently purchased a house in SW Detroit that we are rehabbing for artist residencies, as well as exhibitions and performances. The combination of the existing space at 2572 Michigan and the new house in SW Detroit opens a world of new possibilities. Its too soon to tell exactly what will manifest from the abundance of space, but we know that 2013 will see Spread Art facilitating more artists' work in Detroit and beyond.

Anti-Auto Show
Detroit Contemporary invited Spread Art to curate the Anti-Auto Show exhibition.

Figment Detroit -- July 21st -22nd

Ever want to paint your own bus?

Come join Spread Art Sat. July 21st during Figment Detroit and help us paint the BUS!

"The Art of Letting Go" is an ongoing collaborative participatory mural project with its beginnings in Brooklyn in 2009. Join us for the debut in Detroit on June 21st 12pm to 6pm during Figment on Belle Isle.  We supply the materials, you express yourself. 

With almost 100ft of 'canvas', Help paint the bus below and join us for for "The Art of Letting Go"

 

The Art of Letting Go - Detroit 2012

 

About Figment:
FIGMENT is a free and non-commercial participatory arts event that seeks to broaden the definition of art and break down the wall between spectator and participant. FIGMENT is completely free to the public and is produced by entirely by volunteer staff and artists. 

Interview: Playground Detroit

Thank you, Playground Detroit, for the interview & profile of Spread Art and our new location in Detroit. 

SPREAD ART CREATIVE INCUBATOR RELOCATES TO DETROIT FROM BROOKLYN

PLAYGROUND DETROIT sat down with the duo behind the organization, Thomas Bell and Christina de Roos, to ask them about Spread Art and their recent re-location from Bushwick, Brooklyn, to Corktown, Detroit. The two are originally not from Detroit, or NYC, both growing up elsewhere.

PD: When was the first time you visited Detroit? What was your experience and impression of the city like?

Spread Art opening new 4000 sq ft creative center in Detroit

 

104 Meserole St. -- Spread Art Brooklyn.
Jan 2008 to July 2012

After 4 and ½ years of successful exhibitions, events, workshops, and residencies, Spread Art has wrapped up activities at 104 Meserole Street in Brooklyn as of July 1st 2012.  It has been an amazing time with many wonderful memories and we would like to thank all of the artists who were a part of Spread Art’s events, exhibitions and residencies during our time in Brooklyn.  As one door closes however,  another is opening and in a big way.  Spread Art has moved its headquarters to Detroit and has taken on a much larger physical space. This transition enables Spread Art to continue working in collaboration with artists and spaces throughout Brooklyn and New York City, while also expanding operations and activities in Detroit.

 

Spread Art Detroit - 2572 Michigan Ave
-- July 2012

In January 2012, Spread Art laid down roots in Detroit’s creative Southwest district and now occupies a new 4000 sq ft creative space available for residencies, workshops, classes, events, performances and exhibitions. The new Spread Art location is housed in a 3- story turn of the century storefront space on Michigan Ave and 18th St in the historic Corktown neighborhood, minutes from downtown and two blocks away from the renowned Michigan Central Station.

Co-Directors, Thomas Bell and Christina deRoos are hard at work getting the new space set up and ready for use.  The ground floor offers an 900 sq ft light filled multi-use space space with a full wall of mirrors that is perfect for dance, yoga and other social gatherings. In addition to 20 ft ceilings the ground floor storefront offers two rather large window installations that will certainly be changing often.  The downstairs space is comprised of a 1600 sq ft gallery and performance space with an 18ft bar, projector and sound system, a 350 sq ft residency room,  750 sq ft of studio space, a bathroom, washer and dryer and the Spread Art offices.

Over the next few weeks we will be announcing our residency opportunities beginning in the  fall of 2012, updating our website and posting information about new partnerships that are developing with organizations in Detroit.

The former Spread Art location at 104 Meserole is in the exceptionally creative and capable hands of Esther Neff and Brian McCorkle of Panoply Performance Laboratory, and Valerie Kuehne of SuperCoda.  Esther, Brian and Valerie were the final three Spread Art ‘Artists-In-Residence’ at the 104 Meserole St location in Brooklyn (May - June 2012). 

Compendium: Technics
is a public micro-conference with performances taking place over the course of two days:

Join us at CPR this Friday and Saturday!

Compendium: Technics
is a public micro-conference with performances taking place over the course of two days:

Friday, June 22, 6pm-10pm
Saturday, June 23, 3pm-10pm
Panel discussion: June 23 at 4pm

Suggested donation $5-15 at the door only.
All are welcome!

Center for Performance Research
361 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn
(L to Graham Ave.)

Performances by: Whitney Hunter, Jorge Rojas, Sister Sylvester, drearysomebody (Lindsey Drury), Anya Liftig, Hiroshi Shafer, Emily Wexler, Ivy Castellanos, Alejandro T. Acierto, Jessica Pavone, Charmaine’s Names, Brian Zegeer and BabyCopperhead, Toby Driver, and others.

The Compendium invites these artists to research their relationships with technology, technicalities, and technics. Artists across disciplines manipulate, access, and utilize objects and systems, interacting with technics that are present in performance situations, both as part of the technicalities of presentation, and as instruments, tools, devices, visibility and amplification aids, and as part of documentation, methodological means, and aesthetic and political vehicles.

We ask, how do artists use technical means to their ends? How are techniques and technology related and/or unrelated? How are technics/technology/techniques developed and chosen as part of artistic practice, using what kinds of concerns? Who has access to technology and techniques/technics and how do they commodify/become commodified and/or de-commodify/become de-commoditized?

In an exploration of these considerations, artists will present work to the public during two nights:

 Friday June 22: Hiroshi Shafer, Alejandro Acierto, Lindsey Drury, Charmaine Names, Ivy Castellanos, Amy Wexler and Sister Sylvester will perform in the CPR spaces in the absence of colloquially-defined “technology,” sans electricity, sans amplification, stripping the work of all forms of technics, even in some cases, attempting to perform without “technique.” Audiences must be present in the space to experience the work. Documentation will consist of written descriptions.

Saturday, June 23: Lindsey Drury, Sister Sylvester, Jorge Rojas, Rafael Sanchez, Anya Liftig, Jessica Pavone, Ivy Castellanos, Whitney Hunter, and Alejandro Acierto have access to CPR’s “cutting edge” technological array, including multiple projectors, sound system, and lighting grid, and may bring in their own technological devices, set-ups, electronics, and mechanisms. Audiences may view streamed performances from computers all over the world and performances will be documented on digital video.

A public round-table discussion on Saturday, June 23rd at 4pm will allow us to reflect on the collective research performed, involving the artists from the project and including other voices in live performance. Come be a part and see these incredible artists present new work!

About the Compendium

Over the course of 2012, The Compendium initiative will experiment with hybrid modes of curation, exchange, and presentation, producing exhibitions, performances, publications, and more.

The Compendium is comprised of artists who are deeply engaged with their communities. Organizing both as artists and as directors of alternative arts spaces, curators, members of ensembles and collectives, arts writers, and as agents of cultural influence, we form a “living compendium” to channel multiple agendas, intentions, and ideas into concrete support for artists and grassroots arts organizations.

The Compendium functions via face-to-face meetings, sharing time, funding, space, critical analysis, materials, transportation, residencies, publicity, skills, and other resources.

The Compendium organizers on this project are (in alphabetical order): Thomas Bell (Spread Art),Ian Colletti (Vaudeville Park), Christina DeRoos (Spread Art), Valerie Kuehne (The Super Coda), Brian McCorkle (Panoply Performance Laboratory, Varispeed), Esther Neff (Panoply Performance Laboratory, PERFORMANCY FORUM), Paul Pinto (thingNY, Seven Immediacies Series, Varispeed)

 

Bushwick Open Studios 2012

Spread Art Announces three events for Bushwick Open Studios 2012

 

Spread Art Summer Group Show V 

Spread Art’s 5th annual “Summer Group Show” will include the works of multiple visual artists working in a variety of mediums and feature the works of Spread Art’s current artists-in-residence,Thomas Bell, Christina deRoos, Valerie Kuehne, Brian McCorkle,and Esther Neff. Also on display will be works by , Ventiko, Erin Partridge, Erika Sabel, Panoply Lab, Jorge Rojas, Nicholas, Burgess, Aimee Chappell Hertog, Alix Maubrey, Justin Orvis Steimer, Christian Stolarz, Abigail Weg, Lara Goetzl, Michael Blase, Michael Pawlus and more. Installations, Photography, Painting, Video, Street Art, Drawing, Sculpture, Mixed Media.

Expanding on the single performance at last year’s Summer Group Show, Spread Art will host performances on Friday night from 8pm to 10pm and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm. Performances are curated by Spread Art’s artists-in-residence and include Live Music, Performance Art, Sonic Works, Live Video Streams and more. Participating performers include: Elinor Thompson, Esther Neff, Heather Warren Crow, Felix Morelo, Valerie Kuehne, Brian McCorkle, Kanene Holder, Rafael Sanchez, Miles Pflanz, Amy X Neuburg, Jane Gabriels, Diamond Terrifier with Visuals (Trouble).

You can watch the Live Stream Feed on Spread Art’s U-Stream Channel.   http://www.ustream.tv/channel/spread-art-bklyn

Dates & Times
Friday June 1st, 2012, 6pm - 10pm (performances at 8pm - 10pm)
Saturday June 2nd, 2012, 12pm-10pm (performances at 4pm - 10pm)
Sunday June 3rd, 2012, 12pm-6pm

 

"Spread Art Outdoors" at The Morgan Stop

“Spread Art Outdoors” will bring the art to the people!

Beginning on Saturday at 1pm, “The Parade of Art” will gather outside the Morgan stop L train on Bogart st and make its way to The Animamus Art Salon at the Starr Street Studios above the Bushwick Starr (207 Starr St 3rd floor) Come Join the Parade of Art Work and the ‘Speaker of the Dead’ gypsy brass folk punk band as we march throughout the neighborhood. To participate please email: Thomas@spreadart.org. 

“Live Stream Interviews” will be happening during “The Parade of Art” as well as in and around the Morgan L stop on Saturday from 3pm to 4pm and on Sunday between 12 and 7pm enjoy, "Speading Art Outdoors.   Join Spread Art Founder and Co-Director, Thomas Bell as he interviews festival attendees, artists and just about anyone else he sees on the streets.  You can watch the Live Stream Feed on Spread Art’s U-Stream Channel.   http://www.ustream.tv/channel/spread-art-bklyn

Begun at the first Bushwick Open Studios in 2006 and continued for Beta Spaces in 2009, for the third installment of “Bushwick Is…”, let us know what Bushwick is! When you see the “Live Stream Interviews” happening, that is your time to let Spread Art and the world know what you think “Bushwick Is…” in 2012.

There will be also be Live Performances both days in and around the Morgan L train stop!

Dates and Times:
Saturday June 2nd, 2012, 1pm - 1:30pm and 3pm -4pm
Sunday June 3rd, 2012, 12pm - 7pm

 

The Parade of Art

Beginning on Saturday at 1pm, “The Parade of Art” will gather outside the Morgan L train stop on Bogart St and march to The Animamus Art Salon at the Starr Street Studios above the Bushwick Starr (207 Starr St 3rd floor) Come Join the Parade of Art Work and the ‘Speaker of the Dead’ gypsy brass folk punk band as we march throughout the neighborhood. Live Performances along the way! The Parade of Art will also be streamed live to the internet. You can watch the Live Stream Feed on Spread Art’s U-Stream Channel.   http://www.ustream.tv/channel/spread-art-bklyn

Dates & Times
Saturday June 2nd, 2012, 1pm -2pm

 

 

Spread Art Co-Directors, Thomas Bell and Christina deRoos. Three New Videos!

Here are some videos of recent performances by Spread Art Co-Directors, Thomas Bell and Christina deRoos!  Enjoy.

 

playing with myself playing with yourself

Christina deRoos, Anya Liftig and Thomas Bell - collaboration at Bronx Art Space.

 

 

Thomas Bell, Christina deRoos, Anya Liftig
April 29, 2012
Bronx Art Space

Part of ITINERANT: FESTIVAL FOR CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE ART

March 30th - May 12th, 2012
Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island
New York City, USA

QMAD, Queens Media Arts Development is pleased to present ITINERANT, the annual festival for Contemporary Performance Art initiated by artist, Hector Canonge in Queens in 2011. This year’s festival is a citywide program to be presented in collaboration with galleries, artist-run spaces and public institutions in the five boroughs in New York City. ITINERANT 2012 focuses on live performative works that treat notions of intimacy, self-reflection, and introspection. Artists working in performance art were selected to participate from an open call that attracted more than 175 local, national and international submissions. Forty five artists will present new and existing works exploring the program’s theme over a period of five weeks, March 30 - May 12, 2012.

 

Performancy Forum XX: Con(Text)

February 11th, 2012 at Vaudville Park - Brooklyn, NY

Thomas Bell and Christina deRoos -  part of PERFORMANCY FORUM XX: Con(Text). Thank you Esther Neff, co-director of the Panoply Performance Laboratory (PPL), for including us in this opportunity.

 

PERFORMANCY FORUM XX: Con(Text)

Hector Canonge!
Ivy Castellanos!
Birgit Larson!
Ellen O’Meara!
Thomas Bell & Christina deRoos!
Meghann Snow!

AND OTHERS!!!

 

 

Allison & Taya's Impressions: 2012 Spread Art Residency in Mexico

Below are reflections and photos from Allison & Taya De Long after returning from a week in La Manzanila, Jalisco, Mexico as part of Spread Art's residency program. We are grateful they were able to take part, and appreciate their positive contribution to the community. See more photos here.

 Our opportunity in Mexico, thanks to Spread Art, turned out to be an even richer experience than we had imagined!  Our location was right where all the action happens, near the plaza and right next to the church.  The day after we arrived, a bishop was visiting and there was a great celebration which included a parade, live entertainment, and a huge "pozole" feast!

On Saturday, we helped with a free art class for the local children.  There were over 20 enthusiastic kids in attendance.  They worked on 4 different projects during the class.  Two gringo artists living there in La Manzanilla give their time and materials(?) to put this on every weekend.

A couple days later we helped with an after school art class in the La Catalina Education Foundation building next to the elementary school.  It was fun to see some of the same kids there as the Saturday class.  Another afternoon we helped with an after school English class in the same location.  It turned out the woman teaching was a friend of ours from back home!  And she was there with her kids who we knew also which was fun for my daughter, Taya.

Our last day we were invited to come to the elementary school to help with the English classes that occur as part of the regular school day.  We saw many familiar faces that we had come to know during the week.  It was fun to see the kids in their school uniforms too!  We were surprised to see as many as 37 kids in one classroom.

We love the small, friendly size and safe feel of La Manzanilla.  We enjoyed being on the streets in town and having kids we had met in classes come up to us and say "Hola" and want to speak with us.  These connections were priceless and unforgettable.  We gave little of our time and were given so much more in return.  It was much better than a vacation just sitting on the beach day after day (but I admit we did a bit of that too!).