ONE OF THE GREAT MYSTERIES IN LIFE IS WHY SOMETHING IS always going wrong. As you know, there's always something.

Someone or something is blinder to truth than thou. The proverbial and sinister "they" are always up to something. It is a curiosity to me that artists are so good at locating these existential anomalies and expressing their righteousness, outrage, disappointment or despondency over the appropriate and timely issue.

Tourists in the land of ill winds are fortunate never to catch a cold or to suffer the scars of poison air. Other souls, whose fortunes are found further down rougher terrain, collect stones in their shoes.

It is an encouragement that the clear-eyed witnesses among us offer better ways of dealing with the world and its forces, whether those forces bode well or ill.… Ken Bloom's curatorial statement continues on mnartists.org.

—Ken Bloom

CLICK HERE to read Ken Bloom’s full curator’s statement and to explore the rich, varied collection of artwork he’s assembled addressing the slippery complexities lurking behind words, meanings, and images.

Ken Bloom is the Director of the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

On a related note, you'll want to check out an upcoming June exhibit at the Tweed on the art of illustration, Black, White and Red – All Over: Illustration from the Collection. The Tweed Museum folks say, "Northland residents are quite familiar with the Tweed’s 'Mounties,' but may be surprised to see them exhibited among period illustrations from the early 1900s and drawings for a 1937 German periodical, recently gifted to the museum’s collection."

What: Black, White and Red – All Over: Illustration from the Collection

Where: The Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, MN

When: June 5 – October 21

Artwork credits: Tube Nose Boy and the Skulls (top left) is a collaboration between John Grider, Eric Inkala, and Gabriel Combs. Lobotomy Series (1997) (lower right) by Mark Wojahn. Photo appears courtesy Ken Bloom.

a+E is on MySpace!

We're embracing 21st century social networking on the interwebs! Wanna be friends? Click here to explore the new a+E MySpace page, give a listen to our featured musician Chris Koza, add us to your friends list, and drop us a note in the comments. We've got the new digs all set up. Now all we need is you!

MnArts Weekly 1.7 Highlights

From "Facing the Street". Mpls street art by Deuce 7, a Minnesota artist now making waves in New York.

There's lots and lots of good stuff on the mnartists.org homepage this week. Read through the offerings and you'll find Moby Dick, Merce Cunningham, and other mythical beasts; it's Anishinaabe spoken word, new jazz, rock photos, poetry, and art. And it's all Minnesota.

mnartists.org's site editor to speak at Solutions Twin Cities

Local designers, artists, and activists are on the forefront of a tidal wave of change in our media landscape, and Solutions is offering a space for presenting new ideas and drawing awareness to existing solutions to issues raised by this evolution. With a series of short format presentations by innovators in the field (including mnartists.org's own web content editor, Ann Klefstad), this event hopes to generate local interest and to incite a global conversation through online broadcasts of all the presentations in this new media seminar. Check the website for event details and ticket info.

Where: The Southern Theater, Minneapolis

When: May 2, from 8-10 pm (doors open at 7 pm)

Tickets: $6 online ($8 at the door)

New Space 144 artist: Family Style by Mary Reid Kelley

Photo from Family Style courtesy mnartists.org

Family Style is a constellation of portraits and busts of historical characters from the American Civil War era, and includes Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Julia Ward Howe, and Robert E. Lee, among others. Mary Reid Kelley describes her work as addressing "issues of race, class, gender and region through the lens of the American Civil War. By creating fictional artifacts and environments that I photograph, paint, or present, I attempt to explore the shared heritage of history, and the means by which it is passed on, memorialized, or forgotten." You can see Family Style by Mary Reid Kelley on display at the Central Public Library in Minnepolis in "Space 144" until June 4.

Dance

Beyond Ballroom Dance Company Presents Spinning Wheel

Photo appears courtesy Forte Studios

The Beyond Ballroom Dance Company is an independent-minded company composed of competitive dance champions who are looking to expand the boundaries and creative possibilities of this time-honored form. This promises to be an evening of fresh work showcasing the distinctive artistry of partnership dancing with a series of unexpected, eclectic vignettes and crowd-pleasing moves. Camille LeFevre, writing about the troupe for the Star Tribune, raves: "Expect elegance, sophistication, heart-pounding rhythms and an eye-opening look at what ballroom dance in the 21st century can be."  

Where: The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, MN

When: April 26-29, May 3-6. Thursday through Saturday, performances start at 8 pm (Saturday matinee at 5 pm); Sunday shows begin at 7 pm. There will be a post-show discussion Saturday, April 28.

Kinetic Kitchen

Photo appears courtesy Kinetic Kitchen

This eclectic dance series, curated by Sarah LaRose-Holland, features work from Bryan Gerber's Aurora Dance, Denise Armstead, Hai Dang Nguyen, Gerry Girouard and Rebecca Abas, and the Perpich Center for Arts Education.

Where: Patrick’s Cabaret, Minneapolis, MN

When: May 4-5 (8 pm)

Tickets: $8 at the door (call 612-721-3595 for ticket reservations)

Capture! Dance Film Series Presented by Catalyst and Firetruck

Capture! is a bimonthly series of physically inspired short films and live performance. In it's second year, the series has screened films from local choreographers and filmmakers as well as film shorts from both emerging and renowned auteurs around the world.

Where: Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis, MN

When: Wednesday, May 2 at 8:00 pm (doors at 7:30)
Tickets: $6 general admission ($5 with student ID)

Fundraisers and Galas

KFAI’s Spring Pledge Drive

Support KFAI Community Radio and Art Matters, our partners in the Radio mnartists.org series. KFAI’s plans for the next few years include developing innovating new shows, expanding their listening audience, providing more information and services on the Internet, and continuing to offer high quality and diverse programming. They’re currently accepting online pledges for the spring drive to give an early boost to the $107,000 goal.

PLEDGE NOW through Friday, April 27!

Tu Casa es Mi Casa Benefit

Photo appears courtesy Casa de Cultura

Come out for an evening of music, dancing, food and drink, and great deals on art—all in service of a fantastic cause. Proceeds from Tu Casa es Mi Casa will donated to Casa de Cultura, an organization recently founded by Minneapolis expat Patricia Mendoza in the village of Tejupan (in the Oaxaca Valley of Mexico). Casa de Cultura acts as a community cultural center offering art classes, workshops, performances, visiting artist residencies and public exhibits, serving a region that is cash poor but rich in tradition and imagination. Its mission is to offer the children and families of Tejupan activities and arts programming to encourage their creativity with a sense of history, vision and unity across all borders.

Where: California Building Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

When: Friday May 11, 6 pm to midnight

Tickets: FREE and open to the public (donations encouraged)

Lectures and Readings

Phillip Lopate on "Novels and Movies: A Comedy of Remarriage"

Photo © Laure-Anne Bosselaar,

appears courtesy Random House

Philip Lopate, an acclaimed film critic and essayist will speak on the subject of film adaptations of novels and sign copies of his books, including his most recent release, American Movie Critics: An Anthology From the Silents Until Now (Library of America, 2006)

Where: Saint Olaf College (Viking Theater), Northfield, MN

When: April 26, 7:30 pm
Tickets: FREE and open to the public

Contemporary Art 101: “Landscape in Contemporary Art”

Landscape, long considered a primary subject in Western Art, continues to be a rich source of inspiration of contemporary artists. This discussion will review how contemporary artists blend reality, fantasy, and the history of landscape art to invent new representatives of urban and natural environments. Join curator of Education Scott Stulen for this series of public seminar discussions on Contemporary Art history, movements, theories, and artists in a relaxed and open atmosphere.

Where: Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN

When: May 3, 7 to 8:30 pm

Tickets: FREE and open to the public

Free Verse: Poet Kevin Young

Photo appears courtesy the Walker Art Center

Join poet Kevin Young for a reading of his own work and a discussion in conjunction with the exhibition Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love. Although Walker is known best for her visually arresting silhouettes, her use of language in her artwork is just as striking and conceptually integrated. As Young says in the exhibition catalogue, the artist’s writing serves to both connect and contrast elements in her work, such as history, race, and form. The editor of several anthologies, Young is also the author of five poetry collections, including the recent For the Confederate Dead. Co-presented by Rain Taxi Review of Books.

Where: The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN

When: May 3, 7 pm (part of the Target Free Thursday Nights programming)

Tickets: FREE and open to the public (Free tickets will be available at the Bazinet Garden Lobby desk from 6 pm)

Music

Homegrown Music Festival

The Homegrown Music Festival is Duluth’s beloved annual showcase of local rawk and questionable behavior. What began as a simple birthday party for Scott “Starfire” Lunt, with a handful of bands and a bunch of beer has evolved into s a complete bureaucracy, run by a volunteer steering committee and a fiscal agent, featuring well over a hundred musical acts, along with a few filmmakers and other artists — and a bunch of beer.

Where: Various venues, Duluth, MN

When: April 29 through May 6. Click here for a full schedule of events and venues.

Tickets: Prices vary. Visit the website for detailed ticket information.

Electric Eyes: New Music and Media Festival

Photo by William Ryan (violin and laptop)

Photo by Willis Bowman (Skewed Visions)

Electric Eyes festival showcases five premieres of cutting edge work uniting music and electronic media commissioned by the Southern Theater. Performances include I Can Walk!, an experimental music/theater piece by Charles Campbell of Skewed Visions and performance artist Elliott Durko Lynch based on Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 film classic. You’ll also see Still Life with Microphone: A View from the Microscope, a multimedia spectacle built around the laptop-violinist and composer Todd Reynolds, whose haunting melodies are amplified and juxtaposed by a multi-channel video environment designed by artist R. Luke DuBois. Between the Head and the Hands: A Transformation of Metropolis rounds out the first weekend’s shows, setting the surround-soundtrack to Fritz Lang’s 1927 futuristic silent masterpiece against a cross-section of musical genres and artistic disciplines, all of which is woven together for a something compelling and altogether unique (with guest performances by Jelloslave, Bill Mike, Desdamona and Diana Grasselli). All that, and I’ve only mentioned the first weekend’s performances. Click here for details on the full line-up of this festival’s incredible offerings.

Where: The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, MN
When: May 11-13, 17-20. Performances Thursday-Saturday start at 8 pm; Sunday at 7 pm.
Tickets: $15 (1 show), $27 (2 shoes), $35 (all 3)

Theater

OneEyedHog Theater presents American Organic

American Organic, a family-friendly farce in two acts by local playwright David O'Sullivan, illustrates what can happen when a motley group of well-meaning but misdirected community theater actors attempt to stage Miller's Death of a Salesman during a visit to the theater by the playwright himself (or is it his ghost?).

Where: The Center for Independent Artists, Minneapolis, MN

When: April 27-28 (shows at 7:30 pm), April 29 (2 pm)

Tickets: $12 (discounts for seniors, students, Fringe button holders and groups)

A Lion’s Tale: Somali Folktales

In this Stepping Stone Theatre production, cultures collide as two young Somali immigrants attend their first American birthday party. What their friends see as generous and fun, Ali and Aasha perceive to be materialistic and greedy. The friends learn to overcome their cultural differences when they are all magically transported to Somalia, where they find themselves playing the part of characters in ancient folktales. This fantasy-musical incorporates exciting Somali adventure stories and traditional music in a kid-friendly play that celebrates generosity, friendship, and cultural understanding.

Where: The Landmark Center, Saint Paul, MN

When: May 4-May 20. Click here for performance times and ticket ordering details.

Tickets: $11 ($9 children and seniors)

Visual Arts

This Mango is Now an I-Pod

This year’s exhibition, curated by Ben Heywood (Executive Director of The Soap Factory), highlights work tinged with the surreal from irrational sculpture, found objects, and bizarre transformations, to fantasy landscapes. Artists included in the exhibit hail from all over the country: from Minnesota, Chicago, Iowa, Wisconsin and New Jersey.

Where: The Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN

When: April 28 through June 10, 2007. Opening reception is Saturday, April 28 from 6-10 pm. There will also be an artist talk, open to the public, April 29 at 2 pm.

Tickets: FREE and open to the public

Looking Through: New work by photographer Polly Norman

Lifesavers by Polly Norman, 72 x 54" hand-painted black & white canvas print (shot through glass block), 2007.

Polly Norman photographs objects through Pennsylvania glass block in black and white. She enhances these works through photo gram and hand-painting techniques. She says, “I am inspired by dancers’ movements to music and archetypal symbolism. Using both elements I create what I call ‘flow pieces’ which are kinetic in nature.”

Where: Flanders Contemporary Art Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

When: The exhibit runs from May 5 through June 16. Opening reception May 5, from 6-9 pm.

Tickets: FREE and open to the public

Paintings in Place: New Work from Amy Rice, Yuri Arajs, Alex Alexander, and Ben Olson

This, the inaugural exhibition of the new Placement Gallery founded by Yuri Arajs (veteran of the late, beloved Outsiders and Others Gallery), brings together four prominent local painters whose new work explores the theme of place—both interior landscapes and external environments. Featured artists include Amy Rice, Yuri Arajs, Ben Olson, and Alex Alexander.

Where: Placement Gallery, Minneapolis

When: The exhibit runs from April 28 through May 20. Opening night reception is Saturday, April 28, from 7-10 pm.

Tickets: FREE and open to the public

Spring Tonic: The Minnesota Watercolor Society Spring Exhibition

La Primavera Falso (The False Spring) by Terry Geneson Becker, watercolor.

Over 80 pieces from watercolorists hailing from throughout Minnesota are being exhibited in this seasonal show, and the stunning array of styles represented is illustrative of the variety possible within the medium.

Where: Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata, MN

When: Exhibit runs through May 4

Tickets: FREE and open to the public

Pets or Meat, by Mary Britton Clouse.

"It's Who's For Dinner"

This animal rights activist-cum-artist's unusual book is bound with a flatbread cover that has been hand painted with food coloring and filled with filo dough text pages. Interspersed throughout are Smart Deli® meatless ham slices, stamped on alternate pages with either "pet" or "meat". Find more info on Clouse's activist projects below.

Wings: Nemo by Mary Britton Clouse.

Digital print on Sekishu paper.