This Week’s Events: Feb 4 – Feb 10, 2008

Thursday, February 7

Pioneer Square First Thursday Artwalk – full list of openings coming tomorrow! Or check the Seattle Art News Calendar if you just can’t wait.

Microsoft Art Collection - “David Maisel Artist Lecture.” David Maisel’s large-scale photographs depict landscapes that have undergone radical transformations. Many of Maisel’s aerial images rely on minerals that are exposed through mining or water reclamation to provide the color scheme, as chemical elements glow brightly within the composition. He states, “[My] images have as their subject matter the undoing of the natural world by wide-scaled human activity in the landscape. Our efforts have eradicated the natural order.” His Oblivion series, on view in the Microsoft Conference Center, are images of Los Angeles that are reminiscent of satellite or surveillance photos. 6-7 pm. Free and open to the public. Check website for further information and RSVP.

Henry Art Gallery – “Art Dialogue with Sandra Kroupa.” In conjunction with the exhibition Dawn Cerny: We're all going to die (except for you)., Sandra Kroupa, Book Arts and Rare Book Curator, UW Libraries Special Collections, will discuss late nineteenth-century mourning rituals and customs. Kroupa is a scholar and collector of objects and ephemera related to these distinct and fascinating traditions. 7 pm. Free.

Friday, February 8

Fetherston Gallery – Opening reception for works by “Joe Shlichta.” 5-7 pm. Exhibition continues through March 8, 2008.

BLVD Gallery – Opening of "Trade Bloc: A group show of Global Ambitions," a show that aims to present the global flavor of the urban art milieu. What are the benefits of a truly Global art market? What are the effects of the internet on artists ability to gain recognition without the participation of the traditional channels of media exposure? BLVD has assembled a group of great artists from Asia, North America, South America, and Europe whose work we illustrates this new borderless world in which we live. 6-10 pm. Show continues through March 8, 2008.

Roq La Rue - "A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities," a group show of works relating to animals by Roq La Rue artists. "The way we relate to the other creatures living on the planet relates directly to the way we view ourselves. This show, while leaning more towards the fanciful rather than the political, offers up a wunderkammer like display of creatures..." Artists include: Femke Hiemstra, Travis Louie, Brian Despain, Amy Sol, Lisa Petrucci, Chris Ryniak, Chet Zar, Kozydan, Junko Mizumo, Liz McGrath, Kukula, Laura Plansker, Mark Frauenfelder, Christian Vanminnen, Mark Gleason, Nathan Ota, Catalina Estrada, Sarah Joncas, Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley, John Brophy, Anthony Pontius, Jeremy Bennet, Jim Woodring, Heiko Muller, and Javier S. Ortega. 6-9 pm. Exhibit continues through March 1, 2008.

Femke Hiemstra "Mr Macabre" acrylic on mixed media, at Roq La Rue

Form/Space Atelier – Opening reception for “A Place to Call Your Own,” new large scale paintings by Ryan MolenKamp charting his unique report on cartographic influences, the growth of familiar places, and familiar interconnections. 6-8 pm. Exhibit continues through March 2, 2008.

McLeod Residence – McLeod Residence is pleased to collaborate with two different curators for its February exhibits. “Encausticated,” curated by Megan Woo, is a showcase of artists working with encaustic paintings and mixed-media works. “The Possibility” is a photography exhibit by Shoot for Change and is organized by local youth mentoring program Community for Youth. Sales of the photography will benefit Community for Youth. In addition, Cait Willis will show her roller derby paintings. All exhibitions will open Friday, February 8, from 6-9pm and run through March 29, 2008. The opening will feature a performance by local musician Levi Fuller at 8pm.

Kamla Kakaria, "Marigold," 2007, Photo by Richard Nicol - part of Encausticated at McLeod Residence

Microsoft Art Collection – In the Film Series, a screening of “Edward Burtynsky: Manufactured Landscapes.” One of the predominant themes in Edward Burtynsky’s work is how nature is transformed by industry. He aims to provide a contemporary view of what he calls “the great ages of man,” depicting exploited mining sites, recycling yards, and rock quarries. Manufactured Landscapes, a documentary by award-winning director Jennifer Baichwal, follows Burtynsky as he chronicles China’s modern industrial revolution. 6-7:30 pm at the Microsoft Redmond Campus. Free and open to the public. Check website for further information and RSVP.

Saturday, February 9

Tacoma Art Museum – “Art with Heart.” Create a unique artwork for someone special in time for Valentine’s Day. Local artist Chris Sharp will teach a range of printmaking techniques and guide participants in making works of art with heart. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Price includes admission for one child age eight and older with one adult companion. All supplies are provided. Pre-register for this program via email at education@TacomaArtMuseum.org or by phone at 253.272.4258 x3030. Session One: 10:30 am–12 pm (for children age eight and older with an adult companion). Session Two: 2–4:30 pm (for adults aged eighteen and older)

Benham Gallery – “Bruce Barnbaum Gallery Talk” from 2-4 pm. Join photographer Bruce Barnbaum for a discussion coinciding with his new exhibit "Stone" at Benham Gallery.

Artist Trust – “Artist Trust 21st Annual Benefit Auction” at Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion. Join over 700 artists, arts enthusiasts and community leaders to "Party like an Art Star." The goal is to raise more funds than ever before to provide direct funding to individual artists of Washington State. This Artist Trust event promises not only to benefit artists with the proceeds raised, but also to be an exciting, fast-paced evening with live and silent auctions, cocktails, dinner, dancing, and entertainment provided by some of the Northwest´s most talented performers. Featuring: Silent and Live auction of over 200 artists, Specialty cocktails and a festive buffet, Live auction with KING 5 Evening Magazine´s John Curley, Performances by Artist Trust grant recipients, and Music by Billy Joe and The Dusty 45s! Click here for tickets and further information or call 206/467-8734 x18.


Henry Art Gallery – “Architect’s Lecture: Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA.” In conjunction with the Henry’s SANAA exhibition, architect Kazuyo Sejima will present a lecture highlighting her firm’s design process. The lecture will provide a rare opportunity to hear about a unique body of work that challenges the boundaries separating architecture and art. To read more about the Henry’s related exhibition, visit http://www.henryart.org/ex/sanaa.html. 5 pm - $10 Henry members / $15 General Admission / $12 Students and Seniors. This lecture will be held at Roethke Auditorium in Kane Hall, University of Washington Campus. For tickets call Brown Paper Tickets 1-800-838-3006, or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Ballard Second Saturday Artwalk - Galleries and businesses open from 6-10 pm, including:

* Gallery 6311 - Mike Leavitt's "Myscapes" landscape painting show. Local artist Mike Leavitt is reviving Seattle's boring conceptual art and landscaping painting. Known for his wedding cake topper and "Art Army" figurines, Leavitt's new small-scale landscapes are another curio oddity. Tiny painted scenes are cramped into the odd-sized surfaces of guitar picks, bowling pins, windshield scrapers, copper pennies, and other objects. 6-10 pm. February 9 – March 5, 2008.

* OKOK Gallery - Opening new exhibition "In Effect," featuring new works and site specific installations from Jen Stark & Diem Chau. 6-10 pm. February 9th - March 4th.

* BLVD Project Room at Triple – The first installation in a new series, presented by BLVD Gallery, "Arterial Lines" by Nhon Nguyen, a Seattle based artist who is using the opportunity to create a mural that reflect on his experiences living in Osaka Japan over the past 3 years. The BLVD Gallery Project Room is a collaborative effort between BLVD Gallery and Triple, a new boutique in the Ballard neighborhood on Historic Ballard Ave. The goal of "The Project Room" is to create a small venue for emerging artists to develop and expand on concepts through site specific installations.