First Thursday | February ‘09 edition • by [M]

Personally, [and I know you are all interested in my personal opinion, otherwise why would you have read this far?] I’m indifferent. I do think there should be some equality in holidays, and therefore, I propose a national “Relationship Downgrade Day” where perhaps you give a card proclaiming “I don’t wuv you” or “I wuv your sister more” or possibly even “I have a restraining order”.

Anyway, if you plan to give a present, be original and buy art! It never dies, turns stale or goes to your hips. It’s also fully acceptable to purchase something that says “I wuv myself”.

[m]

P.S. Although I have to say that I do despise the person that came up with the color scheme. “What goes with red? Light red!”

AGAIN THERE WERE DEMONS by Rich Mackin

Opens First Thursday, February 5, 2009 with artist’s reception from 6 - 10pm. The gallery will be open throughout the month, every Saturday, from 11am - 6pm, or by appointment (503-916-9293 or sequentialart@gmail.com). The exhibit closes at the end of business on Saturday, Feb 28, 2009.

In the month of February, Sequential Art Gallery starts its 2009 season with AGAIN THERE WERE DEMONS, an illustration of the Parable of the Burning House, of the Buddhist Lotus Sutra, by Rich Mackin.

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT (by the artist)

In addition to playing the roles of artist, cacophonist, journalist, comedian and such, I am a Seminary Student at a Zen Buddhist Center. One class series focused on the seminal Buddhist text; The Lotus Sutra, also known as the Threefold Lotus Sutra, the Lotus Sutra of Wonderful Law and others. The namesake of the Sutra refers to a common symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism: the Lotus Flower, which has roots in mud, grows in pond scum, but blooms above the surface of the water. The Sutra itself is long and complex, containing arguably psychedelic imagery at times. It includes parables, including a Buddhist version of a Prodigal Son Parable, and the Burning House Parable.

The parable of the Burning House is often referred to in Buddhist teachings through the ages. The basic story is that a wealthy man comes home to find his house is on fire. He shouts to his children inside to come out from the immediate and horrible danger, but they are too transfixed by toys to react. He then shouts that he has items he knew the children wanted, specifically vehicles of different types, which gets their attention far better than the warnings. They run out to see their new “toys”- but what he actually has is one single vehicle which is better than anything they imagined.

The moral of the story varies on interpretation. Some discussions focus on the idea of expedient means; that the man did what he needed to in order to save his kids. This is a good lesson, but when oversimplified can be wrongly interpreted as a lesson about how it’s okay to lie sometimes.

A deeper metaphor is that the wealthy man is the Buddha (or any teacher seeking to liberate others), the children are all sentient beings, the burning house is the world, the toys are the myriad of distractions and addictions people have, the vehicles are forms of spiritual practice, and the “true” vehicle can either be said to be the “best” spiritual practice, but is usually thought of to demonstrate that all these different vehicles are actually just our interpretations of one larger thing more wonderous than we can imagine.

That all said, what really amazed me about actually reading the full text of the sutra is that while the plot wasn’t much more complex than any summary, the details about the house were so incredible. Not only was the house burning, but it was crowded with every sort of creature, critter, and vermin one could think of: from spiders to hellspawn demonic monstrosities. The monsters fed upon other monsters, and when they realized that fire was engulfing the house, they tore into one another all the more. Hence, not just a burning house, not just monsters, not just demons, but AGAIN and AGAIN THERE WERE DEMONS.

And part of me couldn’t help but smile, as I found a way to merge serious Buddhist practice with scary monster art.

[In this month's edition, I've specifically targeted two-fer shows a.k.a. places with more than one thing going on]

1. Show and Tell Gallery [ESL 231]
   Lea Keohane: Stop by for refreshments and a chance to meet the artist! AND there will be live music from 7-9 p.m. Lea writes: Whenever I sit down to create, I pull out a black marker and put it to paper or canvas without any planning. In this way, my work is entirely intuitive. At the same time, I feel that each image is a little piece of me, a looking inwards to discover what is there. What has come out of that recently is a group of very whimsical, highly stylized female characters. They are brightly colored, often with long curly hair. They are surrounded by circles and other shapes, which have come to represent to me some sort of thought patterns, spirituality, and interconnectedness.
   Inkre:mentals: from 8-9 p.m. — Inkre:mentals consists of two peculiar beings. Justin Eder aka red-E rocks the microphone with playful passion and with genius weaves together musical compositions with a boom bap flavor that exercise the neck muscles of children and the elderly alike. Jesse Gardner aka e-majyn really enjoys hearing his own voice rhyme english words through a microphone, and when people pretend to listen he feels significant. When the timing of the Spirit is right they re-unite through tele-transporting time travel to recite their written raps and freestyle about their adventures.
2. 3D Center of Art and Photography [1928 NW Lovejoy St]
   “Avshalom Cave” by Yitzhak Weissman: The Stalactite Cave Nature Reserve (also called Soreq Cave) is dedicated to the memory of Avshalom Shoham. The 82-meter-long, 60-meter-wide cave is on the western slopes of the Judean Hills outside the city of Beit Shemesh. It was discovered accidentally by workers blasting at a nearby quarry. Although the Soreq Cave is relatively small, the variety of its formations rivals that seen in much larger stalactite caves.
   The stalactites hanging from the ceiling of the cave are up to four meters long and on occasion meet up with stalagmites growing from the floor. Stalactites range in diameter from a few millimeters to a few meters. Some look like everyday objects - shelves, sheets of cloth, branches, and coral - and others have shapes never before seen. A number of the stalactites and stalagmites are still active.
   “Unseen Ellis Island” by Sheldon Aronowitz & Gary Schacker: The fascinating and sometimes disturbing history of Ellis Island has become well-known in the past few decades. From 1900 to 1954, the main US immigration processing center was the point of entry for more than 12 million new Americans; mostly poor, nervous, and suffering the consequences of an arduous sea voyage in deplorable conditions. Unknown to most is that the activities of Ellis Island were documented in 3D and printed as a collection of stereocards.
   “Unseen Ellis Island” combines these rare images with a new series of 3D photographs by Sheldon Aronowitz and Gary Schaker who, after years of red tape, were allowed access to Islands 2 & 3 which have never been restored (public visitors to Ellis Island today see the grandly renovated Island 1).
   Originally presented as a stereo slide show, many hours of work by 3D Center Board members now allows “Unseen Ellis Island” to be viewed as a 15 minute digital presentation with music.
3. PNCA [1241 NW Johnson]
   BEAUTIES • Recent Drawings by Robert Hanson: PNCA Faculty Emeritus Robert Hanson’s recent drawings are part of his long-term and ongoing fascination with the human head. Hanson employs a variety of lines, marks, and bits of subjective color to reinvent what he is seeing. The resulting drawing is not a portrait, but a surprising variation on the original. A long-time Professor of Painting and Drawing at PNCA, Hanson has remained a vital working artist in the Pacific Northwest since the early ’70s.
   Molly Dilworth: Dispersion: “Molly Dilworth: Dispersion” is inspired in part by writer and shaman Carlos Castaneda’s The Teachings of Don Juan: “Go first to your old plant and watch carefully the watercourse made by the rain. By now the rain must have carried the seeds far away. Watch the crevices made by the runoff, and from them determine the direction of the flow. Then find the plant that is growing at the farthest point from your plant. All the devil’s weed plants that are growing in between are yours.” Dilworth’s work is a set of experiments-organized into systematic structures-examining how this virtual world, and her brain in it, works. An artist and curator who lives and works in Brooklyn, Dilworth paints “nowhere, limbo, the in-between spaces we’re all getting comfortable with,” she says.
   “The righteous foundation of us” new work by Josh Smith: The Manuel Izquierdo Gallery at the Pacific Northwest College of Art presents The righteous foundation of us., an exhibition by Portland artist Josh Smith. This work is the manifestation of Smith’s interest in modernism, particularly in its early philosophies regarding hive and colony structures. The repeated cylinder, constructed with hast and utilizing inexpensive materials, is both architecture and organic form. These structures and the artist’s interpretation of them exemplify the great capacity of humankind while paradoxically calling attention to the systems that are used to control us. When the immaculate ideals of early modernism are put to practice, when the buildings are fastened to the earth, what is it that is lost?
4. Gallerie Rene [207 SW Pine]
   “African Rhythms”: A month show benefiting Homowo African Arts and Cultures featuring work by batik artists Martin Owino and Paul Nzalamba
5. Shaffer Fine Art [308 SW First Ave, Ste 158]
   Although there is no actual information on what sort of visual art they will be displaying, Shaffer promises “a live musical performance by Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer.” Makes me sad that I have to work.
6. BONUS: FIRST FRIDAY @ GALLERYZERO [936 SE 34th Ave]
   SEX, DRUGS AND THE LIP FACTORY by Jonathan Stanish: [from GalleryZero's press release] - University of Montana graduate Jonathan Stanish’s megalithic billboards reveal a post-glam punk psyche of self-awareness that challenges the viewer to question the authority of his or her own opinions. A gregarious glimpse into Stanish’s unique worldview: the minutiae and detritus of a starkly detailed inner life of surreal repetitions, iconic landscapes and the calamity of memory. ‘Sex, Drugs and the Lip Factory’ promises to be a significantly stimulating visual experience: a one-of-a-kind exhibition of an extraordinarily personal and pure aesthetic.
   Emerging from the glittering gum-slick sidewalks of L.A., out of the patchouli-aftertaste of Portland coffeehouses, GalleryZero offers a new and compelling aesthetic that never shies from the garish or the ghoulish (excluding the too-good-for-you-ish). The gallery is a modern showcase of Unquiet Inquisitors, Agent Provocateurs and Pro Exhibitionists.
   The opening reception will be held Friday February 6, 2009 from 6 pm to 10 pm. RSVPs are encouraged to: info@thegalleryzero.com.
   The Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Sunday and Monday viewings are available by appointment. For more information, contact curator Randy S. Young at 503-381-5831 or email to randy@thegalleryzero.com.

• 102. IGLOO (iglooart.blogspot.com) • “Seeing, distilled.”, Chelsea Heffner and Sydney S. Kim
• 117. VORPAL SPACE (vorpalspace.com) • “Flowers from the Anvil” jewelry and accessories by Gowan Metalworks
• 231. SHOW & TELL (showandtellgallery.org) • Lea Keohane and Inkre:mentals
• 113. SEQUENTIAL ART (sequentialartgallery.com) • AGAIN THERE WERE DEMONS, by Rich Mackin
• ART323 (323 NW 6th Ave) • art by Sarah Cosman

Also open on First Thursday:ANKA GALLERY • TYSON SPACE [116] • DARRAS [115] • TRACTOR [114] • FUZZY GLAMOUR [111] • PiP [110] • WANDERING GYPSY SOUL [109] • SUGAR [108] • THE LIFE [107] • RAW OYSTER PROJECT [106] • PONY CLUB [105] • EYEFUL [104] • FLYING RABBIT [103] • ON GALLERY [101]

• FLOATING WORLD [floatingworldcomics.com] • “Found Photos Show”, Original found photos and objects. Digitally projected slide show of hundreds of found images, playing on a loop all evening; release of Scott Pilgrim Vol. 5 with ONI Press.
• BUTTERS [buttersgallery.com] • Debra VanTuinen
• GRASSY KNOLL [grassyknollgallery.com] • “Culture Jelly” by Joel Trussell
• COMPOUND [compoundgallery.com] • “La Jolie Poupee” New Work From French Artists
• SOMEDAY LOUNGE [somedaylounge.com] • THE FIX starring, REV SHINES of Lifesavas, OHMEGA WATTS, DJ KEZ, DJ DUN DIGGY
• UPPER PLAYGROUND/FIFTY24 [fifty24pdx.com] • Greg Craola Simkins & Anthony Lister; Koralie
• P:EAR GALLERY [pearmentor.org] • There Are Ghosts In The Forest, by Daniel Papke

Also open on First Thursday: NRFCU • BERBATI’S • 24 HOUR CHURCH OF ELVIS • BACKSPACE • CANAL ROAD • PI REM • OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM • P:EAR GALLERY • HECKLEWOOD

• 3D CENTER FOR ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY [3dcenter.us] • “Avshalom Cave” by Yitzhak Weissman “; “Unseen Ellis Island” by Sheldon Aronowitz & Gary Schacker
• AUGEN NW [augengallery.com] • “Lexicon” by David Nez; “Home” group show
• BELLA PERLA [bellaperlagallery.com] • Paintings and Glass Works by Joe Graziano
• BEPPU WIARDA [beppugallery.com] • “Gathering of Place”mixed media by Judy Vogland and Taylor Vogland Dreiling
• BLUE SKY [blueskygallery.org] • Pok Chi Lau; Byron Wolfe
• CHAMBERS [chambersgallery.org] • Aaron Yassin
• ELIZABETH LEACH [elizabethleach.com] • “Threads” by Libby Wadsworth; Video Window by Josh Shaddock
• FROELICK GALLERY [froelickgallery.com] • “Inside Out” by Kris Hargis; “The Red Striped Cup” by Jeremy Longstreet
• GALLERY 114[gallery114.org]

  • Andrew Haley

• LAURA RUSSO [laurarusso.com] • New Paintings by Jack Portland ; Works on Paper by Wang Gongyi
• MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY CRAFT [museumofcontemporarycraft.org] • Mandy Greer: Dare alla Luce; Darrel Morris: The Large Works 1999 - 2008
• PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE ART [pnca.edu] • “The righteous foundation of us” by Josh Smith; “BEAUTIES”; Recent Drawings by Robert Hanson; “Molly Dilworth: Dispersion”
• PDX CONTEMPORARY ART [pdxcontemporaryart.com] • “Language/Poetry” by Andy Stout
• POWELL’S [powells.com] • original papercut artworks by Nikki McClure
• PULLIAM DEFFENBAUGH [pulliamdeffenbaugh.com] • “New Botanicals” by Kay French; New Work by Jerry Iverson; Estate of Jay Steensma
• QUINTANA GALLERY [quintanagalleries.com] • Winter group show and inventory sale
• URBAN WINEWORKS [urbanwineworks.com.com] • Art by John Wiley Howington; Music by Charles Steen
• WATERSTONE [waterstonegallery.com] • Waterstone Artists Group Exhibition

Also open on First Thursday: GALLERY 7126 • QUALITY PICTURES CONTEMPORARY ART • BLACKFISH • VINO PARADISO • WORKING ARTISTS LLC

• AUGEN SW [augengallery.com] • “24 Frames”, work by Mike Bray; “Under 500″ Group Show
• MK Gallery @ PSU [ 2000 SW 5th] • “Watch me break it down” by Julie Perini
• PORTLAND ART MUSEUM [portlandartmuseum.org] • 6 pm Tour: Mixografia; Explore the Museum with a docent skilled in bringing art to life.
• MARK WOOLLEY [markwoolley.com] • “Land, Air and Sea”; New Works by Trish Grantham, Evan Harris & Amy Ruppel
• SHAFFER FINE ART [shafferfineart.com] • Enjoy a live musical performance by Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer
• GALLERIE RENE [gallerierene.net] • “African Rhythms” A month show benefiting Homowo African Arts and Cultures featuring work by batik artists Martin Owino and Paul Nzalamba
• >MOSHI MOSHI [moshi-moshi.com] • “Ninjas are Sweet, Vol 3.” group show

Also open on First Thursday: ATTIC • PAM RENTAL SALES GALLERY • PORTLAND CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS • R. PALATE

[m] is Melissa J. Armstrong, [h]IT LIST Editrix Extrordinaire
for Sequential Art Gallery • 503-916-9293 • sequentialartgallery.com