Category Archives: Crane Arts Center

Zoe Cohen – Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

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Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe Cohen – Wind and Weather @ The Crane Arts Center in Fishtown.

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

Zoe Cohen‘s site specific painting/drawing continues her exploration of the symbolic power of line by taking on Mother Nature.  First the surface of the long, high walls of the main hall (which is changed out regularly with installations) was prepared like one would for a fine painting, then long, strong strokes of muted color is heroically applied in swirls, curls and stretches of balanced lines.  DoN truly sensed the mythology of the elements signified in the simple line and color palette chosen by Zoe to delve deep into symbolism and communication.

Zoe Cohen - Wind and Weather @ The Crane Building

The Hall @ the Crane Arts Center in Fishtown, with Zoe Cohen’s Wind and Weather, connects all the venues and is an important space for artists to activate since everyone passes through; Zoe Cohen s contribution to the legacy of the space is a simple, direct connection to a hive mind memory of simple shapes informed with complex ideas, capturing the imagination and stirring memories.

Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, Gray Area, The Crane Arts Center, Fishtown

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Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

Philadelphia Photo Arts Society presents Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 – the concept is shoot & upload one image shot that day to their site, they then printed out groups of submissions on huge sheets of photo paper in alphabetical order.  Sarah Stolfa is a PR genius with the show in the fabu Gray Area @ the Crane Building, the raffle of great door prizes, the opportunity to meet other artists, the populist view that people in Philly have taste and can participate in grass roots projects with great results.  Martin McNamara of Gallery 339 told DoN he hopes next year’s project will be even bigger; the current show has over 300 submissions.  Read about the unique purchasing opportunity @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center‘s website – $20. for an 8 x 10″!!!

DoN Brewer Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010 @ Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

DoN Brewer, #28, Philly Photo Day, 10/28/2010.

Su Tomesen’s 40,000 Feet presented by I.C.E.

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Su Tomesen’s 40,000 Feet presented by I.C.E.

Su Tomesen’s 40,000 Feet presented by I.C.E.

The Icebox @ Crane Arts Center in Fishtown is an enormous white, cavernous space with high walls and no columns, it actually used to be a huge refrigerator.  Now it’s one of the premier art spaces in Philadelphia and through 11/22 will be hosting “40,000 Feet” by Su Tomesen, five huge projections of clouds viewed from an airplane with mist drifting across the floor and the low hum of jets, bleeps and bloops of seat-belt signs and the grind of lowering landing gear.  The effect is that of the perfect flight, the magic of riding high in the sky finally restored without having to take off your shoes.

Su explained to DoN there are several variables: time, movement, imperfection and the human hand.  The movie is not perfect, it’s not shot with five movie cameras somehow suspended from the underside of a plane, it’s the same clip playing at five different intervals.  But the illusion of clouds drifting endlessly by is mesmerizing like flying on a magic carpet with the mist drifting through room creating a veil of mystery.  Tomesen is thrilled with the space, the show previously was exhibited in a restaurant in Amsterdam above a row of windows abbreviating some of the magic.

40,000 Feet time-warped DoN back to cloud-watching with Grandma, looking for animals and faces in the sky while lying on the ground, only this time the view is from Heaven.

There is an artist reception Wednesday, 11/18 @ Crane Arts, 1400 American Street.

Information Translated – University of Delaware @ Crane Arts Center

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Information Translated - University of Delaware @ Crane Arts Center

Information Translated - University of Delaware @ Crane Arts Center

Ashley Pigford & Troy Richards, Vanishing Point combines computer graphics, motion sensors and robotics in the Information Translated exhibit in the University of Delaware‘s art department adjunct gallery in the Crane Arts Center curated by Anthony Vega.

Information Translated - University of Delaware @ Crane Arts Center

Troy Richards, The Hoarders II – Information Translated @ Crane Arts Center.

The University of Delaware faculty exhibit, Information Translated, is a futuristic trip into an art world where video projectors follow the actors around the room on a robotic platform (a movie called Knock by Lance Winn & Toronto artist Simone Jones), Legos and computers work in conjunction with movement and sound to create an experience design and normal appearing prints reveal underlying messages as if a computer memory kernel has exploded.  The show restores DoN‘s appreciation of how video can be incorporated into an art show without seeming like a knock-off of Warhol.  By utilizing off-the-shelf components combined into innovative new forms, the UD faculty have created an inspirational, aspirational show that is sure to trigger new neural pathways for UD art students.  The space is an adjunct gallery for University of Delaware artists to display their work away from campus in the heart of one of Philly’s vibrant, emerging art centers.  The downstairs space is especially exciting with several video/robot installations that excite the eye and confuse the senses.  Check out the UD website for a statement about the show, but really, this show has to be seen to be believed.

Philadelphia Photo Arts Center @ Crane Arts in Fishtown

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Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

Joshua Lanzara, Mary, pigment on paper, Felicia Perretti, Car Seat Fight & Charlie Getting Dressed.

According to the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center website their mission states:“The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the study, practice, and appreciation of photography in the Philadelphia region. The organization fulfills this mission by offering educational programs, photographic exhibitions, lectures by practicing artists, and affordable access to high-end digital equipment for the creation of photographs. PPAC is a resource for both practicing artists as well as individuals interested in learning about all aspects of contemporary photography. PPAC provides needed technical services and instruction and promotes the relationships and connections that will lead to a more vibrant photography community.“

This really says it all but when DoN & Jed Williams walked into the bright space in the Crane Arts Center we were both overwhelmed by the potential laid out before us, the kind reception by the informative staff, the top shelf equipment, the thoughtful art space and of course, the great photography.  The founder Sarah Stolfa, is a Yale MFA grad, an alum of Gallery 339, the creator of the art show & book,”The Regulars” and just a wonderfully cool, unpretentious artist who came up with a really great idea to give back to the community.  DoN can’t wait to get his hands on one of those Epson printers that can produce images up to 64″ wide!

Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

The exhibition space @ The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center in the the Crane Arts Center in Fishtown.

Philadelphia Photo Arts Center

The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center – Jaime Alvarez – Next Emerging Philadelphia Photographers.