Category Archives: Da Vinci Art Alliance

Philadelphia Images: Places, People and Objects @ The Plastic Club

Michael Guinn @ Philadelphia Images: Places, People and Objects @ The Plastic Club

Michael Guinn, Chinatown Street, ink @ Philadelphia Images: Places, People and Objects, The Plastic Club on Camac Street.  Mike, a former club president, was presented with the Jurors Award; Guinn was elated saying, “This is the first award I’ve ever received from the club!”  Board members are ineligible for prizes, even though they take on the biggest burden of work – Mike Guinn continues to provide essential support and guidance to the historic art space.  A video is in production attempting to tell the story of the historic art club.

Leroy Fournay, Cherry Street Looking West- Philadelphia Images: Places, People and Objects @ The Plastic Club

Leroy Fourney, Cherry Street Looking West, oil – 3rd Prize award winner, this small painting pack a lot of information and sense of place on a small panel.  The Philadelphia Images show at the Plastic Club is a must see experience with images of Philly from many unexpected perspectives.

Eileen Eckstein Philadelphia Images: Places, People and Objects @ The Plastic Club

Eileen Eckstein’s photograph, Mummer Witch, not only captures the spirit of the season but the essence of the exhibition with this painterly image – and she won Honorable Mention.  Eileen Eckstein is the president of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia.

Morris Klein - Philadelphia Images: Places, People and Objects @ The Plastic Club

Duck Crossing, Morris Klein, photograph, remembers a moment in time that has probably ended forever, the quaint image tells a story which begins with Summer fun and is finished in the viewers mind with unbelievable tragedy.  Morris Klein is the vice president of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia.

 

Photos by DoN.

Art Show Ops – Deja Vu @ Off the Wall, Picturing the Decameron @ Smile & CFEVA Fellowship Application

Arists ask DoN about art show opportunities frequently, here are some heady themes to get your creative juices flowing:

 

Off the Wall Gallery @ Dirty Franks – Call for Entries for DEJA VU: ART AND MEMORY, our upcoming Sixth Annual Juried Exhibition:

 

Off the Wall Gallery @ Dirty Franks - Call for Entries for DEJA VU: ART AND MEMORY, our upcoming Sixth Annual Juried Exhibition:

 

Off the Wall Gallery @ Dirty Franks – Call for Entries for DEJA VU: ART AND MEMORY, our upcoming Sixth Annual Juried Exhibition

 

Off the Wall Gallery @ Dirty Franks – Call for Entries for DEJA VU: ART AND MEMORY, our upcoming Sixth Annual Juried Exhibition Prospectus

Da Vinci Art Alliance

 

 

Picturing

 

The Decameron

An awards exhibition of Da Vinci Art Alliance @ Smile Galleryfeaturing art inspired by International Opera Theater’s new  production of Boccaccio’s Decameron

Picturing the Decameron Da Vinci Art Alliance Prospectus

 For artists interested in participating in the November Da Vinci @ Smile show based on our collaboration with International Opera Theater’s production of Boccaccio’s Decameron (prospectus attached), here’s a list of the scenes Karen Saillant will feature (with references to the day, story numbers in the book):

Prologue, Florence, Calandrino
I, 1:  Ciappelletto di Prato – evil notary
IX, 1:  Federigo and his Falcon – poor knight
VIII, 3:  Maso del Saggio and the Enchantment of Calandrino – lapidary
IV, 1:  Ghismunda and the Heart in a Goblet – princess of Salerno
IX, 2:  The Habit of Mother Usimbalda
V, 8:  The Wedding of Nastagio degli Onesti
X, 10:  Griselda and the Marquis of Saluzzo
Postlude, Calandrino

Please note:  you can submit up to 3 entries; depending on the number of entries received, we will do our best to install all works.

Decamero

world premiere

Based on Decamerone by Giovanni Boccaccio

Music: Efrain Amaya, Michael Djupstrom, Daniel Shapiro,

Adam Silverman, Tony Solitro, Thomas Whitman, Ya- Jhu Yang,

Libretto: Karen Saillant

Italian Translation: Tommaso Sabbatini

November 12 and 13 at 8 PM

November 14 at 3 PM

The Prince Music Theater

ACT I Prologue;

Calandrino (who comes out of his giant costume, which consists of large pieces of fabric with scribbling all over them) speaks to the audience about The Plague and implores all of the individuals sitting in front of him to leave the premises immediately because The Plague is killing everyone!! (Gavoccioli-the name of the large boils that appear on the body as a result of The Plague)

Calandrino narrates in English

·         First Day: First Story– Thomas Whitman, composer
The scoundrel Ser Cepperello manages to pass himself off as a virtuous man during his last confession. After his death, he is remembered as Saint Ciappelletto and people pray to him for favors and believe him capable of performing miracles.

Calandrino narrates in English

·         Fifth Day: Ninth Tale
A young gentleman by the name of Federigo falls in love with a beautiful lady named Monna Giovanna. He spends large amounts of money trying to gain her attention but she remains indifferent to his love. Eventually he loses everything and is forced to live in poverty in a little farm with only his beloved pet falcon for company. Meanwhile Monna Giovanna’s husband dies and her son falls very ill. The sick child asks his mother to get him Federigo’s falcon. She goes to visit Federigo to ask for the falcon. As she arrives at Federigo’s house, he is very distressed to see her and not having any food in the house to offer her  and not knowing the cause of her visit, Federigo kills his falcon and makes it into a meal for his beloved lady. After dinner Monna Giovanna reveals the reason for her visit. Federigo is devastated that he cannot help her and she has to leave empty-handed. Monna Giovanna’s son dies. After a period of mourning, Monna Giovanna, who is rich and still young and beautiful, rewards Federigo’s loyalty by marrying him.

Calandrino narrates in English.

·         Eighth Day, Third Story

Calandrino overhears the lapidary, Maso del Saggio, talking to himself about a place where mountains are made of parmesan cheese and vines are hanging with sausages. Calandrino is enchanted with the idea of visiting this place and is especially determined when he learns about the stone called The Heliotrope that it will make him invisible. He shares the story of the heliotrope with his friends Buffalmacco and Bruno and they continue the ruse as they pellet him with stones all the way home from The Mungone River.

Calandrino narrates in English

·         Fourth Day, First TaleTancredi, Prince of Salerno and father of Ghismunda, slays his daughter’s lover, Guiscardo, and sends her the heart of her lover in a golden cup: Chismunda pours upon it a poisonous distillation, which she drinks and dies.

ACT I

Ninth Day, Second Tale
An abbess rises in haste and in the dark, with intent to surprise an accused nun in bed with her lover: thinking to put on her veil, she puts on instead the breeches of a priest that she has with her. The nun, after pointing out her abbess’s head covering, is acquitted by the abbess. The abbess extols the virtues of love and thenceforth allows all members of the order to find it easier to meet with those interactions which bring them to greater love.

Calandrino narrates in English

Fifth Day: Eighth Story
Wealthy Nastagio degli Onest is in love with a lady of noble lineage who despises him. Discouraged, Nastagio leaves town and, in the wilderness, witnesses the frightening scene of a young woman who is chased down by a knight and murdered by having her back slit open and all of her organs pulled out of her and throw to wild dogs. The knight explains to Nastagio that they are both souls in torment, doomed to repeat the scene for years. The deed is part of his punishment for his having committed suicide in despair at being rejected by the lady. The lady in turn is punished for her pride and cruelty in rejecting the love of the knight. Nastagio has the idea of making arrangements to have his beloved witness the scene. Once she sees the naked woman murdered for her cruel and cold heart, she changes her mind about Nastagio and agrees to be his wife.

Calandrino narrates in English

·         Tenth Day: Tenth Story
The nobleman Gualtieri marries Griselda, a peasant woman. At first he treats her well but then decides to test her obedience. He speaks to her abusively and takes away their two infant children, suggesting to her that they are to be killed (in reality, they are taken to Bologna and raised by friends). Griselda bears this with patience. Her husband then expresses his wish to divorce Griselda and sends her back to her father’s peasant house. Pretending to be making arrangements for his new wedding, Gualtieri calls back Griselda and orders her to take care of all the preparations, including the welcoming of the new bride and her brother. Putting up with it all, Griselda obeys and graciously receives the beautiful young woman. Gualtieri then reveals the truth and announces that the supposed bride and her brother are really their own children, now nineteen and twenty years old. Griselda is congratulated on her heroic patience and obedience and welcomed back as the lady of the home.

Prologue: Calandrino returns to book, admonishing everyone to be attentive and leave town as quickly as possible.

Main Issues of Decameron Opera:

  • Main colors will be red, black and white (but Artist should not limit themselves to these colors if they do not want to.
  • literal and symbolic meaning of The Plague
  • The Plague as symbol for the healing that can take place after a great tragedy
  • Condition and direction of society in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance and as it speaks to us today
  • SYMBOLS:
  • Apple, its seeds, especially the center of the apple, known as the pentacle
  • Blood Stone: Heliotrope, known as the bloodstone.
  • Land of Bengodi (similar to idyllic land of Cockaigne )
  • Stories as “mirrors” of vices and virtues
  • literature as medicine for healing society
  • costumes modern, with taste of Middle Ages
  • emergence of playful, light-hearted, human, and humane view of life after a great traged-
  • critique of human vices marked by understanding and humor rather than heavy moralizing.
  • hypocrisy of religious and moral authorities; superstitions and the gullibility of people.
  • Beauty, pleasure, love, laughter and play as privileged values
  • carpe diem ethos of work
  • mixing of people from different social levels and classes;
  • more egalitarian society where merit is based on actions and character,rather than birth or inherited wealth

Both of these long running art spaces have track records for attendance, participation and recognition in Philadelphia – support your local art galleries by entering the shows, visiting the galleries and volunteering to help produce these events.  Thanks to Dr. Deb Miller of DVAA and Jody Sweitzer @ Dirty Franks for their efforts!

Center for Emerging Visual Artists

 Artist, Career Development Program Fellowship

Organization: The Center for Emerging Visual Artists

Job Categories:Curatorial, Education, Marketing & Public Relations, Philadelphia County (PA), Artist Development & Residencies, Foundations/Fellowships, Visual Arts

Free two-year fellowship in the Career Development Program at The Center for Emerging Visual Artists. The Center for Emerging Visual Artists strives to provide the essential support services and programs emerging artists need to build sustainable careers. Our Career Development Program Fellowship offers a select group of talented artists the following: a two-year fellowship period and lifelong alumni affiliation, group exhibitions around the region and beyond, a three person show in the second year of the fellowship, professional development workshops, mentorship, community, volunteer opportunities, individual career counseling, and alumni solo exhibitions and travel grants.

To Apply:Eligibility requirements include the following: Applicants cannot be full-time students. Applicants must live within 100 miles of CFEVA (all of New York City and boroughs included). Applicants cannot have a contractual agreement with a commercial gallery or gallery representation. For the online application and further eligibility requirements, go to http://www.cfeva.org/cfeva_programs_career.aspx  For more information, contact Amie Potsic, Director of the Career Development Program at The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, 1521 Locust Street, Lower Level, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-546-7775 x 12, amie@cfeva.org, www.cfeva.org.

Deadline: 11/01/2010

Good Luck!

LoVe

DoN

 

 

 

 

Seven – Da Vinci Art Alliance @ The Noyes Museum of Art

Seven - Da Vinci Art Alliance @ The Noyes Museum

Roz Bloom, Divided by Seven, mixed media and Bobbie Adams, The Seven Signs, ink @ The Noyes Museum of Art in Hammonton, NJ.

Seven - Da Vinci Art Alliance @ The Noyes Museum

Liz Nicklus, The Mick, mixed media.  Liz mixes media & metaphors with this clever assemblage, a memento mori mashed up with meme Micky Mantle, the narrative vibrates with liveness and death.  Nicklus, a Da Vinci board member is an a accomplished muralist and educator, her determination and drive is inspiring.

Seven - Da Vinci Art Alliance @ The Noyes Museum

Seven, a Da Vinci Art Alliance event @ The Noyes Museum of Art in Hammonton, NJ is a wonderful symbiotic relationship between a contemporary art space looking for work to show and a grass roots community art group of the stature of the South Philly art collective known as Da Vinci.  The significance of the number 7 is explored in a myriad of media in the naturally lit large gallery, the opening night party was attended by board members of Stockton College, Noyes Museum Executive Director Michael Cagno, assistant to the director Brittany McPherson, Da Vinci board members and artists with the comfortable setting buzzing with conversation.

Seven - Da Vinci Art Alliance @ The Noyes Museum

Seven, Da Vinci Art Alliance @ Noyes Museum of ArtRex Sexton, Peter Seidel, Gerald DiFalco.

Seven - Da Vinci Art Alliance @ The Noyes Museum

Alden Cole sandwiched between Carol Wisker‘s 3D mixed media sculpture, Yemaya Oqqutte:Goddess of the Seven Seas and Cole’s own epic painting, Burning Men, oil on canvas.

With the success of the Noyes Museum of Art in Hammonton, NJ, Stockton College is planning to expand into a nearby building with enough room for workshops, offices and galleries, Michael Cagno, executive director of Noyes told DoN he hopes to continue the relationship with Da Vinci Art Alliance with future events

 

Photos by DoN.

Through My Window @ Perkins Center for the Arts

Lilliana Didovic- Through My Window @ Perkins Center for the Arts

Lilliana Didovic, Boat House Row, mixed media with crystals @ The Perkins Center for the Arts presents Through My Window, a Da Vinci Art Alliance Event.  Lilliana is one of the artists who painted the Philly Phanatics which were waving to us from all over the city last summer – Lilliana Didovic & writer Ronnie Norpel‘s piece sold at a charity auction for a bundle, Congratulations!

Lilliana’s painting with crystals representing the iconic lights outlining the architecture of the houses glitters in the huge, open gallery at the The Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood, NJ.  Didovic’s window on the world finds glamor and glitz among the darkness of the night and the intimidating rushing river; the crystals as LEDs is genius, both forms will send us light far longer than the old incandescent bulbs stretched across the boat houses.  DoN misses the old lights, though, with the hidden narrative of guys climbing high ladders and walking along rooftops to replace light bulbs but the new lights are totally groovy.

Through My Window @ Perkins Center of the Arts

Through My Window @ Perkins Center for the ArtsDoN is honored to have his drawing featured in the catalog for this exciting art venture, the adjunct to the more famous Moorestown art center, is riding the renaissance wave of artistic and cultured lifestyle that is washing down Haddon Avenue with plush restaurants and historic architecture.

Executive Director, Alan Willoughby told DoN that the town has been very supportive offering the building to be renovated into an art space with workshops, galleries and vitality.  As the center goes through it’s first round of renovation, Willoughby sees a positive potential for growth in a small town with a lot of character.  Watch for a review in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Da Vinci Art Alliance board members Dave Foss & Alden Cole were interviewed about their perspective on this unique exhibition.

Through My Window @ Perkins Center of the Arts

Perkins Center for the Arts, Collingswood, NJ.

Michael DiPrinzio Through My Window @ Perkins Center of the Arts

Michael DiPrinzio, mixed media @ Perkins Center for the Arts, Through My Window, A Da Vinci Art Alliance traveling exhibition through November 11th, 2010 with a special event today called Creating the Poem- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  Hurry up, get over there!

 

Photos by DoN.

 

Da Vinci Art Alliance – 7 Deadly Sins @ Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton NJ

Da Vinci Art Alliance - 7 Deadly Sins @ Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton NJ

Bobbie Adams. Annette Alessi, Roz Bloom, DoN Brewer, Pat Burns, Lois Allen Charles, Piety Choi, Rachel Christy, Rachel Citrino, Alden Cole, Francesca Costanzo, Lilliana Didovic, Gerard Di Falco, Judy Engle, Linda Dubin, Laura Guzzo, Louise Herring, Ona Kalstein, Maria J. Keane, Gary Koenitzer, Sandi Neiman, Marlon Majette, Lee Muslin, Liz Nicklus, Arthur Ostroff, Anna Pizzoli, Peter Seidel, Rex Sexton, Francine Strauss, Anna Vosburgh, Ted Warchal, Carol Wisker, Wendelyn Anderson, Karen McDonnell, Anthony Cortosi.

 Da Vinci Art Alliance - 7 Deadly Sins @ Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton NJ

Noyes Museum of Art– Hammonton
5 S. Second St.
Hammonton, NJ 08037
(609)561-8006

The DaVinci Art Alliance: “7” Deadly Sins

Exhibit Dates: October 1 – November 24, 2010
Opening Reception: October 1: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Artist Lecture with Marlon Majette: October 6: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Da Vinci Art Alliance
is a non-profit artists’ organization located in South Philadelphia.  The organization was founded in 1931 to serve the needs of professional artists and artisans in the Delaware Valley.  Da Vinci Art Alliance currently has over 150 members and is supported through membership dues, gallery rentals, sales commissions, grants, and donations.  Da Vinci Art Alliance holds exhibitions of members’ and non-members’ artwork as well as special events, workshops, performances, poetry readings, and lectures.

DoN is thrilled about his museum debut with the Seven Deadly Sins exhibit in the Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton, NJ for some wack-a-doodle time-tripping reasons; DoN has a history with Hammonton, showing in the Noyes is kind of cosmic.  DoN hung out with GadFly, an early radical blogger who stirred local political shit in a way that not many people have the balls to do today even in our social networked world.  GadFly posted blogs that ended up getting him interviewed by the FBI, radio talk show hosts and the town council, who he called nasty names which ultimately ended up being quoted in his obituary, a final insult to his political enemies.  Before the internet GadFly wrote letters to the editor in papers locally and nationally, ranting endlessly about corruption, when he discovered blogging there was no stopping his vitriolic sarcastic wit.  GadFly‘s blog was the inspiration for DoNArTNeWs. 

GadFly is now known as Dead Larry, a former life guard, since drowning ironically in a gym pool a few years ago.  DoN adopted, his now geriatric, Lady Doofus, the St. Bernard/Chihuahua mix who lived on Dead Larry‘s farm but is now an urbane canine retiree in Marion Anderson Historical Village; Lady Doofus may make a surprise appearance at the art gala in her former home town, along with KaTy the ArT DoG who also enjoyed romps in the Pine Barrens swamps.  GadFly would LoVe that DoN is presenting his art in Hammonton, New Jersey, his home state (DoN was named most artistic, Deptford High School, Class of ’71), especially the 7 Deadly Sins part – gossip with DoN at the opening party, 10/01/10, to get the real dirt on Dead Larry aka GadFly.

Hammonton, NJ, once a vital town in South Jersey, is recovering from being hit by the Walmart Bomb, the downtown became a bit shabby but now is truly quaint like a Hopper painting, the Noyes Museum Gallery is a revitalizing force – art to the rescue!