Category Archives: Philadelphia Art

Art in Philadelphia, PA.

1,000 Percent, Xavier Schipani & Zach Osif @ Trust Gallery, F.U.E.L. in Old City

Xavier Schipani & Zach Osif @ F.U.E.L.

Zach Osif, Iraq III (Lindsy Lohan), oil on canvas @ F.U.E.L.  Shoshanna & DoN chatted with Zach Osif regarding his inspiration for the portrait of Lindsy’s infamous mug shot and he responded that his work is a result of flirtatious dalliances on the internet.  His plan was to do a series of paintings about the Iraq war but found that TV & the web are more saturated with images of pop princesses than war heroes.  DoN noticed that this week TV news headlines included “wife allergic to husbands sperm” and “plastic surgery for penis enlargement” as if seeing flag-draped coffins and grieving wives are not enough to draw viewers.  But there is a subtext of pin-up girls and soldiers going back to Betty Grable & Marilyn Monroe to be found in the heroically large paintings.

Xavier Schipani & Zach Osif @ F.U.E.L.

Zach Osif, Dalliances.  Shoshanna recognized the model as Kim Kardashian in Playboy- uh, DoN did not.

Xavier Schipani & Zach Osif @ F.U.E.L.

Zach Osif, Made in U.S.A., oil on canvas.

Xavier Schipani & Zach Osif @ F.U.E.L.

DoN did not get to interview Xavier Schipani about her trans-cultural drawings incorporating tribal, ethnic, sexual, mythical, middle eastern and samurai imagery yet the impact was indelible and inscrutable.  The wacko poodle cut-outs around the perimeter of the room are super-kawaii!

Treacy Ziegler, Before An Ocean @ F.A.N. Gallery

Treacy Ziegler @ F.A.N. Gallery

Treacy Ziegler @ F.A.N. Gallery in Old City.

When DoN introduced himself to Treacy Ziegler he immediately put foot in mouth by gushing, “I love your frames“.  Ack!  But Ziegler actually begins her process by outlining the canvas with black tape in anticipation of placing the finished work in an appropriately unobtrusive frame which highlights the painting yet is an interesting construction, simultaneously decorative, efficient and subdued.  Treacy trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts as a print-maker but changed direction to painting which explains the careful composition of each work of art.  The sense of light and space is reminiscent of Edward Hopper (a DoN fave) and Zeigler admits he’s an influence since his style is recognizably American.  Treacy actually produces her own paints combining pigments and oils to develop just the right consistency, not fond of brush strokes she thinks of the brushwork as color, turning texture into design, stretching the stokes like fluid creating subtle transparent reflective light.

Treacy Ziegler @ F.A.N. Gallery

Treacy Ziegler @ F.A.N Gallery.

Treacy Ziegler @ F.A.N. Gallery

Treacy Ziegler @ F.A.N. Gallery.  DoN thinks this is a great idea to steal with small round canvases inserted into cutouts in simple squares of black wood.  Good artists copy, great artists steal!

Veronica Schmude @ Rocco Agrippa @ Mirror Image

Veronica Schmude @ Rocco Agrippa @ Mirror Image

Veronica Schmude @ Mirror Image in Old City.

The First Friday vibe in Old City can be frantic, there is so much to see, people to meet and ideas to think about that it can all become a blur.  Not only are there galleries, shops and restaurants, the alternative venues are numerous and varied from street vendors selling paintings, prints, crafts and photos to businesses like Mirror Image, a graphic/web design firm on Market Street with lots of wall space to share exhibiting art work.  Photographic Society of Philadelphia photographers Veronica Schmude and Rocco Agrippa, appropriated the long wall to display their photographs, brought in friends to play music and transformed the office into an art happening.  Veronica’s signature photographs of peeling paint in old buildings and Agrippa’s landscapes brought energy and style to the desk filled space – there were plenty of spots for Shoshka (in her gorgeously inappropriate gallery-hopping boots) to rest while DoN chatted with Veronica.  Recently, Schmude organized a field trip to Eastern State Penitentiary so photographers could shoot in usually off limit spaces and she’s organizing another trip to Pennsylvania Hospital to photograph the historic healing center.  The PsoP (the second oldest photography club in the world) holds monthly meetings with presentations & lectures by member artists @ The Plastic Club on Camac Street.

Veronica Schmude @ Rocco Agrippa @ Mirror Image

Rocco Agrippa @ Mirror Image.

Veronica Schmude @ Rocco Agrippa @ Mirror Image

Veronica Schmude, PSoP photographer @ alternative art venue Mirror Image.

Information Translated – University of Delaware @ Crane Arts Center

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

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 CenterJaime Alvarez – Next Emerging Philadelphia Photographers.