Press Release from Alessandro Fantini:

“Alessandro Fantini's imagination knows no bounds: his visions have their own story, their own world and their silent messages… a truly singular creation.” – Jean Michel Jarre, world-wide renown composer, author of million-selling albums such as “Oxygene” and “Equinoxe”

"The Sinovial Gaze – The Art of Alessandro Fantini" embodies the first attempt at gathering more than a decade of creative and hallucinative experiences lived by the “multimedianic” italian artist Alessandro Fantini in an unique visual ride along more than one hundred luxuriant color illustrations. The book depicts the progression of Fantini's quest for the medianic rendition of his most inner pulsions and visions. Since the early 90s, with the discovery of the oil painting and the surrealist concepts, his artworks higlight a turbulent tension towards the cinematic and narrative syntaxes that will soon led him to deal with shortmovies, novels, comics, videoart and music languages. The book is structured into three sections which explore chronologically the pictorial and graphic dimensions of his visionary craftmanship.

Among the featured artworks there are the David Lynch's portrait (below right) displayed at the London Brick Lane Gallery, the erotic oil on wood board "O.B.E." featured in the Fantini's selfportrait printed on the Jean Michel Jarre's AERO album booklet, the celebrative painting of the Jarre's "Oxygene" 30th anniversary, the canvas “Memories of Dreams”inspired by “Blade Runner”, and the tribute to Stanley Kubrick personally donated to his wife Christiane Kubrick. Comments and notes by the artist himself, Jean Michel Jarre, Charles de Lauzirika, Claudio Castellini, Lorenzo Fantini, Samuel Toole.

The book will be distributed very soon also on Amazon.com and Barne&Noble retailers.

Printed: Paperback book, 130 pages, 7.44" x 9.68", perfect binding, white interior paper (80# weight), full-color interior ink, white exterior paper (90# weight), full-color exterior ink

Published and distributed by Lulu.com

"Alessandro’s devotion to oil and canvas has rewarded us we with enough medianic meditations on the nature of the human mind to keep us transfixed for many years to come. His discipline and persistence from early childhood through his teens and now into his adulthood has taken the viewer on an incredible journey through an isolated landscape that invites dialogue, challenges preconceptions of existence, and teases us with sexual imagery that writhes through both foreground and background." Lorenzo Fantini – excerpt from the foreword

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Alessandro Fantini was born in 1978 in Sangro Valley, Italy. His creative inclination arose during his early childhood when he began drawing comics and writing tales influenced by gothic authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Sheridan le Fanu. Disliking art school teachings, he learned oil painting techniques by himself and started painting his first canvases in 1993. During the nineties he developed his own visionary style blending the surrealist attitude with hyperrealism and Flemish painting methods. In 2002 he graduated with first class honours in modern literature with a thesis about the relationship between Italian culture and the PreRaphaelism.

Since 1998 he wrote, directed and produced movies and music videos digitally, composing also their soundtracks and writing lyrics for songs performed by himself. His short movies "Tiranti Transit" and "The road to Shakti" were broadcasted in 2006 and 2007 on European Sky Channels. He wrote and illustrated the book "The Night's Veil"(2006) and the dark-fantasy novel "Endometria"(2007) both published by Liberodiscrivere and presented at the International Turin book fair. His self-portrait was published in 2004 inside the Jean Michel Jarre's "Aero" album booklet. His artworks have been shown in several group exhibitions and solo exhibitions such as Pescara, Turin and at the London Brick Lane Gallery.  

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Intemperance:

1. Lack of temperance, as in the indulgence of an appetite or passion.

2. Excessive use of alcoholic beverages.

Carrie Ann Baade's newest works from her Intemperance series will be exhibited at Kitchen's Ink Gallery in Denver. In addition to paintings, books and prints are available for purchase at the opening. The Opening Reception is on Friday August 1st, 2008, 5 pm to 9pm and the show will run until August 15th.

Kitchen's Ink Gallery

757 Santa Fe Dr. (between 7th and 8th)

Denver Colorado 80204, U.S.

Open daily from 12pm to 8pm, closed Mondays

Kitchen's Ink is owned by artist Joe Manly

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I recently met a talented young stop motion animator named Isabel Peppard at a 696 gallery opening. Her first short animation, titled 'Gloomy Valentine' is about a woman who has lost her love and is starting to lose her mind. Her encroaching madness is represented by hallucinatory nightmarish shadows that hover at the edges of her vision and threaten to consume her. 'Gloomy Valentine' is a very impressive debut.

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Jon Beinart – "How would you describe your art Madeline?"

Madeline von Foerster – "I make art about this world.

I know that might sound strange, because I paint in a method and style characteristic of five centuries ago. It also might sound strange, because my work is typically classified as surrealist.  However, my art is strongly rooted in my own experiences, and the world occurring around me, though I often choose to express these things symbolically."

Beinart – "What else has influenced your art? You said you express yourself symbolically, are many of the symbols you paint rooted in esoteric mythology?"

Madeline von Foerster – "Sometimes my symbolism might come from mythology or esoterica… These sources are deep wells from which to draw!  I utilize more archaic symbols when their use will not interfere with the experience of the painting.  And occasionally I use images that reference a homemade iconography: for instance, the pair of doves in my trepanation Self Portrait are my own symbol for unity of the spirit and body, since doves mate for life.  (I leave birdseed, for a beautiful pair of doves, on my fire escape, and they inspired me.)  However, I try to make images that will resonate with any viewer who appreciates them.  One needn't know my story about the doves, I hope, to sense their meaning in the painting.  Or the viewer could invent his/her own meaning, which would also be valuable.

I am inspired by so much around me — the very experience of life, and the witnessing of life, inspire me.  I feel so lucky to be alive in an age where we know of so many beautiful and fantastic things, unimaginable to earlier societies — cloud nebulas, nutrinos, and deep sea creatures.  And, of course, those of us alive today have stepped into an unbelievebly exciting artistic heritage!  Our task is to continue its evolution…  But, I also feel another task is to protect our other inheritance — the environment, and civilized culture.  Artists are not exempt from this effort.  We must all bring our skills to the table."

Beinart – "Does your environmental concern find expression in your paintings?"

Madeline von Foerster – "Yes, it is a very frequent topic.  In some paintings, it is a primary theme, but it also makes an appearance in others where it might not be the main message.  My paintings can often be read on several different levels, and so one of those layers might reference our relationship with the earth.

I prefer my paintings to suggest, rather than preach, so I'm sure many other interpretations of that painting are possible.  My three year old niece, for instance, is convinced The Shadow is a painting of Spiderman."

Beinart – "Could you list a few artists who have inspired you and explain what you found exciting about their work."

Madeline von Foerster – "Possibly my favorite living painter is Julie Heffernan, because of her stunning craft, and the incredible worlds she creates.  She is anachronistic yet iconoclastic at the same time.

Finally, the artists I spend the most time with are the Flemish Renaissance Masters: van Eyck, Memling, van der Goes, Goessart, and Bosch.  It would be incredible to know something more about these artists' inner lives, but all I can do is gaze at their work and guess. Only through the diligence of attempting their technique do I find myself hovering somewhere near an understanding of them.  But even that is probably self-indulgent imagining on my part."

Beinart – "Have you come accross any resistance from galleries as a figurative painter with a neo-classical style?"

Madeline von Foerster – "Any painter working in a figurative or neo-classical vein must recognize that their choice is not necessarily "in fashion" at the moment.  I consider that an asset and an opportunity, rather than a limitation, for several reasons.  First of all, imagine the difficulty of standing out as a painter during, say, the seventeenth century, when all working artists were technical virtuosos!  Secondly, by following my own vision, rather than trends, I hope I am creating paintings which will stand the test of time, and not look sadly dated in a few years.  Lastly, in our cynical age of ever more digitized mass production, artworks which focus on craft and beauty give people an alternative, an antidote, to the prevailing culture.  There will always be certain galleries which recognize and appreciate that, but even if there were not, I wouldn't change what I am doing."

Beinart – "I completely agree Madeline. This is a current fashion and I'm sure history will have a very different perspective. I'm also sure your work will continue to attract the attention of galleries and collectors. Thank you so much for this interview Madeline! Do you have any exciting news for our readers?"

Madeline von Foerster - "Yes!  I am very excited to announce my upcoming show, WALDKAMMER at Strychnin Gallery Berlin , this November.  The paintings will explore my fascination with Cabinets of Curiosities, but I've manipulated this theme, to create images about deforestation and the threatened natural world.  (The title means "Forest Cabinet.") Strychnin Gallery will also be showing my work at Art 21Cologne, in October.
I have made a "studio visit" web-page, for those who would like to get a sneak preview of this new series!  However, it is not linked to from outside, so interested parties must email me at baphomatty(at)earthlink.net, for the address.

Thank you very much for the interview Jon, and keep up your amazing work with beinArt… it is a portal to many wonderous Universes."

Madeline von Foerster is one of 50 artists featured in Metamorphosis 2 (beinArt Publishing)

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Here is a two part interview with Alex Grey from "Coast to Coast", an American late-night syndicated radio talk show which deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate either to the paranormal, or to alleged conspiracies.

The interview starts with Alex's introduction to LSD induced mystical experiences at college and then moves on to describing various other incidents he experienced while tripping. It also explores how these experiences have influenced his art.

Part 2

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This is one of those random animations that you end up on in your internet travels. There is no indication of it's original source. It moves from a cautious sense of innocence to that of threatening apocalypse.

The ending is much like the "Tower" or "Death" in the Tarot.

Ross, one of our subscribers has indicated, that this animation is very likely "The Adventures of Mark Twain". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Mark_Twain_(1985_film)

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Previously there was Nemo's Utopia, an eBay store where all sorts of psychedelic and visionary inspired goodies could be purchased. It has now taken on a new incarnation as the Revolutionary Xchange (R6XX).

The focus of R6XX is to help creative people bring their passion to the world. The web store carries a wide range of media, from CDs, DVDs, books to artwork.The intention is to help people looking to expand their minds and discover new things about themselves and the universe.

Some of the artists supported by the Revolutionary Xchange are:

Adam Scott Miller, Luke Brown, Martina Hoffmann, Maura Holden, Robert Venosa, Satoshi Sakamoto

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Surreal Works by Jay Dee

July 23rd – August 12th

The Lounge (upstairs)

243 Swanston St.

Melbourne, Australia.

Open reception starts at 6pm.

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Roq La Rue 10th Anniversary Show

July 11th – August 2nd

Opening Night: Friday July 11th, 6-9pm

Featuring: Mark Ryden, Marion Peck, Femke Hiemstra, Brian Despain, Travis Louie (right), Scott Musgrove, Lisa Petrucci, Shag, Liz McGrath, Andrew Hem, Glenn Barr, John Brophy, Viktor Safonkin, Anthony Pontius, Tin, Kay Tuttle, Ronald Kurniawan, Chris Crites, Johnny Bergeron, Mia Araujo, Mike Leavitt, Christian van Minnen, Gabe Marquez, Lori Earley…

Roq La Rue Gallery has been an integral part of the Lowbrow/Pop Surrealism art movement since opening in 1998, and continue to exhibit established artists in the genre as well as fostering emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to make strong impacts in the Pop Surrealism and Contemporary art scene.

Roq La Rue Gallery, 2312 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA, USA

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News from Shawn Barber:

The Tattooed Portraits Series is documentation of artists that are tattooed, tattoo artists, their tools and materials. The focus for this show is Los Angeles Tattoo Artists, with paintings and watercolors of many of LA's most beloved and storied tattoo artists working today.

Artists painted for this show include: Bob Roberts, Jack Rudy, Mark Mahoney, Juan Puente, Dan Dringenberg, Kat Von D, Corey Miller, Rick Walters, Greg James, Mr. Cartoon, Clay Decker, Baby Ray, Charlie Roberts, Robert Atkinson, Tennessee Dave, Small Paul, Marco Ceretelli, Danny Romo, Shannon O'Sullivan, Eric Maaske, Jeffrey Page and Kari Barba.

Shawn Barber – "Tattooed Portraits, Los Angeles" – July 19 until August 23, 2008 – Opening Reception: Saturday, July 19th, 7-10 pm

Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA, USA

Right: "Portrait of the Artist, Juan Puent and Otto Geronimo Puente" – oil on canvas – 22" x 32"

Shawn Barber is one of 50 Artists featured in our second publication entitled Metamorphosis 2. 

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Hi-Fructose group art exhibition at Copro Nason Gallery

Saturday July 12, 8:00-11:30 pm

Participating artists include: Amy Sol, Anthony Ausgang, Attaboy, Brian McCarty, Boomer, Brian Viveros, Boomer, Brian Viveros, Brian Despain, Chet Zar, Chris Peters, Christopher Ryniak, Christian van Minnen, Dan Quintana, Daniel Lim, Dan May, Dave Cooper, David Stoupakis, Erik Alos, Esao Andrews, Germs, Gris Grimly, Jeff Gillette, Jeff McMillan, Jeff Soto, Jim Woodring, Josh Keyes, Keith Weesner, KMNDZ, Kukula, Lola, Luke Chueh, Makiko Sugawa, Mark Covell, Matt Dangler, Martin Wittfooth, Michael Page, Michelle Mia Araujo, Naoto Hattori, Nathan Spoor, Laurie Lipton, Noferin, Oksana Badrak, Ray Caesar, Shag, Scott Belcastro, Tin, Stella Im Hultberg, Travis Louie, Winston Smith, Xiaoqing Ding, Yoskay Yamamoto & many more!

Copro Nason Gallery

2525 Michigan Avenue T5,

Santa Monica CA 9040

United States

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"New Blood Rising"

Curated by Les Barany

July 10th – August 9th

Opening Reception: Thursday, July 10th, 7 – 10pm

Renowned for his eye for the dark and uncanny, Les Barany has brought together a group of both  notorious and unfamiliar artists that will showcase their intricate and unique styles this summer at Fuse Gallery. Works will include drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture and jewelry.

Participating Artists: J. U. Abrahamson, Patrick Byers, Vincent Castiglia, Chris Conte, Bill Hand, Eli Livingston, J. L. Robbins, Chris Savido, Kenneth Williams

Special Guest Artists:  Stephen Kasner, Viktor Koen, H.R. Giger, David Hochbaum, Andre Lassen, Bart Powers, Paul Rumsey and Brian Viveros

Among the works on display and for sale will be 12 original artworks from Les Barany’s CARNIVORA – The Dark Art of Automobiles, by New Blood Rising artists Patrick Byers, Vincent Castiglia, William B. Hand,  Eli Livingston, J.L. Robbins, Chris Savido, Kenneth Williams, Viktor Koen, Andre Lassen, Bart Powers, Paul Rumsey and Brian Viveros.

Advance copies of the book CARNIVORA will be available for sale.

Additional artworks from the CARNIVORA book by the following artists are available for sale through Fuse Gallery. Marshall Arisman, Zdzislaw Beksinski, Hanno von Bran, Bernardo Corman, Steve Ellis, Viktor Koen, Till Nowak, Peter Pontiac, Rick Proll, Sybille Ruppert, Christopher Savido, Hugo Schuhmacher, Brian Viveros, and Nick Weber.

The following contributing East Coast artists and writers to CARNIVORA – The Dark Art of Automobiles are expected to attend the opening on July 10th and be available for book signings: Mike Bellamy, Jennifer Blowdryer, Steven Blush, Neke Carson, Vincent Castiglia, Chris Conte, Benardo Corman, ChrisTopher Crowder, Jason D’Aquino, Mike Diana, Steve Ellis, Peter H. Gilmore, Daphne Graham, David Hochbaum (Goldmine Shithouse), John John Jesse, Jacaeber Kastor, Eli Livingston, Joseph B. Mauceri, Carlo McCormick, George Petros, Rick Proll, Rich Rethorn, Chris Savido, Norman Spinrad, Nick Weber, and Martin Wittfooth and more……

The New York premiere screening on the gallery monitor of the new DVD H.R. Giger’s Sanctuary

The DVD features an interview and a tour of the Giger Museum in Gruyeres, Switzerland, with the master of Biomechanics and creator of the Academy Award winning Alien. H.R. Giger’s Sanctuary was filmed in high definition video entirely on location at the H.R. Giger Museum and Bar in Switzerland. 19 minutes, plus 20 minutes of special features. Code-free. playable all over the world. 
Fuse Gallery, 93 2nd Avenue (between 5th and 6th Streets) NYC, NY 10003, Open Wednesday – Saturday, 3 – 8pm

H.R. Giger is one of 50 Artists featured in our second publication entitled Metamorphosis 2. 

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Last Rites presents…

Gallery 1: J L Robbins

All That Remains

Opening Reception:

July 12th

7 – 11pm

Exhibition runs through till the 18th of August.

Gallery 2: William Hand

Unnatural Selection

Opening Reception:

July 12th

7 – 11pm

Exhibition runs through till the 18th of August.

Last Rites Gallery

511 W 33rd St, NYC, United States.

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This is probably the most impressive stop frame animation I have ever seen. Blu has taken street art to the next level with this massive animation titled Muto. I wouldn't be surprised if this animation started a whole movement of animated street art. The patience that must have gone into this project is unfathomable. Go Blu!

Blu is a famous Italian street artist, known for his huge wall sized images and unique style.

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News from Delvin Solkinson

Out of the mists of the fabled human imagination comes a spirit art that transcends barriers of race, age, gender and culture. This is a reflection of both past and future, a magical celebration of what is possible when we explore the potentials of the inspired creative soul. Now an ageless elvish impulse has inspired the creation of a new Galactik Trading Card Oracle Complex: Spirit Art Microgallery Prepress Booster Toolset. It contains four cards featuring art from

Pablo Amaringo (Peru)

Claus Brusen (Denmark)

Roberto Venosa (USA)

Kinuko Craft (USA)

With design from Sijay of Onbeyond Metamedia and Air of Pod Collective, this set rings with the aura of new ness. It also has packaging featuring art from Roberto Venosa and Alex Grey. The overarching intention of the project is art culture community building from local to global, it is an inspirational template for people of spirit to share their work for the healing, evolution and empowerment of all.

If you are interested in supporting this non-profit project consider ordering set/s.

$10 + shipping

$13 total in NorthAmerica per pack

$15 total in Europe, Asia and Oceania per pack discount available for larger orders

paypal or email : delvin@crystalandspore.com

Love abounds

Delvin Solkinson

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This August 11-18th marks the 6th. incarnation of the Boom Festival in Portugal – a massive global trance culture gathering. For the third time at the Boom Festival, the Liminal Village returns presenting the Vision Gallery.

Reflecting the spirit of an art movement that transcends languages, cultures and borders, the In:sights Exhibition is a global collection of visionary artworks celebrating the inspired imagination and reflecting the beauty of our world and of many worlds beyond.

24 artists from around the world are included in this exhibition.

Europe

Laurence Caruana, Leo Plaw, Dennis Konstantin, Luminokaya, Brigid Marlin

South America

Pablo Amaringo, Isabela Hartz

Asia

Satoshi Sakamoto, Luke Brown, Symbolika

Oceania

Andy Thomas, Jarah Tree

Africa

Anton Kononov

North America

Roberto Venosa, Martina Hoffmann, Carey Thompson, Simon Haiduk, Victor Olenev, Kathryne June, David Heskin, Andrew Jones, Maura Holden, Xavi, Nemo

In addition the Vision Gallery will feature Europe's first ever visionary hologram exhibit courtesy of Laser Guided Visions.

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Mars-1 is exhibiting in Portugal with his exhibition "The Nature of Time".

Opening Thursday June 19Th @ 22:00h

From June 19 to July 31

VPF Cream Art
Rua da Boavista
84 – 2nd floor, room 2
1200-068 Lisboa
Portugal

tel: +351 213 433 259
mobil: +351 961 106 590
email: info @ vpfcreamart.com

hours: mon- sat 14:00 – 19:30h

www.vpfcreamart.com

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Lukas Kandl presents 'Ange Exquis', realised by his Magic Realism Libellule group (27 artists). The opening reception is on Saturday July 19th from 6pm.

Artists participating in this Ange Exquis:  Alaux, Aparin, Arnas, Bachelier, Bailly, Cacace, Comand, Coquelin, De Rosa, Djurovic, Gric, Ivanovic, Jontschewa, Kandl, Kortan, Krejca, Kuksi, Levita, Mirkovic, Muller, Oscity, Ravski, Tiunine, Velicu, Zacek, Zademack, Zappelli

Chapelle Des Jesuites
rue Victoire de la Marne
52000 Chaumont
France

July 19th -  August 31th, 2008

Everyday (except Tuesday) from 3.30pm till 7pm – free entrance

A catalog of the "Ange Exquis" project will be for sale during the exhibition.

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On July 18th Chet Zar and Alex Grey will be taking part in a performance painting session organized by COSM at Club 740 in downtown Los Angeles. Other participating artists include Allyson Grey, Guy Aitchison, Michelle Wortman, Saber, Wendy Klein, Jarret De Martino and others.

The event will include a number of presentations and panel discussions about visionary art and creativity. This will be followed by the main live painting performance.

Club 740
740 South Broadway
Los Angeles, 90014
California
U.S.A.

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