Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 10, no 19



First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette 

I owe everyone a big apology. I was looking at the wrong week on the calendar and thought that Jazz Fest was a week later than it actually was. I hope you all attended some of the shows and had a wonderful time. 

Here are some events that I am telling you about at the proper time: 



Art vs. Art featuring Mike Wiltrout and the Modes of Death
September 27, 2013
Vogue Theater
6259 N. College Ave
$12 advance/$15 night of show, 21+, 8:00 PM

Are you a fan of art, chain saws, fire-breathing emcees, decibel meters, witty banter, audience participation, deciding fate by the spin of the wheel, and general bedlam? I can’t be the only one… Art vs. Art is a boisterous and fun art show with a twist. And the twist is worth $4,000 for the winning artist. 

Earlier this month artists gathered at Garfield Park and were given a canvas and paints and just a few hours to create a masterpiece. The paintings are all online (http://artvsart.com) to be voted on – now is your chance to be an art critic in the privacy of your own home. The top 32 vote getters will be on display at the Vogue. Balloting that night will determine the top 16. The other 16 will be offered for sale for $100. The rest will be for sale for $50. It’s not as confusing as I just made it out to be – the bottom line is that before the show even starts you can out of the Vogue with a great piece of original art for $50 or $100 – the artists get 70%.

The top 16 paintings are randomly paired on stage and voted on by audience cheering – the decibel meter has the final say. The winner moves on to the next round. The loser is subjected to the Wheel of Death. A spin determines the fate of the canvas – past year’s methods have included chain sawing, pizza making and fates that I cannot type without blushing. You can spare the art by buying the painting from your perch in the audience; the price going up with each round (Round 1: $150, Round 2: $250, Round 3: $350, Round 4: $450). The Grand Prize is $4000, a title belt and a whole lot of bragging rights. 

I know it sounds a little confusing but it really is a fun night. Seeing Mike Wiltrout in action is worth the price of admission. 


Nathan Angelo with Micah Dalton
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Birdy’s Bar and Grill
2131 E. 71st Street
21+, $10 advance/$12 day of show

Nathan Angelo is touring in support of his new album, Out of the Blue. His intention was to channel the vibe of the sounds of Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Otis Redding. He did it admirably, recording on two-inch tape reminiscent of how recordings were done in the heyday of the 60’s and 70’s era bands. 

The record incorporates the signature “call and response” singing style common to Motown as well as the distinct orchestration: horn sections, strings, guitars, snaps, claps, tambourine and the unforgettable keys. Nathan’s live shows garner rave reviews and have created a loyal fan base across the country. Expect original danceable music and a whole bunch of fun. 

Micah Dalton has been described as sounding like a clever Ben Harper and musically reminiscent of Prince. How can you go wrong with that? 



Come Here Architekt: Jan Ruhtenberg
Opening reception: October 4, 6-11 PM
Show: October 4 – November 16, 2013
Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art
Murphy Building, 1043 Virginia Avenue, Suite 5
all ages, free
 
I’ll admit to being an architecture neophyte. Like with most things I know what appeals to me and what makes me turn my nose up, even if I can’t put a name to it. Through his grandson, Vess von Ruhtenberg, I’ve become fascinated by the work and mystery of architect Jan Ruhtenberg.

Jan Ruhtenberg ‘s accomplishments are astonishing: an apprentice and colleague of Mies van der Rohe during his most significant projects; a close confidant of Philip Johnson who helped introduce modernism to America; a man who escaped Nazi Germany to design projects for Herman Miller, Greta Garbo, Nelson Rockefeller and the Swedish Royal Family. 

However, as Jan approached the pinnacle of his profession, he was outed as a gay man in conservative 1950's America. Jan's commissions disappeared and he all but vanished from the history of modern architecture. This exhibition, curated by Vess von Ruhtenberg and Jeremy Efroymson, begins the process of reintroducing the world to one of its great architects and designers.