Some believe digital manipulation taints the art of photography. Local artist Hank Keneally makes no distinction between his original photographs and the digitally altered versions he exhibits. “All photographs are manipulations or distortions or interpretations of reality,” he explains. “If I want realism, I’ll step outside.” Peep Keneally’s latest works…
A picture is now worth 500 words. At least, that’s the going rate in the heart of downtown Phoenix, a heart represented by ghostwriter Joey Robert Parks’ brainchild, “26 Blocks.” The show, which opens Friday, May 7, pairs photographers and writers, assigns the pairs a specific city block, then sets…
Ballerinas as broccoli? Dancers as dessert? Ib Andersen isn’t talking about victuals when he describes his new ballet, Play, as “a seven-course meal.” The courses in question showcase not leafy green vegetables, but emotions — happy, sensual, morose. The performance, a new work by Andersen, who is Ballet Arizona’s artistic…
With the strong playoff runs turned in by the Suns, Cardinals, and Coyotes, it’s easy to feel optimistic about a Phoenix team winning a championship in the near future. For our money, the team with the best shot of bringing a title to Phoenix is the squad that brought one…
The national spotlight may be on Arizona’s new immigration law, but let us remember why we love living here: warm weather, cheap housing, and, oh, just a little something called the Grand freakin’ Canyon. The giant hole attracts five million visitors (and their wallets) to our Nazi-esque dictatorship, er, great…
Though it’s been 14 years since the death of Sublime singer Bradley Nowell — and the release of their biggest album, the posthumous self-titled record featuring “What I Got” –the band is still incredibly popular, and attracting new, young fans all the time. Shrewdly, a lot of other bands have…
One can’t help but chuckle at Igor and the Red Elvises’ appropriation of cheesy American culture — the colorful bow-tie tuxedos, the lopsided pompadours, singer Igor Yuzov’s lounge-lizard panache. The band’s flair for fusing Russian folk music with American surf, rockabilly, and even disco led to interesting concoctions like “I…
Is it an accident that Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood plays like a rousing love letter to the Tea Party movement? It’s certainly something of a surprise. When the movie was announced in 2007 with the title Nottingham, reports suggested that it would sympathize with the normally vilified Sheriff of Nottingham…
Another movie, not as awful or deluded as this one, might one day find better use for the easygoing vibe between Queen Latifah and Common, the stars of Just Wright, a romantic comedy (for the ladies) with basketball and cameoing NBA players in it (for the fellas). That absolutely no…
The timing, of course, couldn’t be better. A show that spoofs the profundities of Arizona’s many weaknesses — our weather sucks for about half the year, our sheriff is a jag-off, our budget is in the toilet — has premiered so soon after our latest national disgrace that there was…
If you want the real scoop on the art — including the three Arizona artists being showcased — at the Sydney Biennale, you’d best be reading Deborah Sussman Susser’s blog entries. The Tempe-based writer/editor/teacher (and occasional New Times contributor) is down under this month on behalf of Arizona State University, where she teaches…
On the outskirts of Central Phoenix, quirky old Grand Avenue careens west toward Glendale and Wickenburg at a 45-degree angle, as it has done for almost 85 years. A lot has come and gone along this arterial road, but many signs of Phoenix past remain. Literally. The stretch of Grand…
Every Arcadian has a special place in their heart for family-owned Baker Nursery (this writer included).The 10-acre property is filled with every flower, tree, cactus and seed imaginable and has been a neighborhood institution for 42 years.See? Independent businesses can survive in Phoenix.While the weather is still tolerable, we recommend…
Today marks the official kick-off of the Sydney Bienniale — though technically, the day’s already over, since Sydney, Australia is 17 hours ahead of Phoenix. In any case, you can read all about it from the AZ perspective on two blogs. Deborah Sussman Susser is blogging down under for Arizona State…
Hot tickets? Yeah, you could say that. Ignite Phoenix, the one-night information-a-thon featuring 18 folks from the creative, technical, and business communities presenting five-minute nuggets of idea-spreading goodness, confirmed that ticket sales will open at 10 a.m., this Saturday for Ignite Phoenix #7. But don’t go thinkin’ you’ve got time…
Where are we going? Seen one morning on 6th Street just north of Fillmore, the following day it was gone…
Artists (21+) are encouraged to bring their own sketch pads, canvases and easels while Austin sits for a “long pose” from 8 to 11pm. Drinks will be available at the bar and birthday cupcakes will be in high supply. Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School sessions are held every second Tuesday of the month…
We’ve always loved the quirky cast of characters that artist Roy Wasson Valle has created over the years.On our last visit to his online store, www.fuzzyballsapparel.com, we fell in love with these plush ghosts based on Raul, a skeletal bear in a bear costume.Check out the Raul ghosts here (scroll…
There’s nothing comical about the badge art created for the upcoming Phoenix Comicon – it’s some seriously cool stuff. From a cartoonish portrait of Cyclops from X-Men to dark, fantastical renderings of Spider-Man villain Venom, every badge art drawing reflects a local artist’s unique style and passion for a particular…
courtesy of Mesa Arts Center Penn Jillette and Teller Penn Jillette and his professional partner, Teller, are two extremely busy guys. (Full disclosure: I worked for their entertainment lawyer in Manhattan a long time ago.) However boho and edgy they may have once considered themselves, they’ve been performing their irreverent,…
We can’t wait to see her at night. Found driving west on Main Street in east Mesa…
It’s an embarrassment of Arizona riches, down under. First, word spread that not one, not two — but three Arizona artists will be featured at the 17th Bienniale of Sydney, an enormous and important art extravaganza beginning this Thursday in Sydney, Australia. All three artists are repped by one of…
