Mother Nature is no pushover. Nudge gently and she’ll deliver food, fresh drinking water and fossil fuels. Take too much and she fights back with hurricanes, earthquakes and tidal waves, as the world has recently relearned. The impact of humanity on nature is the focus of “DeNatured,” a collaborative effort…
I admit it. I hate change. I balked when our local co-op, Gentle Strength, moved to accommodate the light rail, and I was furious when expensive lofts began to dominate my once-affordable neighborhood. But I know that it isn’t all bad. My beloved Gentle Strength ended up in a more…
Jessica Joslin and Nissa Kubly at Lisa Sette Gallery: The Dadaists may have pioneered found-object assemblage, but artist Jessica Joslin’s zoomorphic sculptures constructed from animal bones and metal hardware venture beyond their grasp of the craft. Joslin is particularly adept at capturing the natural kinesthetics of mammals. Though merely a…
In early October, the Paper Heart announced its impending demise, and the country’s third-longest-running poetry slam folded after its longtime home, an independent coffee house in Mesa, went under. That same week, Phoenix City Council members approved a $900 million deal to build a mega-shopping district with condos, hotels and…
“Artists of the Black Community” at West Valley Art Museum: Arizona’s African-American community offers a collection of paintings and sculptures as colorful as its members, eschewing muted Southwest pastels in favor of unconventional shades like amethyst and chartreuse. Every piece radiates with uninhibited energy, from Belinda Wilson’s stained-glass woman to…
It all started 2.6 million years ago, when some smart monkey used a sharp rock to slice up his prehistoric supper. Today, our supply of tools has evolved, along with our upright spines and opposable thumbs. One visit to Home Depot and you can see how far the species has…
Do you think you’re a good person? When’s the last time you took stock? It might be time to do just that — and make sure you give yourself more than five minutes, because it may take a while. Nathan Feller’s art is not the typical imagery one would associate…
“Artists of the Black Community” at West Valley Art Museum: Arizona’s African-American community offers a collection of paintings and sculptures as colorful as its members, eschewing muted Southwest pastels in favor of unconventional shades like amethyst and chartreuse. Every piece radiates with uninhibited energy, from Belinda Wilson’s stained-glass woman to…
Steve Davis and Chris Caufield at Modified Arts: “Found object” art has come a long way since Duchamp’s urinal fountain. Steve Davis and Chris Caufield incorporate found objects into assemblage that stirs faded memories of antiquated technologies. Davis is the free spirit of the two, haphazardly decoupaging his old boarding…
In the early 14th century, Italian poet Dante Alighieri penned The Divine Comedy, an epic poem that chronicles his fictional journey through Hell, purgatory, and Heaven. Often considered the last great piece of medieval literature, Dante’s masterpiece has inspired everything from Sandman comics to the latest album by the Brazilian…
Sandow Birk, 44, is an avid surfer with a laid-back California attitude. But he’s far from a slacker. Birk is in the studio six days a week creating fanciful drawings and paintings that translate his experiences living in low-income areas of Los Angeles, Mexico, and South America into socio-cultural commentaries…
Steve Davis and Chris Caufield at Modified Arts: “Found object” art has come a long way since Duchamp’s urinal fountain. Steve Davis and Chris Caufield incorporate found objects into assemblage that stirs faded memories of antiquated technologies. Davis is the free spirit of the two, haphazardly decoupaging his old boarding…
“Safe and Sound” at The Lords of Art Town: Artists Sukhvir Gill and Erika Palomares expand preconceived notions of bondage photography with this exhibition focusing on rope as an instrument of security rather than titillation. In Eternal Life, Palomares captures the hope of an ethereal beauty holding a glass jar,…
“A Sense of Place” at Herberger Theater Center: The Herberger’s collection of interior and exterior landscapes is about one thing: location, location, location. Much like the real estate market, it’s a mixed bag. Painter Christine Kierstead transcends ordinary pastel landscapes by illuminating the highlights cast on desert rocks at dusk…
Photographer Michel Sarda began his career as an architect in Paris. He moved to Phoenix in 1984 after attending the New York Institute of Photography, where his artistic focus shifted from towering edifices to the architecture of the human form. After nearly two decades of capturing graceful bodies and dancers…
Paris-based photographer Maurice Sherif is great at showing viewers everything by showing them nothing at the same time. Unlike “Lumière Mètallique,” a Tilt Gallery exhibition in August showcasing Sherif’s large-format silver gelatin images captured in Paris’ architecturally grandiose environment, “Variation Con Intensita” illustrates complex and detailed minimalism. Gone are the…
Humanity’s not looking so good these days. With war overseas, terrorism pushing our borders and serial killers in our midst, maintaining much faith in my fellow human beings proves to be a constant struggle. What does it mean to be human? What separates us from beast? If you need some…
“The Big Lebowski Tribute Show” at Wet Paint Gallery: The thing about a cult classic is that you either love it or you hate it. The same can be said for this funky, eclectic group exhibition paying homage to the Coen brothers’ film. Devoted Lebowski fans may go gaga for…
Third Annual “Mail Art Show” at the Trunk Space: Exhibiting donated art sent via postal mail can be a risky proposition, but the Trunk Space has managed to solicit an interesting, eclectic selection. Highlights include decoupage matchbooks, a Medusa tee shirt and a postcard from a child inscribed with a…
Hair holds a magic exalted for centuries. In the Biblical story of Samson, hair was a source of power. In Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, long, flowing locks are the epitome of beauty. Hair has also been used for functional and artistic purposes. In the Victorian era, pendants containing a lock…
Remember those commercials that promised 52 free dinners with any windshield replacement? Over time, the offer dwindled to 20 free dinners at a salad buffet, then 12 barbecue meals, and, finally, a single box of steaks. What happens when you replace an attractive offer with items that are less desirable?…
“David Pimentel: Legacy of an Artist and Educator” at Mesa Arts Center: The death of an artist usually brings instant notoriety and positive attention. In former ASU professor David Pimentel’s case, the accolades are warranted. Look for his renowned series of copper vessels, each unique in form and crafted from…
