Back in May Canadian musician and visual artist Chad VanGaalen released his hand-drawn animated video for “Peace on the Rise”, the first single from his fourth album Diaper Island, out now on Sub Pop. The only question is what do like better VanGaalen’s music or his art?

Download “Peace on the Rise” here (right click + save link as)

Download audio file (05-Sara.mp3)

Download “Sara”, another track from Diaper Island here (right click + save link as)

Artist Bio/Statement:

Born in 1944 in Nice, France, Roland Flexner has lived and worked in New York since 1982. As a young artist he aligned himself with the Nouveau Réaliste and Supports/Surfaces movements; since the ’90s, he has created delicate and precise drawings on paper, including his ongoing Vanitas series of skulls and skeletons. Many of Flexner’s works of the past decade are based on the Japanese art of suminagashi—the manipulation of ink and water on gelatin—a technique he was introduced to during an extended residency in Japan. A selection of these drawings were included in the 2010 Whitney Biennial, and Flexner’s work has been the subject of exhibitions at P.S.1/MoMA; The Royal Academy of Arts in London, England; The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA; Tokyo’s Museum of Contemporary Art; and both Exit Art and The Drawing Center in New York City, among other venues. Flexner is represented by D’Amelio Terras Gallery in New York City.

See more from Flexner’s Sumi Drawing series here

All works are Sumi ink on gelatin

Click the link below for our calendar events April 8, 2011 through April 15, 2011.

Calendar link for events

Highlights:

• ReThink Topeka Exhibition and Art Walk
Downtown Topeka (Map of below locations)
Saturday, April 9, 1-6pm

From the organizers (ReThink Topeka):
Venues and Activities

• Break Room (911 S. Kansas Ave.): film, music and youth art. Food for sale by the Break Room. Youth/Adult activity: make a city collage with provided materials.

• Blue Planet Café (110 S.E. 8th Ave.): Artwork by regional artists, live music, readings and food provided by the Blue Planet Café.
Youth/Adult activity: Linda Carson will do storytelling at 2, 4 and 5
p.m. You can make wings to flutter around for the rest of the day. Supplies will also be available to make your own button for $1. Merchandise will be headquartered at Blue Planet, with ReThink
Topeka shirts, chapbooks and Frisbees for sale.

• Jayhawk Tower (700 Southwest Jackson St.): Artwork by regional artists, live music, readings and food provided by the Brickyard Barn Inn. The Jayhawk Theatre will be conducting tours of the theater at 1, 3, and 5. Youth/Adult activity: cookie decorating.

• NexLynx (123 SW 6th Ave.): Artwork by regional artists will be on display. Youth/Adult activity: poetry workshop. Chapbooks featuring regional authors will be on sale at this location. Door prize and food provided by NexLynx.

• Supersonic Music (117 S.E. 6th Ave.): Local musicians will perform out front. Youth/Adult activity: chalking

• Topeka Community Cycle Project (TCCP) (423 S. Kansas Ave.): Local craft and art group, the Craftavists have partnered with the TCCP to upcycle bike parts and materials in order to create handmade bicycle inspired art, which will be on display and for sale at this location.

Music, chalk drawing and other activities will line the sidewalks
during the event.

View full full event list here.

American Infamy 3 by Roger Shimomura

• Shadows of Minidoka
• 31st Annual Lawrence Art Auction
Lawrence Arts Center (940 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence, KS)
Saturday, April 9, 5:30-10pm

From the organizers:
Doors open at 5:30. Live Auction begins at 7:30

Art from over 150 artists on view now in the galleries.

2011 Featured Artist: Roger Shimomura.

Major sponsors: The EyeDoctors Optometrists Dr. Harvat, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Hamilton.

Artwork generously donated by artists represents a diverse spectrum of forms and mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and prints. The art auction committee is working hard at ensuring this event is teeming with quality art and that the event is truly a great experience for all involved. You can expect fresh changes to many aspects of this event. Ben Ahlvers, Exhibitions Director along with the Art Auction Committee are enthusiastic to bring this annual event to the community.

The Lawrence Arts Center is a non-profit arts agency that has served the Lawrence community for 35 years. The Exhibitions Program strives to provide the highest quality in local, national, regional, national and international visual art. Between the two gallery spaces, the program hosts 15-18 exhibits per year. This annual event serves as the gallery programs primary source of funding. Now, more than ever the arts need you to become an active participant.

Tickets may be purchased by phone (785-843-2787) or at the Lawrence Arts Center with credit card, check, cash. $40 in advance (ends 4pm April 9), $50 at door.

• Adult Swim Carnival
Street Closure – between Mass. St. and New Hampshire St. (17 East 8th Street in Lawrence, KS)
Thursday, April 14, 6-11pm

From the Organizers:
Adult Swim is about to jollificate all over Lawrence. The Ragbag of Jollification features Bands! Prizes! Games such as Convict Escape! Flunko! and Balloonicorn Blowout! And it’s FREE! FREE! FREE!

Go to adultswimpresents.com to find out more.

Performance by Pusha-T featuring Rick Geez, and music by Nick Arcade.

• Shadows of Minidoka
• 31st Annual Lawrence Art Auction
Lawrence Arts Center (940 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence, KS)
Saturday, April 9, 5:30-10pm

From the organizers:
Doors open at 5:30. Live Auction begins at 7:30

Art from over 150 artists on view now in the galleries.

2011 Featured Artist: Roger Shimomura.

Major sponsors: The EyeDoctors Optometrists Dr. Harvat, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Hamilton.

Artwork generously donated by artists represents a diverse spectrum of forms and mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and prints. The art auction committee is working hard at ensuring this event is teeming with quality art and that the event is truly a great experience for all involved. You can expect fresh changes to many aspects of this event. Ben Ahlvers, Exhibitions Director along with the Art Auction Committee are enthusiastic to bring this annual event to the community.

The Lawrence Arts Center is a non-profit arts agency that has served the Lawrence community for 35 years. The Exhibitions Program strives to provide the highest quality in local, national, regional, national and international visual art. Between the two gallery spaces, the program hosts 15-18 exhibits per year. This annual event serves as the gallery programs primary source of funding. Now, more than ever the arts need you to become an active participant.

Tickets may be purchased by phone (785-843-2787) or at the Lawrence Arts Center with credit card, check, cash. $40 in advance (ends 4pm April 9), $50 at door.

• ReThink Topeka Exhibition and Art Walk
Downtown Topeka (Map of below locations)
Saturday, April 9, 1-6pm

From the organizers (ReThink Topeka):
Venues and Activities

• Break Room (911 S. Kansas Ave.): film, music and youth art. Food for sale by the Break Room. Youth/Adult activity: make a city collage with provided materials.

• Blue Planet Café (110 S.E. 8th Ave.): Artwork by regional artists, live music, readings and food provided by the Blue Planet Café.
Youth/Adult activity: Linda Carson will do storytelling at 2, 4 and 5
p.m. You can make wings to flutter around for the rest of the day. Supplies will also be available to make your own button for $1. Merchandise will be headquartered at Blue Planet, with ReThink
Topeka shirts, chapbooks and Frisbees for sale.

• Jayhawk Tower (700 Southwest Jackson St.): Artwork by regional artists, live music, readings and food provided by the Brickyard Barn Inn. The Jayhawk Theatre will be conducting tours of the theater at 1, 3, and 5. Youth/Adult activity: cookie decorating.

• NexLynx (123 SW 6th Ave.): Artwork by regional artists will be on display. Youth/Adult activity: poetry workshop. Chapbooks featuring regional authors will be on sale at this location. Door prize and food provided by NexLynx.

• Supersonic Music (117 S.E. 6th Ave.): Local musicians will perform out front. Youth/Adult activity: chalking

• Topeka Community Cycle Project (TCCP) (423 S. Kansas Ave.): Local craft and art group, the Craftavists have partnered with the TCCP to upcycle bike parts and materials in order to create handmade bicycle inspired art, which will be on display and for sale at this location.

Music, chalk drawing and other activities will line the sidewalks
during the event.

View full full event list here.

Click the link below for our calendar events April 1, 2011 through April 8, 2011.

Calendar link for events

Highlights:

• Jest for Wolfbats: All Fools Day Parade
Escapist Skateshop (405 Southwest Blvd in Kansas City, MO)
Friday, April 1, 7:30-10:30pm

From the organizers:
A Wolfbat War Vessel will be launched down the street from Inkubator Press, 115 W. 18th St, after the defeat of two alien pinatas. Once the defeat occurs, the war vessel will battle its way through First Friday streets and end at Escapist Skateshop /Gallery, where a grand finale battle with 4 more alien pinatas will take place. SEDLEC OSSUARY, fireworks, fire and more! Pinatas filled with free gear and goodies! All masks and pinata sculptures are collaborations with KCAI and Wichita State Univ art students. Prints will be on display by Dennis McNett and WolfBat Studio.

Flag of Japan (Jake) by Tex Jernigan

• Flag of Japan Portraits
Blue Gallery (118 Southwest Blvd in Kansas City, MO)
Friday, April 1, 6-9pm

From the organizers:
Star Base Projects “Flag of Japan Portraits” featured is a one night only, interactive event allowing First Friday attendees to be featured in “Flag of Japan Portraits”. Digital versions of portraits taken that evening will be available at www.StarBaseProjects.com, recommended donation to participate. Poster prints of previous “Flag of Japan Portraits” will be available for purchase $25 each.
All proceeds from this event will go to the American Red Cross for Japan relief.

Veggie Sushi Rolls, created and photographed by Aly Young

• Lawrence Raw Foods Potluck
South Park Gazebo (1141 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence, KS)
Friday, April 1, 6-7:30pm

From the organizers:
This is the first of what will be a monthly potluck on the first Fridays of each month. Everyone welcome! Please bring an organic, vegan, raw dish to share and a plate/bowl/utensils/personal beverage. If you have no idea what to bring– fresh fruit, salad or a veggie tray would be something easy and tasty! Another idea is to search for “raw, vegan recipes” online. There is an abundance of online resources for raw recipes. Come share great living food with great people!

Desperate Pee by Jin Shan

• Spring Student Night: 2011: A Space Odyssey
Spencer Museum of Art (1301 Mississippi Street in Lawrence, KS)
Thursday, April 7, 5:30-7:30pm

From the organizers:
The Spencer Student Advisory Board is hosting its annual spring student night. This year’s theme, “2011:A Space Odyssey,” celebrates the Spencer Museum of Art’s current artist-in-residence, Jin Shan, and his exhibition “It Came From the Sky.” It is going to be a Space BLAST!!!

A moonbounce (pending), KJHK DJ, and Costume contest with prizes: Dress up in a space-suit or as your favorite sci-fi character! Free food from local businesses, photobooth, KU DDR Club, and Out-of-this-world activities. The SSAB would like to thank KU Student Senate, Coca-Cola, and the SMA for their generous support.

Click the link below for our calendar events March 25, 2011 through April 1, 2011. Lawrence Final Fridays is this week, so make sure you check out all of the great art that will be up. This intrepid reporter will be checking out all of the new art throughout the rest of the month due to the KU basketball game going on smack in the middle of the opening of these Lawrence art shows. Also, the folks at Q5 will be doing their monthly show at Henry’s this week, and I am pleased to be a small part of the show courtesy of Adam Dorssom and his Backgammon Showcase. If he still will take my pieces!

Calendar link for events

Highlights:

• Lawrence Art Party
Hobbs Taylor Lofts (740 New Hampshire in Lawrence, KS)
Friday, March 25, 5-9pm

From the Organizers:
The March 25 Lawrence Art Party is going international this month! We’ll have Flamenco fusion guitar and dance, and dozens of amazing artists!

Music and dance will be by Ole Music and Dance of Spain. In addition to the flamenco dances such sevillana and bulerias, you will also hear Latin inspired rumba and tangos, as well as selections by guitarist Jarrod Stephenson in his own flamenco fusion style!

We have AMAZING,WONDERFUL ARTISTS, INCLUDING TWO KU GROUP SHOWS!!!!!!!!!!

KU GROUP SHOWS
Sculptor Matt Burke’s students as many as 30, will be showing wood boxes and drawings. I saw some of the wood works under development, and they are going to be fascinating!

Textile Design Students from KU – Six members of the KU Textile Club will show their work! The artists are Krista Mustain, Jennifer Hunt, Ren Doshier, Sarah Sullivan, Lauren Tweedie and Neil Goss.

INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
Bill Bowerman, creator of unique and striking scan art.

Louis Copt has beautiful paintings and photographs in collections throughout the US. He is known worldwide for his prairie fire paintings, and has been showing new, innovative work at the Lawrence Art Party. Don’t miss a chance to see what Louis can do! http://www.louiscopt.com/original_art/prairie_fire/prairie_fire.php

Dan Dishman. Dan is a painter and photographer. His oil paintings are a ‘must see’ for art lovers. His facebook page is at
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=62903066

Tony Frentrop. Tony loves working with wood, and it show – he will show furniture, sculpture, and more. Don’t miss his work!

Christoper Ford, creator of the “Urban Stump”, one-of-a-kind tables

John Hachmeister, KU sculpture professor and thermite wizard, will be accompanied by an 8 foot monkey! Check out some of his work at http://tinyurl.com/johnhachmeister

Emily Johnson. Emily’s mixed media pieces are very personal, lyrical, and touching.

Laura Jost. Laura makes wonderful tile art. You’ll think they are paintings. Check them out! http://www.lorajost.org/

Baker Medlock. The Robot Man, Baker also creates wonderful metal insects. Everything he makes is from scrap. Check out the wonderful robots he has for sale now, in the window of the Hobbs Taylor Gallery! One of them is 7 feet tall! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=149657781730480&aid=57603

Kaylyn Munro will be showing new works. Her still life paintings are amazing. I will send pictures next week. In the meantime, visit her blog at kaylynmunro.blogspot.com

Daryl Nickel will be showing his hand-made furniture, including a new piece…all curves!

George Paley George will show his new Jamaican Mask series. Under development for two years, with his first American showing at the Lawrence Art Party!!!! Pictures will be posted soon!

Frank Shopen. This will be Frank’s first Lawrence Art Party. I can’t wait to see his sculptures! https://sites.google.com/site/shopendesigns/

Celia Smith, Lawrence painter, will be showing at the Lawrence Art Party for the first time. I can’t wait to see paintings! For a preview, check out http://www.lawrenceartscenter.com/Artists/Celia_Smith/001.html

Gary Mark Smith, international street photographer. Gary just posted a great portfolio of photos from New Orleans. http://www.streetphoto.com/NewOrleans.htm

Garret Tufte, author and artist, will unveil a few of his pieces. Garret blends science, technology, and art in a very intriguing way!!!

New artists are always welcome at the Lawrence Art Party. If you are interested in showing your work and having a great time, just send an email to eric@whirledart.com, with the subject “artist request” (without the quote marks). You will receive an immediate response with more details.

Check out the two sets of photos from the February 25 party, by Kyle Rogers and Wes McCauley, at the Whirled Art Facebook site http://tinyurl.com/whirledart.

• Build This Cardboard Thing
The Lawrence Percolator (940 New Hampshire in Lawrence, KS)
Friday, March 25, 5-9pm (Ongoing until Apr. 30)

From the Organizers:
Cardboard Construction Workshops March 26 & 27 1 -5pm
Parade and Opening Reception Friday, April 1st at 6pm

Eric Farnsworth will be leading the workshops where you can participate in building creatures that will be apart of the parade and opening reception. Juniper Tangpuz will be showing his amazing works in the gallery.

From the organizers (QuintEssential Gallery):
This will be a retrospective show featuring older and new works by the members of Q5 Gallery and some added guests. We will be hanging art on both the upper and lower levels of Henry’s on 8th with opening festivities Final Friday, March 25th with the art hanging for the majority of April.

Then we will return to Quinton’s with “Just Hangin ” for April with our usual open call, hang the best show possible format.

From the Organizers:
The March 25 Lawrence Art Party is going international this month! We’ll have Flamenco fusion guitar and dance, and dozens of amazing artists!

Music and dance will be by Ole Music and Dance of Spain. In addition to the flamenco dances such sevillana and bulerias, you will also hear Latin inspired rumba and tangos, as well as selections by guitarist Jarrod Stephenson in his own flamenco fusion style!

We have AMAZING,WONDERFUL ARTISTS, INCLUDING TWO KU GROUP SHOWS!!!!!!!!!!

KU GROUP SHOWS
Sculptor Matt Burke’s students as many as 30, will be showing wood boxes and drawings. I saw some of the wood works under development, and they are going to be fascinating!

Textile Design Students from KU – Six members of the KU Textile Club will show their work! The artists are Krista Mustain, Jennifer Hunt, Ren Doshier, Sarah Sullivan, Lauren Tweedie and Neil Goss.

INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
Bill Bowerman, creator of unique and striking scan art.

Louis Copt has beautiful paintings and photographs in collections throughout the US. He is known worldwide for his prairie fire paintings, and has been showing new, innovative work at the Lawrence Art Party. Don’t miss a chance to see what Louis can do! http://www.louiscopt.com/original_art/prairie_fire/prairie_fire.php

Dan Dishman. Dan is a painter and photographer. His oil paintings are a ‘must see’ for art lovers. His facebook page is at
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=62903066

Tony Frentrop. Tony loves working with wood, and it show – he will show furniture, sculpture, and more. Don’t miss his work!

Christoper Ford, creator of the “Urban Stump”, one-of-a-kind tables

John Hachmeister, KU sculpture professor and thermite wizard, will be accompanied by an 8 foot monkey! Check out some of his work at http://tinyurl.com/johnhachmeister

Emily Johnson. Emily’s mixed media pieces are very personal, lyrical, and touching.

Laura Jost. Laura makes wonderful tile art. You’ll think they are paintings. Check them out! http://www.lorajost.org/

Baker Medlock. The Robot Man, Baker also creates wonderful metal insects. Everything he makes is from scrap. Check out the wonderful robots he has for sale now, in the window of the Hobbs Taylor Gallery! One of them is 7 feet tall! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=149657781730480&aid=57603

Kaylyn Munro will be showing new works. Her still life paintings are amazing. I will send pictures next week. In the meantime, visit her blog at kaylynmunro.blogspot.com

Daryl Nickel will be showing his hand-made furniture, including a new piece…all curves!

George Paley George will show his new Jamaican Mask series. Under development for two years, with his first American showing at the Lawrence Art Party!!!! Pictures will be posted soon!

Frank Shopen. This will be Frank’s first Lawrence Art Party. I can’t wait to see his sculptures! https://sites.google.com/site/shopendesigns/

Celia Smith, Lawrence painter, will be showing at the Lawrence Art Party for the first time. I can’t wait to see paintings! For a preview, check out http://www.lawrenceartscenter.com/Artists/Celia_Smith/001.html

Gary Mark Smith, international street photographer. Gary just posted a great portfolio of photos from New Orleans. http://www.streetphoto.com/NewOrleans.htm

Garret Tufte, author and artist, will unveil a few of his pieces. Garret blends science, technology, and art in a very intriguing way!!!

New artists are always welcome at the Lawrence Art Party. If you are interested in showing your work and having a great time, just send an email to eric@whirledart.com, with the subject “artist request” (without the quote marks). You will receive an immediate response with more details.

Check out the two sets of photos from the February 25 party, by Kyle Rogers and Wes McCauley, at the Whirled Art Facebook site http://tinyurl.com/whirledart.

Click the link below for our calendar events March 18, 2011 through March 25, 2011. Lawrence Final Friday events to come early next week, but if you can’t wait, check out Molly Murphy’s new blog on Lcom covering Final Fridays here. She is likely the most in-the-know regarding art happenings in Lawrence.

Calendar link for events

Highlights:

• Over Again
Urban Culture Project Space (21 East 12th Street in Kansas City, MO)
Friday, March 18, 6-9pm (Ongoing until May 7)

From the organizers:
Charlotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project presents OVER AGAIN: ALISON BRADY AND SARAH KNOBEL.

A two person show by Alison Brady (New York) and Sarah Knobel (Washington, DC) featuring a collaborative video installation and individual photographs by each artist that employ absurdity, wry humor, and surrealism as they explore issues of isolation, loneliness and anxiety.

Opening reception: Friday, March 18, 6-9pm (artist remarks at 6:30pm), plus a Artist Talk (open to the public): Wednesday, March 16, 9:30 am at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Fine Arts Building, Room 206A.

Sponsored by the UMKC Art and Art History Department Over Again presents the work of New York-based Alison Brady and Washington DC- based Sarah Knobel, two emerging artists quickly building international reputations for photo- and video- based works that wrestle with cultural expectations, ideas of normality, and feelings of anxiety and isolation related to their experiences as women transitioning from carefree to more careful adulthood in the 21st century. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a new, collaborative video installation, Over Again, which combines aspects of absurdity and wry humor with a low-tech sensibility to create a surreal, fraught space in which the anxious uncertainty of the everyday is explored. Portraying the activities and imaginings of a housewife within her domestic environment, this work examines issues surrounding aging, work, marriage and motherhood in a manner both humorous and disturbing, mundane and cathartic. Visit www.overagain.info for more about Over Again, including a video teaser.

Rathaus Note: www.overagain.info is a really cool website that you should check out even if you can not make it to the show.

• March Mustache Madness
Teller’s (746 Massachusetts in Lawrence, KS)
Tuesday, March 22, 6-8pm and March 25, 5-9pm

Mustache related art will be shown in the upstairs gallery at Teller’s. This goes perfectly with the Mustard Madness at Freestate Brewery just down the street. So, step one, grow a mustache, step two, go eat some Freestate food and get mustard all over that mustache, step three, go to Teller’s and look at paintings and drawings of mustaches, all the while showing off your own March Mustard-Covered Mustache Madness. MMMMMMM.