Artist Shout Out: Annie Lapin

According to Honor Fraser Gallery (LA), home of Annie Lapin’s latest solo exhibition entitled The Pure Space Animate, which opens May 21 and runs through July 9:

In a new group of paintings on canvas, Lapin’s luscious, high-energy compositions co-mingle painterly conventions of representation with an obliterating gestural abstraction. Lapin refers to specters of realism that haunt the abstraction in these richly layered paintings. In The Pure Space Animate, there is less occasion for the multi-figure groups and enigmatic narratives of previous works, with further prominence shifted to the intensive formal activity. The coherent scenic space and figural focal points which remain are yet more densely encircled and perforated by painterly forces that counteract their legibility, leaving the viewing experience characteristically unstable.

One seeks and temporarily sees indications of illusionistic space – a horizon line, a column, the shadow of a tree – only to find that it behaves instead the next moment as a collection of sinuous ribbons of paint bound to the surface. And it is this contrasting visual interpretation, this unresolved chord, that Lapin seeks to strike in the interest of a phenomenological experience of works as “constantly emerging” for the viewer. Essential to the expressiveness in Lapin’s paintings is the articulation of space. The artist has developed a palette of elemental forces extracted from a lineage of painting and visual culture of her own devising. These sets of formal relationships – such as a lilting perspective or a characteristic distribution of masses across the picture plane – are isolated from their sources and given new life as structuring forces for Lapin’s paralinguistic figures and spaces. In particular, a number of the works in The Pure Space Animate submit compositional conventions from sensuous Rococo landscapes to the gravitational pull of the pure relations of abstract painting…

See more of Lapin’s work here and here

Watch a video about Lapin and her work here

“The History or Hysterical Memory” 2010, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 40 x 60 inches

“Bi-cyclic and Tri-cyclic Romantics” 2009, Casein, acrylic, and egg tempera on panel, 48 x 72 inches

“Private Outdoor Facial Coronation” 2009, Casein and oil on panel, 33 x 47 inches

“Perverts” 2009. Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

Art Roundup: April 8, 2011 to April 15, 2011

Weekly roundup of the best art shows and art related events in and around the Lawrence/Kansas City area.

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.

31st Annual Lawrence Art Auction

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.

ReThink Topeka Exhibition and Art Walk

• 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.

Art Roundup: April 1, 2011 to April 8, 2011

Weekly roundup of the best art shows and art related events in and around the Lawrence/Kansas City area.

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.