Thursday, September 18 2008

Fantastically enlarged snapshot portrait images of Twin Cities immigrants are part of a temporary public art installation this summer in Minneapolis.

The UnConventional Gathering Place
August 31st – November 7th, 2008
Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55408

Intermedia Arts presents
The UnConventional Gathering Place!
Intermedia Arts Becomes Hangout for Artists, Educators, Alternative Journalists During the 2008 Republican National Convention

Gallery hours: Monday- Friday 12pm-7pm, Saturday 12pm-5pm
Suggested $5 donation

Main Gallery
Landing In America
By John Obrien
A multi-media installation reflecting on the compelling experiences with or related challenges to our basic liberties.

Beginning on Labor Day, Water and Oil Art Gallery will host the exhibit “Hands On: People at Work.” Selected works will offer tribute to the sweat equity earned through hard work, artisanship and craftsmanship. Featured artist Judy Westergard will be displaying her series “A Show of Hands—Hands as Portraiture.” Evocative of their owners’ personal narratives, Westergard describes the inspiration that led to these works:

“I grew up in historic northeast Minneapolis in a blue-collar environment. I studied my mom’s hands as she hung clothes and rolled dough for pierogi.

Celebrities portrayed as Lego figures: a show by the wannabe Warhol, Plasticgod. Click here for the official site and here to read Jay Gabler’s blog entry on the show.

Bethel University’s Olson Gallery pleased to present new works by Bethel University Associate Professor of Art Jeff Wetzig.

Jeff Wetzig’s collection of prints transform their traditional roots in Japanese woodblock prints to explore the medium as a means of installation. He investigates the idea of boundaries and borders as they relate to themes such as mass communication, repetition, and fear. The delicate nature of line and color in his woodblock prints are an interesting contrast to their subject matter.

How are artists, educators, and alternative journalists mobilizing and taking the democratic process to a creative level? Hear about the innovative ways that institutions and community members organized through The UnConvention, a series of programs exploring participatory media and democracy. Digital tagging, YouTube PSAs, melting sculptures, guerilla video journalism, and emotional maps are just some of the ways that locals are taking ownership of parks, streets, and web spaces to re-ignite the meaning and value of freedom of speech.

How are artists, educators, and alternative journalists mobilizing and taking the democratic process to a creative level? Hear about the innovative ways that institutions and community members organized through The UnConvention, a series of programs exploring participatory media and democracy. Digital tagging, YouTube PSAs, melting sculptures, guerilla video journalism, and emotional maps are just some of the ways that locals are taking ownership of parks, streets, and web spaces to re-ignite the meaning and value of freedom of speech.

Going Green with Your Minnesota Travels
Hostelling International Presents Free Travel Program in St. Paul; Open to Public

St. Paul, MN (September 8, 2008)–With a renewed focus on living “green,” local travelers can take heart they don’t need to check their green habits at the door the next time they hit the road. Now, they can learn about “The Green Routes” program (www.greenroutes.org), which started in Minnesota and features eight regional routes. Destinations range from organic wineries and farm stays to tours of a historic soda pop factory that still makes local sodas.

Bedlam Theatre
Sep 18, 2008 – Sep 20, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

The kickoff party for the 6th annual Twin Cities Black Film Festival, featuring an opening-night premiere and a reception. See the Arts Orbit blog entry for links and more information.