Corpitopia

Opening at K Space Contemporary
Saturday, Jan. 16th

Corpitopia: A multi-media installation and community project by Robert Bubp

Free Workshop with the Artist:

“Playing with the Urban Plan”

Saturday, January 16, 11 am to 1 pm

Opening Reception:

Saturday, January 16, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Artist Robert Bubp will speak at 5:30

Exhibition continues through March 6, 2010.

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.

FMI: call 887-6834 or visit www.kspacecontemporary.org.

Drawing at right by Robert Bubp

Also Opening, Jan. 16, 5:30 - 8 pm:

In the gift shop Art Star– Casey Cooper

In the Hot Spot: Balance & Counter-Balance installation by Jimmy Pena & Day Wheeler

Those who attend the opening may get their hand stamped (free) to get into see the “Ugly Beats” at House of Rock later that night.

Corpus Christi, TX: K Space Contemporary is pleased to announce the opening of Corpitopia, a community project and installation created by Kansas artist Robert Bubp. Corpitopia explores resident’s interpretations of what Corpus Christi will or should be like in 10 years, 25 years, 50 years. Specifically, how would its appearance change to accommodate “city” concerns: schools & educational facilities, homeless shelters, police stations, green spaces, traffic/roads, housing, cultural amenities, universities, prisons, health centers, etc.

Community participation is highly encouraged. Those who attend the free workshop (Jan. 16, 11 am to 1 pm) and anytime throughout the run of the exhibition may participate by creating their own maps and drawings in the exhibition’s “studio” or by playing the “game” mapped out on the floor of the gallery. Bubp has also set up a blog for the project at http://corpitopia.blogspot.com/. You can add you’re your 2 cents there.

Bubp aims to create an involved community process that does not end when the show opens. One goal of the project is to encourage residents to take ownership of the ideas and process for community-building and engagement. Corpitopia will serve as a record of community action and discussion for whomever may be concerned to look at it.

Robert Bubp is an Associate Professor of Foundation, Painting and Drawing at Wichita State University, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of Georgia and a Master of Fine Arts from Georgia State University.

Corpitopia is sponsored in part by: Grande Commications, Fox KUQI Television, House of Rock, NuStar Energy, Post Net/Pronto Reprographics, V Boutique Hotel, Andrews Distributing, Republic National Distributing Company and Omni Hotels.

WIG-OUT Press Release

Press Release
Partida Tequila presents WIG OUT 2009 fabulous fundraiser benefiting K Space Contemporary

Honoring: “Hair to the Throne” Nelda Martinez, City Council Member At Large Date: Thursday, October 29, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Tickets: $50

For immediate release – Please use image of Nelda Martinez attached. Corpus Christi, TX: K Space Contemporary is excited to announce that plans are underway for Wig Out 2009, our signature fundraiser. This annual event – where wigs are strictly required! – will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at K Space Contemporary.

Co-chairs, Sharon Custer Cave and Omar Lopez, have set a fundraising goal of $15,000. Proceeds from Wig Out will be used for gallery operations; to help fund our unique art education programs and exceptional exhibitions; and to enable us to continue to set the highest standard for contemporary art in South Texas.

WigOut 2009 kicks off with a Wig Parade aboard the DTown Tram during ArtWalk. Lead sponsor, Partida Tequila is providing specialty margaritas for the entire evening. Stylists from Corpus Christi’s best salons are designing wigs for the event, which will be modeled throughout the evening. Wig Out will include door prizes, food, drinks, silent auction and an art sale of works by many the region’s best known artists. Entertainment includes a special appearance by the cast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Master of Ceremonies Rache’l Payne, and music by DJ Curtis Rock.

At 10:00 pm WigOut will move to one of Corpus Christi’s most respected and recognizable downtown hot spots, House of Rock. Scarecrow People will headline the amazing WigOut After-Party where all the fun continues.

Special Thanks to our sponsors (at this time): Partida Tequila, AEP Texas, Andrews Distributing, House of Rock, Grande Communications, KUQI Fox 38 Television, NuStar Energy, Republic Distributing, Navy/Army Federal Credit Union and Convergent Broadcasting. We expect the 2009 Wig Out to be the biggest in the history of this event!

For additional information, please feel free to call K Space Contemporary at (361)887-6834. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kspacecontemporary.org. (Image of Honoree Nelda Martines and invitation attached) K Space Contemporary is an artist-operated 501©3 non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and promoting contemporary art. Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. FMI: 887-6834 or visit www.kspacecontemporary.org.

Third Coast National - PRESS RELEASE

What: Third Coast National – Third Annual National Juried Exhibition

When: Opening Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Gallery talk with Juror Fairfax Dorn at 5:30pm.

Exhibition runs through November 21^st.

Where: K Space Contemporary, 415 D Starr Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78403

Contact: V. Michelle Smythe, 361-887-6834, info@kspacecontemporary.org

Images: “Mansion” by Melissa Wilkinson, “Now What” by Russ Orlando

K Space Contemporary proudly presents its third annual juried exhibition, Third Coast National, drawing artists from as far as San Francisco, CA and Athens, GA. This non-thematic exhibition utilizing artistic mediums such as photography, painting, sculpture, film, and graphic design will be on view from October 17^th through November 21^st.

Juror Fairfax Dorn, artist, Executive Director, and co-founder of Ballroom Marfa, left a highly successful position at the Whitney Museum of American art in New York City for the West Texas desert landscape. Formerly a resident of Corpus Christi, the juror currently engages emerging and established artists to promote new ideas on an international scale. Recent projects include an eco-friendly Drive-In theatre/music hall and ongoing missions to bring people together though the arts.

A gallery talk by Fairfax Dorn will take place at 5:30 pm. Admission is free, with refreshments and live music by Oscar Guerra and Bruno Andrade. Also opening this evening: Dyslexic Dreams Go Green by Robert Cockrell and Jim Forsythe in the 3^rd floor Hot Spot Gallery and Blackbird People, drawings by Ricardo Ruiz in the Art Star Gallery.

Sponsors include the Arts and Cultural Commission of Corpus Christi, KUQI Fox, Grande Communications, V Boutique Hotel, and Andrews Distributing. This exhibition was also made possible through the efforts of the Texas A&M Museum and Gallery Practices class led by Elizabeth Reese, Phd.

Participating artists include: Therese Bauer (El Paso, TX), John Bissonette (Las Vegas, NV), Peter Combe (San Francisco, CA), Casey D. Cooper (San Antonio, TX), Bryan Drew (Lincoln, NE), Stephen Gambill (Corpus Christi, TX), Andrea Land (Springfield, MO), Haejae Lee (Richmond Hill, NY), John Mastenbrook (Corpus Christi, TX), Leigh Merrill (Denton, TX), Russ Orlando (Franklin, MI), James R. Pace (Tyler, TX), David Politzer (Youngstown, OH), Shravan Rajagopal (Marquette, MI), Kaletia Roberts (Dallas, TX), Greg Rubio (Corpus Christi, TX), Martina Shenal (Tucson, AZ), Alison A. Smith (Athens, GA), Josh Smith (Portland, OR), Cliff Tisdell (Hoboken, NJ), Susan Smith Trees (Lake Forest, IL), Vaugn Wascovich (Commerce, TX), Marqi Weir (Placitas, NM), Jonathan Whitfill (Lubbock, TX), Melissa Wilkinson (Hewitt, TX), and Brandy Wolfe (Allston, MA).

PRESS RELEASE- Premier Film Event- Art:21

 For Immediate Release:

Corpus Christi, Texas 

K Space Contemporary Premier Film Event 

Art:21- Art in the Twenty-First Century  

Now in it’s fifth season, Art:21 will screen at K Space Contemporary.  This prime-time television PBS series is the only one of its kind to focus exclusively on contemporary art and has received the Peabody Award for distinguished achievement in electronic media.  

Free premier showings for two episodes of Art:21 will be screened at K Space Contemporary on Thursday October 1^st & 8^th from 7-9 pm. The event will be complimented with a panel discussion led by guest artists and professionals.  Art:21 the television series airs beginning October 7^th on PBS. 

Art:21 is a series of artist interviews which provide rare access to individuals who grapple with the complex issues of our time, ask tough questions, and make works that delight, amaze and sometimes unsettle audiences worldwide.  Featured artists include Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Yinka Shonibare. 

October 1^st- Episode 2: Fantasy

Fantasy presents four artists whose works or personal stories transport viewers to imaginary worlds and altered states of consciousness.

Jeff Koons utilizes symbolically charged images and objects from popular culture to frame his questions about taste and pleasure in modern society. His painstakingly crafted artworks were recently exhibited at a groundbreaking and controversial installation at the Chateau de Versailles.

Mary Heilmann filters her inner world through her work, imbuing abstract paintings, ceramics, and furniture with references to memories and aesthetic influences.

Florian Maier- Aichen is a German-born landscape photographer. His works— alternately romantic, cerebral and unearthly—question German Romanticism and myths of the American West. A young Beijing-based Chinese artist, Cao Fei’s videos, photos, and new media works explore perception, reality and inner lives in places as diverse as a Chinese factory and the virtual world of Second Life. 

October 8^th- Episode 3: Transformation 

Whether observing and satirizing society or reinventing icons of literature, art history, and popular culture, the artists featured in Transformation capture the sensibilities of our age while at times inhabiting the characters they have created.  

 Yinka Shonibare MBE -Working in multiple mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and film, Shonibare draws upon his bicultural upbringing, European literary classics, 18th and 19th century history to create tableaus of dazzling color and patterns that provoke re-consideration of stereotypical colonial narratives.

Cindy Sherman, well known for her photographic series, creates a myriad of characters, metamorphosing herself from Hollywood starlet to clown to society matron in her photographs and early films. 

Paul McCarthy has created works of video, installation, sculpture and performance. His video-taped performances and multimedia installations satirize polite society, ridicule authority, and bombard the viewer with a sensory overload of spectacular imagery. 

For more information, please call (361) 887-6834 or email info@kspacecontemporary.org

 

 

Enmascarados Press Release

K Space Contemporary Exhibitions

Sept. 4 to Oct. 9, 2009

Opening Reception: Friday, September 4, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m. Exhibition continues through October 9, 2009. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm. FMI: call 887-6834 or visit www.kspacecontemporary.org.

Image: "Tag Team Death Match," Acrylic - Enrique Martinez

Enmascarados: Homage to the Social Phenomenon of Lucha Libre

Also in the Main Gallery: Michael Ryan Howell: New Work, Project Slicker: Condom Couture for the Runway in collaboration with Planned Parenthood of South Texas.

In the gift shop Art Star–Lisa Harrison Ramirez.

In the Hot Spot: Alone in a Crowd: Cody Jones

ABOUT ENMASCARADOS:

Corpus Christi, TX: K Space Contemporary is pleased to announce the opening of a new art exhibition, Enmascarados: Homage to the Social Phenomenon of Lucha Libre. Enmascarados (the masked ones) is an art exhibition that showcases top Chicano artists’ interpretations of Lucha Libre, Mexican freestyle wrestling. Displayed are photos, paintings, mixed media, video, and sculpture. The exhibition was curated by curator, artist, and musician Angel Quesada, and is currently traveling throughout the state of Texas.

Statement by Exhibition Organizer, Angel Quesada:

Since the spectacle of Lucha Libre (freestyle wrestling) began in Mexico, it has captivated audiences and created a phenomenon that has gained popularity all over the world. The fact that the wrestlers don a mask is very compelling and beckons us to assume a role in the ring. Whichever side you choose to play in the ring; the "rudo" (rude boy brawler, bad guy) or the "tecnico" (traditional technical wrestler, good guy), the mask acts as a portal allowing our imagination to embody the luchador (wrestler).

This exhibit sits us, the audience, on the edge of the dark and controversial, the childish and even spiritual… rendering for us a colorful allegory of good versus evil. Although the mask's use in the sport hides the luchador's face, what emerges as a result of this masquerade is the paragon of a Mexican visual past and a newfound adoration and creation of a new iconic face of Mexico.

"Enmascarados: Homage to the Social Phenomenon of Lucha Libre", is not simply an exhibit but a collection of Chicano artists participating in a happening. It is a tour de force of artistic talent celebrating a slice of culture. The work included displays photos, paintings, mixed media, video, and sculpture which continue a dialogue of diversity and irreverent playfulness, nostalgia and exoticism.

Participating Artists:

Federico Archuleta (El Paso), Jesus Cimi, Fidencio Duran (Austin), Celeste De Luna (Brownsville), Faustinus Deraet (Mexico City), Xavier Garza (San Antonio), Beto Gonzalez (San Antonio/Los Angeles), Hector Hernandez (Laredo), Gerald Lopez (Corpus Christi), Enrique Martinez (El Paso/San Antonio), Marcela Moran (Laredo), Abel Ortiz-Acosta (Val Verde/Del Rio), Angel Quesada (Los Angeles/Boston), Bonifacio Rodriguez (Austin), Jose Rodriguez Venezuela/Leander), Ricardo Ruiz (Corpus Christi)

About the exhibition curator, Angel Quesada (www.angelquesada.com):

Quesada, has worked as an artist, curator and preparator, and was production manager at Mexic-Arte Museum 2005-2009. Quesada has coordinated numerous exhibitions including, YLA 12: Embracing Chaos on behalf of Mexic-Arte Museum at the inauguration of The Mexican American Cultural Center Austin in 2007 and Del Otro Lado in Houston for the Art League of Houston in conjunction with Chase Bank in 2008.

Quesada, originally from Laredo and Eagle Pass, has lived in Boston, Los Angeles and Del Rio. He currently lives in Austin, Texas and is a Master Instructor at the Mexican American Cultural Center.

News From Bizarro Artworld

This article from a year ago from the Associated Press, chronicles the misadventures of a sculptural piece by artist, Paul McCarthy. Just in case you missed it, take a look.

Flying dog poo art causes museum chaos in Switzerland

GENEVA (AFP)- A giant inflatable dog turd by American artist Paul McCarthy blew away from an exhibition in the garden of a Swiss museum, bringing down a power line and breaking a greenhouse window before it landed again, the museum said Monday.

The art work, titled "Complex S(expletive)", is the size of a house. The wind carried it 200 metres (yards) from the Paul Klee Centre in Berne before it fell back to Earth in the grounds of a children's home, said museum director Juri Steiner.

The inflatable turd broke the window at the children's home when it blew away on the night of July 31, Steiner said. The art work has a safety system which normally makes it deflate when there is a storm, but this did not work when it blew away.

Steiner said McCarthy had not yet been contacted and the museum was not sure if the piece would be put back on display.

Now that you read this article insert any appropriate poo jokes or statements.

S*** Happens
McCarthy's work is full of crap.
When everyone's power went out, the s*** hit the fan (or window).
Free Mr. Hanky!
The safety system didn't work? No S*** Sherlock!
I bet the children really got the crap scared out of them.
The museum wants to make sure this doesn't happen a turd time.
I've seen a housefly. I've seen a dragonfly. I've even seen butterfly, but I've never seen crap fly.

I know, I know, I'll stop it now.

Talk to you later,
donkeypump

Stay Strong Artists: Warhol Got Rejected Too

Take a look at this letter (click on the image for a larger view) dated 1956 from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to Andy Warhol. It is in reference to an artwork Warhol submitted for inclusion into MOMA's permanent collection. He was gently but soundly denied. We can all empathize with Warhol's plight. As artists, rejection comes with the territory. We have all received letters that begin something like: " We regret to inform you" and end something like: "Good luck with all your future endeavours". More often than not, these letters soon hit the bottom of a trash can or if sent by e-mail, are emphatically deleted into Hades. Andy Warhol kept his rejection letter though. Perhaps it was just the motivation he needed to keep on working. Maybe it was just the spark he needed to keep doing his thing and in the 1960's, his thing turned him into a Pop Art icon and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. It's probably safe to say that is one letter MOMA wishes it had back. Andy Warhol definitely made the most of his 15 minutes, perhaps with a little perseverance we can too.

Talk with you later,
Donkeypump

P.S.- K Space Contemporary board member, Syliva Samaniego, graciously shared this Andy Warhol letter with me after finding a copy of it in a purse she recently purchased. Thanks again for sharing with us.

K Space Studio Artist, Jimmy Pena in "Texas Draws"

Jimmy Pena is in a group exhibition at the Southwest School of Art & Craft in San Antonio. His works are featured along with other artists like Trenton Doyle Hancock and Mona Marshall. Check out the article HERE and Jimmy's website HERE. Awesome work Jimmy!

new fancy panoramic views

country cowgirls

it was too fun to pass dressing up for the twisted spurs opening!

THIS JUST IN...WIG-OUT UPDATE!

Jennifer Guest's postcard drawing is in!!! She just emailed me Friday night with this 60's inspired design for the Wig-Out Fundraiser Sept. 26th! I love her work. Remember she is also doing a t-shirt design and so is her artist husband the amazing Matthew Guest!


http://vitaminjlg.blogspot.com & www.matthewguestart.com

some new photos from Twisted Spurs...more on our website!

Twisted Spurs Exhibit on KRIS-TV!

vp productions video

food inc.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php
Amy Yilmazer, one of our volunteers, is an amazing cook and a big supporter of local farmers markets. She pointed out this movie about the food industry. Looks like something I am going to check out.
Thanks Amy for the link.

real estate follows artists

After watching way too much HGTV, I finally realized those realtors are pretty smart, and so are artists...changing cities and all.
Realtors were telling their clients to watch where the artists go, watch where they work because they know the cheapest places to live and work. And where the artists are located, then other places will follow. Those areas become trendy, amazing places to live because of artists. Visual artists, musicians, etc.
If you are familiar with downtown Corpus Christi, you will notice that they are slowly developing new, contemporary living spaces. Renovating three new buildings to be exact and turning them into amazing apartments and lofts.
I truly believe K Space and all the other artists downtown had something to do with this over the years. Is it finally happening? fingers crossed...every intelligent person knows cities survive off of a downtown that isn't vacant.
thank an artist or better yet, buy a piece of artwork.
XOXO me (hope you like the legal graffiti)

i love the underdog

Ummm, does the public know that K Space Contemporary is run by artists & volunteers who are paid $0.00....yes, you read correctly.

C'mon ya'll, show your support and come to the next opening and make a small donation or even better purchase a pretty little membership.

xoxo
leonardo da vinci

Julian Schnabel on 60 Minutes

I watched this interview with Julian Schnabel on 60 Minutes and wanted to share.
Interesting that he lived in Brownsville!

Diane Arbus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Arbus

Katherine Bernhardt

the tattoo kids are alright

Check out these awesome arty tattoos by artist Amanda Wachob!
http://www.amandawachobtattoo.com/

Lust for Life was on today....kirk douglas plays vincent

Truthfully, I know a few people like this.
We all still have our ears...yah, for the tortured artists.

downtown meter demons, the bummies and a downtown rant just for you_____SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART AND ALL BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.....FOR REALZ.

I am going to start taking photos of the meter maids and start posting them on this blog...there are three or four and they have issues.
What an awful job, really.

I was literally running to my car to leave before the meter expired. Literally running on the sidewalk. I ALWAYS set my alarm. I was going to make it, and then I saw them. The two female ones, both sitting squashed in that golf cart, one getting out to write my ticket. I yelled out, "That is my car, here I am!! Wait!" I was about 12 feet away and they totally ignored me. A second later I was at my car and she just began to write the ticket anyway. I looked her in the eye and said, "I am here. What are you doing? I am leaving..." And her partner yelled, "Write her a ticket anyway!"
WTF!? Really, ladies?
She was standing in front of my door and I had to squeeze my way in between to get in my car. My plan was to drive away as they were still writing the ticket, but she would not move. I said some harsh words like, "I know you are paying for your salary with tickets...yada yada yada...you are crazy.."
They gave me the ticket and I ripped it up and one of them said "they would be mailing me one now" and they drove off into the sunset, probably laughing.
At least be nice when you give a ticket, really.
I know so many good people that get screwed by these people. It happens all the time.

If you don't come downtown often, please be aware of these people. They drop from the sky out of nowhere.

Pay your meters, MONDAY - FRIDAY, free after 5pm.
If you are lucky, there are some meters that last for 6 hours...I think...on the hill on Peoples Street or Schaztel. Did I spell that right?
WAIT, INSTEAD don't park anywhere there is a meter.
Park in a free zone. Sure you have to walk more, but we all could use the exercise.
Wait, maybe you shouldn't park far away because you will run into a million bums and they beg and they are good at it. I see people who do not come downtown a lot and they actually give them money. DO NOT. Instead donate your money to K Space, we are downtown and the public gives more to the bums than to us. TRUST me, they do not use that money to buy food. I have seen it with my own eyes...friends and myself have given food to them and they get soooooo mad. One threw food on the sidewalk outside of our door, another threw soup on the door of El Zolaco Cafe (when it used to be open), and another threw a hamburger in the parking lot next to the old Ritz Theater.
Mike, do you remember that bum fight on the corner? Oh, those were the days...

So IN CONCLUSION, I am going to take some photographs and videos of meter maids and the bums and purpose an exhibition and title it, Someone is Getting Rich While the Heart of the City Stays Poor, It's Like You Have Never Stepped Into A Successful City Before and You Choose to Stay Ignorant, and in the Meantime Sonya's Restaurant is Selling it's Building for $700,000, Are You Kidding Me? Another Empty Building Will Soon Be Downtown, Why Are We Paying Meters to be Downtown? The Nueces Lofts Better Be Filled....

SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART AND ALL BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.....FOR REALZ.
Love ya xoxo,
leonardo da vinci

finally, some videos from Graffiti Art Project 2009...

enjoy...

eye infection...mini crit time!

Okay, so my personal favorite was everything by Jennifer Guest.
Hello, the gal can draw and what an artist.
Jennifer's rendition of her husband's head (Matthew Guest) in the baby stork sling is priceless. A little psycho and yet a lot of love...
I am not a huge fan of color, but she makes me want to get rid of my charcoal and graphite.
The bubblegum piece sold....I wanted that one.

who can turn down wine and drawing?

Our City Dreams

K Space may have an opportunity to hold a screening of this amazing documentary. Would you come to watch?

Our City Dreams | Movie Trailers

THE QUALITY OF LIFE CANDIDATES FORUM MARCH 18, 2009 - HARBOR PLAYHOUSE - 5:30 PM

Joe Gazin!

Check out this piece done by local artist Mike Casarez for our Graffiti Art Project Exhibition.
It is local anchor man Joe Gazin!