A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, November 9, 2006 Page 21 Juxtapose Revives Lost Art Of Creating Silhouettes By MARYLOU MORANO century cartoons. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Known as the “Silhouette Lady,” WESTFIELD – The lost art of sil- Mrs. Grabner has been cutting silhou- houette cutting is headed for a No- ettes of people and pets for 30 years. A vember 18 revival, when Westfield’s graduate of Pratt Institute in New York Juxtapose Gallery hosts Ruth City and Montclair State College, she Grabner, one of the few professional has served as an art teacher at the silhouette cutters in the United States. former Beard School in Morristown. The silhouette – a profile of a per- Her other artistic pursuits include son, animal or thing that is cut from portrait painting, oil colors, water- black paper and placed against a white colors, pastels, charcoals and callig- background – dates back to the days raphy. before the camera. Mrs. Grabner’s silhouettes repre- Silhouette cutting originated in Eu- sent a very powerful portrait, and rope and became es- many times the TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE…Last Friday and Saturday evening, Roosevelt pecially popular in character of the per- TRUE COLORS…The Westfield High School color guard placed first in Allen- Intermediate School held the play The Time Machine. In this scene, reporters France during the son being silhou- town, Pa. at the All State Championships, while the marching band placed fifth Caroline Zee and Julia Harbaugh question inventor Filby (Chris Mench) and 18th and 19th centu- etted is reflected in overall. The band has had three first-place wins in their section, as well as overall cook Mrs. Watchett (Meghan Sullivan). ries. During this time, the image. best band win and several section wins at local competitions. Pictured above, a ™ silhouette artists at- After drawing a United States marine congratulates color guard captains Cara Paulan and Jessica POPCORN tended balls and cre- preliminary sketch Harmer on their first place win. ated “shadows” of to assure herself that Running with Scissors the nobility in their the dimensions are finery with dark pa- correct, she cuts out WHS Graduate Aronson Hardly Cutting Edge per. the image on black The word ‘silhou- paper and glues it to ette’ can actually be a white background. Awarded for Documentary One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent traced to Etienne de Each silhouette WESTFIELD – Westfield High a DVD in video stores, in the spring By MICHAEL GOLDBERGER past for the sake of marketable fiction Silhouette (1709- takes approximately School (WHS) graduate James of 2007. The movie has appeared in 2 popcorns has its justifications. However, good 1797), who served as 15 minutes to com- Aronson, now an independent docu- several film festivals in the United Perhaps the bravest thing an untal- form dictates the observance of tacitly France’s Prime Minister of Finance. A plete. mentary filmmaker, has been awarded States and Europe. ented person can do is to admit medi- acknowledged rules. Displaying some member of the elite class, he spent most “If there is someone on your holiday the “Audience Choice Award” and A 1992 graduate of WHS, Mr. ocrity and take their assigned seat in sort of literary tact is one of them. of his time cutting out profiles instead of gift –giving list who is difficult to buy the “Special Juror Award,” for his Aronson, who is known profession- the audience. Arguably also the san- The perfect example is Tennessee seeing to the needs of the people of his for, you might want to consider giving a film Danielson, A Family Movie. ally as “JL Aronson,” is a 1996 gradu- est course, it saves wear and tear on Williams. Venting through his savvy country. unique, one-of-a-kind, hand-cut silhou- These awards were presented at the ate of the University of California, the soul. But while neither talented pen, the creative transcription is sub- To protest his neglect, French peas- ette as a holiday gift,” said Gerri Gildea, Chicago, Underground Film Festival Santa Cruz. In addition to filmmak- nor brave and far from sane, Deirdre limely subtle. We care for the charac- ants dressed in black clothing so as to proprietor of Juxtapose Gallery. and the Sidewalk Moving Picture ing, he is an adjunct professor at New Burroughs (Annette Bening), the pro- ters, and not necessarily the well- resemble the finance minister’s black Mrs. Grabner invited the public to Festival in Birmingham, Ala. The York University, teaching documen- tagonist in director Ryan Murphy’s veiled author. cutouts and called themselves “sil- join her at Juxtapose Gallery on No- movie is about the life of a family tary film in the School of Continuing Running with Scissors, nonetheless But the focus here greedily disses houettes.” vember 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from South Jersey, who grew up per- and Professional Studies Program. insists she has something to say. the process. Mr. Murphy’s treatment As silhouette artists traveled to Appointments are limited. Silhouettes forming Christian rock. His work includes Senior Picture and Now, this would be no great sin if she reminds of the child who has just other parts of the world, including of busts are $25 and full figures are $45. The movie features Daniel Smith, the feature documentary Punk Rock/ were the only one harmed by her obses- learned a dirty word. Empowered by Colonial America, silhouettes grew Duplicates are available at half price. the oldest of his siblings, and his Heavy Metal Karaoke (2001). sion. But for all her talk of sensitivity, the attention its utterance brings, he in popularity. Many U.S. presidents In addition, Juxtapose will offer struggles with being labeled a “quirky He is also the founder of Creative the excruciatingly pretentious poet is says it over and over until, like the had their silhouettes cut. framing packages and custom fram- novelty act” written off as merely a Arson Productions, creating TV com- an imbecilic mom and a real harpy of a inexorable hysteria in Running with With the invention of the camera, ing discounts to all who have a sil- Christian rock band. mercials, marketing videos and full- wife. If hubby Norman (Alec Baldwin) Scissors, our senses are dulled and interest in silhouettes waned. Today, houette cut. The story is told through each of length programs for The Village Voice, wasn’t a boozehound before marrying we just wish he’d cut it out. however, silhouettes are prized for Juxtapose Gallery is located at 58 Daniel’s siblings in the band. Siren Music Festival, Central Park Deirdre, it’s no wonder he is one now. * * * * their unique simplicity. They are con- Elm Street in Westfield. For more This month, Mr. Aronson is invited Summerstage and Wired Magazine, All of which makes the painfully per- Running with Scissors, rated R, is a sidered a collectible art, and older information about Mrs. Grabner’s to speak and present his film at the among many others. fect environment for a budding young Columbia Pictures release directed silhouettes bring in high prices at visit to cut silhouettes, or to make International Film Festival in Frank- He currently resides in Fort Greene, writer. Meet Augusten Burroughs, a work by Ryan Murphy and stars Annette antique shows and sales. an appointment to have a silhouette furt, Germany. The movie will be Brooklyn. He is the son of Lynn and of dysfunction in progress played by Bening, Brian Cox and Joseph Cross. The underlying principles of sil- cut, contact the gallery at (908) 232- released to theaters around the coun- Hal Aronson of Somerset, formerly Joseph Cross. While the abomination Running time: 116 minutes houette art are even found in 20th- 3278. try in December and January, and as of Westfield and Scotch Plains. that was his childhood led to a best- selling novel and now this film, his tale begs the question, what price glory? Be prepared to be shocked and in- undated with a veritable panoply of psychoses, neuroses and just plain old garden-variety lunacy. That director Meet the Artists Murphy is able to pile so high without toppling the multifarious examples of abnormal behavior must be a feat in itself. This might interest someone at Artists Market the Guinness Book of World Records. :HVWÀHOG But it’s not very good filmmaking. across from Westfield HighSchool We get the point early on, when Deirdre :HVW¿HOG$UPRU\ allows little Augusten to skip school so he can do her hair and serve as fawning Nancy H. Strailey audience for her poetry reading. The African Wildlife Artist devoted son knows his very survival depends on flattering Mom’s ego. Hence, what better way to reward Nancy has always felt the call Augusten’s doting but to cast him away to express herself through painting and to strangers? Which is precisely what the shrew does when caring for the kid drawing, it wasn’t until thirty years imposes on her artistic self-expression. ago with the support of her husband, By this time, Deirdre has long been under the care and influence of Dr. Mike that it became possible for her to Finch, a charlatan psychiatrist who achieve the title full-time artist. lives in creepy chaos with his belea- With much success over the guered wife (Jill Clayburgh) and char- acteristically bizarre daughters, Natalie years Nancy’s artwork is on display in (Evan Rachel Wood) and Hope many locations throughout the country (Gwyneth Paltrow). Whether it’s Deirdre’s idea or Dr. Finch’s, Augusten such as Goodyear Tire, Coca Cola, Wa- joins the crazy crew in their pink man- chovia Bank and Penn State University fortunate to be able to travel to many different and sion. Inside, it’s even weirder. The nuttiness knows no bounds. A just to name a few. She also has perma- remote parts of Africa over the past decade. bathroom scene wherein the quack, nent public installations in North and Nancy realizes that she is lucky to be able to played to the mad hilt by Brian Cox, South Carolina medical facilities. divines better times ahead by what he live her dream while working with her husband. To observes there, is the proverbial corker. Although Nancy keeps a very preview Nancy’s work visit her website at Stylistically derivative of a John busy show schedule she has been www.NancyStrailey.com. Waters film (i.e.-Hairspray), Running with Scissors is outrageous but without the sense of humor and cutting edge social criticism to balance the disgrace- November 10 • 11 • 12 Our ful carryings on. Self preservation be- ing what it is, the viewer is forced into Hours: Fri 5pm-8:30pm Sat 10am-6pm Sunday 10am-5pm QG the uncomfortable position of having :HHNHQG3DVVStudents $5 under 10 admitted free to find comedy relief in what would otherwise hardly qualify as funny. Year Marat Sade and Bedlam have noth- ing on Augusten’s formative years. More info: Americanartmarketing.com An endless stream of insane and of- ten cruel acts gives the theater’s exit “My work is a juxtaposition of weighted organic form and sharp Michael Solomon signs a beckoning glow. Only some polished edges. I approach glass like a painter to a canvas; the col- fine acting performances in and of 5HÁHFWLYH$UW themselves offer reprieve from the oration, vivid and original, is reminiscent of a swatch of fabric.” gratuitous delve into mental misery. Michael is from 90 Pity is, all of this had potential. The Maplewood and will Randi Solin, a glass blower of eighteen years, brings a rich paint- novel was well received. Adding to Artists the gossipy appeal, there have even be available to dis- HUO\HIIHFWWRKHUJODVVFUHDWLRQV7KHGDQFHEHWZHHQWKHÁXLGLW\RI been lawsuits by the real psychiatrist’s cuss how his stunning molten glass and the rigid form, upon cooling, is kept alive in her family, as well as a recent settlement. creations. Solin’s work is a fusion of the American studio art glass OK, so director Murphy plays the mosaic designs can be scandal card. No big deal. Exploiting customized for your movement and classic Venetian glassblowing. www.solinglass.com a subject’s psychologically arduous particular needs. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS ZZZUHÁHFWLYHDUWFRP Stein Gallery (solo), Portland, ME, 2004 “Craft” Gallery (solo), Jackson Hole, WY, 2004 Randi Solin glass RAF Gallery (solo), Littleton, CO, 2003 Best of Glass, Stratton Arts Festival, VT, 2002 & 2003 Best of Glass, Tarpon Springs, FL, 2002 Sono Arts (Best of Show), CT, 1999 SELECTED COLLECTIONS The White House Permanent Collection, Washington, DC U.S. Ambassador, Algeria U.S. Ambassador, Guinea

MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT…The Woman’s Club of Westfield will meet Monday, November 13, for its monthly meeting held at Atlas Pythagoras Ma- sonic Lodge in Westfield. The program will include a performance by Heather Mulvey, who performs traditional, Ameri- cana, Celtic, bluegrass and contemporary folk music. For more information, call Jean Murphy at (908) 789-1045.