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An annual exhibit in

New Hope advances the Tuesday aesthetic standing of wood. November 18, 2014 D

“The Coffee Table,” by Alan Ginsberg

By GWEN SHRIFT Staff Writer he New Hope Arts Center’s “Works in Wood,” once mostly a fine-furniture show, takes a welcome trip to the frontiers of pure art this Tyear. Many pieces cross the line, including works by Janice Smith, John Marley, Birdie Miller and Ken Burton. Yet past tradition is not forgotten, with many finely crafted boxes, bowls, shelves, tables, cabinets, frames, plaques, trays, chairs and other useful and decorative furnishings. Burton and Miller offer museum-worthy cabinets, one freestanding and the other wall-mounted. “Harlequin Cabinet” reflects Burton’s exploration of art deco visual forms in quartersawn sycamore and wenge, some of it dyed. The style informs the structure, an inverted comma in dark “Harlequin Cabinet,” wood at the lower-third quartersawn sycamore, of the cabinet serving as a wenge, ash and dye, drawer pull. by Ken Burton Miller’s freestanding “4-Drawer Cabinet w/ Cantilevered Stand” turns “Juliet,” birch plywood, book-matched rosewood, sapele pomele veneer, red oak and maple to the cherry, by Janice Smith service of architecture in miniature, reflecting a complex and focused use of space between the two levels of the piece. “Life,” driftwood, Smith exhibits a side table and chair likely not brass ring, acrylic, meant for sitting. The larger piece, “Juliet,” employs by Bernie Houston highly figured sapele pomele veneer along its sides and “4-Drawer Cabinet undulating backrest; its companion, “Romeo,” weds w/ Cantilevered Stand,” book-matched exotic woods such as African cherry with solid-surface rosewood, red oak, material used in kitchen counters. maple, by Birdie Miller See Wood, Page D3

Area vet calls ‘Fortunate Son’ flap a lot of hot air Not that “Fortunate Son” is 45 years old, but thanks to of the week” on Friday. (The fact the Boss gener- people who think they know better than everyone ated far more venom than either Grohl or Brown you asked else, the Creedence Clearwater Revival gem was wouldn’t have anything to do with his well-docu- back in the news last week. mented political views, would it? I wonder if any Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and the Zac of his detractors know or care that he once played Brown Band shared the stage for a searing version an entire concert to benefit Vietnam veterans. But of the Vietnam-era classic during HBO’s Concert I digress.) for Valor benefiting veterans on the National Mall Never mind that John Fogerty, the guy who in Washington last Tuesday. For me, anyway, it wrote “Fortunate Son,” is a Vietnam vet himself, was the highlight of the three-hour, star-studded and that he performed the song (without contro- show. versy) during PBS’ “A Salute to the Troops” on Others apparently weren’t as enamored. Con- the White House lawn a week before the Concert Andy servative magazine The Weekly Standard immedi- for Valor. ately posted a rant on its blog, calling the song an Or that the lyrics criticize not the men and Vineberg “anti-military anthem” and an “anti-war screed” women who fight our wars but the rich people 215-949-4135 and accusing Springsteen, Grohl and Brown of who orchestrate them, all the while sending the Email: avineberg being “tone-deaf ” for choosing to perform it at a poor into battle and keeping their own sons and @calkins.com Veterans Day event. daughters safe at home. The criticism continued on social media The negative buzz over Springsteen (and, throughout the week, mostly targeting Spring- oh, yeah, Grohl and Brown) choosing to play steen, who later in the show performed a stark, “Fortunate Son” grew loud enough last week solo acoustic version of his oft-misunderstood that Fogerty chose to address it, releasing a state- 1984 hit “Born in the U.S.A.” That choice of ment that said, in part, “As an American and a song, whose lyrics lament the shoddy treatment songwriter, I am proud that the song still has of Vietnam vets after their return home from the resonance. I do believe that its meaning gets mis- war, also inexplicably received a fair share of heat interpreted and even usurped by various factions online, primarily for being “unpatriotic.” ASSOCIATED PRESS wishing to make their own case. Bruce Springsteen (left), Dave Grohl and Zac Brown Al Morganti of SportsRadio 94WIP even perform “Fortunate Son” at the Concert for Valor. named Springsteen the Morning Show’s “weasel See VINEBERG, Page D3 Life Tuesday, November 18, 2014 the intelligencer Bucks county courier times D3 Between boundary and limitation It’s the space Ben Sollee likes to explore in his own music, his many collaborations and his touring. By NAILA FRANCIS Louisville, the orchestral narrative while touring. Staff Writer has never appealed to him. “For me, I felt in this day and Ben Sollee has plenty of “The cello is really like the age, with social media and all the new material in the works. He Swiss army knife of the orchestra. things going on in the world, if promises. You can do so much with it. From I was going to have a career in Yes, it’s been two years since a composing standpoint and a music and create a platform, it was the release of “Half-Made Man,” songwriter’s, that’s what keeps me important to put on that platform his last studio album. But the sing- in love with it,” says Sollee. things that I care about,” says ing cellist — as he likes to refer He was in the third grade when Sollee. to himself — hasn’t exactly been a teacher in his public school Such conviction also informs idle since then. He’s issued two carted a collection of instruments his embracing of music as a social other full-lengths: a 2013 album around to all the kids. art form. So does his penchant for of covers, “The Hollow Sessions,” “When she played the cello touring by bicycle, which he first and the original score to the docu- for our little class, I was hooked. began doing in 2009, carrying his mentary “Maidentrip,” about It was all the unusual sounds that cello with him. Percussionist Ellis Dutch teen Laura Dekker’s solo she made, I think by accident, pedals alongside him with his own sail around the world, which he the scratches and the scrapes and gear. In the last few years, Sollee released earlier this year. the gastrointestinal sounds. At estimates they’ve cycled at least The Kentucky native has also the time, I just thought that was kept busy with multiple projects, attractive,” says Sollee, who began 5,000 miles to gigs. from appearances with the Louis- playing the following year. “I was “The farthest we’ve gone was ville Orchestra and at a Carnegie the only cellist in a group of eight about 80 miles, but we usually go a Hall tribute to Paul Simon to scor- string players and we met twice burrito’s worth of distance, like 40 ing and performing music for the a week in the utility closet of our or 50 miles,” he says. “We really, Charlotte Ballet’s production of school gymnasium. It was a really really like to explore the boundar- “Dangerous Liaisons” to contrib- small but excited group of kids. ies of just having the gear on the uting the song “Letting Go” to the “I think I was always attracted bikes and accepting that limitation soundtrack for the film “Killing to the things you could do with the of being able to tour only so far Season,” starring Robert De Niro instrument rather than what you and so fast.” and John Travolta — at should do.” He decided on that mode to director Mark Steven As a songwriter, his tales of counter the isolation of traveling Johnson’s request. relationships and personal growth by planes, trains and automobiles “Generally, I’m have been shaped by the likes of as his career gained momentum. attracted to collaborative the aforementioned Simon, Ani “Everything was moving so fast projects,” says Sollee, who is at the DiFranco and Pete Seeger. that I would lose track of where moment working on a documen- “Actually writing songs and performing songs on the cello is “Michael Jackson was also a I was. I felt that essentially that tary about animal rights and hus- still a terribly difficult thing to describe to people,” says Ben huge hero of mine growing up. I wasn’t why I got into the game,” bandry. “Doing a film score is the Sollee. “It’s still exceptionally unusual in the music industry.” spent a lot of time jamming and says Sollee. “The bicycle tours most collaborative situation you playing to his music so I think slowed me down and helped me could get yourself into. You have But even with so many projects Sollee. “I’m also a father and a there’s a sensibility there,” says move and create at a pace that was the film, the moving image, and to juggle, the Lexington resident husband, and I take those jobs as Sollee. “From the classical world, a little more humanistic. It allows you have the pace and scale of the has been writing new songs. He’ll seriously as being a musician.” I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from me to experience and remember narrative. And then you have the experiment with some of those, Since the release of his 2008 the Turtle Island String Quartet the places I’m going to, and I vision of the director and then you as well as share music from his debut “Learning to Bend” — fol- and now from (string quartet) hope it allows the audience to get have your own musical intuition. Brooklyn Ryder. There’s a lot of full catalog, when he performs lowing a stint with banjo great involved in the show in a more Then if anything in particular Abigail Washburn and The Spar- exciting stuff happening in the Wednesday at the Sellersville The- intimate way.” needs to be incorporated into the row Quartet — he has garnered new folk string world.” film, whether it’s a certain sonority ater 1894 with Jordan Ellis, his increasing acclaim for an adven- If his political advocacy, and in Ben Sollee performs Wednesday at the percussionist. Sellersville Theater 1894, Main Street of the instrument or something, turous versatility that showcases particular a passion for issues like and West T emple Avenue, Sellersville. you need to fit that in, as well. “Between the couple film scores his classical training alongside ending poverty and the practice of Harmonious Wail opens. Show time: 8 p.m. “I really thrive in that environ- that I’ve done and different ballets folk, country, jazz and R&B. He mountaintop removal mining in Tickets: $15 and $25. Information: 215-257- 5808; www.st94.com. ment, and it’s partly by explor- and theater productions, there’s acknowledges he’s still something Central Appalachia, seeps into his lots of new material. It’s just put- Naila F rancis is a feature writer at Calkins ing the boundaries and partly by of an anomaly as a singing cellist songs, it’s only natural — a result, Media. Phone: 215-345-3149. accepting the limitations of time ting it out there in a manageable but even with a degree in cello per- he says, of being exposed to the Email: [email protected]. and instrumentation.” way that’s really a challenge,” says formance from the University of hardships and injustices of others T witter: @NailaLF rancis.

Vineberg Continued from Page D1

“Years ago, an ultraconservative admin- istration tried to paint anyone who ques- tioned its policies as ‘un-American.’ That same administration shamefully ignored and mistreated soldiers returning from Vietnam. As a man who was drafted and “Veni, vidi served his country during those times, Volpes I have ultimate respect for the men and Dormiens,” women who protect us today and demand cherry burl, that they receive the respect that they by David Washington deserve.” Maybe it’s me, but I always thought “anti-war” and “anti-soldier” were two entirely different concepts, which is part of Fogerty’s point. Certainly, “Fortunate Son” doesn’t seem to be deserving of veterans’ anger — especially at an event tune, breathing life into the expression. played in their honor. (For what it’s It’s often said life or spirit is in the worth, the performance on the Mall was Wood material already, waiting to be drawn out. greeted enthusiastically by the crowd.) Continued from Page D1 This is the starting point for the work But I know I can’t speak for members of David Washington, who showed me a of the military, so I called one of the area’s As with much art furniture, these are not piece of cherrywood two years ago with the most outspoken vets, Jesse Hill of Mid- pieces to plop down or plop objects upon. comment that there was a sleeping animal dletown, treasurer of the Delaware Valley Marley’s “River Table” offers a similar inside. Vietnam Veterans, and asked if he was at “I went (to Vietnam) and I’m proud. conundrum, joining live-edge planks of Since then, he let that animal free, all bothered by “Fortunate Son” being I wasn’t no draft dodger. I didn’t have no elm with a stream of gleaming resin dyed vividly, in “Veni, Vidi, Volpes Dormiens,” played at the Concert for Valor. rich daddy in politics to get me out,” blue. This is a novel and intriguing piece which depicts a fox curled up for a nap. Hill, who spent 18 months in Vietnam says Jesse Hill, treasurer of the in which the materials simultaneously fight The polished grain evokes the living in the late 1960s, immediately dismissed Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans. and support each other. texture of the animal’s coat, the curve of the the controversy as people getting worked Among the most accomplished pieces up for no reason. wood allowing an appreciation of vulpine crossing the boundary of art and utility is, personality from several angles. “I love that song myself,” he said. “It Dylan. Hill might be the area’s No. 1 unsurprisingly, from the hand of Robert says a lot about (Fogerty) and Creedence, Dylan fan; he’s seen him live well over Other pure-art pieces demand attention, Whitley. such as Paul Rigby’s hefty “Golden Violin” man. They’ve got a lot of other pro-vet- 50 times since 1974 and is going again The veteran woodworker’s “Mountain eran songs. this Saturday with his daughter Jocelyn in black walnut, onyx and steel; John Table” shows his range, in more ways than Mathews’ “Vortex,” an enlargement of “I went (to Vietnam) and I’m proud. to the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. one, lofting peaks at top and bottom; in a (A little tidbit for Dylan historians: The his glass-and-steel vocabulary to include I wasn’t no draft dodger. I didn’t have no masterly touch, the gleaming grain of the three-night stand will be Dylan’s first burlwood; and Sandra Eliot’s “Carnavale,” rich daddy in politics to get me out.” wood stands in for rock strata. Hill was also surprised to hear some appearances at the Academy of Music an energetic, upward-piercing form that since Feb. 24 and 25, 1966.) This is a piece to make you ponder the shocks the eye with cobalt blue paint people were upset about Springsteen play- organic relationships in nature, the way the ing “Born in the U.S.A.” at the concert. Dylan’s music is a family affair for against natural wood. Hill, whose wife, two children and three proportions in tree growth and geologic Numerous small, useful works go in “I can’t believe they got on him about processes seem to correspond. that one,” says Hill, who turned 67 on young grandchildren are also fans. fine-art directions — among them, Bryan “It’s really weird — he usually comes A pure art piece by Alan Ginsberg, “The Richardson’s “Maple Platter w/Walnut Friday. “Geez, (the character in the song) Coffee Table,” comes disguised as furniture, goes out to see his V.A. man ... Come on, around my birthday, which makes it easy Shells.” though if one had a big enough living room, that’s another great song. As a matter of for the kids to buy me a gift,” Hill says. The artist, known for bordering his it might serve the titular purpose, provided fact, those two songs, we always used to “Whatever he does is great. I love every- plates with unusual assemblages, here you took care not to snag your fingers on play them at our Flag Memorial (concert), thing he does. I even found some old embeds thin horizontal slices of nutshells a couple of bands play them. I wouldn’t tapes and was listening to some obscuri- the aluminum spirals standing in for curls around a wooden center. This takes some take anything away from those songs.” ties and, oh, man, they’re really great.” of steam. kind of prize for visual interest — the cross Hill admits he was never bothered by Dylan, of course, first gained notori- This is a quirky, barrel-sized piece, in the section of a walnut is gloriously sightly — protest songs during the Vietnam War. ety for writing and performing protest exact shape of diner-style crockery, the artist and for use of a most unusual material. “I really think we were more pissed at and anti-war songs — “Masters of War,” making great play of contrasting woods. Another small marvel emerged from the the protesters than the music,” he says. anybody? — material that expressed sen- Somewhere between found art and workshop of Andrew Shrift (full disclosure: “A lot of the music was pretty good, like timents not unlike what Fogerty later sculpture lies Robert Lash’s “Sally’s the artist is a first cousin once removed, Country Joe and the Fish. If that didn’t wrote about in “Fortunate Son.” Nestbox,” a composition that uses a piece though not personally acquainted with this tell somebody the story. We used to laugh Material that in no way dishonors the of an old suitcase, which is not terribly reporter). He frames his work “Bio-Mirror” about it — one day, we were all going to men and women who have sacrificed so unusual, and wood shreds that bedevil any in walnut so elegantly carved as to make the die.” much for our freedom. Just the opposite, wood shop, which is. hard wood seem plastic. Hill was referring to the song “I-Feel- actually. Given the ubiquity and abundance of the He also restrains the vegetative motif Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag” and the line “ ‘Fortunate Son’ is not an attack latter, I would not be surprised to see more with a square, defined border, a mature “Whoopie! We’re all gonna die!,” which on troops,” political and foreign affairs use of glued wood shreds in the future. decision in a genre often overstocked with was famously performed at Woodstock. writer Susan Milligan blogged last week Bernie Houston offers a mesmerizing surreal, overly invasive edge work. “Music was everything,” he says. for U.S. News & World Report. ”It is a driftwood sculpture, “Life,” drawing “Works in Wood” is on view through “That helped us get through a lot of hard tribute.” character out of the remnants of an Dec. 14 at the venue at 2 Stockton Ave. times, a lot of ugly-looking situations. I If you don’t like Springsteen (or Grohl ordinary tree to make an extraordinary Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday grew up in the streets of Philly, so I was or Brown — remember them?), fine. But human form. and Sunday. really into soul music, the Four Tops, the if you think any one of them was out of The piece depicts a sad clown juggling Information: 215-862-9606 Temptations.” line, or a weasel, or “tone-deaf ” for per- brightly colored balls threaded on a soaring or www.newhopearts.org. Of course, you can’t talk to Hill about forming “Fortunate Son” at a concert for brass ring. The grotesque figure sways in Gwen Shrift is a feature writer at Calkins Media. music without also bringing up Bob veterans, you’re flat-out wrong. time to the driftwood, but sculptor calls the Phone: 215-949-4204. Email: [email protected].