SMoCA SPRING 2009 ******************************************************* Free Thursdays @ SMoCA Did you know? The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) has FREE admission every Thursday! (10a ‐8p). Plus, you can catch a free, docent‐led tour of the exhibitions on Thursdays (& Sundays!) at 1:30 p.m. Come visit SMoCA during a Thursday lunch break – the Museum is adjacent to Los Olivos Mexican restaurant on 2nd Street in oldtown Scottsdale. *************************************************** SMoCA Turns Ten It’s a party! SMoCA celebrates its first decade this season and everyone is invited. Mark your calendar now for a year of spectacular exhibitions and birthday events. For more information, contact Leigh Hersey at 480‐874‐4612 or visit www.smocaanniversary.org . • February 13, 2009 – 7‐9 p.m.: Celebratory birthday opening reception of the special spring exhibitions: “At the Crossroads of American Photography: Callahan, Siskind, Sommer “and “Seriously Funny” • February 14, 2009 – 6‐9 p.m.: 10th Anniversary Benefit and Contemporary Catalyst Awards 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. : Anniversary After‐Party in the Museum • February 15, 2009 – 12 noon – 6 p.m.: Public birthday party & family activities on the Civic Center Mall & at SMoCA **************************************************** The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is turning ten! Two brand new 10th anniversary exhibitions are coming in 2009, including an exquisite black and white photography exhibition, “At the Crossroads of American Photography: Callahan, Siskind, Sommer,” and a delightfully fun and witty exhibition featuring 10 artists from around the country titled “Seriously Funny.” Both will be celebrated on Friday, February 13th at a reception, open to the public, from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Visit www.smoca.org to see an exhibition preview. **************************************************** Join us to commemorate the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’s “10 years of enLIGHTenment” with a 10th Anniversary Weekend Celebration February 13‐15, 2009. A free opening reception for two new exhibitions starts on Friday, February 13th from 7:30 ‐9:00 pm; on Saturday, February 14th, a black‐ tie 10th Anniversary Benefit, Contemporary Catalyst Award Ceremony and After‐party will follow; and on Sunday, February 15th, SMoCA is throwing a free birthday party bash with live music, food and hands‐on art projects for the whole community at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall from noon – 6:00 pm. Visit www.smocaanniversary.org for more details. VOLUNTEER AT SMoCA – Free Informational Sessions: JAN 13 1:30 pm APR 23 5:30 pm APR 28 1:30 pm Satisfy your urge to be part of the community by volunteering at SMoCA. No matter what your interest, we have a spot for you. Volunteers help out at special events, participate in the Downtown Scottsdale Farmer’s Market, and lend a hand in the office or in the SMoCA library, just to name a few. Attend an informational session to learn more. Meet in the Museum lobby. Free events. Contact Leigh Hersey at 480‐874‐4612 or [email protected] ******************************************************** SMoCA’s Two Spring 2009 Exhibitions: At the Crossroads of American Photography: Callahan, Siskind, Sommer January 31 – May 13, 2009 This exhibition examines the pivotal interrelationship of three mid‐century photographers who helped define the course of American photography: Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind and Frederick Sommer. The photographs of these three friends/artists/teachers will be an opportunity to view 151 of the artist’s finest prints and celebrate the importance of the history of photography in Arizona. Seriously Funny February 14 – May 24, 2009 Humor helps us understand the world. Seriously Funny brings together ten dynamic artists who show us how to laugh at some of life's most challenging issues, from spirituality to cultural identity. This playful exhibition proves that contemporary art can be thought‐provoking and fun at the same time. Through humor we come to a sense of community, exploring comedy in the human condition. *********************************************************** PROGRAMS & EVENTS: JAN 13 10:30 am SMoCA’s BOOK CLUB: Featuring “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell SMoCA’s newly organized book club features book that tie in thematically with a current exhibition. Selected by exhibiting artist Pedro Meyer, “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” examines the mythological stories of the hero. Campbell reveals similarities in the myths of almost all cultures of the world – from those of ancient Egypt to the Star Wars trilogy. Following a conversation about the book, led by dynamic local personalities and light refreshments, participants can enjoy a guided tour of the exhibition that inspired the book choice. Books are available in the SMoCA Store. The book club is free for Museum members and $7 for nonmembers. JAN 22 6‐8 pm FREE Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project Workshop (in conjunction with SMoCA’s “Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting” exhibition, on view until Feb 1st) Join us at SMoCA along with the Scottsdale Public Art Program to help raise awareness of endangered coral reefs by contributing to this unique crocheted reef project, compiled of thousands of sections made by crafters across the globe. Participants must bring a crochet hook (any size) and yarn(s) of choice. (Meet in the Museum lobby). CALLAHAN, SISKIND, SOMMER RELATED PHOTOGRAPHY EVENTS FEB 1 2:30 pm FREE GALLERY TALK Artist Linda Connor will speak about her personal experiences and knowledge of the three great photographers Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind & Frederick Sommer. (Meet in the Museum.) FEB 19 6:30 pm FREE GALLERY TALK Co‐curator Claire Carter, along with Jeremy Cox and Naomi Lyons co‐trustees of the Frederick & Frances Sommer Foundation, Prescott, discuss the importance of Frederick Sommer (Meet in the Museum.) MAR 11 NOON FREE LUNCHTIME LECTURE (bring a brown‐bag lunch!) Phoenix Art Museum curator Rebecca Senf will explore photographer Ansel Adams’s influence on Harry Callahan (Stage 2 Theater – adjacent to SMoCA at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.) SYMPOSIUM – “Exchanging Ideas: photography, abstraction and metaphor at mid‐century” MAY 8 7 pm MAY 9 8:30 am – 4:30 pm SMoCA’s exhibition “At the Crossroads of American Photography: Callahan, Siskind, Sommer examines the revolutionary way three friends constructed a new photographic language of abstraction and metaphor. Drawing on their close associations with other fine art movements and artists, their groundbreaking teaching methods and their resounding influence on the generations of artists they mentored, the symposium explores the artists’ lives and work through photographs, music, audio recordings, lectures and personal anecdotes. Visit www.smoca.org for details on guest lecturers, book signings and the juried portfolio share. $10 SMoCA members; $15 nonmembers; Students Free with ID; Call 480‐994‐ARTS “SERIOUSLY FUNNY” RELATED EVENTS FEB 13 7:30 pm FREE ART PERFORMANCE “The Campfire” BY KJELLGREN ALKIRE 8 – 9 pm FREE ARTIST TALKS FROM THOSE FEATURED IN “SERIOUSLY FUNNY” (Meet inside the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art) FEB 15 3:00 pm FREE ART PERFORMANCE “The Sing‐a‐long” BY KJELLGREN ALKIRE (Meet inside the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art) FEB 25 12 Noon FREE LECTURE: “Laughing at Ourselves: Daumier, Duchamp & Picasso” Join SMoCA’s Senior Curator Claire Schneider and bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy as she examines the humorous art of Daumier, Duchamp and Picasso. (Stage 2 Theater – adjacent to SMoCA). MAR 25 6:30 pm FUNNY FILM NIGHT: “The General” & “ Waiting for Guffman” Join film critic Colin Boyd for a double feature of funny films “The General” (1927) and “Waiting for Guffman” (1996) in Stage 2 Theater (adjacent to SMoCA in the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts). Free snacks will be provided with the films. $7 members; $9 nonmembers. Call 480‐994‐ARTS. APR 9 7:00 pm FREE ARTIST TALK :Meet Sculptor Arlene Shechet Join artist Arlene Shechet (from SMoCA’s “Seriously Funny” exhibition) as she discusses her glazed ceramic sculptures. Meet in the Museum. APR 9 7:45 pm FREE ARTIST PERFORMANCE: “The Chuckwagon” by Kjellgren Alkire One of the artists from SMoCA’s “Seriously Funny” exhibition, Kjellgren Alkire, will perform a piece titled “The Chuckwagon” in the Museum next to his art installation to toast community, traditional forms and sacrifice. Part preacher and part carnival man, Alkire reaches inside religious clichés and offers his audiences a funny and insightful experience. APR 23 6:30 pm FREE PERFORMANCE/LECTURE BY CALIFORNIA ARTIST MARTIN KERSELS Using projected images along with music, video, dance and the kitchen sink, artist Martin Kersels will present a brief history of his work, followed by an audience Q & A. (Meet in the Museum lobby). OTHER CALENDAR EVENTS AT SMoCA: MAR 4 7:00 pm FREE IMPROV ARTIST PRESENTATIONS: “Stand up and pimp yourself: 5‐minute pitches by nine artists living in the margins” Nine local individuals –both artists, writers and performers—take a first step toward their 15 minutes of fame. A fast‐paced, off‐the‐wall presentation gives each of the nine participants five minutes to make a pitch, perform or do whatever they wish to engage you. Participating artists are: Bailey Doogan, Myung‐ Soo Kim, Saskia Jordan, Gregory Sale, Erin V. Sotak, Tania Katan, Anna Campbell, David Sherman and Paco Velez, with introduction by art historian Gray Sweeney. The show will be followed by light refreshments. (Stage 2 Theater – adjacent to SMoCA at the Center for the Arts). MAR 12 9pm ‐12am SMoCA Nights: “Valley Fever” SMoCA Nights is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’s highly anticipated tri‐annual after‐hours art party featuring cutting edge live music & DJs, artists, performance, fashion, cocktails and appetizers. $10 members; $15 nonmembers. Call 480‐994‐ARTS. MAR 18 7:00 pm LECTURE: “Lino Tagliapietra: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass Art” Art historian and independent curator Susanne K. Frantz gives a comprehensive overview of one of the world’s greatest living glassblowers, Lino Tagliapietra.