Three of my favorite things in the whole world–library books, Minneapolis photographer Mickey Smith, and the 20X200 series put out by the Jen Bekman gallery–have again united as one, though sadly it had to happen during a time when I barely have the proverbial pot in which to do #1.

20X200 releases a photo every Wednesday afternoon in three sizes: an edition of 200 little ones, which sell for $20; an edition of 20 medium-sized ones, which go for $200; and a pair of big ones, which go for $2000.  But sometimes they throw out a bonus edition.  Like today, when they released Smith’s lovely More Books. The small ones sell out quickly, usually within a few minutes, but if you’ve got the money it’d be worth your while to have a big version of this in your house.

Read more about Smith here, and about 20X200 here.

Check out the opening of a new exhibit, The Museum of Small Finds, at the Machines With Magnets Gallery in Pawtucket. Artist Josie Morway sure knows how to write an intriguing press release,

My piece for this show is my first ever sculptural experiment. Also my first full collaboration with the talented and well-dressed Jay Nutini. We made this thing. It’s not a painting of a bird. Please come out on Friday night and help us figure out what to make of it.

Alrighty then.  I think I will.

Free reception 7 to 9pm/MWM Gallery/wine & snacks/ 400 Main Street/Pawtucket

Every so often an artist is actually able to make a living doing art, and then everyone has to hate him for it.  Hey, he’s providing employment for other artists.  The New York Times has an article on RISD grad Shepard Fairey who is mounting a new show in L.A.  Even though he should be a grown-up by now he still goes out at night tagging empty warehouse walls and billboards — just for the hell of it — fourteen arrests so far. What I did not know is that his famous Andre the Giant sticker campaign in 1989 “earned him an A on an assignment at the Rhode Island School of Design”. (Good call Professor.) The movie Andre the Giant has a Posse can be rented at Acme Video on Brook Street.

photo: Heidi Schumann (more)

A new exhibit at The Holden Street Gallery opens tonight. Running from October 3rd to the 24th, the show features new works by Jennifer Daltry whose atmospheric and labor-intensive pen-and-ink drawings, etchings and prints suggest such influences as Edward Gorey, John Tenniel and Gustave Dore.  The spare images that populate her small pieces are repeated in the large-scale canvas wall-hangings.

Reception Friday/ 6 to 9pm/97 Holden Street/751.5925

From the gallery:

Pure/Play opens this Friday October 3rd and features the work of two wild and crazy guys, Tom McAleer and Doug Desjardins. It will be a fun reunion as Tom, Doug and I all used to show together at Mixed Media Gallery on Block Island.

The two of them are playful, prolific artists who have mastered the art of putting aside self-consciousness and letting pure expression flow through. Their colors, brushstroke and subject matter offer a real visual treat for the viewer, and inspire the artist in all of us. Hope to see you there! P.S. It’s from 6:00-8:30 and, as always, will be a great party. For more info contact yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or by phone at (401) 245-7174.

The current production at Black Rep, Tracy Letts’ Bug is a great diversion from all of the election hoopla and economic woe in your face everyday. Who doesn’t want to divert their mind by mulling over bizarre/terrifying conspiracy theories and indulging in crack-adled delusions of organic, self-propagating big-brother bugs - but wait, are they delusional or are Agnes and Peter (played by Jackie Davis and Cedric Lily respectively) really onto something?

I had the pleasure of contributing sound effects and design to the production, with the aid of my co-conspirator Joe Beats. Everything in this piece comes together so nicely to create an atmosphere that is, well, disturbed. Especially jarring are the gruesome special effects by Michael Dates (who also does design for the hair at Urban Detour).The production runs through the month on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays (pay-what-you-can people’s matinee) at 3pm. To reserve tickets email boxoffice@blackrep.orgTo download the “Bug Mix” I made to accompany the production, featuring music from and inspired by the play, click here.To read what the Projo has to say, click here. 

 [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3mVxGfzPY]

Get down to AS220 at 7; I think tickets are still available.  Or, alternatively, you could always spend the $75 and donate the print to your favorite Dose writer.  (If, you know, your favorite Dose writer is me.  Although I know you all like Beth more…)

My blurry, un-color corrected favorites after the jump:

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The Chace Center officially opens today, so head down to the RISD Museum to escape the drizzle and check out the fancy new galleries.

I’ve always been partial to the discreet Benefit Street museum entrances, but the new entry on South Main is a lot nicer-looking than I’d expected.  My favorite thing about the museum, the little set of stairs on the side of the building, has become a more welcoming thoroughfare; there’s a gallery space in the museum now for student work; and RISDWorks has morphed into a real museum store (and now, thankfully, seems to be about 75% less relient on selling Family Guy merchandise.)

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It’s Saturday, September 27th! Print Lottery is tonight, 7-10pm @ 115 Empire St. (AS220). I keep promising cake, and that keeps being a lie. But FOR REAL this time, there’s gonna be like, 200 cupcakes and a bunch of wicked awesome vegan cookies, I SWEAR TO YOU. Not to mention, 200+ prints, 200+ artists, 200+ WINNERS!!!!! If you haven’t already bought your ticket, you MAY be shit out of luck but there also MAY be a couple tickets sold at the door so GET THERE EARLY and bring $75!!! Or just show up for the hell of it, it’s going to be a total shit show!
If you can’t buy a ticket, THAT’S COOL, drink Narragansett at the bar tonight and all profits go to the printshop!
See you there!

131 Washington St. 1st Floor, a.k.a old Cogen’s Printing Building a.k.a the Mercantile Building a.k.a the building between Local 121 and the empty lot a.k.a be there or be square Friday (today!) September 26th, 6pm-9pm. Starring all your no-good, trouble-making, talented & skillful, crafty/artsy, thrifty/inspirational, hooligan buddies&pals from Providence to Worcester and beyond!!

Installations, interventions, indiscretions, inventions, high tensions, honorable mentions, pensions, distentions, detentions, recessions, and so on. Put on your good pants. It begins and ends wicked early, so you’ll still have plenty of time to do things you’ll regret.

p.s. mike t made the sexy poster.

Providence is already recognized as an arts and cultural center. The objectives of Creative Providence: A Cultural Plan for the Capital City, are:

• To serve as a catalyst for city and statewide conversations about the evolution and sustainability of the arts.
• To recognize artists, art administrators and cultural institutions as leaders who already shape the current environment.
• To provide emerging arts leaders and experienced professionals with a forum to develop fresh ways of enriching the arts.

Two consulting firms will lead the effort: Craig Dreeszen, a nationally recognized cultural planner, and the staff of New Commons, a Providence-based think tank.

A community forum on how the city’s artistic community evolved will be held on Oct. 7 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center. A second forum on how to strengthen the city’s “creative ecosystem” will be held Nov. 18 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Roger Williams Park Casino.

And the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism will invite a group of local and national leaders to discuss the challenges facing the local arts community on March 3 and 4 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The public is invited to share their thoughts on line at a new Web site, www.creativeprov.org. Yeah, I built it!

Promoting women playwrights since 1995, Perishable Theatre has chosen from 190 submissions the winners for the International Women’s Playwriting Festival October 2-November 2. All three groundbreaking playwrights will have their new works produced and fully staged at Perishable Theatre and are presented with performances by other local artists. Each performance will include a post show talk back.

• October 2-October 5:  Lazarus Disposed by Desi Moreno-Penson
• October 9-October 12:  Lizzy Izzy by Holly Jensen
• October 16-October 19:  Biography of a Constellation by Lila Rose Kaplan

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[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5RVRbLgGo0]

[via Wooster Collective]

Results may vary.

Tonight and every Tuesday at AS220.  Bring drawing utensils and paper, and sketch from a live model.

$6/6pm to 9pm/AS220/115 Empire Street

Bring your own paper and drawing materials and sketch from a live model.

every tuesday/$6/6pm to 9pm

AS220/115 Empire Street

That’s probably a significant subset of our readership.  Actually everyone should get over to see the current show at the Bell Gallery, Brown University.  ‘Views and Re-Views: Soviet Political Posters and Cartoons’ will be up through October 19th.  Both the graphics and the politics are fascinating. Lithographs, photomontage, ink and pastel, all with helpful signage. The history and context are clearly explained. (ProJo. More pix after jump.)

Bell Gallery/List Art Center/64 College Street/Mon - Fri 11 to 4/Sat - Sun 1 to 4

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