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April 30, 2005
Gallery Project Opening 7
Nine of my 13 works in the exhibition that runs through June 8.
Gallery Project Opening 5
Music and entertainment provided by guys with laptops, instruments, and video equipment.
Gallery Project Opening 4
The gallery packed with people for the opening party.
Gallery Project Opening 3
Friends Mark and Kate that came over from Grand Rapids for the show.
Gallery Project Opening 2
Photo of Stephen Duren and myself against his work in the background.
Gallery Project Opening 1
Last night in Ann Arbor for the Eastside/Westside opening. This is me with one of my agents and friend, Diane and Bill.
April 26, 2005
Eastside/Westside Show Information
A reminder of the Eastside/Westside show in Ann Arbor opening this Friday night with a reception. Here is the scoop:
The Gallery Project
215 South Fourth Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734)668-6507 or jejacobs@comcast.net (Judith Jacobs)
(734)332-1570 or Rocco21054@aol.com (Rocco DePietro)
Dates: April 29 through June 8, 2005
Hours: Tues. through Thurs., noon-5:00 p.m.; Fri.,Sat., noon-9:00 p.m.; Sun. noon-4:00 p.m.
Opening reception: Friday, April 29, 6-9:00 p.m.
Eastside-Westside, a show highlighting the work of emerging artists from the Detroit area and western Michigan opens on April 29 at The Gallery Project on 215 South Fourth Street in Ann Arbor. The show explores the commonalities and differences in content and media by visual artists from eastern and western areas of the state. Artists for the show were selected by Kristin Beaver, a painter and instructor at Wayne State University, Dan Gay, gallery director at 555 Studio/Gallery in Detroit, and Ben Van Dyke a graphic designer and installation artist in the MFA program of the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. Ben is a native of Grand Rapids. The show raises the question of whether there is "cultural regionalism" in art or whether art grounded in conceptualism is unbounded by environment or locality.
The Gallery Project is a fine arts collaborative. Its mission is to provide a venue for contemporary art that is culturally aware, individualistic, courageous, and thought provoking. Artists representing a diverse range of visual arts curate and participate in theme shows. They are well-networked with other working artists locally, regionally and nationally who they routinely invite to participate in the shows. Part of the gallery is also reserved for special projects such as integrated media, sound installations, wall narratives, and experimental art.
Artists included in the exhibition are:
Helen Bevan_e
Michelle Bowers_w
Ken Brown_e
Julie Dummermuth_e
Stephen Duren_w
Kevin Ewing_e
Anne Furnaris_e
Dick Goody_e
Adrian Hatfield_e
Monte_e
Kate Mooth_e
Jason Murray_w
Brian Nelson_e
Michael Pfleghaar_w
Mona Shahid_e
Jay Stancill_w
April 22, 2005
Shopping with Starck?
A photo proving that Philippe Starck and I are soulmates...well, at least we have the same taste in expensive Italian motorcycle apparel. Here he holds up a design shop with his new lamp for FLOS..."Happiness is a hot gun" which debuted last week at the Milan Furniture Fair. Notice how I sit by so nonchalantly.
ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE:
Mr Starck makes a very harsh statement with this collection of lamps about war and money. Love him or hate him...I think he hit this one right on the head...good design with a purpose and a statement. I strive for the same things in my art.
Read Philippe Starck's statement taken from www.starck.com (hyperlink on sidebar):
To Life, To Death
First there were attempts at life, then the draft
of life, then Life itself.
It didn't have much value - life and death altogether.
It was something of an accident, without importance.
But Mankind kept working. A lot.
A civilisation was crafted so that Life could live.
Sublime by obligation, Life became sacred,
untouchable. The great, beautiful Life, guaranteed
to everyone, surged und survived until today,
the 21st century, the third millennium, the advent
of civilised civilisation.
Bravo! Rest in peace.
Crash! It's never what you think.
After just a short period of enlightenment,
the shadows return, fast, dense and menacing.
Rewind, death is at the door.
Nowadays we kill - religiously, militarily, civilly,
indeed very civilly sometimes. We kill out of ambition,
out of greed, for the fun of it or of the show.
Republics turn bananas. Tyrant are our masters,
Designed, manufactured, sold, dreamed, purchased
and used, weapons are our new icons.
Our lives are only worth a bullet.
The Guns collection is nothing but a sign
of the times.
We get the symbols we deserve.
Happiness is a hot gun.
Glory to our dictators
To Life, To Death
P.S.:
Light, functional, affordable and elegant,
with over 100 million copies officially
produced to date, the Kalachnikov is one of the
industrial design success-stories of our age.
Mr Kalachnikov has never received any royalties
for this design. He often complains about it.
Thus, I intend to pay him a commission for the
sales of the model that replicates his invention.
Poor guy. The remainder will be donated to
"Medicins sans frontieres", though sometimes
I wonder why.
Aux larmes Citoyens
Aux armes Citoyens
Explanations:
The gold of the weapons represents
the collusion between money and war
Table gun symbolises the East
Bed side gun symbolises Europe
Lounge gun stands for the West
The black shade signifies death
The crosses on the inside are to remind us
of our dead ones.
April 20, 2005
I am a keyword....
A friend emailed me to say that he searched my last name on Ebay for kicks and someone is selling the issue of Desert Magazine that uses Pfleghaar as one of the keywords...Yeah! Just like its the household name it should be right!? A few years back I tried to sell my artwork on Ebay and never got one bid....Maybe its time to try again....LOL Here is the link for all curious:
April 18, 2005
Save the Date
I will be representing West Michigan along with Stephen Duren and others as part of a group show titled "Eastside/Westside" at Gallery Project in Ann Arbor. The exhibit will feature artists from both sides of the state as the kickoff exhibition to this new gallery on Liberty and 4th Streets in downtown Ann Arbor, MI. Gallery Project, 215 S. Fourth Ave, hours: Tues Thurs., noon-5pm, Fri.,Sat., noon-9:00pm, Sun noon-4pm, (734)332-1570. An opening celebration party with live VDJ's will be held Friday, April 29 starting at 6pm. "Eastside/Westside" will be on display until June 8 and will include 13 of my personal allegory paintings and drawings which will be exhibited for the first time.
"Weight of my World"
completed mixed media on terra cotta tablet, 12" x 12" 2005
"Virtual Hug"
completed mixed media on terra cotta tablet, 12" x 12" 2005
"The Letter Never Sent"
completed mixed media on terra cotta tablet, 12" x 12" 2005
"Random Thoughts"
My first attempt at encaustic painting from a class at UICA with Jen Gardner. It's a pretty cool medium to paint with and I love the layering that is possible. Encaustic is mixing beeswax with damar varnish and oil paint.
12" x 10" 2005, not for sale.
Guero by Beck
The amazing new album by Beck called Guero is one of my new faves. I play it almost every day and with my ipod headphones it is a trip. Thought I should share my favorite music each week instead of the random selections.
April 16, 2005
Flowers of the Desert
This series of photos taken by Tommy Allen from our trip to Palm Springs, San Diego and Los Angeles.
April 11, 2005
Contemporary | Allegory exhibition
Installation photos from the Dezart One Gallery exhibition.
Desert Magazine
Desert Magazine of Palm Springs did a great article with two color photos shown on my exhibit at Dezart One Gallery.
Gallery Gang
Dezart One Gallery owners and artists: Downs, myself, Kim Chasen, and Marian Moiseyev.
Downs
A photo of artist and Dezart One Gallery owner, Downs, showing me the sketch he made of my artwork he saw online five years ago. I was moved to find he kept my work on file even long before he had a gallery.
April 05, 2005
California Trip Day 5
The highlight of day 5 was visiting Louis Kahn's iconic Salk Institute in person. The amazing architecture and plaza against the blue sky and ocean is so much more impressive than any photograph can capture. On to LA today, Tuesday.
April 04, 2005
California Trip Day 4
I dont have time to report in today, but only to post this photo of our trip through the mountains out of Palm Springs and on the way to San Diego...more pics and stories to come. Take care >XOM<
April 03, 2005
California Trip Day 3
Day 3
The show begins…..
Saturday's theme was relaxing and pampering myself by the pool before the gallery reception. Margaritas and lunch in a lounge chair, swimming in the salt water pool, and of course lots of sun…our hottest day so far in the mid 80's. I had calls from all my friends back home on the way to the gallery and a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers waiting at the gallery from them, This was my first time viewing the show and gallery and was so thrilled with the way the show hung together in the clean compact space of Dezart One Gallery. The gallery sits in a valley surrounded with mountains and homes built by some of the most famous modern architects, like the John Lautner's house he designed for Bob Hope, at the crest of the hill. My work felt right at home in this new land. I received some nice media attention in Palm Springs and a steady stream of guests full of admiration all evening long at the reception, some sales and serious interest from clients didn't make me unhappy either. The gallery owners exceeded my expectations as well, and by the end of the night we all felt like old friends. The night was caped off by a nice dinner with a group of friends who call this region home. Sunday will be for touring some of the modern architecture in Palm Springs as we make our way to San Diego
April 02, 2005
California Trip Day 2
Day 2
Friday, we traveled to the Joshua Tree National Park to see the wildflowers in the low and high deserts. It lived up to the hype and reputation of being the most spectacular wildflower blooms of a lifetime. As the road winds slowly into the mountains, you experience Dr Suess like plants and rock formations. To this Midwestern boy this was unlike anything I have ever seen in person. Every vista was awesome, and after a while I was so overwhelmed at the beauty much like when I have viewed too much art in a major museum that my eyes became numb. Every turn of this winding road brought sights only witnessed in books before. My favorite has to be the Joshua Trees; they are so architectural and dynamic in shape, standing strong like the rulers of the desert. The unique shapes they form against the clear blue sky and rocks will forever be burned into my memory.
Saturday night is the gallery reception for my show and I am getting more anxious as the hours go by. Later after the reception I look forward to celebrating with a friends, both old and new, at some eatery in town.
April 01, 2005
California Trip Day 1
I have arrived safely in California! We touched down in LA yesterday morning as I listened to Angels in America on my ipod…seemed fitting flying into the city of Angels, coming down through the clouds, over the mountains, to a lush warm world. Every vista is inspiring and exciting. Tom and I picked up the rental car, which turned out to be a bright yellow Mustang, also fitting for the trip into the desert. Heading to Palm Springs we visited the famous roadside dinosaurs from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, a true highlight of kitsch. A lunch at IN and Out Burger, California's healthier take on fast food burgers, then through the mountains and desert lined with wind farms. Palm Springs is an oasis of lush tropical vegetation complimented by modern design and blue skies all nestled beside snow-covered mountains. The Esmeralda is amazing, a spa themed hotel with new age music piped throughout, relaxing fountains & pools, and the intoxicating smell of petunias permeate the warm night air, I truly feel relaxed here. Later, a wonderful meal with glasses of Pinot Noir caped off our long day of over 14 hours of travel. On tap for Friday, more adventures like hiking into the Joshua Tree National Forest.