1. Bohemian Gothic Re-Scored: The Valerie Project
With a labyrinthine plot that fuses elements of virginal wonderment, macabre meandering symbolism, sensual soul-stealing and melancholic political allegory by employing ravishing imagery and ethereal eroticism, the 1970 Czech film, Valerie And Her Week Of Wonders is an art piece easily propelled by poetic mood rather than linear narrative. The film’s originally exquisite accompaniment of lyrical music, described as a ‚ÄúCzech Vamp Folk Score,‚Äù is stunning enough to evoke a pictorial music of its own creating a realm where by the time you realize that you don‚Äôt know what‚Äôs going on with young Valerie, with her teardrop pearl earrings and these sexy vampires, you‚Äôre content enough to not care.
Next Friday night members of Espers, Fern Knight, Fursaxa, Grass, Timesbold and many of their talented friends want you to submit to their live re-score of the screening and lead you through Valerie’s de-flowering dreamscape. Trust them, they do know. It’s alright, go on, take their hand… but be sure to bite your lip, it’ll sting less.

2. Coming Clean in City Wide Parlor Game: Map/Confess At 3rd Street Gallery
Over the past month curators for an exhibit at 3rd Street Gallery have been soliciting, potentially snickering over and culling many of your hand written confessions for an anonymous public display titled ‚Äúmap/confess.‚Äù Inquiring minds want to know: Did they solve any murders or find out the truth behind the Toynbee Tiles? Probably not. More likely these disclosures are cop-outs and snitches about who stole your wallet, your drugs, your girlfriend, your girlfriends‚Äô drugs and your car last night. Shhhh‚Ķ. private eyes, they’re watching you watching you watching you watching you‚Ķ.

3. The Cartooning of Camden, A City Only Superman Could Save

Sure, it may be the most dangerous city in America and located in a state that has the most skewed gap between its richest rich and its poorest poor, but what the hell: Why not throw caution to the wind and cross the river to ToonTown for Art In Yhe ‘Toon Age because, well, exhibits with inane titles like this, even if they are full of interesting work, are just so relevant…

4. Nip / Tuck, Exploit / Educate: Mark Gilbert At Esther Klein
Contemporary art world fact: Freaky portraiture, especially faces that are seriously effed up, sell. And sell at higher prices than their normal realist counterparts. Collectors secretly want the grotesque and it’s even better when couched in the somewhat recognizable form of man, woman or child. You know, something you can relate to, recognize and digest. But while Francis Bacon, among others, may have seen success with his smeared faces floating above seated portraits, artist and fellow Brit Mark Gilbert proves he has the stomach to render these from life. Life in and after the O.R., that is. Grotesquely compelling before and after portraits of people afflicted with medical aberrations corrected by benevolent and much needed plastic surgery are on parade this month at the The Esther M. Klein Art Gallery. You might stop by after lunch, but just remember — like Body Worlds, it’s people.

5. Philadelphia: The City Where Coincidence Can Happen to You! (all of the time, man)
Like many other Philebrity readers the other week, did you find yourself wondering why the pages were a little light? Why the hell were they on ‘vacation’ anyway? Turns out my man got all plein-air style sitting down by the banks, catching some psychedelic ripples on canvas. And you thought he was in a band.
Joseph Sweeney: RIVERS. Weird.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 1st, 2006 at 2:35 pm.