Perspective.

c. David Grim (taken 4/6/08)

Recently I had a short online discussion about the diversity of perspectives on NPR. Someone had implied that there is a certain homogeneity of political attitudes on public radio and that whatever this consists of can be used as a characterization for an editorial approach to an anthology of essays. It was meant as a convenient way to implicate both the book itself and anyone who enjoyed it. But to me, it resonated as a particularly myopic approach to criticism. It was an implication of everything that didn't fit this commentator's definition of "Real America".

Obviously this person has discounted NPR without having fully exposed himself to its programming. A quick illustration of this is the choice of guests on Terry Gross' Fresh Air to kick off this week. Yesterday she interviewed a professional dominatrix named Melissa Febos who put herself through college working in a Manhattan dungeon. Perhaps in isolation, this selection would seem to reinforce the contention that NPR is obsessed with a perverse urbanity capable of alienating Middle America. Certainly there are many prudish citizens that would find cause to bemoan the use of taxpayer dollars to promote such activity, and they might even have a point if the federal government had not gutted its funding for NPR during the Bush Administration.

But as if to directly contradict such notions, today's guest was David Walker, a former government comptroller, and adviser to Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush, and current CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. Walker spoke about the growing crisis of debt the federal government faces, and the dangers it presents to the future of the United States.

You know, it's easy to find fault with a media phenomenon that covers such a wide range of material, ideas and orientations. It's easy to cherry pick and cite the few things that you find particularly objectionable. It's a lot more difficult to be open to the totality of the presentation.

A Peculiar Find.

c. David Grim (taken 3/5/10)

Last weekend's Unblurred (the monthly art walk along the Penn Avenue corridor) turned out to be a lot of fun. It's not that I was particularly blown away by any specific show (although a lot of it ended up being worth seeing), but rather that I was accompanied by several artist friends during the evening.

If you ever get a chance to go gallery hopping with a group of visual artists, I heartily recommend it. The collective cynicism and varied tastes lead to interesting discussions. I don't think that we all agreed on any single exhibition of work, and that made it all the more amusing. But by far the highlight of the evening happened at a boutique on the periphery.

I had heard that this specific place was having a clearance sale to make room for new stuff, so I made sure to drag our little group inside. We had a quick look around before deciding to move on, and we were on our way out when one of us stopped and stared at a little painting on a nondescript rack. He exclaimed, "Hey, I did that. That's one of my paintings!", and turned it around to show us his signature. We marveled at that for a minute before leaving.

On our way out, we noticed that our friend was lingering and speaking in hushed tones to the owner. They looked up at us awkwardly as we waited. Of course, our friend walked through the exit, painting in hand. In response to our inquiries he mentioned that he bought the aforementioned painting for $25. It had originally sold for $800. We all got a kick out of that.

Book Review: "State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America" (2008)

c. David Grim (taken 3/7/09)

I haven't much felt like posting the lengthy book reviews on here that I used to write for my previous blog. I always thought that it would be nice to be able to look back on them and remember my experience with, and my thoughts about, the stuff I read. But I haven't revisited any of it yet, and I don't know if I ever will. For now, at least, it's not going anywhere.

This past week, though, I read something I'd like to recommend- "State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America", edited by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey. It's a diverse mix of highly personal essays about our 50 states (and a bit about DC as a bonus). I can't imagine that anyone could pick it up without learning a lot that they didn't already know. Plus, many of the individual anecdotes about the experiences of the authors are entertaining, and occasionally moving.

The project was inspired by a WPA initiative that saw some of the greatest writers of Depression-era America comment on our national heritage, and write guides for both edification and travel. The combined output exceeded 5000 pages, and constituted an effort representing a scale that far outstrips what the contributors of "State by State" have tried to accomplish.

Still I was astonished by the rich detail and quality writing of many of the authors, some of which I was already well familiar. With an anthology like this, you are bound to find your favorites, and be offended now and again. But that shouldn't put you off from finding this, and reading it as soon as you can.

Pittsburgh Art Events 3/5-6/10

c. David Grim (taken 4/6/08)

There sure are a lot of fish fries and church socials this weekend in honor of Lent, but if your tastes run toward art, you have some additional options.

Friday

Yay. Once again we come to another Unblurred on Penn Avenue. Don't expect the maelstrom of snow that we experienced in February, but make sure that you wear a lot of warm clothing, because I hear it's going down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

A personal highlight for me will be "Focus Your Attention", the juried photography show at Fast>>Forward Gallery (3700 Penn Ave) from 6-10PM. I've got a couple of images in the show, but I haven't seen anything else to be included so I'm expecting some great surprises.

And Carolyn Wenning is unveiling her new work- not at her own SPACE (4823 Penn), but rather at Modern Formations (4919 Penn). She's making room at her gallery for Michael Benedetti, who is informed by his emplyoment in Pittsburgh factories.

We've also got local photographers Dan Thompson and Jamie Sauer at Most Wanted Fine Art (5015 Penn), a group show of environmentally-themed artwork at the Pittsburgh Glass Center (5472 Penn), Steven Miller at ImageBox (4933 Penn), and a special surprise at Bob Ziller's Awesome Books (5111 Penn, formerly the Clay Penn).

Down in Lawrenceville, Zombo Gallery brings back CZM for a display of fake vintage album covers. She's got a hard-on for 50's-60's abstract art, adverting, and science fiction imagery, so I'm sure it ought to be fairly "groovy" (if you're into that sort of thing). And up the street at Remedy Lounge you can check out the works of Ginger Green, which will be hanging in this alcohol-saturated environment starting at 8PM.

If you get a hankering to head downtown, drop by the 709 Penn Gallery for Jennifer Howison's "Nesting". You might have seen her small limbless hand-painted wooden dolls (reminiscent of the classic Fisher Price Little People), but this show consists of gouache paintings and original drawings. That runs from 6-9PM.

Saturday

I guess the Irish are getting an early start on their annual orgy of bacchanalia this weekend, as evidenced by the number of ethnically-themed options for getting soused. But of course that's nothing especially new for the 'Burgh, where oftentimes little excuse is needed for getting drunk enough to puke in public.

Meanwhile the aforementioned Zombo is helping to turn the Arsenal Bowling Lanes into a semi-permanent art gallery, with revolving shows on its walls. Take in the music of the Surf Zombies and the advertised Go-G0 girls between lanes starting at 6PM.

Panza Gallery rolls out its reception for two painters named Bill (Pfahl and Vrscack) from 6-9PM. Stop by and see the competent craft of two artists who have been working in their medium for decades.

If you want to take in a great night of Rock-n-Roll, stop by the Brillobox for a show (10PM) headlined by Slim Cessna's Pittburgh outfit (which includes his son George Cessna, Rob Levkulich and Ian Green). George is heading off to college, so you'll want to make sure to see him before he splits town.

Saturday and Sunday

While I'm not in the habit of mentioning music in this blog, I feel compelled to drop a note on Fantastic Voyagers 3- a quirky mini-fest of "mellow mutant music madness" curated by Mike Tamburo that's happening this weekend at the charming Morning Glory Coffeehouse in Morningside. There are 20 acts playing and the full-schedule can be found here. A $5-15 donation is requested.

The King is Dead, Long Live the King!

c. David Grim (taken 8/4/09)

With these images I'm breaking a few informal guidelines that I've adhered to (so far) on this blog. For one thing, they are pretty straight documentary shots. Additionally I decided to upload more than one representative photo, because I feel they work better in concert. There's not a whole lot of artistry here. I was driving on a back road in Southeastern Ohio, and came across these trailers. The obsessive nature of whomever painted this screed astonished me.

And that's how I'm breaking another rule I meant to keep rather closely- I'm straying dangerously into the realm of politics with this post. I've deliberately not read too deeply into the messages, but I get the feeling that the culprit is one of those newfangled "tea-baggers" that I've been hearing so much about lately. While I respect the right of others to express themselves freely in this "land of opportunity", I have to admit that I find this kind of thing fairly obnoxious.

Finding a Ready Made.

c. David Grim (taken 6/23/09)

Once in awhile I spot a texture in my environment that simply appeals to my eye, and I have to search for my camera and capture a certain quality within it. It doesn't matter what I'm doing; I simply have to conclude the action I'm involved with and enter a different head-space. If I'm away from home, I'm always gracious that I have my equipment nearby. Otherwise, there's the chance that the vision will plague me for days, and I'll rue the lost opportunity.

In the case of this image, I was aided by the morning sunlight. I was relieving myself in the motel bathroom where my GF and I had over-nighted, and I noticed the old fashioned glass in the window. I don't know the proper name for this ridged pattern, but I recognize it intuitively from my childhood past. I'd guess it's no longer in fashion.

I think of this type of photo as a "ready made". The subject was there waiting for me (or anyone) to shoot it. I didn't necessarily have to do much to set it up. It was merely my attention to detail, and my habit of scanning my surroundings, that led me to make the image. While I feel a bit lazy to receive a piece whole like that, I'd be a bit of a crank not to accept it with an open heart. Regardless, I find it fun to look at.

Dark Night of the Soul.

c. David Grim (taken 7/4/09)

On Saturday I spent an inordinate amount of time making up for an unfortunate occurrence. Sometime on Friday evening I lost my external hard drive. For various reasons this was a truly disturbing interjection into my reality. It cost me well over a $100 to replace it, and although I was able to do so, I still felt the pain of having to spend the money on something I had the day before. Also, the bulk of everything I've created artistically over the last two years was on that drive. So were virtually all the photos I've taken of my son since he's been born.

At first I was troubled by the idea that someone could pick up my files, and claim them as his/her own. But upon reflection it struck me that despite the fact that the photography and poems included represent work that I'm quite proud of, I don't have to worry about anyone getting rich off them. Believe me, I've made some efforts in that direction already, and I stand fully behind my stuff. If a thief was able to break through with the material, then I could easily prove that they were my images originally. I'd benefit from the publicity of the affair.

On the other hand I found it a bit of a relief that I had everything on that drive on other storage devices. I had not gotten around to cleaning my memory cards and zip drives of my files. It's a good thing I haven't been very organized.

So despite the loss of time and money this entire situation comes down to simple inconvenience. i've dealt with a lot worse. And I've had another chance to review my recent work. Good times.