May 5-11, 2005

first friday focus

first friday focus

Mari Jaye Blanchard, Untitled 1 (2005), 33 inches by 48 inches, oil on panel.

by Lori Hill

The Ice Box / Temple and Tyler Galleries

In a stark, fluorescent-lit white box, sterile surfaces and old office furniture are the only things keeping the furiously working artist company — that and the camera trained on him. Towering organic structures shoot up into the sky in '50s-style pastel glory, Tilt-A-Whirl signs projecting from their middles like Vegas hotels. A quick survey of the work in Penn and Temple MFA thesis exhibitions reveals much about the emerging talent of Philadelphia's graduating fine arts students, and experimentation tops the list. From Althea Murphy-Price's prints and sculptures made from African-American hair to Rachel Frank's naturalistic packs of wounded wolves to the multimedia environments of Melissa Morgan's "Dam Break at Keyhole Rock," there's no pigeonholing the class of 2005. Catch Omar Rodriguez-Graham (the artist stuck in the white box) at Temple Gallery from May 4-7, with a reception Sat., May 7, 6-9 p.m.; Tilt-A-Whirling Naomi Reis' work — along with Frank's and 17 others — is up through the end of the month at Ice Box Project Space as part of Penn's exhibition curated by the eminent Judith Stein. Tyler Gallery hosts Murphy-Price's work through May 7, with a reception May 6, 6-9 p.m.; and Temple Gallery hosts Morgan's May 18-21, with a reception May 20, 6-9 p.m.
Penn's MFA Thesis Exhibition, through May 29, opening reception Sat., May 7, 6-9 p.m., Ice Box Project Space, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St., 215-898-8374; Tyler Gallery, 7725 Penrose Ave, Elkins Park, 215-782-2776; Temple Gallery, 45 N. Second St., 215-925-7379.

Exhibit 231

For a few days, walk-ins to Exhibit 231 can get a taste of the aesthetic and business style of art dealer Liz F. Spungen. The gallery, run by photographer Jim Abbott, is collaborating with Spungen on her first-ever public exhibition, which will feature works by Abbott, Susan Abrams, Harry Kalish, Antonio Puri, Anne Skoogfors, Judith Taylor, Janet Towbin and Sarah van Keuren. For nearly two years, Spungen, who specializes in contemporary photography and works on paper ("pencil to paint and everything in between," she says), has helped novice and veteran art buyers shape their collections to make the art that winds up in their homes more satisfying than picking up a print from Pier 1 Imports. Now, she says, "offering public face increases the exposure. My endeavor is opposite that of a regular gallery. Most galleries are easy to walk into, but once you're in, you don't get much attention. It's harder to walk in the door here [her offices], you have to make an appointment, but once you're in, you can stay." Jumping off from one of her core beliefs — that spending your life surrounded by works of art is abundantly rewarding — Spungen will give a gallery talk called "Living with Art." "I want to explain to people that living with original art is not outside of their means," she says. "It all starts at a place where anybody can afford it." Spungen especially enjoys showing fine art photography that's not framed. "People can see that they're art objects, with different finishes and different techniques," she says, encouraging people to notice the difference between these and their family snapshots. Now representing over a dozen artists, Spungen hopes that if the exhibit at 231 is a success, she can do shows on a regular basis. She says she spends a lot of time in artists' studios, and she wants Philadelphians to discover rich local talent. When this kind of work is out there, Spungen says, there's really no excuse for faded Ikea prints curling up under cheap Plexiglas frames.
Gallery talk "Living with Art," Thu., May 5, 5:30 p.m.; opening Fri., May 6, 12-9 p.m.; artists' reception Sun., May 8, 2-4 p.m., 231 N. Third St., 610-651-0337.

And Then There's …

A simple song helped us all learn that the thigh bone's connected to the knee bone, but luckily, medical students learn from incredibly detailed illustrations, like those of Frank Netter. The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia presents "Human/Humane: The BioArt of Frank H. Netter, M.D." His original illustrations, rarely on public display, have a little fun with human anatomy; check out the scuba diver with his chest flayed to depict decompression sickness or the woman gently pulling her hair back to reveal eczema on her face and neck. Through July 21, 600 S. 43rd St., 215-596-8800. … Later in the month, support the good work of Manna at the Galleries at Moore for A Show of Hands' 15th anniversary auction to benefit the organization that brings healthy meals to persons with HIV and AIDS.
Fri., May 20, 4 p.m. preview party, 5 p.m. silent auction, 7:30 p.m. live auction, $55 (auction only)-$155 (includes preview party), 20th St. and The Parkway, 215-49-MANNA.