June 11, 2004
Welcome:Bienvenidos
This
exhibit is an "art spark" generated by a community of artists
living around the world. Every week, we meet at this virtual studio/gallery
to share work and the most important thing on our minds.
Artists are invited to join Virtual:Comunidad.
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©2004 by artists named
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Anthony Gonzalez
Washington Heights, New York City
homage
Ronald Reagan is still dead. The media gives us an endless parade of testimonials about his engaging crooked smile, charm, communication skills. Those that attempt balance criticize him for not being quite as engaged as he might have been, and mention the arms-for-hostages deal and Ollie North, but don't dwell on it. What would the point of that be? No one really wants to speak ill of the dead. And speaking of the dead, no one this week has yet interviewed any of the thousands of families in El Salvador and Guatemala whose loved ones were tortured and murdered by death squads, their bodies dumped by the side of some highway in the dark -- death squads sponsored by corrupt right-wing dictatorships, which were propped up by American dollars at Ronald Reagan's behest. I have not seen anyone in the media suggest that Ronald Reagan sponsored terrorism in Nicaragua -- terrorism by CIA-trained contras, whom he referred to as "the moral equivalent of our founding fathers." It would be considered disrespectful to use the term "sponsored terrorism" in this context. People might change the channel.
PP
New York City
Vertical Horizon
I am missing one Scott J. Plunkett on these pages. He comes to mind because he told me he first creates the image then writes his thoughts or feelings. Therefore, it seems what's on mine is schizoid contact with others and delicious starchy security beneath my surface.
Peter Ferko
Washington Heights, New York City
open pentagon
The most important thing on my mind right now: the tenacity of artists, who often make art for no reason other than their own belief that it matters.
Renee Tamara Watabe
Verona, NJ
What a Woman Wants
Image Seven : Goddess in Black and White
“I want to be called Goddess,” I finally wrote
to him. I’d seen his paintings in the college gallery, solid, thoughtful
and luminous works of the city. I trusted them. And so, unknowingly, I
sent a note of brief, courteous admiration. Quite proper and polite, I
thought. Well within the boundaries that had contained me these past four
decades of my life. Decades that had included a mother’s nervous
breakdown, a sister’s drug overdose, an arranged marriage , the
near death of my child, but never a man who called me Goddess.
At least not without laughing.
If you be Goddess, then I be God, he wrote, dead serious.
Now here is a man I can relate to, thought I.
Tim Folzenlogen
Washington Heights, New York City
Paparazzi shooting Peter Ferko (l) and Mike Fitelson (r) - two of the organizers of Uptown Arts Stroll 2004
Last night was the opening reception for UAS 2004. It was held in Highbridge Park, behind the swimming pool, on a stretch of land overlooking The Harlem River.
It was a total class event.
It was so nice to be outside, on a warm spring evening, enjoying the setting sun, the refreshing breeze, and pleasant conversation with a diverse group of people.
The art was hung along a fence, with each artist’s spot being labeled as to where you could view their work on the stroll itself. Maps, nice maps, in magazine form, were in abundant supply.
The catered food, the availability of refreshments, the eclectic live music – it reminded me of a Seurat painting, of a social gathering in a beautiful park – a dreamlike setting I never thought I’d actually attend.
The fireworks were fantastic. I’m sure they were so much more than anyone ever expected them to be.
Hats off to anyone who had anything to do with this event. It was a stunning success.
end of exhibit