Dalek's Space Monkies

space monkies
Originally uploaded by aprilreneegraves

Brooklyn-based artist DALEK’s (aka James Marshall) graffiti Space Monkey character has quickly transcended the genre into paintings, toys, silkscreens and housewares. Dalek assistants Takashi Murakami and has personal work has been shown in galleries across the United States and in Japan, England, Canada and France. In 2003, Gingo Press published DALEK – Nickel Plated Angels, written by Roger Gastman. Dalek has also been featured in numerous publications, including Tokion Magazine, NY Press, deviantART, Sacramento News and Review, Juxtapoz magazine, Art Week, Art Papers, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, and NYArts Magazine.

www.dalekart.com

King Tutankhamun

King Tutankhamun a.k.a. King Tut was found in the Valley of the Kings after dying from what is believed to be a skull trauma inflicted by his murderer, an official of significant importance. King Tut died in mid-January, 1343 B.C. becoming famous for the immaculate condition of his tomb.

Lord Carnarvon, a wealthy man who owned the right to dig in the Valley of the Kings, found King Tut’s mummy in 1922. with Howard Carter. Lord Carnarvon let Carter dig for a king named Tutankhamun who's name Carter had read on some stone walls. After searching for five years for the King’s mummy, Lord Carnarvon gave up and agreed to let Carter continue searching if he paid for the workers. Within a mere four days of work under Carter's pay the workers discovered steps leading to the entrance to the tomb. Lord Carnavon’s return form England took two weeks and upon return they began further excavation and uncovered Tutankhaman’s tomb nearly completely intact.

With over 3,000 years in passing the mystery of King Tut’s death has become a legendary story fascinating researchers. In 2005 evidence from a CT scan confirming that King Tut’s cranial damage was a procedural method of embalment. King Tut officially died from a leg injury causing gangrene at the young age of nineteen. He served as an Egyptian pharaoh reigned during the period known as the New Kingdom (1333 BC – 1324 BC). Tatankhaman translates as the "Living Image of Amun.”

“Tutankhaman and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” exhibition is featured at the Dallas Museum of Art.

www.dallasmuseumofart.org

Sicis All Up In The New Museum

Sicis
Originally uploaded by aprilreneegraves

Have you ever wondered who designed the most amazing part of the New Museum off Bowery? Sicis is an Italian tile art factory based in Milan that has been creating unique mosaic decor since 1987. Their New York location (470 Broome Street at Greene Street, 10013) currently showcases a collection of pin-up girl designs until Friday. If you thought the New Museum toilet tile work was amazing you must see this!


www.sicis.com

"The Essential Art of African Texitles: Designs Without End"

african textiles
Originally uploaded by aprilreneegraves

From Kuba raffia cloth appliqués, Adire cloth, embroideries of the Congo, small geometric "Kasai velvets" to seventeen foot long raffia dance skirts, African textile artistry has been a technology tradition indicative to Africa’s culture for over a century. Textile traditions are a significant part of Africa’s cultural landscape and history linking Africa to continental trading networks. Contemporary African artists’ works including textiles, painting, photography, sculpture and other medias are showcased at the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition “The Essential Art of African Textiles: Designs Without End” through March 22, 2009.

The publication “Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End,” produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yale University Press, accompanies this exhibition. BUY IT!

Barkley L. Hendricks "The Birth of Cool"

sweet thang
Originally uploaded by aprilreneegraves

Harlem’s Studio Museum in Harlem will be showcasing the renowned African-American painter Barkley L. Hendricks’ works from 1964 to present (b. 1945). Hendricks is best known for his life-size portraits of people of color living in urban areas in the 1960s and 70s. Alongside his iconic portraits, Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool will features many of Hendricks’s lesser known, older works and his newest pieces. Don't forget to check out his self-portraits (not kid safe). The exhibition will travel from New York to the Santa Monica Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia and lastly the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.

November 12, 2008–March 15, 2009:
The Studio Museum in Harlem
144 West 125th Street, New York, New York 10027
tel 212.864.4500 fax 212.864.4800

www.studiomuseum.org

Tom Murrin "Mostly Masks"

Tom Murrin otherwise known as the Alien Comic has been a member of the La Mama family since the mid-60’s performing plays at La Mama, E.T.C. off 2nd Avenue and La Mama’s East 4th Street home. During the mid-‘70’s Murrin performed with Para-Troupe in Seattle, Washington, with a group called Para-Troupe. He then traveled solo around the world, doing a different show each day using his homemade masks, found object props and non-stop talking.

Murrin returned to New York City in 1978 with the Razor Art Gallery in Soho, By the ‘80’s, he was performing as “Alien Comic”, at theaters such as La Mama and Theater for the New City, music clubs like CBGB and Pyramid. Alien Comic was “the holiday host” at La Mama introducing new acts to La Mama audiences, such as Blue Man Group, Ethyl Eichelberger, David and Amy Sedaris. Murrin has continued performing and leading workshops to this day and in 2008 was honored by P.S.122 at their annual Gala for his work as a performer/curator in the downtown performance art community since the mid-‘80’s.

About 50 masks, portraits, costumes and backdrops made by Murrin from cardboard/foam core and acrylic paints used for performances are on display at “Mostly Masks” at La Mama La Galleria until November 16, 2008.

La Galleria
6 E 1st Street, New York City, between Bowery & 2nd Avenue, (212) 505-2476
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 1 - 6 pm

Elizabeth Peyton "Michelle Obama"

New Elizabeth Peyton unveiled at the New Museum off Bowery as of November 5th.

The painting features Michelle and Sasha Obama Listening to Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August of 2008.