July Gallery Night 2010

As with everything in the summer season, the weekend of July 23-25 is going to be a hotbed of activity. Milwaukeeans are jamming at Bradford Beach, getting festive along the lakefront and partying on the pavement down on Brady Street. And oh yes, another edition of Gallery Night & Day is upon us.

With so many options to choose from as you step out to feast your eyes this weekend, it can get a bit overwhelming, so TCD has compiled a list of must-see shows for you, dear readers.

We’ll see you out there.

“The Girl of the Month” by Tori Tasch

Merge Gallery
War: Humanity in the Crosshairs
Marshall Building, 204 E. Buffalo #204
Friday: 5-9 p.m.; Saturday: Noon-4 p.m.

Featuring work by Tori Tasch and gallery owner (as well as TCD visual arts contributor) Valerie J. Christell. War explores war’s impact on humanity through images presenting the psychological and physical impact as well as individual and cultural memories.

Together, Christell and Tasch explore mental and physical spaces and equipment of war, past and present, which relate to family and friends involved in these conflicts.

Portrait Society Gallery
J. Shimon & J. Lindemann’s Real Photo Postcard Survey
Marshall Building, Suite 526
6-9 p.m.

This is must-see show. Since the beginning of 2010, random participants made the drive out the the legendary photography duo’s studio in Manitowoc, simply to have a formal portrait taken. Gallerists, writers, brewers and retired nurses all posed (very, very still) for the series, which naturally utilizes the duo’s signature traditional methodology, hand processing and proofing each print and using the same type of orthochromatic film that was used for these types of portraits over 100 years ago.

There is no retouching; just the camera’s realization of the figure that stands before it.  The project culminates with this very special Gallery Night opening, featuring 60 palladium prints from the project, as well as commissioned photos taken between now and the summer of 2008.

Safi Studio
Marshall Building, Suite LL8
Friday: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday: Noon- 5 p.m.

While you’re in the Marshall Building, be sure to head down to the lower level to check out the grand opening of Safi Studio’s industrial gallery, featuring work by modernist painter Tom Kovacich, abstract works Jane Gates, and bright textural pieces from Dianne Soffa.

The Pfister’s 2010 artist-in-residence, painter and MIAD alum Katie Musolff will display the first piece (currently in progress) of her series dedicated to depicting the hotel staff during a Gallery Night open house. Musolff will also have other work on display, along with Todd Mrozinski, Rina Yoon and Brooklyn Henke, selected artists currently participating in the show Rooted in Nature at Elaine Erickson Gallery.

Sky High
B.U.M. : Work by Joe Roberts
2501 S. Howell Avenue
7-10 p.m.

If you haven’t visited craft maven Faythe Levine’s newest gallery space yet, now is the time to go. B.U.M. features work from Wisconsin-born, San Fransisco-based mixed media artist Joe Roberts. Roberts’ large scale pieces are somewhat reminiscent of the comic books that have influenced his work since he was a child, incorporating elements of sculpture, collage and photography while employing a colorful and surreal cast of characters.

Sonic Orphans
Saturday, July 24 8-11 p.m.
$5 donation suggested

Join Sky High on Saturday for a one-night-only event hosted by artist Bill Daniel. Sonic Orphans is 70 minutes of unearthed 16mm film that has yet to see the light of day. Featuring footage of The Beatles, The Avengers, The Huns, Boy Problems, Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers and Johnny Cash , Orphans is a haunting and nostalgic look at  rock n’ roll’s past. The screenings will be followed by Daniel’s personal collection of photos from the Austin punk scene from 1980-84.

Cedar Gallery
Summer Group Show
326 N. Water St.
5-10 p.m.

Check out the Cedar Gallery for original woodcuts from Jenie Gao, featuring intimate and sometimes grisly imagery based on personal narrative, plus textural, larger than life mixed media works by Melissa Wagner-Lawler. Also featuring mixed media works from Corbett Toomsen and Jackson Mousai-Jackson.

Redline Milwaukee
Resident Show + Iron Printmaker Competition
1422 N. 4th St.
Gallery Show: 6-9 p.m.
Competition: 9:30 p.m – midnight

Head down to Redline for the art incubator’s first annual member’s exhibit, in which resident artists collaborate and show off their development over the past six months. As the night winds down, the party heats up for the Iron Printmaker competition as three non-artist teams “go head-to-head in a vicious printmaking battle” for the title. The twist? The audience makes the rules AND determines the winners.

The Tool Shed
INside OUT
2427 N. Murray
5-9 p.m.

Photographer Liz Mares’ layered images explore societal constructs of “ideal beauty,” and question mainstream depictions of women that rely on superficial (and in most cases, artificial) qualities instead of attempting to convey true, inner beauty. From the artist: “Sticking with the value that women are complex, I have used double exposures to support the abstract nature of that statement. By layering the subjects, I weave them into both simple and intricate patterns to evolve them from a solid base to a state of disembodiment.”

Walker’s Point Center for the Arts
Here, There, and Elsewhere: Refugee Families in Milwaukee –  John Ruebartsch and Sally Kuzma
839 S. 5th St.
5-9 p.m.

In the last 30 years, Milwaukee has become a refuge for a new generation of immigrants — families and individuals fleeing violence in places like Southeast Asia and Africa. Here, There and Elsewhere focuses on their experiences as they rebuild their lives and communities and become part of Milwaukee.

Also on view: Re-Seeding: New Work by Jared Janovec.

Bucketworks
Walker’s Point Traveling Arts Festival
706 S. 5th St.
Saturday, July 24, Noon-9 p.m.

Bucketworks and the Walker’s Point Center for the Arts are hosting their first-ever collaborative traveling arts festival, with help from the Walker’s Point Association, La Fuente, Picture Perfect, The Soma Gallery, Super Star Tattoo, and the Milwaukee Brewing Company. Sample local wares, beer, art and music.

Jazz Gallery
Faux Show: When Looks Deceive
926 E. Center St.

The Riverwest Artist Association wants to mess with your mind, but in a good way (promise). Their upcoming Gallery Night exhibit asks “What is real?” “To define what is real, it helps to know what is not,” says their website. Be prepared for a variety of art pretending to be something it isn’t. We’re intrigued.

“Bar Lady” by Joanna Linn Pauc

BYO Studio
Function Dysfunction
2246 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
5-9 p.m.

Featuring work from six artists, Function Dysfunction explores the connotations implied in the title. Ranging from ceramics to free-standing sculptural pieces, the show highlights functional works of art as well as works that comment on the concept of dysfunction within the human body and in society.

While you’re in Bay View, don’t miss BYO Studio’s annual Chalk Walk, beginning at 3 p.m.

The Pfister Hotel Katie Musolff Gallery
424 E. Wisconsin Avenue
5-9 p.m.

The Pfister’s 2010 artist-in-residence, painter and MIAD alum Katie Musolff will display the first piece (currently in progress) of her series dedicated to depicting the hotel staff during a Gallery Night open house. Musolff will also have other work on display, along with Todd Mrozinski, Rina Yoon and Brooklyn Henke, selected artists currently participating in the show Rooted in Nature at Elaine Ericksen Gallery.

For more Gallery Night fun, be sure to check out the Third Ward Association’s website