Magnificent murals — in stairwells of parking garages, on sides of buildings, in art districts — are beautifying drab urban spaces and contributing to the revival of downtowns. Staci Sturrock and Carlos Frias report on two of the biggest, boldest examples.
BOYNTON BEACH ART DISTRICT
408 - 422 W. Industrial Avenue
The Boynton Beach Art District occupies a dusty industrial park that has attracted a community of fulltime working artists. It began in 2011 with public events, like the art walk held on the fourth Thursday of the month, and third Thursdays open mic nights. It was the February 2012 multimedia showcase “Kerowhacked Festival” that got the conversation going. “So nobody knew there was an arts district here until they heard about the events,” says Rolando Chang Barrero, event organizer and owner of ActivistArtistA Gallery. This artist-driven site has outdoor murals and street art, but Barrero won’t compare this two-block warehouse hub to Wynwood. “Our space is more akin to the Lincoln Road of the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, where there were no commercial venues or stores. Then it [Lincoln Road] was a place run by independent artists and nonprofits.
” The murals on W. Industrial Ave. stay up for a year, and then, on a rotating basis, are replaced by new ones to keep the area vibrant.
The “love fests” of Jack Kerouac—and his Beat Generation, which thrived in America during the post-WWII counterculture—receive their modern-day correlative in this third-annual festival fundraiser for the Boynton Beach Arts District. Live art-making and music, dance performances, readings, interactive workshops and more will fill the most happenin’ street in Boynton all afternoon and evening on Easter Sunday. Performers include the local fire-spinners the Philosofires; Vanya E’dan Dance Company; Flint Blade & Honeydew (pictured), a duo that creates psychedelic soundscapes on a clarinet and Chapman stick; a drum circle from 8 to 11 p.m.; and door prizes and food (including vegetarian and vegan options) throughout. Altogether, 14 musicians/bands will play. And don’t miss “The Beat Generation Exhibition” at ActivistArtistA Gallery, whose centerpiece is a lifelike silicon representation of a genetically modified cow by the agitprop artist Jessica Gwen.
CONTROVERSIAL SHOCK ART at ActivistArtistA Gallery?
Anti GMO Shock Art at Upcoming Exhibition: The Beat Generation Exhibition
Anticipating what the next exhibitions at ActivistArtistA Gallery are just part of fun! Since the gallery first rolled up the gate in the little warehouse gone gallery in the summer of 2011 it has show just about everything. The emerging artist space tucked in the back of the Boynton Beach Art District at 422 West Industrial Ave., will not leave you wanting yet again.
The Beat Generation Exhibition is following the history of a generation of agitators in letter and spirit.
Inspired by the post-World War II writers who came to prominence in the 1950s, as well as the cultural phenomena that they both documented and inspired. Central elements of "Beat" culture included rejection of received standards, innovations in style, experimentation with drugs, alternative sexualities, an interest in Eastern religion, a rejection of materialism, and explicit portrayals of the human condition.
The Beat Generation Exhibition includes, Dana Donaty's Dahli Llama, GM Manrique's satirical portraits of Miami's infamous drag queen YOKO (now retired), among other works by Serafima Sokolov, Steev Rullman (editor of Pure Honey Magazine), Gary Antonio, Rolando Chang Barrero, Rose Shaw, and Alicia Saxe.
But, center stage goes to the "controversial shock art" work by Jessica Gwen, who's piece titled "Molly," Molly is a meticulously crafted silicon sculpture of a lifelike genetically modified cow which is sure to raise a few brows, and few questions regarding, as the artist say's, "It will allow us to reflect upon Monsanto and our scientific application against humanism."
Special Presentation at the Gallery in conjunction with The Beat Generation Exhibition:
Projections by Modernity Art, Kaleid-O-Krank projector.
Readings by:
Stacy Conde, author of "The Red Speck"
Cherly Maeder Recitations for Howl.
This exhibition is curated by Rolando Chang Barrero.
Mylo Ranger, Future Prezidents, She's Neurotic ,JC Dweyer,Craig Mcinnis, Sunny Devilles, Swampgrass Kin, Spencer Allan Patrick, Dan York, Rod Dusinberre, Patrick Salsich, Flint Blade and Honeydew, Chris Michaud, and Bill Hartmann.
Chapman Stick and clarinet duet Flint Blade & Honeydew create psychedelic soundscapes infused with uplifting messages of empowerment.
Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with a penchant for improvisation, Flint Blade is best known for playing the Chapman Stick, a guitar/bass hybrid instrument played by two-handed tapping. Born and raised in south Florida, Blade tours nationally and is a prolific recording artist.
Joined in 2012 by clarinetist Alison Claire Murphy, the two found immediate chemistry with their unusual pairing of instruments; as a duet, they released their self-produced, full-length debut “Love Light” and embarked on the countrywide Summer Love Tour 2013.
With new recordings and a few surprises in the works, the duo continue to live their art anew each moment.
Group Exhibition inspired by the post-World War II writers who came to prominence in the 1950s, as well as the cultural phenomena that they both documented and inspired. Central elements of "Beat" culture included rejection of received standards, innovations in style, experimentation with drugs, alternative sexualities, an interest in Eastern religion, a rejection of materialism, and explicit portrayals of the human condition.
