Jerusalem, The Film - The Next Best Thing To Being There - At The Reuben H. Fleet Museum, San Diego

Jerusalem

IMAX film at the Reuben H. Fleet Museum, San Diego

Opens Friday, November 20th

Article by Cathy Breslaw
www.vanguardculture.com

Jerusalem is an IMAX film opening Friday, November 20^th at the Reuben H. Fleet Museum’s Heikoff Giant Dome Theater in San Diego. Five years in the making, this film is an immersive experience of intense sight and sound depicting the multi-cultural layers of this iconic and richly historical city.  Like all IMAX-style films, Jerusalem boards us on a 43 minute cinematic journey, taking us soaring in flight high above the Holy Land and then plunging into the marketplaces, religious sites and the geography of the area.  The film is portrayed through the eyes of three young women – one Muslim, one Jew and one Christian. Known as the center of civilization for thousands of years, the film highlights Jerusalem’s history and the religious practices of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Audiences will be captivated by the first-ever large-format imagery of Jerusalem’s Old City and the entire Holy Land- including the iconic sites of the Western Wall, the church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock. Rather than focusing on the familiar associated socio-political challenges of the region, Jerusalem amplifies the rich colorful heritage of three major religions and their people, living side by side and among one other.  We see the Easter procession replicating the journey of Jesus through the streets of the Old City on his way to execution, the Muslim religious rites of Ramadan and Jewish families as they celebrate the High Holy Days.  Also featured in the film is archaeologist, Dr. Jodi Magness as she tours people through the digging and discoveries of artifacts going back thousands of years, as well as visiting the underground tunnels of bedrock built by ancient peoples as they locate precious drinking water. This film is more than a documentary – it is a highly charged visceral experience of the history and daily lives of this diverse cultural melting pot called Jerusalem. If you’ve been there, it will likely stir your cherished memories, and if not, it will be the next best thing to being there in person!

 Jerusalem is an original production of Cosmic Picture and Arcane Pictures and distributed by National Geographic Studios. It was written and directed by Daniel Ferguson, and the executive producer was the late Jake Eberts who produced movies such as Ghandi, Dancing With Wolves, and Chariots of Fire. The film was produced by Taran Davies, George Duffield , Daniel Ferguson, and Reed Smoot of the American Society of Cinematographers.

A Labor of Love: Bhavna Mehta's "Gush" at Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA

Gush

by Bhavna Meta

Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA

through January 3rd

article by Cathy Breslaw

A Labor of Love

The Parker Gallery at the Oceanside Museum is a small contained space set apart from the other second floor spaces at the museum but when you arrive into Bhavna Meta’s exhibition Gush  you are rewarded and comfortably transported to a dazzling richly hued and joyful array of visual delights that take you to another space and time.  The genesis of this show was a set of 24 community workshops Mehta organized in North County San Diego where participants were asked to create patterns of all kinds and Mehta taught them skills in hand produced paper cutting with various tools provided. A large body of art created by the participants is on rotating view with a small video screen in the exhibition space.  Through her experiences with participants and their creations, Mehta developed the ‘story’ she wanted to tell in her exhibition. Gush, the title of the exhibition, directly interpreted in the dictionary as ‘free flow and an effusive display’ perfectly describes the multitude of bright, multi-colored cut-out patterned strands of varying lengths pouring out of gray geometrically formed cylinders hanging from the walls in various places within the room.  Also featured are four large rectangular works that serve as ‘windows’  that are then framed with brightly colored Indian patterns that capture within them in 3-D space, scenes of black cut-out figures doing various tasks and taking on differing perspectives and actions. These more representational forms of people and activities leave a lot up to the imagination to discern and describe. Reminiscent of Henri Matisse’s paper cuts he created in later life, Mehta’s exhibition is definitely a labor of love – as we can only imagine how long it took to create the multitude of paper-cut pieces included in this show. 

Mexican Artist Jose Hugo Sanchez Exhibits 'Transpoisis at Mesa College Art Gallery San Diego

Jose Hugo Sanchez:   Transpoiesis

San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery

October 13 – November 4, 2015

Article by Cathy Breslaw

Multi-disciplinary artist Jose Hugo Sanchez lives in Tijuana but moves back and forth across the San Diego/ U.S. border regularly to teach and work.  His art, combining printmaking, sculpture, painting, drawing and performance, is a mix of current and historical imagery and cultural iconography of both the Mexican and American cultures. His current exhibition, Transpoiesi,  is dominated by several monumental 16 foot by 6 foot works on brown paper combining block-printed woodcut engravings of indigenous characters from mythology and abstractly painted backgrounds. Works are loosely rolled out from the wall from high-hanging wooden rods unfurled onto the floor.  Portions of each work remain rolled at the floor because of the limited height of the gallery walls but enough is visible to reveal Sanchez’s powerful emotional images block-printed onto the simple brown paper and arranged in various configurations. Also included in the show are several works generated from engraved woodblocks previously used for creating works on paper. Sanchez has carved into them, shaping them into sculptural wall compositions transformed into art pieces. In some of these works, Mexican and American icons including the Virgin de Guadalupe, the Statue of Liberty and Mickey Mouse are visibly intertwined with mythological primitive-looking human and animal faces and figures.  Visible traces of the raw physicality of the process of carving of images into the wood reveals the artist’s intensity, energy, vitality and singularity of purpose.  We may surmise he is alluding to the conflictual and blending of cultures, as well as noting his own political views about them. With few exceptions, Sanchez limits his color palette to blacks, grays and earth tones.  Two sculptural works displayed on pedestals in the center of the gallery are carved from wood and cardboard and painted. One piece “El Quinto Sol” is composed of interlocking cardboard organic shapes painted with black and white figures and body parts. The other “Rayuela”, is a wood sculpture composed of many individual wooden parts pieced together including small animals, animal heads, and pieces resembling machine parts, all painted gold. Sanchez’s work follows in the tradition of Mexican printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada and the Taller de Grafica Polular, as well as referencing German Expressionism and the primitive figurative works of Rufino Tomayo. Visiting this exhibition, viewers can’t help but feel the impact of Sanchez’s bold strong imagery of the Aztec

tradition and mythology, as he simultaneously explores both the tenuous and collaborative connections of cross border relationships.

Self Reflection: Exhibition at MOPA by Young Students in San Diego County and Tijuana

Last week  the Museum of Photographic Arts held its Annual Auction in Balboa Park. This combination live and silent auction comprised photos collected over the past year by the Collectors’ Salon and Photo Forum members who through traveling the world,  located the beautiful photographs and limited edition publications.  The partnership with Sotheby’s helped generate a successful auction. The live auction featured photographers Flor Gardufio, Bill Armstrong, Josef Fischnaller, Tamas Dezso, Yao Lu, Ysabel LeMay, Kevin Cooley, Henry Diltz, Yoko Ono, Doug  and Mike Starn, and Hendrik Kerstens. The silent auction represented the work of sixty-eight

photographers.  Both auctions are expected to help fund three major learning programs at the museum for children, teens and seniors. Through the Exposure school programs, MOPA teaches underserved youth throughout San Diego how to view photos, how to make their own images and to share their views with others. MOPA’s Teen Voices Collaborative promotes real world problem solving skills by involving them in the museum and encouraging their viewership and participation.  Through Seniors Exploring Photography, Identity and Appreciation, the program seeks to build  confidence with digital photography and 25% of the program is designed for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  These highly valuable programs highlight MOPA’s important connections to the San Diego community.

Alongside the professional photography auctions is an ongoing accompanying exhibition Self Reflection, the 10^th Annual Youth Exhibition, which runs through January  24^th.  This juried exhibition curated by the museum includes the work of children of all ages in San Diego County and Tijuana.  The theme of self reflection asked for self portraiture, asking students to turn the camera back on themselves. The result is a remarkable display of 121 talented K-12 personalities, and their struggles and perspectives.  Kids as young as five to eighteen year olds participate with works that represent a very young generation of  people who have a tremendous comfort level with the medium of photography – all due to the ubiquitous nature of camera phones. There is a certain freedom, authenticity, and uncensored emotion in the overall feel of this show.  These children are laying their hearts and feelings on the line in a way that most adults don’t have the courage to do. The result is a powerful mix of images that can take your breath away.  The work of these young amateur photographers are worth a visit to MOPA. The student artist opening reception is Friday, November 6,  7:00 – 9:00 pm.  This reception is free to current members with a valid card and each member can bring one guest.

Jennifer Alejandra Perez Romero

Amatur-Rahim Khadijah

Naves_Xcaret 

Olivia Reynolds

Aiden Taylor

Angel Magana

The Work Comes Down - Final Stage of My Exhibition

Yesterday, I spent the day taking down my exhibition Macro Views, Micro Wonders at Mesa College Art Gallery... The energy and effort it takes to both launch and remove art from an exhibition is enormous. So many details, and in spite of the help received, it is a daunting task.  The other thing that non-artists may find surprising  is that there is a kind of void,  a 'let down' of sorts after completing a show.  Luckily for me, the experience of working with Allesandra Moctezuma, Gallery Director and Pat Vine, Assistant Gallery Coordinator and all the other wonderfully helpful and supportive folks who are an integral part of the gallery and Museum Studies program at Mesa College, the 'void' is lessened.  Good memories have a way of doing this. I always enjoy interacting with faculty and students as well as with folks while they are viewing my work. Below, you will see a few pics of the last day of my exhibition and gallery talk as well as the  de-installation process......

Last day of exhibition and gallery talk

Last day of exhibition and gallery talk

De-install

de-install

Student, Daniel, helping out with de-install

Installation Completion - Photography, Lighting, Sound and Video for Macro Views, Micro Wonders - Mesa College Art Gallery

The final installation of Macro Views, Micro Wonders is almost complete. Francisco Eme, sound artist and I spent 3-4 hours working on installing the sound and video portion of 'Sensations' which is now in place. It's very exciting as this is my first installation using my video and Francisco's sound.  Mesa College student Jenny Armer worked on carefully lighting the exhibition but was also

instrumental in putting together the outdoor banner, posters and postcards for the show. Photographer Melissa Au shot images of the entire exhibition. Pat Vine orchestrated many aspects of the planning and details which has been a key factor in finally bringing together this exhibition.

I look forward in anticipation of the show opening on Thursday, September 10th, 4:30 - 6:30 pm, with a lecture I will be doing following it. The public is welcome and invited! Hope to see you then.....

Melissa Au photographer, shooting the installation of the entire exhibition.

Francisco Eme, sound artist explaining his process to Allesandra Moctezuma, Gallery Director,
 as he installs the sound portion of 'Sensations' installation.

Pat Vine, Gallery Coordinator and Allesandra Moctezuma working on final lighting details.

Installation Complete - Here's A Peak - Macro Views Micro Wonders, Cathy Breslaw's Show At Mesa College, San Diego

A two and a half day journey developing the installation of my show at Mesa College Art Gallery is in its end stages. I don't often experience the hands on installation of my exhibitions since they can be in various cities around the country, so it is of great benefit to have had this opportunity to create the space in a very personal way. It has been a joy to work with skilled staff members that have helped every step of the way. Here is a peak, with a few images.....

Still to come is Monday's installation of sound/video portion of the exhibition...more later......