Sparked

Alec Soth Broken Manual

Geoffry — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:09:40 +0000

Alec Soth Broken Manual at Sean Kelly Gallery on view from February 3 - March 11, 2012.

Photographer Alec Soth seemingly runs away photo documenting his series Broken Manual on view at the Sean Kelly Gallery. Originally created over a four year period from 2006-2010 in the secretive American southern landscape, Soth traveled the isolated back roads. With a Diane Arbus like curiosity, Soth engages and photographs the men who become his narrative.

The series touches upon our human nature to escape and the fantasy of retreat. The images also depicts fascinating make shift homes in caves and camps becoming almost modernistic dwellings. But most meaningful in the essay is Soth’s lens that introduce these compelling disaffected faces.

Accompanying the installation is the full-length documentary Somewhere to Disappear. Filmmakers, Laure Flammarion & Arnaud Uyttenhove give voice to Soth’s journey with his subjects who have alienated themselves from society and civilization.

Alec Soth Broken Manual at Sean Kelly Gallery on view from February 3 - March 11, 2012.

The WTC 9/11 Memorial

Geoffry — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:02:21 +0000

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

Visitng the 9/11 Memorial Preview site in NYC’s busy financial district becomes a rare moment of tranquility remembering a tragic day in modern American history. The loss of life from the September 11, 2001 attacks are felt all around the memorial echoing the names of the victims and heroes.

Designed by Israeli-American architect, Michael Arad, the park’s north and south side reflective pools take the place where the twin towers once stood. Etched in bronze panels framing the waterfalls are the names of individuals, squads and battalions that stretch the entire metallic surface.

The 9/11 Memorial, still in preview, is free and open to the public by pre-ordering tickets from the 9/11 Memorial website.

Family and friends gather to remember a loved one that was lost to the 9/11 attacks. Photo: Sparked

Visitors gather to learn about the history of the 9/11 Memorial now open to the public. Photo: Sparked

International visitors take a moment to reflect at the memorial's commemorative pools. Photo: Sparked

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

The 9/11 Memorial designed by Isreali-American architect Michael Arad in front of the 9/11 Memorial Atrium Museum. Photo: Sparked

The nearly completed World Trade Center in the center of NYC financial district. Photo: Sparked

New Year’s Fashion Illustrations!

Geoffry — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:56:50 +0000

Fashion illustration by Clifford Faust.

This Sunday the group reconvenes for the 1st Meetup session of 2012 and we wanted to share a few wonderful New Year’s inspired drawings from December 2011. From a Victorian inspired look, a snow bunny, a glittering party girl or a celestial angel, our artist’s group captured the season’s festivity. You can view the complete gallery following this link.

Fashion illustration by Eugene Czarnecki.

Fashion illustration by Eric Leong.

Fashion illustration by Beverly Brown.

Fashion illustration by Yuliya Bogdanova.

Fashion illustration by Edgar.

Fashion illustration by Geoffry Gertz.

Auld Lang Syne for 2012

Geoffry — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:54:52 +0000

Brooklynites gather at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope to ring in 2012, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

2011 will not be forgotten welcoming 2012 and Brooklynites celebrated at Grand Army Plaza. Surprisingly as NYC’s most populous borough, a Brooklyn gathering projects a small town feel. These are some shots from last night’s community fete. Happy New Year!

Brooklynites gather at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope to ring in 2012, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

A Fashion Illustrated Calendar For 2012

Geoffry — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:10:26 +0000

Beverly Brown's fashion illustrated 2012 calendar.

A highlight of 2011 for us writing this blog has been the continuation of our fashion model drawing Meetup. The sessions attract talented artists from many disciplines and perspectives that inspire the group.

One of the artists, watercolorist Beverly Brown, created a beautiful 2012 illustrated calendar highlighting her fresh and atmospheric paintings. Each month features Brown’s personal unique style with many of the sketches created in our Meetup!

Thank you for reading and happy 2012!

Beverly Brown's fashion illustrated 2012 calendar.

Wishing You Merry Holidays 2011!

Geoffry — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:51:23 +0000

Christmas morning 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

We’re an interfaith household observing both Christmas and Hanukkah this holiday season. In the morning light we celebrated Christmas with taking pictures of the Victorian inspired miniature tree that my partner Chris decorated. You may recognize the accessories from our Fashion Model Drawing Meetup with the scarves, feathers and ribbons performing double duty as the ornaments.

And we’re getting a head start on the 6th day of Hanukkah using the menorah that Chris brought home from a neighbor when we first moved to Brooklyn. We wish you a wonderful holiday with friends and family!

The sixth day of Hanukkah 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

A New York City Tornado

Geoffry — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:02:35 +0000

NYC public art "Tornado" by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer made from inflated truck tire inner tubes exhibited at the entrance of Central Park.

Tornado by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer may not have been what Central Park landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted had in mind, but the striking kinetic sculpture dramatically stands tall among the 30 ft tall trees.

The industrial form made from inflated truck tire inner tubes will be on view until February 2012 made possible by the Public Art Fund. The tubes, twisted and interlaced almost producing a knitted effect zig zags down its shaft creating a gestural line. Contrasting the French Renaissance style Plaza Hotel across Grand Army Plaza, Sailstorfer’s bold cloud-like form brings a little whimsy to the tony neighborhood.

NYC public art "Tornado" by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer made from inflated truck tire inner tubes exhibited at the entrance of Central Park.

Tickle Your Fancy For 2012!

Geoffry — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:51:41 +0000

Tickle Your Fancy by John Gordon Gauld presented by Salomon Contemporary in NYC.

What is your facial style? The post pubescent phenom sprouting the first few whiskers for boys to men in some cultures a rite of passage but is now style de rigueur.

For the holiday season in the spirit of Saint Nick or if you follow Orthodox rapper Matisyahu (actually Matisyahu made news shaving off his signature beard to show his awaking from didactic religious obedience), Salomon Contemporary presented “Tickle Your Fancy” a portraiture of men’s love affair with their masculine nature by artist John Gordon Gauld this week in NYC.

Originally commissioned by the Bergdorf Goodman men’s store, Gauld’s fanciful watercolors surveys from the grizzly to the debonaire, the decorative upper lips and chins pruned, sculpted and trimmed throughout the decades.

Tickle Your Fancy by John Gordon Gauld presented by Salomon Contemporary in NYC.

Bergdorf’s 2011 Carnival of Animals at Play!

Geoffry — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:39:50 +0000

Bergdorf Goodman The Carnival of the Animals 2011 holiday window display, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

The animal kingdom has come out to play in their celebratory finery. Bergdorf Goodman’s visual team headed by David Hoey, imagined the fantastical cacophony from childhood memorabilia that bursts with regalia from the retailer’s 5th Avenue windows.

Attracting late night holiday admirers with shopping bags in hand or partiers on route, these nostalgic scenes captured the emotion and artistry for this holiday season.

Bergdorf Goodman The Carnival of the Animals 2011 holiday window display, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Pre-Holiday NYC Illumination

Geoffry — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:22:33 +0000

Brooklyn's Park Slope illuminated row houses, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

As the days become shorter, and now even colder, the holiday illumination begins to glow. Adding just enough holiday sparkle, I’ve posted a few glittering NYC examples. Enjoy your pre-holiday festivities.

Rockefeller Center annual Christmas Tree presentation, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Glittering lights on Lafayette Street, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz