Summer Has Flown By

It’s Sunday, July 27 and I’m getting pensive that summer has just flown by. I feel that summer hasn’t even gotten started since I’ve only worn my tank tops a few times. To me, summer means a skirt, sandals and tank — anything more than that is too much. Contrary to what others think, July was a cool month and there were still many complaints that it’s just too hot. Seriously! I’ve worn my fleece jacket and jeans to many outdoor concerts and slept with a down comforter more times than I can remember (I don’t have central air). Last year is was so hot, that I slept with wash cloth to keep my temperature down. That’s my definition of summer. 

All complaints aside, I’ve gotten out there and experienced all the fun outdoor activities that I can get in. There is just too many things going on; some days I had to picked one thing and go with it. For example last Sunday, Ohio City / Transformer Station had their Parisian Market (the Cleveland Flea on West 29). I normally run on Sunday morning but I changed my itinerary and decided to bike. It was a beautiful sunny day without much humidity as I pedaled down Lakeshore Blvd, onto North Marginal Road and over the Detroit-Superior bridge.  

Right before me were street vendors pedaling their wares, a food truck serving up breakfast and various stands creating crepes (Elise's Crepes), pierogies (The Pierogi Lady) and oysters (Oyster Bar). There was a tent with chairs so patrons can sit, eat and have conversations until they feel like moving again. That’s what the Europeans do – socialize!

What I enjoyed most about the market was the intimacy of it. Not crazy busy but enough diverse merchandise that you can find something to buy. Since I rode my bike, there wasn’t much merchandise I could buy and cart home — the downside of cycling to events. I anxiously tried on a few outfits from a vendor selling old, nostalgic items. I found a beautiful “couture” dress that was expertly constructed. All the seams were finished as I turned the garment inside out. Nothing is made like “that” any more. Now we buy crap that only lasts one season if you’re lucky. As a person that sews, I notice details like that. I good find if it fits.

To my chagrin, the dress didn’t fit. Honestly, I couldn’t get it past my waist. The other thing that has changed in our current fashion industry is “sizing.” I’m a small person and now I wear X-small and sizes in the zero’s at times. I am not trying to boast that I’m tiny but the sizing is so “out of whack!” I had to put that gorgeous dress back but found a gingham orange top that I bought instead. 

As I walked around, I was quickly propelled into the seventies with these plastic glasses with different colored bottoms that I swear my mom owned. Old fashioned cameras that uses film and a “flash cube” — remember that? There was “Simplicity” patterns that brought back memories of my mother who sewed all her clothes when I was a child. Jewelry made from Barbie doll hangers – what a hoot! African Black soap that addresses skin issues – acne and eczema. I quickly bought a bar.

I enjoyed myself at this market seeing a few people that I knew and talking to a mother and daughter in the crepe line. I told them I was thinking of going to the “Taste of Tremont” (third Sunday in July) and they said it was incredibly busy where it was hard to find parking. I thought of going but they made my mind up for me — I bagged it. 

If you enjoy nostalgic, retro items, I would definitely attend the Cleveland Flea at Tyler Village on August 9 and/or the Ohio City Market on Sunday, August 17. 

As I cycled home, enthusiastic about my purchases, I thought about the upcoming “Opera per Tutti at the Italian Cultural Garden later that evening. I thought for some reason that it was in August but it also scheduled on July 20. I was almost too tired to go and thought about meeting my sister there as I passed the Cultural Gardens on my way home. 

The Opera per Tutti performance was extraordinary. I think I enjoyed it more this year than last. The gardens was full with people of all ages in chairs and blankets soaking up this music. The sound quality was exquisite; there wasn’t a bad seat. They offered a sampling of wine and pizza for sale. The performers sang from various Operas –  La Boheme and La Traviata to name a few. It brought memories when my sister and me attended a few Operas a year. I didn’t understand what they sung but I love it! It brings goosebumps as their voices transcends the audience. 

If you enjoy Opera, pencil that in for next year. I would definitely get there early to get a seat or wander around these beautiful gardens. 

Not only were there the two events that I just described, but a concert at Lakeview Cemetery and The Cleveland Foundation free event at Blossom; my sister said 5,000 people attended that night. That is four events that I know of happened July 20.

July is over so one more month of activities until I’ll be putting up the Halloween decorations.

Hank Willis Thomas - What a Creative Talent!

Photo from twitter #gbcma - Thomas taking a photo of audience before his talk

One of my favorite places to visit is the Cleveland Museum of Art. As I have written in so many posts, I volunteer for various posts including the first Friday MIX events and new exhibit openings, just to name a few. Yesterday was different. I visited as a patron to listen to the talented photographer, videographer and conceptual artist – Hank Willis Thomas discuss his work. He began his talk by pulling out his smart phone and told the audience to do the same. “I want to take a photo of you, the audience taking a photo of me on stage.” Please use the “hashtag, #qbcma and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then forget what I just said, Hank eloquently said. I was very impressed; he’s a dynamic speaker and a very confident artist where his work comes from many directions and mediums. It is hard to exactly pin down what his work is – what I love most is how intelligent his ideas are that keeps the viewer constantly thinking.

My favorite Hank Willis Thomas’ work, however, is his video installation, “Question Bridge.” Recently, I posted a tweet informing my followers that I am volunteering at the Transformer Station and there is a good crowd listening to “Question Bridge: Black Males.” A few days later, Hank Willis Thomas “favored” my tweet. How cool is that! As I listened to his talk, I found out that’s one of his favorite collaborative pieces as well. It is hard to describe how powerful this work is – a black male asks a question then a diverse group of black males respond to the question. It cycles between different males that either respond or ask deep rooted questions.These males are diverse within the black male community and they deliver these answers that you wouldn’t think they would say. It will blow you away as you listen to the responses.

Thomas showed the “Question Bridge” as part of his talk where the question was something about being imprisoned; I can’t remember the exact question. The answer came from a gentleman who was in prison and the response blew me away. He talked how everyone is in prison in some way or another. He talked about his situation that he didn’t have self esteem, therefore, he did bad things. Hence, what ultimately landed him in jail. Some people are in prison within themselves where they lack confidence or let others persuade you from doing what you know deep down is wrong. I am paraphrasing but ultimately that is what I got out of his response – a profound, powerful statement.

Another question that I remember at the Transformer Station installation is “What does it mean to be a man?” a young boy asked. Again, the answers were diverse depending on age, educational background and circumstances of the respondent. I only listened to twenty minutes and I will stop back and listen to the entire 3-hour loop.

The other dynamic piece at the Transformer Station is the role of African American males in sports. Thomas played with the idea of large companies making an exorbitant amount of money using male athletes by selling sneakers, for example. One photograph is a male basketball player hanging by a noose. Obviously the noose is slavery but today’s basketball is using these athletes to make money – a ton of it. That is what I got out of the photo – enslaving athletes to a degree to sell “stuff.” Michael Jordan was it for Hanes® and LeBron James for that matter, Nike®.  It’s images such as these that keep you thinking about society, pop culture and how we’ve evolved from the 1960s Civil Rights Era to President Obama’s election. We’ve come a long way but I think we have a ways to go. Hank even mentioned in his talk, we aren’t black and white any longer – what about other people such as Asians and Hispanics – we are all more a coffee color. 

The other installation piece is the “Truth Booth” that has been traveling around Cleveland where you answer the question, “What is Truth.” Most recently, the booth was in Afghanistan and a girl talked about how bad it is in her country; how nobody cares (I am paraphrasing). Genius installation in how we can bring everyone together on a global scale. What are the issues people are struggling with or what is on their mind as they walk into the booth? I haven’t walked in yet. I keep racking my brain what I want to say; I don’t want to sound stupid. Quite frankly, I’m shy and I’m not sure what I really want to say. Will I do it before the exhibit leaves on March 9, stay tuned?

At the end of the lecture someone said that I though was an interesting take on Thomas’ work, “It is about people.” Very astute – what are black males thinking in Question Bridge? What are we thinking – truth! How advertising is taking advantage of black athletes, and the conversation goes on and on.

The Hank Willis Thomas show is at the Transformer Station until March 8, 2014 and the “Unbranded” series at the Cleveland Museum of Art until March 9. I highly recommend seeing both.

Transformer Station
http://transformerstation.org/

Cleveland Museum of Art
http://www.clevelandart.org/events/exhibitions/hank-willis-thomas

2013 - A Year in Review

The lake is frozen. Clumps of sand, dirt and debris is mixed into the giant waves that have crystallized; time has stood still. I stood looking at my lake in wonder – this is why I live so close, to see nature up close and personal. A large body of water iced to the horizon line – an eery quiet over took me as I reflected back to 2013.

I ran through the snow piles and icy path as nature surprised me again. It wasn’t too cold as I headed down to the lake. Just last week the waves lapped onto the shore, not today as clumps of ice stopped the waves right in their tracks. Too early for the ice to appear? Not necessarily, it’s January 2014 after all. My mind wandered in what I accomplished or didn’t – volunteering is what I did mostly and reignite a weekly blog on art shows I attended. Nothing earth shattering, just living a modest life and doing interesting things around Cleveland.

Nothing to do? Well, I disagree.

Senior Games

I had a joyous time volunteering for the Senior Games this past July and August. I was a score keeper for horseshoes where I learned quickly that it’s a challenging event. There are two competitors that throw several rounds of horseshoes up and down the field. I started scoring around 10 a.m. and I wasn’t even done by 12:30 p.m. What was so thrilling about the games was how appreciative the contenders were. Every shift I participated in, I got a kind “thank you” for my time.

One of my favorite events was the Women’s hammer throw. If you want to see real athletes, just watch these women throw these hammers. It is a shot put at the end of a wire handle. My job was to retrieve the hammers to the contenders. They were heavy; I can’t image trying to throw it at a decent distance. One women, however, said, “I hope to see you throwing the hammer at the next Senior Games.” What a nice compliment! These athletes were class A in my book.

The other thing I did was ride my bike to as many volunteer shifts that I could. I biked along Euclid Avenue to Case Western Reserve for “horseshoes;” I biked downtown, took the shuttle bus to Baldwin Wallace University and walked to the Berea Fairgrounds for the “hammer throw”; biked to the new Convention Center for the athlete check-in. In total, I biked four times out of five for my shifts. That is my 2014 New Year’s resolution - biking more and using my car less.

I look forward to the 2014 Gay Games this August – I plan on biking there as well.
www.gg9cle.com

New Promotion for CIFF - courtesy of CIFF

Cleveland International Film Festival :  March 19 - 30, 2014
http://www.clevelandfilm.org

It seems so long ago that the festival was at Tower City. I say the same thing every year – maybe I will skip my volunteer stint this year. In actuality, I volunteered for more shifts this last year than previous years. I want to warn you; once you start going down to the festival, you will be wanting to see more and more films. This year I stood in more lines and was not able to see films that were on standby. That is, in actuality, a good problem to have – too many people wanting to see International Films that most likely you will not see anywhere else. No brainer there.

I do commend the festival’s staff in accommodating as many people as they did. They staggered the times as well as possible to eliminate a “crowd jam.” For example, the “Anita” film featuring Anita Hill, who was in attendance was sheer chaos. It was in two theaters and nobody was listening to directions on which theater to enter. As a volunteer, I try to take shifts that are more crowd crazy so when I decide to see a film, I won’t be struggling to find a seat.

The two films that I loved were, “ Pieta” (South Korea) and “Laurence Anyways”(Canada); they stuck with me well after they were over.  

The Cleveland Museum of Art: MIX and Summer Solstice events
http://www.clevelandart.org

The problem I have when I volunteer is I can’t say “No!” I am the type of person who genuinely likes to help. I need “x amount” of people to help at this event – I’m there. I favor the museum parties for the people I see that I haven’t seen or I see Cleveland residents that I probably will never see. The MIX event is attracting more young professionals and families that are interested in art and the social fabric of our city. Kudos! We are privileged to have a world renowned museum that is “free.” During some of my volunteer shifts, the “out-of-towners are amazed that it’s “free.” I have a few friends that have yet to see the new atrium or visit the museum after its eight year long expansion. If you haven’t been to the museum in a while, you are in for a treat.

My favorite volunteer shift was “gift wrapping.” For the holiday season, this year the museum offered free gift wrapping for anyone who bought a gift from the museum store.  I was in heaven. Again, I met a few Greek people and old friends that were just happy to have a gift wrapped by an enthusiastic volunteer. I hate to pat myself on the back but my gift wrapping was better than most. I was brought up to do your best when giving something to others; furthermore, as a graphic professional, presentation is everything.

I highly recommend the always anticipated Summer Solstice event on the fourth Saturday in June. It always sells out so get your tickets in advance.


The Transformer Station - West 29th Street - Hank Willis Thomas thru March 9, 2014
http://transformerstation.org

I had the privilege to be one of the first volunteers for the first opening of a west side contemporary gallery – the Transformer Station on February 1, 2013. A reconverted space into a cutting-edge photo gallery with such exhibits as Todd Hido and the Fred and Laura Bidwell Collection of contemporary photography; currently they are exhibiting the Hank Willis Thomas in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art. I met so many interesting people that attended during my shift – Kent State, Oberlin College, Director of the Akron Museum, writer from the New York Times, Jim Rokakis, etc., etc., etc.

My favorite event at the Transformer Station was the Ohio City Stages concerts - five concerts on five Wednesdays in July. If you do anything this summer, I would highly recommend you pencil this event into your calendar and/or smart phone. They took this giant stage, parked it on Church and W 29th street and played diverse, contemporary music. After the concert, they projected contemporary films behind the gallery on an outdoor screen. I hate to say it, less crowded and better than Wade Oval Wednesdays. My understanding is they are going to extend the concerts to other areas of the city as a Community Outreach initiative.

As a summer person, my most active month was June when I attended the Garden Walk, the Waterloo Arts Festival on the last Saturday in June and the CMA’s Summer Solstice Party.

Drawings

Pastel Drawing by Toni - copyright 2013

After twelve years in my basement, I finally put together my drawing table. I illustrated my sister’s house, elephants, tomatoes, grapes and wild flowers that I gave as gifts; I didn’t do as many as I first envisioned but five drawings are five more than I’ve done all these years. I hope to do a few more in 2014.


In closing, I didn’t have a lot of income during 2013 but I volunteered my time and energy by helping many individuals find their way at museums; my computer lab work at the Homeless Shelter and seeing the beauty in Cleveland as I rode my bike mile after mile. Get out of your comfort zone and do something positive for 2014. Forget about those ridiculous resolutions that you will never keep and do something that you are passionate about.

Local Cleveland Fun

Hello fall! You are not my favorite season for it begins to darken at 7 PM and the weather cools. However, I have been able to ride my bike to Edgewater Park and the Transformer Station with minimal extra clothing. My thinking is: if I wear more than a tank top and shorts, it’s too cold. To my surprise, this fall has been warm for Cleveland and I can still do summer-like activities.

Last week, I rode in the sun with temperatures in the 70’s - strange for Cleveland. I was in my glory, for sure. Suddenly, a big black cloud appeared and rain poured for at least 30-minutes. Luckily, I was able to seek refuge in a pavilion near by. I sat and waited until the rain quieted to a light mist. It was warm enough that I could ride through the wetness without getting chilled. It felt more like summer rain rather than fall that chills you down to the bone. You need to stand in the shower for several minutes before you are warm enough to get out.

Everyone loves fall for the bright orange, yellow and red leaves. I do too in some respects but my backyard is already accumulating bright orange and yellow leaves – very soon, however, my tree will be bare. Next, the white snowflakes will hang on the branches and drop to the ground. Beautiful for a day or two, then I will be hauling that darn shovel to clear my driveway. A task I should just, “Get-over-it” but it’s sometimes never ending. The way I look at it now, there are still plenty of “bike-riding” days to come. As time continues, I will be planting my garden soon.

Cleveland Flea

Linoleum Block done in School

If you like local vendors and anything Cleveland, I highly recommend attending the Cleveland Flea on East 55 Street. A diverse neighborhood that is finding its niche - buy local and help our community thrive. Some of the stands distributed: local honey; handmade soaps (Soap Alchemy http://www.soapalchemy.com ); soaking salts for your feet; dishtowels with simplified linoleum prints of birds and trees by “Tart Boutique” www.etsy.com/shop/clevelandtart (I remember doing those prints in grade school); vintage furniture repurposed into inventive coffee tables, a table that holds cold beer, bookshelves and knobs that you can hang your keys; vintage clothing that you will never see another person wear and endless jewelry vendors. Take your pick!

I was so overwhelmed by all the vendors that distributed their wares. I wondered around for a bit so I can get my bearings – what did I want to see and/or buy. Since I rode my bike, I didn’t have many options to buy anything big or breakable. I’ve heard about this flea on the radio and I was just curious by checking it out. In describing how crowded it was, a vendor told me that there was a long line at 8 AM just to set up your tent. I got there at 9:45 AM and the cars were already lined up along East 55. Bring it on . . . help Cleveland’s economy. A very positive event that many walked away with merchandise in their hands as they walked to their cars. I “bike-boxed” it.

As the holidays approach, I will consider bringing my car to hopefully take home some rare finds. I believe that people are looking for inventive gifts and creative household items to buy. I just heard on the radio that now, Macy’s is also going to open on Thanksgiving evening for the Holiday season. Seriously! How bad do you really want that “junk” made in China or Bangladesh? Unless someone is giving away a free iPad, I won’t even bother standing in those ridiculous lines. I’m outraged! Take a stand, Buy local!

Last year for the holidays, I bought local at the Holiday Fest on Superior Avenue and made a drawings as gifts. I rather have those items as gifts then something from Target that will far apart within a year.

Nothing in Cleveland to do!

The Cleveland Flea - Second Saturday of the month.
http://theclevelandflea.com/classes-events/

Third Friday at 78 Street Studios - Detroit-Shoreway
http://78thstreetstudios.com/maps

ArtCraft Holiday Show 2013 will be on Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December 8, 2013!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ArtCraft-Holiday-Sale/151694151541624?hc_location=timeline

Summer Mode

I’m having the Fall Blues. I realize as I’m sitting here gazing out into the blazing hot sun that summer is practically over. It doesn’t seem so as the temperature will reach 90 degrees today on September 10. Even so, I crave the sunshine and activities that summer brought this year. It seems like I keep revisiting all the things I was able to do and some that I completely missed. Summer is the time of year that I wait for all year long. Summer is just too short.

This summer I tried to ride my bike to some events but I wasn’t as successful as I should have been. I rode to a few of my Transformer Station volunteer shifts on Saturdays, the Garden Walk and the Larchmere Arts Festival in early July. I could have done more to reduce my car emissions and get exercise to boot. I guess it was better than nothing. I find excuses that I need my car to transport my computer or I need to go to the grocery store. On a positive note, I am seeing more bike riders traveling to their destinations. I am also seeing more cars getting angry that cyclists are clogging their precious streets. Please share the road. Like it or not, there are more cyclists opting to pedal than operating a vehicle. Get over it!

I did walk down my street for the North Collinwood free concert series that began in early June until August 30. There was Eighty’s music and blues; there were local bands and some from New York. Local residents gathered along with others from other neighborhoods listening to fabulous tunes and gazing out along Lake Erie. The sunsets are different every time – the sky glows in brilliant orange and red; other times there is a thin pink line along the horizon. The clouds interrupted the sun. That is what makes living along the lake so special. These unexpected pleasures.


Transformer Station

The Transformer Station in July was the place to be. There were five fantastic concerts at the same caliber as the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Solstice Party. The first night, a husband and wife team (Amadou & Mariam) performed an Afro-pop sound that reached well beyond West 29 and Church. The first night was a hit-or-miss that maybe a few residents will patrol the street just to see what band will be performing. Some thought it would be some local talent. To everyone’s surprise, the performers were outside the U.S. playing on a giant stage. The word-of-mouth of these stellar performances got out that by July 31, people couldn’t wait to experience these concerts. I’m still thinking about them; I hope they will add more in 2014. Pencil it in!

Not only were there free concerts all over the city, but art. I mentioned the Transformer Station with Todd Hido’s, Silver Meadows retrospective that highlighted photos and characters that made you think – what is going on here? Winter scenes and women in stiletto heels. Every time I walked through the door, I saw something that sparked a new thought.

Cleveland Print Room

Recently, I headed out to Cleveland Print Room to view these beautiful black-and-white portraits that were amazing. The photographer used FILM and took the time to “look” at his subjects. I was struck by how clear his images were. I felt immediately immersed into the culture and country sides of Africa and Asia. One of my favorite images was an intimate view of a woman (the wrinkles and blemished skin) dressed in black where the hard work she endured was easily seen - her eyes a metaphor into her soul. She reminded me of Greek widows in Greece dressed head-to-toe in black. You can feel their every day struggles – their expressionless faces. Eyes piercing the photo paper. I didn’t know them but I can emphasize with them.



Carrie Mae Weems

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a retrospective of Carrie Mae Weems on view until September 29. Again, I love black-and-white photographs and Weems has a brilliant array that boldly addresses race, gender and class - the clarity alone transports you into the artists viewpoint. Her “coffee table” series makes you think: what it’s like to live in poverty; raising a child and reflecting on choices you’ve made. A woman is sitting at the “kitchen table” where everyday things happen – she is helping her daughter with homework; she is arguing with her husband or significant other. It’s mundane scenarios where discussions and “real life” happens at the kitchen table.

My favorite, however, is the black-and-white video titled: “Cornered.” There are two video screens that are hung in a corner where the 1960s Boston riots are happening. I like the concept of polarization where neither side is listening. The riots occurred because schools were forced to desegregate - forced busing. This continually happens today when everyone talks and/or shouts. You do feel “cornered” where you don’t know where to go.

Everyone can’t wait to wear their fall clothes consisting of turtlenecks, closed-toe shoes and wool pants. No thank you. Just give me my sandals and sundresses, please!

Fall Events

Ingenuity Festival - September 20, 21, and 22.

http://ingenuitycleveland.com

Sparx City Hop - Saturday September 21, 11am until 9PM

http://www.downtowncleveland.com/events/sparx-city-hop.aspx

Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art - Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22
http://www.clevelandart.org/

Cleveland Botanical RIPE Festival - September 21 and 22
www.cbgarden.org

Italian Cultural Gardens Opera and Ohio City Stages

I, like many people in Cleveland, have not patronized the Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Blvd. This Sunday, however, I had the opportunity to hear Opera Per Tutti at the Italian Gardens to hundreds of other Clevelanders. This is a free cultural offering, “Opera in the Italian Garden.” The roads were full of cars parked haphazardly as people walked toward the fountain entrance to hear Italian Opera. I was just as excited to listen to Opera again where I’ve listened to many performances at the Palace Theater. I’ve attended: The Magic Flute, Tosca, and Rigoletto to name a few. I can’t really explain why I love it but the performers ability to hit those high notes - gives me chills.

The entrance to the event was away from Martin Luther King Boulevard, up a hill. This was the perfect venue, high above the gardens was majestic. Chairs were set up in front of this giant fountain where you can feel the mist just as the wind floated past you. There was free wine samples - Italians and Wine is definitely one and the same. Stone fired pizza was also available for purchase. It was the perfect evening - the temperature was in the low 80’s unlike the sweltering heat we had for six days.

The performances were fantastic. The program included arias from Carmen, La Boheme, Tosca and Romeo and Juliet where the high notes where not in short supply. There were two Sopranos, two Tenors along with one Baritone, narrated by Jan Jones. The sound quality was exquisite with a new speaker technology system - you can hear every breath and note. There wasn’t a bad seat but we chose to sit towards the front in the seats provided.

Historically, in 1930 the Italian Cultural Garden hosted the San Carlo Opera sixty-eight years ago at its lower level amphitheater. Opera originated in Italy at the end of the sixteenth century. My first opera was Rigoletto where I remember thinking - how great is this. My sister and I saw many thereafter when Opera Cleveland was here. We were both hooked. They sing in Italian but the audience gets a brief translation in English high above the stage. You get used to it. The performances and orchestral music definitely stays with you. 

The performance lasted over an hour and a half where audience members gleefully clapped and hung on every note. I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy the Opera. It’s one of those things; you either love it or hate it. I don’t think there is a neutral stance.

As I’ve said on many posts, there is so many free summer events going on in Northeast Ohio; it is a matter of searching these events out. Find what you are interested in and go for it.

Visit “Italian Cultural Gardens” on Facebook

Also, the Cultural Gardens will have the 66 Annual Old World Day, August 25, 2013
www.clevelandoneworldfestival.com

I just learned about this event at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Opera Per Tutti will perform at Arts in August in Tremont’s Lincoln Park
Saturday, August 17, 2013, 7pm
www.operapertutti.org

Ohio City Stages in Ohio City

If you enjoy the Cleveland Museum of Art Solstice Party with that eclectic, funky beat then I highly recommend attending the last concert at The Ohio City Stages. This is a collaboration between The Cleveland Museum of Art and Transformer Station presented by Charter One Bank. This massive stage sits between W 29 and Clinton. My understanding is: the stage folds up; slides into a semi; parked on the side of the road; then it’s pulled out again for the next concert.

The first concert was well received because the residents followed the music. There’s no bad seat - the music resinates throughout Ohio City.

All I can say, I’ve attended every concert and each performance is different in its own right. There was an African-pop beat; Romanian gypsy brass including tubas; elegant acoustic guitars and Moroccan using unique instruments - represented the past four weeks. Some people bring chairs but you don’t necessarily need them, everyone is on their feet and dancing. That’s right.

Following the concerts, there are outdoor films - Bellwether, a project of the museum’s Contemporary Arts Society. Films that you probably won’t see anywhere else

The last concert is on July 31 featuring “Novalina” contemporary Latin music - I will not miss it.

http://www.transformerstation.org/Events/

Transformer Station - Todd Hido Photos that Keep You Thinking

Card Printed by Transformer Station - Autographed by Photographer

This year in particular, I have been hitting the art venues pretty hard as a volunteer. The newest contemporary art gallery is the Transformer Station in Ohio City on West 29th to be exact. I happen to be there on February 1, for the grand opening where hundreds witnessed the collection of Fred and Laura Bidwell - “Light of Day.” The collection displayed different photographs from up and coming photographers. One of my favorites in the collection was three black and white photographs of various trains from New York, Tokyo and Paris. They were hung up high, away from the others. Perhaps that is why I loved them so much. Either way, it’s cool that there is an art venue on the near west-side in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art.

At first, I was confused where this Transformer Station was since I have ridden my bike through the Ohio City streets many times. I went to our first volunteer orientation session and I realized I have probably passed this location countless times as I went to my photographer for work. I am sure I’ve seen this small, obscure transformer station but never paid attention to it. I am sure I am not alone thinking this way. So I commend the Bidwells’ for “transforming” this building into an art venue so we can all view their collection.

The “Light of Day” collection ran from February until early May to record crowds, I’m sure. As I volunteered, I spoke with people who traveled as far away as Kent, Ohio to experience this exhibition. You never know who you might meet - Jim Rokakis, who nonchalantly toured the facility along with many others who I didn’t meet or talked to. What was unusual, the exhibition eliminated the artist’s name and brief synopsis about the work? If this is unsettling, you can request a kindle or view www.tsguide.org via smartphone - a brief explanation about the artist and/or the pieces. You can still view past and current exhibits as well.

The newest exhibit, “Excerpts from Silver Meadows” by known photographer, Todd Hido that takes pictures of his Kent, Ohio hometown. His exhibit takes his viewers back to the past of the 1960 - 1970s with women in bouffant hairdos and liquid eyeliner that stare at you in an unsettling way. One of my favorite photos is a black and white smashed up car where the viewer wonders, “What the heck is going on here?”

Hido’s photos, therefore, are grouped together in a way that tells a story of a dark past that many didn’t talk about freely back then. Women look off to the side, disheveled with heels and torn up hosiery. Again, what is going on? That is the beauty of this exhibit, it promotes discussion what is going on. Every photograph has a story, it is up to you to think how it relates to you or not.

Something the photographer said that keeps playing back and forth in my mind. This isn’t verbatim - a photograph in everyone’s mind is truth; documenting a birthday, wedding or real life scenery. Hido, therefore, plays with images that perhaps are not what they seem. Fictional characters that tell a story by how they are choreographed and cropped in his camera’s viewfinder. In fact, he groups a photo of a young woman (a photo within a photo) hung on wall with his father’s weightlifting measurements (wrists, biceps, waist, and thighs) next to a shot of a tree. One thing is clear, the photographs have an isolating quality that keeps you thinking.

The other thing I like about the photographs is they look authentic using an old-fashioned camera. I do feel like I’m transported back to the 1970s when I see a giant photograph of a rotary phone against shiny, metallic wallpaper. Old ranch houses that I remember seeing when I used to visit a friend who just moved to Mentor, Ohio. The scenery of trees are blurred that gives them a dreamlike quality. The photographs, therefore, take up most of the gallery space; there is a lot to see and reflect on.

The newest exhibit will be on view until August 23, 2013. After the Hido exhibit, the Cleveland Museum of Art will be using the space; this collaboration will continue.

The Transformer Station
A new space for contemporary art in Cleveland


1460 West 29th St
www.transformerstation.org

Steve Litt's Review in The Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2013/05/smashed_cars_sexually_ravenous.html