We are super excited to be providing much of the framing for Tucson Shot Rock, which open 10/8/2011 on Congress St. I can’t post many photos yet, as much of the photography is being exhibited here for the very first time, but let me tell you, the history in these images is amazing.
What I can post are photos of the stenciling we’ve done inside the space. Hope to see you at the show this Saturday!
The University of Arizona Art Museum is mounting what looks to be a fascinating exhibit: http://artmuseum.arizona.edu/exhibitions/Border_Project.shtml We are honored to be framing Mel Dominguez’s “Baja Arizona”, an energetic and spontaneous acrylic / spraypaint on plywood. Due to its size (4′ x 8′), and the self-imposed pressure to make a frame that truly is worthy of the painting, this project presents a few challenges. We will post photos and descriptions of how we are dealing with those challenges as we meet them.
We chose a metal floating frame to feature the rough-hewn nature of the edges of the painting, which was mitered and joined yesterday. We are playing with a hammered copper finish for two reason; first, it will just look absolutely killer against Mel’s vivid colors, and second because copper has such a long association with the state of Arizona. We are having fun with this one – more info to follow!
11/3/11 – Working on the hammered copper finish today. The final framed piece is to be delivered tomorrow, so any deliveries of caffeine will be gladly accepted.
The official press release. We are getting rather excited…
Arte de los Muertos
Arte de los Muertos
Exhibit and Shrine Building
Tucson, AZ, September 19, 2010: To celebrate the unique nature of Dia de los Muertos, Tucson artist Carolyn Anne Anderson will debut a new series of works of acrylic on canvas. Anderson’s paintings continue to explore the local landscape; placing fantastic and surprising elements alongside recognizable landmarks. This series contains all the magic of the artist’s popular “Pollos del Pueblo”, but with a respectully quirky take on traditional Day of the Dead themes.
The debut of the paintings coincides with the opening of Borealis Art’s new print department which also features work from Anderson’s “Pollos del Pueblo” series in print form. Through this exhibit, Borealis Arts and Carolyn Anne Anderson proudly provide support to Tucson’s All Souls Processional by donating a portion of all sales from “Arte de los Muertos”.
In addition, a community shrine will be nestled amongst the official exhibit. A memento mori will allow the public a place where they are free to leave a poem, photo, drawing, or other memento as a means of honoring loved ones who have preceded us in death. At any time during the exhibit’s run, you will be able to add to this shrine, helping to create what essentially will be a reverential installation art piece.
The paintings and installation be on display at Borealis Arts Gallery, 6530 East Tanque Verde Road, Suite 160, October 15- November 17, 2010 with an opening night reception October 15 from 5-8 PM. For more information contact Borealis Arts Gallery call 520-885-2157 or visit their website www.borealisarts.com .
You can view Carolyn Anne Anderson’s online portfolio at her website www.CarolynAnneAnderson.com and contact her via email at Carolyn@CarolynAnneAnderson.Com <mailto:Carolyn@CarolynAnneAnderson.Com>
View the Arte de los Muertos Facebook Event Page Here:
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages#!/event.php?eid=151016831599049
For better or for worse….’til death do us part…. all the phrases typically used in a traditinoal wedding ceremony seem to sum up my relationship with Tucson. I was born in CA, but moved out here when I was about 3. Thirty-five years later I still find myself here. Like most of us that grew up here, I vowed to leave as soon as I finished school, but now that I’ve grown and matured a bit, it’s not so bad a place to live. However, some days…
Anyway, I figure there must be hundreds, or thousands of others who share my feelings about Tucson. For this reason, we’ve created what we expect will become an annual art show, to celebrate those of us that are just crazy enough to remain in Tucson (area code 520) all year (365). Get it?
All you really need to know is that if you are still in Tucson on July 16, 2010, we want to present you with new work, and new artists, all of whom have a distinct vision of Tucson. You will be rewarded for you loyalty to our fair city with air-conditioning, cold-drinks, giveaways, and an exclusive print release. And really, like you have anything better to do…
FB users, more info here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=227650847438&ref=ts
Thanks y’all,
Nathan
Borealis Arts fall opening reception ended exactly 12 hours ago, and I’m just way too exhausted for a terribly clever post. However, I feel it is important to note that, if last night was any indication, the 2009-2010 art season in Tucson shows great promise. The crowd last night was festive, jovial even. I enjoyed many conversations with artists and collectors alike, all of which were spiked with optimism. My very unofficial read on the economy is that everyone is tired of being depressed, afraid, and stressed out, and instead are finally allowing themselves to create, view, and collect art as a celebration that the world remains a beautiful place in spite of a challenging economy.
Many, many thanks to William Dubin, Sean Cannon, Eddie Carr, First Hand Healing, Desert Artisans, Rachelle Diaz at tuscene.com, Cina & Valerie at the AZ Daily Star, and everyone else who helped create or promote this event. And thanks most of all to the artists, without whom none of what we do would even matter.
Although I’m not feeling particularly word-smithy today, I thought that the following subject should still be addressed. Environmental responsibility has not been a big priority for the picture framing industry as a whole (efforts by Larson Juhl excepted). However, we at Borealis Arts have been purchasing supplies and materials outside of our industry so that we can feel a bit better about the work we do everyday. A list follows, in no particular order:
1. Glass Cleaner – the industry standard is a metal aerosol can containing an industrial strength glass cleaner. Borealis Arts uses A glass cleaner made by Method, which comes in a 100% recycled and 100% recyclable plastic bottle. Additionally, Method does not engage in animal testing.
2. Glass Cleaning towels - the industry standard is rolls of paper towels, often using a lint-free delicate task wiper made of paper for the final polish. A 16 x 20 piece of glass takes about 2 paper towels, plus 1 delicate task wiper, to completely clean. Again, Borealis Arts has chosen to purchase outside of our industry, using a washable, re-usable, micro-fiber cloth made by Method.
3. Moulding – Picture framing requires wood. There is just no getting around this fact. However, Borealis Arts chooses moulding suppliers that make replenishing our forests a priority. Larson-Juhl and Roma Moulding are stellar examples of environmentally responsible moulding suppliers.
4. Matboard – Any matboard that may be slightly off color, or a discontinued style, but retains its museum-quality properties, is used as an acid-free backing board.
I’ve never set out to make a list of this type before, so I’ll add to the list as I recall other actions we take on a daily basis. As always, thanks for reading!
-Nathan
I just stumbled across this video of some of Bill Dubin’s previous work. Have you ever befriended a regular guy, only to have it slowly revealed to you that this regular guy is a superhero? I’ve gotten to know Bill over the last few years, and though he is very modest, he simply could not hide the evidence; Dubin is a superhero. Three minutes into this video, you will realize that no mere mortal has the dedication – or even the desire – to create this type of perfection.
“…we can offer you protection.” I almost burst out laughing as I realized I was almost directly quoting the Godfather to a good friend and picture framing client the other day.
This particular person brought in two photographs of ancestors, with the intention of framing them as a gift for her husband. The photos had been displayed for a number of years on a shelf inside a tiny mat, with no glass or frame. As with any framing project brought to us, I begin asking myself if we were actually bringing anything of value to this project. The photos, after all, are going to be placed right back on the same shelf they’ve always been on. Granted, after we are done framing them, their housing will look a whole lot better, but is that really worth the effort and dollars involved?
But then this client made a comment which really illuminated what it was we were providing. She mentioned that it was a wonder that the photos were in the good condition they were in, considering they were exposed to the elements and sitting within an acidic mat.
“Well, they will be safe now, because we can offer you protection.”
This was my instinctive response, and it was said with conviction. Though our picture framing designs look really fantastic (and I say so myself), the framing is merely a vehicle for delivering our true value; museum-grade protection of the items that are dear to us.
I’ve decided to stop being embarrassed, and to instead embrace my nature. I am a picture framer by training, by experience, and most importantly, by choice. In my dual role as an art dealer, I have often felt that picture framing was the less noble of my daily functions; that somehow, to show and support art was the higher calling, while framing was the mundane part of our operation that paid the bills. Academically I knew this wasn’t true. I knew that proper framing could bring – or take – life from any painting, photograph, or even needlework. But still a nagging voice, like a tiny pricker in my sock, always told me that framing was merely a hobbyist activity.
This thinking has even infected the way our Tucson, AZ art gallery and frameshop is set up. I’ve placed significant pride in the gallery side, but treated the framing department as a more utilitarian function, an area for the commoners.
But no more! I will finally proudly declare that we are picture framers! I will use this blog to discuss framing as well as art, for I am finally willing to say that art and framing are inseperable from each other. There is just as much creativity and technical ability involved in the design and production of the framing as in the artwork.
So, bring me your art, family photos, used Kleenex, or whatever else you wish to display and preserve, for I am proud to say, “I am Framer!”
We just found a little bit more of Harwood Steiger’s history. Apparently, Mr. Steiger completed a mural in an Alabama Post Office, funded by the WPA, in 1938. I won’t muddy the waters with my own commentary; instead, here’s a link to the story.
