ART

Beneath The Neon: The Exhibition - Panel Discussion

July 15th, 2008 Categories: ART, Cool Stuff

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As part of the month-long Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition, the Contemporary Arts Collective is hosting a panel discussion about life, death and art in the underground flood channels of Las Vegas.
 
The discussion will be moderated by local artist and curator Brian Paco Alvarez and panelists will include Matthew O’Brien, author of Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas; “Ruckoh,” a graffiti artist who paints in the tunnels; Gary, a pencil-portrait artist who has lived in the tunnels for several years; and Billy, who moved out recently and is transitioning off the streets.

The panel discussion will start at 6 p.m. July 17 at the Arts Factory. After the discussion, Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition will be open to the public and O’Brien will sign copies of his book. Part of the proceeds from book sales will go to the CAC.

 

Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition provides locals and tourists the ability to explore the underground flood channels of Vegas through the eyes of Brian Paco Alvarez, who re-created the storm drains in the CAC’s gallery using water elements, gravel, debris and graffiti. The comprehensive exhibit includes artifacts, video with footage from O’Brien’s adventures in the tunnels, and black-and-white photography by Danny Mollohan.

About The Contemporary Arts Collective

Established in 1989, the Contemporary Arts Collective began as an extension of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Fine Arts, providing a venue for students to share ideas, concepts and to exhibit their work. In 1993, the CAC became a nonprofit organization to further expand the promotion of contemporary art through outstanding exhibitions featuring both local and national artists and educational programs. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District, the CAC is dedicated to promoting contemporary art through avant-garde exhibitions and educational programs within the local arts community. The CAC is funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council, Nevada Community Foundation, the Arts Factory and benefactors, patrons and CAC members.
The Contemporary Arts Collective is located in the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 101. For membership or additional information, call 702-382-3886 or visit www.lasvegascac.org

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First Friday, A Massive Cocktail Party and The FOURTH OF JULY Fireworks

June 30th, 2008 Categories: ART, Arts District, Downtown Las Vegas, First Friday

THE BEST LOCATION IN LAS VEGAS TO CATCH ALL THE FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

First, YOU’RE INVITED to a very special and very unique cocktail party at the top of the WORLD MARKET CENTER. Very Vintage Vegas is one of the many sponsors of this fundraiser for Nevada Aids Project.

It’s being held in the Penthouse from 8 to 11 pm. Admission is free. The proceeds from the no host bar are all being donated to NAP. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres are being donated by Trader Joe’s and Renaissance Catering .

Short of going to the strip to watch the tourists, this may well be the best opportunity ever to mix it up with an amazingly diverse group of people. Las Vegas Home and Design Magazine has invited their list. The Sin City Q Social Network will have a couple of hundred gay guys attending. Employees, customers and staff of the WMC are all invited, and SO ARE YOU!

Since I’m a minor sponsor, my Very Vintage Vegas Readers as well as all residents of the historic neighborhoods of Las Vegas are also invited.  

(UPDATE – ADULTS ONLY– Reservations ARE NOT REQUIRED, But You will need ID at the door. )

Views of all the 9pm and 9:30 pm fireworks displays should be spectacular from the 16^th floor patios.

The new parking garage is open, but you can park in the First Friday lot in the Clark County Government Center, take the shuttle bus to First Friday for an hour or 2 and come back to the cocktail party.

FIREWORKS DISPLAYS WILL BE ALL AROUND LAS VEGAS

Classic Las Vegas has been compiling a list of the various fireworks displays. Many of them will be best viewed from the cocktail party. Many of them will be visible from your front or back yard if you live in Vintage Vegas.

The list has been updated to include The Las Vegas Hilton and Caesar’s Palace as well as six of the Station Casino locations.

I’ll be at the top of the WMC with the whole VVV gang. MaryJoy, Pam, Steve, Susan and I will all be there.  Come out and meet us. It’ll be a blast.

However, Maggie, Shadow and Bayley, will be at home having their annual nervous breakdown,

  

First Friday In The Downtown Las Vegas Arts District Will Be A Spectacular Event This Month

There’s always something special at First Friday. Click the link to get the whole run down. This month the new Casino Center Street Scape is finished and there’s 10 new galleries, bars and venues that have opened in the last month.

Live entertainment this month includes:

The LAND ROVER STAGE   features

6-6:30pm  Mike Graves Trio (Vintage Rock)

6:30-8pm –  Dr Popsicle and the hair painted opera (Solo Acoustic)  Matthew Winters  (Solo Acoustic)   Brandon Rojas  (Solo Acoustic)

8-9pm   The Let Up (Indy Rock)

9-10pm   Inhale (Reggae, Rock, Ska)

Vista IV performing at Casino Center and California next to the Box Office; Break dancers provide more entertainment on Colorado near Main St. and the Tango Dancers on Casino Center near California.

3 things that we’ve been promoting should not be missed. Beneath The Neon, the Exhibit is at the Contemporary Arts Collective in the Arts Factory. Next Door in the AF is Lost Vegas with it’s vintage clothing, and Retro Vegas on Main Street has an amazing collection of Vintage home furnishings.

WHETHER YOU’RE A REGULAR, OR YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO FIRST FRIDAY, MAKE IT A POINT TO GO THIS MONTH

 

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You’re Invited ! Spend An Evening In The Arts District Of Downtown Las Vegas

June 25th, 2008 Categories: ART, Arts District, Soho Lofts

Thursday night June 26, from 6–9 pm is a special night of gallery openings. If you’d like to avoid the crowds of First Friday, then come downtown Thursday Night for 4 receptions and grand openings.

BENEATH THE NEON: The exhibition

Grand opening reception and meet and greet with Matt O’Brien, the author of the BENEATH THE NEON book which inspired the exhibition by Brian Paco Alvarez. Some of the teenage artists who provided the art will be on hand. 

I had a sneak peek of the  exhibition yesterday. I  was overwhelmed with the authenticity and the talent of the artists. Brian Paco Alvarez has re-created a segment of the “underground gallery” that exists in the storm drains beneath the strip. The book itself got lots of press coverage last year, and the Exhibition got promoted last night and this morning on Channel 1.

The artists and author and the CAC hopes that the exhibit will spark a new dialogue among the politicians and public about the grafitti problem. There’s a huge difference between Grafitti Art and gang tagging to mark territories. Grafitti Art could and should be encouraged and supported in designated places. The storm tunnels have provided one outlet for the artists, but it’s not safe, and it doesn’t get seen by the public. Grafitti Art needs to be recognized at ART. Gang bangers who tag our neighborhoods to mark their territory should be arrested. Maybe some of the taggers would find a better way to spend their time if there were safe, legal places for them to create their art.

The new WEST WING of The Arts Factory

Leslie Rowland has named her new gallery L. ROWLAND ART.  Leslie,  Mark Diederichsen, and Steven Spann now have their own gallery spaces in the new west wing of the Arts Factory.

Their opening reception coincides with the CAC reception, and is just down the hall and around the corner from the CAC space. Make sure to drop by and congratulate them as well.

 

 

 

Dust Galley

Dust is holding a NEIGHBORHOOD RECEPTION at the same time on Thursday. My definition of neighborhood, of course includes all of my readers, so you’re invited as well. Dust is the ground floor of the SOHO LOFTS tower at 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

“Make It Rain” is the current exhibit by Curtis Fairman and Jeffrey Gibson.

 

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Getting Caught Up Until Vista Crashes Again!

June 24th, 2008 Categories: ART, Arts District

Just for fun, take a look at some of these all electric concept cars. 

I joke a lot about my “never go more than 3 miles away from home” rule. One of friends asked me the other day if I needed  a passport for when I have to go to Summerlin.

The listing agent on the incredible deal in Morning View Heights that you all missed (bank owned, gorgeous and under 200k when it should have been over 300k) told me that it was priced that way because “anything over 30 years old should be torn down”.

The new buyer on the all original, never been been expanded Huntridge Cottage that we closed on last week found that a neighbor left him a present in the driveway. This is what we found when we showed up to give him his keys the other day. The problem is, the neighbor has no way to move it.

 

 

 

 

The well known local artist, Robert Curry, who painted the Huntridge Mural at Maryland and Franklin got a little carried away trying to green up his lawn. It can’t be missed on Franklin Ave. just east of Circle Park

He’s got a one man show at The Bridger Building lobby at 701 E. Bridger. It’s across the street from the Las Vegas Academy. Hours are 7am to 6pm.

Robert likes to refer to his art as Modern Optimism but you could call it Neo Pop Metaphysical Minimalism
 

And last but not least, Brian Paco Alvarez, the official Cultural Historian of VVV has created the newest installation at the Contemporary Arts Collective. The grand opening reception is THIS THURSDAY FROM 6–9 pm.

It’s called “BENEATH THE NEON, Exploring another side of Vegas”  It’s based on the book by Mathew O’Brien.

DO NOT MISS THIS EXHIBITION!

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Weekend Photos From First Friday In The Downtown Las Vegas Arts District

June 8th, 2008 Categories: ART, First Friday

With gorgeous springtime weather, the crowds at First Friday were huge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live music on the Land Rover Stage at First Friday.

 

 

 

 

I handed off the camera to someone so that I could get my picture taken. Almost every picture you’ve ever seen on VVV was taken by me, and because I’ve always got the camera, I rarely get my picture taken.

That’s me and Mary Joy Alderman, the fashionista of VVV.

The Pink Flamingos in the windows of Retro Vegas make it hard to miss.

 

 

Crowds and sales at the grand opening of “Retro Vegas more than exceeded expectations for Ben, Matt, Bill and Mark.

Ben, on the left, who’s the most obsessive of collectors and a 2^nd generation antique dealer was heard to say “Oh my God, they’re buying all my stuff”.

 

 

We ran into the godfather of Historic Preservation In Las Vegas.

Dr. Lonnie Hammargren on the left with his son, and my friend Karl, who’s an interior designer at Walker Furniture.

 

 

 

 

I’m thrilled to report that at least a 1/2 dozen of you stopped in to Retro Vegas and specifically asked to be “introduced to Zelda”

Zelda once stood guard at the corporate main office of Mandalay Bay, and I was instrumental in helping Ben Nation acquire her for his personal collection.

She’s not for sale, but makes an elegant security guard for his new store at 1211 S. Main Street.

 

 

Diane Bush’s new vintage clothing store “Lost Vegas” which is in the Arts Factory was a huge success.

Diane, dressed to the 9’s, as usual, was more than surprised at how well received, and how much of her wonderful vintage clothing collection found a new home.

 

 

 

 

Leslie Rowland now has her own space at the Arts Factory after years of sharing with other artists.

 

IF YOU’VE NEVER ATTENDED FIRST FRIDAY, GO PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.

IT’S EASY TO REMEMBER. IT’S THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH IN THE ARTS DISTRICT OF DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS. 

 

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Documentary Film: The First 4 Years Of First Friday

June 6th, 2008 Categories: ART, Arts District, Downtown Businesses, Downtown Las Vegas, First Friday

The first public airing of the new Documentary about the creation and development of the First Friday Art Event in Downtown Las Vegas will be this Sunday on Channel 1 and Cox Channel 19.

I saw the first cut, and am hoping that the segment with me still made the final cut.

On Sunday 6/15 @ 4:00 PM Channel One and Cox Cable Channel 19

The First 4 Years of First Friday: A Documentary examining the
people and economic forces that created this monthly
phenomenon.

First Friday has revitalized one urban neighborhood and has
provided a cultural and artistic heart to the Entertainment
Capitol of the World. The documentary, directed by Marlene J.
Adrian and produced by Women of Diversity Productions, Inc.,
includes interviews of local artists, gallery and restaurant
owners, retailers, civic leaders, performers, vendors, sponsors,
founders and others involved with First Friday.

It explores the evolution of this event and the people and forces that prepared
the way and peers into the possibilities for surrounding area.

Marlene J. Adrian states that this “art festival began with only
200 attendees and now exceeds 10,000. This event has
impacted not only the businesses and people residing in that
neighborhood, but the city of Las Vegas itself. This organic
movement and its overflow needed to be documented for the
benefit of all Las Vegans.“

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A Little Off The Wall And Off The Topic

May 8th, 2008 Categories: ART

I got majorly off schedule today, what with all the new sales that are happening. I didn’t get to finish my usual postings for the day. Here’s a little treat to make up for that, even if it’s way off topic.

Turn on the speakers.

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“Lawyer’s Row” In Downtown Las Vegas Is Now Part Of The Arts Scene As Well

April 21st, 2008 Categories: ART, Arts District, Downtown Businesses, Downtown Las Vegas, Lawyer's Row

Michelle Quinn, The forrmer director of the Godt-Cleary Gallery has opened shop in “lawyer’s row”.  Once again, Kristen Peterson of The Las Vegas Sun tells the story.

More good press for the new downtown that we love so much.  

If you’ve never driven thru “lawyer’s row” you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

You’ll find it on the north side of Charleston East of Las Vegas Blvd. Technically, its part of the “Las Vegas High School Historic Neighborhood”. Most of the homes on 6^th, 7th and 8^th streets are now commercial. From 9^th to 11th, the neighborhood is still transistioning to Commercial.

We mentioned the area a few weeks ago when we showed one of my favorite little apartment buildings on 11th Street.

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Decorative Concrete Block Was A Mid Century Modern Innovation - They’re Everywhere In Vintage Las Vegas

April 11th, 2008 Categories: ART, Arts District, Decorative Concrete Block Designs, Historic Preservation, Las Vegas History, Mid Century Modern

Today, there’s a renewed appreciation for them. They’re actually called “Stone Screen” after famed mid century modernist architect Edward Durell Stone” .

I’ve been collecting pictures of the different patterns for over a year.

I’ve been trying to get them categorized into an album, but have decided instead to start presenting one a day until I run out of them. That will kill several birds with one stone.

 

The VERY first one to ever attract my attention about 20 years ago was on the apartment building on Rexford Drive in the Beverly Green Neighborhood.

So, therefore, here’s #1 in this new series.

And Wednesday, when we attended the opening of the street art installation called “Ornamental” in the front of the Soho Lofts, the artist Catherine Berg told me that this very wall was the first of them that she ever noticed, and was the inspiration for the work.  

They didn’t photograph well as they’re mirrored images on plexiglass, but here’s a few of the pictures I have of the display celebrating the ornamental decorative block patterns of mid century modern Las Vegas.

Check them out at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Hoover. Then start noticing the Stone Screens every where you look in almost all of the historic neighborhoods of Las Vegas.