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Posturing at Fashion Week...

An homage to Rachel Zoe... and her talented staff of fashion stylists.

Taylor Jacobson and Brad Goreski...

The Garden series...

Pedestrian Reflections In Berlin... is an isolated corner of a much larger work which began in 2003. It is part of the "Alice in the Garden" series of three dimensional collage sculptures.

The series is an expanding collection of abstract expressions linked by a common theme.

Much like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) by Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)... the art reflects the misadventures of a real life Alice, living on the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side 1984-1990.

To be continued...

Cassandra Landau - Gallery Coordinator

Campanelle in Crema del Pomodoro

Campanelle in Tomato Cream with Gorgonzola and Smoked Gouda

1- Melt a quantity of butter (approx. 2 tbsp.) in a large skillet.

2- As the butter starts to foam, add the cooked Campanelle pasta and toss about the pan. Add (fat free) half-and-half dairy, diced Apple Smoked Bacon (cooked) and season with freshly milled pepper and smoked sea salt.

3- After a minute or two, add a small quantity of Herbed Tomato or Marinara Sauce (1 tbsp. at a time) and continue to cook on a medium flame.

Note: At this point, the sauce should be a creamy “pink” in color. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Should the sauce appear too thick, add a few drops of water, chicken stock or white wine to thin and continue to simmer.

4- Begin to incorporate small chunks of the Gorgonzola cheese into the sauce. As it starts to melt, add a quantity of (shredded) Smoked Gouda cheese while stirring constantly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

5- Turn out on a large warm plate and serve immediately.

Additional Notes: There is always the possibility of a Cheese Sauce looking too pasty or clumpy, moments after being served. To avoid this problem, keep a small amount of chicken broth nearby. This being an al dente pasta dish, the noodle will continue to absorb the liquids in the pan. As the sauce cools, the dairy will also coagulate resulting in a pasty texture...

Variations and garnish:

The addition of fresh Green Peas and (blistered), Baby Grape Tomatoes.

Deep-fried Artichoke Hearts (use as a sauce well and gratinee)

Substitute Potato Gnocchi (browned) for the Campanelle.

The addition of Prepared Italian Meats (diced or julienne)

The addition of red basil (Campanelle Rosso)

This is in essence, a creamy pesto sauce with tomato.

Serving Tips: Always use a hot plate when serving a Cheese Based Sauce.

Hermaphrodite: Les premiers signes de vie

Les premiers signes de vie, is the sixth installment of automatist digital sculpture to be added to the Neoclassic collection of Abstract Automatism.

The portrait was originally conceived in the summer of 2008, only six months after the artist began his experimentation with digital image manipulation.

In a recent interview (to be viewed on Facebook) he was asked the question, How do you choose a theme or style to work with?

Quote: For the greater part, I would have to say it chooses me. When I begin to work on a blank (digital) canvas, what generally materializes is an image that reflects the current mood. Because I don't sketch or outline a specific image, the energy of the moment will dictate the direction in which the sculpture will ultimately be viewed.

When the work is commissioned (usually a photograph), it is the elements in that image that determine the theme for the subject. Once that has been established, it becomes more about the mood which is reflected in the use of color and shading...

Cassandra Landau - Gallery Coordinator

Sabertooth Willie: The Psychedelic Gerbil

It was the day before Mary's wedding when I received the call. She appeared quite nervous and suggested we hang out and get totally wasted... one last blast so to speak. Her future husband was one of the local street kids, a Skateboard Punk that hung around Astor Place.

He was also considerably younger and far less adept at survival...

So we met up in Tomkins Square Park, bought a shit load of drugs and headed west toward MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village.

Contrary to popular belief, these bars were lame college hangouts. Not the sort of place for two seasoned East Village dopers bent on self-annihilation and debauchery.

I guess she chose the area because none of our mutual friends would be caught dead in these places and whatever happens there... stays there!

After cruising the street for a suitable establishment, she pointed to a door several steps below street level.

The room was dark and sparsely populated. There was trash and cigarette butts all about the floor while most of it's patrons were seated at the far end of the bar.

We ordered two beers with twin shots of tequila than sat in the nearest booth. Seconds later, she was at the juke box feeding bills to an insert. All at once, the room began to pulsate from the sound of frantic drum machines and the tortured cries of those in purgatory.

Hey man... they have Foetus and Neubauten on this thing! What were you expecting, the Beach Boys and Debby Boone? I downed my first shot and sat curiously for her return.

Initially, our conversation was chaotic and somewhat tangential. Patterns of thought began to fracture like delicate chards of fallen glass.

So what's up dude, she asked grinning? She was now in my face with her hand on my thigh. Thinking... one should never wear leather around Mary...

Not unless you want her sniffing at your armpits and crotch!

I began to get very distracted.

Come with me, she said... dragging my junked-out carcass across the room. I have to tell you a funny story about Sabertooth Willie. Is he a friend of Chainsaw, I asked inquisitively?

No... he's a gay gigolo gerbil, that's who... a FUCKING WHAT???

Ron, you know what they say about gerbils and gay men? People say a lot of stupid things about subjects that make them uncomfortable.

I thought that was an urban legend or a sexual delicacy reserved for the discriminating few?

No, it's true I think, at least this story is she replied. I've seen this guys' asshole and it's a mess!

At this point, the pub was relatively crowded. Those nearest us were hanging on every word.

How do you get a rodent up your butt to begin with, someone asked? You entice them with something sweet like a flavored syrup or honey, she responded.

The guy with the crinkly sphincter said that he doesn't feed Willie for a day. An hour before the ritual, he doses his water with X or sprinkles some on a potato chip. He then lubes his butt adding syrup to the mix.

You apply a little over and in your anus with a finger. The person then assumes a comfortable position while someone inserts the gerbil tube... the rest is up to the rodent.

Oh... and he also loans Willie out to like-minded friends!

I could see this crowd had mixed feelings on the subject of Gerbil Love and animal abuse. Expressions ranged from thoroughly amused to utter disbelief.

All the while, Mary danced and nodded her head in rhythm to the music. I knew she was full of shit... the story was just a ploy, her way of gaining complete attention and control...

Since the needs of the many far outweighed any justification for remaining intact, I made my way to the door. Where are you going she asked? I'm heading back east, I've had quite enough entertainment for the evening.

My girlfriend had warned me that Mary had a pattern of seducing her friend's boyfriends. I was also certain that she would be safe, as there were few that could outmaneuver her socially.

After all, my friend was a compellingly odd personality and a voracious cultural vampire.

It was rare to find someone with her resource for self-destruction and for the greater part... I was completely bored!

Positively Horrified...

Last evening I began to work on a new image... a sultry ingénue. The subject had particularly unique feminine characteristics... After several hours an overall image construct developed.

As with many of my portraits, creature figures are in large a spirited presence. Due to the nature of the abstract content, a small one-eyed amphibian (peering through her ample locks) emerged. Prior to completing that step, all previous content had been saved.

I took a breath, sat back in my chair to observe when suddenly... both monitors crapped out!

Now... a crashing program or momentary loss of power are not uncommon occurrences; been there, as have we all. And for those of us that have learned to deal comfortably with these issues, it is only a matter of seconds before the technology recoups.

However, in lieu of the usual computer reset, my equipment (I don’t know how to describe this any other way) went into Pulmonary Arrest and started to wheeze!

Endless cycles of labored breathing sounds and flashing lights... Oy vey!!!

The entire face of my tower was alit... yellow, green and red LED’s all goin’ schizoid.

My baby was stroking-out... somewhere between Cardiac Failure and a Psychotic break-down.

THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE... shit! Shit!! BIG STINKY SHIT!!! :(

I pressed the Start Button to cut the power and held it in... 5 seconds - 10 seconds - 20 seconds...

Nothing happened... WTF!

My heart began to pound, my pulse now racing... and all the while knowing this is probably the Hard Drive dying. What else could it be? The breathing sound was that of the drive attempting to start up. Every time it did... it collapsed, than started up again only to repeat the failing cycle of old age.

Its back to the Mac...

Automatist Digital Sculpture by Ron Maubidea

Not until recently have I gone back to exercise an earlier technique I began exploring in 2008. Cycle of Life (evolution simplifee), was one of the first works that incorporated a manipulated photographic image augmented with digital sculpture.

They say, what goes around... comes around and nothing could be more relevant in terms of style.

In January of 08', I received my first version of Photoshop as the result of purchasing a digital drawing tablet. For years I had planned to get the program and "personalize" the images in a series of both mixed-medium collage and digital sculptures.

Without any prior experience, I dove blindly into the process, neglecting all the rudimentary steps (such as proper setup) which I later regretted utterly...

There are currently over 1200 completed works in my catalogue, many of which required reconfiguration for large format (mural size) printing. For months, I struggled with the question on how to resolve the issue of enlargement. A solution had to be found that did not impede on the integrity of the images viewed online or that of the original concept.

The website (Galerie de Maubidea) is only a few months old... a baby if you will. And like any concerned parent, I want the best for the child. To date, most of the reproductions have been sold as standard prints. In an economy where people are counting pocket change, fewer and fewer archival prints (giclee) are being sold by lesser known artists. When someone buys a giclee print, they ultimately expect its value to increase... and why not! They can cost hundreds of dollars and considerably more when the image is that of a popular artist.

Personally, I have never owned a giclee... That which I may buy, are usually in the disposable / flavor of the month category and priced accordingly. I do so because "taste can change"... mine certainly does, and how many Rembrandt's can one possibly afford!

To remedy this, I asked the printer to reproduce an early abstract, one that fully encompassed the concept of Abstract Automatism. An image that was purely conceptual; was developed without the use of photo templates and was completed within the time constraints of a fleeting inspiration... whew!

Yeah, yeah... I know, lots of BS goin' on, but it's all true. Anyway, while at the printer, we encountered the issue of enlargement for the first time. I won't go into detail but I will say this. Several embellishments (photoshop effects), were added as layers to the image. At the time, I thought it looked passable considering... so I ordered the print on canvas (a giclee) and paid the wholesale price of a few hundred dollars unframed.

Several days later, the printed canvas arrived at my studio. I unwrapped it gingerly and set it on a stool against the wall. Days later, I was still observing it numbly; could not reason out what was causing all the emotional confusion. I WAS FUCKING PISSED!

To this day, I hate that thing! It does not represent the image one views on the website. It resembles it... but I know and can see the differences. To date, the print could have been sold twice but refused so. It was suggested that I simply "go for the money" and deal with my objections at a later time. HELL NO!

The lesson absorbed (as well as the cost) was infinitely more valuable than the price of the print in question. After all... I would have to live with that decision and inevitably face (my conscience view) a dissatisfied patron asking the question, "Why do the images appear different" or worse!

Image: Lucrezia: Bad Hair Day and Funny Hat (Pop Art - Portraits)

Elizabeth Báthory: Silent Meditation on Vestigial Organisms

Silent Meditation on Vestigial Organisms: An intimate portrait of the infamous Hungarian Countess, Elizabeth Báthory.

It was once thought that organs such as the tonsils and the appendix were useless “leftovers”, footprints of mans evolution. Current research has determined that that the small pouch which extends off the large intestine (the appendix) is particularly useful fighting infections as a result of exposure to certain types of radiation and other conditions.

Charles Darwin put forth the theory; the appendix was used primarily to digest leaves and other vegetation in early primates. As man evolved, he has eaten fewer vegetables preferring a variety of meats. Consequently, the appendix (or vermiform appendix, also cecal appendix / vermix appendix) has grown considerably smaller to accommodate the increased size of our stomachs.

I Had A Dream...

Not exactly the Martin Luther King Jr. version, rather more of the Animal Planet expeditionary type. As a fan and regular viewer, I tune in daily when working in my studio. When the Meerkat Manor series began… I was hooked!

As with much of the exploitive programming we view these days on television (Ghost Hunters, UFO whatever, Paranormal spirits a-go-go), the one show that stands out as reasonably credible (for me) is Destination Truth with Josh Gates.

My dream centered on an expedition in search of the Wolfman; perhaps the Abominable Snowman, I can’t be certain. It was a dream after all, but the inspiration for this minor epic probably began with recent ads for the show.

I had sent a resume to the producers in the hope of landing a job. Several weeks later we were on a plane heading for destination... who knows where?

The following sequences were dark. It was the evening; the air was damp and frigid. The crew was walking in a tight cluster as we stepped cautiously in and about the trees. The only ambient light was that of a full moon obscured by dense forest. Needless to say, everyone was on edge.

Suddenly, Josh motioned to halt! Did anyone else hear that, he asked? For the first time since leaving base camp, we all seemed to be on the same page and scarred shitless!

The sky was pitch black; we were in a foreign country and miles from the nearest town. There were no visible roads in the area and just before leaving... the crew signed a waver rendering the network harmless in the event of our deaths…

The situation was fucking bleak!

Out of nowhere came this thing… It was screaming - growling - spitting, totally pissed-off by our presence. EVERYONE FREAKED!!!

Josh kept repeating... Don’t stop rolling the tape, I want this footage / whatever it takes!

The scene was in slow motion; an assistant was shouting irrationally for her inhaler, indiscernible garbled voices… The next thing I knew, the creature was in my face and its behavior... unacceptable!

The smell of its fishy breath was reminiscent of the open trash cans in New York’s Chinatown on a hot summer night. I could see jutting yellow teeth surrounded by foaming saliva…

This was all a bit unsettling and aesthetically repugnant...

In the next few sequences I was fighting for my life. Everything was now moving very fast. My parker was shredded from swipes of its claws. The voices in the background were now saying, “Don’t hurt the creature – we are trespassing and invading its territory”, whatever you do... don’t hurt it!

What do you mean don’t hurt it? This thing is attempting to rip chunks out my ass! Shortly thereafter, I awoke from the kicking in my sleep.

Believe it or not, nothing about this dream appeared unnatural. Especially when being asked to lie down and die miserably for the sake of television ratings.

Absence of Honorable Intention and the Pampiniform Plexus by Ron Maubidea

Subtitle: Venomous Allure of a Wizened Troll

It has long been known that Fairies (in the guise of Forest Elves) have a voracious appetite for all things sensual and twisted. Mischievous little darlings, they can morph into various shapes and hideous forms in pursuit of momentary wanting.

The painting depicts an encounter with a modern humanoid, a huntress in search of a sadistic changeling. Draped over the Fairies knee is the withering limb of an abducted child.

The huntress has scented her weapon (iron infused silk stockings) with flower nectar and honey in the hope of destroying the creature that has stolen a neighbor’s youngest son. The lure was set on the outskirts of Kylnagranagh Hill where it is said, such atrocities continue to flourish.