Sunday, September 27, 2009

Death over Rehab: the final solution


Subtitle: The Transitory Recognition of Improbable Solutions

It was the early 1990’s in NYC. The East Village was a cross cultural hybrid (cinematically speaking) of Casablanca meets frontier Tombstone and the after hour clubs were at a sustainable peak. The streets were imbued with quasi-wannabe hipsters, junkies, artists, uptown refugees… the corruptible men in uniforms. In all, the embodiment of Fellini’s Satyricon and a colourful place to live and play.

At some point after midnight, I made eye contact with a blonde street-goddess utterly draped in leather from head to toe. In a trance-like gait, we began to walk toward one and other smiling then started to make-out! A brief eternity later… we introduced ourselves. Star crossed lovers... not, perhaps kindred spirits living a similar coexistence… maybe. Possibly it was my tight leather jeans and cycle boots… the chain hanging from my belt?

As the evening progressed, it became clear that Claudia (her street tag) was not one of the Usual Suspects. In fact, she was quite unique to any in my circle of friends. She was the lead vocalist / song writer in a NJ rock band and worked part-time as a Dominant at a local dungeon – received recompense for sexual flavor – possessed an impaling sarcastic wit, garnished with a Megalodonian opiate habit.

Regardless of individual circumstance and preferences, we remained close platonic friends until her passing. She chose Death to Rehab with the clear understanding that Methadone clinics were in no way going to allow her to actually recover from her addiction. They are/were notorious maintenance programs designed to keep addicts on a governmental leash in the guise of public assistance. Most if not all did not offer proper counseling or therapy and have not changed their clinical approach to addiction since the 1960’s.

RIP Baby Girl – you will be sorely missed…

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Impressionist Landscapes


In a vastly growing population of gallery images, the artist has once again shifted his focus. These recent contributions will be added to the Environmental – Landscape collection. Most notable are the impressionist renderings of; One Red Cherry, Mosquito Creek and Wild Berries.

Concomitant to these efforts are his absurdly explicit, sexual interpretations of human interaction amongst the current planetary Life forms. Sensual Carnivorosity of Forest Elves (an inter-species merger) is one such example of his continued exploration.

Cassandra Landau – Gallery Coordinator


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Haitian Creole Pudding: happenstance and feathers


Haitian Creole Pudding: Happenstance and Feathers, is the newest addition to the gallery and unique to any in the collection. The painting is a series of stark black and white images peppered with soft colorful hues and crystalline highlights.

The digital canvas is a mélange of abstract portraiture, contrasting the refined details of the surrealistic backdrop. Mardi, a veteran to Haitian falconry and her bird Tuti are the figurative subjects depicted in the painting.


Donna Berlanda – Publicist

Friday, September 4, 2009

Judy Vendetta: ingurgitating the mask of social etiquette...

Ingurgitating the Mask of Social Etiquette is an homage to Judy Vendetta, 
a fictional character skillfully portrayed by  WKTV’s  A .J. Canostrel. 
Often dark and moody, she appeared in weekly broadcasts spewing her unique style of horror and self-deprecating humor while picking her teeth with an 8" switchblade!

An Italian American, she has toured extensively throughout the US and abroad since childhood with her family. The Canostrel’s were a professional Circus Troupe performing acrobatics, high-wire aerials and comedy. It was in this creative setting that she honed her skills as a hair and makeup artist, costume designer and performer.

Ms.Canostrel came to New York in her early 20’s to study dance and drama, attending several notable schools. As an outlet for her artistic energies, she waited tables at local restaurants, started her own jewelry company, danced professionally and became an integral part of the production staff at WKTV (the weekly show).

As a waitress it is often said, she left an indelible blight on NYC’s food service industry as the “infection for which there was no cure”

Cassandra Landau - Gallery Coordinator

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Neoclassical Abstract Automatism – part 2


Motherhood: the corrective hand of parental guidance by Ron Maubidea is his second portrait in the neoclassical style of abstract automatism to be viewed publically. The series emphasizes a heightened attention to detail and lighting that are unmistakably in the tradition of his earliest work.

The symbolism in this recent commission (an open but firm hand), gently restricts the movement of a rebellious child who has turned a blind eye to the rational in a moment of tantrum. The maternal figure remains composed while seeking a resolution to the situation.

Cassandra Landau – Gallery Coordinator