Thursday December 15, 2011
I spent a bit of the day with my father, post surgery, at Greenwich Hospital. All I can is it will be an interesting road to recovery. As I sit and listened to a Doctor talk, I am posting manipulated images to my instagram.

I assure the nurse that I am listening.., I am just a byproduct of the obsessive mobile generation.
Welcome to Pancity!
Panman Mixtape no 79 by Panman
I am hit with a wave of motivation to round out the year on a strong note. List upon list, I create my end of the year objectives. The road ahead will be filled with new adventures and challenges. Tech projects on the Horizon; the transformation of underutilized spaces; Better business operations and relationships; I know I must live my life to it’s fullest.

I need to learn to listen, follow, lead and always strive to innovate.

I want to thank everyone I have worked with in 2011. I’m happy to be bringing new excitement to the Roger Smith Hotel in 2012 operating as their Director of Digital Marketing.

Panman Productions is not dead but will be focused on very specific projects. In 2012 I look to release my documentary on earth healing. It is a project that I have been working on since 2007 and it is long over due.  I am also going to be introducing a new app and will be driving the social initiatives at the Roger Smith Hotel. You will see new pop-ups and witness the next level of collaborative efforts. There will be an increased mobile integration surrounding everything that I am apart of and mark my words, 2012 is my year to shine.

Panman mixtapes have been a great creative initiative for me over the last couple of years. They have served as a testing platform for experimental video and artistic expression.  I have created 80+ mixtapes and am embarking on new artistic collaborations with top New York artist and playwrights as a result. The efforts of live video mixing as an art form have inspired the creative collaborations with Aleks Degtyarev, Abianne Prince, John Birdsong, Lisa Paul Strietfeld,  Daniel Rothbart, Mark Wiener, James Knowles, Jasminka Baney, Melissa Gonzalez, Kate Griffler, Molly Barnes, Daniel Terstad, Fleur Keyes and others…

With new relationships being built I imagine the list of artistic collaborators will grow and become more  sophisticated.

It is also important to note the emergence of the new artistic space at 125 East 47th street and the developing program of artists collaborations in our space in 2012. The current sculpture piece by Harlan Mack stands strong in New York City’s newest Gallery installation window. I will be working with Molly Barnes as well as the Vermont studio center to fill the program for 2012. Be sure to follow the 125 window gallery tumblr for latest updates and news.

So at this point I want to thank a couple specific people with made huge difference in my year and recognize their good work. Starting with the RS pop-up shop, I tip my hat to Melissa Gonzalez and Lionesque media. Together, inspired from an idea of transforming an under utilized space Melissa has gone far and beyond my levels of expectation. She has pushed me to be much more accountable and taught me how to succeed in business in New York City. She sets the pace, and has a compass for the next developments of our industries. We have become friends, disagreed with each other routinely to eventually agree and as a result have created a unique and desirable product known as RS Pop. I look forward to continuing our growing business and personal relationship.

I also need to thank and recognize John Birdsong. At this point John has been the longest working colleague of mine in the field of production, social media and marketing. We worked together at Plum TV, then at Panman  Productions and now with the Roger Smith Hotel. We absolutely disagreed on creative decisions but find clarity when discussing strategy and the vision ahead. A project in John’s hands will always take shape and inspire different levels of conversation. I’m not going to lie, he can be a pain in the ass but he’s always reliable and has continually had my back. Thanks John for the years of continued support.

The third acknowledgment that I feel is necessary to mention is my family. From my father who is always been my number one fan and audience member, to my mother who always believes in me and Phoebe who is continually trying to help me be my best. My family is the best support team that I can imagine and I am truly lucky to have them in my corner. They are the reason for the opportunities that I have in front of me and they are continually trying to keep me on my toes. I thank Allie and Jeremy and James and Maureen for providing a brilliant next generation.

I believe in that one can accomplish their greatest desires in life and I strive to live by that expectation. With hard work, support from others, and a dedication to seeing it through, I believe we will experience our biggest achievement in the new year. So my advice is, dare to dream and believe in your own success.  I look forward to making it happen in 2012.

I appreciate the continued support. Thanks for following the tangent

Please leave a comment and let me know what you are looking forward to in 2012.
Much love,
Panman
Aka John Knowles

On Sunday November 20th, 2011 there was an artist collaboration between John Knowles and Daniel Rothbart at Daniels home in Bushwick Brooklyn. The alchemical experiment is part of the Meditation / Mediation series that Daniel Rothbart has been doing for several years. Artists from different mediums positioned themselves into the collaborators mindset and put forth their creative intent into these 15 bowls.

The underlying theme of the visual set that I put together has a couple thematic layers. First is the concept of the ability of the human imagination to manifest ideas to become a reality. With positive thinking and the willingness to give you can make anything happen. It falls in alignment with the desire to dream and make your dreams a reality.

The next phase has to do with success and the road ahead. With patterns and ideas of growth and new discoveries, I open the doors to the next series of opportunities. To look forward and drive messages out into the world is my objective. New project. New potential. New heights of glory and achievement.  If the experiment has done its course, the right people will begin to offer their expertise in a similar direction along the journey.
It was exciting to conceptualize this collaboration as I have been following Daniels work and collaborations with other artists for years. I look forward to our next collaboration which I hope happens sooner rather than later.

I will be making a series of limited edition prints of the projection work that I am doing. If you are interested, just ask and I can keep you in the loop.

You can follow my real time activity through Panman Mixtapes or my Pancity Twitter account.
Reach out and let me know what you think.

Panman

So after a while of the same in the 125 window display, I’m switching it up and bringing in a sculpture piece from Vermont studio center artist Harlan Mack. I met Harlan this summer during my August artist residency at the VSC, and believe he is great.

The 125 window Gallery, on 47th street is New York’s smallest art gallery… Or at least that’s my claim. I am very excited to introduce Harlan Mack to the New York art scene. I’m sure that you will enjoy his work.
Come check-in on foursquare and follow me @pancity for updates on the space. Let me know what you think!

Cheers
Panman.

In an effort to stimulate a collector’s mentality, we at the Roger Smith have initiated, under the motivation and guidance of James Knowles, an art collectors program.

Over coffee at Lily’s, with myself, Danika Druttman and James Knowles, we tossed around the idea of building a young collectors art program. To be honest the idea might have been in circulation for sometime (you never know where the origin of these things comes from). Whether we came up with it or it had been a rolling stone, nothing is new, just rearranged…

Anyway, out of his wallet he pulls two crisp $100 bills and presents them to the both of us.

The objective is to build a body of work with the intent of capturing and stimulating a collector’s imagination. For a long time our efforts have been focused on the subject and perspective of the artist and their motivations. This new initiative takes into account the mind and eye of the collector, the stories and perspectives of the people who purchase works of art.

Sent into the summer months with an idea, we now revisit the concept with newly acquired works of art. After spending a couple weeks at the Vermont Studio Center, I returned to New York with two works from a fellow artist in residence, Ester Hasskamp.

As I canvassed her studio during the open studio visit, my eye was drawn to a small black piece of paper with a threaded outline of a blue moon and its rays. Without receiving a formal title from the artist, I call it “Blue Moon & Ray”.

The second work that caught my attention was a gravestone rubbing with the name Alice. This stimulated a funny memory that involves my sister Phoebe. Phoebe and I went to support the new Bier Garden that had just opened in our neighborhood. There was a live band that was playing one of those songs similar to “Sweet Caroline” where a full crowded bar participate in the chorus… This song, which neither of us had ever heard, has burned itself into my memory as a bar room classic and will always stimulate the question, “Who the fuck is Alice?”

“Who the fuck is Alice?”

As we begin to build our collectors’ portfolios we have a confidence that our decisions have the potential to appreciate in value with each contribution. The stories that motivate the purchase and relationships that we build with the artist become long-lasting.

This is just the beginning.

As we grow this collection, we embrace artists and collectors alike to participate. As the collector has his/her own identity and personality, so will the collection. I have created my own personal blog that will follow my contributions to the overall collection and will also be providing updates to Roger Smith Life as the project grows.

Not to make it too much of a competition, but I am interested to see what Danika brings to the table.

Cheerio.

Be well,
John Knowles
a.k.a Panman

Follow @pancity on twitter.
Other related links
My100artcollection.tumblr.com
Panmanmixtapes.tumblr.com

It was raining hard. My camera was getting soaked. The end of March in NYC was not proving to be a fair weathered affair. It mattered not, since Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir, was installing her new sculptures at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza. There was something both attractive an repelling about these ambiguous figures standing, sitting, and kneeling, through out the square that leads to the United Nations building. Whatever it was, their presence was real, and as the installation continued for the next several days, their presence was acknowledge by everyone who entered that square.

What I can tell you for certain is that, Steinunn, is a great woman, a great person, always present, something that is reflected very much in her art… and if you had been wondering what art is, these last few years, then this installation titled, “Borders” is for you.

“The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the exhibition BORDERS by Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir in Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza from March 24 through September 30, 2011. The installation features twenty-six androgynous, life-size sculptures, thirteen aluminum and thirteen cast iron, which extend throughout the park from First to Second Avenue on East 47th Street. BORDERS will be the park’s largest exhibition to date and the first exhibition to incorporate the entire park.

“Dag Hammarskjold Plaza is the gateway to the United Nations and a hub of international activity that serves thousands of people and hosts hundreds of political events each year,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “The new public art installation, BORDERS, will connect many diverse constituencies to new artistic experiences. It will foster conversation and provide a significant backdrop for daily events at this public space.”

August 2010

The show Soundstorm at the Lab Gallery is filled with mystery, power and magic. It has endured the strongest heatwave of the summer and acts as a breathing force in the gallery space on 47th and Lexington. The evolution of the show has been intense. It has channeled massive amounts of energy in its existence and continues to surprise me. On a steamy Friday night in the beginning of its installation a street viewer coming from LQ (a Club on Lex), in a fit of rage with his girlfriend put his fist through the front window. Unfortunately the gentleman lost his arm in the process and created a peculiar dynamic to the development of this installation.

I find the show to be the strongest installation that I have seen in the Lab Gallery in years. The layers of intent behind the show by Daniel Rothbart and Maia Anthea Marinelli go back further than you might realize. On April 24th, 1995 Lisa Paul Streitfeld curated a performance installation in the Lab Gallery where different artist participated in a Meditation / Mediation ceremony where consecutive artists projected their intent on the vessels that are consistent elements in all of Rothbarts installation work. Among the artist who participated were Max Blagg, Anthony Haden Guest, Valery Oisteanu, Bettina Sellmann, L. Brandon Krall, Larry Miller, John Perreault, Francine Hunter McGivern, and Abraham Lubeslki.

Youtube Playlist

These vessels hold the intent of the space and all who have participated along the way. The potency of the experience for me seems to heighten the current experience of Soundstorm making it a charged experience.

Instinctually I tagged different Roger Smith personalities on facebook as represented in different vessels layering the intent and contributing to its charge. As if the walls a being pulled inward by the pulley systems controlled by the weather the amount of energy and tension in that space is fascinating. I believe the show is a conductor of emotions and energy! It has brought much to the surface, not all good, but most certainly necessary. I believe all installations in that space should be marked as an experience. In the context of provocative art, I am thoroughly stimulated.

I look forward to seeing what kind of aftermath is to be experienced. Bravo Daniel Rothbart!

This blog post is a response to an inquiry on The Lab Gallery Facebook Page by Danika Druttman. I encourage anyone who has experienced the Soundstorm Installation at the Lab Gallery to post a response to it. It can be a video, an essay or even a picture post. Lets keep the dialog going. Let me know what you think.

Feedback is always appreciated.

John Knowles

Panman Mixtape Set List
1. Panman Mixtape no. 1
Showcased on this mix-tape: Foxhollow Farm and the Marko Pogacnik stone installation, Pancity, and Roger Smith News
2. Panman Mixtape no. 7
Panman Mixtapes are visual and audio smashups. They are an experimentation with sound, visual projections and layered visual media.
3. Panman Mixtape no. 16
(Redstripe and Panman Jam)
As the mixtapes increase, the level of expectation holds higher goals. In this stage of the experimental process we are bringing more people into the mix.
4. Panman Mixtape no. 17
Here is a tapestry of what that journey represents within my psyche. Back and Forth, we go…
5. Panman Mixtape no. 22
There is one stronger wolf!
6. Panman Mixtape no. 26
Gaston the MC from Ill Rhyme Techniques.
7. Panman Mixtape no. 28
…With a live projection mashup concept we began to collect content.
8. Panman Mixtape no. 31
Crossing Narratives
“Millions of feet mark the city streets every day – people, likely unaware of their actions…”
- Mark Wiener, 2009
9. Panman Mixtape no. 35
A day in the life of Danika at the Roger Smith Hotel.
10.Panman Mixtape no. 36
Gaston, Colin E. and Blak Philly bring a taste of Connecticut’s underground Hip-Hop.
11. Panman Mixtape no. 45
Matisyahu Rehearsal for the Elemental Experience.
12. Panman Mixtape no. 47
Phish Mix; A cut from a headphone jam session mixed with the latest light shows from the Hampton and Jones beach shows.
13. Panman Mixtape no. 50
We continue where we started with a statement encouraging the pursuit of your dreams expressed through a healthy imagination, exploration into ourselves and a lust for greatness.
14. Panman Mixtape no. 56
The next stage of the panman mixtapes and creation of Pancity has begun.

I hope that you enjoy the mixtapes. Please share them, comment and let me know what you think of them. Thanks for the continued support.

Panman

Follow

http://www.youtube.com/rogersmithnews
http://twitter.com/pancity
http://panmanmixtapes.tumblr.com
http://panmanproductions.com

Like us on Facebook

Panman

Roger Smith News 2.0

RS Popshop

New Installment at RS POP – Tribal Couture: BOHO CHIC

Tribal identity is no longer a function of ethnic heritage or geographic locale. It is a choice. You express this choice to the outside world through your personal style.

At Tribal Couture their mission is simple: Enhance your personal style and express yourself …. with jewels that are just as bold and unique as you are!

SHOP WITH THEM AT RS POP February 13-25th!

http://www.rspopshop.com/events

A Live art installment will take place on February 23rd from 7-9PM in the Roger Smith Popup Shop.  Join us for one night of projection entertainment by Panman and Freakcast to compliment the Bold Jewelry line Tribal Couture.