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

Fleabags are ideal Fleamarket totes. Friends and family have used them for weekends away, trips to the beach, jaunts to the grocery store and to carry anything numerous or unwieldy. They are sturdy and made of eco-friendly materials. Organic cotton/hemp canvas, vegetable-tanned, american and Italian leather water-based Ink, locally made in New York by hand in Limited Edition.

Shira Entis, a fashion designer and lover of all things tiny and over-sized, and Alex Bell, a lawyer and seeker of adventures, have been fleamarket addicts since they met ten years ago at Brown University. Frustrated by the inconvenience and environmental hazard of accumulating several plastic bags while marketing, they craved a convenient and fashion-hot tote that could fit all of their wares. Fleabags are designed as their ideal solution dapper, large, lightweight and sturdy carry-alls that are also eco-minded. Thus the brand Fleabags began in 2009 while both still worked their day jobs in New York City.

THEY ARE ECO FRIENDLY

An important part of the Fleabags venture was to create a bag that was as Green as possible while maintaining high quality and covetable design. Thus much research was put into the types of canvas, leather and parts available in the United States that would fit their eco-friendly standards. Fleabags are wholly sourced in the US and made in New York of certified organic cotton / hemp canvas, vegetable-tanned leather and water-based silkscreen ink. Fleabags use no glues or toxic paints, just good old fashion sewing.

 

Redwing Interview Series with Director of Product Development Dave Hill and Director of Sales (North America) Steve Spencer.

On November 11, 2009 from 6-7 Red Wing Shoes hosted a blogger event that introduced fashion and digital media to the Lifestyle Collection.  This signature event will be the first of its kind, providing select bloggers a first-hand opportunity to view the Fall/Winter 2009 collection.  A key aspect of the event is an introduction to the brand’s iconic “Americana” heritage. Guests will gain additional insight on how Red Wing Shoes are made and experience a“how to distress” tutorial with leather expert Michael Napoli.  Red Wing’s director of product development, Dave Hill as well as their director of sales (North America), Steve Spencer will be on hand to discuss Red Wing’s tannery and factory, the World’s Biggest Boot and touch upon how Red Wing has evolved as a company since the brand’s inception in 1905.

For more information visit http://www.redwingshoes.com/.