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Category: Events

Active Space Grand Opening with Criminy Johnson, February 24, 2012

Published February 2, 2012 by Robin

So much more to tell about this show. But for now, here’s the press release and a pretty picture:

Brooklyn, NEW YORK—The Active Space opens an all-new exhibition space in its Bushwick facility with a reception for “Dreaming Without Sleeping,” a presentation of new works by Criminy Johnson | QRST, on February 24, 2012.

“Dreaming Without Sleeping” allows viewers to glimpse the artist’s view of our waking world: a bent, slightly pessimistic and occasionally hostile place populated by animals and people who are often reluctant to be interrupted by the viewer.

“Criminy makes oil paintings in his studio but often makes wheatpastes that relate to these in some way. Many people are familiar with Criminy’s work but may have seen it outside of a gallery setting, and QRST fans might be discovering Criminy Johnson’s paintings for the first time,” says curator Robin Grearson, who worked with Johnson last year on a group show at the Active Space.  “Criminy has been in Bushwick for a few years, and QRST’s street work often shows up here, so the Active Space is an ideal location to present the two styles together.”

“We opened in February of last year, so I’m happy that the first show in our building’s brand-new gallery space falls on our first anniversary,” says Ashley Zelinskie, director of The Active Space. “Robin is an accomplished writer, yet this is the third show she has curated here. Last year we discovered that we really work well together, and one thing I appreciate about my role as director of a Bushwick art space is the opportunity I have to support emerging artists and curators I believe in.” Zelinskie says.

The opening reception for “Dreaming Without Sleeping” takes place February 24, 2012, from 7-10 PM. The show will be open to the public by appointment through April 20, 2012. Email ashley@566johnsonave.com.

Dreaming Without Sleeping
February 24, 2012 through April 20, 2012
The Active Space
566 Johnson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
www.566johnsonave.com
Contacts:
media requests:
Robin Grearson, curator
Dreaming Without Sleeping
mail@robingrearson.com

gallery requests:
Ashley Zelinskie, director
The Active Space
Ashley@566johnsonave.com
646/284-6364

Image: Dichotomy, by Criminy Johnson. Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches.

 

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L-Train Notwork Kicked Ass!

Published December 18, 2011 by Robin

Huge congratulations to Mark & Matt & Sean and Wemakecoolsh.it! Could not be happier with how this project evolved, came together, and popped up in random conversations for weeks afterward.

A few links about the L-Train Notwork:
Press (Everyone covered this. Everyone.)
Press release
Credits

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Why I love Brooklyn, Reason #43

Published November 13, 2011 by Robin

This is not the face of someone who can keep a secret.

A few weeks ago I was walking down Bogart Street on the way home from dinner. I ran into my friend Sean McIntyre, who mentioned a project he was working on and said he wanted to introduce me to someone; that maybe we could all work together. And, as though the world really only has about 117  actual people circulating among a few billion extras, that’s when the Someone, Mark Krawczuk, walked up to Sean and joined our conversation.

The project, it turns out, was incredibly cool and ambitious, and secret. Mark and his business partner, Matt McGregor-Mento, decided they wanted to put a Wifi network on the subway. The network would offer content that was interactive, interesting and intelligent, to engage their target audience–not just all subway commuters, but L-train morning commuters. The L-train fills up with editors and illustrators and writers and designers who live in Bushwick and Williamsburg and work for Manhattan ad agencies and publishing companies.

I signed on to help curate writing, and went to my writers collective, 1441, and others and asked them to write for a “Secret Project,” and I couldn’t even tell them what it was for, exactly. Dolan Morgan, also a 1441 member, joined me as co-curator, and between the two of us, we gathered about 30 stories and poems.

Mark and Matt selected just 11 pieces for their network–actually called the “Notwork” because it’s an intranet and not The Internet. And these stories & poems will start to run on Monday, November 14, with new content appearing each day, through Friday.

We tested the Notwork yesterday, and so now, the secret is out! Which means I can also tell you this: a favorite story of mine is running Monday, flanked by poems from two 1441 members–Matt Zingg and Michael Lala. As the week progresses, writing from Craig Savino, Ruth M. Rouse, Rachel Glaser, Melea Seward, Justin Richards and Katelan Foisy will be added. And a brand-new piece from me is scheduled to debut Friday.  I’m really happy that this newest story will appear for the first time as part of this experience/installation/social art/call it whatever you want, it’s cool. In fact, Mark and Matt’s company is called WeMakeCoolSh.it.

If you’re in the area, I hope you enjoy the “Notwork” this week.

 


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Big Other press for Soda reading, WEDNESDAY

Published November 8, 2011 by Robin

I’m on Big Other! Sort of. They did a post about the Soda reading series happening at Soda bar, on Vanderbilt in Brooklyn. But if Big Other is talking about it… you can expect a good event. 🙂

Soda bar is also close to my heart; it’s a place I went on the very first night I lived in Brooklyn, when I went out looking for people to talk to. I met Spike Lee’s brother and remember thinking, “this Brooklyn thing seems like it’s all gonna work out.” So far, so good. Please come. Details on Facebook, and here.

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