Racing Down the Bowery

I'd have never believed this would be happening 36 years ago when I was playing my Blondie records during a game of spin-the-bottle at my junior-high Halloween party. (I never got that damn bottle to land on Craig, btw!) Here are a couple of Barbara Sicuranza's photos from the unveiling of Shepard Fairey's new Blondie/Debbie Harry mural on Bleecker off the Bowery. 

Chris Stein says because the building is landmarked the art must be changed over every two years so the mural of Joey Ramone with the boxing gloves in now underneath this..

Shepard Fairey pretends not to be horrified by someone's tattoo of his work.

Joey put up a good fight, but Blondie wins in a technical knockout! 

'Melrose Place' Redux

Last month I blogged about noticing what appeared to be the re-opening of Shooters -- the hangout for the gang on "Melrose Place" -- across the street from my apartment, only to find out it was an art exhibition of works that actually had been featured on the sudsy Fox hit  that were coded with cultural messages on topics like reproductive rights, U.S. foreign policy, alcoholism and sexual politics.  (Conceptual artist Mel Chin helped form a group to supply the art and props.)

Damian and I finally stopped by and were surprised to discover the display, located in the Red Bull Music Academy in Chelsea, is way bigger than we expected, including replicas of the apartment complex's swimming pool, D&D Advertising -- whose conference table doubled as a mattress in brothel boudoir -- as well as a screening room filled with bean bags where episodes are shown on a loop.

"Total Proof: The GALA Committee 1995-1997" runs through Nov. 27 -- info HERE -- but if you don't make it in time, here are some of the items that jumped out at me, none of which I recall noticing on the actual show.

Snap, crackle and pop 'em in the face ...

This arrived on Nov. 8, right?

Prozac Nation begins ...

The show's secret weapon ...

 

Sadly, they were showing an episode from the Megan era, when the wheels started to come off ...

As timely as ever ...

How fitting ...

Remember unions? 

No sign of Brooke ...

TV-Phage: Cathode ray tube, deflection yoke, TV antennas 

TV-Phage takes etymological root in the word "bacteriophage," a virus that parasitizes bacteria by reproducing inside of it. The small sculpture is a metaphor for infecting its viewers.  

This piece became the iconic representation of GALA's interaction with "Melrose Place" when it appeared in the MOCA scene with Amanda and Kyle. 

My next memoir title?

I'm a Fanilow ...

Scooter LaForge Returns to SF With an 'Invitation to Nothingness'

When Scooter and I graduated from college in Arizona, he fled to San Francisco while I settled in Los Angeles -- both of which turned out to be detours on the way to New York. Excited to see that the City by the Bay will be the site of his next solo show, in what promises to be a triumphant return! 

Scooter writes:

I am so pleased and happy to announce "Invitation to Nothingness," my new solo show in SAN FRANCISCO, one of my all-time favorite cities, where I lived for nine years and consider my second home. The exhibition will be up at 111 Minna Gallery, located at 111 Minna St. I will be at the opening on June 3rd, starting at 5pm. The show runs through July.

Info HERE.

Where's the Beef?

The FBI announced today a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the recovery of artwork by Andy Warhol stolen from the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Mo. It is believed the break-in and theft occurred sometime during the early morning hours on April 7, 2016, at which time seven of 10 Andy Warhol paintings on permanent display at the museum were taken. The collection, which has been owned by the Springfield Art Museum since 1985, is set number 31 of the Campbell’s Soup I collection and is valued at approximately $500,000. Each painting in the screen print collection measures 37 inches high by 24.5 inches wide and framed in white frames.

Artist Ellsworth Kelly Dies at 92

Heard the news over the weekend. RIP, sir. Read the legendary abstract artist and sculptor's New York Times obituary HERE. Leave it to the Gray Lady to misspell Mr. Kelly's husband's name!

Scooter LaForge Teaches 'How to Create a Monsterpiece'

Greg, Chad, Damian and I had a great time attending the opening reception for my friend Scooter LaForge's biggest solo exhibition to date, "How to Create a Monsterpiece," on display through Oct. 10 at the Howl Happening space at 6 E. 1st St., in the East Village. The show features a great variety of his eclectic work -- from paintings to sculptures to clothing on which he has done design. Congrats, Scooter!

Michael Musto had this to say about the show: 

King Tut via Warhol, artist/designer Scooter LaForge had a happening opening at Jane Friedman’s Howl! Gallery in the East Village for his sprawling and colorful How To Create A Monsterpiece show. LaForge combs urban detritus to create collages that mix trash, classical references, and fantasy in ways that seduce and alarm. Do I sound like I’ve been possessed by an art critic? Well, good, because I wrote an essay for Scooter’s catalogue!