June 22 - August 10, 2008
Curious Matter
272 Fifth Street, Jersey City
Sundays noon to 3:00pm and by appointment
For more information call: 201-659-5771
On visit Curious Matter on the web: curiousmatter.blogspot.com

Arthur Bruso’s small box constructions explore complex scientific themes and phenomenons. Sharing Joseph Cornell’s appreciation for discarded fragments, Bruso creates his tiny universes with bits of frayed wire, old rubber balls and spent tape spools. The humble materials belie the simple, elegant compositions. In concert with his constructions Bruso is showing a collection of photograms that continue the theme of scientific inquiry. Shards of shattered glass and crumpled wax paper suggest the big bang, while the translucent silhouettes of rubber toys call to mind primordial forms of life.

Constantly reexamining and reinterpreting, Bruso’s personal history and entire artistic output can inform or become the basis of a new collection of work. The photograms on display were recreated from prints that were among his first photographic explorations. The deterioration and silvering of the originals was a motivation for the artist to look at this body of work anew. The constructions are also abundant with personal history. Many of the elements are from his horded childhood treasures. This layering and reusing makes placing the artist’s work on a tidy time line challenging, yet makes for work that is richly nuanced.

Bruso explains, “Lillian Hellman talks about pentimento in relation to a person’s past. Pentimento is an art conservation term that describes the effect of oil paint becoming more transparent over time, allowing the changes the artist made to show through. Hellman uses the term to explain her way of looking back over a life and reconsidering it with the knowledge and wisdom of the present... For me, my art exists in a continuum. What I thought were failures [can] look new and interesting now.”

Arthur Bruso was born in Albany, NY and received his M.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. He has lived and worked in the New York City area since 1993.

Founded by artists for artists, Curious Matter is an exhibition venue for contemporary visual art located in downtown Jersey City. Curious Matter strives to foster dialogue among artists at all career stages with a calendar of regular exhibitions. Our commitment extends to our audience as we endeavor to open a door to appreciating contemporary art in an atmosphere that encourages engagement and curiosity. Curious Matter is opened during exhibits on Sundays noon to 3pm and by appointment. For more information, email: curiousmatter@comcast.net

58 Gallery presents ELEVATED, recent paintings by KIRK BRAY
Opening Reception Thursday June 12th 7-11pm
Exhibition up from June 12th - July 6th

For more info: fifty8.com

NYUGEN SMITH: BUNDLE HOUSE from LE ARSENAL AV on Vimeo.

Yes, I know there has been some PAD bias on the site lately -- they have soo much going on those busy bees! But the PADNA (Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association) is really a neighborhood association that the whole city should be involved in. The historic buildings and cobblestone streets are some of the oldest in our city and the struggles they have faced are of interest to all JC residents. Show your support and thanks for all they do to preserve an arts district in JC by attending their fundraiser:

Saturday, April 26th, 8pm-midnight
150 Bay Steet
(two blcks from the Grove Street PATH)
Jersey City, NJ 07302

Live music, fine art, raffles, hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction (including design services from yours truly!). Featured performances by: American Watercolor Movement, Tremble In The Heat and The Meltdowns.

There are only 200 tickets available:
Go to www.padnajc.org to buy your tickets now!!

The DWR Annex Warehouse Sale
Saturday, March 29, 10am–6pm
Sunday, March 30, 11am–5pm

For two days, save up to 75% on samples and returns in many categories, including classics, lighting, upholstery and floor coverings. While there, be sure to enter the drawing for a chance to win a $500 DWR Gift Card.

DWR Annex
55 Hartz Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone: 201 325 8411

Don't miss the Spring Exhibitions opening which will include SPRAWL, (RE)possessed, Hummer:Ryan Roa Edition (see previous post here), Jason Watson: A Second Look, 1x1 Projects, 1x1 Media Works and Sound Station.

What a fantastic mapping tool I found on The Huffington Post -- it is called Fundrace 2008. To quote their description of this searchable map: "Want to know if a celebrity is playing both sides of the fence? Whether that new guy you're seeing is actually a Republican or just dresses like one? FundRace makes it easy to search by name or address to see which presidential candidates your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors are contributing to. Or you can see if your favorite celebrity is putting money where their mouth is." Search the map by city, by occupation or by name. Keep in mind I didn't find my name in the search -- but maybe because my donations were small potatoes compared to these.

Antheia just launched a new website and blog. Now you can order flowers online for delivery -- or just check her blog for the latest happenings at her cute little shop on Montgomery and Grove. The site was designed by yours truly, so check it out and let me know what you think! antheia.net