OHHH THE HEAT ... a hot summer day

Good morning all you world-weary cats and non-cats.  GTC [George-the-Cat] signing in.


Experiencing a New York summer while clad in a fur coat is not easy ... but to peruse books that bring back memories of the summers of my youth seems to ease the heat.


One such book is "Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era" which brings back many memories of my years in the Haight-Ashbury section of San Francisco and how that music [which now seems ancient] certainly hit a welcome groove... 


And how could a summer be complete without a viewing of Van Gogh's sunflowers.  Those of us in Peekskill enjoy a daily treat ... We Peekskillians are able to view a spectacular mural created by the collaborative efforts of Sone Tower and Larry D'Amico and their extended team.  Their joint vision has turned a minimalist red brick walk-through area into visual feast.  I recommend any and all visitors include this viewing as they walk through the downtown area.  


I personally don't think any summer is complete without a Van Gogh viewing.  Certainly perks up my summer.


Signing off ... until next time ...


As the summer wanes ... remember to photograph those beautiful late day skies that are changing as the fall approaches.


Take care ... we'll talk soon.  Remember to keep your paws tidy.


... lolling about in my hammock makes my whiskers tingle.  GTC.


  

THE TWO C's - Color & Composition

GTC signing in ... and I have lots to talk about.  INNOVATIVE ARTS, Peekskill's energized arts organization, is proud to announce the launch of its "atelier"-style art classes ... and I can't wait.  In fact, I have already signed up for a 12-week series of The Two C’s – Color & Composition.  

What makes Innovative Arts' approach unique is that none of their students will be charged for missed classes.  Each student will have a card on which they track only those classes they attend ... so they are never charged for classes they miss.  A great idea!!  Here are more details:


The Two C’s – Color & Composition offers students of all ages an opportunity to flex their artistic muscles and develop an understanding of contemporary art, color and composition through hands-on interactive group classes and workshops in an intimate environment, as well as field trips to museums and galleries.


Contact Judith Solomon at 914.930.1474 or e-mail innovativearts@me.com for further details concerning scheduling and pricing.


Sounds like a great deal to me.  I would urge you to sign up before all of the reserved seats are taken.


And by the way, I recommend you catch the latest Matisse exhibit on view at NYC's Museum of Modern Art - an excellent exhibit focusing on a very different aspect of Matisse's development as an artist.  In fact I have attached a link to the catalogue of this exhibition ... a great exhibit and a must-have book.


Until next time, remember to keep your paws tidy.  
AND lots of licks to you toooooooo.


GTC.  

GTC - "BONVIVANT"!!!

Concerning GTC, a.k.a George The Cat, we are getting many queries concerning her origins and art background.  And, her taking-it-all-for granted attitude... 


George spent many years roaming the artists studios on the lower east side of Manhattan through which she gained first-hand knowledge of the artists - how they lived, how they painted and what they wanted their art to communicate.

George can usually be found at the corner watering hole in her red sequined jacket with a dry martini [stirred not shaken] in paw.  She can be seen here in a reflective pose.  In the weeks to come she will be interviewing various artists and reviewing various books and films that focus on the art world.  With George, it can be guaranteed to be a bumpy ride.


As you can see from the links to various books... cats and art share a very long history.


Stay tuned!! 

MOVERS & SHAKERS: Mid-20th Century Modern Art

 
Hello there.  This is GTC signing in for an infrequent chat about art and the people who make it the visceral experience we all share. 

Until I get my feet wet concerning how to have an interactive conversation with you, my reader, let's pursue a couple of questions ... please feel free to jump in at any time with your very welcome feedback and comments.


QUESTION:  Name a gallery/gallerist who helped shape what we define as 20th Century contemporary art?  


ANSWER:  Leo Castelli (1907-1999) and his gallery, which he opened in lower Manhattan in the mid-1950's.  I strongly recommend "Leo and His Circle:  The Life of Leo Castelli" by Annie Cohen-Solal.  This lively account of Mr. Castelli's family's flight from Europe and his re-establishing himself in NYC is definitely a journey worth reading about.  Mr. Castelli came to be respected as an "arbiter" of taste and a man with a divining rod as to which artists would be the next trend ... definitely talents worth honing in the second half of the 20th century.


QUESTION:  Name a curator whose exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in 1970 entitled New York Painting and Sculpture: 1940-1970 created a never-before-experienced impact on the art world?

 ANSWER:  Henry Geldzahler.  The DVD aptly titled "Who Gets to Call it ART?" directed by Peter Rosen explores "a wild ride" through the 1960's New York art world as seen through Henry's eyes.  I strongly recommend this DVD as well because it, too, offers the viewer an intimate glimpse of this very private world ... the legendary artists who inhabited the Cedar Bar until the wee hours of the morning [mainly because the heat had been turned off in their lofts and the good old Cedar was warm and toasty].  Artists the likes of DeKooning, Klein, Stella, Chamberlain and dozens more.  A great viewing experience.


Let me know if you have questions or discussions you want to enter into concerning New York's role in the evolution of the great art we experience today in our museums and galleries.


Signing off ... GTC... and a raised paw to you too.