Visually Speaking
Artist-architect Grace Luebke presents a tensegrity fabric installation at the Rake Gallery (325 NW 6th at Flanders) in the Everett Lofts. Tensegrity structures, with a history as varied as Russian constructivists, Bauhaus performance art and the Dymaxion expositions of architect-futurist Buckminster Fuller are built by the interplay of stretchy materials in tension and rigid materials in compression. Geodesic domes, invented by Fuller, may be considered a class of tensegrity structure. In his late work, Synergetics, Fuller fashioned tensegrity’s ideas into a philosopical framework championing creative thinking in the service of an optimistic humanity. How far we have strayed from those ideals…
The Everett Station Lofts, of which RAKE is part is always recommended for adventure and are usually open only on first Thursday.
Art cafe bar Valentine’s (232 SW Ankeny) presents “Gone Fishing Pretty Trippy” -art show happening music party video installation with Adam Forkner (White Rainbow), Honey Owens (World), Andy Brown and Jason Frank (Paint and Copter) (plus many more side and cross projects including Fontanelle and Valet). Early start, 9 PM sharp.
Chandra Bocci at PNCA via PORT
See the installation by Chandra Bocci at PNCA (1241 NW Johnson). Bocci is known for her installations incorporating materials in the recycling waste stream. Cute in contemporary art is hard to pull off, and she is doing it well. For this installation, she was able to put a team of assistants to work on a project, a necessary evolution to undertake large pieces.
[ed. note: PNCA is also holding its Annual Holiday Art Sale from 9 AM to 9 PM today, tomorrow, and Saturday.
Reading Frenzy presents it’s under $50 cheap art show in conjunction with a book release party for Supercrafty – a how to craftactivism manifesto – written by Portland crafty vixens.
The Chambers Gallery (207 SW Pine Street, No. 102) presents work by its namesake, Wid Chambers involving archaic computer painting programs and the work of painter Abi Spring opening from 5:30-8:30 PM.
–Bob Wilcox
Portland Contemporary Art Now