This could be major
Here are two very interesting, and possibly very major developments in the arts in Portland that we’ve just got wind of through channels both regular and odd (Jonathan Nicholas would likely not have been writing about anything terribly art related if it weren’t his big chance to use the word “vagina” in the daily paper). One. According to a bit in Jonathan Nicholas’ chat column in the Oregonian, glass artist and steel heir, Henry Hillman Jr. (represented by Elizabeth Leach Gallery) is planning to open a new Portland arts institution, the Contemporary Art Museum Portland in a building he owns at NW 17th Avenue at Pettygrove. We’d been hearing about something brewing, but now we know who and what. The mission would be to bring in challenging contemporary work and is backed by some serious PDX art world muscle. Huzzah.
Two. Our sources tell us that curator/critic, Jeff Jahn is close to talking about his new project, Organism. It sounds like a presenting organization and looks like his first event is coming up soon, with a video by Swiss video artist, Pipilotti Rist (this is HUGE) with music by Small Sails, who were so extraordinary at the Little White Dress Show, and the Dandy Warhols. Jahn’s been keeping his cards close to his chest. But trust Jahn, one of the forces behind PORT, and the man who last year brought us the large scale group show Fresh Trouble and previously his Best Coast survey, to do something interesting.
Tags: art