The Yes Men

TBA starts this week, and hidden amongst the opening night activities is one of the most exciting shows on this month's First Thursday circuit: The first major exhibition of The Yes Men. This artist/activist group has become (in)famous for infiltrating events like the GO-EXPO, Canada's largest oil conference, and successfully obliterating perceived limits of social and business norms. For TBA, they've installed KEEP IT SLICK: Infiltrating Capitalism With The Yes Men at PNCA. KEEP IT SLICK features "elaborate costumes, slapstick videos, outrageous posters and props ... exhibited alongside new works produced for this exhibition." The Yes Men will also present a workshop this weekend giving insight into their methods and How to be a Yes Man.

Opening reception • 5-8pm • September 4
Workshop • 3-4pm • September 6
PNCA Feldman Gallery • 1241 NW Johnson St. • 503.226.4391



Sean Healy, "Circle the Airstreams"

Mixed-media artist Sean Healy is bringing us Life in Black and White at Elizabeth Leach. Taking characters previously examined in high school, Healy ages them to the next inevitable stage: corporate America. Using props that have aged from class rings to conference tables, Healy explores "forced socialization" and the ways in which social norms learned in our youth inform our outlook as adults.

Opening reception • 6-9pm • September 4
Elizabeth Leach Gallery • 417 NW 9th AVE • 503.224.0521



Michael Knutson, "Bipolar Coils II"

Michael Knutson's painting will be featured this month at Blackfish. One of the early members of the co-op gallery, and long-time professor of art at Reed College, Knutson has become an influential member of the "old guard" of painting in the Northwest. Most known for his extraordinary freehand geometries, Knutson is comfortable working from painterly abstraction to elegant representation.

Opening reception • 6-9pm • September 4
Blackfish Gallery • 420 NW 9th AVE • 503.224.2634



Jeffrey Sarmiento, "Bombay Encyclopaedia"

There will be a First Thursday reception for Jeffrey Sarmiento's Translations at Bullseye. Previously reviewed on PORT, I'll just add that this exhibition is a visually stunning contrast of stark lines in works like Soviet Hotel and the jumbled, delicately layered silk screened glass of the Encyclopaedias (see above). Side by side with this visual contrast, Sarmiento plays personal history against world history, combining the tales of his life and travels with a darkly prescient view of the past's influence on the present/near future.

First Thursday reception • 5-8pm • September 4
Bullseye Gallery • 300 NW 13th AVE • 503.227.0222



Henk Pander, "Ort"

Another "preeminent Portland painter," Henk Pander, will be showing History and Topography, New Paintings at Laura Russo this month. Combining the influences of plein air and still life, Pander's "unorthodox" subject matter and large-scale landscapes command a beautiful and often haunting presence in the gallery.

Opening reception • 5-8pm • September 4
Artist talk • 11am • September 13
Laura Russo Gallery • 805 NW 21st AVE • 503.226.2754



Crystal Shenk, "Orange Bubbles"

Don't let the above image fool you: When you walk into IGLOO this month, you'll be confronted by an apparently empty gallery, with only two large bowls of steel pellets in the center of the room. Pick them up. Check out the walls. Unseen Forces Are at Work, put into motion by Crystal Shenk.

Opening reception • 6-10pm • September 4
IGLOO • 325 NW 6th AVE #102 • iglooarts@gmail.com




This month The Life is featuring a group show, Changing States, including the sometimes sculptural, dangerously dark, and often remarkable installation work of Roxanne Jackson, Paul Middendorf, Chris Held, and Damon Ayers.

Opening reception • 6-10pm • September 4
The Life • 625 NW Everett St. #107 • 971.544.1365



Dominic Wilcox, "War Bowl"

While your on your First Thursday walk, don't forget to stop by MoCC and check out Manuf®actured, given an excellent review on Richard Schemmerer's PDX Art.

Museum of Contemporary Craft • 724 NW Davis • 503.223.2654

Thank you Megan! Not hiding it, the Yes Men opening will be fab, we even moved our meeting place for the Blank Placard Happening to PNCA, so one can see the exhibition and then walk over to the Works with us all to the Visual Art Program opening. Which starts at 9pm. Well after everyone does the rounds. Lots to see over at the space.

Hi Kristan! Hopefully I'll see you at PNCA, and I am definitely planning to make it by THE WORKS opening event later in the evening. The space looked great 1/2 done, I can't wait to see it in full swing.