Joseph Beuys, Blitzschlag mit Lichtschein auf Hirsch (Lightning with Stag in its Glare), 1958–85. Cast Bronze, Iron, and Aluminium, Overall dimensions variable, Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa GBM2001.2. (c) 2011 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

It doesn't have an opening reception but the first Joesph Beuys show in the nearly 12 years I've lived here opens tomorrow in the atrium space at the Portland Art Museum. I've heard a constant string of complaints about PAM not doing anything of interest for younger relational aesthetics artists so Im not going to be delicate... Shut your pie hole and get on down to PAM this weekend. As the most important artist in the entire relational aesthetics canon this is a not to be missed show and marks the second in PAM's series of important Post War European artists. First one was Martin Kippenberger so this is some very cogent programming. Will the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards and Apex programming ever dovetail anbd complete the circle... if not people will still have a reason to complain. Till then, see it.

Portland Art Museum | February 4 - May 27




(on view in Hypercorrection)

Recess presents Hypercorrection, featuring; Paul Clay, Sokhun Keo, Krystal South, Ross Young. A show exploring misinformation and the conventions of making decisions on said information the press release states, "The artist’s use of mimicry, material transformation, and dissimulation to incite critical discourses not only illuminates the ambivalence of salient cultural ideologies, but more subtly infers his/her desire to be perceived a certain way. Hypercorrection results from the effort to improve oneself on the basis of an incongruent analogy. While pursuing their conspicuous goals (the myth of cultural authenticity, material/relational value, fetishization of the Other and social mobility), the artists of Hypercorrection inadvertently offer intimate portraits of themselves. The works have the potential to alter the proclivities of the audience, expanding each viewer’s capacity for transformation." Ok I don't believe there is any widely accepted "myth of cultural authenticity" to rail against in our relentlessly relativistic age but it's something recent art school grads love to spew, despite that this looks promising especially if you are into relational aesthetics (see above).

Opening Reception | February 3 6:30 - 10:30PM

3 February - 29 February

Recess | 1127 SE 10th Avenue



Wendy Given's Luminosi mori


Nationale presents Wendy Given's Luminosis mori, her first solo show at Nationale (and timely considering she was just included in the 10th Northwest Biennial at the Tacoma Art Museum).

Press release says, "Hovering between consciousness and collective memory, the subject matter of Wendy Given’s photography reverberates with a primordial, albeit strangely modern, mysticism. In Luminosis mori, her first solo exhibition with Nationale, Given delves deep into this uncanny void, unearthing haunting images of unsettled pasts. Offering faded glimpses from the 19th century and present day, her beguiling landscapes, portraits and documented artifacts hiss and hum with uncontrolled elemental forces. Ancient concepts inform contemporary visual clues, resulting in supernatural illustrations of not only long-forgotten lore but also their prevailing narratives. The past possesses the present in one last bid for eternal release."

Nationale: Luminosi mori | On view February 1 - February 26
Opening reception: First Friday February 3 | 6 - 9 PM

811 E Burnside | 503 477 9786



Gabe Flores at Half/Dozen

Half/Dozen presents Gabe Flores' If I Were You: An Apology From Myself To Myself. H/D is Portland's hardest to find gallery but usually worth the trip.

Their press release plays the fate or free will card, "Teetering between obligation and choice, this installation explores a personal narrative that is both in transition and stationary. Flores felt he never had a choice; he did exactly what he had to do, but this didn’t free him from the regret, guilt, pride, angst, vanity that is felt from such actions. If anything, these responses become the necessary byproducts that helped to set up the direction of his story. Flores is continually negotiating between the transitional nature of his proposed story, and how it always seems to be stationary. It would appear as if he had a choice in what he has done, but without all the variables
out in the open, it is all an illusion.


Gabe Flores’ work often deals with his reflections on identity-based ideologies and personal narrative. His current and near future work explores displacement as well as social/cultural navigation and he works in whatever medium he feels will best help him exemplify his pursuit. Flores received a BS in Sociology, Political Science, and History with a minor in Psychology from Portland State University and has pursued some graduate studies in English and History at the same institution. Flores is a Curator and Director of Place and Settlement in Portland, OR."

Opening Reception | February 3 | 6 - 9 PM

Half/Dozen | 722 E Burnside Basement, Entrance on SE 8th Ave (shiny black doors, go down and then stay left)
February 3 – March 2
Closing Reception | March 2 | 6 - 9 PM
Contact: Timothy Mahan, Director | 503-816-6963 | tim@halfdozengallery.com




Maybe you want a massive group show with flickering lights to dazzle the eyes for your Friday night? Then I suggest you seek out (WORKS IN PROGRESS) a video and photography show at the Ford Building.

It features a huge # of familar and unfamiliar names; Rashida Shani Young, Mark Janchar, Quinton Gardner, Ray Anthony Barrett, Darwin Moore-Zas, Hans Anders Barklis, L Iris Patricia Stevenson, Matt Stangel, Sisterbrittaney Taylor, Kris Daehler, Rachel Mulder, John Lindberg, Gary Count Kellam, Nat Willing, Genevieve Mercatante, Samantha Wall, Marcia Francine Kelly, Khris Knoke, John Martonik, Kat Smith, Gia Goodrich, John Holmes, Lyle Kopnicky, Drew Cavanaugh, Bryson Hansen, Amber Robinson, Christine Taylor, Uriah Lattimer, Stella Burkett, Vincent Novak, Ryan N Rottum, Joshua Vanderhoff, Modou Dieng, Wayne Bund, Aron Christensen, Reese Kruse, Josh Jones, Terah Beth, Alicia Justus, Johnny Patterson, Jacob Balcom, Val Hardy Jr., Ralph Pugay, Lisa Radon, Anna Joyce, Alexandra Merson and Victor Maldonado.

Opening Reception: February 3rd | 5 - 7 PM
Second Floor Open House
Ford Building | Room 204 | 2505 SE 11th Ave.