Notes To Self

One of these days I’ll post here more often. I think about it often but forget to set aside the time to post about the happenings in my life. As usual, I have many reasons (and excuses) for not keeping up with this as I would like. Lately life has been a whirlwind. I’ll have more to say later. In the meantime, take a look at current collection of reminders.

Only Good For Conversation – Rodriguez

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 38

RIP Sixto Rodriguez!

I discovered Rodriguez in 2010 when researching music for a Detroit-based episode of my former radio gig, the Fuzz Factory. Never heard of him before and his songs were good. At the time, I had no clue about his incredible life story. Turns out Rodriguez had a cult following in a few locations around the world. Unbeknownst to him, his music fueled the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa as well. In 2012, his incredible story was made into the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” It’s a fantastic movie. If you’ve not seen it yet, check it out.

Check out his music too. He has many really good songs, most notably, The Establishment Blues and Climb Up On My Music. I thought about featuring one of those.but ultimately decided on Only Good For Conversation, probably my favorite song of his. This song has a harder edge and a more viscerally bitter tone than any of his other songs. It also has an unforgettably badass fat guitar riff.

Unfortunately, I was not able to link up the studio version of the song. At least I was able to link up a few live versions. Here they are below.

So Good To See You – Cheap Trick

Artist as Rock & Roll Enthusiast (aka ARE) Post: 37

Hey all. Yeah, it’s been a long while (like a year) since I posted about a song. I’ve meant to many times but you know how it goes. Thirty years ago, I would’ve posted about a different song every day. These days, I mostly just think about it. The soundtrack of life continues regardless. 

Today I am posting about my current ear worm, So Good To See You by Cheap Trick. It’s been stuck in my head for days and I couldn’t be happier about it. It’s such a great tune. Quite often, an ear worm is a song you enjoy at first that eventually becomes annoying. For example, Don’t Take Me Alive by Steely Dan was a common ear worm during my divorce. I really liked it at first, even seemed appropriate. However, it eventually it became a bit tedious. Sometimes an ear worm is a song you never liked. Therefore, it’s annoying from the get go. That type of ear worm occurred when I was in California last month. I heard We Built This City by Starship. Needless to say, I wanted that out of my head ASAP. Sometimes it all works well and stays that way. Like it does with this song, one of many underrated power pop gems from Cheap Trick. Been humming it for days on end.

Ooh, it’s so good to see you
I couldn’t wait another day
Ooh, I hope everyone missed you
You know they want you to stay

Curiosities: 20 Years Ago Today

Eleven emerging artists! One night only!

In 2003, I was a graduate student in Savannah, GA at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). That year we often held group exhibitions around the corner from my place at the house where my friends Magen, Dana, and Michael lived. On the first Friday of every month, we would quickly transform their common living space into a gallery space, and 28 E. 41st Street became Gallery 28.

Curiosities was one of these group exhibitions, and it occurred twenty years ago today. This exhibition was different than our usual exhibitions because it featured art made by cats. That’s right, all artwork in the exhibition was presented as a cat’s creation. Included were titles and statements translated and written by each cat’s owner. We pushed the joke as far as we could. Was all of the artwork really made by cats? No, only a couple of pieces were, most notably, the installation work “Five 40’s” featured on the postcard. It was created by Sweet Jimmy, who was one of Ken and Amy Miller’s cats.

Other than myself, I know Magen Peigelbeck, Dana Crossan, Ken Miller and Tarin Eicher were involved. Unfortunately, I cannot recall all who participated.

Why did we do this? Mostly it was to mock SCAD, who was simultaneously having an exhibition celebrating dogs. We weren’t anti-dog, we were anti-dumb. At the time, we felt our university was promoting an unchallenging series of theme-based exhibitions. Curiosities was our response; an exhibition that wasn’t cat art but art made by cats!

In addition to the art, we made a litter box replica cake. It looked very authentic and tasted great. Cake as art. We were ahead of our time.

Scratchboard Practice

In one of my classes, I ask my students to create a scratchboard self-portrait. I decided it was time I made my own. It’s a great exercise to practice my skills. It’s been about 20 years since I’ve “self-portraited”. Thankfully, I’m pleased with the result.

I enjoy working in scratchboard. Thinking of what else I can create in this medium besides portraiture.

All Systems Go!

Look out, neighborhood. My Acoustic Research (AR) TSW-610 speakers are back in action and kicking serious sonic ass. These speakers sound so damn good! This set, and my AR receiver (also just refurbished), were part of the stereo system that was my high school graduation gift – way back in 1987. At last! Turntable and CD action are underway. My art studio stereo is now running at full speed. I’m excited! All systems go!

Art-a-Nooga

June is already here, this crazy year has moved on by so, so fast. Almost too fast. Doing some housecleaning around the studio as I prepare for my month-long residency at Stove Works (see link below) which starts tomorrow evening.

Here’s something I meant to post about months ago. Last fall I participated in a fun event called Art-a-Nooga. It happens every month, typically at Dry Ice Gallery or Stove Works. It’s a great concept. Each artist makes a seven minute presentation. I decided to talk about the Loyalty Lies Project and the LIES Brand (see link below). It was a good time, however, getting it all done in seven minutes was more difficult than I expected.

https://brettcalleroartist.com/2023/01/05/new-year-big-news/
https://brettcalleroartist.com/2020/07/15/the-loyalty-lies-project-and-the-lies-brand/

Here are a few pictures of my experience.