All Photos By Gail
Swedish design firm Front’s Surface Tension Lamp (2014) was the result of a collaboration with the Dutch design firm Booo. Asked to create a light that used LED technology, the group took a counter-intuitive approach.
Continue reading Surface Tension Bubbles Lamp By Front
Sterling Ruby, SP301 (All Photos By Gail)
If you dig Abstract and Colorfield paintings, then you are going to love Flag Art Foundation’s current group show, Surface Tension. This dynamic group show focuses on a selection of contemporary artists whose approach to abstraction incorporates a range of materials, processes, and techniques — such as sanding, stitching, dying, and layering — to draw attention to the dynamic potential of a painting’s surface. Artists include:
El Anatsui, Mark Bradford, Kadar Brock, Cecily Brown, Sarah Crowner, Sam Gilliam, Sterling Ruby, Sean Scully, Ryan Sullivan, Lesley Vance, Rebecca Ward, and Garth Weiser.
Inspired by Los Angeles gang culture and the use graffiti as a means of ‘tagging’ territories, Sterling Ruby’s mark-making presents a timely alternative to classic painterly techniques. Ruby’s atmospheric spray painting SP301, 2014 (top photo), organizes the canvas in bands of pink, acid green, and black, varying in shading and intensity as a product of using readily available aerosol paints.
The materiality of canvas plays a central role in Sarah Crowner’s Untitled (Leaves), 2015, a diptych of sewn, painted panels that plays with repetition of color and form.
Kadar Brock’s deredemirtdxii, 2015, was constructed, or more accurately worn down, through a labor-intensive (and often repeated) process of underpainting, priming, and power-sanding, producing a work whose tattered and marbled composition serves as evidence to its making.
In addition to the lovely artworks, Flag also has a spectacular scenic patio from which you can see the sunset over New Jersey, and watch ships come in to port. Nice.
Surface Tension will be on Exhibit Through December 12th, 2015, at FLAG Art Foundation, Located at West 545 25th Street, 9th Floor, in the Chelsea Gallery District.
Currently on Exhibit: Surface Tension, a Solo Exhibition by Robert Lobe (All Photos By Gail)
In the heart of the booming Dutch Kills section of Long Island City, Crescent Grill is a modern American restaurant that’s been open for just over a year. The restaurant is already a local favorite and a destination for visitors to the Long Island City scene, and after just one visit you will know why. Located where a longtime industrial supply house once flourished, the fully restructured and renovated 100-seat space is a family enterprise with a total commitment to Long Island City. We dined there this past Friday evening (note: totally worth the trek from Manhattan) and both the food and service were just outstanding.
And what’s extra cool about Crescent Grill is that the front part of the space is home to the tiny Dougherty Gallery (named for owners and brothers, Daniel and Shaun Dougherty) which showcases work by local artists. Here are a few photos from the current exhibit, which features colorful and contemporary collage work by Robert Lobe.
As far as I know, all of the above works are for sale. Inquire about purchase and pricing at the restaurant.
Statue of Liberty by Craig Alan
In addition to the exhibited work the gallery, the restaurant is a showcase in itself for custom fixtures and work from the personal collections of the Dougherty brothers. The painting above hangs near the bar.
This gorgeous custom light fixture, made from reclaimed vintage glass shades, hangs in the dining room.
A large scale photograph of the Long Island City Skyline is one of several compelling original works that add atmosphere to the main dining space, Daniel Dougherty told us that smaller prints of this photo are available for purchase through the restaurant. We will definitely be returning, not only to check out the new art exhibits, but also for the delicious food!
The Dougherty Gallery at Crescent Grill is located at 38-40 Crescent Street at 39th Avenue, LIC Queens, NY 11101. Phone 718-729-4040 or Visit Crescent Grill Dot Com for more information or to make a Reservation.