2661 Michigan Ave, Detroit

EXHIBITIONS AT THE ZEITGEIST GALLERY: 2006 - 2007

EXHIBITIONS AT THE ZEITGEIST GALLERY: 2004 - 2005

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December 8 - 29, 2007:
"HOT CAST - 6 Foundry Rats"

Featuring work by, Robert Bielat (who's "Oracle" is shown below, in the middle), Sergio De Giusti, Todd Erickson, Matthew Hanna, Alvaro Jurado, and Norman Kobylarz.

Opening Night Reception begins at 7pm. Musical guests to perform around 9pm.

Alvaro Jurado, curator for Hot Cast,offers this meditation on the show:
"Over 20 years ago I had the pleasure of taking several foundry classes at CCS and WSU. At that time I met some sculptors that would greatly influence my work.
“In the mid 80s these 2 schools had much more relaxed rules, for example students could drink beer in the foundry. We didn't abuse this privilege, but on Fridays, the staff and students would have a barbecue, a few beers, fun, and a lot of camaraderie. We called ourselves foundry rats. Plenty of new and exciting work was created during this Detroit foundry revival. Some Detroit area art galleries recognized the surge of this new art movement, Artist Market, Michigan Gallery, and the Focus Gallery, to name a few. Many Friday and Saturday nights were spent driving from gallery to gallery, having a few drinks with the foundry rats and seeing great new sculptures.
“Hot Cast” is an exhibit that has been on my mind for about 4 years. This exhibit features 6 Foundry Rats, Robert Bielat, Sergio DeGiusti, Todd Erickson, Matthew Hanna, Alvaro Jurado, and Norman Kobylarz. This show will represent a historic overview of work, plus totally new castings.
“I hope this exhibit brings on a new interest in metal casting and creates a new generation of foundry rats."

This show runs through December 29, 2007.

November 1 through December 1, 2007:
"DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Four Interpretations"

Offerings by Nora Mendoza, Baaba Ibn Pori Pitts, S. Kay Young and Eric Mesko.

November 1st (Thursday): 3-9pm
November 2nd (Friday): Doors open at 3pm
...RECEPTION 7pm-12am
...PERFORMANCE (Rants and Chants) Eric Mesko @ 8pm, Baaba Ibn Pori Pitts @ 9pm
November 3rd (Saturday) 12pm thru 7pm

The Zeitgeist honors the lives of those who’ve gone before with our unique celebration of “Dia de los Muertos” (“Day of the Dead”), and we invite you to experience the work of four wonderful artists: Nora Mendoza, Baaba Ibn Pori Pitts, S. Kay Young, and Eric Mesko.

Nora Mendoza is a well renowned Chicana artist,elder, and spiritual mentor for hundreds of aspiring Latinas. "In these paintings I pay homage to the many individuals who have given their lives in search for a better future, men, women, children who died while crossing the borders, and the many war victims who died defending our country"

Baaba Ibn Pori Pitts has been working for the past three years on the relationship of "The Afrikan Burial Groundz" as a celebration, healing and educational experience of the ancestors of Africans brought to the Americas. Their graves have been covered over, neglected and non-honored. He hopes to bring awareness, overstanding the spirit of their influence and unique legacy that has shaped, in a great part, the multi-layered evolution of contemporary and modern aestheticism of music, dance, art, and spirituality in today's society. The future hope rests in the overstanding this persona or antidote to the schisms of present societal cultures by opening the "Door of No Return" - uncovering the terrains of those many Afrikan Burial Groundz and other sacred redemptive spaces as a bridge in healing humanities separateness, race and economic complexities.
"peace and blessingz to all /
what l'd like to try iz, on the fly, an improvizational piece
more like a theatre piece involving a couple of drummerz/dancerz and myself
w/a small installation that wld be created at the time of the presentation"
- raz baaba lbn

Eric Mesko: Artist, Veteran USMC, BFA, MA, MFA, Educator, Social and Political Activist, Liberal, Humanist. "To properly live in the present and anticipate the future, it is only logical to honor the past. The celebration of Dia de los Muertos pays homage to the deeds of our ancestors. They deserve our respect.

S. Kay Young is a Native American Detroit artist with a 35 year photographic career. She is a descendant of the Eastern Band Cherokee Nation who embraces her heritage and traditions. These teachings are reflected in Young’s published career, as well as the photographic exhibitions throughout North America. Kay’s art is in public and private collections world wide.
"The work in this exhibition is in honor of my ancestors as well as all of my relations in The Circle of Life/Death – all the same. As a Native American Tsalagi Woman my homage is to Mother Earth and all of her children – the creepy crawlers – the winged ones – the four legged – the wind – water – fire. My ancestors are honored every day by the way I live life and carry on their teachings. Their voices are carried in the wind for me to pass on to the younger ones. Day of he Dead – for me – is every day and the work represented is all inclusive of Life and Death in the Circle I have created."
S. Kay Young

A Collaborative Zeitgeist ofrenda remembering the life of Jacques Karamanoukian will be offered in the Bar Gallery.

This exhibit runs through December 1.

AZUTUNARASHAREDO
Sept 22 thru Oct 27, 2007

The Zeitgeist presents a unique opportunity to experience the work of four rare Detroit gems: Curated by Vito Valdez, this exhibit features Azucena Nava-Moreno, Mary Fortuna, Kathleen Rashid and Mary Laredo Herbeck. The opening reception is Saturday September 22nd, from 7pm – midnight, with La Chispa and Company performing at 9pm.

Azucena Nava-Moreno's work is narrative in nature, reflecting personal events and her immediate environment. She considers her sculptures "books", often incorporating hinged elements, giving the work an interior and exterior, with or without text.

Mary Fortuna has constructed a tree of life and states: "The image of the tree of life is common to cultures all over the world. My tree of recycled wood is filled with as many animals, insects, birds and flowers as I can imagine, and made of any material I can get my hands on – a celebration of the rich abundance of life."

Kathleen Rashid's new work is a series of masks based on news photos of individual suffering in the ongoing wars in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan (seen to your left). They are made of pages from email correspondences accumulated over the past seven years.

Much of Mary Laredo Herbeck's work is autobiographical and relates to her familiarity with and awareness of the healing body. Underlying it all is an interest in form and object-making which often evoke elements of nature and the anatomy.

La Chispa and Company, featuring the incredible flamenco footwork of Valeria Montes and the guitar whiz-ardry of Daniel "El Nopalito" Parisen, will be performing at 9:00pm.

The exhibit runs through October 27, 2007.

July 31, 2007
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of "Fetch-It-Til-Ya-Drop-Dead" Pete, a most energetic and enthusiastic supporter of the Zeitgeist for so many years. A rare breed and nearly as mad as the rest of us, Pete will be sorely missed.

THE ZEITGEIST 10TH ANNIVERSARY FUN RAZOR, ART EXTRAVAGANZA,
AND TOTAL SENSORY FREAK OUT
Fridays and Saturdays* July 6 thru 28, 2007

You can see photos from the "Freak Out" events by clicking here, or check out our "Post-Freak Out Communique".

The Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Venue is pleased and humbled to be celebrating ten years of survival in this town, so much so that we are offering everyone a smorgasbord of our wares, Fridays and Saturdays* through the month of JULY in the form of "The Zeitgeist 10th Anniversary Fun Razor, Art Extravaganza, and Total Sensory Freak Out". Thus we present the following celebrations:

ONGOING: We're displaying over 500 paintings, sculptures, sketches, and miscellaneous others for sale by over 40 of the Detroit area's best artists. Said work will be for sale at or below cost!! Come see the $50.00 wall, the $100.00 wall (seen to left), and so on and so forth. Priced for the collector and, too, for the fanatic. Support your locally creative humans here!
July 6, Friday, 7p to 12m:
"The 6th Annual Visual Jam Sessions: On An Angle"
We are bringing the surfaces to the walls, crawling up from the floor, less drips, more stroke per brush, all artists welcome. Refreshments served. Artists! Come paint and draw with us, once again! No solo work will be permitted here. Collaborate (Clabber-rate!)
July 7, Saturday, 12n to 5p+:
"Impeachment Trial and Bar-B-Que"
We'll continue to expound the crazed mosaic on our back wall, so grab some grub, gloves, a trowel and some broken glass, and contribute to another demented project here at the Zeitgeist. Visual Jam Sessions permitted. Art work on view in the galleries.
July 13, Friday 7p to 12m:
"The Improbable Movie Parade"
Naked Eye Cinema, Maurice Greenia, Jr. and others dig into their celluloid recollections for tonight's fare, with miscellaneous soundtrack provided by an augmented Space Band Collective and plenty of "Special Guests." Sound films also may appear, but quietly.
July 14, Saturday 12n to 5p+:
"Trial Impeachment and Bar-B-Que"
The back wall project meanders, artists can visually jam as long as the paint lasts, nothing but food, fun, and art, art, art. Artwork is on display in the galleries.
July 20, Friday 7p to 12m:
"The Broken Clock Jam Sessions" return to the Zeitgeist. This 5 hour cavalcade of musical mayhem will feature special guests Audra Kubat, Gondwanaland (from Atlanta, GA), members of The Diddlers and The Don't Look Now Jug Band (though not the whole ensemble), Swis Family Robinson, and many many more.
*July 21, Saturday:
CLOSED IN HONOR OF THE FOURTH STREET FAIR
(It's a better gig than we could ever pull off on such short notice, so make sure you go. And take your friends.)
July 27, Friday 7p to 12m:
"The Post-Industrial Comic Jamboree and Pig Roast"
No pigs will be harmed during the construction of this "pig roast." Stand up comics meet insane puppets on a sit down strike. Laugh so hard that you may weep many tears. Laugh like you never have before. Roar! Scream! Fall out of your chair! Various comedians tell jokes and stories. Maurice does his patented Surrealist Vaudeville puppetry. Zeitgeist gets roasted by Mike Megettigan and the Fevered Egos, Maugre and the Uppity Puppet Troupe (2 shows: "Vaudville Dynomite" and "The Master Criminal"), as well as other special guests.
July 28, 12n to 12m:
"The Zeitgeist Official 10th Anniversary Freak Out"
Yes, ten years ago, in 1997, the Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Venue first opened its doors to the public. A great many artistic exhibitions, under the guidance of Karl Schneider and James Puntigam for the first five and second five years respectively, have taken place here. Jacques Karamanoukian mentored and inspired both men, as he was a wonderful artist, collector, and collaborator with so many artists in Michigan, the United States, and Europe, and it is his spirit that we try to live up to in all of our endeavors. Some 35 theater shows played here, some better than others, but each a miraculous piece of work unto itself, thanks to the incredibly dedicated actors, assistants, film makers and musicians who gave so much effort to present live theater to Detroit. After all of this hard work, and so many spectacular presentations, we pause to celebrate our first decade. It's all been too outrageous let this millstone go by un-noticed. Troy Richard opened Zeitgeist with Sartre's "No Exit" in June of 1997, a very warm and hostile June as the story goes. And now, 10 years later, he, along with Jim Puntigam, Vito Valdez, Diana Alva, John Jakary, Maurice Greenia, Jr. and all of the artists, musicians, and actors who've performed within these musty crumbling walls, would like you to come out and sweat and swelter in a joyous blend of music, theater, dance, poetry, and art of all stripes, beginning at 12 noon with music and going all day. Anything can happen & surely will!! (Possible guests: K-9, Barack Obama, The Don't Look Now Jug Band, Popeye the Sailor, Chad Kushuba Band, Bill Clinton, King Ubu, Mesko Rants, George W. Bush's second cousin, Donald Baker, the human fly, the Space Band, scarecrows, wild animals, trained animals, Dan Dimaggio, dancers, ghosts, a cartoon land-shark, Borat, a cloud disguised as a woman, blues bands, singing children, barking dogs, snow men, mysterious puppets, other famous politicians and film stars....There are just too many to mention!!) More details will soon be announced! Expect to be surprised.
It's the grand finale, and we'll bar-b-q-ing all day, and musicale-ing all night:
5p - Blackman and Arnold w/Pierre Bernon (Latin Jazz)
6p - Mesko Rants
6.15 - Donald Baker (w/Jim and Diana)
7p - The Don't Look Now Jug Band
7.45p - Frank Pahl (w/Special Guest)
8.30p - The VisionEar (Eclectic electric)
9.15p - The Chad Kushuba Band (Rock)
10p - The Space Band
11p - K-9
*Please note, times are tentative, as we may have another band or two show up in the interegnum.

The festives continue this week with our display of over 450 works of art by nearly 50 Detroit-area artists, including Maurice Greenia, Mary Fortuna, Jack Johnson, Peter Palazzola, Diana Alva, Robert Hyde, Carlos Bruton, Shaqe Kalaj, Roger Hayes, and many many more, AND IT'S ALL FOR SALE!!

This is a Fun Razor Fundraiser, so BUY ART, give generously, and we will do all we can not to disappoint.

Come on down and join our delicious conspiracy!

A nice little MetroTimes blurb.

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PERSONAL ABSTRACTIONS
May 5 thru June 16, 2007

Curated by Gilda Snowden (whose work is also on display), and featuring Alvaro Jurado, Jocelyn Rainey, and M.Saffell Gardner, (whose work you would have seen to the left). The exhibit runs through June 16.
"Personal Abstractions", a show of recent works by four of Detroit's premier artists: Gilda Snowden, the exhibit's curator and whose work is shown to the left, Jocelyn Rainey who's J Rainey Gallery has been a great showcase for local and national artists, Alvaro Jurado whose constructions of wood and metal will be on display (and was seen on the homepage of the Zeitgeist), and M.Saffell Gardner.

Statement from the curator: These four artistic statements under the umbrella term ABSTRACTION prove that this one definition can be as varied, diverse, and complex as the artists who create. Their individual personalities are the final imprimatur to these works, making their individual brands of abstraction as specific as their first names.
--Gilda Snowden

"TheDetroiter.com" Review

A video walk through of the show can be seen here.

WINDOWS TO OTHER WORLDS (With Select Artifacts)
March 10 thru April 21, 2007

Surrealist Andre Breton wrote of paintings as windows or doors into other worlds. It's an old thought, not always taken "literally." If what is created inside the painting, print or drawing is taken as real, it creates a whole different attitude toward viewing the art. This exhibit (through four very different artists) will include works whereas most or all of them can be taken to be such "viewing portals." There will also be a few select (sculptural) artifacts from said worlds. It will be as if someone "went into" one of the art works, retrieved some objects and brought them back to this reality.

The artists exhibiting their WINDOWS are:
Carlos Bruton aka LOS (whose work you saw on the HOME PAGE), a young artist who has been a frequent participant in our VISUAL JAM SESSIONS. His drawings detail strange yet beautiful figures. These are often distorted into a frenzy of disturbing cartoonism. They pop out at you. These works are mostly small and in color or black and white.

Gwen Joy, also part of VISUAL JAM SESSIONS, and whose work you see here, has shown at various venues in the Detroit area. Her paintings reveal worlds which often seem to be innocent, even childlike. Sometimes though, if you look closer, some of them might not be as friendly as they seem. She uses collage and assemblage in some works as well.

Karl Schneider is a founder of the Zeitgeist. He served as our first gallery director. His unique drawings, paintings and woodcuts are well known. He is currently running the gallery IZZY'S RAW ART, across the street from us. He's been involved in art for many years. His sense of line reveals strange shapes and creatures. They often seem to be caught in or creating webs or nets.

Then myself, Maurice Greenia, Jr. (aka Maugre). In addition to organizing this exhibit I will also be exhibiting new, yet-to-be-created art works. I made a sizable group of works including oil and acrylic paintings, a painting that moves (action art) and drawings in pen, pencil and crayon. Many strange worlds are revealed.

Most of the work in the exhibition is new, created in the last few months or sooner.

Artifacts include toydolls, a rubber band ball, small sculptures, a sketon with its mouth gagged, a watch spring, painted trousers and various SURPRISES! The OPENING RECEPTION was Saturday March 10 at 7pm. There was a surreal puppet show from Maugré @ 8:30, followed by 3rd Grade Birdcage and other acts that were never really announced eventually. As always, attendance to this event was FREE!!

There will be a CLOSING PARTY for "Windows to Other Worlds (With Select Artifacts) on Saturday, April 21, 7pm - midnight. There will be music, frollicking, and more puppet shows.

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PLAYFUL CHAOS: An Installation from Monte
January 13 thru February 24, 2007

The Zeitgeist opens the year 2007 with a complex installation from Jacob Montelongo Martinez, a.k.a. Monte. In the artist's own words:

"Playful Chaos" derives from 10 years of accumulating materials. This body of work is an exploration of objects and thought processes that have sequential elements, but mostly concentrate on the moment. The Universe has many ways to bringing together moments such as this one, where chaos and play come together.

"I have used the architectural space as a vehicle to explore the notion of the altar, while at the same time referring to the space as part of the overall concept of life. This work is a reflection of my past, present, and future but also a reflection of our social and political behavior. Critics refer to my work as blunt and lacking tact but I believe we are all given a voice whatever form it comes in, it is by nature our human right to speak.

"I am an artist in search of the positive, while living in a construct which often does not reflect my basic human values, and therefore I do explore moments with a social slant, to better understand what I must do to move myself forward towards the future I deem mine. Many times my art is made with the intention and seriousness of making a statement.

"This exhibition is about making art with one thing in mind, to remember to explore and discover the meaning of creation by allowing the message to remain ambiguous.

"I would like to thank Zeitgeist for this opportunity to exhibit and to explore my ideas in their historical space. What a great opportunity."

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Curated By Diana Alva
November 2 - December 2 2006

Official Reception November 3, 7-12pm with performance by The Space Band and Very Large Puppets at 9pm

Diana Alva curates our Autumnal show, putting together a great set of artists to interpret and explore traditional Mexican ofrendas. Ofrendas serve both as offerings to the spirits of the dead and as reminders of our own impending mortality. But all taken with a great dose of humor and humility.

Featured artists include Vito Valdez, Matthew Hanna, Denis Jones, Terry Burton, Deb King, Mary Herbeck Laredo and more.

"Dia De Los Muertos has always been intriguing to me and with this show I hope to shed a little light on the subject, by asking artists to give us their rendition here in Detroit 2006" says show curator Diana Alva. Dia de los Muertos is considered one of Mexico's most wondrous celebrations, merging Spanish and European religion and traditions with ancient beliefs and superstitions of pre-Columbian Indian cultures dating as far back as 300 B. C. Living for the dead reflects the duality that is fundamental to Mexico's people, culture, art and history.

Death is not the end, it is a new beginning. It is the intimate connection between life and death which implies life beyond the grave is what allows the souls of the departed to return. Whether human or animal, skulls and skeletons have always been prominent in Meso-American culture not only as a symbol of death, but also as an expression (often humorous) of the belief that the dead continue to have life and form. What is an Ofrenda? They are the offerings...in this case, of an artistic nature. An alter, a space, a place, a blank canvas, a peace alter or video. What is the individual artist's interpretation? Be sure to come and see how our artists mix cultures, time periods, and personal stances on the fate that awaits us all.

KILNMALL: Curated By Billy O'Bryan
September 16th thru October 14th 2006

Billy O'Bryan brings an all-encompassing look at the uniquely mundane world of ceramics in his curated exhibit "Kilnmall".

The name itself reflects the magpie sensibility of the show: "Kiln 'em all," the joke goes, "and let God sort them out!" Inspired by wild mosaics, kitchy commemorative plates, and half-forgotten pieces of his own work rediscovered at friends' homes, the show itself presents pieces culled from everyday life and taken out of context to be judged on their own merits.

"[People] may say to me 'What's the matter? Don't you like making things out of clay?,'" O'Bryan laughs, "but the first idea for the show was to get other artists to make my work." However, he soon found that he couldn't leave out souvineer tourist plates made in Japan, where O'Bryan lived and studied with his wife and daughter. And after those were included, the floodgates were open.

Selections? Manufactured ware, hobbyists' masterpieces, pieces gathered from other people's collections, other's daily-used and rarely considered items pulled directly from cupboards... Kilnmalled.

Be sure to come out and see the man himself and in the flesh 8pm on September 22 at the exhibit talk. Not to be missed.

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THE FIFTH ANNUAL VISUAL JAM SESSIONS
July 7 through July 29, 2006

Jam Sessions July 7-9th, 14-16th, 21-23rd, and Friday the 28th
Formal Reception on Saturday July 29th from 7-12 midnight.

DANCE OF LIFE/CELL SENSATION: A Fundraiser for Artist Mary Laredo Herbeck
May 6 and 13, 2006

This two night event was to help fund her treatments at an alternative cancer hospital in Mexico. It was a success and a great many visual artists and performers were involved, details of which can be found here.

CONSULTING DEMONS: Painting and Sculpture from DMC
March 18 - April 30 2006

The Opening Reception is March 18 7:00-12:00pm with performances by Sean Hogan (sword dancer and martial arts exhibition) and Scavenger Duet with Frank Pahl & Joel Peterson at 9pm.

Born in Detroit, David Marion Campsmith (DMC) was adopted at one month of age and was given the name James George Puntigam. He began painting seriously in 1986 when he quit his job with the Department of Social Services. Since then he has exhibited extensively in the Detroit area and has shown his work in Zacatecas, Mexico and Paris, France. He has been curator of the Zeitgeist Gallery since October, 2001. Puntigam currently lives in Detroit with his wife, artist and potter Diana Alva.

For the past 20 years, Puntigam has been predominately a painter and draftsman. For the past few years he has been signing his work DMC as a testament to his history. This public acknowledgement has prompted him to evaluate, assess, and edit his work in interesting ways. The faces and figures are often tortured and deformed, an experiential process from the subconscious to self-awareness. With an urge to purge, DMC began cutting up most of his work and reassembling it into new exciting imagery. Faces and figures emerge inside faces and figures; Humans turn into animals that turn back into humans. There is constant evolution and the process of cutting and pasting old work together becomes a new puzzle and a problem to be solved. Consulting Demons takes daily steps into an evolution of identity.

His backgrounds and the use of space is suddenly and thoughtfully important, inspired by the surrealist turned primative, Victor Brauner and his adventures into the Metaphysical. Therefore DMC has taken many of his old woodcut rubbings and now uses them as backgrounds and borders which add spice and finish. In the last 2 years, DMC has also been casting aluminum sculptures using the lost foam method. The sculptures are wall hangings and quite primitive in approach as men turn into birds and fish. There are 14 small wall sculptures in this show. DMC also has been working on slate shingles the last ten years and with his new process, promises new and exciting surprises.

POETIC MYTH: Recent Works from Pascal Hecker, Claudine Goux, and Robert Hyde
January 14- March 5 2006

The Zeitgeist Gallery is proud to open our 2006 gallery season with "Poetic Myth: New Works from Claudine Goux , Pascal Hecker , and Robert Hyde ." These three international artists share a common work, crafting intricate and startling pieces of personal mythology out of the stuff of everyday life. We are especially glad to introduce Pascal Hecker and Claudine Goux, both from France, to our Detroit audience.

The Exhibition reception will feature a performance by Flamenco artists Alquima Humana with Djeto Juncaj and Mary Laredo at 9pm. We at The Zeitgeist sincerely hope that you'll join us for our new year's celebration.

Like Henri Michaux, one of his influences, Pascal Hecker is both painter and poet. From the organic forms of his mixed media compositions, anthropomorphic forms emerge. His paintings often use ink and coffee to create wonderfully flowing stains from which the work takes it's cue. From these simple beginnings, Hecker continues to add layers, creating pieces both simple and complex.

You can read a short review from the Detroit News here.

Continue to the EXHIBITIONS AT THE ZEITGEIST GALLERY: 2004 - 2005

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