August 27, 2004
Hoag Invites Viewers to "reconstruct" Her Desert Photos
Jennifer Steensma Hoag explains why she chose found objects in the desert as her subjects.
Posted by Kristin at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)
Jennifer Steensma Hoag Gives Talk
This is one of images that is in "re/construct." Photographer Jennifer Steensma Hoag says although her subjects are not intrinscially beautiful, they are beautiful to her through the composition, design and craaft invovled in making the photo. She says she is interested in the intersection between human constructions and the natural landscape. However, she does not judge either.
Posted by Kristin at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)
Garage Sale and Bake Sale to Help Marvin
Bring gently used items or baked goods to Renee at 69541 M-43 for a garage sale and bake sale to help Marvin McIntosh get the funds to install raiings in his house. Marvin has Muscular Dystrophy and wants to stay active at home. Call his daughter, Renee, at 269-214-2017 for details. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 27 and 28.
Posted by Kristin at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
"re/construct" Opening
Grand Rapids photographer Jennifer Steensma Hoag spoke at the opening of her show, "reconstruct," which will be at the South Haven Center for the Arts through Sept. 19.
Posted by Kristin at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2004
Biddy Murphy, a New Irish Gift Store Opens
A bit of Ireland has come to South Haven.
Biddy Murphy, a new Irish gift shop is turning heads at 610 Phoenix Street. Owner Ward Gahan gave new life to the 1908 structure that was originally the Kibbie Telephone Company.
Posted by Kristin at 02:33 PM | Comments (0)
Blueberry Festival Book Signing
South Haven illustrator Wendy Halpperin signed books at South Haven's recent Blueberry Festival. The book is titled "Love Is." The illustrations illuminate the verses of Corinthians.
Posted by Kristin at 01:56 PM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2004
Reconstruct Show
A new exhibition will open at the South Haven Center for the Arts Friday, August 20. The photographs of Jennifer Steensma Hoag of Grand Rapids will be in the lower gallery through September 26. The opening reception is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 22. At 3 p.m.,there will be a poetry reading of poems based on her work.
Posted by Kristin at 12:05 PM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2004
Book signing Wendy
South Haven illustrator Wendy Anderson Halperin signed books in Dyckman Park during the recent Blueberry Festival. The park bustled with activity all day Saturday, and people decorated the evergreens that were facing their imminent death.
The ax fell early Monday morning. The trees are gone, but they brought many people together in a spirit of unity. Perhaps that is a victory, and the gift in the loss. Thank you all for your help.
Posted by Kristin at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
August 06, 2004
Carol Niffenegger's Show in Holland
Carol Niffenegger, a South Haven native who is now a New York artist, has an exhibition/installation at the Holland Arts Council through August 28. The title is "Energy of the Cosmos".
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SOUTH HAVEN – “Energy of the Cosmos” the installation exhibition by University of Michigan graduate and South Haven native Carol Niffenegger will be at the Holland Area Arts Council through August 28.
The show opened June 18 in the Main Street Gallery at the Holland Arts Council, 150 East 8th Street in Holland, Michigan.
Niffenegger grew up in South Haven and now lives in New York City. She returns to her hometown every summer and reconnects with her roots. Her last show in Michigan was “Finding A Sacred Space,” which she held at the South Haven Center for the Arts in July 1999.
“Energy of the Cosmos” combines a “retrospective of works by Niffenegger that reach to the reality of a Spiritual world of origin and development leading into the physical universe.
Reflections on the sublime origin of human existence and Nature bring up the corresponding paradox of the nature of spirit and soul bound in matte, a theme that has long-inspired Niffenegger’s artistic quest.
Niffenegger’s work asks the viewer to ponder some deep philosophical questions. She believes everyone is not only part of the universe but also contains the universe, and that by transforming ourselves, we can change the universe..
“Change is in the air,” said Niffenegger. “Difficult situations that require moral conscience and a growing responsibility are facing every one of us. What we choose to say and do is inspired by our perceptions,” she explained. “Do we accept that man is the highest of the animals, linked together by nationalism, or do we recognize that we are reflections of the divine and spiritual, related to every man, woman and child by virtue of our Cosmic origins?”
Nine canvases evoke a different element of the Cosmic Womb emerging, starting with the “Nature of Warmth”, which suggests brooding egg forms.
The dynamics of seeing the temporal world of the matter and the world of the Spirit expresses itself in a group of watercolors called “Parallel Universes”, finished one year after 9/11. These are placed between two large canvases that confirm the reality of a Spiritual Universe. “In the Light of the Sun” and “Terra Alba: The Weaving”, allude to the harmony of cosmic laws in a 6’x4’ Golden Mean proportion. Radiant orbs rest in an ethereal fabric of becoming either life elements, suns or star forms.
Mirrored in the light of the difficult aspect of moral conscience now demanded of humanity, Niffenegger turns the passive perspective of the viewer into interactive art. Using the premise of participation mystique, the artist shows the supersensible ideas evolving while asking questions. Can we connect to the true intention of creation, and if so, what do we place of ourselves into the world and the future? Do we reach or what is universally human to inspire our thinking and actions?
Niffenegger started painting in Paris in 1972 and moved to New York where she has a studio. She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions. In addition to five solo exhibitions with Denise Bibro Fine Art in New York City, she has exhibited and lectured internationally in England, France, Italy and Hungary. She had a solo show at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Her work is in many private and corporate collections in the US and Europe. She is in permanent collections in Holland Area Arts Council, South Haven Center for the Arts, Earth Song Sound Chamber, Three Rivers, The Coptic Chapel, Grand Rapids, and Chalice Well Gardens, Glastonbury, England.
The public can see “Energy of the Cosmos” at the Holland Arts Council Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through August 28. For more information, call HAAC at 616- 396-3278.
Posted by Kristin at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)
Jason Webley Comes to Kristin's Garden
Jason Webley, an extraordinary musician from Seattle Washington works on the audience like a magician. He magically gets everybody clapping, singing, dancing and even spinning.
Forty people attended my garden concert Sunday when Jason Webley of Seattle, Washington dropped by South Haven on his way to his next Midwest gig.
Jason warned the audience that the end of his concert was dangerous. Everybody got up and danced and spun and held onto each other for support during his famous drinking song:
"If God wanted us sober, he'd knock the glass over..."
Jason said he'd drop by next Sunday. But he probably won't be back for another year. I'll keep you posted. You won't want to miss his next visit.
Posted by Kristin at 02:40 PM | Comments (1)