Luisa Caldwell

Jude Tallichet, “U Turn” at Studio 10 Gallery thru Nov 9

November 5, 2014 By Luisa Caldwell Leave a Comment

Jude Tallichet “U Turn” at Studio 10

Jude Tallichet juxtaposes a life-sized vehicle, deconstructed into ten pieces, and a tall arch modeled from stacked ceramic plates. Cast in Forton—an acrylic based concrete-like material—these two large scale sculptures are ambitious physical feats. The work lies in an in-between or dual state, funky yet elegant, serious yet humorous, as are the six cast bronze iPhones with engraved phrases such as “There are many realities” or “I’m a little drunk.”

Jude Tallichet "U Turn" at Studio 10 It is described in the show’s literature as “alluding to the shift in America from optimism of our old ‘open road’ culture to the present state of malaise.”

Tinariwen at Brooklyn Bowl, and Memories of Crossing the Sahara Desert

March 29, 2014 By Luisa Caldwell Leave a Comment

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In the desert, time is irrelevant, and music is a strong and powerful force. Groups gather, chant and drum, in mosques, at open air weddings, for hours on end. We sat and listened, waiting patiently for nothing.

When I first heard the music of Tinariwen broadcast from WFMU radio, I felt a deep knowing, an instant recognition, that stemmed from a wild adventure I had crossing the Sahara desert with my ex-husband in 1993.

The Whitney Houston Biennial—I Am Every Woman

March 15, 2014 By Luisa Caldwell Leave a Comment

Photo by Orrie King

The Whitney Houston Biennial was a one-day loft-style exhibition curated by Christine Finley in DUMBO, featuring 85 women artists. It bears no affiliation with the similarly themed 2009 Whitney’s Biennial at c.r.e.a.m. That one paralleled Whitney Houston’s drug addiction with the struggles of an artist.

Strategically positioned just inside the door of the show we are immediately introduced to Christa Bell, the artist prophet who steadily recites words and euphemisms for “vagina.” She is a holy woman surrounded by beads and flowers but many of the terms are vulgar (Hair Pie, Hatchet Wound, Furry Taco), yet the neutrality in which they are spoken are embraced and non-judgmental.

Silicone Sister, the “Rock Band from Brooklyn”

May 30, 2011 By Luisa Caldwell Leave a Comment

silicone sisters in brooklyn
Silicone Sister, the self proclaimed “rock band from Brooklyn” played on Friday night at The Local 269 on East Houston (the former location of the lesbian hip bar Meow Mix). There were several bands lined up, but I came in at Eye of the Dawn, a band made up of studio musicians and musical directors—they put on a good show and Aneurysm June, Europeans doing mostly Nirvana covers—they did them really well, by the way.

But I was there to see Silicone Sisters, a power duo with Anthony Moore on guitar/vocals and Babar Peltier on drums. Moore and Peltier met in bar in Bushwick less than a year ago, talked music the entire night, decided to jam together, formed a band. These boys love rock & roll. And they love it fast, no slow songs in their set. Which was fine by me because between the two of them they make a wall of sound (with fists through it). Peltier, a high energy driving drummer, has the ability to switch into “delicate” moments on cymbals, which was as much fun to watch as it was to listen to. Moore, bringing the rest of the sound on guitar and vocals, has a solid technique and tons of passion. I noticed how long his fingers are, chord changes made easy, he delivered rhythm and raucous melody.

Set highlights were opening song Q/A. Black History Month is also a beautiful song possibly the most “sensitive” and I really like Release the Hounds which can be listened to on their Myspace page. Moore has a beautiful tenor voice, sometimes sounding at the edge of strained which is super appealing actually. They play their respective instruments hard and independently, but at times haul off into a perfectly synched instrumental of the same thrashing rhythm. I liked these moments throughout the show—it unified the set.

Smack Mellon Gallery Derby Fundraiser

May 12, 2011 By Luisa Caldwell Leave a Comment

Artist Marci MacGuffie, and is that a race horse head hand bag?

Artist Marci MacGuffie holding racehorse head.

Last Saturday, May 7, Smack Mellon Gallery, the DUMBO art non-profit, held their annual party/fundraiser for Kentucky Derby Fans and art lovers. The 137th Kentucky Derby was broadcast live on big screen to a well-heeled and hatted audience. “The long-shot colt “Animal Kingdom” surprised the world.

With a ticket purchase of $250, patrons were regaled with unlimited mint juleps, a cornucopia of southern style dishes including pulled pork, and a traditional Derby favorite, bourbon-chocolate walnut pie.