POP-UP CONTEST

Create a mind blowing slogan to help us advertise Dumbo Arts Center's Great Pop-up Art Sale, Feb 26-28, 2010 at DAC. The most creative phrase will appear on our website and in our next eblast. The winner will get 3 free drinks, a bag of free pop corn and 3 pop-up pastries when they come to the Pop-up party on Friday, Feb. 26. The winner will be announce next Tuesday, Feb 23rd.
Good luck!

WHERE IS YOUR UTOPIA?

Today the DAC interns went on a field-trip to BRIC, a non-profit gallery in Brooklyn Heights. The theme of one of their current exhibitions is utopia and it explores many issues such as geo-political conflicts, human rights, urban development, the environment and how we comprehend and utilize physical space. This is especially relevant to us interns because it reminds us of how each of us are from a state, city and country but can still get along. I know it sounds silly, but wouldn't it be much easier if we didn't have any borders at all? The whole world could work together to save our natural resources and care about what is really important. Seeing this exhibition challenged my view of immigration and place which made me appreciate the diverse friends I have made while working at DAC. Today was a joyfull outing. We talked, laughed and had a great lunch after going to the gallery and we all got to know each other a little bit better. The world is much more colorful when you have friends. So let's talk to each other more, laugh, and try to understand our differences, then maybe we can eliminate borders all together. The current exhibit "the no place" is on view through March 6, 2010 at BRIC Contemporary Artat 33 Clinton Street , New York 11201.

Special thanks to Baseera Khan BRIC's Assistant Curator for taking the time to speak to us.

THE EXPERIENCE OF GREEN CATALOG

Our fall exhibition was a huge success. Now people have the chance to experience THE EXPERIENCE OF GREEN forever by buying an exhibition catalog. This is DAC's first publication. It features photographs from the exhibition and an essay by Jen Schwarting. The bulk order of this catalog is coming soon, but because I am so excited about the new book I decided to blog about it now! I can't wait to get mine! It's $15 and worth every penny! Come by the gallery today or email press@dumboartscenter.org to reserve your copy.

This is a limited edition catalog featuring photographs from the exhibition taken by the artists and a critical essay by Jen Schwarting.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! BUY A BAG!

Everybody knows plastic and paper bags are bad for our earth. They require energy to be recycled (which increases carbon monoxide levels in the environment). In response, DAC chose to make a stylish shopping bag. Take it with you anywhere! It comes in a tiny storage bag so you can easy carry it in your purse and look artistic and environmentally conscious.

Support ART and the EARTH. Buy a DAC shopping bag! Only $9.99! Special thanks to BAGGU.

They cost only $9.99. Pick one up at the DAC gallery or through our website.

Erin Hawley our current Programs Intern is enjoying a relaxing moment in the park with her hip DAC bag.

DOES PRESENT EXIST ?

Making of Pixelville

With the start of 2010, Dumbo Arts Center(DAC) premiered Pixelville, an exhibition that incorporates urban planning and thoughtfully analyzes environments from the past while simultaneously acknowledging the rapid transformation of cities in the present and future. The capabilities of technology never cease to amaze us, especially in our attempt to keep up with the many technological advancements that occur, but a question that continues to plague our minds is, how can we capture-or remain in the moment? A series of cliches quotes come to mind, "live in the moment," "live each day as if it your last"...blah blah. Well, how can we do that?!

The world is becoming so modern these last decades that we don't even know where it will go . We personally think we are always absorbing information from all the technological media that we are surrounded by, so much so that we often forget to create and be creative. Instead of expressing creatively with the knowledge we've been collecting in our lifetime, we simply keep collecting it for the future. For example, we choose to take pictures of great landscapes to store forever rather than taking a moment to sit and feel the present sensation of being somewhere nice and beautiful. This is what comes to mind when we observe this exhibition. It is the merger between virtual and real life, that makes you forget where you are, who you are and what you feel.

Peter Frank, the curator of Pixelville, acknowledged the fluctuation of time when he stated, "we have access to the past as never before, and the future- for better or worse- seems to be similarly immediate. Does the present, then, still exist? Is there a place where the actual moment maintains?"

Live in the moment, and come visit Pixelville to expose yourself, in the moment, to ideas of the past, present and future.

Acces to the past and the future . Wha't about the present ?

The present is how I, or whoever visits the Dumbo Arts Center, interprets Nivi Alroy and Shirley Shor's first collaborative mixed-media installation, Pixelville. With the start of 2010, Dumbo Arts Center premiered Pixelville, an exhibition that incorporates urban planning and thoughtful analysis environments from the past while simultaneously acknowledging the rapid transformation of cities in the present and future. The capabilities of technology never ceases to amaze me, especially in my attempt to keep up with the many technological advancements that occur, but a question that continues to plague my mind is, how can we capture-or remain in the moment? A series of cliches quotes come to mind, "live in the moment," "live each day as if it your last"...blah blah. Well, how can I do that?!

The world is becoming so modern these last decades that I don't even know where it will go . I personally think we are always absorbing information from all the technological media that we are surrounded by, so much so that we often forget to create and be creative. Instead of expressing creatively the knowlege we've been collecting in our lifetime, we simply keep collecting it for the future. For example, we choose to take pictures of great landscapes to store forever rather than taking a moment to sit and feel the present sensation of being somewhere nice and beautiful.
This is what comes to mind when I observe this exhibition. It is the merger between virtual and real life, that makes you forget where you are, who you are and what you feel.

Peter Frank, the curator of Pixelville, acknowledged the fluctuation of time when he stated, "we have access to the past as never before, and the future- for better or worse- seems to be similarly immediate. Does the present, then, still exist? Is there a place where the actual moment maintains?"

Live in the moment, and come visit Pixelville to expose yourself, in the moment, to ideas of the past, present and future.

2009 HS Program!

“If you have an idea run with it and work your hardest to make it happen.”

One of the high school program students said this when he was asked what he learned in this year's HS program. These words and high praise are one of several that show the 2009 HS Program was a success. Most importantly, the gallery and the students both accomplished their goals.

The students were so exited about it that they asked for more time. They said they loved the field trips, the artist presentations and the festival production. But, the most important part was the fact that the students were able to participate in the festival as artists.

"I like the fact were given full artistic freedom, I think it is very important."


“I learned more about the changing art world. This was really great!"

The 2009 HS Program was successful. Thanks to the team for making this festival come to reality.
We are ready for another wonderful one next year!


ALma Peguero
Gallery Intern

Alma Peguero's Experience of Green (Artists Assistant Intern)

The Experience of Green to me is a beautiful installation that makes my mind fly away.
The red color and the magnitude of the trees make everything so intense, intimidating and at the same time so attractive, that I want to find more.
It is also playful that no kid will want to leave the gallery. My inner child doesn't want to leave the gallery.

The realization of this project was strong but became much stronger after seeing it completed.

It was nice to observe every intern, volunteer or the artists, submerged in the activity of working, and seeing how great it will be in the end. It was also really nice to me to find my silent and joyful voice while working. One of the best parts of the day, because of the exhausting work was the lunch break. Eating healthy and delicious food on DAC’s stairs while enjoying the weather and talking and getting to know everyone a little bit more was so fun and relaxing. This process allowed you to come back to work totally re-energized.

Assisting Wade and Stephen was a great experience. And I can say that it was great to my mates too. Working in it was very inspiring from any perspective. As an intern, I would gladly assist any artist that needed my help (always if it is with artists and volunteers like these) And as an artist, I just can’t wait to make my own big installation.

Thank you everyone for your positive smiles and spirits and to everyone that put their heart on it. Thank you again.

ALma Peguero
Gallery Intern