Please Touch The Art

(Tom discusses one of the pieces with one of the models)

(art lovers at the bar)

Most artists and galleries would cringe if someone touched the art, but Tom Suhler encourages it on several of his pieces at his Exposure Gallery located at 777 Shady Lane just off 7th Street in Austin, TX. It's all part of the East Austin Studio Tours that kicked off today and tomorrow and then again next weekend. 11 AM - 6 PM.

 If my schedule permits I will check out another loccation next week.

 The new pieces are part of an ongoing series of photographing his subjects who happen to be dancers, underwater. There is an array of colors that make you think of so many things. When I first look at art I just look at it for what it is. I'm not trying to find any deep meaning because sometimes there isn't one. Being an artist myself I understand the purpose of art is to make people think. If that doesn't happen then you haven't achieved the ultimate goal.

There is one piece in the gallery that looks as if it needs to be touch and several people including myself made that mistake and touched it. Perhaps the artist should consider changing it to move.

It was quite interesting when I was putting the piece back on its hook, someone walked up to me and said I did the same thing. So I made the next person I saw try to move it comfortable by letting them know they were not alone.

With each exhibition, Tom Suhler moves forward in making his work interactive. This show was linked in with an app in which you could engage in selective pieces in the gallery. Creating work that could also be construde as controversial is also the job of the artist. That's usually always the case when the human body is visible without anything to hide the nakedness. People still have an issue with the human form despite how beautiful it can be if captured in the right way.

The array of colors and the display of the art brought many internal thoughts that soon came out amongst the people in the gallery as well as the artist himself. Artists have this issue of always feeling the work is never complete. That something else could have been done.
I listened in on Tom talking to one of the models and asking questions of whether or not the conditions could have been better. How this project came about would be a great documentary or book. I do recall three years ago when I went to Exposure for the first time there was a video of the work that was on display which was shot in the studio.

(I'm always creating art within art)

It's always interesting the directions that conversations go in and yet you come back to the art. The colors reminded the artist of Mardi Gras from one image as there was purple and gold hues. There was one image that made me think of Dante's Inferno. There was a striking blue tint that just set one picture off that I found to be very intriguing.
Politics was discussed briefly with a few people that had come to the gallery on several occasions and I shared an idea for a project I've been working on with a few people.

(Part of the permanent display from the first show I had seen at the gallery)

This evening also made a few people recall how we met and what caused a friendship to form.
Get away from whatever is troubling you for a few hours and check out some art. It's the best free escape this weekend.

As I wrote this entry I was listening to Jean Luc Ponte which was one of the conversations that popped up last night. My favorite song is Individual Choice.

Images from Red Hot & Soul 2016 New York, New York

The event Co-Chairs were Bobbi Topfer, Will Coombes, Eric Copper, Richard Hartgrove, Gary Cooper, Dan Jackson, Jeremy Guiberteau, David Kurio, Lance Avery Morgan, Rob Giardinelli, Armando Zambrano and Bryan Gardner.

The images I am presenting here are to tell the story from start to finish. (Note: I am an artist that happens to take pictures) I believe in capturing an event in a way that those who were there can remember it and those who couldn't make it can see what it was like. Red Hot and Soul is the event of the year outside of the performances that ZACH puts on. It's purpose is to raise funds for the education programs. It also gives guests a chance to see what performances will be taking place for the remainder of the season and the new season. 

Everything at ZACH is done by a team of talented individuals.(Kendra Dobson, House manager leads Volunteers to their posts for Red, Hot & Soul.)

(Kyle Sigrest Patron Services Manager, chats with Volunteers before guests arrive.)

(Executive Coordinator, Renelle Bedell at the registration table. A perfect profile).

( Dan Jackson and Jeremy Guiberteau two of the co-chairs of Red Hot & Soul)

(One of the Volunteers in red.)

(Zach staff converse with guests around some of the items up for auction.)

(Nathan, one of the Zach bartenders)

(Rachel Applegate, Chief Marketing and Community Engagement Officer, with Chad Dike Associate Director of Education.)

( Staff and Volunteers gather under the tent to great guests and give them their packets, which included seating numbers and auction numbers)

(Volunteers wait for guests to arrive)

(Charlie Fraser, Chief Development Officer and Cathleen Berdan, Special events coordinator checking things out before the event begins.)

(An overview of the tent and runway into the Topfer)

(Dee Clayes, one of the box office associates looking very fashionable.)

(Volunteers and Box Office staff under the tent where Guests make their first stop to sign in.)

(Beth Warren and other volunteers waiting patiently.)

(An artist drops off a painting for the auction)

(The Big Apple takes the mic. This is me just being creative.)

(Jennifer Young Mahlstead, Pre-Professional Manager walking the runway.)

(Cathleen Berdan, Brittney Woolley, Charlie Fraiser, Liana Putrino and Kimberly Sidey strike a pose.)

(Individual Giving Coordinator, Brittney Woolley walks the runway making final preparations.)

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see more images from the event.

April is poetry month 2015

Leader (2009)

There is an art
To being a leader
We, the people, choose you
It’s a democracy
Sounds crazy, but true
Democratic, demo, a test
We, the people, choose you

Put the cards on the table
Shake things up
The highest esteem
The people have spoken

Your words so eloquent
Inflicting us all
Hanging on to every syllable
What charisma

A leader of a country,
           a people
The weight of the world
an honor, a burden
All rolled into one
Will bullets fly?
What about the bailout?
Will jobs be created?
Will you share the American Dream?
What is the dream?
King’s dream?
Who would have dreamt?
A dark in the light house
Who would have thought?
We cheer, we cry, we laugh, we die
Experiencing an historic moment
A long line of people
Made history happen
The weight of the world
Under a microscope
Your every move
What a life
What a world
Some things do work
We have to work together
The village came together

The people have spoken
You are the leader
For better or worse
Lead us not…
Lead us to the American Dream

There will be a party
in the White House
We’ll cheer, we’ll cry’
We’ll laugh, more will die

I have a dream
It’s time for a change
I am a leader

Check out another poem on my main blog http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind,blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by and do come back again.

Volunteer Appreciation 2014

Artography by Dlonzo
“It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

At the volunteer appreciation party in 2013, I found out that my supervisor had performed and that everyone was really impressed by his singing. I would later find out that most of the people at ZACH had aspirations of entertaining in some form.

 When I found out about the party for 2014 I decided I would see if I could attend the only way I knew how. I asked if I might get invited to photograph and video my supervisor performing.

(Colleen shows off her new born to some of the volunteers.)

(The evening started with drinks in the lobby and were greeting by Kathy and Vanessa)

That in turn lead to me photographing as much of the evening as possible.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I enjoy capturing an event. This allows the viewer to relive it or to imagine what it might have been like to be there. I don’t like when pictures are posed unless it adds to the telling of the story. I like to get those candid moments. The element of surprise. Sometimes the moment someone might like to forget. LOL.

It was an evening of getting to know people. When I arrived I had no idea what to expect.

 I didn’t know what the lighting would be like or the layout of the room. I would only have a certain amount of time to get things together. I thought I’d sit at the table with the staff that I knew, but I found out that each staff member would sit at a table with volunteers. It surprised me, but at the same time gave me a chance to get to know some of the volunteers. It was an interesting concept and it made the volunteers comfortable around me.

(Volunteers Hank and Nancy)

Which always makes for great pictures.

(Ryan, who was selected the favorite volunteer by the SXSW team and Vickie)

Now I’ve made several new acquaintances as a result.

(Kim and Leta at the check in table)

It was a night of food, drink, entertainment, speeches, awards and fun. Here are a few of the images taken that night.

(Elisbeth welcoming everyone to the volunteer appreciation party.)

(Kyle giving his greeting to the guests.)

(Keith, who has racked up many volunteer hours and enjoys special priveledges.)

(Leland preformed during dinner as did Colleen and Daryl)

(Daryl and Vanessa posing after the event was over.)

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

(Some of the volunteers that sat at the table with me.)

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

(Dave giving an incredible speech in regards to the future of ZACH Scott Theatre.)