Craftism Declares New Art Movement in The Kenmore at Box13 ArtSpace

Houston-based artists Edward Lane McCartney and Cat Coombes will inaugurate a new art movement at The Kenmore, located in Box13 ArtSpace, with Craftism: Preserving the Future of Art. The organization of the Craftism movement, unveiling of McCartney’s shrine to art, and presentation of the collaborative’s manifesto will occur at the opening reception of Craftism: Preserving the Future of Art, on August 6, 2011 from 7:00pm to 9:30p.m., and remain on view Saturdays from 1-5pm through September 10, 2011.

The exhibition will mix jewelry, installation, and performance in a context that demands audience participation. The physical aspect of the exhibition will center around the transformation of The Kenmore, a mini-Fridge curated by Emily Sloan, into a Plexiglas and gold-leaf, post-modern-gothic shrine to Craftism, holding a single, sanctified jewelry object, by Edward Lane McCartney. During the reception, Cat Coombes will present Craftism’s manifesto to begin the consolidation of the movement. As relics of the performance, the manifesto will be left on display, and viewers may wear jewelry objects bearing excerpts from the manifesto out into the world.

The artistic goal of the collaboration between jeweler and metal artist Edward Lane McCartney and conceptual artist and art historian Cat Coombes is to seek out a new relationship between “art” and “craft,” in search of an art that features “depth and humanity” as core values. The statement they make may provoke frustration, anger, or relief: “All art is craft. All so-called ‘art’ that is not craft is art criticism, industry, or empty posturing.”

Craftism Brooch, 2011, 24K Gold on Glass, 24K Gold Plate on Sterling, Paint, and Stainless Steel.

THE KENMORE
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold exhibition object measuring approximately 36" x 24"x 24". The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context and the experience of collaboration. Inspired by exhibits such as "Cooler than Usual" at Aisen Caro Chacin's N Gallery, The Kenmore was initiated by Emily Sloan and is "run" (refrigerator humor) under her development and guidance. By its nature, The Kenmore remains a work in progress.

BOX 13 ARTSPACE
BOX 13 ArtSpace is an artist run nonprofit innovative environment for the creation and advancement of experimental contemporary art in Houston. BOX 13 artists create this environment through the offering of affordable workspaces for emerging and established artists, dedicating five interior spaces to the exhibition of artistic explorations, a window gallery for installations and an outdoor courtyard space. BOX 13 promotes dialogue among artists and the art community on current trends affecting the arts.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Opening reception: Saturday, August 6, 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Open Saturdays from 1-5pm or by appointment

CONTACT
Emily Sloan
The Kenmore
c/o Box 13 ArtSpace
6700 Harrisburg Blvd.
Houston, TX 77011
thekenmore@gmail.com
713-582-1198

What Goes on Inside White Cubes? Zarvin Mindler Defrosts the Facts from the Frost-Covered

PRESS RELEASE

What Goes on Inside White Cubes? Zarvin Mindler Defrosts the Facts from the Frost-Covered

For Immediate Release-- HOUSTON (May 1, 2011)—Acting upon an anonymous tip that Box 13 ArtSpace has been using a refrigerated “white cube” slyly referred to as “The Kenmore” for more than perishables, Zarvin Mindler organized a frost-biting sting. Mindler infiltrated Box 13 with what she referred to as her “Everyone’s An Artist” tactic. This tactic involved Mindler claiming to be a performance artist with her crew disguised as her photography artist friends and documentarians.

Once inside, Mindler discovered the icy cover-up to be much larger than just The Kenmore. Mindler reported finding up to 10 refrigerated cubes and the possibility of even more. She made her way through several of these cubes, including one coyly guarded by the distraction of its Boxer artist/owner keeping his legs perpetually in the air in an effort to thwart Mindler. Mindler stated, “Although this was a fascinating feat, I refused to allow it to distract me from getting to the bottom of what is going on inside these white cubes! The shenanigans only made me more determined to defrost the facts from the frost-covered. ” In full transparency, Mindler also commended one of the Boxer artists for his impeccably clean black cube containing clean surfaces, fresh foods, and a thermostat.

Upon finally locating The Kenmore and searching inside, Mindler reported the horror of discovering ritual food dolls including some crackers with her own likeness. A Boxer artist who has requested to remain anonymous made the outrageous claim that the dolls were not part of a ritual but were the cast of a sitcom called “The Freshleez…” that was housed in the The Kenmore and produced by La Chicana Laundry. These allegations of further abuses by additional appliances currently remain under investigation.

Above image: Zarvin Mindler next to a photo of her role model Marvin Zindler

















Zarvin Mindler determinedly working around legs perpetually in the air. (above)


















Zarvin Mindler commends a Boxer. (above)

















Zarvin Mindler horrified at the discovery of ritual food dolls including some crackers with her own likeness!

About Zarvin Mindler:
Zarvin Mindler is an investigative performer whose primary method includes Boxer artist Emily Sloan modeling herself after former Houston Press and KTRK-TV investigative reporter, Marvin Zindler. Among Zindler’s many contributions to the local culture, he hosted the infamous “Rat and Roach Report” which included investigating public ice machines for slime. Zindler, Mindler, and Sloan further share a soft spot for the elderly, the working class, the eccentric, designer make-up, white hair and blue glasses.

About The Kenmore and Box 13 ArtSpace:
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold artist-run exhibition object located within Box 13 ArtSpace in Houston, Texas. The Kenmore is just one example of the innovative projects ongoing at Box 13 ArtSpace. Together, they aim to keep things fresh!

Special thanks to Dean Liscum, Trina McIsaac, Tudor Mitroi, Mark Ponder, Bobby Younce and Box 13 ArtSpace.

Nacho Mama's Fridge!!!

“Nacho Mama’s Fridge” is a group show of art-for-sale-at-irresistibly-affordable-prices celebrating both generosity and democracy in art with most art priced under $20 at The Kenmore, Box 13 ArtSpace, November 13- December 31, 2010. The opening reception is Saturday, November 13 from 7pm to 9:30pm.

Bonnie Blue, known for her “Women Who Rock” series encompassing portraits on rocks, shoes, bras, and an art car, Cody Ledvina, artist and co-founder of “The Joanna Gallery” in Houston, Texas, Veronica Jackson, Houston-based poet and painter, Merilee Minshew, artist and jewelry designer, Jarrod “Toonzi!” Perez, cartoonist, comic artist and creator of “Screwed-Up Comics”, Keith Reynolds, artist and founder of “The Houston Entertainicle”, Madeline Robinson, capturer of personalities, Lindsey Simard, painter of watercolor hipsters, and Kristi Wilson, current resident at The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft present work at The Kenmore at Box 13 Artspace this Saturday. The exhibition is curated by Emily Sloan.

The majority of the artists in this show sell their works at extremely affordable prices on a regular basis in an attempt to share it with more people and provide themselves with a quick turnaround in their invested materials and time so they can keep creations flowing. Several other artists interested in this idea and approach have joined in creating “irresistibly affordable” art especially for this show. Unlike the refrigerator art a proud parent may exhibit, all of the works are for sale! Additionally, nachos will be served during the opening.


Image: Sweet Meats, earrings by Merilee Minshew

Location:
The Kenmore
Box 13 Artspace
6700 Harrisburg
Houston, Texas 77011

Contact The Kenmore at 713-582-1198 or thekenmore@gmail.com

Ariane Roesch and Christoph Hüppi, RJ Curatorial Experiences, Inc.

Ariane Roesch and Christoph Hüppi Debut New Work in a Two-Person Exhibition curated by RJ Experiences, Inc.

On view at The Kenmore, Box 13 Artspace, September 18- October 21, 2010.

Above: RJ Curatorial Experiences, Inc. (Rachel Hooper and Jonathan Leech) installing their exhibition.

Ariane Roesch installing.

"More Heat." by Ariane Roesch

"More Heat" details.



Paintings from Christoph Hüppi's "Get to the Point" series.


Hüppi details.


Christoph Hüppi and Ariane Roesch. (above)

Opening reception on Saturday, September 18, 2010.



A special thank you to Jonathan Leach, Rachel Hooper, Christoph Hüppi, and Ariane Roesch.

Ariane Roesch and Christoph Hüppi Debut New Work in a Two-Person Exhibition on view at The Kenmore, Box 13 Artspace, September 18- October 21, 2010

Ariane Roesch, “Unwind,” 2010, EL wire installation, Courtesy the artist

Christoph Hüppi, “Pipe 16,” 2010, acrylic on canvas, Courtesy the artist and galleryHOMELAND, Portland, OR


PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Emily Sloan
thekenmore@gmail.com, http://the-kenmore.blogspot.com
713-582-1198

Ariane Roesch and Christoph Hüppi Debut New Work in a Two-Person Exhibition
on view at The Kenmore, Box 13 Artspace, September 18- October 21, 2010

For Immediate Release-- HOUSTON (September 12, 2010)-- Ariane Roesch, a graduate student at CalArts, and Christoph Hüppi, a painter who lives in Zürich, Switzerland, debut new work at The Kenmore at Box 13 Artspace this Friday. Roesch's installation transforms the inside of the refrigerator into hot oven using her signature EL wire, a glowing cord commonly used for commercial signs. Hüppi debuts three new paintings from his “Get to the Point” series, which uses opulent, pearlescent colors to create fluid lines that appear to pulse and vibrate on the canvas. A series of tiny 4 x 5 inch canvases is also featured on the sides of the refrigerator. The exhibition is curated by the collective RJ Curatorial Experiences, Inc.

“I am so excited to present this experimental work that has never been seen in Houston before,” said Emily Sloan, aritst and owner of The Kenmore. “I wanted to open my studio to other artists to give them a chance to show new small scale work that might not be appropriate for other venues. With a common interest in communication, systems of exchange, and patterns of transmission, Ariane Roesch and Christoph Hüppi are a good pair whose work really speaks to each other.”

Christoph Hüppi was born in 1976 in Zurich, Switzerland, where he currently lives and works. He has a BFA from the The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and also studied at Studio Art Center International in Florence, Italy and the Schule für Gestaltung in Zurich. His work has recently been shown in solo exhibitions at Galerie Baviera in Zurich (2010) and galleryHOMELAND in Portland, Oregon (2008) and in group exhibitions at Starkart Exhibitions in Zurich (2010), Kunstraum in Baden, Switzerland (2010), and Birla Art Gallery in Mumbai, India (2006).

Ariane Roesch was born in 1984 in Wuerzburg, Germany, and moved to Houston, TX, in 1996. Roesch received her BFA from the University of Houston in 2007. Her work has recently been exhibited at Horselaw Press in Zurich, Switzerland, and PS in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She is also the co-founder of SKYDIVE, an artist-run alternative space focused on hosting artists working in a range of art practices that push the limits of their material forms. Currently she is working on her MFA at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA.

About The Kenmore:
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold artist-run gallery space measuring approximately 36" x 24"x 24". It is located at Box 13 ArtSpace in Houston, Texas. The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context. It is owned and operated by Emily Sloan, whose art practice includes object making, performance, social involvement and spaces, and curating unique venues including a contemporary art salon, a mini-fridge, and a bathroom hidden behind a bookcase. She is a latituder at labotanica's School of Latitudes. While at labotanica, she is working on "WAKE." Check out labotanica at: www.labotanica.org.

Christoph Huppi and Ariane Roesch, curated by RJ Curatorial Experiences, Inc.

Christoph Huppi (The Kenmore's outside)

and

Ariane Roesch (The Kenmore's inside)

curated by RJ Curatorial Experiences, Inc.

Opening Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 7-9:30pm.

at

The Kenmore
inside Box 13 ArtSpace
6700 Harrisburg
Houston, Texas 77011
713-582-1198

Art Lies Spring Roundup

Art Lies (a contemporary art quarterly) will be having their Spring Roundup at Box 13 Artspace on Saturday, April 24. All Box 13 artists-in-residence will have their studios open. The Kenmore will also be open!

Event info:
Art Lies Spring Roundup and Auction
Saturday, April 24, 7-10pm
(VIP 6-7pm)
Tickets: $50/$75 for VIP