For the Greeks, who had no word for irreversible death, one did not die, one darkened. —Mark Strand Where the Japanese iris right now stand ready to accept the inevitable purple blossom she found four dead mice in their nest of dirt and dusty fur all with their small ears pointed like pilgrims toward the … Read more
On the wrong side of the tracks in Fergus Falls, we drive past homes patched together by peeling paint, and climb up through the cement factory’s back lot. At the top of the hill, there’s a silver mailbox: C. Beck. A trail of faded wood steps carries us through the woods, over a ravine; the … Read more
Michael Thomsen was born into a line of circus people and performers and, in a way, he’s continuing in the family business. Thomsen grew up in Austin, Minnesota, "in the shadow of the Hormel meatpacking plant." His first job as a kid involved sorting through the junk drawers and closets of the recently deceased for … Read more
Christian Nielsen’s paintings exist in the optic pleasure zone between literal and abstract expression. Their imperfectly repeating patterns and three-dimensional colors are familiar, yet alien. In intimate, 12 x 12 inch LP size works to 40 x 40 inch portrait-size paintings, Nielsen achieves near-photographic detail from the tightly controlled squeegees he uses to lay down … Read more
I’ve been living in the same city for a long time. Maybe that’s why I crave the unusual. I abhor cookie-cutter architecture, which is just as prevalent in urban areas as in cul-de-sac suburbia. How many three-story brick condos with railed terraces have you seen constructed in recent years? I want buildings that curve, use … Read more
At a pipe ceremony, I once teased an elder about his unorthodox way of conducting invocations. The joke (I always find myself needing to explain my humor) was that I was undermining his authority at all. I don’t even have a pipe, let alone any kind of expertise about this ceremony. He picked up on … Read more
A couple of blocks off Main Street, an eager crowd waits in front of a turn-of-the-century farmhouse. As the clock approaches the top of the hour more visitors steadily appear, gathering near the door of the residence. Soon the door is opened and the crowd enters, warmly greeted by their hosts. Within the space the … Read more
SPECIAL ART EVENT2008 Art-A-Whirl Oh my goodness. How can I even begin to give you a glimpse of this weekend’s line-up? It’s Art-A-Whirl weekend. Clearly, that’s no secret. If you haven’t yet heard, you probably haven’t the house for the past couple of weeks — or checked your email, or visited any local websites (or … Read more
Gordy Johnson is a connoisseur of jazz piano trios, and not coincidentally the format is his metier as a bassist. As its title implies, GJ4 is the fourth time Johnson has mixed and matched trios from his impressive connections with national stars and local luminaries who are drummers and pianists, and it is arguably his … Read more
This just in: Rootclip offers a new venue for amateur and indie filmmakers who want to take part in a joint story-telling experience. How It Works Rootclip provides an initial story idea with a "root" or starter clip – one to two minutes of compelling video that begins a story and is totally open-ended. How … Read more