Rainy Day, Dry Wine

Hope everyone has been enjoying the rainy summer weather. Here at Like the Spice we're becoming umbrella aficionados! Grab your rainy weather gear and come to the 92nd Street Y on Thursday July 9th at 7pm because...



...we're hosting a special a wine and cheese party alongside a fabulous discussion with the talented Colette Robbins! Colette's work is on display alongside the work of Dean Goelz, in a very special show that you probably remember us talking about before. Tonight's a great night to check it out! As Colette answers your questions you'll get to enjoy some icy wine, chill cheese, and the even chiller collaboration that is on display.



Colette's paintings portray ordinary objects with a twilight zone twist, finding the unusual in the usual. In Colette's style a boring old acorn receives a dash psychological uncertainty and a splash of visual clarity and suddenly it becomes an awesome acorn that you can't escape! Come out at 7pm, rain or shine!

How our Collectors' Tour saved us from the All-Car-Rent-a-Car Blues

Dear All Car Rent a Car,

If you didn't want to go out with us, all you had to do was say so. Why did you have to ignore our phone calls, then answer only to lead us on? It hurt us when you acted like you didn't remember that you'd promised us a 15-seater passenger van. Like all your vows meant nothing to you. You seduced us with your siren song of a one-time payment of 159.99. What changed? We just can't give you what you want anymore. Don't you know that you can't put a deposit down on love?

And still we tried to love you. We took your van. Were you trying to tell us something when you almost gave it away to a church group minutes before we arrived? There are better ways to break up with someone than tricking them into returning a van all the way out in Brighton Beach with no money in our pocket and way to get home. We've had it, All Car Rent a Car. We took the un-airconditioned death box on wheels that you gave us and turned it into a motorized love-machine.

We like big butts and we cannot lie...

Our little gang of collectors and artists started off at 92Y Tribeca with a discussion by Dean Goelz and Colette Robbins. Here is Colette talking about "Spirited Away" while her audience follows.

After 92Y, we piled into the death-trap and bumped and sputtered our way across the bridge to DUMBO, where we paid Eric LoPresti a visit in his studio.


Today's Art Lesson: The Power of Primary Colors (Illustrated in Polo Shirts)
A couple of glasses of wine and a few nibbles of cheese later, we were back in the van and heading to Jenny Morgan and Peter Rostovsky's studios in Greenpoint!Then on to Rachel Beach who fed us dumplings and a heaping serving of new work. Check these babies out:


And here's Rachel herself, trying not to let on that she knows she's way more brilliant than any of us could ever hope to be.

And on and on! To Diana Puntar's. Here's one of Diana's sculptures. We were very excited to get to know her!


Finally, back to Like the Spice, where we had heroes deliciouso from Curiouso! David Mramor and Allison edge were sweet enough to come give us a little talk about their work, and who should reappear but Jenny and Colette! Our stalwart little crew of collectors had a well-earned snack and glass of wine, and stayed at LTS just long enough to catch the AMAZING double rainbow that appeared in the sky (no joke). Quite the party. And you know who WASN'T invited?

That's right, YOU, All Car Rent a Car. We wrote this letter to let you know that WE DON'T NEED YOU ANY MORE. In fact, we're seeing someone else. His name is Danny, over at AAMCAR rentals. We don't know what he looks like, but his phone voice is deep and sweet, and he's got a 17-seater waiting just for us and our next Collectors' Tour.
BECAUSE WE'RE WORTH IT.

Best wishes,

Like the Spice

T-t-talkin' 'bout Our Event Makin'

We've been doing so many things lately. We've even forgotten to recap our press! Well, it's never too late for that. Especially when there's something so exciting to talk about.

Our current show, Dirty Dirty Love, has a attracted a little attention... from a different country! Brazilian blog Ideafixa seems to really like artist Reuben Negron. We had to run it through a translator, since we don't speak Portuguese, but that doesn't change how flattered we are! A gallery likes to feel international, after all. Remember that we've extended the show, and Dirty Dirty Love now runs until July 12th.

Also of note is our offsite show at the 92nd Street Y in Tribeca. The lovely Colette Robbins and the just as lovely Dean Goelz are joined together in a fantastic show made up of their very latest works. Some of you might remember that we blogged about it before. Well, Dean and Colette will soon be stopping by the 92nd Street Y to talk about their work. On Thursday, June 25th, come enjoy a discussion with Dean and Colette. Just $5 holds your place in advance. If you've never met them, you have to go. If you have met them, you have to go again. We can't stress it enough: these two are so great in person.

Keep in mind that we're gonna be open all Summer long (except Tuesdays) and we want to see YOU! If nothing else, be sure to stop in on July 17th for opening night of Off The Clock! And make your reservations now for Assisted Dining, coming on July 24th. Remember, even though the weather is cool, we're still hot!

Colette Robbins and Dean Goelz at 92YTribeca for Like the Spice Gallery

Last night, Thursday May 14, Marisa welcomed friends and colleagues to the opening of Colette Robbins and Dean Goelz new exhibit at the 92YTribeca. Colette's strikingly surreal and colorful panels and Dean's quiet but effective graphite and acrylic "dot" images impressed almost as much as the open bar, which ran dry in a matter of twenty minutes or so. Not to worry, however, because Marisa came to the rescue with reinforcement bottles. The show is slated to run until July 19 so if you missed the fun last night be sure to find time to get down to Tribeca before it is too late; the new space is absolutely beautiful.




Dean and Colette, appropriately decked out for the occasion, look thrilled about the big turnout but she's just relieved she got that last glass of wine and he's putting on a brave face until he can change back into his converse.



This enormous panel, titled "Spirited Away," by Colette was attracting plenty of attention throughout the evening.



After the opening everyone rendezvoused at Nancy Whisky's Pub for "one last drink." Remember if you are seated upstairs its Table Service ONLY!

Y? Because We... Wait, We Made That Joke Last Time

At least we know you're reading! And if you're reading, you should be planning to come and see Colette Robbins & Dean Goelz at 92nd Street Y Tribeca. Here's a little taste!



Colette Robbins describes her work thusly: When you stare at your mother and for the first time see the details of a mole you have never noticed before, you are entering the space where my work exists. This enigmatic twilight zone also occurs when you stare at something ordinary, like an acorn and are transported into a seemingly uneventful time in your childhood that carries strong psychological uncertainty and visual clarity. Whether I am observing a friend or recalling a detailed dream, I see everything through an uncanny lens. Through this lens of perverse nostalgia, I envision paintings that synthesize our cultural and personal histories full of both horror and empathy. We've been enjoying her stuff here, and we're pretty sure you will too.



Alongside our pal Colette, you'll find our pal Dean Goelz, showing off his latest exciting works.



Through representations of humanoid forms, Dean presents the viewer with his interpretations of the human condition. He highlights the play between the awkwardness and the elegance of existence. If you caught his solo show, you know how great his work can be, and if you didn't, you have a chance to see him now!



Colette and Dean will be showing at 92Y Tribeca from Thursday, May 14 until Sunday, July 19. The opening reception is May 14th from 6-8 pm. We'll see you there!

"It Takes A Lot Of Work To Be This Cheap!"

Of course, that's a quote from the wonderful Dolly Parton, but after this weekend at the Affordable Art Fair, we found we could understand her exactly. The AAF is designed to present art that's high in value but low in price, so we've taken some of our most valuable artists along for the ride. We're pretty proud of our little corner of the show. Just take a look!







Don't we have a lovely booth? You just know you've got to stop in and see it in person. Long time LtS groupies will have already noticed that we're showing some fresh new work from the incredible Jenny Morgan. We've also got two brand new watercolors from Reuben Negron that are just amazing. Consider it a preview of his upcoming show, Dirty Dirty Love, which opens May 22nd. Reuben's hot stuff and he's gonna get attention, so you should sign up for his dinner right now. You won't want to miss it, we're certain.



Our team of Lovely Assistants are on hand and waiting for you! We've even put up a few Sunday surprises that aren't reflected in these photo. The AAF is open until 5pm on Sunday night, and we're in booth E-103. Wouldn't it be a nice way to spend Mother's Day?

Chow Down Before The One You Serve

People said, "Like the Spice, how could you try have a dinner with all that assorted sculpture in the way?" We said, "You mean all that WONDERFUL assorted sculpture, don't you?" and then we laid the tables like this:



Our Artist's Dinner for the fabulous Rachel Beach was the absolute best way to spend a Friday night. The eggplant was excellent, the salmon sublime, and the beets were... would you hate us if we said they were unbeatable?



Rachel's dinner was also like a Who's Who of the Like the Spice artist community. At this table, starting from the back right corner, we saw Colette Robbins, Jenny Morgan and Allison Edge. And across the table we found Olympia from Oly's Musings, Brent from Heart As Arena and Micah Ganske, Colette's husband.



And at the next table, we found Ross Racine! It's always a lot of fun when our artists make it easy for us to take their photos. Plus artists make for great dinner conversation.



The place was packed with art lovers. There was a great energy all around the gallery. Being around so many fantastic sculptures really made everyone hungry and excited. And you know what comes when you're hungry and excited, don't you? That's right...



Dancing!



When that magical moment had ended, Rachel got up to speak about her work. By creating her portals and towers, Rachel inspires a world to exist that sometimes hadn't existed before. Her sculptures force a new perspective from each angle, making a piece that comes to take your hand and lead, rather than a piece that just stands shyly by the punchbowl. Oh, sorry, we're still thinking about all the dancing.



Rachel's Towers & Portals is still here at the gallery, now until April 12th! If you haven't been here yet...



...look what you're missing! You'll believe a sculpture can fly! Or at least hover.



But the dinner wasn't quite over yet. Allison Edge gave up her seat at the cool table to tell us a little about her upcoming show. Her work is a combination of real experiences and that strange imagined world of adolescence just before the arrival of MTV. In Allison's pieces, Polaroid cameras are still a cool Christmas gift and the family trip is just an excuse to hide behind your portable cassette player. Allison's show is coming up on April 18th, and we couldn't be more excited. In fact, we're thinking this is a great excuse... for more dancing!



If you missed out this month, get ready for next time. Our next dinner will be April 24th. Watch this space!

Top Five Reasons You Love Like the Spice

So, we've always known that Like the Spice is unusually awesome, but lately life has been pushing REAL hard to get the message across. Our First Friday New Artist Auction was a resounding success. Jenny Morgan spoke (that's her above, in a classic example of life-imitating-art), art was bid upon, and what with one thing and another it seemed like the time was ripe for us to put together a list of the top five reasons you LOVE Like the Spice.

On we go!

Reason #5: Our Fans Are Hot

I mean, look at them. Just look. Colette Robbins, Jenny Morgan... the hotness is undeniable. And as if that wasn't enough, almost every single person in this photograph is ridiculously good at making art. Look in the mirror. Are you Hot? Look around your studio. Do you make ridiculously good art? If you answered yes to both of these questions, congrats! You're probably a fan of Like the Spice.

Reason #4: You Are Related to Us in Six Degrees or Less

We are reminded constantly here that the art world is small. Showing here means coming to your own opening and realizing that your piece is installed next to a painting by your ex-boyfriend from college, and that your personal assistant is roommates with the girl serving wine behind the bar. It's like this crazy social vortex of AWESOME.
(By the way, Like the Spice shows work by Jason Bryant, who works for Kehinde Wiley, who's done a portrait of Ice-T who lent his voice to "The Magic 7" alongside KEVIN BACON.)

Reason #3: The Internet Loves Us

Did we tell you that we've been featured in FOUR different blogs/articles in like two days? Yeah. Domestic Attempts, ARTMostFierce, ArtNews, and HeartsArena have all joined LTS's fan base. 'Cause we're cool.

Reason #2: Our Interns are Hot

These are more than just the smiling enablers of your drinking habit. They're also the finely tuned team that aligns the wheels and shines the sleek body of Like the Spice. You know, like those whaddoyoucallem maintenence teams who run alongside race-cars? In jumpsuits? Anyway. These are the souls that daily face the purgatorial cleaning of the storage closet. Who run to pick up the packages of others at the post-office armed with false identification information. Who dig in their heels to tightly hold the leash of Tabitha the Dog, saving the Chinese delivery guy from her slavering jaws and barely-concealed racism. Yes, without them, LTS would be a far sadder place.

And finally, Reason #1 that YOU LOVE LIKE THE SPICE:
The Party Never Stops, and You're Always Invited

If you haven't got anything to do on weekends, it SURE ISN'T OUR FAULT. Openings, closings, First Fridays, Exhibition Previews, Meetup Tours, Artist Talks, Dinners! We've always got something cooking - next Friday, for example. It's the opening of Dubai Underground, and we want to extend a very personal invitation to you as a guest of honor. All you supporters, friends, and artists who give so much are the reason that LTS keeps on rocking, and we're gonna keep making sure that your schedule is crammed with as much art and awesomeness as you can handle.


Lots of <3 (but screw Valentine's Day),

LTS

And then there were three...

Join us in welcoming our third new artist this month! Colette Robbins will be showing her work alongside Reuben Negron and Noa Charuvi at our New Artists Silent Auction We journeyed up to Harlem today to visit her studio, and it was WAY worth the trip.


Colette's paintings are acrylic on wood panel. Her work explores contradictions in sculpture vs. photography vs. paintings. In her words: "My paintings and drawings deal with remnants of the figure. Whether it's a rolled up bundle of severed legs or strange helmet-like fossils that may or may not have once been alive, my images speak about what survives."


"Within the paintings/drawings there are highly detailed manmade objects placed in natural or neutral scenes. These scenes look like they should be inhabited by the living but are not. Instead they are occupied by objects that reference the form or utility of a human. The works have many areas that are rich with intricate patterns and atmospheric textures that form type.s of known variables for the viewer to enter into. Once the viewer acknowledges the known components of the works they are faced with the question of why these elements exist within the space of the painting. The viewer soon sees that the scenes are the consequence of unknown events. Therefore they function like a story being told in reverse."


"Like the way cultural tragedies make us look backwards at the trail of clues the present hands us, my work implies a, perhaps, tragic history. The viewer is left to wonder who has abandoned this here and what should be done with it. The responsibility is to whoever stumbles across these uncanny scenes as the task falls on those which remain."



Hear Colette discuss one of her works!