Drifting Away: Summer Group Exhibition at Like the Spice

Drifting Away: Summer Group Exhibition at Like the Spice
Exhibition Dates August 13th- September 5th, 2010 Opening Reception:
Friday, August 13th, 6:30-10pm

Artist’s Dinner Friday August 20th, 2010: 8pm – 10pm RSVP Required
Note: Like the Spice will be closed August 23rd- September 2nd


We’ve walked through The Beaded Curtain, been witness to a Civil Union, weathered through a Climate Untamed, posed for a long Exposure, explored The World We Live In, The Worlds We Create, sought shelter in the Homeless Boys Social Club, and ended up with our memory Marked by individual histories and forms. It has really been quite a year at Like the Spice.

Our gallery's attended fairs both old and new, been represented in three different countries, gotten more press than ever before, and added several amazing new artists to our already impeccable roster. All things considered, we've had an incredible season. As summer begins the slow and poetic retreat into fall, we've decided that this is a perfect time to reflect on all our artists have done this year. We're not resting on our laurels, but we are catching our breath!

Drifting Away, our fourth annual Summer Sampler here at Like the Spice, will include many familiar Like the Spice artists, but will also serve as a preview of our soon-to-be-arriving fall/spring season. Mixed in among the old favorites, you'll find some emerging artists new to our gallery, artists we think you should watch out for. There will be work of all mediums, shapes, and sizes; a celebration of greatest hits co- existing with what are destined to be part of the billboard’s top ten.

Drifting Away features work by Chino Amobi, Rachel Beach, Jason Bryant, Allison Edge, Treasure Frey, Dean Goelz, Greg Haberny, Misako Inaoka, Patrick Jacobs, Eric LoPresti , Jenny Morgan, Bennett Morris, Reuben Negron, Matthew Northridge, Ross Racine, Ryan Shultz, Nicki Stager, and Jessica Stoller.

Summer Lovin' Having a Blast....At Like the Spice

We’ve been so busy here at Like the Spice that we’ve barely had a moment to write in depth about all the great things that have been going on in the past month. While it’s the summer here in Brooklyn, and the hot weather has a tendency to make those lazy afternoons even lazier, we haven’t slowed down a bit!

This past month some of our artists’ hard work has generated quite a bit of buzz. We’d like to congratulate Reach Beach on her feature interview with Bomb Magazine which can be found at Bomblog. Discussion revolving around the transitions in her work and fundamental content from which she derives her inspiration provides great insight into the nature of her thinking and process of making. Of her work Rachel states that is has "to do with the structure of monuments and ideas. I was way more interested in the edge of an object, how objects work in the world, how perception works, how we see, and how our brain works versus how something physically is, and the line between those two things. " Bomblog writer Lynn Maliszewski refers to Rachel's work with the following metaphor. "Like a stockbroker gender-bending on the weekends, Beach’s objects straddle a line between two existences, clouding the viewer’s vision of truth." The developments in her work are truly promising as she will embark on several upcoming new projects. We are especially excited about the installation of her outdoor sculpture in Socrates Sculpture Park as this kind of context for one of her pieces is sure to open a new and exciting kind of dialogue.





We are also excited to congratulate another LTS artist, Eric Lopresti, who is featured in Assembly Journal. We were most intrigued to read about the sources for his imagery which are undeniably linked to the location of his childhood home, the conditions created and residue left by our country during World War II, and what he refers to as “the aftermath of traumatic conflict and the terrifying beauty of the American sublime."




We are truly engaged by any opportunity that allows our readers and collectors to know more about our artists, their work, and sources of creativity.

In keeping with this sentiment, this past Saturday we held an artists’ studio tour in which we visited the studios of Jason Bryant, Allison Edge, Eric Lopresti, Jessica Stoller, and Rachel Beach. This event was a fantastic opportunity for collectors to see how some of our LTS artists functioned in their working spaces (a place quite sacred to an artist) while providing the opportunity for one on one discussion. The day was pretty hot, but the work in our artists’ studio’s were even hotter, and everyone had a fantastic time, sipping on wine, munching on refreshing thai food, journeying to each studio for in depth discussion while viewing works in progress and finished pieces all the like. For a tour, it was an especially personal, informative, and special experience.

While all that has passed, there are still plenty of exciting events to look forward to this summer at Like The Spice. "Marked: A Show of Figure" will only be open for two more weeks so come by and check it out before its too late! Friday, August 13th we will open "Summer Sampler Group Show", displaying some favorites along with a bunch of new and exciting works from LTS artists.

And while we are closed for only one week on August 23rd-September 1st, September 10th is the opening of Treasure Frey's Solo Show. This will be Treasure's first solo show at Like the Spice and we are pleased to install her pieces which satisfy the eye by cleverly marrying the whimsy of bright color, bold form, and geometric constructions.


This next month will prove to be a satisfying and exciting close to Summer and a great lead into another fine season of fantastic work at Like the Spice in the Fall.

It's in the BAG! Art Hamptons 2010

Yes, you can say it. It's hot and Like the Spice Gallery is on fire! Well...not LITERALLY, but with the reception from Art Hamptons 2010 we might as well be called a shooting star. Booth number 423 attracted on lookers from all ends of the venue. The fabulous scenery of Bridgehampton was the backdrop for an exploration of what our gallery has to offer. As one of the top new art fairs in America Art Hamptons ceases to amaze guests. We came, we hung, we conquered and we loved every minute of it.


Even with the ninety-two degree weather visitors came in droves, accompanied with commentary such as, "This is really spectacular.", "How wonderful.", and a simple but affirming "Oh yeah."

The artist works' that traveled with us included pieces from Dean Goelz, Rachel Beach, Ross Racine, Treasure Frey and Reuben Negron. Also new works by Jenny Morgan, Jason Bryant and and Jessica Stoller were on display, rounding out the Like the Spice team.





Time seemed to zoom by as our artists' continued pulling in fans with their abundant technique and skill on canvas.

To sum it all up we had a wonderful time and absolutely looking forward to the next, as you should be too! If you didn't make it you missed out on some fun under the blazing sun. But you can always stop in to Like the Spice and check out the pieces up close and personal. We have been as busy as bees providing YOU with the best.

P.S.
Check out the wicked awesome "Camera Panoramic Effect Action" in this photo, Oh yes. We went there.

Our booth, our booth, our booth is on fire...

We don't need no water let the... wait we do need water, at least that's what the kind young gentleman told us as he walked into our booth. Feast your eyes on our space at Art Hamptons.
Like the Spice booth number 423.

Hop on the Jitney and get your butts out here.

Art Hamptons, ho!!!

Just when you thought that we couldn't possibly have the time to participate in anymore events this summer this post is here to inform you that next week we will be at the beach! Well, sort of... Next week, July 9th - 11th we will be in Bridgehampton for the ArtHamptons Fair inhabiting booth #423. Set in Sayre Park’s 5 bucolic acres in Bridgehampton, this year's fair is going to be awesome. Of the work accompanying us will be new pieces by Jason Bryant and Jessica Stoller.


We will be unveiling a new piece by Jenny Morgan as well. Fabulous works by Reuben Negron, Rachel Beach, Dean Goelz, Ross Racine, and Treasure Frey will also be up in our booth. Make a weekend getaway of it and take the Jitney or the LIRR; take in some rest and relaxation at one of the Hampton's lovely beaches and then come to the fair for a spectacular art-filled adventure. This isn't your typical fair either as there is plenty to do inside and out and about in the surrounding area of the park...



ArtHamptons returns as one of the highlights of the Hamptons summer season. Now in its 3rd successful year, ArtHamptons has established itself as one of the top new art fairs in America. Expect to see a mesmerizing display of post-war and contemporary art, presented by a renowned lineup of international galleries. It’s all assembled in a museum-like setting. There’s important art pieces for every budget and level of art collector. It’s all here for you, from paintings, works on paper and printed editions to photography, art glass, ceramics and sculpture.

Begin your visit with a little sculpture exploration; enter the grounds through Hans de van Bovenkamp’s spectacular sculpture “The Sagg Portal”, destined to be one of the most dramatic art fair entrances ever. Meander through an acre of memorable sculptures in the pastoral Sculpture Garden featuring welcoming hospitality tents. After that get a little history when you peruse a museum-like solo booth display dedicated to the Russian modernist and Hamptons Bays painter David Burliuk (1882-1967). Explore a 1950’s-70’s retrospect on legendary East Hampton painter Syd Solomon (1917-2004). See? Plenty to do so make sure to e-mail us for your complementary day pass! Hurry while we still have them! See you there...

The Esssence of the Northside

Saturday night the gallery walls were a bumpin' with the sweet sounds of creativity. Three bands - Grasshopper, Drunk Decade, and The Dan Peck Trio, were a wonderful addition to the art which has been happily living on the walls of Like the Spice and in our gallery space. The fact that no pieces fell due to the intense vibrations was a true testament to our competence when it comes to hanging work.


The evening started off with the ska inspired experimental jazz and electronic duo Grasshopper. The dynamic set responded to the energy of the crowd and left us wanting more. See here is Josh blowing hard at his trumpet answering Jesse's electronic prompts.

Next came Drunk Decade. The inspiring solo performance by Michael displayed vigorous multitasking that augmented the positive energy in the room.

The juxtaposition of new age equipment and avant-garde homemade instruments kept us on our toes. So too did the smell of burning rubber (due to the massive amps relative to the small space of our gallery), which in combination with deep vibrations best experienced sitting on the floor, served to complete a total sensory experience.

The night finished off with The Dan Peck Trio. The unorthodox use of bows on the all the instruments ranging from the bass to the drums and tuba produced really satisfying and unusual sounds. Their practiced relating and interconnectedness was really evident in their music.

All in all Saturday night was a smaller scale representation of all that Brooklyn and the Northside Festival has come to represent - a space that fosters a community of creativity and an environment where people come to actively seek an exchange and dialogue of expression. What awesomeness.


If you were here you know what I'm talking about. And if not then perhaps this might teach you to take advantage of all the creativity and coolness that is the essence of what is offered in just this one borough, and at least this weekend at Like the Spice Gallery.

We Were Doing Figure Ates All Night Long!

Last night's dinner, a little thing called Figure Ates celebrated our current and very very wonderful Marked: A Show of Figure, as well the triumphant homecoming of dear sweet Europe-loving Marisa! Besides being jealous at her stories of Italy and Switzerland, Like the Spice guests had an awesome time eating Spanish food, drinking home-made sangria, and last but not least, listening to the wisdom that a few of our artists parleyed. After all, we'd been doing so much work getting ready for Saturday's Northside Festival (more on that later) that serving a 4 course meal for 25 people didn't seem so hard.

So while we wined and dined, a few of our artists (whose work is current hanging in the show) spoke with inspiring clarity and purpose on subjects ranging from the World Cup to their process and content, and their undeniable connection to the figure. While the subject of the figure connects artists Jenny Morgan, Reuben Negron, and Chino Amobi, their approaches and reasons for employing figurative imagery varies greatly.

Here's Marisa and the back of Jenny Morgan chatting with another local artist. Not including the food, the highlight of our dinners is this chance for our friends and collectors to get to meet the minds behind the art, and in this way, get a better understanding of both where they've been, and where they are headed.

That's Reuben Negron holding down the left side of the image. As you can see with a quick visit to his artist page, Reuben's really grown as an artist over the last year. It's always a pleasure having him stop in to talk about his ideas and inspirations, and we think all our guests agreed.

Here's newcomer Chino Amobi, the most recent artist to join up with Like the Spice. This was Chino's first dinner, so maybe he didn't know what to expect, but he still came ready to talk and he did a great job. We're pretty sure he had a good time too, so maybe we'll be seeing him again?

Speaking of which, maybe it's time to start planning for next time...

Did you miss out? If you did, that's a total shame. But don't worry, we're already getting the wheels in motion for next month's edition of the Monthly Dinner Series. Keep an eye on our events page for more! And remember, Marked runs until August 8th, so stop by and enjoy!