We Had 99 Problems But DinnerWeren't One

Friday November 30th saw a steady stream of good looking people coming to join artist Jason Bryant for our regular monthly dinner here at Like The Spice. Catered by Paloma, and sponsored by Pernod, the dinner was just as friendly and at ease as you would expect it to be. After all, everyone was so wonderful!


Artist Jason Bryant (seen here with our good friend Mandy) was happy to discuss his gorgeous paintings and the ideas behind his work. Extra napkins were available to wipe up the drool as we stared at the art. Jason's show continues until the 14th of this month, so if you have not already come to see them, please do! You'll understand once you're here and you'll be happy you came.


Also speaking was Chef Camile Becerra from Paloma. With a life that has moved her through all the parties and secrets of Manhattan, including an appearance on Top Chef and being voted New York's Sexiest Chef 2008, Camile had plenty of stories and kept us all laughing. Except when we were eying the food.


Speaking of food, Paloma's menu was easily some of the best we've had. The custom made Pernot chocolates were a big hit, as were the parmesean crusted tilapia and grilled free range chicken. In fact, it was all good. Go here if you'd like to be thrilled by the menu. Heaven knows we were.

Our next dinner is coming up, as is our next show, Deer Art. We hope to see you there! Watch this space!

Deer Art!

Deer Art: Animal Imagery in Contemporary Art
December 15th – January 11th 2008
Opening Saturday December 15th 6:30-10:00pm

You’re trapped like a deer in the headlights…you can’t run from the upcoming show at Like the Spice.
We hope it don’t run you down.

Images of animals have been increasingly prevalent in contemporary art recently…you can't spit at an art fair without hitting two deer, a bear and probably a sasquatch. Exploring the urgency animal representations have had recently, this show includes works that explore several different aspects of the relationship between animals and culture.

In some works animals stand in for people, they are vulnerable or ferocious in ways that reveal more about the human condition than about the animals themselves. This is the Disney approach, where animals are used to illuminate character types and traits. An owl becomes a wise old man and a fox is always the trickster. Other works use animal imagery for its psychological associations: totemic symbols for forces of nature, threatening or shamanistic, these animals confront us with their unpredictability and archetypical wildness. The unsettling sight of eels crawling over each other. The horror of confronting a predator in the wilderness. This psychological take is complimented by an approach that recognizes our tenuous and mediated contemporary relationship with nature as commodity, test subject, lifestyle accessory and fashion trope. The first dogs in space. The kitten as makeout voyeur. These ideas of course inform and resist each other and some works borrow aspects of each mode.

In the fable of the Scorpion and the Frog, animals cannot help but be what they are...this show asks whether people are any different or whether animals are really that transparent.

This show includes works by Amy Hill, Thomas Clark, Seth Cohen Cair Crawford, Ondine Crispin Allison Edge, Abby Goodman, Jason Head, Undine Brod, Tatiana Kronberg, Max Liboiron , Eric LoPresti, Johnna MacArthur, Philip Simmons, Chadwick Whitehead, Grace Teng, Rachel Lowther, and Steven Tabbutt.

With a special closing performance Friday January 11th 2008, 7:30-10:00pm by Castle Critters.

Do you know the difference between a kiss and a hamburger? No? Lets do dinner.

Let Like The Spice change your alphabet.
Put U and I together for dinner.
Friday, November 30th at 7:30pm.

Make your reservation before Wednesday, November 28th.
Call us at 718.388.5388 or email info@likethespice.com.
Reservations required.

Like the Spice has a history of making guests feel special. Now we want to treat you right. Come enjoy a dinner catered by Paloma that's positively soaked in art, featuring simple, fresh organic delights, a talk by artist Jason Bryant, and a talk from Paloma's owner, operator and head chef Camille Becerra as featured on the Bravo TV show Top Chef.

Served family style, our dinner series is designed to let you enjoy the hoi poloi. First you'll be challenged by the works of Jason Bryant, artist of our current show, Fleshpot. Jason's work inspires thoughtful consideration of the sort of images we've become used to tuning out, and will make for a striking backdrop, just as his knowledge of art and theory will lead us easily into intelligent conversation. We are very pleased to have him.

Then we will bask in the delight of Camille Beccerra owner of Paloma, a massively successful restaurant, located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Camille will speak about the wonders of being head chef and owner of her spectacular restaurant, contestant on this years season of Top Chef Miami, and winner of the title NYC's sexiest chef!

Our sponsor for the night is Pernod, so drink up! Somebody as pretty as you deserves a little fun.

$$40 (includes all food and drink)
November 30th
Doors open at 7:30pm
Dinner begins at 8:00pm
E-mail or call the gallery for reservations.
Reservations required before November 28th

FLESHPOT@Like the Spice Nov 16th - Dec 14th

What a show!!! 5 drawings, 8 paintings, 100% hot.
Come to Like the Spice to check this must see show out, though Dec 14th.
Mon., Wen.- Sat 12-8:30pm, Sunday 12-7:00pm
Call 718.388.5388 for any information on our dinner party with artist talk November 30th.
Press links to reviews of this exhibition coming soon!

Buenvenidos a miami!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fountain Art Fair Miami 2007
Featuring 14 Brooklyn and Miami based Galleries
2841 NW 2nd Ave Wynwood Arts Distrcit Miami FL (corner of NW 29th St by the Rubell Family Collection)
December 6 - 9, 2007
Reception for the artists: Friday, December 7th from 7pm until midnight
www.fountainexhibit.com

The avant-garde has always laid claim to history through its challenges and victories over the status quo. In 1917, at the unjuried Society of Artists exhibition, Marcel Duchamp unveiled the world’s most famous ready-made art object: “Fountain”. It is in this spirit of the unexpected that some of Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s most forward-thinking and cutting-edge galleries have collaborated to present "Fountain Miami." The exhibition will make its mark in a massive 5000 square foot warehouse at: 2841 NW 2nd Avenue in the Wynwood Gallery District, in close proximity to various other international art fairs, the Rubell Family Collection and many local galleries. Fountian Art Fair will run Thursday Dec 6th until Sunday December 9th with a press brunch preview on Thursday morning Dec 6th at 9am until 11am and a reception for the artists on Friday Dec 7th from 7pm until midnight.

"Fountain Miami" is a guerrilla-style art fair - under the radar, but highly influential. "Fountain" was launched in March 2006 in New York, in an effort to leverage support for independent galleries largely overlooked by corporate-sponsored art fairs. In defiant contrast with both Art Basel Miami Beach, Pulse, Scope and the slew of other International art fairs, "Fountain" has received wide public support and critical acclaim for its independent slant. This independent aspect gives Fountain its edge: young galleries showcasing fresh work without official booth spaces or selection committee juries. In form and spirit, the artwork shown truly reflects the avant-garde and in-your-face attitude equated with the Dada movement.

Fountain Miami is currently featuring the galleries: Ad Hoc, Bipolart, Buenas Artes, Capla Kesting Fine Art, Front Room Gallery, Steven Gagnon, Gitana Rosa, Glowlab, Grace Exhibition Space, Like The Spice, McCaig-Welles Gallery, Miguel Paredes, VertexList and Yum Yum Factory.

Come and experience the unfiltered, uncouth and enterprising excitement of Fountain. See advanced art as it was meant to be seen – without blinders, without “taste merchants" – straight from the source.

Media Contact - David Kesting 917-650-3760, John Leo 917-292-8865, and Marisa Sage 718.388.5388


"Fresh and in their faces, a perfect example of avant-energetics" - The Brooklyn Rail

A "smaller, independent fair" - The Miami Herald

"An 'Alternative Fair,' organized by Williamsburg, Brooklyn dealers, which presents the work of young artists and galleries" - Art in America

“Fountain” (after Duchamp's title for his “ready-made” urinal) is the perfect moniker for this independent, experimental, mini art fair with its Duchampian spirit of philosophic irony." - Douglas Kelley Show

"A salon des refusés" - Time Out New York

"Contemporary art in the spirit of Marcel Duchamp" - Artnet.com

"Independent and experimental" - Juxtapoz magazine
All work posted below will be available in Miami or through Like the Spice Gallery
224 Roebling Street Brooklyn, NY 718.388.5388


Jason Bryant, The First Lady of Cinema, 40"x60", Oil on Canvas, 2007

Anna Druzcz, In Vitro Complex NO.5 C-print, 24"x 38",2007

Liz Brown, East of LA, 24" x 38", Oil on Canvas, 2007

Rachel Beach, 27"x27"x 6"In the Round, wood, wood veneer, Oil paint, 2007

Chadwick Whitehead, Revelation 13, Illustration, 2007

Ross Racine, Subdivision: Walnut Village,Digital Drawing, 2006

Brian LaRossa, Untitled, Ballpoint Pen, Digital C-print, 2006

Lets do dinner

Do you know the difference between a kiss and a hamburger? No? Lets do dinner.
November 30th Like the Spice host another one of our fantastic dinner parties!
RSVP ASAP
Featuring food by:
Paloma

(718) 349-2400
60 Greenpoint Ave.,
Brooklyn, NY 11222
"Defined as “New Urban American,” the regularly-changing menu is based on simple, fresh ingredients borrowing elements from the multitude of cultures that glitter across the New York cityscape. There is clearly a love for and sensibility to the preparation of all things vegetal, due largely to Camille’s post-culinary school odyssey among vegetarian and macrobiotic master chefs. Sometimes the vegetarian specials are the best thing on the menu. Rather than aiming at the usual fusion, Paloma takes a stab at deconstructionism; for example, a traditional dish like bouillabaisse might be broken down to its basic elements and then served as a filet of monkfish, a single perfect shrimp and a flower of potatoes decorated with a bouillabaisse sauce. On the other hand, one can find a fresh brook trout simply grilled and served with a side dish of the diner’s choosing. Simple and thoughtful is the rule." www.nyc.com
There will be a special guest speaker as well as Jason Bryant artist of Fleshpot his current solo show.
Can't wait to see you!
718.388.5388
marisa@likethespice.com
Price:$40 , Drinks, food, talk all included
sponsored by Pernoid

You're so hot you make the devil sweat baby!

Be Seen Tonight, Fleshpot@ Like the Spice
224 Roebling Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
6:30-10:00pm
718.388.5388
L to bedford, JMZ to Marcy
FLESHPOT: new works by Jason Bryant
Post pics will be available tomorrow.Check back.