I am actually going to get out of the office in time to go to the opening of The Girl’s Room tonight at the Jen Bekman Gallery.

According to the Dreier Project:

“The Girl’s Room” is an art show featuring work done by an international group of female artists. Each artist submitted several small pieces, each which will be framed with an 8.5×11 frame. By keeping all the work at a consistent size, we can more clearly and objectively compare the respective works, without the the messages being obscured by irrelevancies such as size and prominence on the wall. The artwork itself will be the message and perhaps it will answer some questions about the place of women’s artwork in the artworld. Questions such as: What sort of work are women artists creating? How does it differ from men’s art? Are there particular subjects, methods and materials women artists are working with? What role does gender play in artwork? And regardless of any “political” agenda, sometimes its fun to get the girls together and see what’s on our minds.

If you can’t make the opening, the show will be running through January 13, 2007 with a closing reception on the final day of the show.

As you likley know, I am a fan of Swoon who has a piece in the show. I have been lucky enough to see her work on the street. I am also excited to see work by Youngna Park whose blog I enjoy immensely, but whose work I have never seen in person.

Photo by Youngna Park

My Friend Paul Rieckhoff will be reading from his new book Chasing Ghosts: A Soldier’s Fight for America from Baghdad to Washington on Tuesday, Aug 22 at 7:00PM at The Strand in Manhattan. Paul is a veteran of the Iraq war and Executive Director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

Paul is as smart as they come and engaging speaker. You can see his recent appearances on Colbert Report, Fox News, and MSNBC’s Hardball.

This promises to be an insightful event and, if I know Paul, there will be a lively discussion following the reading.

The first person to tell Paul the name of the current Secretary of the VA will win a free signed copy of the book.

If you are in New York, I can’t impress upon you enough how important it is that you get out to McCarren Park Pool for the Iron & Wine show on Thursday (8/17).

Same Beam might be the best lyricist I have come across in years.

Autumn blew the quilt right off the perfect bed she made
and she’s chosen to believe, in the hymns her mother sings
Sunday pulls its children from their piles of fallen leaves

- From Passing Afternoon

Ok… if you’d rather see The Wu-Tang show at Webster Hall on Thursday I’ll let it slide.

If you find yourself in Midtown today or tomorrow between 3:00 in the afternoon and 9:00 at night, stop by Alexander Berg’s temporary photography studio at 112 West 44th Street. He is shooting portraits of the public, for free, for his newest photo exhibit called One Shot. According to Alex’s website here is how it works:

You come to the studio, look at exhibited work from the last session, chat with Alex and Hugo about what you want, and have your portrait taken… in one frame, one shot. He shoots Polaroid/negative film. Alex keeps the negative, and you’ll walk away with a one-of-a-kind 4×5 image. If you choose, you can also title your photograph, and leave a few words of wisdom to accompany your image. Past sessions have been a blast… come in and see for yourself!

One Shot will become a book and will be exhibited at DKNY’s flagship store on Madison Avenue this spring as part of the WHITNEY MUSEUM’s “Where Fashion Meets Art” fundraising event.

Update: Get there early! We showed up at 5:00 and they weren’t taking any more people on the list for the day.

Jenny Holzer’s response to September 11th can be seen on the side of Bobst Library at New York University through the 5th. Projected onto the wall of the west side of the building (on Laguardia between 3rd and 4th streets) are various redacted government documents recently released under the Freedom of Information Act.

In addition to Bobst, Ms. Holzer will be showing her work on the facade of the Public Library from October 6th through the 9th.

I need to check the photos I took but if I have a good one I will post it here.

And just so you can get an idea of how big it was…

More about the exhibition can be found in this article from the NYTimes.

The third annual Open House New York is happening this weekend (Saturday & Sunday, October 8 & 9). Essentially, over 100 spaces typically closed to the public are open for touring. My brother and I attempted to go last year and only ended up seeing one of the 150 sites they opened up to the public in all 5 boroughs. Lines tend to get long so if you have a place you have been dying to see make sure you get there early. Good times.

You can find me here

For those of you in the five boroughs this weekend, check out the “second annual openhousenewyork weekend.”

A chance to see inside many of the beautiful private homes and buildings this city has to offer. I am on my way out now to see several loft spaces in chelsea.

See openhousenewyork for more info.

This Saturday, the Pioneer Theater in New York is hosting a John Waters Marathon with a twist. The first screening is at 6:00 pm and they will be showing Waters’ films until 6:00 am. It’s free to get in but pay as you leave. $20 if you leave after the first show, $5 less for each screening you sit through. If you make it until dawn, it’s free. Includes breakfast for those who go the distance and a look-alike contest judged by Waters.

Movies screened include Hairspray, Polyester, Cry Baby, Pink Flamingos, Pecker and Serial Mom.

Having lived in Charm City for awhile, I have seen all of these movies as Waters is Baltimore’s favorite son. But fot those unfamiliar with his work, this should be a good time.