Archive for May 3rd, 2007

The Williamsburg art gallery Like the Spice (224 Roebling St.) fearlessly tackles the sensitive topic of Organized Religion. Originally scheduled to close this week, the exhibit is so popular it has been extended till June 8.

Organized Religion. The phrase alone conjures up strong feelings. For some, they may be positive. For others, negative.

In today’s hot political climate, people are searching for hope. Although many believe there’s something bigger out there than themselves, they do not trust organized religion. After all, the media would have us believe that we’ve got the Islamic Fundamentalists to blame for 9-11, the Right-wing Protestants to blame for the War on Terrorism, the Mormons to blame for immigration issues, the Catholics to blame for child molestation, so on and so forth.

No religion is left unturned as the (lucky number) thirteen artists tackle issues of holiness, the apocalypse, possession, and divine healing. The exhibit is wide ranging not just in the different religions addressed, but in its media. There are paintings, photographs, collages, plaster sculptures, and even a digital video.

Historically, religion and art have gone hand in hand. Art has been both a way to encourage faith and a way to challenge existing belief systems. Since imagery stands on its own for the viewer to interpret, visual art is a non-confrontational form of communicating one’s beliefs. The art included in Organized Religion is as hit or miss as church coffee. A lot of it is watered down and lukewarm, but there are some meditative pieces. Yoshio Itagaki’s work stands out the most for its design and message. In “Cloning Jesus,” he depicts a woman wearing a white lab coat stitched with the words “The Second Coming Project.” She is holding a baby with a halo around it. In Santa Cross he depicts a Japanese display window that shows Santa Clause nailed to a cross. (Dana Carvey’s Church Lady SNL character rearranging the letters of “Santa” to spell out “Satan” springs to mind.) On a Mac in the back of Like the Spice is Heather Boaz’s “True Miracle,” a digital video that tells the story of possession and faith. It’s very This American Life. It’s scary, incredible, and funny—and autobiographical. At one point Boaz recalls a family member putting holy oil on trolls in a toy store.Robert Guillie and Tatiana Kronberg each have a series of thought-provoking prints worth scrutiny. Tom Billings’ “Missionary Position” sculpture points out the use of a religious term in the act of sex.It’s not that the other artwork on display is without merit—some of in fact have better craftsmanship and style, and are actually quite beautiful—but the other works aren’t as memorable within the context of the exhibit. With such a dynamic topic as religion, Like the Spice could have selected images that really pushed boundaries and made one think.

What a week to be a PANELGEEK in New York!

I hit Midtown Comics this wednesday to check the latest releases and was elated to see that the latest Astonishing X-men was on the shelves. Astonishing X-men is, as far as I’m concerned the only X-men comic worth reading these days, turning away from the depressing M-Day phenomenom (in which most of the mutant universe woke up one morning with no powers, making mutants an endagered species) and follows up on the staggeringly brilliant run on “New X-Men” written by the incomparable Grant Morrison (whom I worship as one of the greatest writers of the Modern Comic Age)

The Astonishing team is made up of Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast, Emma Frost, Shadowcat, Collosus, and a handful of “Xavier Institute” students, some of which are on their way toward graduating into bona fide X-men.

The main selling point on Astonishing X-men is it’s new writer: Joss Whedon, of Buffy fame (a demi-god of geekdom in his own, very earned rite.) Drawn by the very realistic and emotionally expressive John Cassaday,

Whedon applies his snarky dialouge we’ve of course seen in his TV work to characters we already have known and loved for years. Also, in traditional Buffy fashion he juxtaposes awkward romantic and sexual situations alongside life-and-death situations with blissful hillarity.

The current AXM storyline is a little weak. It involves an off-world trip to a warrior planet and the issue this weak seemed mostly like filler leading up to the grand finale. Whedon’s tenure at AXM was from the beginning, understood to be temporary, and so grabbing one (0r all!) of his AXM TPBs (Gifted, Dangerous and Torn) would be a good buy. Dangerous was my favorite.

In other news, it’s Spider-Man in New York Week! Of course with the premier of the 3rd instalment of the phenomenally successful Spider-Man franchise hitting theaters tomorrow, NYC & Company, the city’s tourism bureau has all sorts of special promotions related in some way (and in some cases very loosely) to the ultimate Web-head of New York.

Spider-man has always been an essentially New York character for a number of reasons, the most obvious of which being his webslinging between buildings. Spidey thrives on skyscrapers, and in many ways, I believe he derives much of his spiritual energy from the ambitious vibe that exudes from the man-made towers of glass and steel all over our fine city. Come on, can you imagine trying to web-sling across Montana?

Combine that with his perpetual level of stress, and the endless wisecracks coming from behind that mask, and you get the ultimate New York Super-Hero. Too bad Tobey Maguire has that perpetual head-in-the-clouds doofus/douche-bag look on his face, and couldn’t wise-crack with a Queen’s accent if his life depended on it! (which Spidey’s often does.). . . Sorry, I never thought Maguire made a good Peter Parker. I lke the movies, but hate Maguire.

Next week I’ll write a little something about some of the SM in NY stuff, but in the meantime, be SURE to hit the comic shops this upcoming Saturday for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!! The first Saturday in May you can load up on free comics! PERFECT for someone who wants to get into the wonderful word of comics.

This is all leading up to the first PANELGEEK meeting and discussion group at the Bowery Poetry Club downstairs room (retitled: The PanelCave) This upcoming Thurday May 10th at 5pm.

See you there! And bring your favorite books!