luke kurtis, Author at bd-studios.com

An August Update (In September)

August was a busy month for me (hell, it’s been a busy year with no signs of things letting up any time soon). I thought I would round up a little update here with a sampling of my going-ons this past month.

I showed work from my muse series at a new gallery in Putnam, CT. I was very happy to be part of The Empty Spaces Project’s debut exhibition, curated by Paul Tousaint. It’s an excellent gallery space with beautiful light. The town of Putnam is delightful and artsy (and boasts northeastern Connecticut’s only sushi bar).

Yoko Ono Acorn: Open My Box

I’ve been waiting for my collector’s edition copy of Yoko Ono’s Acorn for months now. It finally arrived today, 1 August 2013. This is my unboxing video. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get a better edition number, but what can you do? I’m pleased nonetheless. Enjoy. i ii iii

UPDATE 4 Aug 2013: Or books published the video on their blog (as well as their Twitter and Facebook). Chimera Records also posted it on Twitter and Facebook. Even Yoko herself posted it (Twitter and Facebook)!

INTERSECTION no. 5

it’s here.

Just Panic… exhibition in NYC

I don’t know how I let this happen but somehow in the hustle and bustle of it all, I never even mentioned here that I had several works in Derek Nicoletto‘s show Just Panic And Get It Over With at 287 Spring gallery in NYC. It was a quick, one-weekend popup show from 12 July to 14 Mar. I was very happy to be part of this amazing group of artists. I showed six works from my muse series. No’s 7-12 marked the New York debut of this ongoing body of work.

One of the highlights of the opening was the chance to meet some of the members of the í¼ber-cool synth punk band ATTACK.WAV. Tree Wave wrote up a great piece on the show over at Plus Heart Star and used a few of my photos of the opening. Tree Wave called my work “rad” and “next-level pop-art-ish.” How cool is that?

Other artists in the show included Christopher Stout, Rob Ordonez, and Paul J. Toussaint. Be sure to check out their sites as they are doing very interesting work. But there was so much talent present. Take a peek at the Just Panic Facebook page to see all the artists and their work. Many of the works are still for sale. As Derek said… want to support the arts? Support an artist!

Thank you to all who came out. And, of course, thank you to Derek Nicoletto for making it all happen.

INTERSECTION no’s. 3 & 4

INTERSECTION no. 3 & 4 are coming! You know you want them. Leave a comment for a complimentary copy.

Field Notes: Landscape and Architecture exhibition in Portland, OR

Opening yesterday in Portland, Oregon, one of my photos is included in the new exhibition Field Notes: Landscape and Architecture at Black Box Gallery. The opening reception will be on Friday, 7 June 2013 and the show runs until 20 June. If you happen to be in the Portland area be sure to drop by. Otherwise, you can check it out online.

The photo on view in the Field Notes exhibition was taken in Subligna, Georgia. I took this photo last year while doing Jordan’s Journey research. That day I photographed and inventoried Anderson’s Cemetery (you can see that inventory and some of the photos at Find A Grave). This gives you an example of how genealogy and art have coalesced to form Jordan’s Journeys unique take on exploring the past.

INTERSECTION, no. 2

INTERSECTION, no. 2, is here! If you want a free copy all you have to do is ask! If you missed issue no. 1, those are still available too.

muse exhibition opens in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh art collector Geraldine Bryan is proud to present muse, an intimate solo exhibition of new work by artist luke kurtis. Please join us at Community United Church of Christ (814 Dixie Trail in Raleigh) on Saturday, March 9, from 2-4 PM for the exhibition opening and to hear the artist discuss his work in a casual setting. The exhibition will remain on view until 20 April and is viewable by appointment (call 919-787-6422 or 919-787-8494).

muse is a series of never-before-exhibited digital collage prints that evolved out of the artist’s Jordan’s Journey project. Through a detailed process combining both digital and analogue techniques, kurtis probes the areas of spirituality, history, science, and fashion. Where Jordan’s Journey explored the idea of personal and collective memory through the lens of genealogical history, the muse series hones in on a sense of alternate reality. The muse images approach the symbolism of tarot cards or even religious icons yet function beyond that realm. The muses possess a psychedelic fashion sense while layers of scientific and technical imagery bring a sci-fi element to the works. These pieces illustrate the artist’s evolving technique and highlight his vision of a new world where spirituality and science are integrated aspects of the human experience.

luke kurtis (also known as Jordan M. Scoggins) is a Georgia-born interdisciplinary artist focusing on the intersection of photography, writing, and design. He lives and works in New York’s Greenwich Village.

Geraldine Bryan is a long-time art collector and Raleigh resident. She was a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art for 18 years and is pleased to present the Raleigh debut of kurtis’s work.

INTERSECTION, no. 1

one of my new projects this year is an ongoing zine. the first issue of INTERSECTION is available now. want a copy? all you have to do is let me know!

the dead

relativity

writing about the emotional component of creativity–whether expressing your own art or experiencing the art of others–can be a difficult task. the experience of creativity impacts you in a way beyond everyday thought and reason. the very poem i posted here recently was about such an experience. i could not write about Madonna’s MDNA concert as if it were a mere review (besides, my friend Brian already wrote more than sufficient coverage if you’re looking for that kind of perspective). like in my ghazal, religious imagery is often the only way i can describe my most profound experiences of art.

ghazal (like a prayer)

i floated there, my face quivering with waves of prayer,
the sound washed over us like only the sound of prayer.

the chosen few. the lucky ones. only the faithful
know what it means to be blessed by the hand of god’s prayer.

our chant rose towards heaven in a chorus of light and
the veil of incesnse opened the world between here and prayer.

Jordan’s Journey art show

I’m pleased to announce a new solo art show of my photography from the Jordan’s Journey project. It opens Tuesday, 5 June 2012, in Summerville, Georgia at the Summerville Library. I will be presenting a lecture that night at 6pm as part of the show. For those who can’t make it in the evening I am also presenting a lecture the day before at 2pm at the LaFayette-Walker Public Library. This marks the first outing for my art work in my native state (and first show under the name Jordan M. Scoggins).

I hope you will come out to say hello and check out my work.