The theme is Horror, a December film roundup – reek bell
Since time is not real during this pandemic, we can call reek a new member of the Artblog team. So if you haven’t heard, reek is Artblog’s film connoisseur- serving up themed film roundups in their uniquely poetic writing style. If you haven’t read their previous work, we encourage you to run– not walk– to their author page. This month’s theme is Horror, which we hear is a personal favorite genre of reek’s. We predict this post to be extra juicy.
NEW comic series, ‘Grand Ballroom of Doom’ – Jacob C. Hammes
You’ve probably met Jacob C. Hammes. You might know him as Chris Hammes, and find it difficult to stop calling him Chris Hammes because that is what you know him as, even though his first name is actually Jacob. Regardless of what you call him, the artist, protestor, educator, curator of Pilot Projects, and now Artblog comics artist, will soon release his very first edition of a new limited comic series Grand Ballroom of Doom right here on Artblog. Expect jokes and drawings that would have been drafted at a local bar if Covid-19 weren’t a thing.
Celebrating The Mütter Museum’s Karabots Junior Fellows program for teens – Kemuel Benyehudah
Kemuel, along with being an Artblog Contributor and doctoral candidate, was formerly a research associate for the Mütter Museum’s Karabots Junior Fellows program. The three-year summer and after-school program helps Philadelphia high school students from economically underserved communities by encouraging interest in careers in healthcare and medicine through mentorship and introduction to medical professionals. Kem’s research showed that over 80% of the program’s fellows go on to college and succeed. In this essay, he shines a light on the fantastic work of Jacqui Bowman and Jeanene Johnson, champions of the Karabots Junior Fellows program.
‘Atlas of Affects’, Slought’s archival project and exhibition about everyday life during the pandemic – Michael Lieberman
This exhibition is now closed to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions, but you’re in luck! Soon you will be able to see the exhibition through the eyes of Michael Lieberman, a thoughtful writer in the Artblog family. Sounds like the best possible alternative to me!
Interview with Zoë Ryan, new director of the ICA – Michael Lieberman
Also from Michael, an introduction to the new Philadelphia Institute of Contemporary Art Director, Zoë Ryan! Zoë Ryan has an impressive resume, and we look forward to seeing what she envisions for the future of the ICA. We hope to see more open call opportunities for small emerging artists in Philadelphia, following the same vein as the ICA’s annual Open Video Call.
‘Rendering Justice’ at the African American Museum of Philadelphia – Andrea Kirsh
We are all painfully aware that the arts budget was gouged by the city earlier this year. I’m sure all of you Artblog readers shared in our collective sigh of relief when we learned that the African American Museum’s budget would be fully restored so that they could continue their critical work here in Philadelphia. Rendering Justice takes a hard look at the racist system of mass incarceration, turning a critical eye towards the issues here in Philadelphia. We’re excited to hear what Andrea reports back.
Controversial plans for an iconic Baltimore church – Dereck Stafford Mangus
Dereck Stafford Mangus reports from Baltimore about a local scandal that is all too familiar to us residents of Philly. A New Jersey developer recently bought the iconic United Methodist Church on Baltimore’s Mount Vernon Place and is under scrutiny for his plans to subdivide the church from the neighboring Asbury mansion. Plans for the building are not set in stone, but there has been talk of selling the Asbury mansion and converting the church into apartments. We’re excited to hear Dereck’s thoughts, both as a resident of Baltimore and and artist and thinker, who regularly writes about Balitmore’s historic buildings.
Curators’ insights on ‘The All Night Party’ at Towson University – Susan Isaacs and Erin Lehman
Susan Isaacs writes about The All Night Party, an exhibition she and Erin Lehman co-curated at Towson University (where Susan is an Art History professor and Erin is Director of Holtzman and Center for the Arts Galleries). The exhibition looks conceptually at the thrill of “the party”– the excitement, potential, and eventual hangover– and applies it to the social and political climate of the mid-20th century. Amongst exhibiting artists is Philly gem Tim McFarlane!
‘No Knowledge is Complete Until It Passes Through My Body’, a poetry review – reek bell
reek bell diverges from their usual film wheelhouse to explore another passion of theirs: poetry! As a poet themselves, they take a look at a new book of poetry and prose: Asiya Wadud’s No Knowledge is Complete Until It Passes Through My Body (Night Boat Books). reek says that during this chaotic time, poetry is just what they need. We concur.
Sustainable building & design, a co-written essay – Mandy Palasik and Kemuel Benyehudah
Artblog has a long history of co-writing. Back in its beginnings, Roberta and Libby did it all the time! But in 2020, we recognize that now more than ever discourse and collaboration between artists and writers is critical for reimagining our post-pandemic future. After holding two Zoom meetings with our writers to discuss co-writing, Mandy Palasik and Kemuel Benyehudah team up to conquer the topic of sustainability in the built environment. We are very excited for this co-written essay.
