February 2012 - Mark Dion

The second SPA artist for February is Mark Dion - how exciting!

Dion's work examines the ways in which dominant ideologies and public institutions shape our understanding of history, knowledge, and the natural world. He incorporates elements of biology, archaeology, ethnography, and the history of science and has worked all over the world. And now he's produced a special drawing for Preston!

He has exhibited internationally since 1985 with solo shows at the Tate Gallery; Museum of Modern Art, New York; South London Gallery; USF Contemporary Art Museum; and the Natural History Museum, London to name only a few.

He is represented by Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York. The website shows examples of his work and also a full CV too:

http://tanyabonakdargallery.com

Dion is currently showing at the USF Contemporary Art Museum in Florida, USA (in case you're passing). Troubleshooting runs until 3rd March 2012.

http://www.usfcam.usf.edu/CAM/cam_exhibitions.html

The Secret Preston Art edition of 100 cards with Mark Dion's drawing on has now gone into all the venues around Preston city centre - so if you want one for free, you'd better get a move on!

Michael Lewy - New York Times

All of the Secret Preston Art edition for January have all gone now, but you can see more of Michael Lewy's charts in a little book available from J&L Books based in USA.

www.jandlbooks.org

Go to the website and scroll along until you see "Chart Sensation" and click on the book for details and to order your copy.

We're also pleased to announce that Michael has just been commissioned to illustration an article for the New York Times Book Review:

www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/books/review/stay-awake-stories-by-dan-chaon.html?_r=1&ref=review

The February edition is going to print tomorrow - so it should be ready to go to all the venues in the next few days.... 

Venues

There are a few venues around Preston where you can pick up your free Secret Preston Art edition:

Wonderland Vintage Boutique

128 Friargate Preston

PR1 2EE

Carefully sourced vintage and retro clothing, shoes and accessories.

Mon - Sat 09.00 - 18.00

The Pavilion

Avenham Park

Preston

The Pavilion was designed by McChesney Architects - it's such a beautiful building, and it houses the Preston City Council park manager and rangers and also the Riverside Cafe. 

It's open 7 days a week. 

April - Sept 10.00 - 17.00

Oct - March 10.00 - 16.00

www.mcchesney.co.uk/projects/preston

The Continental Pub

South Meadow Lane

Preston

PR1 8JP

With a great selection of beers, wines and yummy food there's also a program of events including music, studio theatre, live literature, workshops, classes and masses more...

www.newcontinental.net

Scene
47 Friargate
Preston
PR1 2AT
Skatestore with clothes, footwear, accessories and skateboards.
Mon - Sat 10.00 - 17.30
www.scenepreston.com

Preston Tourist Information Centre
The Guildhall
Lancaster Road
Preston
PR1 1HT
The Tourist Information Centre has just been refurbished and is situated in the Guildhall.
Mon - Sat 10.00 - 17.50
www.visitpreston.com

Museum Of Lancashire
Stanley Street
Preston
PR1 4YP
The MOL has just re-opened after redevelopment - and it's really great! It's now free to enter, has free parking and a cafe - why haven't you been already?!
Tues - Sat 10.30 - 17.00
Sun 12.30 - 17.00
Closed mondays except bank holidays
www.lancashire.gov.uk/acs/sites/museums/index.asp

January 2012 - Michael Lewy

Michael Lewy is the first SPA artist!

Lewy lives and works in Boston Massachusetts, USA and uses photography, illustration and painting in his work. 

Lewy says:

What is the first question people ask when they meet you for the first time?

"What do you do for a living?" 

I am interested in how what we do defines us and how our ideas of success and failure shape our culture. After receiving my MFA in 1996 I began working in an office in an administrative capacity. I have been there ever since. Office work is not my chosen profession but a way to make a living.

I started constructing City of Work in 2006 as a way to distill these ideas. I am constructing the City of Work by using photography, video, and computer graphics. I use blueprints to create a plan of the city.  

I have also created several different characters that I portray of different archetypes that live in the city. They are as follows: Office worker, Ceo of Omnipresent Industries , Scientist of the Human Potential Institute and a Laborer who works in the under bowels of the city. I am trying to create a detailed world of this corporate dystopia where work is all consuming. 

In this City of Work, vacations are given by lottery, jobs are determined by the Human Potential Institute and it is illegal to be unemployed. 

Its motto is "If you worked here you would be home by now".

Lewy has shown work in Boston, New York, Atlanta and Berkeley and is currently showing work at Carrroll and Sons in Boston, Massachusetts until February 18th

www.carrollandsons.net/exhibitions/index.php

See more of Lewy's work here:

www.mlewy.com

and more of the City of Work here:

www.cityofwork.com

Secret Preston Art