steppin’ out (& stayin’ in)
We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews By Julie Ray
If you saw some guy pointing a cardboard toilet paper tube at you, you’d probably laugh, ham it up, and go along on your way. That’s what most of Czech outsider artist Miroslav Tichý’s subjects did. Jay Etkin of the Jay Etkin Gallery has an exhibition of drawings and photographs on loan from the Cavin-Morris Gallery. The New York gallery is known for exhibiting artists from around the world, specializing in self-taught artists who make art independently of the art world. “I feel very honored to have these drawings and photographs,” says Etkin. “Though I tried to get a homemade camera on loan, the Cavin-Morris Gallery turned me down. I don’t blame them.” Once he discovered the works, Etkin wanted Memphis to know this voyeur photographer who took thousands of pictures of women in his hometown in the Czech Republic. His cameras were constructed using cardboard tubes, tin cans, and other at-hand materials. Most of his subjects were unaware that they were being photographed, striking poses when they sighted Tichý, not realizing that the camera he carried was real. The brilliance of the photographs is that they are skewed, spotted, and badly printed. His primitive equipment and a series of deliberate processing mistakes were meant to add poetic imperfections. Tichý has said, “If you want to be famous, you must do something more badly than anybody in the entire world.” Stop by Etkin’s gallery to bid the works farewell and revel in the perfectness of imperfection.
December 24, 2020-January 6, 2021
COURTESY GREG GRABER
CLOSING RECEPTION FOR “REVEALED,” JAY ETKIN GALLERY, 942 COOPER, SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 11 A.M.-5 P.M., FREE.
COURTESY OF JAY ETKIN GALLERY
Candid Camera
Miroslav Tichý’s camera
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Meddlesome Brewing Company’s She Devil Belgian Golden Brews, p. 25
Remembering Chris Jarman (right), the King of West Memphis The Last Word, p. 31
VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES December 24th - January 6th *Events subject to change. Check with venues for most current info. Clueless 25th Anniversary Malco Paradiso Cinema, 584 S. Mendenhall, Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m., and Mon., Dec. 28, 7 p.m., $15 As if! It’s not easy being the most popular girl at Beverly Hills High. Don’t freak out, but this special event includes a bonus featurette about the dialogue in Clueless. Magnolia & May New Year Dinner Magnolia & May, 718 Mt. Moriah, Monday, Dec. 28, 7-9 p.m., $90 Say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with a private, socially distanced four-course dinner/ champagne event.
Find Your Creative Connections Online from Arrow Creative, arrowcreative.org, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 4 p.m., free with registration Grab a drink and meet on Zoom with Kylie Hodges from Wingwoman Collective to make new connections for the new year. Munch and Learn: “Illuminations and Illustrations” Online from Dixon Gallery and Gardens, dixon.org, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m., free with registration Grab lunch and join the lecture via Zoom with Martha Kelly, Memphis artist and illustrator.
Meet and Greet: Winter Axe League Autobahn Indoor Speedway and Events, 6399 Shelby View, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 7-9 p.m., free Throw axes, learn from axe coaches, learn about how the league works, and meet and talk with other league members. League starts Jan. 6. Holiday Whiskey Tasting Celtic Crossing, 903 S. Cooper or online from celticcrossing.com., Wednesday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m., $50 Join in person at the pub or virtually and venture through a lineup of three whiskeys with the owner, DJ Naylor.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 225 S. Hollywood, Thursday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m., televised on ESPN Celebrate the patriotic spirit of America as two of college football’s top teams battle in the 62nd annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl. New Year’s Eve on Beale Beale Street, Downtown Memphis, Thursday, Dec. 31, free This year’s festivities will be held in individual businesses. Visit bealestreet.com for a list of open businesses and activities.
