The Muse: Lansing Art & Culture III

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The Muse

Lansing Art & Culture Issue III Created and Produced by Valentin Pulido All photos taken by Valentin Pulido except those for Kimberly Lavon Special Thanks to My Family for all their support. Big Shout Out: Artserve Michigan, The Art Institute of Las Vegas, Tom Stuart, Studio 1212, & the Creole Gallery. You may not know me, but I know who you are and your work is an asset to the community.

Read The Muse online at issuu.com/muse_lansing

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. If you haven’t visited the gang down at the ACGL, put this down and go. They are good people who are good at what they do and that’s helping artist. They do a lot for the community too. So check them out and if you got some bucks, write them a cheque.

Thank You lansingarts.org 1208 Turner St. | Lansing, MI 48906 517.372.4636 Opinions expressed in this issue are my own and DO NOT reflect that of the Art Council of Greater Lansing or any of it’s affiliates.


The Bag Head Manifesto Hello. My name is Bag Head. For you to understand what I really am, I need to explain a few things first. I am not a specific person or character. I can change my gender and ethnicity at will. I am the intangible manifestation of an idea. An unrecognized demographic if you will. But I do exist. And you know me well. I represent self-interest. And right now I am talking about community self-interest. You see, I make the rules. I say what goes up and what comes down. I can make and break careers with the tip of my pen. I own most of this town. And what I don’t own, I have powerful friends to take care of things for me. They are a real stubborn bunch too. We love our power and we can make things difficult just for kicks.

Let’s get to the creamy center, shall we? This so-called zine, this Muse. If you ask me, it’s better for catching my bird’s droppings than reading. Excuse me, I digress. The creator fancies it to promote the idea of unity amongst Lansing artist. Well, rubbish I say. There is nothing wrong with what we have going. If it is not broke then do not fix. Besides, progress is on the march! Look at Old Town with its exquisite boutiques and galleries. Is it not picturesque? Do not get me wrong. I love the arts. In fact, many pens have run dry endorsing artistic endeavors. But there is some art I just do not understand. It looks strange. Or even worse, it is crass. If what you call art does not look nice on my wall or banister, well then I have issue with calling it art at all.


Who am I to say you ask? I’m glad you did. I am your community organizer, your elected official, or maybe a local business leader. Oh, the irony is delicious, is it not? So often I here chants on damning the corporations but the truth is, your biggest adversary is right here at home. So go ahead, occupy whatever, I really don’t care.

me like the plague. Choose your allies wisely or one day you’ll talk to me and the next day, I’ll have you doing mediocre jobs…FOR FREE. Ahhhahaha!

Second, educate yourself on what’s going on in the community. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is a great place to start. There, they actually care about artist And what’s with the bag? Well the bag without expecting any kind of real profit. over my head is something I’m not terribly I don’t this compassion, the very thought proud of but I assure you, it is very makes me want to take a shower. But they necessary. It enables anonymity. Let’s just will help you find your way in knowing the say, if I was to articulate some of my real who’s who in town and where to go if you intentions out loud or on record, then I may need help. not be invited to very many social events. It is not unusual from my charm to get The last bit of advice I’ll give you to the better of people rather than my deeds. overcome people like Also, it is not good politics for the public me…is to actually to know directly who I am and this keeps get involved. You those pesky whistle blowers at bay. Besides, are the scene. All I can be a white male or a black woman. my money and Remember, the name of the game is selfinfluence can’t interest. We are all vulnerable to its soul change that. But you corruption. have to be persistent. If I beat you once, you Listen here. There is nothing more I enjoy have to come back than squashing competition to stroke my at me over and own ego so allow me to enlighten you with over again a few tips for when you encounter your until you personal Bag Head. succeed. I will not First, do your homework. If you want to make it make it in this, or any art scene, you will easy on need to infiltrate its various social circles. you, but if How far you intend on going is entirely you have up to you, but if you have ambitions on the chops and going to the top, then you will inevitably if you have the encounter scene politics. Certainly, It determination, is here where we will meet because I you will defeat particularly detest newcomers. If you want me. to find me out, develop sensitivity for the reputations of others. Engage with your fellow artist and they will tell you to avoid


Tim Kranz

Above: Out on the Porch Opposite: Small Toy Angst

As a boy who grew up in the 80’s, many of my childhood memories consist of watching movies where those dirty communist get theirs, the final days of Saturday morning cartoons, and playing with my box full of assorted action figures. From Star Wars to Ninja Turtles I had an ever-growing army of mighty heroes and diabolical villains. The living room a battlefield and the laundry basket was a castle or a steel cage. If anyone understands it’s artist Tim Kranz, a Kendall grad and painter. When walking into a gallery exhibiting his work, it is easy to get caught up in the childhood memories of your own. But make no mistake, his art is not mere child’s play and things may not be what they seem. He explains in this interview.


VP: Your work is striking. The colors are bold. A lot of the vantage points in my work are very How do these elements emerge? low and a lot of people automatically assume that its suppose to be the vantage point of a TK: When I originally started doing artwork, I children. Children were never the intent of my was into comic books. I drew my whole life. I work and neither is Toy Story. didn’t have anything to do with painting. I took a few years off after high school and as a result VP: I’m in my early-mid thirties and I feel like I had to take a painting class. I was painting one your images are made for me. I see them as day and I told my professor that I didn’t like being about adulthood and being human. The color. He told me that, I hate to tell you but you characters are usually vulnerable. In Small Toy take to color like a duck to Angst, I know the feeling water. of having a toy at the drain of a tub. In graduate school at Kendall, there’s a lot of TK: There’s a reason focus on the mental aspect why I used that particular of art. I was a house painter toy (Yoda), other than I for many years and I would love Star Wars. I went be given whatever colors through six in a two year that were cheap. Very often I span. I was constantly would be given bright colors. losing them down drains I started painting these and between stairs clocks and they’re usually on because he’s so small. walls when depicted. I would associate the walls with those A lot of times I bring bright colors. Then my own out something about work would too. childhood fear or anxiety. But you’re right, they’re about life. But There was a strange part of me that always what I do most and on purpose, I always had wanted to paint toys. Didn’t know how, didn’t an interest in psychology . The biggest thing know why. I was painting these clocks and is anthropomorphism, where people try to painting these backs (walls). I was doing a lot of understand things by relating the human mind kit kat clocks, they’re almost toys. I was thinking set and the human action to inaminate objects about my thesis when it struck me, I could switch or dogs. to toys. Toys are better suited for color because they are naturally colorful. With my stuff, I love the fact these are toys. I don’t necessarily compose a story, there’s no I really like tenebrism painters like Caravaggio. narrative. People put their own stories to these. He used really bright areas theatrically lit with They anthropomorphizes these. In reality its not dark areas. That always appealed to me. happening.


The one I did of the (Fisher Price) dog getting hit by a car was one of the first paintings I did (of a series), the plane crash being the second. That’s when I realized I was on to something. A lady came up to me in a gallery and told me, “you killed that poor dog.” I said, “how’s that? I didn’t kill that dog.” She goes, yeah you did. I said “no, you did.” She gets big eyes, “what do you mean?” “It did not have a life until you gave it to it and took it away.” She said, “oh wow.”

A lot of times they’re toys that I did have, some I still do. A lot of times I’ll pay attention to the patterns in their body. Like Masters of the Universe, they had the same body. So if I can’t find a specific one that I’m looking for, I’ll find it on the internet and I’ll look at the muscle detail on another one. The Fisher Price Little People are the same.

That’s one of the neat little joys about my work, to have people tell me what I was saying. Sometimes I reveal to them that actually they’re the one saying it but a lot of times I just say, “yeah I’m sick.”

The Plan Crash piece at Kendall, we had a critique and we were going around looking at it. One friend went into five year old mode and was like, “they had an airplane…Fisher Price had an airplane? I didn’t know they had an airplane, I would like to have had that.” I want people to have that nostalgia.

VP: Is there a toy chest?

A lot of times they’re toys I got rid of or I lamented. As pathetic as it might sound, I never got over not having them. I’ll intentionally put them in.

Children were never the intent of my work and neither is Toy Story.”

Left: The Alley Above: Artist Tim Kranz


ACE Deville

Ace DeVille is the MC of Tantalizing Tuesdays at the Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge. More specifically, Ace is the creator of the Filthy Fucking Fetish Fashion Show. Part fashion show part freak show, Tuesdays at the Fahrenheit has been one of the most refreshing and delightfully decadent experiences I’ve had in a long time. This trashy affair is exactly what Lansing needs. While The Fahrenheit caters to a largely gay crowd, don’t let that stop you from checking out Tantalizing Tuesdays, because everyone is welcome. Just leave your inhibitions at the door.


VP: What is your role in this? AD: I’m coordinating the event. I’m hosting. I selected the models. I made most of the outfits. This is my little baby. VP: Describe the process of making the outfits. AD: Listening to music a lot and getting inspired by Party Monster, the 80’s, Lady Gaga. Taking the old and bringing it with the new and sending it on a fucking acid trip. I sew things for myself and put it on other people. A lot of things are cut up or belted to fit other bitches. I started designing my own clothes in high school. It’s one of those things I do to express myself. VP: What’s going on tonight? AD: Tonight is the Filthy Fucking Fetish Fashion Show and it’s the grand opening of Tantalizing Tuesdays at the Fahrenheit and I want to kick it off with a bang. I got all my filthiest sexiest bitches here and we’re gonna give the audience the experience


of their lives and take them on a trip they never been VP: Is there a greater scene? on before. AD: This night is starting and building a scene. Its creating something new that we don’t have. I feel VP: Tell me about the models. like there are a lot of kids, and people, and adults, AD: A lot of them are people I met on Facebook . and everybody who feels fierce, who wants to come I never actually met some of the them before. But and let that emotion out and be crazy and dance and their pictures and their essences that they were throw glitter. That’s what it is really about. giving was something like, I need these bitches. The models are creative people. I met a lot of them I believe that when commit yourself; your mind, your at clubs. A lot of them are old high school friends. body, your energy, and you say I’m gonna make this It’s not about the look but its about the attitude, and happen. Then it will happen. That’s what I’m doing emotion, and intensity they give. Most of them are tonight. I’m going out on a line in faith knowing that its going to happen. not professional models. What I was looking for in the models and the way I styled them was very androgenous. I wasn’t going for just pretty or just really masculine and hot. I wanted to gender bend and cross multiply and see happens from that; gender neutral, and androgenous, and breaking down barriers. A lot of the boys are wearing girls clothing and a lot of the girls are wearing boys clothing. Everybody is fierce. It is not a male or female thing…just fierce bitches.

VP: How long did this take from conception? AD: I’ve been thinking about these ideas since high school, so its been six years. Two and a half years ago I planned an event but it didn’t come to fruition but its been building and building in my mind and finally we’re giving birth. The pregnancy has been years, like an elephant.


Outcast, Out of the Blue, What are you

Kimberly Lavon If you don’t know Kimberly Lavon, all you have to do is look at her work. Of course, you still won’t really know her, but I will say this, I find the person and her work to be indistinguishable. Punky, humorous, yet insightful. Her use of color compliments her dreamy imagery. Her prints are well executed without being overworked, or at least don’t appear to be. Kimberly is a print fanatic. She can go on all day about the virtues of print and design. That is why it is fitting that her studio, The Bottega, is a place where fellow artist and good people can visit and always feel welcome.


VP: What’s The Bottega literally & philosophically? a portrait tattoo apprentice. I did that for a while and started painting and then I decided I could use KL: The meaning of the word is studio of a master a higher education in art to further my career. When artist who trains apprentices. I thought if its my I got to Kendall I didn’t know what I wanted to do. studio, so I could dub myself a master artist and since All I knew is I wanted to do something no one has I do classes and workshops, I thought it was fitting heard of because I would always hear “Oh, you’re to have that title. It is a place where creatives can an artist. Do you draw? Do you paint?” I was really gather and make art, share ideas, grow our creative sick of that all day long. When I saw the faculty they looked at my work and were like, “you’re a print awesome together. maker.” Before I could say yes or no, they enrolled I do mostly monotypes, screen-printing, transfers, me in it. Thankfully I love it. and linocuts ranging from very basic print making techniques to really advanced. After I launch the After learning all the processes, its was like combining advance class I offer open studio time to those who every other process; painting, drawing, sculpture. do not have access to a printing press and offer my You can take all those techniques and wrap them all into print making. I lose interest in things really services as a mentor, if you will, to aid with quickly, with that said, it kept my interest. I could do printing techniques. painterly things if I felt like painting. I can draw and still print with it. VP: What got you into print and graphic design? KL: I was doing a lot of drawing and I got picked VP: Why do you care about artist? I’m not being up by Splash of Color when I was nineteen to be cynical, but why do you care?


KL: Print making is a social medium because all the different techniques come together. I’m really social and I like being social in my craft and being around artist and seeing other things in a different perspective. Even if its negative feedback, its feedback nevertheless. It’s conversation and opening doors and seeing how your technique added to mine, and hanging out with people who are cool. Doing what I love and being with people I care about and adding everything that’s awesome. What are your influences? Frida Kahlo, Jose Guadalupe Posada, and Warhol. Posada is a 19th century printmaker and illustrator of skeletons. He did a series called Calaveras. He illustrated social atrocities and wrote about them in a newspaper he inherited from his wife’s father. It was a kind of morbid portrayal of the atrocities happening around him. His technique caught on and he continued until he passed away. The whole time it was a weird amalgamation of happy and sad, grotesque and not, all wrapped into one with beautiful skeleton scenes. All done by hand. Then Frida with her surrealism. She said she paints her own reality. I feel like that a lot but I try to portray that surrealistic dreamy type of thing so it makes laymen of the viewer. I hate to be rude to say that, but people who aren’t educated in arts have to

think because I feel that in society now people don’t think at all about anything. I feel like we share a lot of similarities with being biracial and a woman in the arts and struggling doing what you love. I realize that everyone hates Warhol because of the commercial aspect but I think its brilliant to make fine art that is commercial enough to where people would want to buy it and make a living from your art. My purse here is a Warhol and when I got it, it had a rejection letter from MOMA to Warhol. It was so inspiring to me. If Warhol was rejected I could easily be rejected and still get into the MOMA. His style is so beautiful with the heavy design qualities. Printmaking, I feel, is the beginning of design. It combines the two (art and design) in a contemporary society. If you are an artist or interested in the arts, you should come to my studio and make some art or sit in a class. Its fun and social, even if your not an artist, you just mess around making some friends and if you are an artist you can learn a new technique to add to your own art. Hanging out with other artist is always fun. I have a new series of cards. They’re anytime cards and they’re al handmade. I’m excited about bringing a bigger scene to Lansing because Grand Rapids has I and its thriving. Its amazing and we totally need that. If we continue to do things, like you and I, its going to explode and Lansing is going to be awesome.

Stereotype

You can visit Kimberly at The Bottega 708 E. Grand River Ave. Suite D Lansing, MI 48906 or Call 517.862.6129




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