Bemis Underground

by Michael J. Krainak

In a reorganization move at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, with several staff members let go, the buzz around town is the apparent closing of Underground and the departure of the venue’s third official manager and curator, Joel Damon. According to Todd Simon, Bemis board of directors vice president, "In an effort to optimize the exhibition program at Bemis, we made the decision to bring the activities at...

‘Prime’ Time

by Mary Day

Go to New York City and wonder at the sight of the Statue of Liberty rising out of New York Harbor. On a tablet within the pedestal on which the statue stands is an engraved poem by Emma Lazarus, “The New Colossus”, containing the often quoted lines "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” The poem was written to commemorate the installation of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi’s...

‘What Goes Down…’

by Michael J. Krainak

Not only does the Bemis Underground’s current show challenge one’s notion of “What is art?” it counters expectations of art exhibits itself. In a 21^st century postmodern era of bewildering cultural influences and twists, we’ve come to expect that of Bemis both above and below the ground.

What Goes Down Must Come Up strains a bit with its premise--especially its subhead of Trial, Ascension, Requisite—as well as...

Petshop…Maud…Sweatshop

by Mary Day

Omaha’s creative energy in the visual arts, truly the gift which keeps giving, continues to thrive in a variety of relatively new venues outside of the mainstream. The Petshop gallery and workspace at 2725 N. 62nd St. will be featuring the work of Jake Gillespie and Christina Renfer Vogel, opening Dec. 7, 7 -10 p.m, during Benson First Friday. This is the seventh exhibition for Petshop, co-founded by Jamie...

‘Monster’ Quest

by Laura Vranes

From an early age we have learned to visualize a world of recognizable shapes and colors, from white puffy clouds to a soft furry teddy bear clutched in our arms.  Each of us has a unique way of viewing our experiences that somehow fit in a distinctive way that binds us all together. 

The Monster Show, a three-person art exhibit currently at RNG Gallery, reinforces that premise as it engages all of our senses in...

Kaneko…Clay Works…Hot Shops

by Mary Day

Jun Kaneko and Opera Omaha join forces for a talk and behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Kaneko’s latest operatic design opus, The Magic Flute. Jun Kaneko, in a personal account, will address what he describes as a most difficult challenge, “to find a way to shrink the distance between the music and the visual elements and to conceive visuals that fuse the music and design as one experience.” Kaneko’s talk...