OAKLAND ART OPENINGS - LOAKAL - MERCURY 20

ROSCOE CERAMIC - MANNA - PHOTO - FM

THE WALL - CLASSIC CARS WEST - BAYCATION

08.1-2.14

Reported by Jane Elliott



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lOAKal Gallery, 560 2nd Street, Oakland, CA: Nite Owl - The Pursuit of Slappiness.

Review by JE: Nite Owl brandishes Owls. Owls on found objects. Owls on panels. Owls on anything and everything-- broken skate decks, stickers, street signs-- whatever it is in that pile of street flotsam that needs an Owl. This exhibit works as well as 5 cups of coffee. Energy is everywhere and it rubs off onto you. The show is in the gallery until August 30th.

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Mercury 20, 475 25th Street, Oakland, CA: Jann Nunn - Breathing Space; Ruth Tabancay - Geometricity

Review by JE: Jann Nunn constructs delicate flowing structures of glass pipettes, ripples of stainless steel tubing and raku fired crucibles. Glass acting as water cascades in showers and flows in rivulets. Nunn conjoins real work concept with ethereal poetic sensuality. Ruth Tabancay explores hexagonal repetitions and planes of space using a wide range of materials. Tyvek, yarn, beeswax, cloth and sugar tiles give an ample array of patterns to enjoy. The show is in the gallery until August 9th.

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Roscoe Ceramic Gallery, 473 25th Street, Suite 5, Oakland, CA: Joe Kowalczyk - Solo Show, Recent Work

Review by JE: Kowalczyk creates darkly humurous works that literally leap from the walls. His ceramic sculptures recall bits of dream and nightmare with a comic twist and a ritual aspect. The pieces delightfully combine a mix of 'things that go bump in the night' with a warm inviting laugh. The show is in the gallery until August 30th.

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Manna Gallery, 473 25th Street, Oakland, CA: Lou Bermingham - Primal Visions.

Review by JE: Bermingham draws on the subconscious energy of totemic animals, shapes and symbols to explore the stretching of time back into a prehistory of human awareness. These mixed media works reveal flashes of what lies in the periphery vision of the mind, a primal glance at the edges of thought and thinking. The show is in the gallery until September 6th.

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PHOTO Fine Art Photography, 473 25th Street, Oakland, CA: Hyeyoung Kim - Nurtured by Nature.

Review by JE: Hyeyoung Kim places before us photos of the repeated image awash in subtle individual differences. Each carved statue of Bodhisattva began as a nearly identical to the other, but time and the elements have graced each with its own selfhood. Nature took up where the chisel left off, and imbued emotions into the once similar stones. The show is in the gallery until August 23rd.

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FM Gallery, 483 25th Street, Oakland, CA: Sarah Symmonds.

Review by JE: Sarah uses a very vintage technique to produce a depth of character and mystery in this series of portraits. Showing at the FM Gallery until August 30th.

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The Wall Gallery, 473 25th Street, Oakland, CA: Steve Lomprey - Sci-Fi Series.

Review by JE: Steve Lomprey describes cosmic energies with a convergence of powerful shapes and colors. Driving forces of outer space flares combine with geometric forms on these panels. The Big Bang, Cosmic Rays, and Pulsars are seen in the execution of precise angles, pulled and dripping colors, and scratched chaos. The show is in the gallery until August 15th.

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Classic Cars West, 411 26th Street, Oakland, CA: Elena Kulikova - Crystallize.

Review by JE: Kulikova combines unchanging moments captured in photographs with the enduring structures of crystals. Floral forms take on a new potency in her sculpture works. The show is in the gallery until September 20th.

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Classic Cars West, 411 26th Street, Oakland, CA: Broke-Ass-Stuart hosts 'Baycation.'

Artists: Emma Webster, John Casey, Crystal Morey, Jon Carling, Max Kauffman, more.

Review by JE: A lovely sunny afternooon, not too boiling hot, nor too foggy cold. Snacks, beer, art and cars.

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