Tetsumi Kudo: not as conventional as he looks. At the risk of sounding trite, Tetsumi Kudo is one dope dude. In the Walker’s exhibition October 18, 2008 – March 22, 2009) I saw, what in my mind is true contemporary art. In describing Kudo’s work, a lot of different words come to mind- abstract, simple, complex, revolting, alluring, inspiring, incongruous. The exhibition is undoubtedly one of the most interesting…

One of the most celebrated architects of his time, Eero Saarinen was also one of the most controversial.  While many critics accused Saarinen of inventing a new style for every job, his diverse and sometimes unabashed theatrical designs attracted many.  One of the more interesting buildings of the Shaping The Future show was the Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Saarinen’s second IBM commission. The…

Rumor has it that grammy award winning rapper Jay-Z will be running for mayor of New York in 2009. Although some may roll their eyes at the 38 year old rapper who was apparently inspired by president-elect Barack Obama, I wouldn’t be so quick to pass judgement. As a New York native, Jay-Z teamed up with current Mayor Bloomberg and created a program this past summer called “Summer Streets” to keep…

“Oshima presents a gritty view of Japan’s underworld with a broad swipe at the image of Japan as the “land of the rising sun.” Two gangs-vie to control the black market, prostitution, and other dirty dealings in an Osaka market slum.” On new 35mm print, 87 minutes of my life went by watching this film, which was made in 1960. Yes, entertaining and very interesting… extremely well-done. But, if only I had…

Tom is an Animation Storyboard Artist working in Los Angeles. He was born and raised here in Saint Paul where he attended Highland Park Senior High School. Moving to the East Coast, he studied illustration and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. In the early 90s, Tom was hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation and worked on a long list of films including “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback of…

The first meeting for WACTAC’s new program, STREAM, is this Tuesday at 4:30 PM at the Teen Programs office at the Walker Art Center. If you are interested please come on down, you’re the next contestant on the Price is Right… Sorry, that was just something I’ve always wanted to say, or type… STREAM will operate like a street team and be in charge of distributing flyers, posters and other marketing…

I came back from vacation and found my desk covered in cellophane. I will get my revenge…after I find out who did it. Maybe it was this guy.

This Sunday, I’m hitting the road with one of my favorite writers (and the only guy I know with publicly acclaimed facial hair), Andy Sturdevant; we’re taking a daytrip to Rochester Art Center to see Deep North, the new exhibition of work by St. Paul native, Chris Larson. I last saw this pop-savvy aburdist-philosopher’s work at the Creative Electric Gallery a couple of years ago – and once you see Larson…