Going The Distance

Butterfly, begin... looking back at our wedding ceremony.
Photo by John Whipple for Jeremy and Sarah Clowe. All rights reserved.

Today was our one-year anniversary... I can't believe it went by so fast! Thanks friends for all your well-wishes. We had a very nice weekend celebrating. 

Yesterday we kept the weekend's exhibition theme going by traveling to the Hyde Museum to check out Modern Nature: Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George. Sarah has been a longtime fan of the artist, and actually interned at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, during college. It was interesting to see the local influence on O'Keeffe's work: her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz, had a family home in the area, and they visited frequently during the 1920s. O'Keeffe's compositions and colors, in particular, are exceptional. I loved seeing the Lake George area translated on to her canvas... I feel like she captured the mood of the area's scenery. Later we walked around downtown Glens Falls... appropriate since the town was known for its paper industry, and this was our "paper anniversary."

No butterflies were harmed during
the eating of this cake. nom, nom!

Tonight we had a delicious Indian dinner (of course) at Lazeez in Albany--probably our favorite restaurant in the area. Then we went back to our place to enjoy wine and de-thawed wedding cake, which they tell me is a tradition for your first anniversary. Well, it was just as delicious the second time around... big props to Villa Italia in Schenectady. We also settled in and re-watched our wedding video... much love and laughter. 

We're doing great, and I'm feeling good... I have given myself a goal of working out every day this month--at the gym or comparable exercise at home. I haven't missed a day, and I'm halfway through July. So here's to another year of health, happiness, and love...

Love. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Special Thanks:

www.hydecollection.org

www.eatlazeez.com

www.villaitaliabakery.com

www.fireflyflorist.com

powersmediaproductions.com

www.johnwhipple.com

Action Man

Photo of Jarvis Rockwell touring his exhibition at Norman Rockwell Museum.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.

It seems like only yesterday that we opened a new show, but last night I worked yet another opening for Norman Rockwell Museum's latest exhibition, Jarvis Rockwell: Maya, Illusion, and Us. The oldest son of illustrator Norman Rockwell, Jarvis Rockwell has forged a career an artist in his own right. What I find interesting is that Jarvis decided to create much more conceptual work than his father. Those visiting this 60 year retrospective will see examples of early portraiture which eventually give way to more abstract figures, shapes, and performance-based projects, questioning everything from social to existential matters.

Scaling "Maya V." Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserved.

Perhaps the most fun element in the exhibition, Maya V is the latest in a series of Hindu-inspired pyramids that the artist has created entirely of action figures. Apparently Jarvis Rockwell has collected these highly detailed figures since the late 1970s, following the death of his father. Along the way he decided to incorporate them into his art, creating miniature tableaus that arrange the figurines in surprising, often dark narratives (I remember being amused that this was the work of Norman Rockwell's son when I started at the Museum). The first Maya exhibit I saw was at the contemporary art museum Mass MoCA over a decade ago, and it was quite a sight to behold--I even recognized a few Star Wars and superhero figures that I once owned as a child.

As the curatorial staff readied the exhibition last week, I had the opportunity to literally jump in and help with the construction of Maya V, as well as document some of the process through my own video and photography. Considering my long affinity towards monsters, superheroes and movie characters, I had good fun helping to assemble the project. It was also interesting to see the connections and narratives that other staff members created with various figures. Jarvis Rockwell basically assigns the directive and allows others to take care of the pyramid installations, and I think the communal aspect of their creation is a cool concept.

One of my contributions to the
action figure pyramid (of course!).

In some ways, I'm sure it hasn't been easy being the son of such a famous artist, known for his more sentimental, commercial illustrations during a time when artistic tastes were shifting in a more modernist and abstract direction. Jarvis hasn't always been easy to reach out to in terms of understanding his father's work (he once emphatically denied my request for a video interview about the subject). However, I think he has begun to make peace with the family legacy and his own contributions. It is nice to see an artist come into his own, and I appreciated hearing his thoughts about how the artistic process has gotten "easier" over time.

Jarvis Rockwell: Maya, Illusion, and Us will be on view at Norman Rockwell Museum through October 20, 2013. The artist will be stopping in from time to time to work on a special wall drawing/collage, so you just might catch him during a visit. Wouldn't that be every kids dream... to draw on the wall of your father's own house aka museum? 

Related Links:

Exhibition press release, written by JC for NRM

"Portrait of a Young Artist," Norman Rockwell Museum blog written by JC

"Maya V" Installation photos by JC for NRM, Norman Rockwell Museum Facebook

Showcase

Happy Saturday.

This past week I was asked to create a new demo reel for my filmmaking work. Many of you have already seen this material, but I thought I would post it anyway:



Yes, I'm now on the professional video site Vimeo. In addition to my Youtube page, I'll be migrating/posting some of my material here as well. 

Spidey approved! Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Some cool news: the videos I created for the Heroes & Villains: The Art of Alex Ross exhibition received two awards during this year's New England Museum Association (NEMA) Publications Competition. The exhibition video won third place for Educational Publications, Materials, & Kits; and the promotional trailer won first place for Marketing/PR Materials-Press Kits, Museum Budget over $500K! It's a good feeling, as these two projects held such a special interest for me.


NEMA sponsors the annual Publication Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in design, production, and effective communication in all aspects of New England museum community publishing. Entries are judged by a panel experienced in publication, design, marketing and communications. Awards are given to those entries which most effectively present their message to the intended audience. 

The videos will be on display during NEMA's 2013 Annual Conference to be held at the waterfront Newport Marriott in Newport, Rhode Island, November 13 through 15, 2013. Cool city... I hope to attend.

Related Links:

2013 NEMA Publications Competition Winners

vimeo.com/jeremyclowe

Snap Shots

Queen on her throne. Photos by Jeremy Clowe.
©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Summer has arrived... but who would have thought we'd have such humidity already? Luckily there are still traces of the sweet air of spring, both in the fragrance and beauty of blossoming trees and plants.

Before I bid adieu to my favorite season, I thought I would post some fun shots I took a couple weeks ago at Norman Rockwell Museum. A member of our maintenance crew alerted me to the arrival of an interesting visitor, who stopped by just to give birth. Yes, you read that correctly.

A huge snapping turtle had wandered on to our grounds and settled atop a pile of stones our crew had lying around, adjacent to the parking lot. Not wanting to get too close, I still couldn't resist taking some snaps of my own with the Canon 60D (National Geographic, eat your heart out!).

I found the baby momma still there seven hours later (guess these things take time). The next day, however, she was gone... hopefully making her way to the nearby Housatonic River to cool off. Glad I caught her while I did, and still waiting to find any offspring wandering around campus... careful where you step.

Berkshire Soul

RBIT at the Spectrum.
Courtesy Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

Happy summer solstice! It's a beautiful, sunny day here in the Berkshires, and I thought I would take some time out to share another update.

There's a lot happening here in the Berkshires this weekend— most notably, Wilco's Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA. I had the good fortune of attending and covering the event a couple years ago, and it was a blast—great fusion of music, art, good vibes... I won't be attending this year, but I'll try and post some more of my experiences working on the 2011 festival in the coming weeks.

I will, however, be performing again tonight with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. It is our last gig of the season and honestly, I think we could use the break... get refocused and audition for some new members (contact me or the group if interested). If you're in the area, tonight's show is 7:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts (can't thank these guys enough for their hospitality over the last couple years). 

Also worth checking out in the Berkshires, of course, is Norman Rockwell Museum. Our exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic is a real treat, as is seeing our permanent collection of Norman Rockwell artwork. Below is an interview I gave a couple weeks ago to WGGB, the ABC station in Springfield, Massachusetts, to help promote the Museum. Turned out pretty good, even though the audio sync appears off and you see me swatting some flies at the beginning of the piece (the fact that I was being interviewed by a former Miss Connecticut made it slightly more bearable). Fast forward to about 12:27 to view the segment:

Speaking of interviews, if you're in Boston this Saturday, you can hear me on WBZ Radio's  New England Weekend, talking up the Snow White exhibit. The segment should air around 7 a.m.

Well, that's about it... just got back from lunch at Baba Louie's Pizza in Great Barrington (another Berkshire favorite), so before I fall into a food coma I better get back to work. Happy Summer, everyone.

Dancing on Air

With Snow White model Marge Champion at the press 
conference for "Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs: 
The Creation of a Classic" at Norman Rockwell Museum, 
June 7, 2013. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic is a hit! We had a successful opening last weekend, and our Enchanted Evening Gala was enjoyed by all who attended. I was asked to help out with an auction held during the event− as a performer, it made me conscious of how to speak effectively from the diaphragm, and in an engaging way in order to entice potential bidders. There is an art to this public speaking thing, for sure... but I did alright.

One person who seems to have mastered the skill is Marge Champion, the famed dancer/choreographer who also served as the live reference model for Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She was our guest of honor during our gala event, and also joined us for a well-attended press preview to talk about her experience working on the groundbreaking film. I was impressed by her energy and spark, and her words were often inspiring (hope I'm like this when I reach 93). During the gala, Sarah I and took the dance floor and so did Marge... I must admit, there was a part of me that wanted to impress the award-winning performer with my own dancing ability (here's a little video my co-worker filmed of us; you can also see Marge Champion waltzing away in the background).  

During my last post I mentioned my planned interview with the Berkshire program Well Talk Radio about the exhibition. I thought it turned out well... here is a link to the segment, where you can also hear portions of my April interview with Marge Champion. And... without further delay, here is a very quick clip I put together from that same interview... I hope to put a longer piece together when I can find the time... right?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic will be on view through October 27, 2013 at Norman Rockwell Museum.

Related Links:

"'Snow White' in the Press," Norman Rockwell Museum website

Enchanted Evening Gala photos (includes shots taken by your's truly), Norman Rockwell Museum Facebook page

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho!

"Snow White Dancing with Dopey and Sneezy. Doc, Happy, Sleepy
Playing Music." Disney Studio Artist Reproduction, cel setup; ink and acrylic
on cellulose acetate. Courtesy Walt Disney Animation Research Library. ©Disney.

Back from a relaxing and adventurous weekend in the Adirondacks... good to get out in the fresh air and countryside. Now I'm busy preparing for the opening of the exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic this weekend at Norman Rockwell Museum. We have already received a couple good articles in The Boston Globe and Berkshire Eagle, and a Friday press preview is starting to fill up nicely.

Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I will be talking about the exhibition on the radio show,
Well Talk with Avi Dresner. This Berkshire radio program focuses on health-related subjects, so we will be looking at the film's connection with dancer Marge Champion, who served as a live reference model for Walt Disney's first feature-length animated film. The host plans on airing portions of my videotaped interview with Champion, which was conducted in early April− this seems perfect, seeing as she lives part-time in the Berkshires. You can listen to the interview at 9 a.m. ET on WSBS Radio in the Berkshires, or online at www.wsbs.com

Also in the works: a couple interviews about the Museum that I conducted for the Russian Television Network of America, and WRGB-TV, based in my new home of Schenectady, New York. Apparently WRGB is the oldest TV station in the country, but more interesting for me is the fact that my Mom used to sing on the station when she was a teenager! More info soon... heigh ho, heigh ho...

Related Links:

www.welltalkradio.com

"New family fun programming at the Rockwell begins with Family Day opening of Snow White," Berkshire Family Focus, May 30, 2013