INDIA II Review: Pittsburgh City Paper

The December 26th issue of the Pittsburgh City Paper contains a very nice review of INDIA: NEW INSTALLATIONS, Part II, which continues through January 20, 2008.

As in the museum's INDIA: NEW INSTALLATIONS, Part I, the artists in Part II were chosen after studio visits by Mattress Factory curator Michael Olijnyk and executive artistic director Barbara Luderowski. Also like Part I, participating artists marginalize color and forego traditional cultural iconography. What differs in Part II is that each artist subtly engages the viewer's anxiety mechanisms, through means both intellectual and physical. And while they seem to reject traditional aesthetic concerns, these largely concept-driven works speak directly to the intellect (READ MORE)

Personal Collections of Barbara Luderowski & Michael Olijnyk

Behind the scenes (or should we say way up above?) at the Mattress Factory, in the private residence of our founder and co-founder, are two fabulous personal collections containing all kinds of fun stuff.

Here's your chance to take a virtual tour and see it all.

Illustrations of Catastrophe and Remote Times

On January 18, the tenth installment of the Gestures Exhibition Series will open with a reception in the satellite gallery located at 1414 Monterey Street. The event will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Heather Pesanti, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at Carnegie Museum of Art, will guest-curate the exhibit titled Illustrations of Catastrophe and Remote Times.

In 2001, we initiated the Gestures exhibition series to present new works by regional artists. In each exhibition, participants include individuals from a wide range of creative practices. Past participants in Gestures shows have included florists, architects, graphic designers and a wig maker.

The upcoming installment continues to bring together a diverse cross-section of talents and practices. Exhibiting artists include Mathew Barton and Jacob Ciocci, Black Moth Super Rainbow, John Carson, Rebecca Einhorn, Michael Ferucci, Fabrizio Gerbino, Jennifer Howison, Renee Ickes, Ben Kinsley and Jon Rubin, Ladyboy, Christiane D. Leach, Jenny Lee, Lauri Mancuso, Danny Montano, David Montano, Jairan Sadeghi, David Wettergreen, and Brett Yasko.

"The participants in this show represent a wide spectrum of creative fields, techniques, media, ages, and perspectives, ranging from visual and performing artists to an experimental band and a robotics professor. Many are individuals with whom I’ve made studio visits or encountered in galleries or universities throughout the city," says Pesanti. "They are all unbelievably talented and creative, and I am looking forward to seeing the final product of their individual and collective efforts."

Illustrations of Catastrophe and Remote Times opens January 18 and runs through May 11, 2008. Admission to the opening reception is FREE for members ($10.00 for the general public & $5.00 for students). Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.mattress.org or call (412) 231-3169.

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The MF is the 1st museum to offer a paperless Green Membership level. Learn more @ visitor desk or http://bit.ly/Fx0c

Shannon Knepper, Graphic Designer

SHANNON KNEPPER, Graphic Designer Extra-Curricular Interests Sports with rackets; Silkscreening at AIR; Eating eggs out of egg cups. What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? Mastadon & Dolly Parton If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? Mastadon & Dolly Parton If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? Alexander Fleming (absent minded and brilliant!) One more thing we should know about you: I do a killer seagull impression...not suitable for indoors, though. READ ALL POSTS BY SHANNON

Leah Durand, Archivist

LEAH DURAND, Archivist Extra-Curricular Interests Fixing up my house, random road trips, flowers from the strip, city steps, and getting lost in my own city. What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? Mirah, Neil Halstead, Mixes made by friends, Devotchka, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, CSYN, Jesus and Mary Chain If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? The Oxford English Dictionary and sunscreen SPF 30 If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? Melvil Dewey. Not only did he come up with a classification system for libraries, he was also an advocate for spelling reform. He wanted to simplify spelling and eliminate extra letters; it's like he is the O.G. of text spellings. One more thing we should know about you: I only eat real maple syrup. That log cabin stuff is for suckas. READ ALL POSTS BY LEAH

Catena Bergevin, Director of Operations

CATENA BERGEVIN, Director of Operations Extra-Curricular Interests Running, Cooking, Shopping. What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? Marvin Gaye, Santana, Dave Matthews, Miles Davis. If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? Johnny Depp and Clinique Lipstick in Pink Chocolate. If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? My grandmother, Catena Caruso, so I can learn her secret recipe for tomato sauce. One more thing we should know about you: I am a kickboxing instructor. READ ALL POSTS BY CATENA

Elizabeth Keller, Director of Education

Elizabeth Keller, Director of Education Extra-Curricular Interests getting outside, sewing stuff, rearranging my house, watching my daughter figure stuff out... What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? no thanks... 94.5--all oldies all the time is where I'm at. [and Horse or Cycle] If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? my family (counts as one thing) and a piano or other musical instrument. If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? Lewis and Clark-their journey started in.... PITTSBURGH. One more thing we should know about you: I'm a mad list-maker, love kerchiefs around my neck + wind in my hair, and never stop at just one of anything... READ ALL POSTS BY LIZ

Erin Potts, MF Shop Coordinator

ERIN POTTS, MF Shop Coordinator Extra-Curricular Interests Reading, Hockey, Knitting, Movies What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? Alkaline Trio, Bouncing Souls, Tegan and Sara If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? My bathing suit and the Twilight book series If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? Jane Austen because she was a fascinating woman and could tell a seriously good story. One more thing we should know about you: I am a graduate student at Duquesne University. READ ALL POSTS BY ERIN

Barbara Luderowski, Founding Director

BARBARA LUDEROWSKI, Founding Director Extra-Curricular Interests Real estate development, remodeling old buildings, antiques, auctions, old toys and collecting art. What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? I have some things on my iPhone I use for meditative purposes. If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? Needle and a hammer. If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? My father. One more thing we should know about you: My strongest quality, which can be counted as a positive or negative, is persistance. READ ALL POSTS BY BARBARA

Lindsay O'Leary, Public Relations + Marketing

LINDSAY O'LEARY, Public Relations + Marketing Extra-Curricular Interests Glassblowing, exploring the North Side, comics, and kayaking. What artists are currently in heavy rotation on your iPod? The Books, Prefuse 73, Murs and our very own Slim Cessna's Auto Club. And Dragonforce. If you could bring two things with you to a deserted island, what would they be? A motorboat and fuel. If you could have dinner with one person from history, who would it be and why? I'd have dinner with Robert Krulwich, co-host of my favorite podcast, NPR's RadioLab – he's even been on "Nova." He's the best. One more thing we should know about you: I'm better at Scrabble than I am at backgammon. READ ALL POSTS BY LINDSAY