I Love Mitch Hedberg

Exhibit Honors the Late Mitch Hedberg’s Comic Brilliance

By Nicole Finkbiner
Posted Sep. 28, 2011

Mitch ado: PhilaMOCA curators Brianna Barton (left) and Gavin Hecker sit atop a Mitch Hedberg mural.

When you think of legendary stand-up comedians, names like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Lenny Bruce and Chris Rock come to mind. But how many of us could recite one of their jokes on the spot?

Best known for his bizarre nonsequiturs, superb one- liners, awkward stage presence, unconventional delivery and (ab)use of recreational drugs, Mitch Hedberg is arguably one of the most original comics the world has ever known. Even without ever quite reaching a mainstream audience, he continues to have a devoted fan base almost seven years after his tragic, untimely death.

As proof, more than a dozen local artists have come together to transform Hedberg’s comedic brilliance into actual works of art.

“I think the thing that makes Mitch a great subject for artwork is that his one-liner jokes are visual in nature,” explains participating artist Adam Fergurson. “You actually can see what he’s talking about in your mind’s eye and that’s really what makes his brand of humor funny and unique.”

The exhibit, simply titled I Love Mitch Hedberg, will be unveiled on Saturday during what is sure to be a rather epic tribute event and comedy showcase. A lineup of comics from around the area have been invited to perform, including Phil Porter, who actually once shared a bill with Hedberg. There will also be a video presentation, unreleased footage of Hedberg from back in the day and a special appearance by his widow, Lynn Shawcroft, who helped organize the exhibit, along with friend Gavin Hecker, owner and manager of the Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art.

Though perhaps not surprising, many of the artists note that the comic’s strange and rather varied material allowed them to hone creative juices they wouldn’t normally utilize. “Mitch Hedberg makes you think differently about the world while making you laugh, which is something to celebrate,” says Sophie Strachan, a participating mixed-media artist whose work will also be on display.

For the show, Strachan designed a poster making a subtle reference to one of her favorite Hedberg quips: “On a traffic light, green means go and yellow means yield, but on a banana it’s just the opposite. Green means hold on, yellow means go ahead, and red means where did you get that banana?”

“Before this joke, the connection between a traffic light and a banana would not have occurred to me,” Strachan says. “Sometimes life needs absurdity and Hedberg gave us that.”

Fellow exhibiting artist Dana Osburn opted to probe even deeper into this absurdity with an animation featuring an Oprah Winfrey puppet enacting various lines from Hedberg’s standup.

“Hedberg, for me, represents everything that is so distinctively indistinct about the ’90s and early 2000s,” she says.

On the event’s Facebook page, Shawcroft recently wrote: “I believe Mitch’s legacy is his art—his beautiful words and jokes. I also hope that his legacy is to inspire art.”

In many ways, the exhibit can be considered a tribute to all comedians who, more often than not, go under appreciated as artists and performers, both alive and in death. ■

Opens Sat., Oct. 1, 7pm. Free. Through Fri., Oct. 21. Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art, 531 N. 12th St. 267.519.9651. philamoca.org

Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/music/features/Mausoleum-of-Contemporary-Art-Exhibit-Honors-Comedian-Mitch-Hedberg.html#ixzz1ZVOlC37U

Netherfriends will be here when Jesus Returns

Netherfriends rediscover America with 50 Songs/50 States.

By John Vettese

MAPS AND LEGENDS: The rules for 50/50 were simple: The songs had to be at least two minutes long and recorded in the same state where they were written.

[ rock/pop/concept ]

Just over a year ago, Shawn Rosenblatt stood in front of a crowd in the basement of Pi Lam in West Philly, and announced his plans for a great nomadic adventure. The Chicago-bred psych-pop futurist wanted to tour the country with his band Netherfriends, writing and recording a song for every state. There was the inevitable heckler shouting something about Sufjan, but Rosenblatt’s response was snappy: “Yeah, except that was a gimmick, and this is real life.” The first 50 Songs/50 States release, the lush and vibey Angry East Coast 7-inch, is out this week, and Netherfriends are, once again, heading out across the U.S., kicking off with a show this Saturday at PhilaMOCA.

City Paper: What inspired 50 Songs/50 States?

Shawn Rosenblatt: I realized I wanted to do more when I was on tour than just tour. Right now it seems like that’s the only thing that’s going to keep me going — having these creative projects.

CP: What were the ground rules?

SR: The songs had to be more than two minutes long. And they had to be recorded in the same state I wrote them. This wasn’t always easy. My first time through Alabama, we played, but didn’t write or record. … We were leaving Mississippi, and had to drive back across the Alabama border to record the song in a gas station parking lot. My band was bummed, because we had to drive out of the way. But I listened back recently, and I’m pretty proud of the song.

CP: Which states proved the most and least fertile?

SR: I didn’t really struggle in any states. It’ll be interesting to see how people respond, since some of the subject matter is kind of silly. Hopefully it will be endearing when people realize I wrote the songs so quickly. That’s how my last album, Barry and Sherry, was; I wrote those songs in seven days.

CP: This first EP is called Angry East Coast. What was so infuriating about your East Coast trek?

SR: People were angry. Especially in New England — people we booked with and stayed with were so passive-aggressive. It was really weird.

CP: What’s on the horizon?

SR: I’m doing a bike tour and releasing the first full-length of songs from the project this summer. I’m also working on other releases — an album based on Harry Nilsson samples called Netherfriends Does Nilsson. Also an album with all girl vocals. I think I’m going to call it Women: Can’t Live Without ‘Em, Can’t Live Without ‘Em. I always wanted to be like Phil Spector, but in a not-so-crazy way.

(john.vettese@citypaper.net)

Netherfriends play Sat., May 21, 8 p.m., $5-$7 (sliding scale donation), with Golden Ages and Hop Along, Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art, 531 N. 12th St., 267-519-9651, philamoca.org.

David Welker-Tangible Abstraction opens Friday May 6th

Biography

Rift - Phish Album Cover
NYC October ’06 with Milo

David Welker was born in upstate New York on July 30th 1964. From early on drawing and painting has been the central focus of Welker’s life. As a child he exhibited extremely advanced rendering skills and was interested in scenic and figurative drawing through his high school years. At Syracuse University he honed his painting skills and immersed himself in the study of art history where he began to choose his influences ranging from Max Ernst and Francis Picabia to William Glackens and George Bellows. After graduating from Syracuse University in 1986 he began a series of ambitious large-scale works on canvas and paper.

Rift - Phish Album Cover
“Rift” — Phish album Cover

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At this time Welker’s themes varied from figurative storytelling pieces to elaborate dreamscapes with a strong emphasis on technical mastery.

Night Birds
Night Birds

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Welker’s two decade long professional career has ranged from large-scale murals for the world’s wealthiest patrons, to album covers and posters for the legendary rock band Phish as well as renegade art shows in Boston and New York. In 1993 Welker painted the cover of Phishs’ theme album entitled “Rift”, which received worldwide acclaim from album art enthusiasts and was recently included in Relix magazines “Top 10 Most Iconic Album Covers of All Time” collectors’

cross section nyc Cross Section NYC
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edition. Currently Welker is expanding upon and refining an abstract phase of the past 7 years, which draws on all his acquired skills and influences to depict a quasi-literal environment, which challenges the borders of conceptual and pictorial space.

Welker is a traditionalist by nature and believes wholeheartedly in the power of ancient mediums like paint. “Every generation predicts its’ own doom as well as the end of art as we know it. This is one of many human proclivities that I like to reflect on and also reject.” Welker lives and works in downtown New York City. His work is in private collections worldwide.

David A. Welker

Artist Statement,

“There are many influences in my life that naturally wind up affecting my art. It has always been a difficult thing for me to narrow my repetoire down to just one approach. Currently I am placing emphasis on a series of pictorial, urban landscapes that reflect my desire for art to be accessible and human and represent the things I see on a daily basis. And as an antidote to the strict discipline that these paintings require of me, I am simultaneously creating a series of abstract paintings which depict topographical or arial views of organic landscapes with the encroachment of human structures into them.”

David Welker

Viaduct Exhibition

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Viaduct Exhibition

Contact: Jamie Moffett
Ph: 215.840.8552
Email: solutions@jamiemoffett.com
(Philadelphia, PA) April 22nd, 2011 Jamie Moffett Media Design’s will showcase photography of the Reading Viaduct by filmmaker Jamie Moffett at PhilaMoca on April 29th-30th between 7PM and 11PM and May 1st between 12PM and 5PM in the Contemporary Mausoleum of Contemporary Art. The gallery show will also include artwork from graphic designer Hanan Abdulrahman, photography by Carl Sexton and music by Multiplybynine. The art exhibit will raise awareness of the future Reading Viaduct park and promote the film “Building a Park in the Sky,”, which will begin production at a later date.
Where the Reading Railroad once ran lies an abandoned train track waiting to be renewed and revamped for Philadelphian residents. Building a Park in the Sky will highlight how Philadelphia could build a park overlooking the city on top of those abandoned tracks. The film intends to follow a forgotten path to potential renewal and will offer resolution for a city’s betterment as citizens fight to make Philadelphia a greener place. The exhibit at PhilaMoca will highlight the beauty of the tracks and allow a mingling of individuals interested in being a part of the movement towards a greener Philadelphia.
“Philadelphia’s Reading Viaduct is a park whose time has come – New York has the Highline, Paris has the Promenade Plantee…we can build a park in the sky distinctly shaped by Philadelphia’s move towards a green, sustainable city. PHS proudly supports Jamie Moffett, Viaduct Greene and the many other advocates working towards this important endeavor.” Drew Becher, President – Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
“There is no question in my mind that Philadelphia’s Reading Viaduct Project will lead to the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.”- John Randolph of the Schuylkill River Trail
Come be a part of this art gallery exhibit that will be another step towards Philadelphia’s greener and picturesque future.
For interview, contact:
press@jamiemoffett.com or 215.839.8013
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Facebook Invite: [Link]
Hanan Abdulrahman prints: [Link] [Link] [Link]
Promo video: [Link]
Photos on Flickr:[Link]
Donate: http://donate.buildingaparkinthesky.org

More Chip Music!!!

 

 

Philly Tech Week Chip Music Showcase at PhilaMOCA April 28

 

 

Philly Tech Week, a celebration of technology and innovation in the city that aims to influence collaboration across various influences, is moving on in full effect. And PhilaMOCA has the honor of hosting a multisensory explosion tonight when it plays host to the festivals official chiptune showcase. The show wouldn’t be complete without tripped out symphonic masterminds of merging chiptune with rock, Cheap Dinosaurs. The Game Boy will be cranked to 11 when mathematical madman An0va brings his lo-fi electronic chaos. Ever since leaving jam fusion group MJ Project, Paul Weinstein has been entertaining the masses under the name Chipocrite. And before he takes the TooManyGames Expo and Lebowski Fest Philadelphia by storm, he’ll be ready to blow you away with his epic compositions. The event will also feature live visuals from VBLANK. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7:30pm, $5 w/RSVP ($8 w/o), All Ages (Flier by Animal Style) – Bill McThrill