This isn’t the sound of DJ Doctor Nice rolling over in his grave, people. This is What Weekly.
The Big Picture
I hereby nominate the Pink and Blue Dilemma as the Official Artscape Midway Installation. Further, I contend that in the years to come, Artscape should not officially begin until several festival goers are doused in a deluge of bubbles and made to be giddy while wallowing in the soapy mess. All in favor say “aye!” All opposed go start your own arts festival and call it Boredomscape. Clearly, when god was passing out imaginations you must have been busy avoiding him (or her, if you will) for fear of being interesting.
Cover photo by Theresa Keil.
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Artscape 2010
The Pink and Blue Dilemma, conceptualized and brought to life by Scott Pennington made its debut at the Transmodern Festival where it had yet to reach this level of frivolity. Since then, the installation has developed immensely and by the time it made it to Artscape, it had all but eclipsed its former awesomeness if you can believe it. Follow this link to see the installation during its maiden voyage at Transmodern.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
To say that people love bubbles would be an understatement. The happiness derived from bubbles is directly proportionate to the amount of bubbles accessible per human, divided by the area in which the bubbles are distributed. This number is then multiplied by the radius of the average bubble squared. This formula, as you all know, is the cornerstone of ‘Bubble Theory’ first hypothesized by Dr. W. Pooh during his earliest experiments.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
The new and improved ‘Pink and Blue Dilemma’ comes fully equipped with a lounge area for when the bubbles are just too much and all you want to do is chill. Creator Scott Pennington demonstrates.
Pink and blue sunglass, shoes and outfit sold separately.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
Sam Kipnes is this weeks winner of the prestigious and highly coveted, ‘Hey, You Look Just Like A Young Tony Alva But Maybe It’s Just Because Your Carving That Half Pipe In a very Tony Alva-Esque Way Which, Only Requires Wavy Hair, Olive Skin and the Ability To Have Your Wavy Hair Look Cool in a Photograph’ award. Dude, you totally deserve it.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
Except for the threat of heat stroke, we all know Artscape is pretty tame. We can thank the skateboarders and bikers for mixing it up and reminding us that we all have a little of renegade tucked away in our naughty place. When the deck flies, stay calm.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
You know how we feel about fire here at What Weekly. We’ll stare at a flame like dumbstruck cave dwellers who believe that all the universe’s mysteries could be solved if we could just figure out how to hold it. Thanks to Chris from the Scarborough Sideshow for risking serious bodily harm for our amusement.
Photo by James Hodges.
Sarah Cosden demonstrates how to use one’s own head as platform for creativity.
The Baltimore Rock Opera Society gets our vote for favorite art car this year. It was the only art car that came complete with an interactive stage show and gas burning torches. (we sure do love a good fire) Nothing says culture like a guy in a horned deity mask atop the Brothership, throwing up metal and rocking out like the apocalypse was already underway. I would urge everyone to check out their website for further evidence of unyielding awesomeness.
Photo by Brooke Hall.
Dear Spoon, Doug and Alice,
Creating a booth at Artscape dedicated to writing love letters was truly an inspired idea and we’d like to thank you for your thoughtfulness. Furthermore, we think that if more people channeled their energy into exploring positivity and meditated on the people in their lives that mean the most to them, maybe the world would be a better place. You guys are fabulous.
Best,
WW
Photo by Theresa Keil.
Johnny Thorne understands that sometimes just being yourself is reason enough to celebrate. So wherever you are raise your fists to the sky, pat yourself on the back, do a shot of tequila and tell that girl across the bar that you’re afraid to talk to how beautiful she is and that neither of you have the time to waste wandering around without each other anymore. Learn how to skydive; learn how to skydive naked; learn how to skydive naked while doing a shot of tequila, eat that second piece of cheesecake and then tell your boss to kiss your ass when he proves that he’s a nimrod yet again.
Why? Because that’s what Johnny Thorne would do, that’s why.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
For those of you who are used to going out of your way to find a good Stinkhole you can thank Alisa Alig for bringing one into the heart of Baltimore for your convenience. What’s more is that after winding your way through the perils within, you find yourself in place where wishes are made. Whether or not they’re ever granted is up for debate. I’m still waiting for breezy with a high of seventy degrees.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Conrad Bladey is a builder of art cars which have become a staple during Artscape. Though he sometimes sports his more eco-friendly art bikes, one of his most recognizable cars made it’s annual appearance at the festival.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
Welcome to The Epicentral Temple of the Helping Hand Vehicular or quite simply, Handy. An award winning art car by Conrad Bladey.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
You may have noticed by now that we really didn’t make it South of Penn Station too often during Artscape. I suppose that since the inception of the Midway and the expansion of the festival we’ve been caught up in the spectacle in Station North. With that being said, there are lots of great performances all over Artscape, far too many for us to capture, but we did get a shot of this fellow. He appears to be doing a one man show that explores the supposition that Karl Childers, the main character in the movie Sling Blade, had a secret desire to join the Village People. Or he might be a guy getting ready to juggle. I’m not sure we’ll ever know.
Brent McCoy pictured.
Photo by Tedd Henn.
The Planted Room on Charles Street gave weary festival-goers a place to take a load off.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
Is there something about an old couch that makes us appear to be watching television or are Eric Leshinsky and Jenny Janis still dazed from wandering for hours over the searing asphalt. Is there any particular reason to plan a festival when the sun is as close to Baltimore as possibly without festival goers spontaneously combusting? Maybe it’s time to push Artscape back to September? Or how about an Artscape Halloween?
Photo by Theresa Keil.
Monica Mirabile, showing her dance training, athletic skills and general good-natured, as she was dragged around the festival area after hours on Saturday night, trying to get the right shot. Because she is that awesome.
Caption and photo by Theresa Keil.
Sometimes it’s necessary to have an event for the sole purpose of having an after party. During the summer it can be too hot to move much less walk, dance, sit or socialize. Especially when one-too-many cocktails means the difference between chilling out and passing out. This is why every year Artscape plays host to some of the best after parties. With that, we bring DJ Karizma in the newly anointed ‘Happiest Place on Earth,’ the Metro Gallery.
Photo by Theresa Keil.
