In a Möbius strip of words evoking images suggesting feelings, Anne Cooper blends the performance of poetry and the sensory stimulation of made things in her show featuring new work, the Rakusu Project – the feel of the needle. Opening Saturday, Oct. 11, at her private Los Ranchos gallery/studio ACOG, Cooper has chosen Santoka Teneda’s 21 free-verse haiku as inspiration for an illustration series consisting of 21 paper rakusu hand-sewn by the artist and based on the traditional Buddhist garment of the same name. The gallery will be open 5-8pm, and at 5:30pm the artist will begin installing each piece into the gallery, as Lynn Miller reads the associated haiku. For info and the gallery’s address, call 344-8486 or email cooperix@comcast.net.
Culture Shock: Go Out Of Your Gourd Go Out Of Your Gourd
Robert Rivera’s gourd kachinas
If you think a dried Lageneria, aka “bottle gourd,” is about as interesting as any other dried produce, scramble on over to the New Mexico Gourd Society’s third Art From The Vine show at the Simms Building gallery space (400 Gold SW). Robert Rivera is the nationally acclaimed featured artist, joined by Phyllis Sickles, Janice Reich, Brenda Blackwelder and many more. These talented artisans transform simple dried gourds into contemporary artworks such as Kitty Riordan’s whimsical spirit guide masks or Dar Stone’s blend of influences, including African tribal art and Japanese kana. A free opening reception is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 10, from 5-8pm; the show runs through Oct. 18. Visit newmexicogourdsociety.org for more information.
Culture Shock: Wilderness Speaks To The City Wilderness Speaks To The City
Jim Pfitzer as Aldo Leopold, pioneer of the wilderness conservation movement
via astandardofchange.com
Before there was much going on in the Land of Enchantment in the way of hustle and bustle, conservationist Aldo Leopold had the kind of visionary insight that can be hard to hear. Our wilderness is precious and irreplaceable, and just because we can think of ways to use the space and resources is not sufficient justification for doing so. Leopold’s essays and works are the passionate foundation for Jim Pfitzer’s live docu-drama Aldo Leopold – A Standard of Change, on stage Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Kimo Theatre (423 Central NW). Much like the wilderness, once this show is gone, it’ll be too late to take notice; it is one night only. Tickets to this one-man show are $12-$15. The hour-long performance starts at 6:30pm, followed by a half-hour Q&A. Check out astandardofchange.com, or call 423-987-0003 for more details.
