Just when you thought your cup already runneth over, Food MoMA: Pudding Things Places brings you completely real foodstuffs for purely visual feastings. Opening at The Tan (1415 Fourth Street SW) on Friday, Sept. 5, the show takes a cue from the Museum of Modern Art’s aesthetic but seeks to puncture any sense of pretension. Gallery owner Andrew Lyman and show co-organizer Adrian Toto provide the majority of the victual-based artworks, receiving a bit of help from creatives like Rachel Rankin, who has a performance piece planned, and Ryan Garcia, who intends to go big in his contribution. Food MoMA is the first in The Tan’s final series of exhibits; Lyman plans to leave after 2014. For Toto, the exhibit has additional meaning. “This is my first artistic endeavor since being diagnosed with my meningioma,” he says, “and I sometimes feel as though I pulled some of the energy [I now have] out of this space.” It’s the beginning of the end of an era—make sure you’re one of the lucky people who will one day get to reminisce: “Remember how great The Tan was?” For more info, see thetan1415.com or the event page and note—the popsicles start melting at 7:25pm sharp.
Culture Shock: Early Bloomers Early Bloomers
courtesy Ikebana International #41
Ikebana is a method of fancypants flower arranging that dates back to 6th-century Japan. But it has more in common with alien architecture than with your typical flower-store bouquet. Emphasizing form and minimalism, Ikebana celebrates the inherent beauty of leaves, stems and other materials just as much as that of blossoms. A demonstration and workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Albuquerque Garden Center (10120 Lomas NE) puts Sangetsu—one of over 3,000 different schools of Ikebana—into the hands of the curious. Katia Santos, who’s been formally studying Sangetsu since 1979, teaches the demo ($15, 10 to 11:30am) and the workshop ($30, 1 to 4pm) (and you can get them together with a box lunch for $50). Reservations must be made by Sept. 6 by calling Sylvia Webb at 771-1592 or Pat Bristol at 514-3851; be sure to ask about required workshop materials.
Culture Shock: Old Town Old-Timers Old Town Old-Timers
Hand-punched tinwork picture frames by Michael Worthen.
Happy first birthday, Genuine Southwest Art & Gifts. The little shop located on the east side of Old Town (1919 Old Town NW) is crammed to the gills with gifts, décor and artwork direct from the hands of nuevomexicanos. Whether you’re in the market for hand-punched tinwork mirrors, miniature glass chile ristras or natural stone necklaces, you can’t walk two feet without running into it at GSAG. To celebrate their first anniversary, the shop’s offering 10 percent off total purchases during their weekend reception on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 (9am to 9pm) and Sept. 7 (9am to 6pm). Various local artisans are joining the festivities in person, including tin artist Michael Worthen and ceramicist Andrea Ponzini. More info’s on the shop’s Facebook page, or call Jennifer Spradlin at 243-1410. With live music and a free drawing for Backstreet Grill gift certificates or a lovely framed photo of the Sandia Mountains by Val Isenhower, this may be the perfect weekend to shove some tourists aside and indulge in some Old Town retail therapy of your own.
