sm{art}

Linda Gass is definitely not be the first to use her skills in sewing for political activism, even within the environmental art movement.

Susan Shie is credited with starting the Green Quilt Movement in 1989, with two other artists, taking quilts off of the bed and on to the walls to promote ecology and our stewardship of the earth. Gass is one of over 1,000 artists worldwide who has contributed to this relatively new formal tradition in environmental art, but she stands out for her realistic aerial landscapes and deep knowledge of land issues and histories of the areas she depicts.

How many times have I heard people describe a new new laptop computer or i-Whatever as sexy? So much so that apple has built a brand on technology that people want to touch, hold, explore. Sleek, clean, shiny. High-touch and high-tech. And yet, when I think of sex toys design, I often think garish, clunky, and tacky. Why would the ultimate in touchable tech not follow suit?


(image from jimmyjane)

Say what you will about Lady Gaga (she's important for feminists, she's anti-feminist, she's just downright confusing, etc.) but you have to admit that she knows how to put it out there. Her whole existence in the public sphere reads as a giant performance piece (the costumes! the bizarre behavior! the rumors! the extravagant videos!) so it's no surprise that she considers herself a performance artist. Well, Klaus Biesenbach, MOMA and P.S. 1 curator, has news for her: She isn't one. (Yes, apparently it is up to him to decide.)

Update! Margaret Doyle at MOMA sent me an email titled, "correction on Lady Gaga story"! Read on for the rest.

Bitch had a great turnout out our Sm{art} Auction! Guests sauntered through the WorkSound space in southeast Portland, bidding on original art, entering a raffle for a "bitchin" (get it?) commuter bike, or stopping by the Crafty Wonderland table to make tiny flowers out of wire and discarded nylon stockings.

Here's a random sampling of some of the pieces that will be for sale at the sm{art} silent auction on October 25. Check back for more sneak peaks periodically before the event!

Bitch clutch by a la mode

Thanks to all of you, we've made our goal of 70 pieces of art for the auction next Saturday (October 25)!

Now, we need folks there to buy the art you all have so generously donated, to drink the beer that Captured by Porches has given and to eat the cupcakes that Portland gem, Saint Cupcake has supplied.

Please help us spread the word!

In just 25 days, B-Word is not only bringing Judy Chicago out to Portland for our art auction - we are also planning a pretty kick-ass event that isn't your typical auction. We can have all the fantastic entertainment, stellar goodie bags, great local beer and food, and the best host{ess} around, but in order to raise the dollars we need to support Bitch, we need ART!!!