Tanja Geis at Headlands Center for the Arts
-Fundraiser - Aggregate Space Gallery
One of the most consistently thrilling spaces in Oakland is holding their annual fundraiser this Saturday, to help them not only survive but prosper in these trying times for Bay Area art galleries. Experiences will be auctioned off, experiences will be had in the gallery, and it's going to be one heck of a party. Do not miss!
-Art exhibit - I'll Tell You Later at Headlands Center for the Arts
It's always exciting to see the Graduate Fellows exhibition at Headlands after the seven artists have completed their year-long residency post-graduation, and this is a particularly strong group. Themes of temporality, environment, social conscience, and play all make appearances in their work, and I liked how the art is curated by Joanna Szupinska-Myers into a "light" room and a "dark" room.
-Theater - The How and the Why at Aurora
Playwright Sarah Treem finds an electric plot device with which to explore the issues contemporary women face, and how two particular generations cope. Martha Birgham and Nancy Carlin are riveting as they spar over scientific ideas and feminist ideals, and they should receive an award for remaining complete pros even when the theater had to be evacuated for a medical emergency during the performance I saw.
-Book - Children of Paradise: The Struggle for the Soul of Iran by Laura Secor
Not an easy read, but an important one, as Secor traces the history of Iran's intellectuals and reformists since the revolution. I finished the book with a much richer understanding of the many viewpoints that have shaped present-day Iran, and with so much respect for activists like Asieh Amini who fight for change even under threat of severe torture and death.
-Online magazine - Art Practical
AP's current issue "Moving Target" takes on the idea of collaboration/cross-pollination and features some real gems, among them a story/illustration project from the trio of Lindsey Boldt, Anne McGuire, and Steve Orth, as well as video pieces by Jennifer Locke/Camille Roy and Elaine Kahn/Trisha Low/Monica Raden. Also keep an eye out for a yet-to-be-published conversation between Margaret Tedesco and Kevin Killian.