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Opening yesterday in Portland, Oregon, one of my photos is included in the new exhibitionÌýField Notes: Landscape and ArchitectureÌýat Black Box Gallery. The opening reception will be on Friday, 7 June 2013 and the show runs until 20 June.ÌýIf you happen to be in the Portland area be sure to drop by. Otherwise, you canÌý.

The photo on view in theÌýField NotesÌýexhibition was taken in Subligna, Georgia. I took this photo last year while doingÌýÌýresearch. That day I photographed and inventoried Anderson’s Cemetery (you can see that inventory and some of the photosÌý). This gives you an example of how genealogy and art have coalesced to formÌýJordan’s Journey‘s unique take on exploring the past.

The below photo is another image from Subligna I shot the same day as the photo on view at Black Box Gallery.

Ìý

tagged me in the Alternative Booker Award. So, what the hell, why not? I’m supposed to share my five favorite books. This is not an easy task but I’ll do the best I can. These are in no particular order.

The Hours by Michael Cunningham. Just because it’s, like, perfect. And you can’t really appreciate this novel without knowing Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. So I’ll list them together.
Memnoch The Devil by Anne Rice. Some people think this novel is a mess. But it is one of my favorites because the lengths this woman goes to explore her concept of theology is justÌýfascinating.
Contact by Carl Sagan. This novel means so much to me. It’s hard to put into words. But I feel like so much of myself is wrapped up in this book.
Rendevouz with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. In fact, I’ll just say the whole Rama series. I think they’re some of the best books ever written.
Tales of the City. Again, why settle for a single book when there’s a whole series worthy of being mentioned? These are real page turners and unlike any of the other novels on this list (I can be overly serious sometimes, so sue me), there are many laugh out loud moments here. If you need an introduction to classic gay culture, these books are a great place to start.

And there’s the top five. ButÌýI’ll include a few honorable mentions that, given this task at any other point in time, could have easily made this “top fiveâ€� as well:

Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gillman
Les Guerilleres by Monique Wittig
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A Princess of Mars by John Carter
My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

Now the part where I’m supposed to tag five more people:

And that’s that. Have fun!

INTERSECTION, no. 2, is here! If you want a free copy all you have to do is ask! If you missed issue no. 1, those are still available too.

Ìý

Raleigh art collector Geraldine Bryan is proud to presentÌýmuse, an intimate solo exhibition of new work by artist luke kurtis. Please join us at Community United Church of Christ (814 Dixie Trail in Raleigh) on Saturday, March 9, from 2-4 PM for the exhibition opening and to hear the artist discuss his work in a casual setting. The exhibition will remain on view until 20 April and is viewable by appointment (call 919-787-6422 or 919-787-8494).

museÌýis a series of never-before-exhibited digital collage prints that evolved out of the artist’sÌýJordan’s JourneyÌýproject. Through a detailed process combining both digital and analogue techniques, kurtis probes the areas of spirituality, history, science, and fashion.ÌýWhereÌýJordan’s JourneyÌýexplored the idea of personal and collective memory through the lens of genealogical history, theÌýmuseÌýseries hones in on a sense of alternate reality. TheÌýmuseÌýimages approach the symbolism of tarot cards or even religious icons yet function beyond that realm. The muses possess a psychedelic fashion sense while layers of scientific and technical imagery bring a sci-fi element to the works.ÌýThese pieces illustrate the artist’s evolving technique and highlight his vision of a new world where spirituality and science are integrated aspects of the human experience.

luke kurtis (also known as Jordan M. Scoggins) is a Georgia-born interdisciplinary artist focusing on the intersection of photography, writing, and design. He lives and works in New York’s Greenwich Village.

Geraldine Bryan is a long-time art collector and Raleigh resident. She was a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art for 18 years and is pleased to present the Raleigh debut of kurtis’s work.

one of my new projects this year is an ongoing zine. the first issue of INTERSECTION is available now. want a copy? all you have to do is let me know!

one of my new projects this year is an ongoing zine. the first issue of INTERSECTION is available now. want a copy? all you have to do is email me your postal address at [email protected] and i’ll send one out to you!

writing about the emotional component of creativity–whether expressing your own art or experiencing the art of others–can be a difficult task. theÌýexperienceÌýof creativity impacts you in a way beyond everyday thought and reason. the very poem i posted here recently was about such an experience. i could not write about Madonna’s MDNA concert as if it were a mere review (besides, my friend Brian already if you’re looking for that kind of perspective). like in , religious imagery is often the only way i can describe my most profound experiences of art.

recently i went to see Einstein on the Beach. i first encountered Glass’s famous opera well over a decade ago. i studied the work extensively as part of myÌýinterdisciplinaryÌýart degree. EOTB was one of the key works for me in exploring the relationship between spoken word and music, an idea that i have continued to develop even beyond my years as a student.

seeing EOTB live was like going to one of the most sacred church services conceivable. it was different from MDNA–a totally different energy (and i wonder how many people across the two audiences would be equally impacted by these two very different forms of music and theater?). but for me they are an interesting contrast, a precarious balance. and both equally spiritual experiences.

where EOTB is immediately viewed as high/art and MDNA is low/pop, i think it’s valuable to compare them. EOTB uses pop culture as a means of abstracted commentary while MDNA uses pop as a subversive way to communicate more complicated ideas. EOTB can leave the viewer feeling a little stupid, “what does that mean? it’s over my head.� Most MDNA attendees have a hard time seeing Madonna as anything more than dance diva. both shows exhibit a certain amount of tedium, whether its waiting for hours for Madonna to grace the stage, or waiting for what may seem like hours for even the tiniest actions to occur in EOTB. Madonna’s show embraces religious imagery and symbolism while Einstein is, well, more scientific. both shows contain violent imagery. both shows contain mesmerizing dance. MDNA idolizes its own creator while Einstein celebrates an historical figure.

but the comparison is� relative, shall we say?

the list of similarities and differences could go on. but that’s not really my point here. this is about my personal, subjective experience. i doubt there are many people out there as inspired by both Glass and Madonna as i am. they are but two of the figures in my pantheon of artists. and if going to a concert is like going to church, these artists are like gods.

shall we pray?

l.k. n.y.c.

27 sep �12 12:19pm

Note: The above image is my original poster design concept for Einstein on the Beach. The photograph is by Kate Moran and is used with permission from Pomegrante Art’s for EOTB.

check out this series of digital collages i created in july of this year. i will be making a very limited edition art print set of these collages. please inquire via the if you are interested in purchasing the set.

i floated there, my face quivering with waves of prayer,

the sound washed over us like only the sound of prayer.

the chosen few. the lucky ones. only the faithful

know what it means to be blessed by the hand of god’s prayer.

our chant rose towards heaven in a chorus of light and

the veil of incesnse opened the world between here and prayer.

Vishnu, you are everywhere, your thousand names are blessed

and here we enter in with each breath and sound a prayer.

Isis, bring your magic and bless us sinners for yet

as the universe is vast our love is truth and prayer.

Yahweh, teach us the seventy-two ways, mysteries

we long to know, to sing the vibrations of your prayer.

Holy Mother, reach to me your child and take my hand

for you have seen the light and comfort me with your prayer.

you have walked among great men and women, great artists,

great thinkers: yet here you are with me, your eyes a prayer.

your gaze a gift like a ray of light into my soul,

the soul of a sinner, the light of a sinner’s prayer.

the music is a revelation, a vibration

holy as the word of god, blessed, holy like a prayer.

like a prayer you call my name, the voice of god speaking

through the tongues of men: to light, to love, .

l.k. n.y.c.

7 sep �12 4:08pm