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Lucky Dragons photographed by Michael Demeo

PSU's MFA Monday Night Lecture Series (PMMNLS) returns next Monday for winter quarter. The first presenter of 2009 will be the music/performance/installation group Lucky Dragons. Made up of Luke Fischbeck, Sarah Rara, and collaborators, "Lucky dragons are about the birthing of new and temporary creatures--equal-power situations in which audience members cooperate amongst themselves, building up fragile networks held together by such light things as skin contact, unfamiliar language, temporary logic, the spirit of celebration, and things that work but you don't know why."

Lecture • 7:30pm • January 5
PSU • 1914 SW Park • Shattuck Hall Room 212

Roberta Smith looks at an artist who turned obscurity into art. What this says to me is the art world is looking to challenge the current cannon of noteworthy names... again (I think this recent spate started with the rediscovering of Lee Bontecou and James Lee Byars).

Artnet had a good overview for the art world in 2008 here.

The O has posted their 2008 roundup... (Ill have PORT's very detailed, multifaceted roundup posted this weekend... which should give everyone something meaty to chew on)

Ok it's 2009, but it is also the last weekend for these four interesting shows held over from 2008.



Livia Marin, Form Follows Variation

The Museum of Contemporary Craft's Manufractured. There are a lot of highlights in this massive group show, including Regis Mayot and Jason Rogenes (a personal favorite). Show runs through January 4th (it's free too but consider becoming a member)



Allen Maertz at Chambers @ 916's wonderful new Pearl District gallery space. I've known Allen socially for a few years so I wasn't surprised the former New York resident and Architectural Record photographer was good... but I didn't know he was this good. Ends January 3rd



Oregon Painting Society at Fontanelle Gallery. This somewhat pagan conglomeration of recent PNCA grads has the kind of energy and sheer cajones is just what t...

Left: Jerry Walker, "Target For One," Right: cary doucette, "blau 1 (detail)"

12x16 is bringing in the new year with Jerry Walker and gallery member cary doucette. Walker was a Portland Pop Pioneer, who adopted the 1960s & 70s NYC Minimalist edge. Although he exhibited in the Portland Art Museum, his work remained largely obscure until his estate sold the collection after his death. Complementing Walker's Minimialist constructions are the parts and pieces of cary doucette. This show exposes the concept behind his work through raw materials, presenting unfinished structures like an architect might present a model.

Opening reception • 6-9pm • January 2
Artist reception • 2-4pm • January 4
12x16 Gallery • 8235 SE 13th #5 • 503.432.3513