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Pieces Available at the Minimum Bid
View Available Pieces
Weren't able to make it to the Silent Auction & Party last weekend? Had your eye on an artwork and didn't get the chance to bid? You can now purchase select Silent Auction artworks at the minimum bid! Take a look at the Flickr album and contact Lee Ann Payne at leeann@sjica.org or call 408-283-8155 to purchase at the minimum bid price.  See available works here
ICA CURATOR PICKS
ISSUE 04
2018 marks the sixth year of the ICA's popular series Curator Picks, a weekly email highlighting work from Connect & Collect: 38th Annual Art Exhibition and Auction. The fourth group of picks represents works by artists in the Live Auction & Gala, which takes place on Saturday, October 27th. Doors for this event open at 5pm and the auction begins promptly at 6pm. Need a ticket? Purchase one on our website, or become a member at $250 or above and get two tickets for free!
 
The "picks" are selected by Executive Director and Chief Curator Cathy Kimball and Curator and Director of Public Programs Christine Koppes.
 
Week 4 Curator Picks includes donations by Michael Buscemi, Alan Rath, Joe Macca, and Marcus Lyon. With ICA Staff Picks featuring work by Wanxin Zhang, Chris Eckert, PACE/WIRTZ (David Pace and Stephen Wirtz), and Ann Hogle.
FEATURED PICKS
Michael Buscemi
Untitled, 2017
Hand-cut archival ragboard construct
48 x 48 inches
Courtesy of the Artist and K. Imperial Fine Art, San Francisco
 
I have been enamored with Michael Buscemi’s work since I saw his cut paper pieces in the ICA’s 2016 exhibition NextNewPaper. Artworks using cut paper can be delicate and intricate, but Buscemi’s work is sculptural and bold. His work consists of thick, white, hand-cut pieces of ragboard that he collages together. Because the pieces are thick they suggest relief sculpture, and emphasize shadow and light.
 
Buscemi draws a comparison between his work to 18th-century decorative marble bas-reliefs, which similarly emanate depth, form, and light. Each cut piece is a similar arc shape and vary slightly in size, which all together reference gestural brushstrokes. Even though Buscemi works with cut paper, there is a definite relationship to painting in his practice. Part of what makes Buscemi’s work impactful is their monumentality, some pieces are up to 20 feet long.
 
Michael Buscemi has been living and working in the Bay Area for more than 25 years. His work has been shown at K. Imperial Fine Art, San Francisco; Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek; Elisa Contemporary, New York; Walker Fine Art, Dallas; and the ICA.

- Christine Koppes

Alan Rath
Iota, 2013
Pheasant feather, steel, fiberglass, custom electronics, and motor
132 x 77 x 9 inches
Courtesy of the Artist and Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco
 
I first became aware of Alan Rath’s work in 1995 when I curated a group exhibition at the New Jersey Center for the Visual Arts in Summit called The Medium is the Message. I included two of Alan’s works and became an instant fan. Soon after, I moved to California and while attending the opening of the Nam June Paik show at the San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA), I had the pleasure of meeting Alan and have been an advocate for his work ever since. While a curator at SJMA, I worked with the Acquisitions Committee to acquired Rath’s sculpture Info Glut II for the Museum’s collection.
 
Alan is a pioneer in the field of electronic art. He builds mechanical sculptures infused with uncannily life-like characteristics. In his recent body of work, he challenges the distinction between animal and machine by utilizing feathers to transform aluminum and fiberglass into charismatic beings. Iota is activated by motion detectors and when there are people in the gallery, it (s/he?) often becomes extremely animated. Sometimes, I feel that the sentiment is sheer glee at the sight of a visitor and sometimes I get the impression that Iota is demanding to see the person in charge. The word iota is defined as a very small amount. And, with minimal materials, Alan has created an anthropomorphic creature who is eager to engage with other beings.
 
In February 2019, the ICA will be presenting Virtual Unreality, the first major exhibition of Alan’s work in more than 20 years. See the piece in action by watching the video linked below. 

- Cathy Kimball
Joe Macca
Bee Symbiate, 2010
Acrylic on panel
45 x 45 inches
Courtesy Private Collection
 
Joe Macca’s Bee Symbiate is a piece that has a much bigger impact in person. The large panel envelops you in color. Although it’s an abstract color field painting, I get a sense the image is referencing something figurative, such as a landscape, or perhaps an out of focus close up of an object. Looking at this piece feels like you are waking up from a dream, or trying to grasp onto a fading memory.  Macca uses airbrush and paintbrushes to seamlessly blend the swaths of color, leaving no trace of the brush behind. This technique furthers the feeling of a dreamscape, and disconnects the viewer from the reality of looking at a painting.
 
Four different colors exude from each corner, which pushes the eye around the panel  to each quadrant and towards the center where the colors converge. As the eye moves it almost seems as if the colors are shifting and expanding. It’s not surprising that Macca’s studio is surrounded by the Oregon wilderness and that he chooses his color palette from this landscape.  One winter day, Macca mixed around one hundred swatches based on the colors outside his studio, he then numbered these swatches and chose four at random for this piece.
 
Joe Macca is based in Portland, OR. He received his BA from the University of Oregon and his MFA from Portland State University. In addition to showing throughout the US, Macca’s work has been featured in New American Paintings, Artweek, The Oregonian, and The Portland Mercury.

- Christine Koppes
Marcus Lyon
Josicleide Nascimento de Oliveira, SOMOS BRASIL, 2017
Photograph
59 x 47”
Courtesy of the Artist
 
Marcus Lyon is a British born and based artist. His works and publications are held in both private and international collections including the Smithsonian Institution, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Arts Council of Great Britain. He has been commissioned and exhibited globally. Lyon studied Political Science at Leeds University, Leadership at Harvard Business School and Performance Measurement at the Kennedy School of Government. His early work with Amnesty International in Latin America was the inspiration for his 25 year exploration of the issues at the heart of globalization.
 
This portrait of Josicleide Nascimento de Oliveira and her child is part of a much larger project called Somos Brasil (We Are Brazil), which consists of a multimedia exhibition and book about identity. There are three elements to the portrait: visual, spoken and genetic. Marcus photographs each of the participants, records a brief oral history and works with an organization to collect a DNA sample, all of which provide a robust portrait of the person. There were 100 participants in the Somos Brasil project. The cumulative data provides a better understanding of the personal, social, and cultural diversity of the region. Currently, Marcus is in Detroit working on i.Detroit, his second “human atlas” project. And, we hope to bring this ambitious undertaking to Silicon Valley in 2020, when we will work with a large representation of our diverse community to present a new definition of who and what Silicon Valley is to the world.

- Cathy Kimball
ICA STAFF PICKS

Week four staff picks are selected by the ICA's Gallery Administrator Nick Nakashian.
Wanxin Zhang
Untitled, 2008-2015
Ceramic
9.5 x 5 x 5 inches
Courtesy of the Artist and Catharine Clark Gallery, SF

 
“I love the contrast of a stable and solid ceramic brick with the fluid glaze that makes the piece seem to melt away.”
- Nick Nakashian

 
Chris Eckert
MSS (Mass Surveillance Sculpture), 2018
Mixed media
33.5 x 16 x 20.5 inches
Courtesy of the Artist

 
“As an art historian, there is nothing I love more than staring at art. However, when the art can actually stare back at me it is a really unique feeling.”
- Nick Nakashian
PACE/WIRTZ
(David Pace & Stephen Wirtz)

British Bomber 8-22-40, 2018
Archival pigment print
25 x 20”
Courtesy of the Artists

 
“This piece captures suspenseful energy in a still moment. I can hear the whine of the engine and feel that rollercoaster induced knot in my stomach as the plane prepares for a dive. I am really excited by the action of this image.”
- Nick Nakashian
Ann Hogle
Clouds Over Bolinas, 2009
Oil on Canvas
30 x 40”
Courtesy of the Artist

 
“In landscape painting, I enjoy feeling dwarfed by the scene. Feeling small in comparison to the scene helps me to lose myself in the environment, and I definitely feel lost - in the best way possible!”
- Nick Nakashian
Connect & Collect Schedule of Events
Live Auction Exhibition, on view through October 27
 

Live Auction Gala*
Saturday, October 27
Doors open at 5pm. Auction begins at 6pm.**
*Admission to ticket holders only.
**Please note the new start time!

 


FREE! Curator Led Tours of the Exhibition
Reserve a tour of the auction exhibitions by calling 408-283-8155. This is a great way to gain insight to the artwork on view! Tours will be available starting October 2, Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

Purchase Auction Tickets
Live Auction Gala
Saturday, October 27
Doors open at 5pm. Auction begins at 6pm.
*Please note the new start time!
$100, per person. Admission to ticket holders only.
Purchase Live Auction Gala Ticket
Thanks to 38th Annual Connect & Collect Participating Artists: 

Mark Adams, Tracey Adams, David Kimball Anderson, Lorene Anderson, Kathy Aoki, Bill Armstrong, Kathryn Arnold,
 Mary Ellen Bartley, Helen Bellaver,
 Andrew Belschner,
 Libby Black, 
Holly Blake,
 Barbara Boissevain, Tom Bolles,
 Andrea Borsuk, 
Sukey Bryan,
 Thai Bui, 
Natalya Burd,
 Michael Buscemi,
 Ethan Caflisch,
 Mimi Cahalan, 
Cynthia Cao,
 John Casey, 
Dale Chihuly, Ryan Cobourn, Kit Colman,
 Randy Colosky, 
Tim Craighead, 
Russell Crotty,
 Sidnea D’Amico,
 Marc D’Estout,
 Carol Dalton,
Heather Day,
 Max de Esteban,
 Lewis deSoto,
 Norm Diamond, Rosana Castrillo Diaz, Laddie John Dill, Christel Dillbohner, Chris Dorosz, Kathryn Dunlevie, Jessica Dunne, Chris Eckert, Ruth Eckland, Doug Edwards, Ken Edwards, David Ellingsen, Ian Everard, Mitra Fabian, Beth Fein,
 Shane Fero,
 Kyoko Fischer, Ferdinanda Florence, Sam Francis, Lorrie Fredette, Steve French, Betty Friedman, Ellie Fritz, Kim Frohsin,
 Karen Gallagher Iverson, Benicia Gantner,
 Linda Gass,
 Ewa Gavrielov,
 Linda Geary,
 Paul Gibson,
 Doug Glovaski,
 Rebekah Goldstein, Joseph Goldyne,
 Matt Gonzalez,
 Annette Goodfriend, Rinat Goren,
 Bill Gould,
 Kat Green, Torrie Groening,
Sarah HaBa,
 Diane Andrews Hall,
 Ema Harris-Sintamarian, Genevieve Hastings, Taro Hattori, Charlotta Hauksdottir, Jana Heer, Victoria Heilweil, Adrienne Heloise, Shawn HibmaCronan, Lisa Hochstein,
 Monroe Hodder,
 Terry Hoff, 
Ann Hogle,
 Katheryn Holt, 
Carol Horigan,
 Beth Howe, John Hundt,
 Henry Jackson,
 Oliver Jackson,
 Patricia Jauch,
 Carole Jeung, Pancho Jimenez, Theodora Varnay Jones, Kathryn Kain,
 Robin Kandel,
 Pantea Karimi,
 Sherry Karver,
Max Kellenberger, Jennifer Kent,
 Kyong Ae Kim,
 Mary Anne Kluth, Sophie Lourdes Knight, Evan Kolker,
 Diane Kreiter,
 Terry Kreiter, Naomie Kremer, Charlotte Kruk, Danielle Lawrence, Louise LeBourgeois, Katja Leibenath, Katherine Levin-Lau, Ligorano/Reese, Bette Linderman, Jingjing Lin, Lola,
 Emma Luna, Marcus Lyon,
 Rita Maas, Joe Macca,
 Emily Maddigan, Gwen Manfrin, Kent Manske, Michelle Mansour, MANUAL,
 Kara Maria,
 Ellen Markoff, Vanessa Marsh, Victoria May,
Tony May,
 Alicia McCarthy, Clive McCarthy, Michael McConnell, Lisa McCutcheon, Stephanie Metz, Masako Miki, Francis Mill, Robert Milnes, Nancy Mintz,
 Mary Mocas, 
Joan Moment, Elise Morris,
 Julia Nelson-Gal, Manuel Neri, Sarah Newton, 
Jann Nunn,
 Ramekon O’Arwisters, Catie O’Leary, Mike Oechsli, Sandra Ono, Sandy Ostrau, Pace/Wirtz, Rebecca Palmer, Sharon Paster, Francesca Pastine, Gina Pearlin, Carrie Ann Plank, Jennifer Pochinski, Silvia Poloto, Carissa Potter, Mel Prest, Hadley Radt, 
Gail Ragains, 
Gustavo Ramos Rivera, Alan Rath, 
Beverly Rayner,
 Sabine Reckewell, Fanny Retsek,
 Lordy Rodriguez,
 Jane Rosen, 
Michael Rosenthal, 
Luz Marina Ruiz,
 Lisa Russell,
 Nancy Russell, Elizabeth Ryono, Byron Ryono, Marguerite Saegesser, Michelle Saffran, Diane Samuels, Sarah Sanford
, Anne Sconberg, Dana Harris Seeger, Rose Sellery, 
Donna Sharee,
 Pat Sherwood,
 Linda Simmel,
 Brian Singer,
 Joshua Smith,
 Robynn Smith,
 Maxine Solomon, Mary Souza,
 
Sam till,
 Shannon Taylor, Ginger Tolonen, Jeanne Vadeboncoeur, Anna Valdez, Sieglinde Van Damme, Monica Van Den Dool, Beth Van Hoesen, Kerry Vander Meer, Kimetha Vanderveen, Barbara Vaughn, Katherine Venturelli, Victoria Wagner, Wanda Waldera,
 Beth Waldman, 
Ann Weber,
 Rodney Weiss,
 Jeff Alan West, Margaret Wherry, Stephen Whisler, Nancy White,
 Heather Wilcoxon,
Kent Manske and Nanette Wylde,
 Alayne Yellum,
 Wanxin Zhang
Connect & Collect exhibition and auction events are supported by:

Heritage Bank of Commerce, The Core Companies, Bontrager Framing, Sares-Regis Group of Northern California, Salt Point, Cinnaholic, and Umunhum Brewing. Additional support provided by Aedis Architecture, Eli Thomas for Men, Johanson and Yau Accountancy Corp., and Nicki and Pete Moffat.
 
Auction Committee Members:
Chair: Yvonne Hunt, Elaine Cardinale, Rana Davis, Dana Kleiman, Nicki Moffat,
Kathy Schlepphorst and Terry Trobough
Donate to the ICA
 

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
560 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Hours: Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat, 12pm-5pm
(408) 283-8155
 
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is a non-profit cultural space that presents thoughtful, challenging, and awe inspiring exhibitions. Our shows include diverse work in all media by regional, national and international artists, from emerging to world renown. Founded in 1980, the ICA is dedicated to promoting greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. Our wide range of exhibitions and public programs, including panel discussions, lectures, performances and publications all serve to foster freedom of expression, critical thinking and open dialogue among the diverse community of Silicon Valley. 
 

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