YOU ARE INVITED: OPENING RECEPTION FOR MIKE SORGATZ SOLO SHOW "SIX BRIDGES" THIS FRIDAY AT URBAN FOLK ART GALLERY 7-10 PM

Six Bridges at Urban Folk Art Gallery - Work in Progress

Six Bridges at Urban Folk Art Gallery Believe it or not spring is almost here and so is Mike Sorgatz's new solo art exhibit at Urban Folk Art Gallery. Mike will be showing a combination of paintings and prints - including a series of six paintings of the Brooklyn Bridge.    You can view the event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1426904957556186/ Hope to see you there! Opening Reception March 21st from 7-10pm 101 Smith Street, Brooklyn http://www.urbanfolkart.com/

ISAAC AND MARCUS TALK "YES, CHEF" AT POWERHOUSE ARENA

Photo courtesy of Wendy Todd at Cocoa Popps

Wow, is top chef Marcus Samuelsson ever making the rounds to promote his new book Yes, Chef. I didn't want to miss out on all the excitement, so I went with Mike Sorgatz (of the blog Art in Brooklyn) and Wendy Todd (chief pop culture writer over at Cocoa Popps) to hear fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi interview Mr. Samuelsson at PowerHouse Arena in DUMBO.

For starters, I loved the way Wendy went right up to Mr. Samuelsson to ask for a video interview (which he granted!) and also asked Mr. Mizrahi for a mini interview and photo opp. at the end of the formal part of the evening.  Love her courage and forthrightness when it comes to approaching the celebs! 

Wendy, Mike and I sat in the front row, just a few feet away from where Isaac and Marcus were sitting in comfy living-room style chairs with a lamp in between them.  Close enough, in fact, to admire Isaac's glitter-polished toenails and Marcus' uber-fly gold and black Basquiat high tops.(!)

Right off the bat, Isaac addressed the lonely tone of the book and Marcus' life story, commenting to the effect of "You've chosen to devote your life to food at the exclusion of almost everything else."  Marcus did not deny this fact. 

"What would your advice to young, coming-up chefs be?" Isaac asked of Marcus a bit later in the dialogue.

"Love the craft, love the craft, love the craft," was Marcus' response.  And: "Work 18 months in each place and travel for exposure."

Recalling some his own adventures in travel, Marcus shared the time that he went to an underground source for purchasing blow fish with the only cash he had.  Underground, he explained, because when you eat blow fish you run the risk of ingesting poison. "It was a beautiful [kind of] broke", reflected Mr. Samuelsson.

"What inspires you?" asked Isaac of Marcus, to which Marcus replied: "My neighbors, artists, the photographer Gordon Parks, and young people's energy - the kind you see in the people who ride their skateboards to work."

"What are the main components of being a chef?" asked Isaac.

Marcus: "Craftsmanship. Artistry. Authorship.  Manual labor.

Isaac: "What motivates you?"

Marcus:  "There is always more to add to the food conversation."

MIKE SORGATZ PAINTINGS IN HBO'S GIRLS

Speak Clearly * 24 x 36 * Acrylic on Canvas * mikesorgatz.com



Brooklyn artist Mike Sorgatz's paintings appear in the new HBO series Girls, in Welcome to the Set.  For more of Mike's artwork, http://www.mikesorgatz.com/

Mike also promotes other Brooklyn artists on http://www.artinbrooklyn.com/

Congrats, Mike! 



SEE YOU THIS SUNDAY AT 4 PM AT MMMM...I WANT TO EAT THAT ART!

I am psyched to announce that the pie paintings of Mike Sorgatz, my husband and curator of Art In Brooklyn, will be featured in MMmm...I Want to Eat That Art.

The venue for this Sunday's art reception is part of Rush Arts Gallery, a nonprofit arts organization run by Danny Simmons, Russell Simmons' brother.

Hope to see you there! Here's the info:


MMmm...I Want to Eat that Art

Opening Reception: Sunday March 27th from 4-6 pm.

Corridor Gallery, 334 Grand Street, Brooklyn NY 11238


On view at Corridor Gallery from March 25th to May 21st 2011 is a collection of delicious works of by Robin Antar, Lisa Diller, Edie Nadelhaft, Douglas Newton, Michael Sorgatz, and Tony Toscani. This works were created using a range of media including carved marble, pastel, and oil painting. Each artist draws from a different inspiration within similar subjects.

Robin Antar is commenting on the current packaging and production of food items in relation to Contemporary Pop Art. By making these temporary edible forms into permanent forms carved from stone.

Lisa Diller’s subject is the works of art that are delicately constructed by French pastry chefs, documented in a Thiebaud style of composition. The luscious colors of fresh confections and honey glazes are documented the same way French Masters explored the plein aire traditions.

Edie Nadelhaft is fascinated by the ideas of magnification and the sense of taste that can be derived through observations of the mouth. Her cherry biter series explores the way luscious cherries are sensuously devoured.

Douglas Newton has been exploring the compositions of food items for some time. He finds delight in the reflective wrappings of candy and rises to the challenge of painting the nuances coming together.

Michael Sorgatz started painting pies for a school fundraiser pie social. The explorations reminded him of family ties to his grandmother’s farm life. The comfort and nostalgia is translated though visceral acrylic paint on canvas.

Tony Toscani finds solace and comfort in dining at diners. The relaxed atmosphere brings him heart-felt conversations enjoyed over edible sustenance. Toscani’s paintings document the table and the piles of food as seen in A Hungry Mans Breakfast.

F.O.K.U.S. + TRIOMPH + ART IN BROOKLYN + CREATIVE TIMES = AWESOME COMMUNITY ART PARTY!

Last night, I experienced one of the best vibes in a room that I ever have. More than 150 people from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Harlem, New Jersey and beyond gathered at Triomph to celebrate the work of 20 Brooklyn artists.

The evening, a collaborative effort of F.O.K.U.S., ArtinBrooklyn, Triomph, Fresh Industries, and Creative Times also featured locally-made ice cream, two DJs, and drinks donated by Teany (Moby's tea company).

It was so great seeing everyone mixing and mingling, reaching out to each other, and celebrating the awesome creativity of Brooklyn artists.

Let's hear it for art, collaboration, and community-building all under the same roof!

OCTOBER 16TH - BROOKLYN ART, ICE CREAM, DJ - BE THERE!

BROOKLYN, NY - F.O.K.U.S. PRESENTS INSIGHT VOL. III ART EXPERIENCE - OPENING NIGHT Oct. 16th.

Come celebrate the release of the third issue of INSIGHT: Volume III.

The opening reception will be on October 16th, 2010 at Triomph Fitness (540 President St., Brooklyn, NY 11215).

Also view work from issues one and two of the current volume of INSIGHT Magazine. This art experience will feature work by Bishop203, Laura Galvin, Victor Giganti, Michael Malik Jones-Robinson, Jamie Killen, Rick Midler, Michael Sorgatz, John Tebeau, Johanna Treffy, Alejandro Guzman, Bud Ramsay, Maria Baraybar, Peter Patchen, Spring Hofeldt, Cat Celebrezze, Ward Yoshimoto, Steve Riley, Brian Dupont, James Chen-Feng Kao, Jisoo Lee, Genesis Tramaine and more.

Feast on delicious homemade Brooklyn ice cream from Phinizy & Phebe (free scoop of ice cream to the first 11 people), gourmet rice crisps from riceworks and refreshing beverages from Teany. Additional sponsors include Art in Brooklyn, Creative Times, Triomph Fitness and Fresh Industries.

Music by DJ Smoke L.E.S. and DJ Polarity

F.O.K.U.S. presents INSIGHT: Volume III Art Experience
Saturday, Oct. 16th, 2010
7 - 11pm
Suggested donation of $5

Triomph Fitness
540 President Ave. (btwn. 3rd Ave. and 4th Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Directions via Train:
N/R to Union St or F/G to Carroll St.

About F.O.K.U.S.
Founded in the summer of 2003 by Alma Davila-Toro and Atiba T. Edwards, F.O.K.U.S. is dedicated to using the arts to unite diverse communities. F.O.K.U.S. is led by young adults and produces events, workshops and publishes INSIGHT, a quarterly arts magazine. We believe the arts enable people to rise above barriers in society.

F.O.K.U.S. brings together various art forms and genres to expand the views of what is considered art and show art's ability to bring together people from different walks of life. To see the various events, art and also read issues of INSIGHT- visit http://www.onefokus.org

About Triomph Fitness
Triomph Fitness, Health & Wellness reflects the essence of energetic, relaxed and confident individuals. It was conceived and created from the grassroots level by a group of experienced health professionals each offering their own personal flare, professional knowledge and innate desire to guide others in their physical, mental, and spiritual transformation. We share our knowledge about health in a supportive environment. Our clients receive individualized guidance based on their needs and goals. One on one health consultants are no longer considered a luxury but are for anyone who wishes to start exercising safely, change their eating habits, focus their mind, relieve stress and improve their over all sense of well being. http://www.triomph.us/home

About Art In Brooklyn
Art In Brooklyn was founded by Michael Sorgatz to promote the work of local artists. To see the on-going collection of work from local artists as curated by Michael Sorgatz, visit - http://artinbrooklyn.com/

About Creative Times
Creative Times is run by Eleanor Traubman. She is a promoter,community-builder, professional organizer and culture maven who is passionate about uniting creative people through humor and the arts. http://creativetimes.blogspot.com/

About Fresh Industries
Fresh Industries is a design collective inspired by the infinite consciousness. The infinite conscious has no set beginning or end, it just is. Under this concept one lives for themselves first and foremost rather than give concern to how one’s style will be judged by others. http://www.fresh-industries.com/

PAINTER MICHAEL SORGATZ MAKES PARK SLOPE 100 LIST

Painter and Brooklyn blogger Michael Sorgatz deservedly made the Park Slope 100, "an annual list of 100 people, places and things that make Park Slope Park Slope. 100 Stories, 100 ways of looking at the world."

Here's what Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn had so say about Mr. Sorgatz:

Michael Sorgatz because your site "Art in Brooklyn" promotes the work of local artists, and that’s a positive and generous thing to do (especially in these times). You are also a talented artist in your own right and a really great guy.