… and in glasses.

Last night my friend Kevin Bruce had a super showing of his current exhibition, ‘Thoughts’, at the Romaine Brooks Gallery. He took a harlequin theme and ran with it, delving into the darker, slightly more sinister aspects of the archtype, while maintaining a fun, colorful vibe for which he has rightly become known and loved.

He was, as always, more of a giver than anything else, donating all sales to the Albany Damien Center. In addition, he gave a few paint-outs to local poets and art-supporters, including yours truly – so I had to buy the above painting. I’ve always wanted some of Kevin’s spirit and good-nature, and now I get to have a little bit in my own home.

Congrats, Kevin, on a spectacular show!

I absolutely love it.

No matter how much other drama is going on in my life, there’s always Madonna to make the day just a little bit better.

The Rainbow Access Initiative will be putting on an art show – “The Art of Health” – during the Rainbow Access Awards on March 3, 2012. Currently, Joey Hunziker is accepting artwork that explores “physical, mental and emotional health, and how the arts and LGBT issues affect you.”

I’m thinking of submitting a couple of photos for consideration, as it’s been a while since I’ve been in a proper show. (Not that I know anything about physical, mental or emotional health). If you have work in a similar vein, I encourage you to submit it as well. Entries are due by February 28.

Aside from my pet-peeve for intentionally-misspelled and supposedly-cute versions of “words” ~ i.e. “luvin” – I was initially otherwise unimpressed with the demo version of the new Madonna single that leaked a few months back. While not quite ready for a “comeback” (her career has never suffered the sort of post-Sex backlash of the early 90’s), she is due for a grand return (this new album will mark the first since 2008’s Hard Candy – a relatively lengthy stretch between new Madonna studio albums). As such, it is being hyped by fans as a big deal. As for the lead-off single, I’m not sure ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’’(GMAYL) delivers.

It certainly doesn’t come close to the majesty and pomp of ‘Like A Prayer’ or ‘Frozen’ – two lead-off singles from now-iconic musical moments in her career – but we’re living in a different world now, and quick flashes of catchy-if-empty tunes seem to be where all the radio-play and chart action is. Still, this is Madonna, and I was hoping for something a little less… trifling. GMAYL is almost a throwaway track – fun and instantly likable, but almost as instantly forgettable – and if there’s one thing Madonna does best, it’s the unforgettable.

The final version, however, has grown on me some. She certainly knows her way around a verse, and if the chorus doesn’t quite live up to her legend, it still manages to thrill in its own way. The cover art is nice, in a casual, fun, carefree way – we don’t often get unabashed and abandoned fun from her. While I love it when she goes serious and introspective, I can also appreciate that the world is not going to embrace a ballad a la ‘Frozen’. Once again, Madonna knows what she’s doing – and whether or not the song is a huge hit for her, she’s put herself in our collective consciousness almost three decades after she first entered it.

The new chapter has begun…

…But, like the promise of Spring seen in these snowdrops, I shall return.

The Madonna Promotional Blitz is in full-effect this week, which means I’ve seen more television in three days than I usually watch in a year (including Jay Leno, which dimmed my view of society even more). Today she makes an appearance on the Anderson Cooper show, and her video for ‘Gimme All Your Luvin’ previews on ‘American Idol’ tonight. The cover art for her upcoming album MDNA has just been released (above) and it absolutely rocks. Vibrant, of-the-moment, yet retaining a bit of an 80’s retro vibe, it’s striking and instantly iconic. It’s not so overtly Madonna-centric (like Bedtime Stories or Ray of Light), rather more along the lines of the abstract beauty of Erotica coupled with the high-gloss glamour of True Blue.

Of course the main event we’ve all been waiting for is the Superbowl Half-time show, and if her track record is any indication, she’ll pull it off in spectacular fashion. Billboard Magazine just listed her Top 5 television performances, and while I agree with most of them, they left off her amazing Live Aid and Live Earth shows, which to me are more in keeping with how the Superbowl will run (in terms of scope and size).

This is the most excited I’ve been about a Superbowl since mastering the choreography to the Bears’ Superbowl Shuffle back around 1986. (Hey, I didn’t have much else going on in my life that Winter.) This time around it’s all about Madonna. I could not care less about the game. That said, go Patriotics!!! Go Greg Brady!!! And above all, Go Madonna!!!

This is supposedly the ad for David Beckham’s new H&M Bodywear line that’s set to air during the Superbowl, which, along with Madonna, may make this sporting event the gayest one that has ever existed. I mean, David Beckham in his underwear AND Madonna at the half-time show? Where’s a boy supposed to look first?

Every once in a while the Romaine Brooks Gallery gets to host an amazing artist who is also a friend. This Friday I’ll have the joy and honor of being there for the latest solo exhibition of Kevin Bruce, who is one of Albany’s finest – on just about every level. Not only does Kevin create wonderful paintings, he’s also one of the most genuinely kind and good-hearted people I have the privilege of calling a friend.

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Artist Profile: Kevin Bruce

If you don’t know artist Kevin Bruce (though chances are you do), you certainly know his laugh: big, bright, and barreling over every space he graces. It’s gloriously infectious, this laugh, and it instantly sets those around him at ease. It is the sound of joy and celebration. No matter how many great things he accomplishes in his life, and no matter how much gorgeous artwork he leaves behind, it may be his laugh for which I am most thankful.

That sort of spirit imbues his latest solo exhibition at the Romaine Brooks Gallery, “Thoughts”. “For me it’s all about color,” Bruce explains. “Different combinations of colors and how they work next to or on top of each other to create moods and shapes really gets me going.”

To call him colorful is an understatement, and those who have encountered his alter-ego Whiskey Sour can confirm that Bruce is an unforgettable character – a bit of a jester and a bit of a Harlequin himself. The latter archetype finds its way into his current show, both as the watched and the watcher – a symbolic representation that mirrors the role of art and artist.
“All of my artwork says something about my life, but this show in particular is all about how important the arts are in my life and, I hope, in the life of others.”

The Harlequin plays several roles in this show – he is there to entertain, to cajole, to interpret, and to wreak mischief. Bruce also relies on symbolism, giving his pieces multi-levels of meaning. “In this show I am using symbols to communicate how I feel about life as an artist,” he says. “Some of the pictures have balls in them, for example, the balls represent playfulness.”

Inspiration is to be found in the more playful arts as well, and Bruce has been inspired by a patchwork of interesting characters and scenarios: “Theater. Drag Queens, Go-go boys, Halloween themes and now Harlequins. I probably should have gotten involved in sets and stage production for a living. Creating my work involves acting, costume design and lighting concerns. All on a 2-d surface.”

The work involved is important to Bruce not only for personal creative fulfillment, but for those who take the time and make the effort to view his creations. For him, an audience plays an integral part in his artwork.

“I feel that it’s important to communicate. The viewer should be able to take something away from the show. A feeling. Maybe an idea or a mood. I’ve never understood artists who don’t care about the people viewing their art. Art snobs hurt the whole experience.”

I’ve been told by some that Kevin has a dark side. We all do, though I’ve never come close to seeing Kevin’s. He’s gone quiet on occasion, and when the laugh is not in full evidence there’s a definite change in the atmosphere, but any serious difference in personality, any telling tribulations or pain, must be harbored deep within, saved for the privacy of locked doors and empty rooms. He offers but one tantalizingly-telling sound-bite on the topic: “My art exists to take away the pain I and others feel.”

It also exists to help others, and over the years he has given back to the people and places he has considered home. As a beloved fixture of Albany’s arts community, Bruce enjoys a well-earned notoriety. “I’m lucky, very lucky, to have a little fame locally. I have been featured in a book about Capital Region Artists. I have been in a film documentary. I like that people recognize my work when they see it. I would say that I am most proud of all the money my art has raised for Art for AIDS Sake over the years.”

It’s always uplifting to see an artist use their artwork and their platform to accomplish work as a citizen of the local community. As such, Bruce has said this show will also be a benefit for Our Brother’s Keeper Foundation. “I hope that that will further underline the role I play as an artist locally.”

Kevin Bruce will be presenting his solo exhibition, “Thoughts”, at the Romaine Brooks Gallery on Friday, February 3, 2012 from 5 to 9 PM as part of Albany’s 1st Friday Events. The Romaine Brooks Gallery is located on the third floor of the Capital Region Pride Center at 332 Hudson Avenue, Albany, NY 12210.