The Sinister web of post- industrial capitalist economics

John B.

A disgraced Us Olympic Swimmer has lost the lucrative endorsements of the bourgeois conglomerates, Speedo, Ralph Lauren,  Airweave and Gentle Hair Removal. Ryan Lochte, the American athlete, who was born on August 3, 1984 in Rochester, New York attended the University of Florida on a swimming scholarship from 2003 to 2006. He was a member of the Florida Gators swim team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Southeastern Conference (SEC). He lived and trained in Gainesville.. He lied about urinating outside after a raucous night of debauchery in Rio, the site of the Summer Games. He has been dismissed as the lackey dog puppet of the tentacles of bourgeoisie domination. The nefarious web of the ruling class acted swiftly to protect its own financial interest.

Ironically, Lochte a product of the archaic social order, conceded to the actions of his bourgeois oppressor.

   The saga started when Lochte and three team-mates returned to the Olympic village after a late night out in Rio. They tried, unsuccessfully, to use the locked toilet at a garage and urinated outside instead.

At first claiming that that he and his three team-mates had been robbed by a bogus police officer, Lochte back-tracked and admitted he had, while still drunk, “left details out” and “over-exaggerated some parts of the story.

   Despite the evidence against him, including CCTV footage, he has denied that that he actually  lied in his initial account to the Brazilian police.

   Lochte’s behavior has been met with disdain in the US and he has been widely pilloried in the US media.

   On 19 August the New York Post carried a front-page headline describing him as the “Ugly American”, along with the slogan, “Liar, Liar, Speedo on fire.

   Lochte is one of the most successful swimmers in history, with 12 Olympic medals and he once had his own reality television show in the US.

   What options are opened to Lochte and what the future holds for him are a mystery. He has lost important endorsements which were a major source of income for him. To my mind his situation is analogous to a disbarred lawyer. He earns a significant income in a highly specialized undertaking. His source of income has been literally yanked from under his feet. What marketable skills does he possess?

Are Starbucks or Burger King to be his fate?

Summer Daze

by John B.

Gallery U’s latest exhibit, ”Summer Daze,” Dazzling images representing the best of Summer by members of the Westfield Art Association,(WAA) will be on display from August 5-29, 2016. The artist reception was held on Friday August 5 from 6-8 pm. A solo show that featured the nautical string art of Leyna Andren will be held concurrently.. 

   As gallery director Denise Hyatt-Murad so aptly put it, ”We are proud to partner with the Westfield Art Association in our “Summer Daze” exhibit. The show offers ample color and warmth-just what one would expect as representing summer.

   Fourteen artists contributed work in a variety of media; acrylics, pastels watercolor and oils predominate. They are punctuated by occasional surprises such as “Ancestors” an accomplished plaster wall sculpture by Passaic County Community College adjunct professor Barbara Wallace.

   Barbara McElheny’s work, ”Summer Time Sun” an oil submission is reminiscent of the Jersey Shore. The bright blue sky is dazzling in its technical execution. The placid sea is a muted aquamarine which puts the mind at rest. The shore is sparsely populated which is not characteristic of  New Jersey beaches during the summertime. The painting leaves me with a desire to talk personally with the artist about her inspiration.

   Lisa Redburn submitted an archival pigment print with the interesting title, ”There’s Still Time.” I am puzzled as to how she was able to juxtapose the image of urban dwellings that remind me of New York City Brownstones in rescinding layers. Her technical acumen is strikingly obvious. Her choice of subject pleases me. I am most comfortable in an urban setting. 

   Christy O’Conner’s submission, “Secret Window” is a paper sculpture. It required sophisticated technical ability, and a very active mind. Her creativity is obvious. The work leaves me with a desire to speak with the artist about her inspiration.

   Brad Terhune submitted “Letting The Days Go BY,” an acrylic and pastel on board piece. It is an aquamarine canvas that is painted without an image. It engenders feelings of tranquility that bespeak talent. I would like to see more of Mr. Terhune’s work.  

Summer is my favorite time of year. During my early youth it meant vacations at the Jersey Shore with my family. During my college years partying in Belmar and Seaside New Jersey at the Jersey Shore are treasured memories. The artists represented in our Summer Daze exhibit do a good job of capturing the essence of the season. We are fortunate to live in the Garden State. Our current artists express their appreciation through their art. “Summer Days” is a successful exhibit.

Leyna Andren

Leyna Andren is an insightful 24 year old woman whose dreams and endeavors are as colossal and colorful as the ever changing sky. Since graduating college, she has been on a wild goose chase to find who she truly is as an artist. Straying away from the conventional, Leyna has always been compelled to go in the opposite direction of the crowd. Growing up and living her entire life in the shore towns of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Leyna has grown a deep connection and appreciation with and for the sea. This has fueled her inspiration for most things in life. Her core beliefs are centered on a glass half full mentality, and she is a firm believer that there is not only beauty in the smallest of things, but also in chaos and disaster.

   Ms Andren submitted nine entries for her exhibit. They obviously required a great deal of technical skill. All have beach or shore themes as their inspiration, and Ms. Andersen’s choice of mediums is unique.

“Crab,” a dark blue outlined submission is interesting. One is left puzzled as to how the work was executed, but there is too much going on in the piece to justly appreciate the skill that was required. The image is of a crab outlined in blue yarn. There is no space in the work for one to breath. One is held breathless as they are drawn to the body of the work but one is only confused the more time they spend with the piece.

K 3 NJ is a piece that evokes a sense of appreciation for life in the Garden State. A heart, neatly constructed at the location of Trenton required a degree of technical skill. In all of her submitted work, Ms. Andersen demonstrates a high degree of technical ability, but the simplicity of K 3 NJ is particularly intriguing. The title of the piece remains a mystery. I have difficulty interpreting the title, K3 NJ as it relates to the actual work. It is appealing to the senses. But I do not know what Ms Andren means by K 3 NJ.

   “Octopus,” an abstract construction, required great imagination. It stirs the senses, but like all of Ms. Andren’s work, it present’s the viewer with a complex image to interpret. It is constructed of black yarn adumbrating the image of cephalopod mollusk. It also shares Ms. Andrean’s proclivity for the complex. It somehow crowds it’s wooden backdrop.

  Leyna Andrean is immensely talented. Her choice of medium demonstrates great creativity. Her technical ability is immeasurable. We are pleased to have had the oppourtunity to showcase her work.  

 upcycled recycled sustainable bowls - marlene

 birdhouses - greg & eric

 light as a feather - taken