Art/Official
by Amber Valentine
It’s easy to remember what the new year has already taken from us – Alan Rickman. David Bowie. Perhaps even some of your personal dignity. More likely than not, it’s taken your resolution. But what’s important, dear Met reader, is to remember what we do have and the light that 2016 still has to offer… I’m talking of course, about Kanye West’s SWISH. The most anticipated album of all time (Of all time!), Yeezy has already jumped over “Jumpman” and is about to jump right back into our hearts on February 11th. Not that you’ll necessarily need more things to do with your month (or life) after SWISH hits your earbuds, but you know me! I got some suggestions regardless.
If you slept on Detroit trio The Hand In The Ocean during their first tenure three years back, now might be your last chance to catch the enrapturing diapasons these boys craft. Broken up for well over a year, the band is playing a reunion show on February 6th at The Ritz Detroit. $3 and a canned good or two gets you in the door, which ain’t all bad. There’s a hell of a lineup but The Hand In The Ocean is my pick for “If you see one concert this year…” They may not have left the longest legacy behind but it sure is a damn beautiful one. ((586)756-6140, 24300 Hoover Rd., Warren, MI, 21+)
You may or may not have a book by Dave Eggers on your best shelf but did you know that Eggers is an artist too? On the 5th, he’ll be hitting up MOCAD’s Mobile Homestead with a collection of prints and drawings for a show that will be on exhibition from February through April. Eggers himself will be down to clown to some degree for the opening reception, from 6 to 8 pm. ((313)832-6622, 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit)
Mardi Gras? Sure, sure, sure. But have you heard about Mardi Bras? A great way to help those in need, Mardi Bras will be at The Loving Touch on February 9th beginning at 6 and it is a great event that requires you to bring new bras, underwear, socks, and other feminine products along with your smiling, do-gooder self to The Loving Touch where you, me, and hundreds of other good Samaritans will be bagging the products up to be sent along to various shelters in the area! Need more info? Just go to Facebook and type in “Ferndale Mardi Bras 2016”. See you there! (22634 Woodward Ave, Ferndale)
Feel like heading to the suburbs? If the answer is yes, hit up The Cranbrook Academy of Art on February 16th for the opening of Attachments and Intimacies with Matt Morris; a multimedia exhibition influenced heavily by feminist and gay theories. I haven’t seen Attachments and Intimacies yet so I can’t say much more than offer PR, but even the low-res pictures of the work have me damn excited. ((248)645-3300, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills)
While we’re on the subject of feminist theories, all my fellow female artists out there ought to know that The Tangent Gallery is having their 4th annual all female art show Venus Rising before too long, and they have put out a call for entries and the deadline is February 15th! ((313)873-2955, 715 E. Milwaukee, Detroit)
Amber Valentine is a Detroit born and bred multimedia artist. Her preferred mediums are altered 35mm photography and old books that she likes to cut apart and glue into things she finds more interesting. She has no relation to our Valentine Distilling sponsor. You can currently see her work on display at Two James Distillery in Detroit. Hit her up on Twitter or Instagram via @AmberAudra, she loves a good follow.