ennyman

I first saw Martin DeWitt's paintings at a show titled Homecoming this past November at the Duluth Art Institute. After this interview I was surprised at how much we had in common, from Tom Terrific to our love of both painting and Mexico. Though a bit long for a single blog entry, there are a lot of rich insights here. Take it in. Ennyman: How did you first become interested in art as a career? Martin DeWitt: Probably my earliest memory and taking notice was when we went to the grand opening... Read Full Story

Friday evening's "Love Your Local Artist" event at the Superior Library included the musical accompaniment of a string quartet, adding a perfect accent to the evening. One song the performers played was Eleanor Rigby, and a range of memories passed briefly through my mind. First, I saw the manner in which the song was illustrated in the animated 1968 film Yellow Submarine. The song first appeared on The Beatles' Revolver album, though, in 1966. There were no guitars and no drums, only a... Read Full Story

I don't mean to gush, but last night's art events and gallery hop were truly over the top. You would think Northlanders would have the good sense to stay home when it's five below with a wind chill of minus twenty or more. But no, we're a hearty breed up here and the art community doesn't have to obey the same rules as farmers who must wait for the growing season to sow their seeds. There was a riot of color and sound and imagination on display at the five events I attended, and I'll try to... Read Full Story

The Duluth Art Institute has been more than just a place to showcase artists and the arts. The DAI is an exemplary model of ways the art involve and give back to the community. The current curator is Annie Dugan , a Northlander who after graduating from Carleton College in Northfield went on to get her Master's at Columbia University in New York. Duluth. After her stint out east she returned to the Midwest, of which she says, "I live in Northern Minnesota where I eat good vegetables and watch... Read Full Story

The Twin Ports arts scene is sizzling. Despite a bit of chilly weather dropping in from the north, Friday night will be a great evening to enjoy the arts. Here’s a brief overview of just a few of tomorrow night’s events. Love Your Local Artist Beginning at 5:30 there will be as many as 28 artists displaying work at the Superior Library, sponsored by Friends of the Library, in a show titled warmly, Love Your Local Artist. There will be refreshments, including wine, and music. This event is a... Read Full Story

The questions here were derived from James D. Nickel's essay "Algebra: What's It All About?" which I found exceedingly stimulating. CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY EN: The building of the pyramids preceded the discovery of algebraic concepts by several millennia. How did the Egyptians achieve these feats at such an early point in history? JDN: A good book on how the Egyptians used mathematics and principles of mechanical advantage to build the pyramids is A History of the Circle: Mathematical... Read Full Story

"I don't know why I should have to learn Algebra... I'm never likely to go there." ~Billy Connolly My 2009 interview with James D. Nickel explored themes from his book Mathematics: Is God Silent. This past week I read a paper he recently wrote called Algebra: What's It All About, and I had to ask more questions. He answered elaborately and with some keen insights that I find fascinating. Ennyman: There is a sense in which our understanding of mathematics of today came about by borrowing... Read Full Story

When it appeared that all was lost, that both mother and child would soon perish, Olney sent word to the gypsies to send someone who could help deliver his wife from her suffering. Three gypsy women arrived and his son was born within the hour. Partly out of gratitude and partly from delirium, the young father asked the gypsies to bless his son. The women wept and said it would be a privilege. The boy, who was named Thomas after his father, was placed in the midst of a circle of candles. A... Read Full Story

"If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?" ~Vince Lombardi Well, today's the big day. Time to put away the Barbie dolls, poetry books and bottlecap jewelry and get manly because it's Game Day. Time to put on your G.I. Joe jungle face paint kit, practice your war whoops and get manly. If you're into that sort of thing. Let's talk about the game. As if you're not tired of it yet. While channel surfing I noticed not one, not two, but at least three channels devoted on... Read Full Story

Over the years as I have attended art shows and events I've been noticing more photography than ever before, being displayed in more ways than ever before. What's interesting to me is that the presence of photographers alongside painters and sculptors and lithographers has not always been welcome. Tad Beckman, in his essay Photography as Art , writes, "Photography has struggled, through one and a half centuries, now, to place itself as a fine art. To many people, photography has seemed to be... Read Full Story