The Green

Yesterday & Today

Archive for April, 2012

Sculptor-Dalton M. Ghetti

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Chain by Dalton M. Ghetti

While wandering through the “Big Tent” at the Mini Maker Faire, on Saturday, I came upon Dalton M. Ghetti. Instantly I recognized his sculptures–for two reasons–the first being that they are extremely small; the second being that they had been on display at the Library some months back.

The exactitude of his work is, quite frankly, mind blowing. “It takes a really long time,” he told me. “The Chain was two years.”

Dalton is a carpenter and he also works at the YMCA. His tools for sculpting are a razor blade, sowing needle, pieces of metal, pins and wire. No magnifying glass.

“I used to do large sculptures, as a challenge I decided to see how small I could make things.”

See his website here.

Three Events Saturday, April 28th

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  1. The Mini Maker Faire at Library/Jesup Green Saturday 10-4. Miggs Burroughs and David Pogue are presenting workshops (many others too). See website here for info.
  2. Art opening/reception at Nuartlink next to Starbucks downtown. Sam Friedman-Territories Unexplored 5:30-8 PM. See website here for info.
  3. The Warhol Ball a Night At The Factory for the Westport Arts Center in Norwalk at The Shed VIP cocktails at 7:00 PM. Tribute to Gary Cosgrave. See website here for info.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

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LeGrand Lockwood 1872

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a National Registered Historic Landmark in Norwalk Connecticut. It’s understood to be of the finest surviving examples of Second Empire styled architecture in the United States.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

Built in 1868 by LeGrand Lockwood and designed by Detlef Lienau the mansion boasts two marble statues sculpted by Joseph Mozier in 1859.

Marble sculpture by Joseph Mozier

I had gained access to the interior ahead of the Titanic Commemoration Gala this past weekend and am so looking forward to a formal tour later this week.

Notice the Porte-cochere or coach gate as it proved to be a marvelous perspective from which to snap shots of guests arriving for the Gala.

Porte-cochere

Typical Porte-Cochere

See pics sans attendees.

See pics of Gala attendees here.

The Wheelie King of Westport

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Al Clark

You might have seen him. He’s fast and daring with incredible balance. Sharply dressed with a good sense of humor. He stands out in a crowd while doing wheelies the length of Main Street proper on his bicycle.

Al Clark is 36 years old but he moves like he’s 18. He’s been practicing freestyle trick bike maneuvers since he was a little kid.

Downtown Westport is where you will find him on most nice days. He works at the Outdoor Sports Center of Wilton as a bicycle consultant & mechanic.

He lives in Westport and loves bike racing, bicycle commuting and riding for fun. He listens to Metallica, The Cranberrys and Hip Hop while doing stunts and drawing small crowds. If I was in the market for a bike he’s who I’d be seeing.

Spring & Fall are Faves

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Spring and fall are my favorite seasons, in Westport. Yesterday the leaves were practically popping out of their buds.  Also, spring is about new beginnings, a symbol for rebirth, you could really sense that feeling yesterday.

Spring Morning - photo/Amanda Pearson

Foliage

View from what I call "Klaff's Corner"

U.S.S. Saugatuck

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U.S.S. Saugatuck

Hull # 335, the U.S.S. Saugatuck was built in Philadelphia in 1942 and launched on the one year anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1942.

John Chiquoine and Carmen Costa, courtesy Al DeSantis collection typhoon okinawa

She was named after a river in Connecticut, the Saugatuck River. Saugatuck means “river that flows out” in the Paugusset Indian dialect.

As a Suamica Class Tanker she saw action in the Pacific during World War 2-fueling battle ships at sea.

She was the recipient of 7 Battle Stars:

  1. Marianas operation- Capture and occupation of Saipan, 11 June to 10 August 1944. Marianas operation- Capture and occupation of Guam, 12 July to 15 August 1944
  2. Tinian operation- Capture and occupation, 20 July to 10 August 1944
  3. Western Caroline Island operation- Raid on Volcano-Bonin Islands and Yap Island, 31 August to 8 September 1944. Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September to 14 October 1944. Assaults on the Philippine Islands, 9 to 24 September 1944
  4. Luzon operation- 3rd Fleet supporting operations, Luzon attacks, 6 and 7 January 1945, Formosa attacks, 3, 4, 9, 15, and 21 January 1945, China Coast attacks, 12 and 16 January 1945
  5. Iwo Jima operation- Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 23 February to 7 March 1945
  6. Okinawa Gunto operation- Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 16 to 24 March 1945
  7. 3rd Fleet operations against Japan- 14 to 28 February 1945

Photo by Mabel Clark 2006

In July 2006 MARAD listed the Saugatuck under their disposal program.

Crew stories can be found here.

Photo - Pieter Bakels

Saugutuck seen on right fueling a battleship in the Pacific.

New Art Show Downtown (Nuartlink April 28th)

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SAM FRIEDMAN Territories Unexplored

APRIL 28 – JUNE 12, 2012

Opening Reception SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 5:30-8pm

Nuartlink gallery is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of works by New York based artist, Sam Friedman.

Friedman has been producing art for the last decade. Tending to reflect the natural world, his work is simultaneously loose and precise. Friedman moves between representational and abstract depictions with seeming ease and spontaneity. His earliest “beach paintings”, completed in 2007, originated from his experience of walking towards the sunset during an oncoming storm. This personal encounter of induced visual clarity prompted in the artist’s mind the precise image for a fully formed painting that incorporated the language he had been developing in his earlier abstract work. This focus has occupied most of his explorations then, resulting in a body of work that continuously breakdown and rebuild a natural landscape.

Born in 1984 in Oneonta, New York, Friedman spent his childhood by-passing the real world and resorting to daydreaming and drawing. At eighteen, upon graduating from high school, he moved to Brooklyn to study commercial art at The Pratt Art Institute. Following four years of illustration and typography studies, he earned his livelihood by realizing commercial artwork for companies and publications such as Nike and The New York Times. Nevertheless, during that period, his personal practice focused on painting. Eventually, he decided to move on from commercial affairs and engage in activities with other artists, which would ultimately contribute to his art. Taking advantage of his applied art beginnings, Friedman has embraced techniques, traditions, tools and materials of commercial art trades. While negotiating their incorporation in proper artworks, Friedman uses these skills as an initial basis to freely compose visually striking works. He finds inspiration in other great artists with similar approach such as de Kooning, Leger, Lichtenstein, Lewitt, and Westermann.

RSVP info@nuartlink.com

Image: Untitled, acrylic on panel, 40”x70”

………..

Final week: “of White” exhibition, visit us this week!

19-B Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880

Tues- Sat 11-6 . Sun 1-5 p.m. For more information or an appointment contact

the gallery at info@nuartlink.com or 203 858 2067 www.nuartlink.com

A Place by the River

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Spring has sprung in Westport and people were out today, by the river.

Over on Ford Road, where the Red Coats crossed the Saugatuck, on their way back to Compo from sacking Danbury, fly fishermen were breaking out their gear.

At Gorham Island, where the parking lot is open to the public on weekends, the low tide revealed a green algae with a wonderful translucent glow. Interesting to see the swan nest there, just sitting, next to the parking lot.

Swan nesting at Gorham Island

The shoppers were getting busy, Oscar’s was packed, on Main Street. There was a little bit of the magic in the air that arrives with the seasonal change. Boaters and birds enjoyed the intermittent sunshine.

On Imperial Avenue there was a tranquil setting, the idea of a picnic at waters edge occurred to more than a few.

In the Saugatuck district the Black Duck was booming. People were launching craft at the public boat ramp across the way- Underhill. Kayakers drifted without care. Living in Westport can be about those carefree Sundays, confident in the warmth of the weather, for some that find a place by the river to reflect on good things.

see photos-

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