Fifty-nine works by approximately forty artists make up Salon du FIT 4, which opens tomorrow evening with an artists' reception in its trademark setting, the intimate atmosphere of a turn-of-the-century salon. Rita Barnard, curator (and co-founder with fellow artist Greg Stinson), brings in comfy sofas and chairs, coffee and cookies. You'll just want to hang.

And if coffee-and-cookies is the opposite of wine-and-cheese, Salon du FIT's is very unlike the typical gallery opening in other ways as well. For one thing, the Bath House has made its niche as the Dallas artist's art space. So, while attendance at most gallery openings is largely collectors and other high-profilers, it's mostly artists at a Bath House reception; a great opportunity to talk directly with the ones who made the work.

Also, Rita's found another way to loosen up the crowd at this year's reception: her invitational post card (above) features tiny details from 32 pieces in the exhibition. Match the numbered close-ups to the actual works in the show and win a prize.

All that and I haven't even mentioned the Bath House's wonderful 1930 Art Deco structure or its location on the shores of White Rock Lake.

Salon du FIT 4 runs through August 4.

Salon du FIT 4 
Invitational Exhibition
Curated by Rita Barnard
July 7-August 4, 2007
Opening Reception:
Saturday, July 7, 2007 – 7 to 9pm
Free and open to the public.
521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, TX 75218
214-670-8749

The list of artists included in Salon du FIT 4, along with several images of work in the show, can be seen at:

http://www.bathhousecultural.com/salondufit4.html

Such a show closes Saturday at Dunn and Brown Contemporary in Dallas, with works by mostly living legends: John Chamberlain, Jim Dine, Isamu Noguchi (who died in 1988), Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen, Joel Shapiro and Kiki Smith.

Joel Shapiro's two untitled bronzes contribute the largest piece in the show (above, right) and one you could hold in your hand (15 x 11-1/4 x 7-1/2 inches). For those unfamiliar with Shapiro's work, don't be embarrassed if you can't help but see dancing people in his geometries. Shapiro's stated intent is to base his work on the figure. Gee how unhip.

In feminist Kiki Smith's bronze and aluminum "Red Standing Moon" (above, left) a female form is proffered on a haphazard scaffolding, perhaps to simulate wood laths and slats that couldn't hope to support the full weight of her being. At least that's how I see it. Possibly my favorite.

With "Rev. E. Piscpalian Swifty" (below), Chamberlain may have been taking his trademark car wreck of twisted steel on a side trip to anthropomorphia ("Rocket Ralph" and "Mr. Mumblecrust," from the same year but not in this show, seem to support the possibility). But the illusion of crumpled ribbon candy remains.

Above: John Chamberlain, "Rev. E. Piscpalian Swifty" (2005) Painted and chromed steel, 90 x 29 x 21 inches. In the background, "Soft Shuttlecock, Study".

Even for a maquette, "Soft Shuttlecock, Study" (below), by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, does a great job of foretelling the flaccid irreverence of the massive final work. That one was created specifically for the rotunda of the Guggenheim in New York, where the museum's Joan Young said it "humorously deflates the imposing structure" of my second-favorite Frank Lloyd Wright.

Above: Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, "Soft Shuttlecock, Study" (1994) Canvas and wood painted with latex, 13 x 80 inches (diameter)

In Jim Dine's "The Mountains in the Distance" (below), he appropriates yet another amputated Venus, and this time knocks her off her pedestal. Despite what we might want to read into it, however, it's doubtful it's about beauty being put out for big trash day.

Above: Jim Dine, "The Mountains in the Distance", Bronze, 34 x 93 x 47 inches

The single posthumous presence in the show is Isamu Noguchi's "Two Dependent Pieces" (below), one of his rarely seen early sculptures in Aji granite, and one of a body of zen-ish works which might seem to belie, but may also be explained by, a life that was both prolific and tumultuous.

Above: Isamu Noguchi, "Two Dependent Pieces" (1979), Aji granite, 16 x 10 x 19 ½ inches

All photos courtesy of Dunn and Brown Contemporary.

Sculpture
(through June 30)
Dunn and Brown Contemporary
5020 Tracy Street
Dallas, Texas 75205
214-521-4322

"Kilowatt" (2006), mixed media on mylar, 15.5" x 20.0"

I see such transparency at play in Ellen Frances Tuchman's show of mixed media on mylar at Pan American Art Projects in Dallas.

A few examples from Ellen's earlier body of work are on exhibit: those somewhat whimsical homages to our American experience in which beads and stitching surround and elevate printed ephemera. But the transition represented in these current, minimalist pieces, with their topographic aerial views, suggests to me a Gail Sheehy-esque passage. Perhaps it's a shift from an everyman identification with pop culture to a more personal narrative; or from youthful obsession with objects and media to something like the 30,000-foot perspective we get on our longer journeys.

Above: "Spicules" (2006), detail. Eye shadow, colored pencil, nail polish and paper quills on mylar, 24 x 30 inches.

Ellen Frances Tuchman
at Pan American Art Projects
(along with Joe Ramiro Garcia)
Through July 7th
3303 Lee Parkway
Dallas, TX 75219
214.522.3303

The top hot spot for Jazz this summer in Dallas has to be the Dallas Museum of Art's Jazz under the Stars. Every Thursday night there will be a different live performance outdoors.  Soak in the sounds of the Dallas Jazz Orchestra and other great local jazz artists.  Bring a picnic or buy food and refreshments on site, or better yet, make reservations at the nearby Stephen Pyle's Restaurant and dish on some of the best food the city has to offer (get patio seating for the ultimate Urban nightlife experience).

For another great Dallas Jazz location, try Sambuca's  in Addsion or Uptown.  This chic modern day supper club serves Asian inspired cusine and hosts all the great local jazz talent, from smooth jazz to straight up jazz, you are bound to find some music by which to enjoy your sushi.

The Balcony Club is THE place to find the true blue and famous jazz artist in Dallas.  No smooth jazz here in this small and laid back bar where you will often find musicians getting off one gig and show up to then later be invited on stage to join in with the band.  It's located atop the old Lakewood Theatre.  A definite must-see for the true jazz afficendo.  Mostly students, you can also find a mix of all ages, lawyers, business people and others.  It can be crowded so arrive early to get a good table.

Terrili's on Greenville has long been known to host some the great local jazz musicians.  You can feast on some of the best italin food you will ever eat and enjoy the sounds in this cozy and romantic restaurant.

If you are looking for a little jazz swing music, the Mansion on Turtle Creek has some great performers who can croon out some old Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin tunes.  The drinks are pricey, but the atmosphere is swanky and there is even a small dance floor for twirl your honey on.

Other venues with live jazz peformances in Dallas are the newly opened House of Blues on Lamar and the Cavern on lower Geenville.

The first time I tried these fabulous fajita's I had just arrived in the Dallas area and my husband took me straight from the airport to the restaurant.  He and a friend of mine raved and raved about how fabulous the steak fajitas were.  Of course I ordered a combo plate but was amazed at the flavor and tenderness of the beef.  The onions that had been carmelized in the juices were really really good too.  I was sad that I had eaten soooo many of the really good chips and salsa because that meant I couldn't eat more of the steak fajitas. (I make this mistake every time I go but I really like the chips here as well)

Now whenever friends come to town the big decision is not if but when we are going to take them to Mariano's! (I always try to make it sooner than later that way if they want to go again I'll have an excuse for another trip)

("Baked Yellow Roses" by Kevin Obregon)

Folks on the tour include Brad Abrams, Elizabeth Bingham, Helen Comeau, Cynthia Daniel, Diane and Michael Evans, Amy Ewell, Vail Fassett, Georgia Gibson, Karen Gilboux, Bobbie Howard, Lisa Luera, Laurie McClurg, Lottie Minick, Kevin Obregon, Lynn Reagan, Joe Stokes and Byron Zarrabi.

Click here to find a map of the tour, courtesy of J R Compton's site, Dallas Arts Revue.

If you're not familiar with the area, I suggest these routes: From southeast Dallas, take I-30 and go north on Grand Avenue, which becomes Garland Road. From north Dallas, take US 75/Central Expressway, exit east on Mockingbird and just past the lake go south on Buckner Boulevard. Then refer to J R's map linked above.

The great backyards and creative landscaping ideas are themselves worth the tour.

Ya got your Neiman-Marcus, your Barneys of New York, your "Five Hammering Men", 1982, Jonathan Borofsky. (Painted wood with steel, aluminum, foam, Bondo, and electric motors. Each 175 x 72 x 6 inches.)

Even the semi-pro shopping princesses of Dallas were enough in awe of these 14-foot, kinetic colossi to walk around instead of between them. But I relished the experience. A few minutes later, just an arm's length from one of Antony Gormley's "Three Places", I was particularly aware of the absence of "Museum Guard Giving Evil Eye".

("Ad Astra" [2005], Mark di Suvero. Photo courtesy of NorthPark Center)

And note these other selected works from the collection, the likes of which you might do well to see on any Manhattan Saturday afternoon (not to mention with free parking. It's a shopping center for crying out loud.):

"Ads" (1985), Andy Warhol

"Ad Astra" (2005), Mark di Suvero (big red thing in picture above)

"Washington Island Gadwall (Exotic Birds)" (1980–81), Frank Stella

"Waves" (1985–89), Frank Stella

"20 elements" (2004-2005), Joel Shapiro

"F-111" (1974), James Rosenquist

"Dallas Land Canal and Hillside" (1971–72), Beverly Pepper

"A Surrounded Figure (Assediato)" (1983), Mimmo Paladino

"Corridor Pin, Blue" (1999), Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

"Rediscovered King" (1987), Alain Kirili

"Large Leaping Hare" (1982), Barry Flanagan

"The Field of the Cloth of Gold" (1987–1988), Jim Dine

"The Maeght Scarves"
Valerio Adami (1971), Marc Chagall (1958), Raoul Ubac (1964) and Pierre Tal Cott (1962)

NorthPark Center is located on US 75 between I-635 and I-30, at Northwest Highway.