Visual Arts In Motion: Where There Be Pirates, There Be Dancin!

Boom! The beat vibrated across the room over and again. Shuffle, stomp, move and cut! The dance floor in an urban warehouse studio was filled with energetic artisans as music beckoned motion. Film was rolling, the photographer was snapping and a great big ARRRR resounded as the pirates of the Rogues Guild and local pirate enthusiasts swash-buckled the day away.

The setting of the inner-city warehouse neighborhood on S.E. Madison in Portland, Oregon begs for some pirate action! At least that was the story on Saturday February 4th 2012. Early that morning Pirates from all over the local region gathered at A&G Center for the Arts to collaborate on their practiced dance moves and theatrics contributing to the "Pirate-Party Rock Video". Which was a choreographed dance video based off of LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem with the lyrics “Every Day I'm Shuffling.” Instead of the R&B Pop music scene that LMFAO portrays in their video, this unique group of vigilantes presented a twist on the popular song; it became a bunch of ruffian, shuffling pirates dancing in sync. “Every Day Swashbuckling!” was a declaration heard shouting from the mouths of pirate's throughout the day.

A sense of camaraderie in this sub-culture abounds. How many people in our society spend time collecting apparel for an authentic pirates wardrobe? How often do most people enjoy the past time of remodeling old pirate sail boats, mastering the skills of juggling and fire dancing, or enjoy a parrot as a first mate? A confident reply to those questions would be: Not too many of us. That is the quintessential element that makes this group unique and sets this counter-culture apart. They are sailing through their moments on the edge and living out their existence with adventure and imagination; literally, they are leading a pirate's life.

Often times adults forget the whimsical fancies of childhood. These scallywags, captains, buccaneers and mermaids all grasp the ability to reach into the “Never Land” days of childhood and refrain from letting go of that imaginative part of their youthful identity. As children we have all heard the classic story that portrays Peter Pan with concern that Wendy might grow up and forget, these pirates choose to never forget.

Randy Gardner

Across the country other pirate groups joined in solidarity with the Vancouver/Portland pirates, including a sea roving crew all the way from Canada known as The Jade Dragon's Pirates. Each participating group separately filmed their own version of the shuffling dance and the film editors will throw in together a finished product that will combine each location onto one video. The purpose is to share the enthusiasm and unity among the different pirate crews making a dynamic visual statement.

This event was hosted by Jeff and Rebecca MacKay of The MacKay Pirate Family, members of their Rogues Guild crew including Randy and Sandy Foster, Randy Gardner and Janet Hansen, as well as, some of their brethren from the local pirate community. The Rogues Guild is a leading group of pirates that believe in giving their time and  energy towards non-profit and compassionate work. Contradictory to the old tales of vagabond pirates pillaging and plundering, these spirited pirate's seek to promote peace . Along side the Rogues Guild swims the Rogue Mermaid pod. Some of the devoted members are pirates by land and mermaids by sea. Mermaids go hand in hand with pirate affairs, as ancient as the tales go mermaids and pirates have commonly been intertwined in the same genre of mysterious folk lore. The Rogue Mermaid website and Rogues Guild information can be found at: http://roguemermaids.webs.com/theroguesguild.htm, along with detailed information about the members.

As for now the dance video is on the operation table going through it's editing process. Look out for these vibrant desperado’s as they plan to attack the nation with a live flash mob dance. Keep your eyes peeled mateys Pirates be coming to town!

Jeff and Rebecca Mackay with film editor: Brett Caughie

Artvigilante Northwest: Advocating the arts in the PDX & Vancouver Region.
 Visit the ArtVigilante Northwest Facebook Page LIKE it!
E-mail me your visual arts pictures and stories
Art Journal Website: http://artvigilantenorthwest.blogspot.com/2012/02/peace-is-something-that-resonates-as.html

Grant Caster

Left to right: Jeff Mackay, Rebecca Mackay, Andrea Curtis-Gibson

PEACE: The Declaration of a Child

 

 

 

 

The call for peace resonates as a universal voice and hope...this child was photographed by visual artist Bonnie Ailshie. The little girl was captured in a spontaneous pensive moment, she was not guided to give the peace sign, nor does she even understand what she was proclaiming... Yet, in the heart of every child is the pure sense of peace, the peace that many of us are searching for. After Ailshie solidified this moment through the eye of her camera she found strange similarity between this unplanned photo and John Lennon's famous shot where he is holding up his own call for solidarity. Now side by side the photo becomes a stunning statement to us all. Peace to you.

Blessed Beginnings
Photographer.

view more of her fantastic work at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blessed-Beginnings-Photography-by-Bonnie-Ailshie/153564524670743

 LIKE us on FACEBOOK 

To submit your work on ArtVigilant Northwest click here

First Friday Vancouver's Art Walk

Winter's chill was in the air, scarfs settled cozy around the neck, moving from one warm gallery to another; out of the cold and into the glow surrounded by beautiful eye catching local art.

Vancouver Washington's First Friday Art Walk on February 4th invited the community to step out of their heated homes and onto the main streets of downtown. Many people gathered to soak in the visual arts while sipping wine in a relaxed environment.

The art displayed at each gallery presented a plethora of different mediums and styles, there was really something there for everyone. Art is not just the element of wonderment imagining how the artist was able to create the finished product. It is also an element of communication as viewers gravitate to certain pieces that seem to have a magnetic pull speaking specifically to an individual. The beauty of these gatherings often leaves a viewer with an impressed image that speaks to their heart.

Vancouver's art galleries are strong advocates for local art and invite you to share your work with them. Gallery 360 explains, "We call our selves the 'come as you are gallery'." They want local artists to have an accessible opportunity to display their work. Each month they accept new art works that go along with the monthly theme.

 

Aurora Gallery also offers opportunities for local artist's that are wanting to take the next step in getting their work out into the public eye. They also provide a quality framing service and help many artists complete their work with the perfect frame. It is pro-active to open the doors to underground or emerging artist's bringing fresh art to the communities eye.

 

You can view detailed information about both galleries on the following sites:
http://www.auroragalleryonline.com/
http://www.gallery360.org/

ArtVigilante Northwest is an online gallery, supporting the emerging artist using an accessible web format. I encourage artist's to send your work to artvigilantenorthwest@gmail.com. Networking your art is the first step in making your work known. Make Art News.

Please go to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArtVigilanteNorthwest?ref=tn_tnmn and support us by clicking "LIKE" and sharing this pro-active local art forum with your friends. Thank you.

Art Is What You See As Beautiful

The words art and vigilante join together creating a force that advocates the local arts in the Portland/Vancouver and surrounding region.  Thus I dub ArtVigilante Northwest as the latest art journal in the land of the Pacific Northwest web.  I only assume this, but with great confidence I proceed with my rhetoric.

I have been an artist from the moment I learned to squeeze a crayola in between my pudgy fingers.  My curious nature found pleasure in the images that would transpire.  Further encouraging my upward progression towards all things creative, all things expressive, all things beautiful to my eye.

Art is a challenging energy to put a box around.  In fact, I often find it down right ignorant to assume what is good or bad art.  Not to say that some people don't put a lot more time and effort and truth in their work and those are often the ones by the act of discipline that result in getting their work out into society and essentially are noticed. However, the cliche' phrase "art is in the eye of the beholder" stands true.  Art will always be elusive, the evolution of art holds no restraints. No true guide on how to saddle it.  To one person a particular art piece might seem unattractive and to another person that very same piece might bring tears to the eyes.

As a visual artist I seek to express my love for the local visual works of the artists of the Pacific Northwest.  Art is a powerful form of communication, often speaking volume without using any words at all.  Art Speaks News! 

Art Speaks News

The breath and heart beat of the arts is alive on the west coast of America.  An original art news network has now been created to share the stories and works of artists from the PDX and surrounding areas.

This is the beginning of a journey in art journalism. This is an online news page dedicated to the art stories from this region.  The goal is to enrich society with the arts, to create a free space for artists to share and sell their work and to give back to the community by donating a percentage of the proceeds to local non-profits based in the Pacific Northwest. 

Vigilante in the World English Dictionary describes the word as a person or a group that takes it upon themselves to protect their district or property.  The Portland/Vancouver is our district.  We seek to be the Vigilantes for the property of the arts.  Advocates of art expression without borders.  Bringing news that redefines art because every artist counts.

 Just as a magazine or Sunday paper might grab a hold of your interests, art is also a voice... expressing visually and audibly the culture and stories of the people.  Often without using any words at all.  Art is a powerful method of communication.  ArtVigilante Northwest supports it,  believes in enriching society with it, and wants you to be a part of it.

As this post is our spring chicken of posts, the search is on to highlight featured artists from our side of the world.  Lets collaborate: tell me your stories, experiences, and methods of art.  How does art affect you?  ArtVigilante Northwest is looking for art from creators of all ages, beckoning the young and old.  Art should be accessible, without boundaries or limits.  ArtVigilante is offering a platform to raise the surface value of art and go deeper into the stories behind the painter or dancer, musician or viewer.

Send me your thoughts and together lets make art news.  E-mail your story about you the artist and attach your art work (preferably in jpg format) to ArtVigilanteNorthwest@gmail.com

LIKE us on Facebook