Happy Birthdays

On this day artist Mark Rothko was born in 1903 (and my Dad in 1929) Honored that Saatchi Art has included my painting "The Music of Time"in their Rothko inspired collection - "Color Field Paintings Inspired by Mark Rothko"

Erin Remington writes- "Turning away from the gestural motions characteristic of action painting, Mark Rothko focused on formal elements of his work—color, depth, shape, and scale—creating large swathes of luminous color known as color field painting. Meet the contemporary artists exploring this iconic style."
50 Artworks curated by Erin Remington
Manager of Art Advisory & Curation at Saatchi Art

Gregg Chadwick

The Music of Time

40"x30" oil on linen 

Link at - https://www.saatchiart.com/art-collection/Color-Field-Paintings-Inspired-by-Mark-Rothko/1586325/697695/view

Direct Link at -https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-The-Music-of-Time/25560/1502343/view

#art #contemporarypainting #MarkRothko #HappyBirthday #BigSur

On this day artist Mark Rothko was born in 1903 (and my Dad in 1929) Honored that @SaatchiArt has included my painting "The Music of Time"in their Rothko inspired collection - "Color Field Paintings Inspired by Mark Rothko"https://t.co/ne918uIvdo pic.twitter.com/lazG65wmyL

— Gregg Chadwick (@greggchadwick) September 25, 2022

A Ralph Heilemann 90th Birthday Fable: Operation Xmas in Japan

by Gregg Chadwick

My father in law Ralph Heilemann is in hospice care at home with my sister in law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As Dad Heilemann gets ready to move on to another form, space, or place — I wanted to post this highly fictionalized tale of his US Navy days that I wrote for his 90th Birthday.

Fair winds and following seas, shipmate. We have the watch.

MarySue Heilemann with her dad Ralph Heilemann — August 2021

Mission Classified. Possibly originating from the harbor of Yokosuka, near Yokohama just outside of Tokyo, in post World War II Japan on Christmas Eve.

Official Mission Logs Redacted by order of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) General MacArthur, Acting Headquarters, Dai Ichi Life Insurance Building, Tokyo.

The United States occupation was in full swing and Ralph Heilemann was there. As an electrician onboard a United States Navy cruiser on a hush-hush mission to map the entirety of the Japanese coastline, Seaman Heilemann was deep into the electronic guts of his naval warship. Or was he already an Ensign — difficult to tell from the still hidden logs of his mission.

A long way from Milwaukee but close to Akihabara, Ralph Heilemann knew that he had to replenish his electronic stores before setting off for more remote harbors. Skilled at bartering from his days on the farm in Helenville, Wisconsin — Seaman Heilemann gathered his Naval rations and exchanged them for much more than a bag of beans. Dodging the white striped helmets of the United States Military Police and with Transistor Tubes in hand, Heilemann skulked his way back on board his ship rocking gently in the grey night. Close by, the giant Buddha of Kamakura stood watch as it had for hundreds of years.

Gregg Chadwick — Buddha of Kamakura, 36"x48" oil on linen 2010

Morale was low onboard ship and among the defeated Japanese populace. Rations were cut, food was scarce, water was hoarded. But a desire to keep living still beat in the hearts of all in this lackluster Christmas season. Somehow Heilemann knew that this Xmas was up to him. Tele-typed from high command perhaps? Or whispered along the docks at night? Or maybe Nat King Cole had slipped a recording to the ship’s crew before it set sail. (https://youtu.be/jcttnJQBzQ0) But that cold Japanese night much more than sweet potatoes would be roasting. Heilemann had chestnuts and musical notes in store.

With bartered electronic parts in hand, Heilemann slipped into the conning tower of his ship and relayed a hot wire to his newly acquired turntable. Levels were set on high. He barred the door to keep prying eyes away and set the needle on a spinning platter. With a hiss and a scratch, a voice burst forth across the bay. To this day some say it sounded like a choir of angels:

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.”

Before the second verse, the Lieutenant was banging on the door. But the music played on across the harbor. Many say it grew louder -

“Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.”

Before the third verse, the Commander was banging on the door. And the music played on across the harbor. Many say it grew even louder -

“They know that Santa’s on his way;
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother’s child is going to spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.”

Before the fourth verse, the Captain was banging on the door. And the music played on across the harbor. Many say it grew even louder -

“And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you”

And after the final verse, the Admiral was on the horn. “Keep that music playing Heilemann”, he said. And many say it grew even louder as everyone on shore and onboard ship sang together.

All I know is that Ralph Heilemann needs to keep on singing. Keep playing that music Dad! Happy 90th Birthday!

Gregg Chadwick, I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold (Ralph Heilemann — Madison, Wisconsin) 18"x9"oil on linen 2008

Women Illuminated Film Festival Premieres Parallel to the United Nation’s 62nd Annual Commision on the Status of Women (CSW)

by Gregg Chadwick

Excited to report that my wife MarySue's film/transmedia project will be screened on March 12 in New York City. I will be there for the screening and the events before I Jetblue it back to Los Angeles for my show at the Other Art Fair. Hope to see you in New York or L.A.  As hard as it is to read the news every day, there are folks doing amazing work across the globe to help create a more equitable and diverse global environment. Deep thanks to all who are deep in the work. You inspire me daily. 

MONDAY, MARCH 12 FOR THE WOMEN ILLUMINATED FILM FESTIVAL

The Women Illuminated Film Festival showcases documentary, short, and feature-length films (such as The Mask You Live In and Miss Representation) by women filmmakers, grappling with the most pressing issues of our time.

This one-day event features discussions by the creatives and experts behind the films, an award ceremony honoring leaders in the global movement to achieve gender equality, and a wine and dessert reception for fans and filmmakers alike.

Where: The Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave, New York 10003
When: Monday, March 12 beginning at 11:30 a.m. EST
Tickets:http://bit.ly/WomenIlluminatedFilmFestival

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 FOR THE WOMEN/GIRLS AND MEDIA: POWER, STORYTELLING, AND #METOO PANEL

This panel of gender equality leaders in film, media, and advocacy will discuss best practices for broadening the existing media economy and leveraging media to highlight women and girls’ voices.

Featured speakers include Rachael Denhollander, the #MeToo survivor who broke the Larry Nassar Case with the Indianapolis Star Newspaper; Lenora Lapidus, Director of the Women’s Rights Project at the National Headquarters of the ACLU; Tonya Pinkins, Tony Award Winner on the #TimesUp Data Collection Committee; and more.

Where: 4 W 43rd Street, New York 10036, “Social Hall”
When: Tuesday, March 13 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. EST
Tickets: First come, first served

WHO:

Sheva Carr, Co-Vice President of Pathways To Peace and CEO of HeartAmbassadors

Rachael Denhollander, #MeToo survivor who broke the Larry Nassar Case with the Indianapolis Star Newspaper

Cristina Escobar, Director of Communications for The Representation Project

Lenora Lapidus, Director of the Women's Rights Project at the National Headquarters of the ACLU

MarySue Heilemann, Associate Professor, Media Producer and Women’s Health Researcher, UCLA School of Nursing

Devaa Mitchell Haley, Co-Founder of Shift Network and Founder of Inspiring Women with Soul

Tonya Pinkins, Tony Award Winner on the #TimesUp Data Collection Committee

Jennifer Warren, Oscar-Winning actress, director, producer, and founder of The Alliance of Women Directors

Amie Williams, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Global Girl Media

WHAT: The "Women/Girls and Media: Power, Storytelling, and #MeToo" panel will explore how which stories get told, by whom, is central to achieving gender equality. 

This panel of gender equality leaders in film, media, and advocacy will discuss the status of gender representation in entertainment and show how this domain can be used for advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. The topic is particularly relevant as the UN Commision on the Status of Women’s review theme this year is “participation in and access of women to the media, and information and communications technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women.”

Members of the press can expect a lively discussion of best practices for broadening the existing media economy and leveraging media to highlight women and girls’ voices.

WHERE: 4 W 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Room: Social Hall

WHEN: Tuesday March 13 from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. EST

Immediately following the panel, press is invited to join speakers at a reception sponsored by The Shift Network, offering transformative programs, media, and events to help people awaken their potential. Learn more at TheShiftNetwork.com. 

Press interested in attending the panel, interviewing speakers, or attending the reception, must contact Shira at shira@therepresentationproject.org or 628-253-5204 to RSVP.