We, of course, decided to see arts.
First we got our dose of "real" culture, at the Albright Knox Art Gallery (fridays are free! Even the main exhibit!). It is fun going there (I interned there as an Art Handler for a semester and got to fondle some great stuff!) still, even today.
One of our faves is this old old painting of Benjamin Franklin using a printing press (of course we like it! Of course Ben Franklin knew how to letterpress!). It was recently resurrected from who knows what by some awesome conservators, and it was fun to try to see what they touched (couldn't find any evidence, really!)

The real reason I was dragged out of my pajamas was to see the upper exhibit, which Amanda KNEW I would love. Of course she was right about that, too!
A new on view Jorge Pardo:

And one of my favorite pieces the AKAG owns, this amaaaazing Polly Apfelbaum (she makes great printwork, too!)

It's many many many small pieces of hand painted fabric, and the interesting thing is that it's meant to be dynamic to the space it is in, and depends on the art installers to decide how it's arranged! So it will never be the same way twice. Last time it was wrapped around a pole and looked down upon from a set of stairs. Awesome.
What was even better was the choice of companion to that piece in the room (it's a really big gallery room and it's interesting to see the choices they make to fill it):

Putting this Tara Donovan next to it simply opens a new world, and creates a landscape, rather than just stuff on the floor. I loved these two together.
After the gallery we decided to go less high-art (and much less 70's pop!) and went to a show by a few UB alumni including my friend Tara, who made some of the most beautiful paintings she has ever produced! I was like a proud mommy (or maybe auntie?)


I'm sorry I was killing photos left and right, I could not seem to get good light or sharp edges anywhere! I must learn how to take an acceptable photo eventually...
Anyways, I was glad I was dragged out. We ended the day driving around trying to find some good christmas light displays to take pictures of for this post, but apparently they don't really do that in the city? Or the mega-displays aren't out yet?
Pictures of lights eventually!











