To kick us off for this week, I wanted to include this trailer for The Art of the Steal, which goes out of it’s way to point out the bad guys in the nearly imminent Barnes move. I’m quite fond of the protestor at 2′15″ who shouts “philistine” as if it’s the absolute worst insult in the world.

And now for some listings, eh?

Monday, February 15th

UPenn: Eleanor Antin: Inventing Histories
Eleanor Antin is a pioneering & influential artist, working in everything, all mediums. It’s much easier, and actually apt to describe her that way. She plays with persona and history to explore the nuances of modern selves, her most famous character being “Eleanora Antinova, the tragically overlooked black ballerina of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes.” And look at that portrait… it’s just adorable. Check her out on Art21, for I’m sure there will be plenty of us locked out of the lecture (go early!).
Lecture begins at 5.30 pm, free tickets distributed at 4pm. Meyerson Hall, Room B3. University City

Wednesday, February 17th

UPenn: A.L. Steiner
I know you don’t want to hear me complain about how hard it can be to do listings. But sometimes I’m given psychobabble, and have to write about it. So let me skirt that by passing on the entire text…

A.L. Steiner is a Brooklyn-based artist who uses constructions of photography, video, installation, collaboration, performance and curatorial work as seductive tropes channeled through the sensibility of a cynical queer eco-feminist androgyne.

Um, I like your image Ms. Steiner? Or is it Mr.? I got nothing.
Lecture begins at 4.30 pm. Meyerson Hall, Room B3. University City

Historical Society of Philadelphia: Petty’s Island: The Untold Story
In conjunction with Duke Riley’s installation, Reclaiming the Lost King of Laird, the Historical Society of Philadelphia presents a screening of a documentary on the history of Petty’s Island. Located in the Delaware River, Petty’s Island began as a Native American settlement, and was also used as a 17th-century slave depot. In between, it also gained infamy as a site for gambling and shipwrecks. The documentary was produced by the Camden City African American Commission and the South Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, as part of the Scribe Video Center’s Precious Places Community History Project.
Screening begins at 6 pm. Center City

Thursday, February 18th

Area 919: Occupant
***POSTPONED FROM LAST WEEK***
Do I sense a rift in the Second Thursday Crane Mini-Metropolis? It certainly would be the case if Area 919, located in the vicinity of the Crane, wasn’t staging this exhibition in the offices of CITYSPACE, a historic Victorian mansion located at 2200 Walnut Street. CITYSPACE will actually be helping Area 919 stage a few exhibitions around Center City in this manner, a great opportunity being realized by owner/real estate pro Michael Garden. It’s like Hidden City as a one-dude with many hats production. This first exhibition showcases the minimal photography of Gillian Pears, as well as the videos of Ryan Widger.
Opening reception from 6 – 9pm. Center City

Vox Populi: Nicola López: The Expansive Nature of Print
Vox Populi continues its’ SPEAKEASY programming with this conversation that invites Brooklyn artist Nicola López to speak about the ubiquity of printmaking. Specifically, about how well the medium of printmaking nestles itself into the culture we’ve created. The exclusive characteristics of printmaking, she argues, puts it on a unique platform to not only address contemporary issues that are relevant to both the greater culture as well as practicing artists, but also to act as a bridge between “high art” and “mass culture.” López heself works in printkmaking, drawing and installation. Catch up on her full bio at her website.
Conversation begins at 6 pm. North Chinatown

Rosenbach Museum: Artist Talk by Enrique Chagoya
What a week for microphones. This talking head will speak about the print he produced for Philagrafika 2010, based on a print in the Rosenbach’s collection by 19th century printmaker George Cruikshank, titled The Headache. Participants are invited to compare and contrast the two artists’ work, who both use satire to address the issues of their respective times. Participants will also get the chance to hand color a reproduction of Enrique Chagoya’s print The Head Ache, and sneaky participants (ie. ninjas) will get a chance to re-color the original.
Activities begin at 3 pm, Artist Talk begins at 6 pm. Center City

Saturday, February 20th

The Print Center: Open Book
For all the lovers of the artist book, The Print Center wrangles together three exhibiting artist collectives & and an artist book store. Dexter Sinister, Space 1026, Temporary Services & Printed Matter will each give presentations on their respective publications and how these projects give/take from their artistic practices. If you ask nicely, they might put their name on the inside cover for you. Please RSVP to Eli VandenBerg at evandenberg@printcenter.org or 215.735.6090 x1.
Presentations begins at 5.30 pm. Center City

And as a parting gift, hot off the desk of Joe Boruchow, local paper cutout artist, band member of the Nite Lights, and self appointed wooden-pole-decorator, comes his latest work, “Sailor’s Valentine.” Enjoy.

And if we missed your event, or if it’s been postponed to this week, please update us in the comments below.

And this concludes another installment of your weekly listings. As always, thanks for reading.
-Jong