Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:17 am

Omaha World Herald wrote:"The Bemis has filled a huge community role in terms of educating people about what contemporary art is about and by reaching many people in different ways," said local artist Terry Rosenberg... The Bemis Center's residency program is known all over the world, but Omahans knew little about the center's activities. "That shouldn't be true," Masuoka said. "We should be as known in Omaha as we are in Berlin or London."

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:34 am

Omaha World Herald wrote:In 2002, an artist licked a 2,500-square-foot gallery floor covered in yellow frosting to explore the meaning of yellow as a cultural reference. In 2004, the center held a Valentine's Day auction featuring the performance art form known as naked sushi. Recently, a Massachusetts-based artist built an installation featuring a "house" made out of hay as a commentary on American materialism.

I'll have to say, most people I know, that ain't their cup of tea, whether they are familiar with contemporary art or not.

OmahaRules · Post by **OmahaRules** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:48 am

I dunno naked girls and sushi (Minus the sushi) is my cup of tea!

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 10:10 am

Probably why the "Performing Arts" center in Mills County is sooooo popular......

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:31 am

icejammer wrote:
Omaha World Herald wrote:In 2002, an artist licked a 2,500-square-foot gallery floor covered in yellow frosting to explore the meaning of yellow as a cultural reference. In 2004, the center held a Valentine's Day auction featuring the performance art form known as naked sushi. Recently, a Massachusetts-based artist built an installation featuring a "house" made out of hay as a commentary on American materialism.
I'll have to say, most people I know, that ain't their cup of tea, whether they are familiar with contemporary art or not.

Yeah thats probably the reason why many people in Omaha do not have any clue about Bemis. I am sure it has more appeal from people on the coasts and in Europe, which is also mentioned in the article. I think it is too much for some people in the midwest.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:53 pm

Did anyone else attend the Bemis auction Saturday night? It was a fun event - around 500 attended. The selection of art seems to be getting better yearly (and the high end art goes higher).

I would bet there aren't many in Omaha who have any idea how lucky they are to have the Bemis and how important it is in the art world. It's interesting to know that the Bemis is probably more well known in Berlin and other world capitals than in Omaha.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:55 pm

icejammer wrote:Probably why the "Performing Arts" center in Mills County is sooooo popular......

I've seen many a great live performance there. The dedication of the performers to please the crowd is enough to take ones breath (and money) away.

Alt(Bayern)München · Post by **Alt(Bayern)München** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:01 pm

I was at the auction, got outbid on one item, and was afraid to bid on another. Did you buy anything? I thought the whole thing was cool, quite an interesting and diverse crowd!

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:24 am

I bought the ceramic with the fur (odd but interesting) - tried to get a couple of Kaneko's but they went much higher than last year. It was a great time but I think they'll need a bigger space next year. Not much room to walk around. I highly recommend the event for anyone to attend.

Alt(Bayern)München · Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:25 pm

Yeah it was cool.
I really liked the painting to the immediate right of the stage during the live auction.
The one with the seascape with all the smoking volcanoes & the shark fins circling.
After a few drinks I was afraid if I started, I'd get cought up in a bidding war...
and since we just built a new house and moved in, but have not sold the old house yet, I really could not afford to let that happen!
Double mortgage & double utilty bills suck!
Ironically the lady who bought "my" painting was also the one who outbid me on a small item in the silent auction, oh well, there is always next year!

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:24 pm

Well, icejammer, you ARE from Council Bluffs. ;)

I actually remember that installation that had the floor covered in yellow frosting. I didn't actually see the guy lick it up, though.

I love the Bemis, because I love art. But it's also one of Omaha's biggest assets, especially when one considers how much an institution like that does to combat various negative stereotypes that are associated with Omaha.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:09 pm

People who should know about Bemis do.

People who wouldn't know about it (nor the Joslyn) don't. People who are into art, culture...or just like to be pretentious...all know about Bemis.

Also, Bemis now has a "Band in Residency" which is Tilly and the Wall.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:30 pm

Indeed.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:35 pm

Painting the city's art canvas

Sarah Baker Hansen World-Herald Correspondent wrote:Now, as it celebrates its 30th birthday, the Bemis is unveiling what's possibly its showiest project to date: a major renovation of its Old Market building at 12th and Leavenworth Streets and a major expansion to its renowned artist-in-residence program. This weekend, people can tour the first part of Bemis' $2.6 million renovation project. Five new studios for resident and visiting artists on the center's renovated third floor will be open to the public.

During the next year, Bemis will continue remodeling the 10,000-square-foot Okada building, across the street from the center. Bemis leaders hope to turn that space into a world-class studio for artists to create large-scale ceramic work and sculptures. The renovations allow the center to expand its residency program from 24 artists per year to 36.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:13 pm

6 years. Fire it up, Tuna. :mrgreen:

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:55 pm

the1wags wrote:6 years. Fire it up, Tuna. :mrgreen:

Holla!!

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:50 am

New sign atop the Bemis?

quick and dirty...

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:12 am

Is that on some sort of wooden rack?

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:34 am

Brad wrote:Is that on some sort of wooden rack?

Yeah its old style like the City View(Rorick) sign.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:51 am

Ok, I saw it. It needs to be painted or something, it sticks out like a sore thumb in the day. Do you think they got a permit for that? Seems like something the old marker would fight?

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:54 pm

It is one of their current art exhibitions as far as I understand.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:24 pm

Wooden Rack? No sign up there has been on a wooden rack...

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:25 am

http://www.bemiscenter.org/art/exhibiti ... akers.html

Jason Manley’s (AIR 2005) drawings and installations compact the language and forms of advertising into off-kilter beacons. Manley’s monumental icons are open-ended and speculative propositions that trump the gamesmanship and diversions of conventional public messaging. For Placemakers, Manley imagines the Bemis Center as a locus of collective possibility and personal hope.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:41 am

wow, i was under the impression it was a scaffold setup. well that's a bit cheesy.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:26 am

Jason Manley’s (AIR 2005) drawings and installations compact the language and forms of advertising into off-kilter beacons. Manley’s monumental icons are open-ended and speculative propositions that trump the gamesmanship and diversions of conventional public messaging. For Placemakers, Manley imagines the Bemis Center as a locus of collective possibility and personal hope.

Manley also "borrowed" the BELIEVE idea, font and all, from Baltimore's civic campaign:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-0 ... c-campaign

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:42 pm

Reminds me of some of the old hotel signs.....

I think there is still one like this in downtown KC too....can't remember the name of the building. Edit: It's the Western Auto sign/building in KC...saw it one of Brads recent photos.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:46 pm

Anyone know what's going on with the 6 huge water tanks along the north side of this building? That's several thousand gallons of water storage... There are a couple of large PVC pipes routed up the side of the building to the top floor.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:06 pm

Ben wrote:Anyone know what's going on with the 6 huge water tanks along the north side of this building? That's several thousand gallons of water storage... There are a couple of large PVC pipes routed up the side of the building to the top floor.

Probably rain water collection which can be used to flush toilets, irrigation, or other non-potable uses. Or in that context, it could be claimed to be art!

1" of rain on 1 acre = 27,000 gallons of water, I've heard.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:20 pm

Hopefully they get grandfathered in. Many states, while others already are, making the collection of potable rainwater, illegal.

Post by **BRoss** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:30 pm

S33 wrote:Hopefully they get grandfathered in. Many states, while others already are, making the collection of potable rainwater, illegal.

Which is extremely stupid! I don't know how they can justify passing laws like that.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:32 pm

S33 wrote:Hopefully they get grandfathered in. Many states, while others already are, making the collection of potable rainwater, illegal.

Not an issue here.

justnick · Post by **justnick** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:45 pm

the water tanks, btw, are a part of a new installation where they're going to spray over the roof to create some sort of semi-permanent rainbow.
Or so I hear.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:05 pm

Please tell me these tanks and pipe are TEMPORARY!!!!

I need to get back down there with my camera and get some photos. This instillation looks Hideous!!! Do they even have a permit to build this thing. I can't believe the city were ever allow this.

They have huge pipes sticking straight out the side of the building and down to these huge tanks just sitting in the alley!

It looks AWFUL!!!

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:39 pm

Brad wrote:Please tell me these tanks and pipe are TEMPORARY!!!!

I need to get back down there with my camera and get some photos. This instillation looks Hideous!!! Do they even have a permit to build this thing. I can't believe the city were ever allow this.

They have huge pipes sticking straight out the side of the building and down to these huge tanks just sitting in the alley!

It looks AWFUL!!!

Calling it Art = Leniency. Normal laws do not apply!

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu May 03, 2012 8:25 pm

Per Bemis' facebook page.

Today, we're excited to officially announce that Michael Jones McKean's The Rainbow will be launching this summer. Twice per day with clear sun, for 20 minutes each, a rainbow will appear above the Bemis Center’s roof in downtown Omaha. The rainbows will be created using sunlight, renewable energy and 100% captured rainwater.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu May 03, 2012 8:36 pm

Now that is cool!

Post by **BRoss** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:04 pm

That is effing sick!

Post by **BRoss** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:18 pm

Here's some more information I found about it:
http://www.bemiscenter.org/art/exhibiti ... oject.html

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:32 pm

Whatever. That happens over The Max most nights. In the dark. Without water.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:00 am

Sprinkler rainbows are a government conspiracy anyways.