Donald Burlock's Photos on Exhibit

Musically related photographs by Donald Burlock go on display in the Artsgarden (above the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets, Indianapolis) tomorrow. The exhibit is part of February's Art & Soul celebration, and continues throughout the month. Burlock is an Indianapolis-based photographer and painter -- that's one of his images at right.

Lilly in Settlement Talks With U.S.

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. and federal prosecutors are discussing a settlement of a civil and criminal investigation into the company’s marketing of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa that could result in Lilly’s paying more than $1 billion to federal and state governments, reports the New York Times. If a deal is reached, the fine would be the largest ever paid by a drug company for breaking the federal laws that govern how drug makers can promote their medicines.

Urban Silos and Illuminated 55-Gallon Drums

The Arts Council of Indianapolis has selected a large luminary project and a pair of open-topped silos as the winners of this year’s “Great Ideas” public art competition, according to The Indianapolis Business Journal. The artists, each of whom will receive $18,000 for his proposal, are Indianapolis-based sculptor Jeffrey Martin (who will build two stylized silos along the Monon Trail) and Hammond-based artist Tom Torluemke (above, right; whose luminary display will be made up of 55-gallon white drums with patterns drilled into them). Both pieces will be installed later this year. This is the second round of the Great Ideas competition, which is open to artists statewide.

First Friday Art Tour is, ummm, Friday!

More than 25 galleries will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. 1 February, the first Friday of the month. The First Friday event, hosted by members of the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association, is free and open to the public. Monthly brochures with a map and list of participating galleries are available at the galleries, the Indianapolis Artsgarden Cultural Concierge and various sites throughout the downtown area. The mission of IDADA is to develop public awareness of the artist and art dealer and encourage strong continuing community support for the visual arts. An after-party will be held at the end of each First Friday at rotating sites within the downtown area. For details, call 317:634-3114. [Oh, Becki Banet-Lucas created the fanciful figure, shown above, left.] The Fourth Annual IDADA Members Show hosted by Pivot Gallery and Print Resources in the Stutz Art Studio and Business Center has its opening reception at the same time as this First Friday Art Tour. The exhibition will continue through 3 March.

George and Ilana Debikey: A Retrospective

"George and Ilana Debikey: A Retrospective" is the title of a contemporary art exhibition at the University of Indianapolis. Over the years, the Debikeys have been creating in a variety of mediums and techniques. Working currently with raku, George has developed a style with which he is well identified. The lustrous effects on his pieces, in combination with intricate, yet free design work, make the works come alive (pictured). As a multi-media artist, Ilana maintains a very free approach to what she is doing. Her work is decorated with a large palette of vibrant colors that exhibit a high sense of beauty and design that makes every piece a one of a kind. The exhibition in the Art Gallery in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center (adjacent to the Ruth Lilly Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Indianapolis, 1400 Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis) is open every day of the week until 8 February between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. For information, call 317:788-3253.

Tim Streett for School Board

Click on over to Ruth Holladay's blog and read about Tim Streett, who's running for Indianapolis Public Schools Board.

Sports Equipment Collected for Kids

The Indiana Sports Corporation is partnering with Community Health Network Foundation and WISH-TV to collect sports equipment for children, according to Inside INdiana Business. The Geared for Health: Sports Equipment for Kids program was designed to help fight obesity. Collected items will be given to nonprofit youth organizations, sports leagues and sports clubs.

Art As Parades and Street Pageantry

The first exhibition of contemporary art exploring parades and street pageantry will premiere at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in May. On Procession will draw upon themes of ritual, propaganda and civic celebration, and survey issues of history, identity, and public visibility, according to the IMA. The exhibition will feature videos, sculpture, installations, costumes, banners, and parade artifacts and ephemera. In conjunction with the exhibition, the IMA is organizing a downtown art parade on 26 April, and will debut new works by Smith and Haeg as part of the parade. On Procession will be on view at the IMA from 2 May through 10 August.

Ann Dances Back to Indy

An artwork by Julian Opie has been installed at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Alabama Street and Vermont Street as part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Titled "Ann Dancing", the four-sided light-emitting display features an animated artwork of a woman dancing. The piece will be illuminated and officially dedicated tomorrow (22 January) at 11:30 a.m. It once stood at Illinois and Maryland streets (see photo) during an earlier downtown exhibition of Opie's work.

So, Did Andre Steal His Slating?

Just when you think politics is calming down, along comes another possible scandal. As Ruth Holladay reports in her blog today, "Bil Browning at Bileric.com is getting a lot of traction on his morning posting: 'There's something shady going on', regarding how handily Andre Carson won the slating over at the Dems' confab Saturday at Shortridge Middle School. Check it out: here."

Allison Smith Talks About Sculpture

Get a chance to hear what Allison Smith has in mind for a major sculpture project this spring with students and faculty at the Herron School of Art and Design of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. The artist will talk about her plans at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (15 January) in the school's Basile Auditorium, and the results will be part of "On Procession" at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in May. Smith, a Brooklyn-based artist, is interested in the notion of "authentic reproductions", that is, contemporary objects or tableaux that conjure historical aesthetics and episodes. Smith was born in Manassas, Virginia in 1972. She received a BA in psychology from the New School for Social Research (1995), a BFA from Parsons School of Design (1995), and an MFA from Yale University School of Art (1999). In 2005, Smith created an outdoor public art event on Governors Island in New York known as The Muster (photo, above right), which centered on the question "What are you fighting for?" and included soapbox speeches, magic shows and more.

Shakespearean Theater in Indy

Indianapolis audiences can experience the world of Shakespearean theater next month when the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis presents the American Shakespeare Center's "Piercing Eloquence Tour." The American Shakespeare Center (ASC), one of the country's most acclaimed acting troupes, will present a performance of "Henry V" at 7 p.m. 28 February, and a second performance at 7 p.m. 1 March. The ASC will also present "The Merchant of Venice" at 2 p.m. 2 March. All three performances will take place at Christian Theological Seminary, 1000 West 42nd Street, Indianapolis.

"Piercing Eloquence Tour" events open to the general public also include "Shakespeare in the Courtroom," a special performance of the courtroom scene from "The Merchant of Venice" featuring a discussion with the actors and law school faculty, at 5:30 p.m. 26 February at the IU School of Law-Indianapolis, Inlow Hall, 530 West New York Street, Indianapolis. This event is free of charge.

During the Tour's stop in Indianapolis (25 February through 2 March), the ACS actors will stage a total of six performances, including special free events for area high schools in Indianapolis and Kokomo.

All performances are free of charge to IUPUI and IU faculty, staff, and students with ID and reservations. For tickets ($10 general admission) and IU/IUPUI reservations, contact Wanda Colwell, 317:274-9841.

Government ID and Voting in Indiana

The Supreme Court has heard arguments about Indiana's restrictive voter identification law -- a solution for a non-problem, according to many. For a discussion of the debate, click here.

Excerpt:

"The major bipartisan draft fraud report on the subject concluded there's very little polling-place fraud in America. So, increasingly, the effort to stop fictional vote fraud looks like a partisan effort to suppress votes that tend to go to Democrats—and somehow, it's always indigent, elderly, and minority voters who are disproportionately affected. A Republican-controlled legislature passed Indiana's law on a party-line vote, and then a Republican governor signed it, and every judge to cast eyes upon it thereafter seemed to be for or against it based on his or her own political affiliation."

This Indianapolis Observer, who worked in her precinct for a couple of decades, never encountered one incident of voter fraud -- except for one person who wanted to vote in the precinct where he no longer lived (something the voter ID law wouldn't prevent).

As one commentator said: "But a citizen who does not already have a photo ID and is required to obtain one for no reason other than to cast a ballot is in effect paying a poll tax. What more egregious violation of the Constitution could there be?"

UPDATE:
Check out this exploration of the topic by AP reporter Deborah Hastings.

Super Heros Museum Vanishes

Dane Nash has closed his American Super Heroes Museum at 20 West Louisiana Street in downtown Indianapolis after less than a year. Even the website has vanished. This Indianapolis Observer is sorry never having visited it -- but, then, so few people did that Mr. Nash evidently couldn't make a "go" of the innovative venture.

Ansel Adams at Yosemite National Park

An exhibit of 23 Ansel Adams photographs depicting the landscapes of Yosemite National Park will be on display at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Wester Art through 31 December 2008. According to the museum, Adams began his lifelong love affair with Yosemite National Park at an early age. It was there where he received his first camera, a Kodak Box Brownie, from his father during a family vacation in 1916 when he was fourteen years old.

Principles of Successful Multiracial Congregations

"The Principles of Successful Multiracial Congregations" will be explored during a 5:30-8:30 p.m. session on 28 February on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. Sociologist and racial reconciliation leader George Yancey (left), (author of a book on the topic) will speak to an audience of IUPUI students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Pastor Michael Jones of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church and Dr. Kent Millard of Celebration of Hope will respond to Yancey's address. Co-sponsors are the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, IUPUI's Department of Religious Studies, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Light of the World Christian Church, Eastern Star Baptist, North United Methodist, Progressive Missionary Baptist, and the Celebration of Hope. Tickets are $10.

Indiana Children's Wish Fund Wins One

The Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, which grants wishes to children and teenagers with life-threatening illnesses, got an early Christmas gift on 21 December 2007, according to the New York Times. Morgan Keegan, a brokerage firm in Memphis, made an undisclosed payment to the charity to settle an arbitration claim; the Wish Fund said it had lost $48,000 in a mutual fund from Morgan Keegan that had invested heavily in dicey mortgage securities. Now that the Wish Fund’s complaint has been settled, Ms. Ceaser-Hudson can carry on the organization’s work, the New York Times reports.

A New Carson for Congress?

Abdul Hakim-Shabazz reports this in his blog:

"I asked Carson about the criticism levied at him that he is being “anointed” for the seat because he is Julia’s grandson. He says it is legitimate concern because of the potential for abuse, but he he was running to continue his grandmother’s tradition of being a voice for those citizens who had none and not about carrying on a family name....

"Carson also said his age and experience are legitimate issues, acknowledging that the candidates who have filed or will soon file have impressive resumes....

"I also asked Carson about his ties with controversial figure Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan, who spoke at Julia’s funeral. He says Farrakhan spoke at his grandmother’s request and he takes a more moderate approach to his Islamic faith, even though he was raised a Christian."

Wait a minute, says this Indianapolis Observer. Andre Carson is a member of the Nation of Islam? [NOTE: that is NOT the same as being a Muslim in the Sunni or Shi'ite traditions; the Nation of Islam is separate and distinct.]

New Year, New Mayor

No matter what your political affiliation (or your vote in last November's election), I'm sure we all can agree with what Abdul Hakim-Shabazz said in his blog regarding yesterday's inauguration of Greg Ballard (left) as Indy's mayor:

"Most 'Inspiring' Moment- The peaceful transition of government from one party to another as juxtaposed to what happens in some other parts of the world."

Just ask the folks at the Indiana University School of Medicine partnership with Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya!