IN NEW LIGHT - HIPFiSHmonthly

Hanz Araki and Kathryn Claire
As I Roved Out: Songs of Spring
The exquisitely buoyant spirit of Celtic flute
and fiddle come pouring out of trad musicians
Hanz Araki and Kathryn Claire. And not only the
sounds but the actual flutes too. In their solstice
performance at KALA this past year, Araki must
have played at least five different flutes of all sizes
and make-up. His virtuosity seamless from flute
to flute.
KALA welcomes with open ears and heart for
listening as the dynamic duo return for another
in a series CD release concert. AS I ROVED OUT:
SONGS OF SPRING features 12 newly arranged
and recorded traditional tunes. Tunes that these
two remarkable Irish musicians re-envision with a
modern ear.
In the circle of trad musicians in the Portland
music scene, and an Irish one in particular is
named The Celtic Conspiracy, Araki and Claire,
while both involved in solo projects and ensemble
variations, came together as Claire informs, “for
the love of harmony.”
KALA@hipfishmonthly
1017 Marine Drive in Astoria
KALA (Finnish for fish) is the ground
floor presentation space at the production
office of HIPFiSH. Visual art, music
and performance are settling well within
the walls at 1017 Marine Drive, adding
to the ever-growing cultural affluence
in the Columbia Pacific Region. Keep
abreast of our monthly happenings,
right here in the pages of HIPFiSH, hipfishmonthly.com
and all the generous
community media resources.
Friday, May 11, 8pm at KALA
CD Release Concert $12
doors open 7:30pm
“I think that was our initial connection,
singing together. We have
similar musical sensibilities and
discovered that we also have very
compatible work ethics. It was
a natural fit from the beginning,”
says Claire.
Nothing like four recording
projects in a year to keep an ambitious
musician’s chops up. A 2011
October release entitled “Songs
of Love and Murder,” is just that,
then a late December’s release, “A
Solstice Celebration.” “As I Roved
Out” is a lively collection of love
songs, jigs and reels. Araki’s distinctive
tenor and Claire’s crystal
clear alto trade off on lead vocals,
continually keeping it fresh;
acapella-style vocals, for example
are paired with a sexy beat of the
bodhrán, luscious multi-track harmonies,
and varied arrangements
featuring flute and fiddle, guitar
and percussion.
While he may be best known for
his playing and singing of Celtic
music, Hanz Araki’s roots are in
the shakuhachi, the traditional
bamboo “Zen flute” of Japan. Hanz
(short for Hanzaburo) is the world’s
only sixth generation shakuhachi
player, following in the footsteps
of his father, Kinko Ryu Grand
Master Kodo Araki V. A native of Seattle, and with
Gaelic roots on his mother side, Araki eventually
shifted to Celtic music, got involved in Seattle’s
rich Irish scene and today is a prominent Celtic
flutist and fixture in American Irish music.
A native of Eugene, Kathryn Claire earlier lead
the well-known group Toad in the Hole, and then
Circled by Hounds, that frequently played the
coast when she was a resident here. She recently
released as a singer-songwriter “Morning Comes
Too Soon.” Claire is a superb songwriter, and may
occasionally sneak in original.
However, the duo’s commitment to bring the old
tunes to life, and with such impeccable flair is a
gift to present day music lovers, (and who isn’t). A
superb and magical treat to lift your spirit.
Doors open at 7:30. Seating is limited. Beer and
Wine available and sneak preview of new work by
artists Kristin Shauck and Tim Liddiard.
Metalon A Pentamerous Exhibition in Metal
At RiverSea Gallery • May 5 - 29
RiverSea Gallery brings five
Oregon metal sculptors together to
present the exhibition, Metalon
with a gala opening reception and
party to be held at The Banker’s
Suite and Ballroom Saturday,
May 5th from 6 – 9 pm. Artists
Jud Turner, Jay Moody, Chris Cole,
Diana Shampang-Voorheis and
Christopher Truax all share a connection
to metal as medium, quite
often utilizing found objects that
through each artist’s vision find their
way from discarded industrial debris
to art form. The historic Banker’s
Ballroom will provide a whimsical
setting for the opening night party,
and an eclectic backdrop for viewing
highlighted artworks from the show.
Live music, catering by Clemente’s
Restaurant, and a six foot steel
fountain by Jay Moody will be flowing
with sparkling cider. All are invited
to come and meet the artists, view
some of their work and enjoy a show
opening like no other. The full exhibition
will be on display at RiverSea
Gallery from Sunday, May 6th
through May 29th.
Guest curator Kyle Collins, of
Portland, has
held a longtime
interest
in metal as a
reclaimed material
utilized
in sculpture;
after meeting
sculptor Christopher
Truax
that interest
developed
into a fascination
that Collins
wanted
to share
with others.
Collins’
enthusiasm
for the genre
is the backbone
behind
Metalon,
an exhibition
devoted to
the use of repurposed
objects,
where
nuts and bolts might become the
anatomy of a bird or fish, or incorporated
into a sassy pair of stilettos.
Collins has carefully cultivated a
strong group of artists who each
have evolved a distinctive style. Metalon
is an exploration of diverse and
eclectic uses of similar materials,
but this is where the commonality
ends and subject matter takes an
imaginative departure.
Jud Turner, from Eugene, focuses
on the repurposing of discarded
objects, using metal fabrication
techniques to create work that is
heavy in metaphor. Turner, who is
interested in social issues, doesn’t
hold back, and offers narrative work
with a direct and biting consideration
of political
issues,
specifically
the plight
and
protests of
Tibetans.
Turner
states,
“Using
found
objects,
welded
steel,
and repurposed
consumer items, I create sculptures
which are about the exhilarations
and anxieties of living in our modern,
industrialized society.”
Portland artist Christopher Truax
also relies on metaphor within his
sculpture, embracing materials
that have a distinct and sometimes
recognizable past which he then
fuses into
new meaning.
Heavily
influenced by
mythology and
steampunk, he
brings to life
charismatic
robots, fanciful
winged creatures,
glowing
dragon’s eyes
and other curiosities
from
the fantastic
realm of his
imagination.
Truax likes to
combine both
organic and
industrial elements
in his
work, and he
is particularly
fond of using
Thunderbird
Chris Truax
car parts.
“Most of my
art incorporates the feel of emotion,
and most pieces have a movement,”
says Truax, “they are posable and
unique on a detailed level.”
Also of Portland is Jay Moody.
Known for his metal fabrication
skills, he transforms steel into soaring
sculpture, as well as art furniture
and other functional pieces. Moody
has been a metal worker since
working in his father’s metal shop at
eleven years old. Over the years he
became a sculptor, creating commissioned
pieces for celebrity clients
around the country and working on
public art projects with Devin Laurence
Field. Look for Moody’s 6 ft. fountain.
Chris Cole, from Portland, adds a
touch of the surreal to the exhibition
with his
imaginary
kinetic
animals.
Cole,
who is
inspired
by the
visionaries
of the
industrial
revolution,
Chris Cole
creates
intricate sculptures that are animated
with either a motor or a hand crank.
Each work is an ode to the mechanical
age while also a statement about
our culture’s increasing disconnection
with the natural world. “Sculpture is a
means through which I can explore the
concepts of movement, functionality
and esthetics. Understanding physics,
and the way things work, has always
been a fascination of mine.”
For Diana Shampang-Voorheis, of
Blue River, Oregon “art is born in the
collision of fire, steel and laughter.
From the moment I first held a plasma
cutter and welding torch, I knew fire
and metal ran in my blood.” Her
sculpture is also inspired by cast offs;
a trip to the junkyard is time well
spent to find materials to create her
work. Looking to add femininity and
fun to the process of metalwork, she
fabricates fantastical high heeled
shoes, outrageous stilettos for the
iconic femme-fatale.
RiverSea Gallery is open daily at 1160
Commercial Street, Open Monday through
Saturday, 11-5:30 and Sunday 11-4. 503-
325-1270/www.RiverSeaGallery.com
Lone Madrone
Described as old-timey blues
swing from the future - If your looking
for something western-twinged with a
punky romp to top off the end of your
weekend, this Oregon-based trio will
fill the bill, and deliver you rightfully to
the destiny of your Monday.
Sunday, May 20, No Cover, At
Fort George in Astoria.
may12 hipfishmonthly.com
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