Amoeba's Art Explosion

Shuffling feet, laughter, subdued mingling. Then the sound of a sonic boom, one that shook the windows and even the very floor I stood on. I whipped my head around and out the window I saw a ball of fire dissipating in the air above the Nexus Gallery on Friday night, April 21st. After the dust settled, most people glanced around at each other muttering mild to medium concern with amused chuckles. The first boom was followed by several blasts more powerful than a wall of speakers aimed at your guts. How else but with explosions would Amoeba Music kick off it’s first ever employee art show?


Amoeba Music has been around since 1991, but 2006 is a milestone in our little microcosmic community. Our very first art show! Spearheaded by Lori Katz and Naomi Salazar, the inaugural event was a resounding success. The Crucible, a group of volunteers that do all kinds of exciting things with fire, set up outside and entertained the crowd. Alcohol sponsors, Speakeasy Ale and French Rabbit wine added some much-appreciated libation to the event. Not to mention the yummy treats from Say Cheese and Bakesale Betty. Armed with as much cheese, cookies and beer I could juggle while holding my little reporter’s notebook, I began my slow revolution around the room.


Many current and former Amoeba employees from all three stores – Berkeley, San Francisco & Los Angeles – lent their talents to fill the walls of the Nexus Gallery located in a cute warehouse/loft area of Berkeley. Standout pieces were Keala Ramos’ Bea By Numbers (a paint-by numbers of Golden Girl, Bea Arthur), Billy Sprague aka: Galena’s Deer with Rejuvenated Hind Legs, owner Marc Weinstein’s two untitled pieces, Robert Simon’s photographs of Billy Childish, Zak Wilson’ Lauren Bacall (which I personally begged for – not for sale) and many, many others.


Portrait of Blonde Redhead, by Lane Brookshire was tempting enough to trade in my record collection for, with its Renaissance-meets-modern portrait of the somber threesome. Also, his brilliant painting entitled David Sedaris and His Baggage made quite an impression and was quickly snatched up. By the end of the night, several pieces had sold including Dereck Donohue’s collage, Autumn Flower and Naomi Salazar’s photograph, Take a Look. Ms. Salazar explained her subtle, sepia-toned pic as “sexy without really revealing too much.”


BOOM!!!!! There it went again. But soon afterwards, I heard sirens and saw flashing lights in the twilight. The Berkeley Fire Department arrived with a small fire engine and a paramedic rescue vehicle, as did two local police cars. In minutes, the street was closed to traffic, and the officials announced they were responding to a neighbor’s complaint about noise. I’m thinking I’m not surprised, but the guys from The Crucible are clearly irritated. Our two organizers mediated the discussion, walking back and forth from the head fireman to the head fire starter. As I waited for the end result, I noticed The Crucible’s shiny red truck said ‘Educational Response Vehicle’.


After a while, it seemed evident that the fire arts would be shut down. Evidently no permit was obtained to shoot giant fireballs into the sky. Crucible volunteer, Neil, let me in on what was happening. “Some lady got a bug up her ass – she said her paintings were shaking off the walls.” I couldn’t help but laugh and think, well, if she needs new paintings, she should come on over! Eventually, the fire department did close down that part of the night’s festivities due to a public safety issue. They were pretty cool about it, and by the time we left, ‘our side’ had loaded them up with fliers and info.


As I mingled with the various artists, I tried to cull their thoughts on the creative process. Many Amoeba employees were pleasantly surprised to see the hidden talents of their co-workers on display. Zak Wilson of the Berkeley store said, “You work with these people every day and you have no idea what they can do.” When I asked him about his own creative motivations, he stated them simply and perfectly: “I’m an artist who loves art.”


Amoeba’s first art show was a great night out and a definite success. The place was packed, food was eaten, and alcohol was consumed. Even the kids had something to do at the special make-your-own-art crafting table. The art, the fire and the minor scuffle with the Man made for a very fun evening. Amoeba employee, Stacy Young summed it up by saying, “leave it to Amoeba to have drama.” Enough said. – Laura Davis


Nexus Gallery 2707 8thh Street, Berkeley
The Crucible 1260 7th Street, Oakland www.thecrucible.org
6th Annual FireArts Festival – Wednesday through Saturday, July 12-15