Anatomically correct hearts from the Germina Trashpile collectionIn the theme of our current VAIN art installation, comes a new addition in our boutique. Hand-made, felt works from Aprille of Germina Trashpile include anatomically correct hearts, like the one you see above. What a subversive alternative to chocolates in a heart-shaped box – although I would never say no to either on any given day!
Cheers!
Sylvia
Good news for artists who don’t like to travel far to get their hair done: VAIN currently has several artist studios for rent above our downtown salon!
The studios are work only, have natural light, a shared 1/2 bathroom, and offer 24-hour access. 6 month lease + deposit required. Rents start at only $180/month, no utilities fees.
We encourage local artists (quiet ones a plus- doing hair downstairs requires focus!) looking for a private, creative space to apply to join our talented group of tenants (Christine Larsen’s awesome robots, anyone??). Contact lisam (at) vain d o t c o m to find out more about the available studios and schedule an appointment to check them out.
Artist studios for rent are above VAIN downtown- 2018 1st Ave. Photo by My Vu.
Here’s a sneak peek inside What We Do Is Also Secret, the needle-felted forest art installation above VAIN downtown by Coco Howard and Spencer Moody. Video courtesy of SLOG:
Cool video but trust us, it doesn’t compare to the real, soft, quiet, amazing felted thing. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.
What We Do Is Also Secret is open for viewing on Saturdays during VAIN’s business hours and by appointment through the end of February- 2018 1st Ave @ Virginia St, Seattle (2nd floor, above the salon). To make an appointment to view the room, contact Coco Howard directly at softlife@mac.com.
This Saturday, January 24th, VAIN will unveil “What We Do Is Also Secret,” a needle-felted world/art installation in a 10 x 8ft room above our downtown salon. The room contains over 40 pounds of wool and 50 yards of polar fleece, needle-felted and shaped by hand to create a three-dimensional felted forest of mystery. We’re talking sky, trees, hills and dales, plant life, creatures, and even a felt volcano covering every surface of the room. A volcano at VAIN!
The installation is by plush toy + fiber artist Coco Howard, working with Triumph Of Lethargy Skinned Alive To Death and Murder City Devils frontman (and beloved Anne Bonny shopkeep) Spencer Moody to make the vision come to life. The project is the latest installment of VAIN’s Artist Residency Program, which gives artists free use of a studio space for the creation of visual art.
So if you like art and things that are cool, you are cordially invited to check What We Do Is Also Secret out at VAIN on Saturday- guaranteed you’ll have never seen anything like it.
What We Do Is Also Secret opens for viewing this Saturday, January 24th from 4:00 to 9:00pm on the second floor of VAIN- 2018 1st Ave @Virginia St. Free and open to the public. You should come. Photo by Sarah Jurado.
Ok, so maybe you’re still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone (so special that not just any old sweater will do). Looking for something truly unique? Well, baby, hows about this:
Behold! New Vintage Treasures in the VAIN Gallery!
A framed feast for the eyes, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse print will warm the heart of the most crotchety scrooge on the most chilling of winter days. This is simply one of the jaw-droppingly awesome finds you’ll see in the gallery space at VAIN downtown. Can’t decide between the Porsche mirror or the Rainier Beer visor? Worry not! You can always spring for a VAIN Gift Certificate and let your person of distinguished tastes decide for him or herself.
Art, jewelry, high thrift vintage, collectible magazines and vinyl records are always available in the VAIN Gallery downtown.
A couple Saturdays ago, VAIN celebrated our Rocktober art gallery opening! Visitors enjoyed the rock-inspired art work and were treated to free gravity-defying hair-dos by our Guerilla Hair team: Sam, William, and Cassie. Dj Kingblind had a choice selection of tunes going, and in the spirit of things, we took it to the next level and invited people to play Rock Band the game. Thanks to everyone who came out! Here are a few photos from the event:
Frank Mullen’s amazing Rock photography | Photo by My Vu
Liza Jo on the faux drums
Hair by William | Photo by My Vu
Guerilla Hair: Sam works that Bouffant
Photo by Josh Buesseler
In case you missed your chance to stop by, the current show will be on display through November 30th while the pieces last!
VAIN wall, 1st Ave. Photo by Tyler Soverns.
More pictures of the great graffiti wall painting of ‘08 are now up on VAIN’s Flickr page. Check ‘em out.
First look at Saturday’s painting of the VAIN wall. Photo by Lindamy Vu.
Thanks to everyone who came down to VAIN this weekend to check out the DVS crew putting up their new pieces on our outside wall. We’ll be posting more pictures here soon so check back!
The VAIN graffiti wall downtown is so money. Photo by Angela Dawn.
Today from 8am to 8pm at VAIN downtown, the famed DVS crew of graffiti artists will be painting four new pieces on VAIN’s outside wall. We’ve told you about the history of the wall before, and this latest chapter should be just as good. So if you find yourself on 1st Ave today, stop by and check out some amazing graffiti art in action. It’s going to be a scene out there.
The VAIN graffiti wall is on the north side of VAIN, facing the parking lot- 2018 1st Ave between Virginia and Lenora.
Each month at VAIN Ballard we’ll be unveiling new works of art by featured jewelers. This month we begin with pieces created by Sarah Loertscher.
Loertscher is a graduate of the BFA program at Ball State University, with a focus on metalsmithing. Before moving to Seattle, she also completed a two year fellowship at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Now she brings these years of study and experience distilled into the new works of her Structure series.
We spoke with Sarah today as she installed her pieces, and inquired as to the inspiration behind them. She told us that they’re based on her interest/obsession with rocks and crystalline structure, and how a few straight lines can rapidly turn into a chaotic mass. When constructing a piece of jewelry, she either repeats a basic line into a tangled structure or distills a form down into it’s own structural supports.
The result of this chaotic, tangled idea is gorgeously constructed wearable art. Her jewelry will be available for sale throughout the month of August. We invite you to come view the pieces premiering tomorrow evening, or anytime in the coming weeks.
Solidly shining,
VAIN Ballard
If you take a look in the VAIN downtown gallery space you’ll notice the recent addition of some fabulous jewelry from local Seattle artist Julia Garrels of Metalwing. Julia is a former tenant of VAIN’s art studios above our downtown salon. Two years ago she helped create Ballard Metal Arts where she has since been creating her colorful, bold, and often humorous enamel jewelry pieces (much to the enjoyment of our friends in Ballard). Here is a peak at some favorites of the bunch:
Aubrie shines. Photos by Lindamy Vu.
Bacon-n-Eggs Skull & Crossbones Necklace,
Heart Earrings, and Unicorn Necklace.
We also look forward to upcoming Metalwing work, which Julia informs us has been progressing into larger wall pieces. Very exciting!