"The Scholar" by Nick Georgiou (mixed-media)

Newsprint artist Nick Georgiou had an opening reception on October 28 of his new one-artist show “Paper Elegies” at the Temple of Music & Art, showing through November 22. Here’s the gallery description of Nick & his art:

As the debate over the death of the printed word continues, mixed-media artist Nick Georgiou moves the discussion in a new direction by transforming discarded books and newspapers found on the street into sculpture, reclaiming and revisiting how we absorb language and information today.

Using old books, newsprint and a variety of colored papers, Georgiou selects, cuts, arranges, folds, and stacks the printed remains, creating mesmerizing 3-dimensional wall pieces, that speak both to the mounds of discarded print all around us and the constant barrage of information we have available at our fingertips today. In the rapidly exploding world of digital images and words, pulp star Georgiou is a storyteller harvesting the past and examining the future at the same time. Is there an app for that?

Transplanted New Yorker Georgiou received his BFA in Film and Television from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and worked in film prior to pursuing a full-time career as a sculptor. The recipient of commissions from Oxford University Press and the Washington Post Corporation, Georgiou’s work has been exhibited at Black Rat Press and Andipa Modern galleries in London, and in several shows in the New York area.

Last December I visited Nick’s studio here in Tucson and wrote about his unique art (click here). His present show has lots of unusual portraits, whimsical flowers,
a large saguaro cactus, a female nude, all of which he meticulously created.

Temple of Music & Art, www.ethertongallery.com
330 S. Scott Avenue, north of Cushing St.
M to F, 10 to 5 p.m., and prior to Az Theatre Company productions
520-624-7370

Nick Georgiou’s website: www.myhumancomputer.com.

First walk south from E. Congress past the old federal courthouse (built in 1929) to E. Broadway Blvd., where the recent Scott Avenue street renovation and landscaping begins.

There at that intersection are two large gateway monuments on either side (see photo below) with lots of information & photos on “Tucson’s Historic Cultural District” and “Architectural Treasures of Scott Avenue” on plaques affixed to these monuments.

Gateway towers, courtesy of Dr. Albrecht Classen

A block south you will encounter a huge 12 foot tall orange metal griffin (half lion/half eagle) sculpture by artist Joe O’Connell, which lights up at night. This griffin sculpture was recently installed in May, 2009. Close by are two lovely orange blooming cactus plants. I’m not a plant expert, but I think it’s the claret cup cactus (from my “70 Common Cacti of the Southwest” book).

claret cup cactus plant

griffin sculpture, courtesy of Dr. Albrecht Classen

Then behind the Tucson Children’s Museum (200 S. 6th Avenue), you have to be vigilant or you might miss sighting a quaint, historic bed & breakfast behind a large white rose bush which grows over the metal entry gate. This is The Royal Elizabeth Bed and Breakfast Inn, 204 S.Scott Ave, phone 520-670-9022. Just a peak into their front foyer will make you think you are back in 1878 when this home was built. See their website: www.royalelizabeth.com for videos of this amazingly charming B & B. (Closed April 12 for the summer, will be re-opening in mid-September).

Lovely palo verde trees with yellow flowers, pink blossoming bushes, towering acacias greet you as you continue your stroll south on Scott Avenue till you get to the renovated, historic Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave (built in 1927, see photo below). Arizona Theater Company has numerous performances here at night, and there are often receptions in the Cabaret Art Gallery on the second floor.

Temple of Music and Art

This lovely part of South Scott Avenue is between E. Congress Street on the north, and E. 14th Street on the south end. It truly has become one of the loveliest landscaped streets to stroll along in downtown, especially when the desert is blooming.

Coming in the future, a new T.E.P. building on Scott Avenue between E. Broadway Blvd. and E. 12th Street (former Santa Rita Hotel & Ballroom site, now vacant).

Enjoy a Spring stroll on South Scott Avenue!