Trade Secrets

Mary Heilmann Table and China at the 303 Gallery in Chelsea
Mary Heilmann Table and China at the 303 Gallery in Chelsea

Art, viewing or making, can be easy or difficult. Mary Heilmann makes both look easy. This table and china set is part of an installation in the back room of her current show at the 303 Gallery in Chelsea.

Not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing, playing on Thanksgiving eve. It used to be a great night when we were in a rock ‘n roll band. Margaret Explosion has been playing at the Little Theater for thirteen years or so and this night can get too loud to hear ourselves play. Ken’s standup bass has no amplification other than from the ingenious design of the instrument itself.

We use a Zoom recorder and it sits between the guitar and the sax. The bass and drums set up in the corner behind those two. If Peggi stands in just the right spot the Zoom recorder gets a nice mix or her natural sax sound the reverb from her amp. Of course the damn drums don’t need any amplification. I work my ass off trying to play quietly. The mic positioning captures a perfect crowd mix. The Little has a row of lights for the performers and one dimmer controls them all. If we keep that thing in the off position the sound pretty much comes together.

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