Arts and Entertainment Recycled Art and Fart Art at the Blue Marschmello

One of the most condensed streets in the Village may be 10th avenue. At least seven galleries and small businesses are crammed into three blocks. Nestled somewhere in the middle is the Blue Marschmello.

Old organic milk cartons turned walk-way lighting usher passersby into the 5x15 outdoor gallery. If it wasn’t for the clearly posted signs and a spot on the Village map, the gallery could easily be mistaken for a front porch with a bizarre furniture arrangement.

Beyond the outdoor gallery, owner Hector Ferran and his family inhabit the house.The yard has a playful sign encouraging readers to ”play with dirt.“ Seedlings are beginning life in small containers on the grass and front steps.

Look to the left and a large triceratops head rests comfortably behind the foliage. Look right at the profile painted on the wooden fence, mouth open, belching a word bubble containing the words ”fart art.“

Most of the gallery screams post-modern era art, following the premises that art doesn’t have to mean anything and meaningless things labeled art adopt meaning. In a seemingly unintentional nod to Warhol’s obsessive duplication of celebrities’ faces, hanging on the walls just inside their home are stencil spray-painted portraits of modern political figures such as Gaddafi and Che Guevera. 

The triceratops head in the yard is vaguely reminiscent of Duchamp’s urinal Ôsculpture.’ Adding to the theme of post-modernism in our post post-modern era is the found objects. Paintings, jewelry, and change purses are made almost exclusively from found and recycled objects.

”That’s why I call it Fart Art. It’s not a spiritual experience. The meaning behind my art is ÔIt was warm that day, I was drinking a beer and this is what I made,’“ he said.

Hector and his wife Bonnie Blue Oakey Ferran moved into the house at the end of 2008. It officially opened as Blue Marchmello during an Art Walk in April of 2009. The Ferrans weren’t new to the house; Bonnie’s mother owned it before they moved in.

The gallery used to take up most of the home, before Beatrice, their daughter was born.

”We needed more room for her,“ said Bonnie.

Beatrice plays an active role in the gallery on Art Walks. She greets people as they visit the gallery and points to pieces declaring ”that, that“ and waving Ôbye’ to guests when her tour is finished.

”She’s become a focal point in the gallery,“ said Bonnie.

Bonnie also participates in the operation of the gallery and creation of pieces. A display case shows a unique collection of hand painted cork earrings by Bonnie. She also makes jewelry from shells.

”We needed something in the gallery that was inexpensive,“ Bonnie said.

Copies of The Village Magazine and promotional flyers for VMI Media Group sit on a shelf in the gallery. The magazine and media group are both owned and operated by Hector. The Village Magazine is a publication in print and on the web dedicated exclusively to the happenings in and around the Village of the Arts. It offers a map, gallery profiles and upcoming events. Hector is also in the process of creating a complete directory and guide for the businesses in the Village.

”The purpose of the magazine is to bring new people here, bring attention to local artists and to bring new, young artists to the Village,“ Hector said.

His VMI Media Group is a creative marketing and design firm. The website boasts marketing, branding, web and graphic design and murals. The group garnered considerable attention two weeks ago with the organization of the 9th Avenue Mural Project.

The Blue Marschmello is a gallery contributing to the true uniqueness of the Village. It’s small but offers Art Walkers something completely different including Beatrice, the most adorable tour guide of any gallery in the Village.

The Ferran’s gallery is a good example and reminder to Village newcomers and frequenters: there is something for everyone who visits the Village, even if that something is Fart Art.