From the press release: "During the winter of 2002, Carlson noticed that many of the flags on display after 9-11 had started to fade...Looking to the faded flags of 9-11 she dyed fabric to match these faded colors. She then made the flag using a combination of hand and machine sewing." Since Jasper Johns reconceived this icon of America, there have been endless revisions of the flag. Mary Carlson's "Flag" however achieves a pathetic and fragile quality implying an obligation to continuity despite world weariness.

James Kalm believes in the serendipity of fate, and sometimes, despite the best laid plans, ends up turning on the camera and capturing intriguing happenings. Such was the case when he popped into view a debut exhibition by Trudy Benson. The artist uses thick slabs of oil paint in coloristically rich pictures that verge on relief. Trudy discusses her "fetishization" of paint, and her painterly influences in a brief chat.

Heading east we visit NURTUREART to partake in the opening of "Who's Afraid of Ornament?" curated by Natasha Kurchanova. This show investigates decoration and ornament and bares testament to the reemergence of the Pattern & Decorative movement from the late seventies.

James Kalm attempts to visit Shepard Fairey's May Day exhibition, the final show at this location of the Deitch Project. However, the crowds are too thick to get in the door, so your reporter documents some of the goings-on outside the gallery including a brief chat with Mark Kostabi, and the arrival of a motorcycle gang. A few days later, Kalm returns to tour the exhibition at an opportune time, without the mobs, for a better viewing of the art.

James Kalm schmoozes his way into the exclusive private debut of Ed Keinholz's installation "Roxys". This major piece is an artistic representation of a classic brothel. The interior space is populated with sculptural elements and period furnishings.