Date Added 1/24/2006  Title The Tribe Report - "Ancient Language"  Tribe Report 'Martin de Vore' Monday, January 23,2006 http://www.artvalet.com/Column/TribeReport Tribal Time Travel Obviously, I am feeling better this week -- in all areas -- since this Tribe Report is up only four days after the last one. This weekend, I only attended one event -- the "Ancient Language" show at Sippora -- but it was well worth the experience, even though I left my Rosetta Stone at home. Ancient Language Saturday evening, I donned my toga (I told you I would) and headed into history back at Sippora Gallery to learn an "Ancient Language" -- art. Specifically, "Ancient Language" featured the art of Ray Phillips, Lacey Crawford and Pam Knox and that art was very good indeed. Despite the rain and cold, the crowd was good, as crowds at Sippora always are. The dismal weather was perfect for staying indoors at Sippora and folding time and space back 2,000 years to a January evening somewhere around the Mediterranean. I arrived at 6 p.m. and was greeted by Amy Meyers dressed to the nines in what looked to be an Egyptian high priestess outfit. (Amy, you looked hot!) Also an early arrival was one of my favorite artists, Maia, who was decked out in an outfit that could have been Roman, Egyptian, Phoenician, Greek, Gallic or Carthaginian. Maia's kids, Austin and Ashley, were appropriately dressed for the occasion -- Austin as a Roman senator and Ashley as an Egyptian priestess -- and they formed my entourage as I strolled through the halls of Sippora throughout the evening issuing imperial proclamations, although Ashley later forsook my entourage to take a post guarding the royal treasury in the jewelry area. It was an interesting crowd. There were Romans, Egyptians and even a mummy -- Lacey Crawford, one of the artists whose work was featured. Lacey's outfit looked like something right out of the 14th Dynasty. Swathed in bandages yet somehow able to walk about, Lacey obliged many requests for photos during the evening. With all that wrapping, Lacey could do for Ace Bandages what the Michelin Man did for tires. There were quite a few tribe members in attendance throughout the evening. In addition to the previously-mentioned Amy Meyers, Maia and Lacey Crawford, other tribesters on hand included: Sorange Castillo, Mitch Cohen, Max Boyd Harrison, Van McFarland, Maranda and Ocean Pleasant, John and Carrie Mercado, Jeff Reese (better known to the art world as Solomon Kane) and his family, Michael-Ann Belin and Capt. Gordy Tillman -- just to name a few of those I got to talk to. Sorange's outfit, a stunning red and black combination anchored with a time-appropriate medallion was a major eye-catcher of the evening as numerous guests remarked. It reminded me of what a Sarmatian princess might wear at court and it certainly bedazzled the imperial presence. It was interesting (and nice) to see Amy, Mitch and Max interact, since as art entrepreneurs they have done so much for so many of the artists in our tribes. What an alliance that could be if they all worked together on some big future project! Hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge! During the evening, I was also fortunate to be able to visit with Van McFarland. An excellent artist (and genuinely nice guy) who enhances any show he is in, I hope Van makes it to a lot more of our tribal soirees. Van's work will be featured in Sippora's next show -- "Love." It's always a pleasure to chat with Jeff Reese and I look forward to seeing what he comes up with over at his Temple of Solomon at Winter Street Studios. Jeff, don't forget to send me information about your next show! By the way Jeff, since you would know (being her studio partner), what the hell is Ferrari doing lately? When Maranda Pleasant arrived, in her own Maranda-esque style, she immediately became a much-sought-after conversation partner and looked like a Norse goddess surrounded by her admiring Valhalla-bound warriors on the eve of Ragnarok. Maranda spent quite a bit of time instructing her warriors in the art of knot-tying. Maranda's daughter, Ocean, complemented the pantheon as a youthful Nefertiti. Carrie Mercado (who was "on") looked like a fashion model right out of Vogue or Elle as she accompanied John throughout the evening. Afterwards, Carrie told me about a new product -- jerkin' lotion -- that she said that John wanted administered to him. His feet I hope. Capt. Gordy Tillman still looks every bit the successor to Capt. Morgan and his photographic generosity is much appreciated. And, Michael-Ann Belin, one of the busiest artists I know, told me a little bit about her plan for a group painting of the 10 "Passion" show artists. Mikey -- if anyone can pull that off it is YOU! We all can't wait to view your efforts firsthand. The Louvre has reserved a space for it next to Mona. Well, guess that's it for that. It was a great show. Amy's next show at Sippora will be on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This one is called..."Love." Love will fearture the art of Van McFarland, Simone Woodage, Candice Goodwin, and Lonnie Duff so it should be pretty damned good. One point though: Amy...friends of all tribes...I didn't mind wearing a toga because it looked good on me and, frankly, I am somewhat imperial at times. But there is no way in hell that I will wear a pair of teeny-tiny wings with a sheet wrapped around my crotch, shooting tiny little arrows from a tiny little bow at people. A Roman emperor is one thing but I have to pass on the cherub bit. I will wear red though, if that helps! Sippora Gallery is located at 234 West Gray, between Montrose and Downtown Houston. For more information, call Amy at (713) 520-1085 or visit the Web site at www.sippora.com

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