For Immediate Release

Call Kathleen for details (718) 797-3116

ABOVE & BEYOND

A Three–Year Retrospective of the Art of William and Kathleen Laziza,

Featuring Never-Before Seen Works

Now Wait a minute by Kathleen Laziza

May 15, 2010 – December 20, 2013

123 Smith St. Brooklyn, NY

Saturdays 12-7 PM Admission = $2 or weekdays by appointment on-line

www.micromuseum.com (visitors)

A three-year retrospective of the interdisciplinary art of Kathleen and William Laziza, founders of the Micro Museum where the Brooklyn Rail called them “wickedly inventive” and coinciding with the couple’s 30^th year together, opens May 15, 2010. Titled ABOVE & BEYOND and opening in chronological sections over three years, through December 20, 2013, it will feature never-before-seen works, including sensitive sculptures, drawings, wearable art pieces, small assemblages, photographs, performance art works, paintings, videos and free-wheeling style.

The exhibit will be open every Saturday from 12 – 7 PM, and also include many accompanying special events. Highlighting the intersection between technology, art and performance is the ABOVE & BEYOND theme reflecting the Laziza’s spontaneous collaborations that produced original interdisciplinary art for over 2 decades. The evolving exhibitions will illustrate different areas of the Laziza’s dynamic force.

ABOVE AND BEYOND was inspired by a recently discovered forgotten suitcase filled with sketchbooks, diagrams of past performance artworks, collages, journals from their worldwide travels in 1979 plus intimate personal writings from the 1970s and ‘80s. Kathleen Laziza says, ”After we got over the shock that we are actually that old…. There was a decision to explore this treasure trove and to skip down memory lane since 2010 is a milestone year for us”. The public is invited to experience the following happenings and visit the eclectic art expression that is pure “Laziza”:

2010

May 15 BINGO PARTY

The Kick-Off fundraising party for ABOVE & BEYOND offers a performative experience for everyone. There will be gift baskets, prizes and the evening will be MC’d by “Bingo Master” William Laziza. Kathleen exhibits “Now Wait A Minute” a painting exhibited in TX in 1977 that has a “true story” attached.

Sept 25 CAMERA FANCY

The Lazizas will re-introduce an über version of their “Videoscopo” installation. Last exhibited at Micro Museum in 2005, “Videoscopo” features a live videoart kaleidoscope with an interactive music interface.

2011

Jan 8 FORTUNES TOLD

The Lazizas believe in magic. This winter party will feature tarot readings by Kathleen Laziza for anyone who makes a donation to the museum. Kathleen’s first gallery exhibit of her 22 drawings created from her worldwide travels with William Laziza in 1979. Plus the premiere video screening of the Laziza’s performative work, “Whichever Whichway….. You Send Me” about that travelog in the form of a non-linear narrative will be digitally projected.

June 4 MUSIC MADE EASY

“The Videograph” is currently on display in the VIP Room of Micro Museum. William Laziza will introduce another element of the interactive art sculpture, at one time selected as the Millennium example of “Art of The Future” by the NY Times, by showing off it’s audio components. This performative work will explore the “Chromophone” and several collaborating musical guests. This event will celebrate Micro Museum’s 25 years on Smith Street.

Oct 29 OPTICAL MYSTERIES

From 1982 – 1986 Kathleen Laziza directed a network of performers to create a series of videodances that explored low-tech special effects where William Laziza created over 40 visual instruments and gadgets. These works aired in clubs in the East Village in the mid 1980s – early 1990, most notably the Knitting Factory & HERE. There will be a hands-on exhibit of selected visual instruments. Light Show at 10 PM.

2011

Feb 11 LOVEY + DOVEY = FOREVER

William and Kathleen Laziza will focus this party on the collaborative spirit that has influenced, inspired and encouraged them throughout their 36 years together as artists. They will present their signature performative duet MIXOLOGY with new performers. This 30-minute work will utilize several of the Lazizas visual instruments and interactive sculptures.

Sept 15 LUCKY 8s, 7s, 6s

The Lazizas will exhibit “Videokinesis” with videos from their archives that represent their newest videoart works and many examples of the abstract videoart work that was shown on public access TV from the 1980-1990s. This collection of works have not been aired since the Laziza were invited to contribute to the inaugural programming launching Brooklyn Community Access TV in 1994 when it was still operating out of Boro Hall.

2013

Mar 6 IMPROVISATION MAKES PERFECT

Kathleen Laziza will show a series of never exhibited Assemblages. These small works are usually made of glass and small objects. They represent the whimsical elements based on the Japanese technique of Kazari. The party surrounding this premiere for Laziza will feature DJ music with the hope that the evening will create a number of “dancing fools”.

Nov 2 QUICK DRAW

Drawing was the first art form that the Laziza shared a passion for. They will turn the museum into a large canvas and invite the public to share graffiti and poems on the walls of the front gallery. “Freebird” a performative art work will be created and one that invites the public to add ‘feathers’ to a bird sculpture. Each feathers includes a written wish for peace in the world and at home.

Kathleen and William Laziza, who began Micro Museum in 1986 after working as artists in Austin TX, create empowerment situations by creating opportunities, fostering emerging artists, mentoring first job experiences for NY/NJ teens, supporting talented brain-iacs who are aspiring heavyweights working in professional film, music and hospitality industries at their premiere center devoted to modern emerging artists’ crossroads. MM® also protects a digital media collection plus a pristine 78-RPM collection of Philharmonic music from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

William Laziza is a video artist, electronics engineer, and sculptor. He is an active member if the NE Solar Energy Association Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. William has invented over 40 low-tech optical and lighting instruments for video art that he uses to examine visual designs and transmutations. A consummate video-head and chronic community activist from 1975-2004 in NYC and Texas, William pioneered public access video then continued to produce hundreds of programs which has become the SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION series. Currently, he is the Executive Engineer for CUNY-TV by day and Mr. Micro Museum by night.

Kathleen Laziza is a choreographer, visual artist, and community developer. There is a natural diversity to Kathleen’s artfully motivated life, she started her art career as a visual artist, and studied dance with some of the great modern teachers of the 20^th century – Eric Hawkins, Lucia Dlugoszewski, Alwin Nicholas, Murray Louis, Merce Cunningham, Hanya Holmes, and Dalcroze School of Music. After performing with downtown choreographer Nancy Zendora and serving as Director of the Brooklyn Dance Consortium, she exhibited her videos at Walter Reed Theater in Lincoln Center and recently a photography contribution to Art House in Atlanta GA. Kathleen builds three – dimensional works - assemblages, wearable art, and interactive installations. This process puts her in a constant state of registering works with the US Library of Congress.

MICRO MUSEUM TIMELINE

1976 – William and Kathleen meet in Austin Texas

1979 – Worldwide Travel

1980 – 2004 Spontaneous Combustion episodes created and air on public access TV

1986 – Micro Museum occupies 123 Smith Street in Brooklyn

1986 – 1997 – Neighborhood & Community Development Focus

1993 – Formed Promote Art Works Inc.

1997 – 2001 – Brooklyn Economic Development focus

2000 – NY Times selected MM® as “Art of the Future”

2002 – 2005 – Odd Sunday Series

2004 – US Registered Trademark

2005 – The Lazizas in SILVER (5 mixed programs by William and Kathleen Laziza)

2006 – Circus Surreal with co-curator Juliette Pellitier (2 Mixed programs with over 50 artists)

2007 – Spectrum: the Chakra Element (8 visual programs with over 50 artists)

2008 – 2010 BIG IDEAS (11 visual art programs with 70 artists)

2010 – Signature Power: Legends and Other Myths ( January 16 – April 29 with 25 artists)

2010 – 2013 ABOVE & BEYOND (9 mixed programs by William and Kathleen Laziza)

2011 – Micro Museum is 25 years on Smith Street “Be there or be square!”

DIRECTIONS

Micro Museum is centrally located less than 2 Blocks form the F & G trains, and on the B 75 & B 65 bus lines. MM® is between Dean and Pacific Streets. If driving take the Brooklyn Bridge with no turns until you make a left at Dean Street, and left on Smith Street. Or take BQE exit at Atlantic make right at Boerum Hill Place and left and Dean Street plus another left at Smith Street. Municipal parking at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street/Boerum Place or meter parking or Smith Street. There it tour bus parking at Cadman Plaza, which is less than 5 minutes away from Micro Museum.

ADDED NOTES

• Digital Photos are available on request.