Chris Mars will be signing his fabulous book Tolerance at Magers & Quinn (3038 Hennepin Ave. South, Minneapolis) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday (as in the day after tomorrow) December 16th. As I mentioned before, the book is amazing. If you don’t have any plans for Tuesday night, you should stop by and check it out.

Also, just so you don’t get all nutso, Mars will only be signing his book. Leave you ‘Mats crap at home so as to not make an uncomfortable scene.

Jim Walsh has nice conversation with Chris Mars about art and his fabulous book Tolerance.

In case you missed it in the comments, you can hear our own DFactor covering Color Me Impressed.

Also from the comments, Useless Doug points us to his treatise on TV on the Radio, pop music and The Replacements.

MN Speakers weigh in on their favorite Minnesotans. I did not make the list.

Seems Our Man Paul helped Rolling Stone pick the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. I did not make that list either.

The Beat Patrol has posted a 1993 article by Ira Robbins: Paul Westerberg Comes in from the Ledge.

My copy of Tolerance: The Art of Chris Mars arrived (thanks to the fine folks at Lee Joseph Publicity) yesterday. Let me tell you folks, it’s a beautiful book.

From page one, it’s awesome. I especially dug this disclaimer:This book was manufactured with respect for the environment, workers rights, and human rights. Let’s give it up for socially-responsible art and commerce. Seriously.

Those of you who are familiar with Mars’ art already know that it’s dark, dark, dark stuff. So the book is filled with that, but more than that (and my favorite part) are all kinds of, for lack of a better term, explanations about some of the paintings. I’ve never really been a fan of Mars’ paintings. The darkness kind of scares me and makes me uncomfortable. But, after spending a few days with the book, looking at the pictures and reading the passages, I’ve decided that it’s okay. Art is supposed to move us. It’s not always that giddy, joyful sort of experience. Sometimes it is dark and uncomfortable, and that’s okay too. Sometimes life is dark and uncomfortable.

I was surprised by the political backdrop and tone of some of the paintings. I knew the story of Mars’ brother and knew that a lot of his artistic inspiration sprung from that experience. There is a lot of that in this book, with explanations that will literally move you to tears. But, I think, the pieces that most affected me were the more politically-themed ones. The political was new to me, and because Mars’ and I seem to have the same political leanings, I really liked those portions of the book. For instance, he writes this about his piece called “State of the Union:”
The central figure is a disheartened, despondent Lady Liberty, who is being probed and prodded by shady practitioners who fail to comprehend her. She’s been reduced and dons a warhead dunce cap. Some smugly endorsement her belittlement; some turn away. Others are aware, but feel confused and powerless. All this creates chaos; there is infighting. . . “ it goes on, but you get the gist of it.

I cannot deny that I am surprised my how much I am enjoying this book. I think you might too.

Anyway, for those of you in the Culver City area there is a signing tomorrow September 13th. Anyway, here’s some information Annie A left in a comment on an earlier post for those of you who plan to attend:
Here is a preview link to Chris’ show.

He will be signing his new book in person at the gallery:
Billy Shire Fine Arts
5790 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
323-297-0600

Book Signing/ Saturday, September 13th, 6-7pm. Call to order a copy – specify that you would like it personalized and your name. Books are $40 + shipping/tax if applicable. Unfortunately, Chris won’t be signing Replacements stuff so leave that stuff safely at home. If you are in the Laguna Beach area, he’ll be signing books at the Museum there on Sunday, September 14 from 3 to 6pm. For more information contact the museum or call (949)494-8971, extension 207

Okay, I don’t do this often, because it’s just not my bag. But I got a press release earlier this week that caught my eye. Mostly because it was about Chris Mars’ new art book Tolerance: The Art of Chris Mars. But more than that it’s because Mars is going to have a book signing/reception on September 13 at Billy Shire Fine Arts in Culver City California.

I think the thing that surprised me the most about this press release is that it was actually interesting. Press Releases are notoriously hokey and poorly written and, well, crap. But this one was good! So I will share with you some of the bits I found interesting, and then give you a link where you can read the whole thing, because I am kind.

Rock star, recluse, brother, activist. Artist. Chris Mars’ work graces the hallowed halls of museums throughout America and is tattooed on calves and biceps throughout the world. “Tolerance” is the long-awaited collection of his work.

Chris Mars was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1961 to parents Constance and Leroy Mars. He is the youngest of seven children. Mars’s eldest brother Joe suffered a so-called Nervous Breakdown in 1966 and was institutionalized at St. Cloud Mental Hospital. The impact of that event, along with Joe’s life-long struggle with Schizophrenia, set the groundwork for a life’s mission of championing society’s downtrodden and outcast. Mars hopes his work causes the viewer to question the nature of evaluation and labels, be it by investigating the meaning of beauty or by casting aside the exclusion of the meek, the forgotten, or the enemy.

Sure, sure you all probably knew that because you’re ‘Mats savants, but I am not. I also liked this part:
Chris Mars was once best known as a musician, being a founder member of seminal indie/punk band The Replacements and subsequently recording four critically acclaimed – and progressively more experimental — solo discs. His drumsticks are enshrined in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (emphasis mine, I didn’t know this. you guys don’t tell me anything!

His paintings are enshrined in the permanent collection of various museums throughout the country including The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Erie Art Museum, The Longview Museum of Fine Art, The Tweed Art Museum and The Minnesota History Center. His museum exhibition history also includes The American Visionary Art Museum, The Weisman Museum of Art, Steensland Art Museum, Art Center South Florida and soon The Phipps Center for the Arts.

Anyway, y’all can read the whole thing here. And if you’re in or around Culver City, CA you should go to the signing and then report back about how fabulous it was.

After some investigation, I discovered the book was being put out by Last Gasp a cool little press that publishes underground comics. So that’s like double-plus cool points.

Also, if you pre-order the book at Amazon you’ll save 5% off the $26.40 price, which is a freaking steal for a nice artbook.