Podcast: History Of The "F" Word

This week's podcast features a lecture we hosted way back in September of last year! History of the "F" Word: A Historic Look At One Of English's Nastiest Words, presented by Deanna Larsen, coincided with The Expletive Show. The lecture consisted of a wonderful discussion around all things F-word related, including taboos, historic and current usage, cultural hang-ups, as well as some hilarious personal stories from the audience itself.

Apologies for the rough audio, this was recorded before we invested in proper audio equipment and took some finessing, but we really wanted to share this conversation with everyone!

It should go without saying, but due to the nature of the topic there is a lot of strong language in today's show. If you are offended easily or have children present, this might not be the show for you. For the rest of you salty, nasty, foul-mouthed listeners, enjoy!

Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!

History Of The "F" Word
Length: 00:58:24
Synopsis: This week's podcast was actually recorded last September in conjunction with The Expletive Show. We had the honor of hosting poet, teacher and MFA candidate Deanna Larsen for a energetic drop-in lecture/discussion revolving around one of the world's most versatile (and in some ways, most controversial) four-letter words: the "F" one. Warning: if you're sensitive to strong language or are listening with children present, you might want to sit this one out!

Podcast: Ollie Stench Talks About Punk Rock

On September 27th, 2012 Ollie Stench visited Light Grey Art Lab to talk about Punk Rock. Specifically; how he defines Punk Rock as a movement, the culture and worldview that created it and how it changed the world since.

The lecture coincided with The Expletive Show, a show that invited artists to make ugly words beautiful. This audio has been posted previously on our blog, but we wanted to share it with our podcast subscribers or anyone who missed it the first time!

Ollie Stench has been an active participant in the Punk Rock scene for the last 30 years of his life, and he is an incredible expert in everything that surrounds the topic. You can find out what he's up to at his blog.



Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!

Ollie Stench Talks About Punk Rock
Length: 01:04:21
Music: I Was A Punk Before You Were Born by The Ed Gein Fan Club
Synopsis: Recorded on September 27, 2013, Ollie Stench visited Light Grey Art Lab to talk about Punk Rock, specifically how he defines Punk Rock as a movement, the culture and worldview that created it and how it changed the world since.

Last chance to catch the Expletive Show!

J. Zachary Keenan's piece for the Expletive Typography Show

This Friday is your last chance to see the Expletive Show at Light Grey!
It's sad to see it go, but we're so happy to have hosted this amazing group of designers and artists. After months of planning, then installing, then admiring the work, we've grown a bond with the risque and rude work on the walls -- the pieces have become a pleasant backdrop to our daily, profanity laden lives.

I just want to encourage you to stop in and see it before it goes!
We'll be open today and tomorrow until 7pm if you're in the neighborhood and can make it down, otherwise, there's still a chance to see it on the shop.

Here's a link for the curious and appreciative that can't make it to Minneapolis.
The posters are for sale on the shop, so please help us spread the word about them before they're gone!

Hope you get a chance to bond with the pieces as we've been able to!

Thanks for all of your support for this show, we've had a blast!
Artists, you guys are wonderful, and admirers, you guys are awesome.
We've enjoyed this immensely.

** If you've forgotten, or if this is the first you've heard of the show, just be warned that many of them contain offensive and colorful language! :)

Recap of Deanna Larsen's 'History of the F-Word' Lecture

This Tuesday we had the honor of hosting poet, teacher and MFA candidate Deanna Larsen for a energetic drop-in lecture/discussion revolving around one of the world's most versatile (and in some ways, most controversial) four-letter words.



There was plenty of wonderful discussion around all things F-word related, including taboos, historic and current usage, cultural hang-ups, as well as some hilarious personal stories from the audience itself.



The discussion ranged in tone from uproarious humor to serious discussion and personal reflection as Deanna transitioned through an exhaustively interesting and deep analysis of the word.

We've also very excited to let you know we recorded the event, and plan on releasing the discussion to the public in the near future! Honestly, we're just dipping out toes in ways to share classes and discussions around the world, so please be patient as we figure out the best way to deliver a quality final product! Hopefully going forward, we'll be able to bring a lot more topics and interesting discussion online for everyone to download!

We want to give a HUGE 'thank you!' to Deanna for all of her preparation, enthusiasm and the scholarly approach to the topic!





If you couldn't make it but you'd like a chance to see Deanna in the flesh, she'll be teaching a creative writing workshop at Light Grey on Tuesday October 2 from 7 - 8:30pm for 'Trusting your voice' for $15.



Deanna Larsen is a poet and MFA candidate at Minnesota State University, Mankato where she teaches English Composition and is an assistant poetry editor for Blue Earth Review. Her work has appeared in PANK, Blood Orange Review, Neon, and numerous other publications. She has recently been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes and for inclusion in the annual anthology Best New Poets. Additionally, she is a Spanish tutor, freelance translator, and laser tag enthusiast.

Click through to see the other images from Deanna's great lecture including a couple that have the infamous F-word on them.

Come to 'History of the "F" Word'!

This Tuesday we invite you to a special lecture/discussion with Deanna Larsen, called History of the "F" Word.

It should be an excellent conversation about everything from the urban legends of its etymology, its literary history and modern usage to the vice president’s infamous slip, the FCC, and the effects of taboo.

History of the "F" Word will take place Tuesday, September 18 from 7-8:30 PM. Admission is $6.00 at the door, but if you pre-register on the Light Grey Art Lab site, it's discounted to $5.00!

Deanna Larsen is a poet and MFA candidate at Minnesota State University, Mankato where she teaches English Composition and is an assistant poetry editor for Blue Earth Review. Her work has appeared in PANK, Blood Orange Review, Neon, and numerous other publications. She has recently been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes and for inclusion in the annual anthology Best New Poets. Additionally, she is a Spanish tutor, freelance translator, and laser tag enthusiast.

Hope to see you there!

Expletive Poster Show Opening

The Light Grey Art Lab staff coordinated their outfits to get into the &#%!@-ing spirit of the Expletive Poster Show!

A huge 'thank you' to everyone who came this past Friday to the opening reception for The Expletive Poster show! The turnout was huge and there was an infectious giggle spreading through the crowd the entire night, thanks to the gloriously inappropriate work on display!



Some of the content of this post is NSFW (although it's not too bad...) so we have included a page break just incase you're reading this someplace that might mind some colorful language!

As promised, we had limited edition prints available to anyone who came dressed in theme-appropriate clothing/tattoos/bodypaint/etc, and the amount of participation blew us away! We had expected a small handful of vulgar volunteers, but it turns out we were CONSTANTLY giving away prints to new people coming through the doors!

You can see some of the examples below, but check out the Expletive Poster Show flickr set to see all the photos from the opening!







You can see all the work from the Expletive Poster Show, as well as purchase your favorite pieces, in the Light Grey Art Lab shop! Or in the official Light Grey Art Lab gallery!

The show runs until Friday, October 12, so make sure to stop by and see it before then!

Also, be sure to attend the upcoming discussion/lecture, The History of the "F" Word, which is this Tuesday from 7-8:30 PM! Teacher, poet and MFA candidate Deanna Larsen will exploring every aspect of that special little word. Audience questions and discussion are welcome, so we'll see you there!

Expletive Poster Show Giveaway!

The Expletive Poster Show opens TONIGHT from 7-10pm! Be there to partake in amazing art, colorful language and tons of fun!



Remember! If you wear an article of clothing (shirt, hat, button etc) that fits the theme of the show, you get a FREE PIECE OF ART right on the spot!

These limited edition prints will be given out to anyone brave enough to wear their salty language on their sleeve!

Once you get there, just find one of the Light Grey Art Lab staff and show us your worst!

Expletive Sneak Peek 2

Preview of Adam Garcia's piece

We're only a couple days away and we're holding in all of our curses til the day of.
Here are some amazing sneak peeks of another 4 talented artists & designers in the upcoming Expletive Typography Show.

If you're in Minneapolis -- make sure to stop by and celebrate the wonderful world of curses! Remember, it's from 7 - 10pm at Light Grey Art Lab (118 E 26th Street #101 - Mpls MN 55404 - On the corner of 26th and Stevens Ave).

If you wear a piece of clothing that fits the theme of the show, we'll give you a free one-night-only print, and we'll also probably give you a high-five. Because that's how excited we are.


A small cropped piece of Jesse Lindhorst's piece


Great work by Bryan Haker


And one more to finish it off - a preview of Andres Guzman's piece

You'll have to visit us on Friday to see the rest of these awesome pieces!
More updates soon! Help us spread the word.
Here is a link to our facebook event.
We hope you can make it!

Sneak Peek: Expletive Poster Show!

The Expletive Poster Show is only a couple weeks away! We're up to our eyeballs in the delightfully dirty and profane artwork, but you'll have to wait until the opening reception to see the show it all it's explicit glory,

Until then, here's a safe-for-work sneak peek!









Artwork by Ann Shen, Patswerk, Teagan White and Victor Melendez.

Expletive Poster Show Opening Reception

The Expletive Poster Show: Ugly Words to Admire is the next show here at Light Grey Art Lab, and it's one just for the grown-ups. A surly group of of typographers, designers and illustrators were given a simple instruction; celebrate their favorite cuss word, dirty phrase, or filthy mantra through art and type.

The show opens Friday, September 14th, and we're throwing an opening reception from 7-10 pm! There will be dozens of lewd and crass posters, music that would make your mother blush, and plenty of good laughs!

As an added bonus for you real bad mamma-jamma's out there, if you come dressed in an article of clothing that fits the theme of the show, we'll reward you with a special, one-night-only custom print!

Tell your friends, but only the one's cool enough to appreciate a little salty language! Pass along our Facebook invite and we'll see you there!

Remember, the opening reception is Friday, September 14th from 7- 10pm! We're located on the corner of Stevens Ave and 26th Street - right across from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Street parking is available on Stevens, 26th and 1st Ave.

EXPLETIVE SHOW : Exhibitor List

Preview clip of Thomas Bradley's art piece for the Expletive show. Chenille Embroidery on a Wool Ground

I have to apologize profusely for waiting this long to announce the collection of artists for the Expletive Typography Exhibition and Poster Show : Ugly words to admire. You have my permission to curse in my general direction (which would be fitting for so many reasons).

A huge thank you to everyone that came out and posted a link to your site! It was a hard decision and we will encourage all of you to come back and submit your sites for our future shows. For this show in particular, we were looking for a great assortment of designers, typographers and illustrators that love type (who may or may not be particularly fond of colorful words). We initially sent out some super special invites to some of our favorite designers before the official call for entries, then followed up the invitations with our official call for art!

I'm extremely proud to announce the exhibiting artist list for the
EXPLETIVE show:

Bao Nguyen
Paul Nolan
Sasha Prood
Teagan White
Gatti Mauro
Adam Garcia
Peéle Lemos
Lee Basford
Jeff Rogers
Anton Pearson
Kervin Brisseaux
Aaron Rayburn
Kate Bingaman-Burt
Llew Mejia
Bill Rebholz
Eric Gorvin
Andres Guzman
Greg Abbott
Bryan Haker
Jackson Alves
Lilo Krebernik
Patswerk Grafisch Ontwerp
Crystal Kluge
Lindsay Nohl
Rob Pflaum
Bryan Ische
Anne Ulku
J. Zachary Keenan
Ann Shen
Jesse Lindhorst
Norah Stone
Zoe Zoe Sheen
Adam Hoppus
Victor Melendez
Britt Wilson
Kate Worum
Kristin Nohe
Sophie Blackhall Cain
Superexpresso
Lloyd Eugene Winter IV
Thomas Bradley
Sam Michaels
Dai Foldes

There's no doubt that our walls will be filled with the most beautiful dirty-words you've ever seen. So! Mark your calendar for FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14th from 7 - 10pm.
We'll have floor-to-ceiling posters, dirty food and music that will make your grandmother disapprove.

ALSO. Do you own a piece of clothing that would fit right in with the theme of our show? If so, wear it to the opening and we'll give you a free special edition print!

Help us spread the word! More updates to come!
Thanks again to everyone that submitted your link and to all of our participating artists!

Expletive Poster Show - Call for Art Due JULY 3

Attention all type lovers. This call for art is for you!
We're looking for 50 artists and designers to collaborate on our September Exhibition : "Expletive Poster Show : Ugly Words to Admire".

Yes, the name says it all -- we're celebrating some of those nasty words, some of those expressive phrases, and (for those of you ultra-creative people) those nonsensical exclamations born from frustration or excitement.

Each contributing artist is asked to design a 13 x 19 poster containing the words / phrases / #@$*! of their choosing in any way they want, with executive power to make it as blatant or clever as they wish.

Chosen artists will be asked to submit final artwork by August 20th.
More dates, schedules & information will be sent to our final list of artists after the call for art ends.

The final pieces will be displayed for sale / show in our brick & mortar gallery as well as a virtual gallery of the collection. We'll also be listing the works on our online shop for everyone to get the chance to purchase their favorite pieces.

If you are interested in participating in the show or know someone who might be perfect for this collaborative exhibition, please submit a link to your portfolio below. We'll be choosing our fabulous 50 after our JULY 3 DEADLINE.

Please share a link to our call for art with anyone else you think might be a great fit!

So, get ready and let's see what you've got.

Questions? Please email Lindsay at hello(at)lightgreyartlab.com


EDIT : The call for art is now closed! Thanks to everyone that submitted! We'll be posting our group of artists shortly in a follow-up post and will be contacting the participating artists soon! Thanks again for your enthusiasm and for sharing your work with us!