Popper Austin Mahone to “Say Somethin” at Stage AE; Alexandre Arrechea’s “No Limits” Public Art Walking Tour (CPs Tues., 8/26/14)

1) Pop singer/songwriter Austin Mahone makes a Pittsburgh tour stop tonight at Stage AE. Like many new artists, he first gained an audience through YouTube music videos. Many others came to know him as an opener for Taylor Swift on her Red Tour last year and in his commercial for McDonald’s. “Say Somethin” is a fun catchy song that, along with “What About Love,” has made him a relevant player in today’s music industry at a young age. His fan base is called Mahomies. Opening is Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes, and Alex Angelo. Doors open at 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore.

2) Cities are works of art in and of themselves, drawing upon natural landscape, architecture, and public art. The cities, some more picturesque than others, present themselves differently, depending on frames of reference and the angles at which they are viewed. In Pittsburgh, we’re very fortunate to have beautiful terrain, great architecture, and interesting public works of art. Currently on display in the Golden Triangle are three monumental sculptures, part of a series of iconic New York City buildings created by Cuban-born, New York City artist Alexandre Arrechea, titled No Limits. The pieces currently being displayed in Downtown are “Metropolitan Life Insurance, 2013” (Four Gateway Center, near Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street), “Courthouse, 2013” (Four Gateway Center, upper level plaza), and “Seagram, 2013” (David L. Lawrence Convention Center, near Penn Avenue and 10th Street).

Alexandre Arrechea,” Courthouse, 2013.” Photo by Joshua Franzos.

“With this installation, I have created a set of works that confront dynamism vs. static, the whole vs. the fragmented, control vs. chaos, utopia vs. reality,” says Arrechea. “The series provides a new point of access from which to understand the dialog between art and architecture and how this relationship can evolve and open new doors.”  Arrechea was a founder of the collective Los Carpinteros (1991–2003). He also represented his homeland as an individual artist in the first-ever Cuban Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2011), as well as at the 11th Havana Biennial (2012).

Alexandre Arrechea,” Seagram, 2013.” Photo by Renee Rosensteel.

The installation of Arrechea’s No Limits sculptures was part of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival (produced by Trust Arts), with strong support from The Fine Foundation. An hour-long walking tour of the sculptures with Alexandre Arrechea will begin today at noon at Penn Avenue and 10th St., in front of “Seagram” sculpture at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This is a great opportunity to view some cool sculptures with insightful commentary from the artist. You’ll also get to see Pittsburgh from different angles while getting a nice walk. The tour also includes Tony Tasset’s “Magnolias for Pittsburgh” and Romare Bearden’s “Pittsburgh Recollections.” The lunchtime art walk is a joint production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and the Office of Public Art. The sculptures are on display until Sept. 5.

3) The St. Louis Cardinals continue to battle our Bucs for National League Central Division standing. The gun ports open on the Pirate ship and start firing at 7:05 p.m. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

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