Beautiful Losers at ACME

Before changing genre: Anneliese van Dommelen has been generous in sharing information about the films (especially artist-related films) happening up in Lambertville's ACME Screening Room (25 So. Union Street). Unfortunately, it's too late for In a Dream, their June feature. Still, I'm including the information about the film for those of you who, like me, had not known about this 2009 release. Isaiah Zagar is the compulsive genius behind the magical tile/mirror mosaics off of South Street in Philadelphia. I'll have to get artist Arlene Milgram, who was lucky enough to do a residency with Zagar through her Dodge Foundation Artist affiliation, to share some of her experiences with Isaiah on a late entry. But if you have somehow missed his Magical Garden adornments down in Philly, make the pilgrimage, check out this film, and check out his website.

Beautiful Losers is a documentary directed by Aaron Rose -- who also, not too coincidentally, curated NYC's Alleged Gallery during the 90s. It offers a deeper look at a small group of the artists who exhibited together at Alleged. Many came from the underground scenes of that decade: skateboarding, graffiti, punk, hip-hop. Featured artists include Margaret Kilgallen, Ed Templeton, Mike Mills, Stephen Powers, Barry McGee, Harmony Korine, Jo Jackson, Thomas Campbell, Chris Johanson, Geoff McFetridge, and more.

The Beautiful Losers screenings are on Saturday, July 11, at 7 and 8:50 pm (there appears to be a brief post/pre discussion at 8:30. Tickets are a super-reasonable $7 in advance/$10 at the door for this limited-showing release. The ACME Screening Room shows other films, too. As a matter of fact, Trouble the Water, the award-winning documentary feature (Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival) that offers an insider's view of Hurricane Katrina (only $5 suggested donation at the door.) Check out ACME's website regularly for new features.