About the Blue Earth Society

The Blue Earth Society is a fine artists' association, founded in 1992, by artists Eric Needle, Michael Golub and Frederic Cabocel.

History

In 1990 Eric and several other artists from the University of Central Florida formed the Temporary Contemporary Art Museum in Orlando, Florida. The purpose of the group was to raise awareness in the local community on several poignant issues through the medium of fine art. Inspired by Walter Gaudnek, painter, UCF professor and survivor of Nazi Germany, the group put forth the notion that art was more than a picture over a sofa, that it could be used as a vehicle to evoke positive change.

The second evolution came about as Eric and several others, including Michael Golub and Robert Brunskill formed the Blue Print Group. This group focused on finding alternative spaces to show their art and again use art to promote positive change in the community. Working together to promote each others art, the group had several group shows from 1989 to 1992. A large group show, entitled, Le Livre Overt, showed over 100 large pieces in the downtown Orlando public library and sparked quite a controversy. It was through the "library show" that Needle and Golub met Parisian artist Frederic Cabocel. A collaboration began which still exists today, and the trio worked together to form the Blue Earth Society.

Since 1992 the group has worked to both find alternative spaces to exhibit and promote their work. On October 5, 1997, with over 3,000 people attending, the artist FrederiC gathered 31 of DC's finest chefs in one place for his blockbuster show entitled "Where Fine Art Meets Fine Chefs" at Georgetown's (Washington DC) Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Under each neo-pop inspired portrait hung a shelf which each chef and team dutifully kept stocked with tasty fine cuisine. Over one thousand attendees anxiously waited on cue to enter the gallery as artist and chefs took photos. The guests were entertained by a live jazz band, fine wine and beer tastings, and cognac from A de Fusigny.

Another noteworthy event was held at Orlando's Yab Yum club, accompanied by an art auction next door. At this event, several pieces by many of the artists were stolen, including a collaborative work by Cabocel, Golub and Needle based on Picasso's Guernica. Anyone having any information on this piece of art is encouraged to email us, here.

Also in 1997, Golub and Needle exhibited the collaboration, "Heart that drives the machine" at the Orlando Museum of Art. The huge, 10' x 14' colorful image revisted Picasso's "Guernica", but instead is devoted to life and love. This painting actually began Needle's current stream of images, palettes and flower-filled environments, titled the "Life" series.

The artists continue to make new art and exhibit them. They are always seeking other, like-minded artists to take part in their group shows. The idea behind the Blue Earth Society is that together, we can produce better shows and promote each other.

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