Issue 37 Michael Bell-Smith The cover image for this issue of Artkrush is a video still from Self Portrait, NYC, 2006, by Michael Bell-Smith. His first solo show, entitled Focused, Forward, closed in June at Foxy Production in New York. Born in 1978 in East Corinth, Maine, Michael Bell-Smith now lives and works in Brooklyn. He attended Brown University, where he received a degree in semiotics, and then participated in Eyebeam's 2002 residency program — a competitive grant given in support of arts and technology. After several successes in New York, including a screening of his film "It's Not You It's Me" in 2002's Video Festival at Lincoln Center, he began to exhibit internationally. Highlights include Butch Queen Realness with a Twist in Pastel Colors Video Show, curated by assume vivid astro focus and shown last year at Tate Liverpool (a version of the show is on view at New York's John Connelly Presents through July 26), several group shows from Tokyo to Paris, and this year's LISTE fair in Basel, Switzerland. Bell-Smith has been noted as a Net artist with a sensitive, classical touch. Time Out New York described him as a "sensualist," as he mines the visual potential of primitive digital technology to address complex themes. He foregoes flash players and pop for rough pixilation, and grapples with traditional issues such as self-reflexivity, perspective, and the figure. An integral member of the digital-arts community, Bell-Smith has lectured at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, was a guest on the Brian Lehrer show on WNYC, and appeared on the Net Aesthetics 2.0 panel discussion held by Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI) and Rhizome. (LM) Michael Bell-Smith Self Portrait, NYC, 2006 Video still Video loop, 2:00 min Courtesy the artist and Foxy Production, New York All Rights Reserved