Zane Alan McWilliams, obscure, until now with Fortnight Journal and this Thursday at VPL

A week ago at the Robert Miller Gallery in Chelsea, amidst scrawled paintings by Basquiat and graphic phallic photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe, Fortnight Journal held its innaugural fete. Creator Adam Whitney Nichols explained that his new online journal showcases a young person (under age 30!) each day, an individual with unique talents. They represent poets, painters, videographers, journalists, singers, even mimes. And at the end of fourteen days — a fortnight, to be exact– a “luminary” or expert in a field comments on the work showcased.

The first “luminary” set to comment this weekend — Patti Smith, “Godmother of Punk Rock” — had also been set to perform at the Miller Gallery, but had come down with bronchitis in London. So her guitarist Lenny Kaye took the stage, belted out “Gloria” and saluted the internet generation. But, Zane Alan McWilliams, a 27 year old Texan who writes Bob Dylanesque “disaster ballads, shone as the evening’s new star. (See the Hudson video below!) Victoria Barlett, designer of VPL, was so impressed with his performance, that she’s invited him to play for the opening of her new downtown flagship store tomorrow evening. He’d look great in Hudson jeans!

Check this out and also FORTNIGHT JOURNAL