Where has the time gone? It's been a very busy few months and yet, I feel like I haven't been doing a whole lot. I have to say, the best thing about living by oneself is that you can throw your clothes everywhere, let the sink pile up with dishes and clean - when you get to it. The downside is that your clothes are everywhere, the dishes need to be done and you SOOOOOO need to clean. And you're the only one around to do it. What have I been doing since my last post months ago?
It's been a really great Fall. I received my first major award for the artwork I've been producing - a Pollock-Krasner grant!! Whereas the award itself is not a great sum of money (trust it, I am very happy with their generosity!), it's really more about the prestige. I am also very proud of the fact that I received this honor while in the little ol' town of Omaha. It also came at a really great time for me. I would still be striving and pushing my work out into the big, bad art world regardless, but receive something like this really makes me feel that all my efforts for the past 8 years have been validated - the cookie-ing off the interstate into a ditch during the winter after doing a lecture in Minnesota, hauling my work from venue to venue because I couldn't afford to ship it, the miles accumulated on my poor little blue car, the luke-warm reviews, being ignored by gallerists or curators, having to hang my own work in a "professional" space.....you get the idea. This makes me want to go after other awards and well, just keep going.
I don't have any solo exhibitions lined up. It's getting time that I get back on that horse and start the hunt. I need to make some new work, though. I have, but it's been a bit all over the place in regards to my materials. I'm still using the female form as my vehicle of expression. I don't see that changing any time soon. I made a few half doll figurines out of oven bake clay. They came out a bit awkward, but they were a lot of fun to make. I brought them to be critiqued by a small group of people at Arthaus 11 - a fantastic venue created by my friend Stuart Chittenden. The premise was to have a time for intimate discourse led by an artist. The group size is 11 individuals and it's a fist RSVP served situation. So, I had some people who didn't know me giving me feedback on my dolls. It was great! Anyway, I put the dolls aside for a spell. I'm now working on a latch hook rug.
There are artists out there that have pushed this craftsy hobby and used it to make some very cool and interesting contemporary art. I bought a kit from artist Whitney Lee. We had work in a show together years ago in Kansas City. Her Soft Porn series (latch hooked images of porn stars) is dynamite! Not to be naive, I did a little hunting around to see what other artists were latch hooking it up. I found the work of artist Rob Conger and this naughty website dirtypillowz.com (A latch hook pillow depicting a leather 3-way anyone?). It's very important to see what other people are making and my work is definitely in line with the discourse of sexy, naughty, kitsch. My rug is depicting three hip hop hotties. I found the image on line a while ago when I was looking for images to use as a source for some large scale paintings. I love the image which is a color photograph of three oiled up, smoking hot video vixens. The one in the center has the most RIDICULOUS stomach! There is something about the pose that makes me see them more like goddesses then vixens. I looked to see who shot the photo, but alas haven't had luck. I tried to paint the image, but it just wasn't working out. Who knew that latch hooking the image would be the perfect solution? I grey-scaled the image and then pixilated the image via Photobucket. I then uploaded the file on Blockposter.com and printed it out to the size of 50" x 50". From there, it was off to the fabric mart to pick out my yarn and away we go! Yeah - I forgot just how long it takes to latchhook a rug. I've been working on it for over a month! The end is in sight, though, and I am really excited. Some distortions occurred because I couldn't find yarn for all the values and some weird elongation happned, but for an experiment in seeing if I could make it and it look good - I'm quite pleased! I"m going to have it in a group show being organized by Birdhouse Interiors. The exhibition is called Home and looks like quite the to do. Here's a link explaining the what it's all about:
http://home.birdhouseinteriors.com/
I'm looking forward to it. This project has required a lot of alone time. A LOT of alone time. I haven't spent time like this with one project in a while. It's nice and it's isolating. I like how I have been obsessed with getting it finished, but when it's done, I'll be taking a nice break from that kind of activity. Or will I.....?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Back To School
It's that time. The Fall session starts next week. I don't feel like I have to do a whole lot to get in the mindset seeing that I've been teaching a six-week summer session that just ended last Friday. I have no classes this week, but have meetings. As I am writing this, I see the grade school children being walked or driven to school. I can't help to think that no matter my grade school experience or school experience in general, I've always loved the first day of school. I would lay my new clothes out on my be the night before in anticipation of putting them on the next morning. I wasn't a pretty child, but I tried really hard to look my best for the first day. What is it exactly about the first day of class? Maybe it's the promise of exciting things to learn, experience and fun. Like most kids, I had my challenges in grade school. Some that took a few decades to get over. However, when I look back, I find myself somewhat nostalgic. You don't realize that all the things that happened to you then, shaped the person you are now for better or worse. Everything you need to know about living, you really do learn in grade school. You keep encountering the same personalities over and over throughout your life:
The friend for life
The bully
The popular one
The asshole
The comedian
The whiner
The talker
The intelligent
The beautiful
The ugly
The good
The leader
The follower
The fighter
The coward
The cry baby
The defender
The teacher
The innovator
The boring
The adventurer
The creative
The energetic
The shy one
The dominant
The loud
The quiet
These people never go away. It's life.
I took a break from making my work. I had a studio visit that went well. The gallerist took three pieces. I finished reading the book 'Art and Fear'. I enjoyed it very much and will be referring to it in upcoming posts very soon.
The friend for life
The bully
The popular one
The asshole
The comedian
The whiner
The talker
The intelligent
The beautiful
The ugly
The good
The leader
The follower
The fighter
The coward
The cry baby
The defender
The teacher
The innovator
The boring
The adventurer
The creative
The energetic
The shy one
The dominant
The loud
The quiet
These people never go away. It's life.
I took a break from making my work. I had a studio visit that went well. The gallerist took three pieces. I finished reading the book 'Art and Fear'. I enjoyed it very much and will be referring to it in upcoming posts very soon.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Floral In Your Face
Whoa - it's been a bit of time since I wrote. I must admit that when I get focused on one thing, I tend to become a little lax with others. Since my last entry, I've fallen back in love with going to the gym. Okay, it's more like 'like' than 'love'. In any case, it's been good. I've been also trying to be more active with my very small yoga practice at home. Since my trip to South America, I feel motivated to get in better shape and shed a few pounds. It's not that I'm hoping to pull off a miracle and loose a ton so I can be skinny. I've NEVER been skinny and never will. This new found motivation is born out of being exhausted. I am so tired of being the largest person where ever I go. It just seems that way to me. I'm tall, so that is always going to make me stand out. I've traveled enough in my life that it seems every city or country I visit, I am huge! Where are all the tall people?! Maybe it's just me. In any case, being tall and heavy does more of a disservice to me than being a asset. So, I am back on the work out wagon.
Enough of that, let's talk art. I usually like to write in response to something I've read or have seen. There really hasn't been a lot going on that I've found interesting to write about. In my immediate world, I am working on a piece for a group show at Peerless Gallery here in Omaha. The group show is called Les Femmes Folles Presents. It's a pop up show organized by Sally Deskins. It's going to be pretty cool because of the participants. Some really awesome ladies doing interesting work as well as some musical acts. My friend Renee's band Blue Rosa is performing and I am very excited for that! The gallery is located in the newly renovated section of Omaha called Midtown Crossing. I am a featured artist, so my work will be placed in the window of the gallery.
I've befriended the two owners, Daphne and Caleb. They invited me to come into their space and make my piece there on site. I happily accepted and immediately fucked up their wall with my painting! Because I am one of the featured artist (Kim Reid Kuhn is the other), my work will be placed in the window of the gallery. My original idea was to do a large version of an image like my Black Catalogue series. However, it just wasn't clicking. I felt more compelled to paint a large lady to add to my series "The Great Garden". Because the work is more suggestive, I asked Caleb and Daphne how they felt about it. They were like, go for it. Going for it I am. The imagery comes directly from porn sites, specifically a category called POV (point of view). I love the extreme camera angle and the distortion of the figure. I worked on the painting yesterday. It is a lovely, round, green-skinned woman from the view point of looking up at her backside. It's so fun painting an ass that is bigger than mine! Today, I'm going to start decorating her with bright flowers. We'll see what the good people of Midtown Crossings think.
Enough of that, let's talk art. I usually like to write in response to something I've read or have seen. There really hasn't been a lot going on that I've found interesting to write about. In my immediate world, I am working on a piece for a group show at Peerless Gallery here in Omaha. The group show is called Les Femmes Folles Presents. It's a pop up show organized by Sally Deskins. It's going to be pretty cool because of the participants. Some really awesome ladies doing interesting work as well as some musical acts. My friend Renee's band Blue Rosa is performing and I am very excited for that! The gallery is located in the newly renovated section of Omaha called Midtown Crossing. I am a featured artist, so my work will be placed in the window of the gallery.
I've befriended the two owners, Daphne and Caleb. They invited me to come into their space and make my piece there on site. I happily accepted and immediately fucked up their wall with my painting! Because I am one of the featured artist (Kim Reid Kuhn is the other), my work will be placed in the window of the gallery. My original idea was to do a large version of an image like my Black Catalogue series. However, it just wasn't clicking. I felt more compelled to paint a large lady to add to my series "The Great Garden". Because the work is more suggestive, I asked Caleb and Daphne how they felt about it. They were like, go for it. Going for it I am. The imagery comes directly from porn sites, specifically a category called POV (point of view). I love the extreme camera angle and the distortion of the figure. I worked on the painting yesterday. It is a lovely, round, green-skinned woman from the view point of looking up at her backside. It's so fun painting an ass that is bigger than mine! Today, I'm going to start decorating her with bright flowers. We'll see what the good people of Midtown Crossings think.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
I've Found My Twin
As much as I'd like to think that I'm a true original, I believe this morning I have found my doppelganger. I watched a video spot featuring Micklene Thomas via the website Life and Times Soul Kitchen. I was once told that my work was very similar to hers. Subject-wise, nothing could be truer. As her rep from Lehman Maupin Gallery talked about Thomas' work, I really felt you could just insert my name and still be describing the work. It's interesting for me because she's dealing with the same type of subject - but what struck me more was how she even looks a lot like me - tall, short hair, big....crazy! I remember seeing her work for the first time in a display window of the MOMA. Her blinged-out canvases are pretty awesome and it gives off a feeling that she really enjoys constructing them. It would be great to meet her, but I'm afraid that if we were to be in the same room at the same time, we'll cancel each other out and explode.
Mickalene Thomas
http://lifeandtimes.com/soul-kitchen
Mickalene Thomas
http://lifeandtimes.com/soul-kitchen
Friday, June 24, 2011
Don't Print Yourself Into A Corner
When I decided that I wanted to focus on printmaking for my art degree, I received the same comment from several of my professors - "You better start painting, because you can't make it as a printmaker". Really?
Some still see prints as being low on the artistic totem poll due to its main function of being a cost effective way to bring multiple copies to the masses who are largely too broke to buy a painting. Today, prints have been elevated to a status that can monetarily rival paintings. Yes, it is challenging to have an artistic career that is supported solely by production of prints. And yes, it is hard to command thousands of dollars for a single print, but there are some ways around that problem:
1. Make Epic Prints.
Make them huge and fill a space installation style. Start out small, like your bedroom wall, then gradually work your way up to a football field.
2. Make Only One.
Make monoprints or make only editions of 1. That alone will make it more valuable.
3. Expensive, Long and Laborious.
Take a REALLY long time to make one print and while you're at it make it as formally complicated as you can and use REALLY expensive materials whether the image warrants it or not. Do that and someone might be having this conversation in the future:
Margaret: "Wow, Dean! That is a fantastic print!"
Dean: "I know! It took the artist 47 years to make it. He used laser-cut, diamond-treated plates, flew in chemical specialists from Germany to assist with one run, buried it in the remote grounds of the Tristan de Cunha islands in order to utilize it's specific oxides for 5 years, gave it to Tom Friedman who stared at it for 1,237 hours, burned it and then used the remaining ashes for flocking."
Margaret: Amazing! (She says this as she ponders the piece in front of her - a 22" x 30" sheet of stained Rives BFK paper containing a 12" square next to a circle with an 8" diameter. Both flocked with ashes.)
I personally will always use some sort of print technique in my art practice. Whether I am painting, sculpting, molding, drawing...I think in terms of multiples and repetition and approach my projects with a printer's sensibility. It's a great time to be a printmaker. There is more artistic discourse surrounding printmaking, more artists who are known for working in other medias are making prints. There are numerous sites for printmakers and those who love prints ranging from blue-chip auction houses to DIY spots.
I do greatly appreciate all the advice given to me from past instructors warning me not to print myself into a corner. However, I'm doing more than that. I'm printing the corner, the walls, the floor and the ceiling.
Some still see prints as being low on the artistic totem poll due to its main function of being a cost effective way to bring multiple copies to the masses who are largely too broke to buy a painting. Today, prints have been elevated to a status that can monetarily rival paintings. Yes, it is challenging to have an artistic career that is supported solely by production of prints. And yes, it is hard to command thousands of dollars for a single print, but there are some ways around that problem:
1. Make Epic Prints.
Make them huge and fill a space installation style. Start out small, like your bedroom wall, then gradually work your way up to a football field.
2. Make Only One.
Make monoprints or make only editions of 1. That alone will make it more valuable.
3. Expensive, Long and Laborious.
Take a REALLY long time to make one print and while you're at it make it as formally complicated as you can and use REALLY expensive materials whether the image warrants it or not. Do that and someone might be having this conversation in the future:
Margaret: "Wow, Dean! That is a fantastic print!"
Dean: "I know! It took the artist 47 years to make it. He used laser-cut, diamond-treated plates, flew in chemical specialists from Germany to assist with one run, buried it in the remote grounds of the Tristan de Cunha islands in order to utilize it's specific oxides for 5 years, gave it to Tom Friedman who stared at it for 1,237 hours, burned it and then used the remaining ashes for flocking."
Margaret: Amazing! (She says this as she ponders the piece in front of her - a 22" x 30" sheet of stained Rives BFK paper containing a 12" square next to a circle with an 8" diameter. Both flocked with ashes.)
I personally will always use some sort of print technique in my art practice. Whether I am painting, sculpting, molding, drawing...I think in terms of multiples and repetition and approach my projects with a printer's sensibility. It's a great time to be a printmaker. There is more artistic discourse surrounding printmaking, more artists who are known for working in other medias are making prints. There are numerous sites for printmakers and those who love prints ranging from blue-chip auction houses to DIY spots.
I do greatly appreciate all the advice given to me from past instructors warning me not to print myself into a corner. However, I'm doing more than that. I'm printing the corner, the walls, the floor and the ceiling.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Possible Contemporary Art Message T-Shirts
You've Been Saatchied
I've Been Saatchied
Koonsing
Hirst So Good
Emin-ent Drama
Yo, Bad Ass!
I'm John Currin (and you're not!)
Murakami Mama
Fair, Fi, Fo, Fum!
Who's Andy?
Smells Like Gagosian
Art Star
Doing the Ruscha Shuffle
Who arted?
I'm always open for suggestions.
I've Been Saatchied
Koonsing
Hirst So Good
Emin-ent Drama
Yo, Bad Ass!
I'm John Currin (and you're not!)
Murakami Mama
Fair, Fi, Fo, Fum!
Who's Andy?
Smells Like Gagosian
Art Star
Doing the Ruscha Shuffle
Who arted?
I'm always open for suggestions.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Money Talks
...and bullshit walks....right into an art space if properly funded. I don't know why I felt compelled to write that. I think I'm trying to be too witty or somewhat witty too early in the morning. I am thinking about money, though, and its relationship to art. After my residency adventure, I had to look at the cruel fact glaring me in the face from my bank receipt - INSUFFICIENT FUNDS. Money and I have had a pretty antagonistic relationship over the last few years. Rarely do we see eye to eye.
Me: "I want to keep doing art type things. You know, making art, applying to shows...
Money: That's cool. Maybe I'll show up and help you out.
Me: Stop toying with me! I'm not a play thing. I have needs. The need to artistically express myself. And I need to share my work with the world!
Money: You used me to buy a house.
Me: I can't talk to you!
Money: Come on baby, don't be like that. I'm glad I was able to help you get a home. It has everything you need - your studio, bedroom, kitchen. I help you eat well. I help you travel. I make it so you can make your own work and not work as an assistant in someone's studio, making their art. I think if you just tried harder with me. You know I want what's best for you. Give me some time. You'll see (extends a hand out, holding a carrot).
Me: You're right, you're right. I'm going to try harder and not take you for granted. In the end, you always show up when I least expect it. I'm s....
Money: Shhhhh. You don't have to say it. I know.
I vowed a long time ago that I wasn't going to let money, or my lack of money keep me from getting my work seen, making my work or participating in art activities. Unfortunately, we live in a time now where everything costs money. It's hard not to give in to the mindset that the only way to start something new as an artist or arts organization is to either:
A. Come from a wealthy background or be independently wealthy
B. Be married to someone who fits the profile outlined in A.
C. Glom on to an established organization
D. All of the above
What is sparking this train of thought? Mainly A. If you are wealthy, you can do most anything. I'm not talking about morality or spirituality here. Money can't buy you true happiness and there are plenty of miserable misers walking the earth to prove it. However, money allows you to do things. Case and point, the article I read this morning highlighting Alice Walton.
Whom is Alice Walton? She is the daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart. She had an investment firm between the late 80's and 90's and currently breeds horses somewhere in Texas. With an estimated net worth of 21 BILLION dollars, she is about to see her ten-year labor come to fruition. She is opening her own museum, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art located on family land in Bentonville, Arkansas. Her vision is to make the middle of America an International destination for art enthusiasts. The focus of the museum will display works by American masters from the Colonial era to the present, with the largest concentrations coming from the 19th and 20th centuries. Sounds cliche, but if that's what she likes more power to her. She has taken only one art history course in her life, but according to advisers (who are these advisers?) that have worked with her, she's a very savvy collector. If you have the means to buy million dollar artworks under advisement, you'd probably be considered art savvy as well. And, at the end of the day, according to the article, she a business woman. If a work by an artist that's on her hit list comes up privately, she'll wait to see if it comes up on auction in order to get a better deal on it (please read my previous post on auctions). John Richardson, a Picasso biographer, sees Walton as quite adventurous in not just buying the usual suspects for the museum collection, but some unknown/obscure artist works as well. For example, she acquired works by Norman Lewis, an African-American painter. I've never heard of him, so I though I'd better check him out. After looking at Lewis's work, I can't help but wonder if Richarson thinks Walton's acquisitions are adventurous because Lewis was not well known or because he was a black artist working in abstract expressionism - how odd! Maybe she just liked his work, but there's nothing in the article that indicates that.
In any case, it's admirable that she has her vision and is seeing it through. I can't help to think about my friends who are equally passionate about art and have visions for progressive art centers that would prove that we may not be on the coast, but there are plenty of art savvy people here in the land of the Good Life. If only they had the money to make it easier, and quicker, to see their labors of love through.....
A Billinaire's Eye For Art Shapes Her Singular Museum
by Carol Vogel
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/arts/design/alice-walton-on-her-crystal-bridges-museum-of-american-art.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Me: "I want to keep doing art type things. You know, making art, applying to shows...
Money: That's cool. Maybe I'll show up and help you out.
Me: Stop toying with me! I'm not a play thing. I have needs. The need to artistically express myself. And I need to share my work with the world!
Money: You used me to buy a house.
Me: I can't talk to you!
Money: Come on baby, don't be like that. I'm glad I was able to help you get a home. It has everything you need - your studio, bedroom, kitchen. I help you eat well. I help you travel. I make it so you can make your own work and not work as an assistant in someone's studio, making their art. I think if you just tried harder with me. You know I want what's best for you. Give me some time. You'll see (extends a hand out, holding a carrot).
Me: You're right, you're right. I'm going to try harder and not take you for granted. In the end, you always show up when I least expect it. I'm s....
Money: Shhhhh. You don't have to say it. I know.
I vowed a long time ago that I wasn't going to let money, or my lack of money keep me from getting my work seen, making my work or participating in art activities. Unfortunately, we live in a time now where everything costs money. It's hard not to give in to the mindset that the only way to start something new as an artist or arts organization is to either:
A. Come from a wealthy background or be independently wealthy
B. Be married to someone who fits the profile outlined in A.
C. Glom on to an established organization
D. All of the above
What is sparking this train of thought? Mainly A. If you are wealthy, you can do most anything. I'm not talking about morality or spirituality here. Money can't buy you true happiness and there are plenty of miserable misers walking the earth to prove it. However, money allows you to do things. Case and point, the article I read this morning highlighting Alice Walton.
Whom is Alice Walton? She is the daughter of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart. She had an investment firm between the late 80's and 90's and currently breeds horses somewhere in Texas. With an estimated net worth of 21 BILLION dollars, she is about to see her ten-year labor come to fruition. She is opening her own museum, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art located on family land in Bentonville, Arkansas. Her vision is to make the middle of America an International destination for art enthusiasts. The focus of the museum will display works by American masters from the Colonial era to the present, with the largest concentrations coming from the 19th and 20th centuries. Sounds cliche, but if that's what she likes more power to her. She has taken only one art history course in her life, but according to advisers (who are these advisers?) that have worked with her, she's a very savvy collector. If you have the means to buy million dollar artworks under advisement, you'd probably be considered art savvy as well. And, at the end of the day, according to the article, she a business woman. If a work by an artist that's on her hit list comes up privately, she'll wait to see if it comes up on auction in order to get a better deal on it (please read my previous post on auctions). John Richardson, a Picasso biographer, sees Walton as quite adventurous in not just buying the usual suspects for the museum collection, but some unknown/obscure artist works as well. For example, she acquired works by Norman Lewis, an African-American painter. I've never heard of him, so I though I'd better check him out. After looking at Lewis's work, I can't help but wonder if Richarson thinks Walton's acquisitions are adventurous because Lewis was not well known or because he was a black artist working in abstract expressionism - how odd! Maybe she just liked his work, but there's nothing in the article that indicates that.
In any case, it's admirable that she has her vision and is seeing it through. I can't help to think about my friends who are equally passionate about art and have visions for progressive art centers that would prove that we may not be on the coast, but there are plenty of art savvy people here in the land of the Good Life. If only they had the money to make it easier, and quicker, to see their labors of love through.....
A Billinaire's Eye For Art Shapes Her Singular Museum
by Carol Vogel
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/arts/design/alice-walton-on-her-crystal-bridges-museum-of-american-art.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Friday, June 17, 2011
To Auction Or Not To Auciton
That is the question today. A friend of mine sent me this link. It's an article by arts critic Mat Gleason entitled 'The Career Benefits of Boycotting Charity Auctions'. This promises to be an entertaining read - at least.
Before I chime in, I thought Mr. Gleason looked familiar. Oh, yes, he is the publisher of Coagula Art Journal based in L.A. He was featured on one of the Art City videos. My first impression of Gleason was that he was completely obnoxious. During the video, he talked about how he's pissed off people to the point of having drinks thrown in his face and being punched out in a bar after a review he wrote. He says this with a definite air of pride. Well, anyone who has a tattoo of Jackson Pollock on his upper arm is asking to be punched. However, once you get past all the bravado, he is only doing something that seems to be more and more of a rarity. He's publicly speaking his opinion. Whether you agree with him or don't, the man has the balls to not only say what he thinks, he's putting down on paper. David Hickey says that today, there is no real art criticism. I agree, thus making Mat a breath of fresh, obnoxious air.
Alright so, about his thoughts on boycotting art auctions. Here are some things I agree with him on:
- Yes, the artist is not financially benefiting from their work being sold at lower than what they would initially sell the work on their own for.
- Artists are placed in a subordinate role when anyone can come along a put a price on your work which is usually going to be for less than what the artist would want.
- It's messed up that an artist can only claim the cost of materials for their work come tax time, where as someone who is blessed with being liquid, can buy your work at a bargain, have it appraised for top dollar and then right that full amount off come tax time.
Now, those are some pretty great reasons to not participate in art auctions. Now, let me talk about how I disagree with him and make some suggestions as well:
If the institution is worthy, why not donate?
Throughout the years, I have been asked to donate work to several organizations and institutions. If I feel good about them and what they do, and they treat artists professionally and respectfully, I'll happily donate some work to help their cause.
Auctions can raise your profile.
No, giving to auctions are not going to turn you into an art star by any stretch, but it does help in getting your work seen. You never know, you might snag a future patron or be invited to have your work seen in an exhibition somewhere. Think of it as a form of networking (a subject for a future post).
Don't give your best work away.
Don't give your best work away. I'm sure organizations don't want you giving them crap, but really give them something that is good example of what you do, but not something you consider your finest work. Shop your best work around for other opportunities like exhibition opportunities, residencies, etc.
Get Your Party On
Most of the time, if not all the time, artist who've donated to an organization get to attend the auction event for FREE. It's great! You get to get dressed up, visit the open bar MANY times, get your eat on at the buffet, socialize with the people of your community while being surrounded by art! Of course there are some artists who would much rather hover by their piece to see how the bidding is going. That's one way to spend the night, but really with all the eats and drinks going on....enjoy the night!
So, really to give work to an auction or not is an individual's call. And really, if you don't want to make a donation because you're sick and tired of being hit up for art and never feel like you benefit from it - just say 'no'.
Mat Gleason, 'The Career Benefits of Boycotting Charity Auctions'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mat-gleason/charity-art-auctions-_b_872953.html?ref=fb&src=sp
Before I chime in, I thought Mr. Gleason looked familiar. Oh, yes, he is the publisher of Coagula Art Journal based in L.A. He was featured on one of the Art City videos. My first impression of Gleason was that he was completely obnoxious. During the video, he talked about how he's pissed off people to the point of having drinks thrown in his face and being punched out in a bar after a review he wrote. He says this with a definite air of pride. Well, anyone who has a tattoo of Jackson Pollock on his upper arm is asking to be punched. However, once you get past all the bravado, he is only doing something that seems to be more and more of a rarity. He's publicly speaking his opinion. Whether you agree with him or don't, the man has the balls to not only say what he thinks, he's putting down on paper. David Hickey says that today, there is no real art criticism. I agree, thus making Mat a breath of fresh, obnoxious air.
Alright so, about his thoughts on boycotting art auctions. Here are some things I agree with him on:
- Yes, the artist is not financially benefiting from their work being sold at lower than what they would initially sell the work on their own for.
- Artists are placed in a subordinate role when anyone can come along a put a price on your work which is usually going to be for less than what the artist would want.
- It's messed up that an artist can only claim the cost of materials for their work come tax time, where as someone who is blessed with being liquid, can buy your work at a bargain, have it appraised for top dollar and then right that full amount off come tax time.
Now, those are some pretty great reasons to not participate in art auctions. Now, let me talk about how I disagree with him and make some suggestions as well:
If the institution is worthy, why not donate?
Throughout the years, I have been asked to donate work to several organizations and institutions. If I feel good about them and what they do, and they treat artists professionally and respectfully, I'll happily donate some work to help their cause.
Auctions can raise your profile.
No, giving to auctions are not going to turn you into an art star by any stretch, but it does help in getting your work seen. You never know, you might snag a future patron or be invited to have your work seen in an exhibition somewhere. Think of it as a form of networking (a subject for a future post).
Don't give your best work away.
Don't give your best work away. I'm sure organizations don't want you giving them crap, but really give them something that is good example of what you do, but not something you consider your finest work. Shop your best work around for other opportunities like exhibition opportunities, residencies, etc.
Get Your Party On
Most of the time, if not all the time, artist who've donated to an organization get to attend the auction event for FREE. It's great! You get to get dressed up, visit the open bar MANY times, get your eat on at the buffet, socialize with the people of your community while being surrounded by art! Of course there are some artists who would much rather hover by their piece to see how the bidding is going. That's one way to spend the night, but really with all the eats and drinks going on....enjoy the night!
So, really to give work to an auction or not is an individual's call. And really, if you don't want to make a donation because you're sick and tired of being hit up for art and never feel like you benefit from it - just say 'no'.
Mat Gleason, 'The Career Benefits of Boycotting Charity Auctions'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mat-gleason/charity-art-auctions-_b_872953.html?ref=fb&src=sp
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Why Worry About Getting Your Work In A Biennial When You Can Create Your Own Biennial?
Is it me or is there A LOT of gripping about the contemporary art world lately? I mean, more than usual. It seems like I am reading more and more articles about how unethical it as become, how artists are mistreated and how art isn't valued for it's content, but on it's commerce. I'll devote my musings to this topic another time. This morning, I want to share what I just watched.
I enjoyed a pretty brilliant and hilarious presentation given by artist Shea Hembrey. Heard of him? Me, neither. He gave a Tedx Talk about his project. That being how he created his own art biennial. He talked about how he grew up in a place least likely to be considered artistic (rural Arkansas) and yet more artically sophisticated than one would expect. Because he has read a lot about art and has seen plenty of art, he decided to start his own art biennial. He didn't stop just there, though. After thinking about criteria for selecting artists while keeping in mind that his biennial is an international one, he went one step further. He decided to create the artists who would participate in his biennial. He created 100 fictional artists, their bios, their statements and the work they create. For real, he made all the artwork and documented it accordingly. The result is pretty hilarious and believable.
Shea Hembrey - How I Became 100 Artists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpROaNue9GM
I enjoyed a pretty brilliant and hilarious presentation given by artist Shea Hembrey. Heard of him? Me, neither. He gave a Tedx Talk about his project. That being how he created his own art biennial. He talked about how he grew up in a place least likely to be considered artistic (rural Arkansas) and yet more artically sophisticated than one would expect. Because he has read a lot about art and has seen plenty of art, he decided to start his own art biennial. He didn't stop just there, though. After thinking about criteria for selecting artists while keeping in mind that his biennial is an international one, he went one step further. He decided to create the artists who would participate in his biennial. He created 100 fictional artists, their bios, their statements and the work they create. For real, he made all the artwork and documented it accordingly. The result is pretty hilarious and believable.
Shea Hembrey - How I Became 100 Artists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpROaNue9GM
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Self Sabotage
Last night, I streamed the movie High Art. This was a definite smart move on Ally Sheedy's part to play the character of Lucy - a photographer who apparently became a big deal, but gave it up. As she bemoaned to her future love interest Sidney, she didn't do industry work any more because it made her feel claustrophobic. That everyone was just glomming on to this thing (her work), so she made it impossible for her to continue working. In other words, self sabotage.
This made me think about how many times I've sabotaged myself when it comes to my own work. I think that at some point during anyone's career, you will lay out your own booby trap. And eventually step into it.
This made me think about how many times I've sabotaged myself when it comes to my own work. I think that at some point during anyone's career, you will lay out your own booby trap. And eventually step into it.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Check List
Today, I'm going to pick up where I left off. I want to talk about the idea of an artist check list. Although there are no real, iron-clad steps to take in order to become that internationally celebrated artist, there are some basic things that, in my opinion, you do need to accomplish. If I were to suggest a sort of check list for becoming an successful artist it would probably look something like this:
1. Define Success
What does success mean to you? Does it mean selling your work? Exhibiting in art fairs? Having your work be part of significant art collections? You can't be successful if you can't define it for yourself.
2. At Least Get A BFA
I don't care what anyone says, having studied formally can only help you. Where to get your BFA is the subject for a later post, but for now we'll just leave it at getting the BFA. Some may argue that it's not that big a deal. Who cares? Well, look at any artist's resume that is having a show in a gallery or museum. You'll see those three little letters. Why? Because it matters.
3. Make Your Work Regardless
If you continue to make your work through the good and bad times, you've doing the right thing.
4. See What's Out There
You need to take time and look at the art being made today whether in your community or globally. Again, it can only help you in your own endeavors.
It's not a long list, but I think that covers what I'd suggest. Notice how I didn't put something like 'Make Good Work'. That's because defining good work in art shifts like sand in the desert depending on who you are talking to. Which explains why some great work goes unnoticed and some inferior work gets all sorts of praise.
1. Define Success
What does success mean to you? Does it mean selling your work? Exhibiting in art fairs? Having your work be part of significant art collections? You can't be successful if you can't define it for yourself.
2. At Least Get A BFA
I don't care what anyone says, having studied formally can only help you. Where to get your BFA is the subject for a later post, but for now we'll just leave it at getting the BFA. Some may argue that it's not that big a deal. Who cares? Well, look at any artist's resume that is having a show in a gallery or museum. You'll see those three little letters. Why? Because it matters.
3. Make Your Work Regardless
If you continue to make your work through the good and bad times, you've doing the right thing.
4. See What's Out There
You need to take time and look at the art being made today whether in your community or globally. Again, it can only help you in your own endeavors.
It's not a long list, but I think that covers what I'd suggest. Notice how I didn't put something like 'Make Good Work'. That's because defining good work in art shifts like sand in the desert depending on who you are talking to. Which explains why some great work goes unnoticed and some inferior work gets all sorts of praise.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Seven Days and Home Sweet Home
I really hated that last post I put up. Such a downer! It's going to take a few posts to get some distance from it. Here we go.....
I've been back home a whole week now. My South American adventure complete. I made a work of art that I am very proud of and now it's time to enjoy the summer. I came back to a jungle of a yard. I have no green thumb, but have managed to keep what landscaping the previous owner put in alive since I took over. There had been a lot of rain, so everything was green and overgrown. Once the triple digit weather ceased, I got out there and started the clean-up process. I know this blog is supposed to be me talking about art type things. I'm getting to it. As I pulled out weeds and wannabe trees, I thought about the books I read while away - Seven Days in the Art World, I Bought Andy Warhol and I Sold Andy Warhol (Too Soon). I highly recommend each of these reads. I'll probably devote my next few posts to these books because they gave me so much to think about and I want to share my thoughts with you.
'Seven Days' is a very enlightening look at how the blue chip art market works from all sides the dealer, the artist, the auction house, the art award, the critic, studio visit and biannual exhibition. I am happy to report that after reading this book, I still want to continue my art career and make art. However, I now realize that it is extremely likely that I will NEVER make the kind of money that would allow me to live on and just make art. To make that happen and get on the radar of the untouchables that could make that happen, there are some crucial steps that need to be take:
Make strong, interesting work - check
Get art degree from prestigious art school or program - check
Continue showing work after receiving MFA - check
So far, I think I've been taking the appropriate steps to navigate my art career successfully. Now, there are some things in play that I have no control over. I made my piece a while ago with the fact that the powers that dictate and control the world of art still cater largely to young, white male artists. I'm a black woman, by the way. These days, there are more minority artists getting recognized, but when you see any given show, or look at the list of represented artists in most galleries, there are usually far more white men than any other group being supported. What are you going to do? It's the prerogative of the director/gallerist to support whoever they deem worthy. No, that's a conversation worth acknowledging, but not loosing sleep over. The crucial step I'm talking about involves pulling a Dorian Gray. A crucial step to being "successful" as an artist is to never get old.
Neither your work or YOU should age. When I think about the idea that it's the young artist that brings fresh, exciting work to the masses, I can get with that to a degree. Sure, we had the Beautiful Loosers and the YBA's, but what are the majority of these artists producing now? A few are still going strong and making bank. While most, it would seem, have burned out. Please correct me if I'm wrong. In any case, it would seem that the art controllers want what's fresh and new and that equates to artists under 30. Where does that leave old-timers like myself? I'm 41, by they way. I think this situation causes artists to become frustrated and in some cases to give up on being an artist. Some may re-invent themselves as an arts administrator of some sort (gallerist, museum director, dealer, etc.). Then, they can dictate what is good art and who gets shown and so on because even though, in the past, they may have been a young, talented artist, they may not have been a young, talented artist in the right place and at the right time. This is what I'm thinking about at the moment....and where did that huge Garter snake under my couch come from?!
I've been back home a whole week now. My South American adventure complete. I made a work of art that I am very proud of and now it's time to enjoy the summer. I came back to a jungle of a yard. I have no green thumb, but have managed to keep what landscaping the previous owner put in alive since I took over. There had been a lot of rain, so everything was green and overgrown. Once the triple digit weather ceased, I got out there and started the clean-up process. I know this blog is supposed to be me talking about art type things. I'm getting to it. As I pulled out weeds and wannabe trees, I thought about the books I read while away - Seven Days in the Art World, I Bought Andy Warhol and I Sold Andy Warhol (Too Soon). I highly recommend each of these reads. I'll probably devote my next few posts to these books because they gave me so much to think about and I want to share my thoughts with you.
'Seven Days' is a very enlightening look at how the blue chip art market works from all sides the dealer, the artist, the auction house, the art award, the critic, studio visit and biannual exhibition. I am happy to report that after reading this book, I still want to continue my art career and make art. However, I now realize that it is extremely likely that I will NEVER make the kind of money that would allow me to live on and just make art. To make that happen and get on the radar of the untouchables that could make that happen, there are some crucial steps that need to be take:
Make strong, interesting work - check
Get art degree from prestigious art school or program - check
Continue showing work after receiving MFA - check
So far, I think I've been taking the appropriate steps to navigate my art career successfully. Now, there are some things in play that I have no control over. I made my piece a while ago with the fact that the powers that dictate and control the world of art still cater largely to young, white male artists. I'm a black woman, by the way. These days, there are more minority artists getting recognized, but when you see any given show, or look at the list of represented artists in most galleries, there are usually far more white men than any other group being supported. What are you going to do? It's the prerogative of the director/gallerist to support whoever they deem worthy. No, that's a conversation worth acknowledging, but not loosing sleep over. The crucial step I'm talking about involves pulling a Dorian Gray. A crucial step to being "successful" as an artist is to never get old.
Neither your work or YOU should age. When I think about the idea that it's the young artist that brings fresh, exciting work to the masses, I can get with that to a degree. Sure, we had the Beautiful Loosers and the YBA's, but what are the majority of these artists producing now? A few are still going strong and making bank. While most, it would seem, have burned out. Please correct me if I'm wrong. In any case, it would seem that the art controllers want what's fresh and new and that equates to artists under 30. Where does that leave old-timers like myself? I'm 41, by they way. I think this situation causes artists to become frustrated and in some cases to give up on being an artist. Some may re-invent themselves as an arts administrator of some sort (gallerist, museum director, dealer, etc.). Then, they can dictate what is good art and who gets shown and so on because even though, in the past, they may have been a young, talented artist, they may not have been a young, talented artist in the right place and at the right time. This is what I'm thinking about at the moment....and where did that huge Garter snake under my couch come from?!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Nigger
Ugly, isn't it? I almost left the country with nothing but warm fuzzies - until tonight. As Cristina and I were walking down the sidewalk tonight on our way to grab a farewell meal, we passed a couple on the sidewalk. As I walked by, the guy said under his breathe 'nigger'. Actually, it was more like nee-gare. It was pretty creepy and especially off-putting because he was the same height as me and it felt like he whispered it right into my ear. Because they were walking past us, it happened super fast and I didn't get a look at him because it was night time and really, what am I going to do - yell something back at him? That could only bring trouble.
I had to blog about this and get it out of my system so I wouldn't obsess about it so much. I was thinking about it for a good part of the meal. The challenge of it is do I let this one incident color (no pun intended!) my whole experience? Fuck no and fuck him! If anything, he just reminded me that no matter where you go, people are indeed people. You'll meet some spectacular individuals as well as the ignorant shitheads. Case and point, I've been called nigger before in the states, in my hometown and some yahoo will probably call me one in the future. What are you going to do? Haters are haters. I am glad that this happened at the end of my trip instead of the beginning. That would have been a lot more harder to deal with.
Let's end this blog on a high note, shall I? I had a wonderful time here. I got a chance to experience a different culture, met new people and most importantly, I got to make some art. No regrets here.
I had to blog about this and get it out of my system so I wouldn't obsess about it so much. I was thinking about it for a good part of the meal. The challenge of it is do I let this one incident color (no pun intended!) my whole experience? Fuck no and fuck him! If anything, he just reminded me that no matter where you go, people are indeed people. You'll meet some spectacular individuals as well as the ignorant shitheads. Case and point, I've been called nigger before in the states, in my hometown and some yahoo will probably call me one in the future. What are you going to do? Haters are haters. I am glad that this happened at the end of my trip instead of the beginning. That would have been a lot more harder to deal with.
Let's end this blog on a high note, shall I? I had a wonderful time here. I got a chance to experience a different culture, met new people and most importantly, I got to make some art. No regrets here.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Eating My Way Through This Town
Last night, I had the best fusilli bolongnese on the planet....
and an appetizer called pinchos
and bread
and a nice glass of Malbec
and dulce de leche with Swiss chocolate
.....I could never live here permanently. I get HUUUUUUUGE!!
and an appetizer called pinchos
and bread
and a nice glass of Malbec
and dulce de leche with Swiss chocolate
.....I could never live here permanently. I get HUUUUUUUGE!!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
And It All Comes Together
Finally, installation day! It never ceases to amaze me how a work is transformed as soon as you hang it on a wall or place it properly in a space. The workers that Alicia hires for installing were mad fast. In twenty minutes, my work was suspended over the stairwell. We lost a few beads on the way, but that was expected. Seeing we got this thing put together in under 2 1/2 weeks, a few missing beads is nothing. I LOVE THE WAY IT CAME OUT!! I've learned a lot working like this. Adriana and Valeria were wonderful assistants. I'm still not really attracted to having a team of people help me make my work, but it was definitely helpful. The punching bag heads look believable and as busy as the patterning is, it works. I wanted to have a kind of art deco design that abstractly formed a penis, but all that occurred were just the oval shapes. As Leslie put it, the penis is implied. I have extra prints of the bodies from tests, so I may recreate this piece in a second version. This first one has given me some ideas as to how I can improve upon it.
Today was kind of surreal because I didn't really do anything. I just uploaded pictures from my camera to my laptop, walked to the bank to get some pesos, had a great lunch of 2 kinds of vegetable pizza, drank coffee and surfed the net. Oh, how I suffer! I pretty much stayed out of the way while the employees did their thing preparing the studio for tomorrow's opening. I have to start getting my things packed, so I'm taking some supplies back to the apartment in small trips. I donated my glue to the studio. I gave the canvas that was left over to Adriana to use for her work. I left a cup full of beads for Patricia because she really liked them.
I am going to make one more print before I travel back to the states. It's about waking dogs. I'm a bit obsessed with the dog situation here. If Buenos Aires had a mascot, it would be a small, fluffy, white dog. They are everywhere! Occasionally, you'll see larger dogs, but most of them are small with big hair, curly hair or a curly tail. Even more intriguing are the dog walkers. You'll see some guy walking 20 dogs around. I'm impressed that the dogs are totally with the program and walk rather nicely as if they are a unit. Usually the dog walker has a bunch of small dogs and then one or two big dogs. And let me tell you, the dog walker is making bank. I asked Alvaro about. He said that a walker usually gets paid on average 800 pesos per dog a week. That really adds up! I joked that I should move here and just start walking dogs. Alvaro replied that it's not that easy. Dog walking is ran like the mafia. You have to be in the know in order to get the dogs. If you were to just show up with dogs that you were waling, someone will interrogate you (who are you, where are you from, how did you get those dogs) because you aren't familiar. You could get into a lot of trouble. So, I want to do a simple print of me walking a pack of little, fluffy, white dogs and title the print "Donda conseguis tes esos perros (Where did you get those dogs?" If I can't get it done here, I'll do it when I get home.
Today was kind of surreal because I didn't really do anything. I just uploaded pictures from my camera to my laptop, walked to the bank to get some pesos, had a great lunch of 2 kinds of vegetable pizza, drank coffee and surfed the net. Oh, how I suffer! I pretty much stayed out of the way while the employees did their thing preparing the studio for tomorrow's opening. I have to start getting my things packed, so I'm taking some supplies back to the apartment in small trips. I donated my glue to the studio. I gave the canvas that was left over to Adriana to use for her work. I left a cup full of beads for Patricia because she really liked them.
I am going to make one more print before I travel back to the states. It's about waking dogs. I'm a bit obsessed with the dog situation here. If Buenos Aires had a mascot, it would be a small, fluffy, white dog. They are everywhere! Occasionally, you'll see larger dogs, but most of them are small with big hair, curly hair or a curly tail. Even more intriguing are the dog walkers. You'll see some guy walking 20 dogs around. I'm impressed that the dogs are totally with the program and walk rather nicely as if they are a unit. Usually the dog walker has a bunch of small dogs and then one or two big dogs. And let me tell you, the dog walker is making bank. I asked Alvaro about. He said that a walker usually gets paid on average 800 pesos per dog a week. That really adds up! I joked that I should move here and just start walking dogs. Alvaro replied that it's not that easy. Dog walking is ran like the mafia. You have to be in the know in order to get the dogs. If you were to just show up with dogs that you were waling, someone will interrogate you (who are you, where are you from, how did you get those dogs) because you aren't familiar. You could get into a lot of trouble. So, I want to do a simple print of me walking a pack of little, fluffy, white dogs and title the print "Donda conseguis tes esos perros (Where did you get those dogs?" If I can't get it done here, I'll do it when I get home.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sweet Louise!
Today, Cristina took the reigns and mapped out our journey for today. This time we were going to La Proa an art museum located in the area called La Boca. As last week, we started out our day with cafe con leche with 3 medianlunas - a very tasty, sweet croissant. Afterward, we hoped on a train and took it to the end of the line. From there, we got a cab to get to La Boca. We were dropped off in front of the most touristy area. There were lots of street vendors and restaurants who had very persistent waiters trying to lure you in. It was a pretty colorful place. There were lots of dancers there that were supposed to be performing the Tango. Most of them were just kind of hanging out. They reminded me of the Peony Park dancers that performed when the amusement park was open in a way. However, these dancers were not nearly as enthusiastic and the ones who were dancing seemed to be kind of phoning it in. Oh, well. I wasn't necessarily there to see some tango. That is for Thursday. We were there to see the Louise Bourgeois retrospect at La Proa.
I've never seen a full on exhibit of Bourgeois' work, let alone retrospective one. It's always been a piece here or a couple there in a permanent collection. It was a WONDERFUL exhibit! Not only was there one of her ginormous spiders outside the musem doors, they had several full on installations of her work. The whole museum was dedicated to her work alone and who ever curated it did a fabulous job. It was really excited to see pieces that I've only seen via Art21 or Art City. One of my favorite pieces of hers is "Arch of Hysteria" - a headless, figurative bronze sculpture in a backward arch suspended in the air. Beautiful! They had quite few of her works on paper, but what was more intriguing were her soft sculptures. They were pretty freaking cool! I kept wondering if she ever made peace with her demons before she died. Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of her work gave me the impression that I was looking at the work of a woman that never really felt truly comfortable with herself as a woman and struggled with her relationship with her father. Perhaps that is why her work is so strong. It's good to have something to push up against - something that drives us to keep confronting and exploring whether painful or pleasurable. Some of her work was very straightforward while her installations were more ambiguous. I have to agree with Hennessy Youngman - I don't necessarily understand all of her work, but she kept doing her and that's all that matters. I felt truly inspired being surrounded by a lifetime of her work. I hope that I am able to live a long productive life of producing work that is meaningful and work that influences others like her work as done for me.
I've never seen a full on exhibit of Bourgeois' work, let alone retrospective one. It's always been a piece here or a couple there in a permanent collection. It was a WONDERFUL exhibit! Not only was there one of her ginormous spiders outside the musem doors, they had several full on installations of her work. The whole museum was dedicated to her work alone and who ever curated it did a fabulous job. It was really excited to see pieces that I've only seen via Art21 or Art City. One of my favorite pieces of hers is "Arch of Hysteria" - a headless, figurative bronze sculpture in a backward arch suspended in the air. Beautiful! They had quite few of her works on paper, but what was more intriguing were her soft sculptures. They were pretty freaking cool! I kept wondering if she ever made peace with her demons before she died. Maybe. Maybe not. A lot of her work gave me the impression that I was looking at the work of a woman that never really felt truly comfortable with herself as a woman and struggled with her relationship with her father. Perhaps that is why her work is so strong. It's good to have something to push up against - something that drives us to keep confronting and exploring whether painful or pleasurable. Some of her work was very straightforward while her installations were more ambiguous. I have to agree with Hennessy Youngman - I don't necessarily understand all of her work, but she kept doing her and that's all that matters. I felt truly inspired being surrounded by a lifetime of her work. I hope that I am able to live a long productive life of producing work that is meaningful and work that influences others like her work as done for me.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Missed Opportunity
Yesterday, it was a loooooong day at the studio. It was my own fault because I stayed up working on part of my piece until 2am that morning. I was a hurting unit coming in and all the coffee in the world wasn't helping me at all. By the end of the evening, all I could think of was how tired I was and how I was dreading walking to the station because my feet were hurting as well as my back. I just wanted to go to bed. As Christina and I rounded the corner to go down the stairs of our stop, I heard "Hola...." I turned my head and replied "Hola", but wait, something was different. I did a double take and standing there was this really hot guy with dreads. He was leaning against wall of the corner shop with a smile on his face while looking.....at me.
I went down the stairs thinking that I was misreading his look, but Christina confirmed it. He was definitely checking me out. Damn it! I should have stayed up there and, I don't know, see if we could even talk to each other. I'm keeping my eye out for him on the off chance he is at the station stop again. The thing that gets me is that I live in a place where I am so used to not being seen romantically by men, that when it does happen, I don't recognize it until it's too late. I have to start being more alert.
No hot guy today at the stop today.
I went down the stairs thinking that I was misreading his look, but Christina confirmed it. He was definitely checking me out. Damn it! I should have stayed up there and, I don't know, see if we could even talk to each other. I'm keeping my eye out for him on the off chance he is at the station stop again. The thing that gets me is that I live in a place where I am so used to not being seen romantically by men, that when it does happen, I don't recognize it until it's too late. I have to start being more alert.
No hot guy today at the stop today.
Not American
In Buenos Aires, no one thinks I'm American at first. Here's what I am passing for in no particular order:
Cuban
Brazilian
Dominican
African
If any one thinks I'm American, I'm a New Yorker.
If I reveal I'm from Nebraska, I'm asked if I know Warren Buffett.
Cuban
Brazilian
Dominican
African
If any one thinks I'm American, I'm a New Yorker.
If I reveal I'm from Nebraska, I'm asked if I know Warren Buffett.
Sticky Fingers
Today, all I did was glue. Glue tiny little glass beads to an un-primed canvas. Tiny little beads that did not want to stick to the canvas. They got stuck to my fingers, my face, my forearms...Needless to say I have a more profound respect for anyone who works with tiny particles of - anything. I tried gluing some really sparkly colorful beads to this ring pattern I had drawn. It took me 30 minutes to just get them down on 1/6 of the ring. My piece needs to hung on either Monday or Tuesday. If it's Tuesday, I'll be very happy because there are few things I'd like to do. If it's Monday, then the piece needs to be resolved enough so that I don't feel totally embarrassed by it at the opening on Wednesday. I am so glad I decided to do something of this nature, though, no matter what the end result. Maybe I'm trying to be too craftsy, but there is a certain amount of satisfaction I feel towards the piece. Some things going through my head while I'm working -
"Why not just paint the thing?"
"Why aren't you taking the time to make some straight forward prints"
"What am I going to eat tonight?"
"Is that hot guy going to be by the subway stop again?"
"Why the hell isn't this sticking?!"
"Did my irises open?"
There's a whole lot more that was going on in me mind. It's interesting what you think about when you are silently working alongside someone. Adrianna is the master printer here. She's fabulous and doesn't speak a lot of English. So between that and my less than minimal Spanish, there isn't a whole lot of talking. We tend to communicate through brief sentences or body language. Alvaro works administatively in the office. He met me at the bus station and pretty much takes care of all our questions. He is totally charming and quite silly. He is always joking with us. He's very up on current events and we have political discussions during lunch intermixed with questions about what we've seen since we arrived. Alas, I haven't seen a lot because I've had a lot to work on for my piece. I set myself up for some seriously learning. I not only sewed the mask type pieces for my work, I made up the pattern for them as well. All the times I watched my mom sewing, SOMETHING had to have rub off! I can't wait to show her. She'll probably say "What's that?', then,'That's different' - her way of saying I don't like it. Before I left, mom said she wanted something for a wall she was redecorating. She wanted something pretty. I said I'd could make her something pretty. She replied 'Then why don't you?'. I guess my work has been a little too sexy or angsty to put up in the house. I told her I'd make her something pretty while at the residency......what can I make that's pretty.....FUCK!
I just glued a punching bag head to the wrong body.
"Why not just paint the thing?"
"Why aren't you taking the time to make some straight forward prints"
"What am I going to eat tonight?"
"Is that hot guy going to be by the subway stop again?"
"Why the hell isn't this sticking?!"
"Did my irises open?"
There's a whole lot more that was going on in me mind. It's interesting what you think about when you are silently working alongside someone. Adrianna is the master printer here. She's fabulous and doesn't speak a lot of English. So between that and my less than minimal Spanish, there isn't a whole lot of talking. We tend to communicate through brief sentences or body language. Alvaro works administatively in the office. He met me at the bus station and pretty much takes care of all our questions. He is totally charming and quite silly. He is always joking with us. He's very up on current events and we have political discussions during lunch intermixed with questions about what we've seen since we arrived. Alas, I haven't seen a lot because I've had a lot to work on for my piece. I set myself up for some seriously learning. I not only sewed the mask type pieces for my work, I made up the pattern for them as well. All the times I watched my mom sewing, SOMETHING had to have rub off! I can't wait to show her. She'll probably say "What's that?', then,'That's different' - her way of saying I don't like it. Before I left, mom said she wanted something for a wall she was redecorating. She wanted something pretty. I said I'd could make her something pretty. She replied 'Then why don't you?'. I guess my work has been a little too sexy or angsty to put up in the house. I told her I'd make her something pretty while at the residency......what can I make that's pretty.....FUCK!
I just glued a punching bag head to the wrong body.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Eye of the Tiger
This is a perfect day to do nothing but write, read or draw. It's rainy with a cool humidity. I've been thinking about my project so much that I have had a bit of anxiety. It's more about the time I have remaining to get it finished which is a week from Monday. We're loosing a day this week due to a national holiday. That's one less day to work. Ugh! Anyway, I need to buck up and practice what I tell my students. So what if I don't sew and my project involves sewing? I need to channel Tim Gun and make it work!
My flatmate Christina and I ventured out last night for her project. What she's working on involves her romancing the city of Buenos Aires by offering romantic meals she cooked. She's been going around the city setting up plates of food on a table in various locations. She asked me if I would assist her in some night time shooting. It's really not safe to be out by yourself especially if you're an attractive woman, so I was happy to tag along. We wound up outside the main concert hall where the symphony performs free concerts. It was fun being her assistant and watching another artist at work, observing their process. It was a really nice night. There were lots of people out walking, biking, jogging, walking their dogs....I'm a bit obsessed with the dog situation here, but I'll write about that later. We ran across the street and took photos in a park that had some skateboarders flying down the hill coming to abrupt stops with a long, loud skaaareeeeeeeeeeetch.
When we were ready to call it a night, we flagged down a cab driver. I must admit, that is one thing I rather enjoy doing despite the stereotype of how cab drivers won't pick up black people. Whenever I'm in a big city, I LOVE stepping out onto the side of the street with my hand held up. Some go by, but eventually you get picked up. Maybe my romantic life would pick up if I held my hand up more.....Anyway, we got a cab and this guy was AMAZING! I have never been driven anywhere so fast in my life. We were going so fast it felt like the car wasn't even touching the street. Earlier in the week, I witnessed an collision at an intersection a few blocks from where I am staying. An ambulance smashed into a car that was trying to cross. The driving around here is pretty freaky because although there are street lights, they seem more a suggestion and not necessarily mandatory.
People drive like it's the Wild West and everyone is for themselves automotively speaking. Driving in Buenos Aires makes driving in New York look like afternoon bike ride. So, ever since, I get really nervous when in a cab or car because the intersections are largely blind and you just have to go for it. Our Indi 500 driver was in his 60's and he was not messing around. He was blasting songs from the 80's on the radio. Christina thought he was on drugs. Seeing that he started to make a left-hand turn on a red light 6 feet out from the intersection, I understand her logic. Where she was wanting out, I wanted this guy to drive me everywhere. If you were a contestant on Amazing Race and had to come here to complete a task, you would want this guy driving you around because you would definitely come in first. As we weaved between other cars, Eye of the Tiger started playing on the radio. It was a great fit as we flew through the night, going for "it".
We made it home safely. We also got to see a whole new awesome area that is only a couple of blocks away from us. Definitely have some exploring to do there.
My flatmate Christina and I ventured out last night for her project. What she's working on involves her romancing the city of Buenos Aires by offering romantic meals she cooked. She's been going around the city setting up plates of food on a table in various locations. She asked me if I would assist her in some night time shooting. It's really not safe to be out by yourself especially if you're an attractive woman, so I was happy to tag along. We wound up outside the main concert hall where the symphony performs free concerts. It was fun being her assistant and watching another artist at work, observing their process. It was a really nice night. There were lots of people out walking, biking, jogging, walking their dogs....I'm a bit obsessed with the dog situation here, but I'll write about that later. We ran across the street and took photos in a park that had some skateboarders flying down the hill coming to abrupt stops with a long, loud skaaareeeeeeeeeeetch.
When we were ready to call it a night, we flagged down a cab driver. I must admit, that is one thing I rather enjoy doing despite the stereotype of how cab drivers won't pick up black people. Whenever I'm in a big city, I LOVE stepping out onto the side of the street with my hand held up. Some go by, but eventually you get picked up. Maybe my romantic life would pick up if I held my hand up more.....Anyway, we got a cab and this guy was AMAZING! I have never been driven anywhere so fast in my life. We were going so fast it felt like the car wasn't even touching the street. Earlier in the week, I witnessed an collision at an intersection a few blocks from where I am staying. An ambulance smashed into a car that was trying to cross. The driving around here is pretty freaky because although there are street lights, they seem more a suggestion and not necessarily mandatory.
People drive like it's the Wild West and everyone is for themselves automotively speaking. Driving in Buenos Aires makes driving in New York look like afternoon bike ride. So, ever since, I get really nervous when in a cab or car because the intersections are largely blind and you just have to go for it. Our Indi 500 driver was in his 60's and he was not messing around. He was blasting songs from the 80's on the radio. Christina thought he was on drugs. Seeing that he started to make a left-hand turn on a red light 6 feet out from the intersection, I understand her logic. Where she was wanting out, I wanted this guy to drive me everywhere. If you were a contestant on Amazing Race and had to come here to complete a task, you would want this guy driving you around because you would definitely come in first. As we weaved between other cars, Eye of the Tiger started playing on the radio. It was a great fit as we flew through the night, going for "it".
We made it home safely. We also got to see a whole new awesome area that is only a couple of blocks away from us. Definitely have some exploring to do there.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Read The Fair, Go To The Fair
Before I left for my trip, my friends Laura and John lent me three books to read. One of which I started and read about half on the plane - Seven Days In the Art World. This book is so great! I am not offended by the fact that this writing could be accused of demystifying certain aspects of the art world. I don't care. I look at it as a way to compare what I've personally experienced in the art world from the aspect of being a student, an emerging artist, working with galleries, etc. It's fun. There were definitely moments when I actually laughed out loud because what I read was just that funny (The Crit) or painful (The Prize).
I had just finished reading the chapter "The Fair" and wouldn't you know it, last night we were given tickets to attend ArteBA 2011, Argentina's major art fair of Latin American Art. I've only been to a couple of art fairs and really enjoy them. I really dig seeing what contemporary artists are doing especially ones from other countries. It was quite the to do! I've never seen so many stilettos in one location, my feet felt frumpy! However, I had the foresight to wear my bright red, Anthropologie jacket, so I was not too de-classe. The fair was what I expected, a maze of booths as far as the eye can see. Our group made a plan to meet in 2 hours at the entrance and we all splintered off. Not more than 20 steps in, I was ushered to the side because camera men and reports were following some one clearly very important. I felt like such an American. I thought it was a celebrity. Turned out it was the mayor. As I wondered around, I couldn't help to think about how things really weren't all that different from the states. All the types of art were represented with varying degrees of strength. I think a challenge artists have today is that you can do what you do and you will always be compared to or remided of someone else's work. Originality is tricky because everything, in my opinion, has been done. I managed to talk to a few vendors. I guess my accent is getting better because most people I attempt to communicate with think I can speak Spanish because I am getting really good at saying the same phrases. One vendor gave me his last catalog of an artist I liked. His work reminded me of Amy Cutler (see? Comparing...). It was very kind and they were vary patient. I went to another book and saw an ArteBA catalog lying on a table. I picked it up and started looking through it. Immediately it was snatched from my hands by someone who clearly worked there. No stress. I understood. It's an expensive catalog and you have to buy it.
From then on, I kept my eye open for stray, unattended catalogs. I had fun. I got a glass of champagne, meandered until I was worn out and then sat and people watched. Oh, the people watching! I love these types of events. You cannot beat an artsy crowd. I might have to invest in some stilettos before I return.
I had just finished reading the chapter "The Fair" and wouldn't you know it, last night we were given tickets to attend ArteBA 2011, Argentina's major art fair of Latin American Art. I've only been to a couple of art fairs and really enjoy them. I really dig seeing what contemporary artists are doing especially ones from other countries. It was quite the to do! I've never seen so many stilettos in one location, my feet felt frumpy! However, I had the foresight to wear my bright red, Anthropologie jacket, so I was not too de-classe. The fair was what I expected, a maze of booths as far as the eye can see. Our group made a plan to meet in 2 hours at the entrance and we all splintered off. Not more than 20 steps in, I was ushered to the side because camera men and reports were following some one clearly very important. I felt like such an American. I thought it was a celebrity. Turned out it was the mayor. As I wondered around, I couldn't help to think about how things really weren't all that different from the states. All the types of art were represented with varying degrees of strength. I think a challenge artists have today is that you can do what you do and you will always be compared to or remided of someone else's work. Originality is tricky because everything, in my opinion, has been done. I managed to talk to a few vendors. I guess my accent is getting better because most people I attempt to communicate with think I can speak Spanish because I am getting really good at saying the same phrases. One vendor gave me his last catalog of an artist I liked. His work reminded me of Amy Cutler (see? Comparing...). It was very kind and they were vary patient. I went to another book and saw an ArteBA catalog lying on a table. I picked it up and started looking through it. Immediately it was snatched from my hands by someone who clearly worked there. No stress. I understood. It's an expensive catalog and you have to buy it.
From then on, I kept my eye open for stray, unattended catalogs. I had fun. I got a glass of champagne, meandered until I was worn out and then sat and people watched. Oh, the people watching! I love these types of events. You cannot beat an artsy crowd. I might have to invest in some stilettos before I return.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Starting Out A Day Late
Finally, I made to the city of Buenos Aires. The funny thing is I could have been here as scheduled but I got an automated voice mail from the airline I was traveling on saying my flight was canceled and that I was re-booked on a different flight scheduled the next day. I was brunching at Amy Matheritaville when I got the call. I was a little bummed, but took advantage of the time and cleaned up my house some more and re-organized what I was taking with me. What the airline didn't tell was that my flight was re-scheduled on a different plane for that day. So, I show up to the airport not booked on anything - not even the re-booked information could be found. Kudos to the very nice agent who probably thought I was going to really pitch a fit (I wasn't, but she probably thought I was going to get all angry black woman-no-you-did-nnnt!! on her). So, she not only got me on a flight, it was business-class all the way baby! Things just tend to work out.
I arrived Tuesday morning and after getting through customs, got on a bus that took me into town to meet Alvaro who works at the studio. We grabbed a cab and zig-zagged through some crazy traffic to the apartment I will be sharing with another resident. She's from Miami. She's adorable. She's twelve. After I was able to drop my stuff and change my shirt, we cabbed it over to the studio. It's pretty fantastic! More to come about the space for sure. Right now, I'm just waiting for the director and taking in my surroundings. Tomorrow we are going to a huge art fair. I can't wait!
I arrived Tuesday morning and after getting through customs, got on a bus that took me into town to meet Alvaro who works at the studio. We grabbed a cab and zig-zagged through some crazy traffic to the apartment I will be sharing with another resident. She's from Miami. She's adorable. She's twelve. After I was able to drop my stuff and change my shirt, we cabbed it over to the studio. It's pretty fantastic! More to come about the space for sure. Right now, I'm just waiting for the director and taking in my surroundings. Tomorrow we are going to a huge art fair. I can't wait!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Still Fun - ding
I must be thinking about my up-coming adventure more and more. I've been having the craziest dreams the last couple of nights. In one, I dived out of an airplane into the ocean. I hit the bottom, but sprung straight up into the air. While airborne, I made my body as pointy as a could and hit the water again with very little splash. When I emerged, I was in a swimming pool. I was in the deep end. I made one kick and it propelled me from one end to the other. Last nights dream involved Neil Tennant from The Petshop Boys being invited to collaborate with Jay Z at some night club. I watched the entire event unfold from the bar. Crazy!
Well, I'm still accepting any contributions to my project. I've received a lot of support, but any amount I can bring in will not be wasted. Just follow the link -
<iframe src="http://www.indiegogo.com/project/widget/23735?a=104133" width="210px" height="400px" frameborder="1" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Well, I'm still accepting any contributions to my project. I've received a lot of support, but any amount I can bring in will not be wasted. Just follow the link -
<iframe src="http://www.indiegogo.com/project/widget/23735?a=104133" width="210px" height="400px" frameborder="1" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Monday, April 25, 2011
From Stalking to Stalling
I have to make this piece. It's a commission and worth a pretty penny. So, why do I keep putting it off? I need to blame something so I'll blame the crap weather and the bad news at my physical.
Who am I kidding?
The real fact is that I really hate doing commissions and I should have never said yes because of money. Where the ?%$*# is my patron?!!
Who am I kidding?
The real fact is that I really hate doing commissions and I should have never said yes because of money. Where the ?%$*# is my patron?!!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday Morning Art Stalking
I am horribly routine. I get up, drink my coffee, listen to music and surf the internet. It's truly the best time for me to look at art and sort out what's on my mind.
I just picked up New American Paintings MFA edition. It's always exciting to see what new graduate students are producing. As is the nature of looking at art, you find things you like and things you don't. I was really entertained by Chris Reno's artist statement, but I think I'm prone to like that kind of statement - funny, informal and witty. Perhaps it's a little forced in the 'hey, I'm not writing an academic statement', but that's cool. I should just get a subscription to NAP. I don't do subscriptions to art publications because most of the time they aren't worth it to me. The leading art magazines have more advertisements than art reviews it seems. I just wait until the year end editions to come out. I had one to Art On Paper. I miss them dearly.
On line, I like to see what my friends are doing or go to different gallery sites that I like. I had a really great experience being at the University of Iowa in the MFA program. I learned a lot and really got a handle about what my work is all about. Not everyone liked it. Some loved it. It's been nine years since I graduated and I'm still making work - success! I honestly think I was there at a really special time. Quite a few of the students I worked alongside are doing great. It inspires me and keeps me motivated. I tend to go to their sites to see what they are up to and what's going on with their work.
Look at the time! Must get dressed and go to brunch.
I just picked up New American Paintings MFA edition. It's always exciting to see what new graduate students are producing. As is the nature of looking at art, you find things you like and things you don't. I was really entertained by Chris Reno's artist statement, but I think I'm prone to like that kind of statement - funny, informal and witty. Perhaps it's a little forced in the 'hey, I'm not writing an academic statement', but that's cool. I should just get a subscription to NAP. I don't do subscriptions to art publications because most of the time they aren't worth it to me. The leading art magazines have more advertisements than art reviews it seems. I just wait until the year end editions to come out. I had one to Art On Paper. I miss them dearly.
On line, I like to see what my friends are doing or go to different gallery sites that I like. I had a really great experience being at the University of Iowa in the MFA program. I learned a lot and really got a handle about what my work is all about. Not everyone liked it. Some loved it. It's been nine years since I graduated and I'm still making work - success! I honestly think I was there at a really special time. Quite a few of the students I worked alongside are doing great. It inspires me and keeps me motivated. I tend to go to their sites to see what they are up to and what's going on with their work.
Look at the time! Must get dressed and go to brunch.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Now I'm Ready To Rumble
My friend J.J. bought a piece from me tonight in order to help me with my residency quest. I'm happy that another one of my Hot House Flowers has a new home. He not only bought the piece, but gave me some nails to try framing with and a red and yellow Mexican wrestler's mask. I'll try wearing it in the studio and see if it makes me feel muy fuerte!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
How Odd
So, two posts in one day. That's odd, but not as odd as when I arrived to my office. There was a young man playing Spanish guitar in the hallway. There must be some kind of recital thing going on. In any case, I cracked my office door to enjoy his strumming. Makes me more excited for my upcoming trip.
It's Not About Their Art, It's About Their Lives
Myvery rad friend Amy sent me a clipping from the New York Times Sunday Styles section. On it, the photo of a very well-to-do couple posed in a colorful, yet minimal space. He is sitting on a ultra plush violet velvet couch. She is standing near him in a crazy patterned colorful, floor-length dress with a hand on one hip that seemed a natural gesture for someone used to having their photograph taken. On the wall behind them, one of his paintings. It appears to be an older one. Perhaps one of the earlier works that launched his career and his name into the cannons of art history. The couple is John Currin and Rachel Feinstein. Feinstein had an exhibition recently at Lever House and the article featured the couple in conjunction with the event.
As I read, I had very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I can't help to feel my brown eyes become green. I work very hard at my art career and struggle with the financial aspect. How awesome it would be to not have money stand in the way. A Currin work will cost you one million dollars. I can't imagine what that must feel like! In any case, he's a talented painter, so you can't hate on him for that. I had to look up Feinstein's work because honestly, I didn't know she was an artist. I though she was Currin's muse. I checked out what she had at Marianne Boesky Gallery. Her work was good. Not great. So, why is it that her opening is packed with the New York art elite? Was her installation that spectacular? Is it the fame of Currin? Is it because she's pretty?
The latter doesn't hurt. As I read, it was apparent that Feinstein's work wasn't nearly as interesting as who she and Currin are and how they live. The writer goes on to say they are the ruling power couple of the art world and the most potent marital pairing since Pollock and Krasner. I'll expect an artist grant foundation in their name to emerge in the future. Until then, I think it's pretty awesome that they are unapologetic about how they are living. There is still the romantic idea that to be a true artist one must be drug-addled in some way, crazy in some way, socially retarded in some way and poor - well, at least act like you have no money. That may have flown in the 50's and earlier, but that is not the case for artists working today. Most artists that are successful treat their practice as a business. Currin is a business man and is taking care of business. If you are making money from your work, why should you not enjoy the rewards? If I commanded high dollars for my work, I probably wouldn't be driving a 10-year old Focus or have a studio in a basement with very little light. Oh, and the clothes.....(I have drifted into thoughts of some fantastic shopping)!
I've seen artists in my own community behave in such manner. As soon as they started to make big money, their cars got more expensive, their clothes got fancier....How could it not?
To sum up, this article was entertaining and informative. I'm not interested in their political stance although they make mention that they are known for being crazy right wing Republicans and correct this notion by saying they are actually more in the middle. That's really not of interest to me. It's fun to read about artist's lives, but I would rather read about what's really important - the art that they create.
As I read, I had very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I can't help to feel my brown eyes become green. I work very hard at my art career and struggle with the financial aspect. How awesome it would be to not have money stand in the way. A Currin work will cost you one million dollars. I can't imagine what that must feel like! In any case, he's a talented painter, so you can't hate on him for that. I had to look up Feinstein's work because honestly, I didn't know she was an artist. I though she was Currin's muse. I checked out what she had at Marianne Boesky Gallery. Her work was good. Not great. So, why is it that her opening is packed with the New York art elite? Was her installation that spectacular? Is it the fame of Currin? Is it because she's pretty?
The latter doesn't hurt. As I read, it was apparent that Feinstein's work wasn't nearly as interesting as who she and Currin are and how they live. The writer goes on to say they are the ruling power couple of the art world and the most potent marital pairing since Pollock and Krasner. I'll expect an artist grant foundation in their name to emerge in the future. Until then, I think it's pretty awesome that they are unapologetic about how they are living. There is still the romantic idea that to be a true artist one must be drug-addled in some way, crazy in some way, socially retarded in some way and poor - well, at least act like you have no money. That may have flown in the 50's and earlier, but that is not the case for artists working today. Most artists that are successful treat their practice as a business. Currin is a business man and is taking care of business. If you are making money from your work, why should you not enjoy the rewards? If I commanded high dollars for my work, I probably wouldn't be driving a 10-year old Focus or have a studio in a basement with very little light. Oh, and the clothes.....(I have drifted into thoughts of some fantastic shopping)!
I've seen artists in my own community behave in such manner. As soon as they started to make big money, their cars got more expensive, their clothes got fancier....How could it not?
To sum up, this article was entertaining and informative. I'm not interested in their political stance although they make mention that they are known for being crazy right wing Republicans and correct this notion by saying they are actually more in the middle. That's really not of interest to me. It's fun to read about artist's lives, but I would rather read about what's really important - the art that they create.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Black and Buenos Aires
Today, I just sent out a security deposit to the residency program in Buenos Aires. My departure date is quickly approaching although technically it is still more than a month out. I had a conversation recently in which it was suggested to me that I check out how things are in terms of race. I hadn't thought about that at all and took up the suggestion - 'Google - Black people - Buenos Aires'. I have to tell you, what came up was a bit off putting. I read what was posted on the site Expat Argentina: Blacks in Buenos Aires
http://expat-argentina.blogspot.com/2005/04/blacks-in-buenos-aires.html
There were quite a few black people warning to not visit Argentina because racism is very high along with a snobby class attitude. 'The people are rude', 'If you are traveling with someone white, you'll get ignored and your friend will be catered to'....and so it goes. I admit that I don't travel a whole lot because most of the time, its a matter of economics. I feel pretty confident in writing that I think a lot of blacks don't travel more because of the general assumption that you will get poor treatment or be met with hostility on site. I also must admit, I didn't realize that quite a few Nazis fled Germany and took up residence in Argentina. I should have paid more attention in World History! As I continued reading thinking what the hell am I getting myself into, I came to a simple sentence and maybe because I'm getting older and all those sayings I heard as a kid are resonating with me more now. The sentence was plain and simple - People are people. (This makes me starting humming some Depeche Mode, but I'll write about my confused musical tastes another time.)
People are indeed people. There is good and bad everywhere. I've been dissed racially when I've traveled, but I've been dissed in the city I live which happens to be my home town. The first time I went out of the country, I was really nervous because I have never traveled that far away. I went to Greece for a month and then a short visit to Paris, France. Greece was such an eye-opener. The country was absolutely gorgeous and now Greek food is one of my favorites. Most interesting, though, was how I was received. I didn't see very many black people with dark skin. I myself have dark skin. When my traveling companion and I were out and about, I would get stared at. Stared at lot! At first, I didn't think about it too much. As our trip progressed, it did start to wear me out. There was one day I didn't want to leave the apartment. One evening while we were sitting out on the terrace, I expressed my anxiety over this. My friend's aunt told me something that I never considered. First, she said that most blacks in Athens are from Africa and they are rich. The area of Athens we were living is good, but not especially a wealthy spot. When people are looking, they are probably thinking A. you're African and B. what are you doing slumming?. The second thing is, if you want to look at someone or something - you look. In the states, we are taught that to stare is to be rude. It was all very enlightening to me and it helped to change my perception and attitude. I took this new attitude with me to France. Sure, the bartender was unfriendly. Maybe he didn't like Americans or blacks or women or who knows and who cares. There were plenty of friendly French people that made me want to return.
So, what it really comes down to is the self. The only thing you can do is keep a healthy attitude while traveling to another country or traveling around your own country. While in Buenos Aires, I anticipate that most people will be confused as to where I'm from. According to the Expat site, most will think I'm from Brazil. I have twisty dreads, so some will probably think I'm Jamaican or African. Only until they hear me speak, will they find that I'm American. I'll be a walking guessing game. It happens to me sometimes here as well. I still occasionally surprise a person when I say I'm from Omaha, NE because they naturally think I'm from some place else. Must be my lot in life. In any case, traveling is an opportunity to debunk stereotypes, myths and a chance to see another part of the world.
So, I got some immunization shots yesterday. Within the next week, I have to order my materials for my art project and most importanly - find more money for this trip!
http://expat-argentina.blogspot.com/2005/04/blacks-in-buenos-aires.html
There were quite a few black people warning to not visit Argentina because racism is very high along with a snobby class attitude. 'The people are rude', 'If you are traveling with someone white, you'll get ignored and your friend will be catered to'....and so it goes. I admit that I don't travel a whole lot because most of the time, its a matter of economics. I feel pretty confident in writing that I think a lot of blacks don't travel more because of the general assumption that you will get poor treatment or be met with hostility on site. I also must admit, I didn't realize that quite a few Nazis fled Germany and took up residence in Argentina. I should have paid more attention in World History! As I continued reading thinking what the hell am I getting myself into, I came to a simple sentence and maybe because I'm getting older and all those sayings I heard as a kid are resonating with me more now. The sentence was plain and simple - People are people. (This makes me starting humming some Depeche Mode, but I'll write about my confused musical tastes another time.)
People are indeed people. There is good and bad everywhere. I've been dissed racially when I've traveled, but I've been dissed in the city I live which happens to be my home town. The first time I went out of the country, I was really nervous because I have never traveled that far away. I went to Greece for a month and then a short visit to Paris, France. Greece was such an eye-opener. The country was absolutely gorgeous and now Greek food is one of my favorites. Most interesting, though, was how I was received. I didn't see very many black people with dark skin. I myself have dark skin. When my traveling companion and I were out and about, I would get stared at. Stared at lot! At first, I didn't think about it too much. As our trip progressed, it did start to wear me out. There was one day I didn't want to leave the apartment. One evening while we were sitting out on the terrace, I expressed my anxiety over this. My friend's aunt told me something that I never considered. First, she said that most blacks in Athens are from Africa and they are rich. The area of Athens we were living is good, but not especially a wealthy spot. When people are looking, they are probably thinking A. you're African and B. what are you doing slumming?. The second thing is, if you want to look at someone or something - you look. In the states, we are taught that to stare is to be rude. It was all very enlightening to me and it helped to change my perception and attitude. I took this new attitude with me to France. Sure, the bartender was unfriendly. Maybe he didn't like Americans or blacks or women or who knows and who cares. There were plenty of friendly French people that made me want to return.
So, what it really comes down to is the self. The only thing you can do is keep a healthy attitude while traveling to another country or traveling around your own country. While in Buenos Aires, I anticipate that most people will be confused as to where I'm from. According to the Expat site, most will think I'm from Brazil. I have twisty dreads, so some will probably think I'm Jamaican or African. Only until they hear me speak, will they find that I'm American. I'll be a walking guessing game. It happens to me sometimes here as well. I still occasionally surprise a person when I say I'm from Omaha, NE because they naturally think I'm from some place else. Must be my lot in life. In any case, traveling is an opportunity to debunk stereotypes, myths and a chance to see another part of the world.
So, I got some immunization shots yesterday. Within the next week, I have to order my materials for my art project and most importanly - find more money for this trip!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Jump Off Project and Giving It Up To DIY
As an artist, it is so easy to give in to feelings of neglect (no one cares about me or my work, boo hoo!) and be our own stumbling blocks to getting on with it. Last year, I was awarded a residency at an art facility called Proyecto 'Ace. I can't tell you how thrilled I was because I NEVER get awarded residencies. This is my first one. I proposed to make a large-scale wallpiece depicting images of the video vixens of hip-hop. They would have punching bags for heads made with leather, grommets and ribbon. Each figure would be life sized and have puppet strings around the ankles and wrists made with glass beading. This image came to me while watching the V-H1 documentary Sexploitation On the Set. The arguments for are the women who perform in the videos being exploited or are they in control kept me interested and got me thinking. Here is one of the graphite drawings I made after watching the program:
Seeing that I had just received a rejection letter that day, I felt like taking some more rejection on and sent my dreaming out loud across the internet and would expect a rejection from them within two weeks if not sooner. To my surprise, the good people at Proyecto 'Ace liked the project idea and accepted it! To top it off, it's in the beautiful location of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Does it get any better?! I can't believe it. Come May 15, 2011, I have to travel to Argentina to make give prints of women in heels wearing thongs with punching bag heads!
Well, the truth about residencies is they cost some money to do. Unless you own nothing and have no address, you will be shelling out some cash in order to drop out of your daily life to live if only for a short while, the artist lifestyle you thought you'd be living 24-7. So, here I am figuring out how to get myself down there. A friend in my community who is also an artist suggested that I try raising money by having an art sale with my work. He was kind enough to donate his quite awesome studio space to me for one night. Next thing I knew, friends rallied around me, cards were donated for the announcement and this thing turned into an actual fund raising event. It was great! We made half my goal and put a good dent into my travel funds. It was a fine lesson about reaching out to your community for help. Artists definitely need to do that more often.
Seeing that I had just received a rejection letter that day, I felt like taking some more rejection on and sent my dreaming out loud across the internet and would expect a rejection from them within two weeks if not sooner. To my surprise, the good people at Proyecto 'Ace liked the project idea and accepted it! To top it off, it's in the beautiful location of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Does it get any better?! I can't believe it. Come May 15, 2011, I have to travel to Argentina to make give prints of women in heels wearing thongs with punching bag heads!
Well, the truth about residencies is they cost some money to do. Unless you own nothing and have no address, you will be shelling out some cash in order to drop out of your daily life to live if only for a short while, the artist lifestyle you thought you'd be living 24-7. So, here I am figuring out how to get myself down there. A friend in my community who is also an artist suggested that I try raising money by having an art sale with my work. He was kind enough to donate his quite awesome studio space to me for one night. Next thing I knew, friends rallied around me, cards were donated for the announcement and this thing turned into an actual fund raising event. It was great! We made half my goal and put a good dent into my travel funds. It was a fine lesson about reaching out to your community for help. Artists definitely need to do that more often.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)