The Experiment Chronicles: June 9, 2009
Occasionally, I provide a behind the scenes update of what’s going on in the office. I’ve decided to start calling that update, “The Experiment Chronicles” because the point is to expose what we’re learning along the way with this first event, which we’ve often called “The Experiment.”
Local Artists
It’s been an accurate assumption that local artists have an advantage in finding a venue. They live here, they know the territory and know a lot of property owners who have been involved in past art events. However, it’s been exciting to hear how many local artists are planning a new work. Maybe because they know the city intimately, they are using ArtPrize as a chance to do site specific work.
Sponsors
We’ve been talking with potential sponsors since the ArtPrize announcement. Several have expressed interest is using the opportunity to bring in artists they feel passionate about who are not on artprize.org, which would widen out the variety of work showing. We’re excited to see what happens when these works are mixed with all of the other artists who are coming here in a more DIY fashion.
Venues
We’ve seen the matching process start to organically happen. In the last week many artists completed their profile and reached out to venues. Admittedly, it has not been as smooth as we had hoped, but we’ve been tackling a list of changes to the site to streamline the process. Some changes are already made, some are coming soon and others we’ll have to save for next year because we’ve still got to build the voting mechanism.
As a local artist who doesn’t know many people I am finding it difficult to be matched with a venue. It seems that many venues are reaching out to well established artists and quietly turning away artists who are new at this whole thing (or placing them in a holding pattern until more artists submit). It is disconcerting because I was under the impression that this competition was a social experiment that was hoping to expand the discussion with the artist and the general public. How exactly is this going to happen if we are eager to promote established artists but hesitant to reserve spaces for artists who have never had gallery representation? I remain undaunted (mostly) and am pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, and calling people; this has lit a new fire…but I still wonder.
For the record, I think you all are doing a fabulous job and that ARTPRIZE is a huge opportunity for artists and for the State of Michigan’s economy.
I love the flexibility of the application eligibility as I have applied with a collaborative group.
So, just so you know, there are very happy artists out here as well!
For Art’s Sake,
Sher Fick
on behalf of TAKE CARE Artists
http://www.n-cap.org/take_care.html
Uma,
That is a very fair assumption and analysis. The “experiment” was true until they got a little worried and recruited known artists. You can feel the new tone to the “experiment”. Well known artists, first crack at prime venues ( where the registration is at, the place to be for votes). The bottom line is -the winner will be a well known artist. If it is not- it will be someone who uses other methods to get out the vote. Driving people down to register, advertising, door to door marketing. All the standard techniques for a political vote. If you disagree then just look at it logically- don’t assume that a mass of people will take time out from their lives and go to all the venues and take notes on what was best or not. People are busy trying to survive. They will register, vote, and IF they have time will look at some other places. Clearly if this is in any way going to be fair there must be more places to register. It’s that simple, and places where it is easy to register.
There is always going to be an issue regarding fairness when the prize money is the amount in question. I shudder to think what the ramifications will be if the final artists list and map is as problematic as the web site registration seems to have been.
But I think the more interesting question is what will the ” largest art competition in the world” really mean in terms of it’s place in the real art world. What does it say about a competition where the partnering sponsor is also selecting the artists for the only two most prominent,centrally located exhibition spaces? And will every artist that gets match be announced with the fanfare that the UICA curated artists have been? Fairness should dictate such a thing.
And why all this build up about creating a new way of dialoging about art, a new “experiment” in the way art is showcased only to end up having these two exhibition spaces filled with artists in the means that any other gallery or exhibition space would go about it- curating the artists they want. Don’t get me wrong I’ve always felt that the idea of a office space or parking lot owner selecting the artists for the ” largest art competition in the world” would have little credence in the eyes of the real art world. It’s a silly idea. But I never expect such back pedaling in terms of their own mission.
To my thinking, ArtPrize is not a “silly” idea, but a timely and audacious one. Artists have been handed an opportunity to create a splendid and powerful event that supports the assertion that art matters to a society. It’s success will be determined by high caliber artists who are not fearful of participating in an event that promises exposure for artists working at all levels of competency. The Prize itself is not nearly as important to me as the opportunity to participate.
Our discussion at lunch today, wife and I, was over WHY the necessity to bring in or allow ‘big names’. So there will be a draw with the upper end crowd, those that buy, that folks that are in the money will feel comfortable asking to dinner, or to the cottage? Remember this was STARTED by someone that literally closed off the city for his personal fire works display, one that outdid that of the City of GR.
So Virginia, what I think folks are saying, slowly, is that be an Angel, but don’t predestine persons to come in that will make you comfortable with them at your side. Hard to see Suzie Art student, raking up her $50, and getting a bottom prize (good for her!) and having her day of glory.
What folks are REALLY saying is ” IS THE PLAYING FIELD REALLY LEVEL?”