I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for a free online “healing art retreat,” but I didn’t expect it to be as relaxing as it was.
Continue readingCategory: Art
#964: Have art in an exhibit
I could choose to believe the Art of Community exhibit organizers accepted every submission they got.
I could choose to believe the reviewer only picked my painting because it fit in a particular space in the exhibit.
Continue reading#958: See the exhibition Don’t mind if I do
This exhibition made me mad. Or, I guess, it made me acknowledge how I’ve been mad for almost 4 years.
The concept was interesting and intriguing–a conveyor belt upon which were pieces of art from various artists that viewers were invited to pick up and experience tactilely. The only “rule”? That people wear a mask, out of respect for the artist and to allow the greatest accessibility to other visitors; there were masks available for this purpose.
Continue reading#950: Be called an artist
True, it was at the start of a rejection email for a piece I submitted to an exhibit.
Also true: I only submitted something because I’d been to the gallery before and seen plenty of pieces I could have created, so I thought the bar was pretty low.
Also true: It probably was very low.
#941: SculptureCenter
I’ve run by the side street where the SculptureCenter is located at least 10 times over the past few years without having any idea it was there.
It might be because the area surrounding it mostly consists of construction sites.
#883: Go to a comic book convention
I went there. I listened to a panel made of women who weren’t very good at talking about what the panel was supposed to be on. I pushed through the exhibit area where people were selling things I didn’t understand.
Mostly though, I stared at the attendees, wondering how we could all be of the same species and yet so different.
#840: Try an adult coloring book
As much as I’ve always loved coloring books, I’ve had negative feelings about the so-called “adult coloring book” craze.
For one reason, it makes it seem as though adults shouldn’t be using coloring books unless the images are specifically made with them in mind. Continue reading “#840: Try an adult coloring book”
#804: Make a pinata
It was awesome. Continue reading “#804: Make a pinata”
#793: Present Tension
A gallery downtown had an exhibit last week called, “But is it Art?” that played on the post-modern dilemma (or maybe not even a dilemma but just a question any regular person asks when viewing art these days) of what is considered art. Is it art if you could do it yourself in 5 minutes? If your kid could? What about if your dog could?
I didn’t see the exhibit because I was held captive by a powerful sinus infection, but yesterday I saw an exhibit that I feel like could be an extension of that one.
“Present Tension” was a series of “somatic studies” that you complete with a partner–either a stranger or someone you brought with you. Continue reading “#793: Present Tension”
#742: It’s Not You
The art of the breakup text. Has anyone mastered it? Based on this exhibit that pairs paintings and prints with text messages the artist, Allison Wade, has either received or sent during real breakups, I’m going to guess the answer is no.
The exhibit is hilarious but also stirs up a feeling of comfort, like arriving at our childhood home, or settling down on the couch to slurp some soup, because who hasn’t been there? Who hasn’t either sent or received a ridiculous message that could only look more ridiculous when slapped against a painted background or set into a wooden frame?
#722: Be part of Art Basel
I’m not sure whether everyone who participated in The Sketchbook Project got an email saying their book would be displayed in Miami as part of an exhibit, or whether mine was chosen randomly, or whether someone actually went through all of the books to decide which ones should go (not likely). Regardless, I’m glad it’s there.
It’s easy to think art doesn’t really matter at a time like this, when it’s starting to feel like we’re stuck in a shameful part of an American history book and can’t seem–don’t know how, aren’t trying hard enough–to get out of it. Continue reading “#722: Be part of Art Basel”
#716: American Fine Craft Show
I’m not really sure how I ended up winning free tickets to this craft show at the Brooklyn Museum, but I’ve deduced that it’s probably from entering a contest to win a piece of art and getting the consolation prize instead.
Which to some might be disappointing, especially if they don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on hand-crafted items that will, at best, sit in their apartments waiting to be admired by guests who don’t come over often since said apartment is only 200 square feet, and at worst be put in a box of “someday” things that await a living location somewhere that provides space for such items.
#667: If You Build It
Presented by No Longer Empty, which has brought such gems as a creepy old bank vault in Queens, this exhibit was less dark and more cheerful overall. Held in an under-construction building in Harlem that will soon be affordable housing, a child care center, and a children’s museum, the space highlighted the potential of what was coming without dwelling too much on what had passed.
Except for a part of the exhibit that showed Wanted posters, describing non-white men being wanted by the police for basically standing around. This part was decidedly depressing, mostly because the posters did such a good job of explaining why these young men were stopped on the street (which was “no reason,” or “because they weren’t white”). And I can’t help but draw the connection between the exhibit and the current events in Missouri. I also can’t help but note that I will never know what that feels like. Continue reading “#667: If You Build It”
#648: Participate in street art
There is a strong possibility this random structure on the high line masquerading as “art” is really just a way for a crazy guy to collect donations to fund his own hobbies.
#629: A Mercantile Novel
In the past, I’ve thought that some contemporary art is just an excuse to showcase things that no one else understands (but can’t admit it or else they’ll seem unsophisticated). I still think that. But I will support it as long as it opens a space for exhibits like this one.
“This one” being Oscar Murrilo’s A Mercantile Novel, which is essentially a small-scale chocolate factory, churning out chocolate-covered marshmallows for the public.
#618: Own art from a museum
The Paweł Althamer, “The Neighbors” exhibit at the New Museum was one I’d meant to visit but didn’t get around to in time. Luckily, this is an example of bad timing turning into good timing.
Now that the original exhibit has ended, they’re cutting up the wall and letting visitors take home pieces. As someone who loves museums but not necessarily the hands-off aspect of them, I just think this is so extremely cool.
Not only do I now own a piece of art that was hanging in a museum, but it’s one that was contributed to by so many people in the city. I can see the multiple layers of paper plastered over one another, and the many vibrant colors painted on top of each other, and though I have no idea who exactly painted the part I have, or what the larger picture looked like, I can imagine what a diverse set of human beings worked together–mostly unknowingly–to create this one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
#593: THE(UN)FAIR
It’s Armory Arts Week, which means art shows, benefits, and events throughout the city. I’m me, which means I will attend a free show because even though I want to support art and artists and creativity, I’m too much of a sucker for free things.
Luckily for me, there’s THE(UN)FAIR, a show full of slightly off (though when we’re talking about art, who can really determine what is or isn’t “normal”?) pieces. Continue reading “#593: THE(UN)FAIR”
A New Thing Every Day 