Live & direct from the belly of the beast

Last Words, First Blood

This blog is the result my inability to say 'no.' Just as I fought the urge to build a webpage for my artwork; which is now grossly outdated and in disarray, I succumbed to the urge to develop yet another platform for my rants. The first platform is my art studio, and the second is my once again bi-weekly column for the local newspaper.

...Back to the birth of Post Modem Discourse...

First and foremost, I’m an artist. And as an artist, I'm constantly looking for opportunities to create and further dialogue. After being approached by the Director of ATHICA, Lizzie Zucker Saltz, with the possibility of curating an exhibition I was a little hesitant. However, I realized that this would afford me the opportunity to see what the other side of the exhibition coin looked like. For I have numerous rejection letters in my archive. And this task would give me insight as to what constitutes a 'rejection' and how the selection process works. After discussing the show with a friend of mine, she suggested that I create a blog to share my curatorial experience, as a benefit for those not privy to the bisniss side of art. So, what follows is a brief rundown of what it was like to curate RACE (enter personal politics).

All in all, the majority of the submissions received were relevant to the theme, and compelling. However, after comparing and contrasting the nearly 200 submitted works, the strongest work revealed itself and is ably represented by the 14 artists presented in this show (there was no cronyism involved. I don't get down like that). Submissions were mostly from the continental U.S., with one coming from Germany. Oddly enough, most of the artists are 'coastal' - meaning East and West- with several exceptions.

As for inside tips, I'm not sure what to say except follow the rules. Supply all requested materials in a timely fashion (resy, statement, etc.) , give as much substantial written support to

your work as possible (background info, research, etc.) 'cause it ain't all about the visible, and don't flood (or nag) the review committee with unsolicited additional materials. It's (almost) as simple as that.

Even before the opening, I received compliments for putting together such a strong exhibition, but the artists did all of the real work. Every individual that was kind and bold enough to share their creativity, in an effort to contribute to the dialogue that Race (Enter Personal Politics) will initiate, deserves much more credit than I do. The sheer power of the work provides for the possibility of contemplation and revelation, and it is my pleasure to share it with the community.

It’s been a rewarding challenge, and I’m looking forward to the next time.

....Now, on to present matters.....

As I said above, for a little over 3 years I have written a now bi-weekly joint for the local for the newsprint. In short, I inquired about a gig (with no tangible experience to speak of) and was given a shot. No clips, no diploma, no cred, no nothin'. 'Cept way too many questions. Since I begun my column, I've developed an audience that it would have taken eons to cultivate. I'm talking from the "Whitest" to the "Blackest", young (as in middle school), old, Northern, Southern, liberal, conservative folks are reading my ish. Why? God only knows, but alas here we are.

The other reason that we are here is because although my readership cuts a pretty decent swath across the local public, I don't get to talk about everthing that I'd like to - in the manner that I'd like (and boy, do I like to talk). However, according to my wife, there are some things that I probably shouldn't say. So, I'll be careful - not! After all, we're here, in cyberspace and I can say whatever I want without recrimination, right? Well, I know better than that, and I'll eventually become annoyed with the limitations of the internet. Then I'll take up a cowbell, sandwich board, and megaphone. You'll see me on a street corner, raising Cain about absolutely nothing, or extolling the virtues of coffee.

Contrary to what the blog description says, I have no earthly idea what I'll do with this space - as far as regularity is concerned. I'm in grad school fulltime, I work fulltime, and I'm married fulltime, so....time is precious. However, I'm sure that something in this great world of ours will force me to fire off a missive. Plus, I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm relatively computer savvy, but this is virgin territory for me. So stay tuned. Anything can happen. Resistance is futile....It's time to discourse.....

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