The show, as a whole, is garbage
So writes JT Kirkland as he trashes what has been called the worst Whitney Biennial of all time.
Kirkland is kinder to some, including Zoe Strauss when he writes: Zoe Strauss' photos are thought-provoking, quiet, striking and humble. They feel very real... well, because they are.
Read Kirkland's review here.
Unfortunately, in the WB they have a hard time grabbing a viewer's attention... even when shown as a slideshow. One must sit down and just look to get swept up in Strauss' world.
But, while I viewed the show I lost count of the number of people who walked in and out almost immediately looking for the next porn video or loud sound. Speaking of loud sounds... the curators really hurt Strauss' show by allowing the incredibly loud noises from neighboring installations to creep into her space.
Strauss' work is more enjoyable when in silence. But silence allows thought and the curators couldn't have that. Funny thing is that Strauss' work stood up to the noise and certainly could have handled silence.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Opportunity for Artists
Deadline: April 15, 2006
unRappahannock County, Virginia is a juried exhibition of themes and visions contrary to the scenic, small town, and natural settings of Rappahannock County, VA. The gallery is looking for work that captures visions of urban sprawl, waste, pollution, traffic, mass culture, etc.
Open to artists living in DC, MD, PA, VA, and WV.
Jurors: Jane Livingston, who is a well-known independent author and curator living in Rappahannock County and Chris Johns, Editor in Chief of National Geographic Magazine.
Size Limit: No larger than 42" in length or width. No 3D works or prints (monoprints & photos accepted). Work must have been created within the last two years.
Prizes: $600 in cash awards. 30% commission to gallery.
Dates: Show June 2 - July 2.
Entry Fee: $25/1-3 slides labeled with name, title, medium, dimensions.
Send slides and application fee to:
Middle Street Gallery
P.O. Box 341,
Washington, VA 22747
Include SASE for return of slides. Info at 540-675-3440.
Irvine's new space
Martin tells me that it's all done and that Irvine Contemporary has signed the lease for Fusebox's old space at 1412 14th Street, NW.
And the fair Heather sent me the below pic showing the new space entrance.
They will be moving in May 1st, and having a kickoff party on May 12th.
This coming Friday Irvine will be hosting Susan Jamison & Robert Mellor’s solo exhibitions and the farewell to their old space.
Opportunity for UMD artists
Deadline: April 13, 2006
The Union Gallery at the University of Maryland has a call for artwork for Unjuried II, a campus-wide showcase of student creativity.
All University of Maryland students are invited to exhibit their artwork in an upcoming exhibition at the Union Gallery, located in the Stamp Student Union.
This unjuried student exhibition will open on April 29th and run through May 12th. The exhibit will be on display during Maryland Day and Art Attack! One piece of artwork from the exhibition will be selected for purchase by the Union with a purchase award of $400.
Submissions are accepted from all UM students (not just art majors). That means all you architecture, journalism, theater, music, landscape architecture, English and yes, even Engineering students are encouraged to submit! The exhibition is also open to acts that can be performed in the Union Gallery, such as readings and musical performances.
Registration forms are available on the Union Gallery website at www.union.umd.edu/gallery or can be picked up in the Art and Learning Center and the Union Gallery.
Registration forms are due by April 13th. No late registrations will be accepted.
There is a limit of two (2) submissions per student and only one (1) piece is guaranteed entry in the show. Artwork may not exceed five (5) feet in any dimension and must be finished work that is presented in a professional manner (i.e., mounted, framed or otherwise ready to hang or display). Please include directions for hanging or displaying.
All work must be dropped off on Thursday, April 20th or Friday, April 21st , between noon and 6PM.
Got questions? Please contact them at uniongallery@umd.edu or visit their website at www.union.umd.edu/gallery.
Phillips Collection Launches Interactive Online Catalogue
The Phillips Collection is now providing worldwide access to its American art collections with the launch of a new interactive online program.
The virtual catalogue, American Art at the Phillips Collection, is centered on a timeline of world events, providing a context for 150 years of American art. It features detailed biographies of nearly 150 artists and full-screen images of hundreds of works.
Check it out here.
Trawick Prize Deadline Coming Soon!
Deadline: April 10, 2006
The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District is accepting submissions for The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards. The 4th annual juried art competition awards $14,000 in prize monies to four selected artists. Deadline for slide submission is Monday, April 10, 2006 and up to fifteen artists will be invited to display their work from September 5 – September 29, 2006 in downtown Bethesda at Creative Partners Gallery, located at 4600 East-West Highway.
The competition will be juried by Ashley Kistler, Curator at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond; Jack Rasmussen, Director of the Katzen Arts Center at American University in Washington, D.C. and Gerald Ross, Director of Exhibitions at Maryland Institute College of Art.
The first place winner will be awarded $10,000; second place will be honored with $2,000 and third place will be awarded $1,000. A "young" artist whose birth date is after April 10, 1976 will also be awarded $1,000.
Artists must be 18 years of age or older and residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C. Original painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, fiber art, digital, mixed media and video are accepted. The maximum dimension should not exceed 96 inches in any direction. No reproductions. Artwork must have been completed within the last two years. Selected artists must deliver artwork to exhibit site in Bethesda, MD. All works on paper must be framed to full conservation standards. Each artist must submit five slides, application and a non-refundable entry fee of $25.
The Trawick Prize was established by local business owner Carol Trawick. Ms. Trawick has served as a community activist for more than 25 years in downtown Bethesda. She is the Chair of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and past Chair of the Bethesda Urban Partnership. Ms. Trawick is the owner of an Information Technology company in Bethesda, Trawick & Associates.
Jiha Moon from Annandale, VA, was awarded the 2005 "Best in Show" with $10,000; Dean Kessman of Washington, D.C. was named second place and was given $2,000; Denise Tassin of Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000 and the 2005 "Young Artist" award of $1,000 was given to Michele Kong of Baltimore, MD.
For a complete submission form, please visit www.bethesda.org or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc.
c/o The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards
7700 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
Good Arts Related Job
Individual Gifts Officer: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Closing date: April 14, 2006.
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Individual Gifts Officer is responsible for creating and implementing strategies and programs which generate ongoing unrestricted and designated funding from individual donors.
He/she will be responsible for developing and managing patron affinity programs and managing a portfolio of individual 4 figure gifts and higher. A Bachelor's degree is required with a minimum of three years of demonstrated success in fund raising, including cultivation and solicitation of donors.
Knowledge of art and or cultural organizations and contemporary art are a plus.
Salary: $54,272-$84,559. Please see Announcement Number 06JW-6072 at www.sihr.si.edu for a full description of the position and for application instructions.
