But is it Art? Art Fair

The WCP's Kriston Capps has a very interesting article on a new and fresh concept on a DC satellite art fair to the (e)merge art fair - read it here.

When artists Alex Ventura and Victoria Milko host the But Is It Art? fair from Sept. 22 to Sept. 25, they won’t be putting that question to their artists or audience. They know what they’re doing is art. Their DIY fair is asking a pointed question about another art fair taking place over the same weekend: the inaugural (e)merge art fair.

“We can show as strong a contemporary art show without the development,” Ventura says. “I’m not judging, but it’s sort of a friendly ‘fuck you.’ Contemporary art doesn’t need that setting.”

This is a first heard for me - check out their website here. When Art Basel Miami Beach started in Florida less than a decade ago, it was just them (Art Miami had been around for years, but at a different time). The idea proved so good, that now there are 25 satellite art fairs around the ABMB magnet and even the original art fair (Art Miami) changed their schedule to align with ABMB week in December.

“These people have not contacted us,” Conner says, “but I think it’s fantastic.” She says that (e)merge aims to be inclusive and to broadcast other arts events within the city, including, potentially, But Is It Art? “Casting things as mainstream versus alternative—I’m not sure those are the right terms. If like the Armory, if like Art Basel, if what (e)merge is doing is inspiring others, we’re happy that a satellite is happening.”

Good Pre-Pub Sales (so far!)...

The announcement of the first volume of the three set compendium (100 Washington, DC Artists) caused quite a bit of stir further fueled by my re-write of a drive-by article on the subject.

One of the commenters in one of those articles noted something along the line of "who cares, only 100 copies will sell".

And yet, the pre-orders for the book have been so unexpectedly high that now the book shows out of stock on Amazon until they get their orders fulfilled! in their distribution center.

By the way, for those of you who ordered the book online (including whoever apparently ordered 100 copies!), the publisher tells me that because of the fact that the book just arrived in the publisher's warehouse in PA just last week, it will take anywhere from 3-6 weeks for all distribution centers (both online and brick and mortar bookstores) to receive their stock and replace it in their inventory.

So the book will be back in stock at Amazon as soon as they receive their current orders and their additional orders.

By the way number two: Pencil in 23 July from 3-5PM for the book release party in DC - more details here.