(e)merge day three


That somewhat odd pic of me was taken at (e)merge by Tim Tate.

Today was the last day, and even though people traffic was a little slower, towards the 4PM hour, it increased and then suddenly there were five good sales at once: one of the very cool self contained video installations by the very young John Miles Runner (who I think was the hit of the MFA room), two paintings by Sheila Giolitti and three more drawings by yours truly.... yeah buddy!

The hot wire known as Mera Rubell dropped by the space during the day (she'd also come by the day before to chat), bringing in some of her friends and colleagues, and said some very nice things about both my work and Giolitti's paintings. Several of them stayed behind after she left, chatting and asking for business cards. That dynamo of a woman is something else, and her presence in the DC art scene is electric; I also met her gigantic husband, who is also a very nice guy.

Who was the (e)merging star from (e)merge? I predict that it will be Wilmer Wilson IV. The kid was on fire and I am told that some key collectors were picking up the photographs of his performances. Get him now (I've already have and plan to get some more).

Was (e)merge a success? Only time and 2012 will tell, but as an experienced art gallery participant (as critic, artist and dealer), I can tell you that (e)merge's success can be best measured by the fact that in its first year, it felt like an established art fair. I know, I know... were people buying art? That's the key question and the main one that gallerists use to measure a fair's success, especially in these times of financial austerity.

However, and lacking any empirical financial/sales data, it certainly "felt" like most other successful art fairs: some galleries appeared to do well, some appeared to have broken even (always a "success") and some appeared to have sold nothing. That's what happens at every art fair on the planet.

However Number Two: (e)merge is more (at least for the DMV) that just a fair:

(a) It sparked a satellite fair which in turn gestated a couple more satellites of its own; this is good for our art scene.

(b) It brought a small number of art collectors from New York and other places to DC instead of the other way around and I think they were pleased.

(c) It broke through the art apathy of the Washington Post, even if it was the typical snarkellitist diatribe of Philip Kennicott (did you notice that I've just invented a new word?) Note to the WaPo: Next time send Michael O'Sullivan please.

(d) It brought cool, new (and even snarkier) art bloggers to DC.

(e) It was a key element in getting the immensely talented Victoria F. Gaitán hooked up with Conner Contemporary.

(f) It will prove to be the launching pad for Wilmer Wilson IV's art career and I'm betting that several other unrepresented artists will be picked up by galleries.

(g) It got semi-naked people into the Skyline Hotel's pool - that's tame by Miami standards, but a first for a Washington art event.

(e)merge 2012 coming up...

Academy 2011 and (e)merge

Mark this down on your calendar: Saturday, July 9, 2011 for three "not to miss" art events at Conner Contemporary:

- (e)merge panel discussion - 5pm

- ACADEMY 2011 opening + (e)merge party: 6-8pm.

First: Saturday, July 9th - the panel at 5pm; party 6 to 8pm. Conner Contemporary Art and (e)merge art fair will host a panel discussion: Collecting and Emerging Art. Panelists include: Robert Shapiro, collector, Henry Thaggert, collector, Melissa Ichiuji, artist, Alberto Gaitan, artist, Victoria Reis, Director, Transformer Gallery. The panel will be moderated by Helen Allen, co-director of the (e)merge art fair.

The (e)merge panel discussion begins at 5pm; directly followed by (e)merge art fair party and Academy 2011 opening.

ACADEMY 2011, is Conner's 11th annual invitational survey of outstanding work by MFA/BFA students from the Washington/Baltimore area.

Exhibition founder and curator, Jamie Smith, Ph.D. invited the following artists to participate:

Artists: Sarah Allison, Forest Allread, Emily Biondo, Woojin Chang, Caroline Covington, Michael Dotson, Dan Gioia, Ginny Huo, Adam Junior, Libby Landauer, Linling Lu, Jon Malis, Jonathan Monaghan, Elle Perez, Melissa Prentki, Camilo Sanin, Samuel Scharf, Sierra Suris, Virginia Wagner. That's Linling Lu, One Hundred Melodies of Solitude - Lighthouse II, acrylic on canvas, c. 2011 on the left.

Representing institutions: American University, Corcoran College of Art and Design, George Washington University, Maryland Institute College of Art, and University of Maryland.

Check out the exhibition online here.

(e)merge art fair now accepting applications

(e)merge art fair NOW ACCEPTING GALLERY, ARTIST APPLICATIONS ONLINE

The third edition of the (e)merge art fair will take place October 3 – 6, 2013, in Washington, DC, at the Rubell Family’s Capitol Skyline Hotel.

Last year, 80 exhibitors presented rising talent from the Americas and Europe at (e)merge. More than 5,500 art supporters engaged with painting, sculpture, digital media, performance and installation works by 152 artists from 24 countries in both our gallery and our artist platforms.

The DC region is home to one of the nation’s wealthiest, youngest, most highly educated populations. (e)merge provides inside access to a rapidly expanding cultural market with immense economic power.

EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS (CLICK HERE)

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED

GALLERY PLATFORM APPLICATION (CLICK HERE)
The Gallery Platform application deadline is May 31 and notifications will be sent out in June.

• Exhibitors may present 1-3 artists in each room
• Art being presented may include works in all media: installation, painting, photography, new media, performance, sculpture, works on paper, and video
• Artists presented should not have had a solo exhibition in a major museum or Kunsthalle.

ARTIST PLATFORM APPLICATION (CLICK HERE)
The Artist Platform application deadline is May 18 and notification will be sent out in June.

(e)merge is the only art fair that gives free exhibition space to artists without gallery representation. If you are an artist who is currently unrepresented by a gallery and has not yet had a solo exhibition in a major museum or Kunsthalle, (e)merge is your forum for discovery.

Artists whose proposals are accepted by the selection committee will be provided with exhibition space at the Fair free of charge.

To be eligible for artist exhibition space artist applicants must:
• Be currently without gallery representation
• May have had solo gallery shows, but may not have had a solo exhibition in a major museum or Kunsthalle.
• Whereas work in all media will be carefully considered, projects involving experimental works in non-traditional formats are especially encouraged. Such work may include installation, conceptual art, performance, new media, or the inventive use of materials to express challenging concepts.

Additional information on the EXHIBITOR SERVICES page: CLICK HERE

For additional questions/information: info@emergeartfair.com

Wanna be in the (e)merge art fair?

If you are a member of the WPA, then this is a "no-brainer" and a must do; if you're an artist and not yet a member of the WPA, then you've run out of excuses! Join the WPA now and be part of the (e)merge art fair - that alone is worth your membership fee and adds a nice bullet to your artistic CV.

This gets me to thinking about the WPA and art fairs... I do a lot of art fairs and all of them, just like (e)merge, offer special deals, prices and programs for non-profits such as the WPA is... and having the experience of many art fairs, I can tell you right now that the format and program that the WPA will be showcasing at (e)merge is going to be a winner.

This opportunity is a great idea and can grow into a whole new line of opportunities for the WPA's membership.

And not just a winner in the DMV, but this presentation and format will work in New York, Miami and perhaps even LA! So WPA... after (e)merge, why not take your membership to other art fairs around the nation? You've got a winner with this idea...

Call me.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: WPA Members Work on Paper  at the (e)merge art fair

DEADLINE: Friday, August 24, 2012, 5pm
WORK DROP-OFF: September 10 - 14, 2012, 10am-6pm
WORK PICK-UP: October 15 - 19, 2012, 10am-6pm
CONTACT: Blair Murphy, Program Director, 202-234-7103 x 1 or bmurphy@wpadc.org
ONLINE REGISTRATION

VIEW CALL AT WPADC.ORG

Washington Project for the Arts is pleased to announce a call for 8" x 8" works on paper by WPA Member Artists to be on view and for sale in WPA's room at the (e)merge art fair, from October 4 - 7, 2012. All current WPA members are invited to submit one 8" x 8" work on paper. Work submitted MUST be 8" x 8" and must be delivered without a mat, mounting or a frame. If a member artist wishes to submit a work that is smaller than 8" x 8", it must be submitted mounted to an 8" x 8" sheet of paper. WORK THAT IS LARGER THAN 8" X 8" WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
            
Each work will be exhibited on the wall of WPA's room in a grid for at least one full day of the fair. Work will be installed on the wall using removable adhesive mounting squares. When not displayed on the wall, work will be stored in a presentation case and must fit into one of the clear display sleeves.
              
Registration, Drop-off and Pick-up
Current WPA member artists who wish to participate must register online by August 24, 2012 at 5pm by submitting their contact info, cv, work details, and one image of the work they would like to include through this online form. 
                
All work must be dropped off at the WPA office at 2023 Massachusetts Avenue between September 10 and 14, from 10am to 6pm. You will be notified via email by October 11 if your work has sold. Unsold work must be picked up at the WPA office between October 15 and 19, from 10am to 6pm.
          

If you are unable to drop your work off in person, but would still like to participate or have any other questions regarding the submissions process, please contact Blair Murphy, Program Director, at 202-234-7103 x 1 or bmurphy@wpadc.org

  

WPA Member Artists who submit must agree to the following artist agreement:
Washington Project for the Arts will take a 30% commission on Member Works on Paper that are sold. Work will be insured by WPA while it is in WPA's possession. Unsold work must be picked up at the WPA office by October 19, 2012. WPA will not be held responsible for the work after that date. I hereby release WPA, its board of directors, employees, and volunteers and agree to indemnify and hold them harmless against all claims arising out of damage to my artwork arising in connection with my participation in the WPA Member Flat File. I understand that acceptance of my work does not guarantee free admission to the fair.

The place to be this Saturday is...

Mark this down on your calendar: Saturday, July 9, 2011 for three "not to miss" art events at Conner Contemporary:

- (e)merge panel discussion - 5pm

- ACADEMY 2011 opening + (e)merge party: 6-8pm.

First: Saturday, July 9th - the panel at 5pm; party 6 to 8pm. Conner Contemporary Art and (e)merge art fair will host a panel discussion: Collecting and Emerging Art. Panelists include: Robert Shapiro, collector, Henry Thaggert, collector, Melissa Ichiuji, artist, Alberto Gaitan, artist, Victoria Reis, Director, Transformer Gallery. The panel will be moderated by Helen Allen, co-director of the (e)merge art fair.

The (e)merge panel discussion begins at 5pm; directly followed by (e)merge art fair party and Academy 2011 opening.

ACADEMY 2011, is Conner's 11th annual invitational survey of outstanding work by MFA/BFA students from the Washington/Baltimore area.

Exhibition founder and curator, Jamie Smith, Ph.D. invited the following artists to participate:

Artists: Sarah Allison, Forest Allread, Emily Biondo, Woojin Chang, Caroline Covington, Michael Dotson, Dan Gioia, Ginny Huo, Adam Junior, Libby Landauer, Linling Lu, Jon Malis, Jonathan Monaghan, Elle Perez, Melissa Prentki, Camilo Sanin, Samuel Scharf, Sierra Suris, Virginia Wagner. That's Linling Lu, One Hundred Melodies of Solitude - Lighthouse II, acrylic on canvas, c. 2011 on the left.

Representing institutions: American University, Corcoran College of Art and Design, George Washington University, Maryland Institute College of Art, and University of Maryland.

Check out the exhibition online here.

(e)merge's performance and critics

I've been scrubbing what art critics have been writing about the second iteration of DC's (e)merge art fair, which...
(a) they all agree has become the world's leading "performance art fair" and
(b) mostly get overwhelmed by sooooo much performance offerings that they get Artomatic Syndrome and
(c) are unable to have the brain power to process sooooo much performance,
 and then shut down after the first two or three and call it a day some, (such as the CP's fired-then-rehired art scribe), even make some newbie reporting mistakes (but hey - not the first time... right?). You get what you pay for...

But - and this is a nice surprise - the Pink Line Project's Eames Armstrong delivers what is the best piece on (e)merge's spectacular delivery of performance art. It is clear that Armstrong didn't just hang around the Skyline's Hotel's cool bar, drinking on the job after just watching a couple of performances, but returned to (e)merge a few times, watched several artists and then put down some intelligent thoughts for a superlative and insightful review of (e)merge's best offerings in their surprising unique strenght: performance art.

Bravo Zulu Eames! Check him out here.

Artist Opportunities Spring 2013

Visual Arts: One Million Bones

Deadline: Ongoing

One Million Bones is a large-scale social arts practice, which means we use education and hands-on artmaking to raise awareness of genocides and atrocities going on around the world, this very day. We are collecting artwork bones for a collaborative installation of 1,000,000 bones on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from June 8th-10th, 2013. This installation will serve as a collaborative site of conscience to remember victims and survivors, and as a visible petition to raise awareness of the issue and call upon our government to take much needed and long overdue action. We need more bones! We are looking for individuals, groups, and organizations to host bone making events! For more information, contact Kathleen McEuen at Kathleen@onemillionbones.org

 

Visual Arts: Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2013

Deadline: April 5, 2013

Chesterwood, a National Trust Historic Site, calls for entries for Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2013, a juried exhibition of outdoor sculpture in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Glenn Harper, editor of Sculpture magazine, is the guest juror of this group exhibition, which will be on view from Saturday, June 22 to Thursday, October 31, 2013. Chesterwood is the country home, studio and gardens of America’s foremost sculptor of public monuments, Daniel Chester French (1850-1931). This year marks the 35th anniversary of Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood. Sculpture proposals may be in any medium but must be suitable for long-term outdoor exposure and of an appropriate outdoor scale. Please read the complete call for entries for instructions on how to apply online.

 

Visual Arts: Mezz Gallery at Artisphere Call for Entry, 2014-15

Deadline: April 28, 2013
Proposals will be accepted from individual artists, arts groups, organizations, and curators who live, work, study or maintain a studio in Arlington County. Jurors are Jackie and Philippe Loustaunau, collectors, and Sarah Tanguy, curator and independent curator and arts writer.

Visual Arts: 2013-2014 Annual Grants Program Application, Pasadena, CA

Deadline: May 15, 2013

We are pleased to announce that the 2013-2014 Annual Grants Program Application and Guidelines are now available online. All applications are due to the Cultural Affairs Division office by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 15. The Annual Grants Program provides opportunities for local arts and culture organizations and individual artists to reach the Pasadena community through interesting, relevant and high quality programs. For more information about the Annual Grants Program Application, Guidelines and free Technical Assistance Workshops, please visit the Cultural Affairs Division online or call (626) 744-7062.

 

Artists Residency: Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA)

Deadline: May 15, 2013

The VCCA is a year-round community that provides a supportive environment for superior national and international visual artists, writers and composers of all economic and cultural backgrounds to pursue their creative work without distraction in a pastoral residential setting.

 

Visual Arts: (e)merge art fair > Now Accepting Artist Applications

Deadline: May 18, 2013The third edition of the (e)merge art fair will take place October 3 – 6, 2013, in Washington, DC, at the Rubell Family’s Capitol Skyline Hotel. Last year, 80 exhibitors presented rising talent from the Americas and Europe at (e)merge. More than 5,500 art supporters engaged with painting, sculpture, digital media, performance and installation works by 152 artists from 24 countries in both our gallery and our artist platforms.  (e)merge is the only art fair that gives free exhibition space to artists without gallery representation. If you are an artist who is currently unrepresented by a gallery and has not yet had a solo exhibition in a major museum or Kunsthalle, (e)merge is your forum for discovery. Artists whose proposals are accepted by the selection committee will be provided with exhibition space at the Fair free of charge.

 

Visual Arts: VSA 2013 Emerging Artists Program – Call for Art 

Deadline: June 9, 2013
A national juried exhibition of emerging artists, ages 16-25, with disabilities. Sponsored by Volkswagen Group of America, In/finite Earth aims to showcase artwork that illuminates innovative viewpoints at the intersection of environmentalism, creativity, and disability. This call for art asks artists to engage in the physical, emotional, and creative ties we share across our planet, and present their artistic perspectives regarding the natural world, sustainability, and our collective future. Fifteen artists will be selected for an exhibition in Fall 2013 and will share $60,000 in cash awards.

Visual Arts: Call for Artists:  A Matter of Time at the National Watch and Clock Museum

Deadline: August 30, 2013

The National Watch and Clock Museum of Columbia, PA invites artists to respond to the concept of timekeeping and how it is represented today. Special consideration will be given to those works that
are functional timekeepers as well. So how do you as an artist respond to the concept of timekeeping? This exhibit will be located in the special exhibit gallery in the museum and take place in fall 2013. There is no entry fee.
Visual Arts: 100 Survivors
Deadline: September 2, 2013

Call for submissions for 100 Survivors, a collaborative, web-based photo and video project for women currently in treatment for breast cancer or diagnosed in the past three years. By featuring up to 100 women and their work, 100 Survivors hopes to inform and inspire by looking beyond "awareness" and "supporting the cause" and focusing on the experiences of actual women with breast cancer. Unique perspectives on breast cancer and identity are welcome and encouraged.

VSA & Accessibility

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

202-416-8898

vsainfo@kennedy-center.org

Wodzianski and (e)merge

In the last two years, many have noted that (e)merge has somewhat carved out a niche for itself in the area of performance art. And there is some very strong merit in this assessment - after all, who can forget Andrew Wodzianski’s exhausting performance while re-enacting the shipwreck scene from Moby Dick and floating in the Skyline Hotel's pool atop a coffin for two days?

Wodzianski is back for 2013 (e)merge, this time doing “Self Portrait as Jack Torrance.” In this endurance-based performance, “the artist replicates the obsession of Stephen King’s protagonist/antagonist in The Shining. Repetitively typing a prescriptive proverb inside the hotel lobby, the artist, acting as Jack Torrance, is condemned to artistic failure.”

To help with the performance there's a Kickstarter campaign going on - Check it out and contribute here and check out Andrew's performance next week at the (e)merge art fair -- October 3-6 at the Skyline Hotel.

(e)merge day two

Whatever ends up happening with (e)merge - and I think that good things will happen - one issue is clear: they have brought in the crowds.

People were constantly streaming in throughout the day, and very heavy at night. It is clear the buzz of (e)merge has worked in bringing in people to the Skyline Hotel, and the question now is: "is anyone selling artwork?"

I can only discuss what's happening on the third floor, since I haven't had the time or opportunity to escape room 313 and visit the other galleries on the second floor, but today was the first day that red dots began to show up in the rarified upper floor of the fair, as most of the spaces there were selling work today.

My dealer sold a massive 7 feet by 7 feet woodcut by Virginia artist John Miles Runner (currently living in Japan - see image above) to a Baltimore collector. She also sold one of my video drawings (yay!) to a well-known DC art collecting couple who have recently re-located as well as a couple of loose drawings.

That's Tim Tate below reversing the process on art paparazzi and uberartcollector Steve Krensky.



And that's someone checking out two of my video drawings. The one on the left is the one that sold.



Tomorrow is the last day - let's hope it doesn't rain when we all have to compete for the elevators to take the art to the street and reload all the vans and trucks... come see some artwork!

The Phillips Collection to award Emerging Artist Prize

On October 5th, Phillips Director Dorothy Kosinski and Curators Klaus Ottmann and Vesela Sretenovic will select the winner of The Phillips Collection Emerging Artist Prize from works on display at the third annual (e)merge art fair. The award is the first of its kind for the museum.

“We are honored and thrilled that The Phillips Collection will award a prize to an artist exhibiting at (e)merge this year. The Phillips Collection Emerging Artist Prize will provide curatorial recognition and financial support for an emerging artist at a critical moment in his or her international career, said Jamie Smith, co-director of the (e)merge art fair  and one of the equally hardworking co-owners of Connersmith.

The winner will be announced during a panel discussion at (e)merge art fair, and the chosen work will become part of the Phillips’s permanent collection.

“This prize gives the Phillips the opportunity to support not only DC’s local creative community, but also to benefit from the international reach of this fast-rising art fair. We’re excited to continue the Phillips’s long history of supporting emerging artists through this partnership," added Klaus Ottmann, Director of the Center for the Study of Modern Art at the Phillips.

This is a very positive new development for the DMV's relationship with our local museums; well done to the Phillips!

After I stroll through (e)merge next week, I will try to predict, within three works, which piece the Phillips will acquire.

(e)merge art fair's Call for Volunteers

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: (e)merge art fair
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS (Click here to view this as a .pdf online.)

WHAT: The third edition of the (e)merge art fair is coming right up and they need your help! Every year, volunteers provide instrumental support to their team by working the box office, assisting with production, and creating an inviting and warm atmosphere for fairgoers. Volunteers receive complimentary admission to one day of the fair for each shift worked. As a volunteer, you will also have the opportunity to engage with artists, curators, collectors, and industry professionals throughout the 4+ days of the fair. All volunteers must attend an Orientation session in advance of the fair (details forthcoming).

WHEN: The following represents the schedule of volunteer shifts for the 2013 (e)merge art fair, which runs from 5:00 PM, Thursday, October 3 through 5:00 PM, Sunday, October 6. Please note that a shift can run from 4-5 hours, depending on your availability:

Tuesday, October 1 (production): 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 2 (production): 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 3: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fair Hours: VIP/Press Preview 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Opening and Concert 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday, October 4: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fair Hours: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 5: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fair Hours: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 6: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fair Hours: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

WHERE: The Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 “I” Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 (Green Line: Navy Yard Metro)

WHO: Students, artists, art enthusiasts…all are welcome to apply. Some event volunteer/management experience is preferred (but not required), with a big plus for art fair experience. Reliability, strong customer service orientation, flexibility, positive attitude, and sense of humor required.

HOW: Email a resume, cover letter, and availability to info@emergeartfair.com with “Volunteer Application” in the subject line. Interviews will be held from September 13-14, 2013.

(e)merge day one

I never got to the pool deck last night, but I was told by reliable sources that at one time about 1500 people were jamming the Skyline's famed pool area for (e)merge's opening party.

"Some folks were jumping in the pool and swimming around in their clothes or their underwear," reported the very young reporter from one of the newspapers' covering DC's cool new art fair.

"Was anyone naked?" asked you-know-who.

"Naw..."

OK, so maybe next year.

The pre-opening party night was packed, as I reported yesterday, and (as an astute observer of the DC art scene) I can tell you that there were a lot of new faces, in addition to the usual suspects; this is a good thing... and I've never seen so many gigantic women in one place in my life. Where are all these Amazons coming from all of a sudden?

Meander: Did I mention that I was involved in a car (actually van) crash on the way to the fair? Don't ask.

I have my work in room 313, as I am being represented by MFA, my hardworking Virginia dealer.

I have three video drawings there; this is the one (which is hanging in the bathroom... oh yeah - The Lenster tricked out the head into a cool mini gallery), which has been gathering the most commentary:

Obama Agonistes. Charcoal on 300 weight paper with embedded video player and continuous loop video. Matted and framed under glass to 16 x 32 inches. Circa 2011 by F. Lennox Campello

On Thursday night, I managed to piss off members of both the vast left wing nuthouse and the even vaster right wing conspiracy.

"How dare you show our President looking so vulnerable and desperate?" questions the LWNH card-carrying member. I try to explain a little, but get interrupted: "There have been NO failures!" he almost shouts and stomps off.

Later on I catch it from the right. "I don't like the way that you pretend that this guy even cares about anything but his political agenda," notes the card-carrying member of the VRWC; I start to explain, "He's not worth the paper on this drawing," ha adds (I think) as he walks off.

Interesting how in Washington, politics even come seeping into narrative artwork; but we all knew this, right?

But that was all last night.

Tonight, after I arrived I aimed for Flashpoint and bought one of Kenny George's art slot machines; I had my eye on them last night and didn't want to become one of those "I'll be backs" who comes back and the piece is gone.

Essentially, Kenny George buys discarded slot machines, early table sized video games, pin ball machines, etc. and re-designs them so that they are each an individual work of Kenny George art. At $400 each, the fully functional slot machines (he rebuilds them) are the best deal in the entire art fair. There are two left, go buy them now.



That's me (on the left) and Kenny below, flanking my new art acquisition:



Later on the night, the amazing Mera Rubell dropped by and we spent quite a while chatting about DC and our art scene. Rubell is an amazing magnet - that's the best way that I can describe her. Before she left room 313, Sheila Giolitti's work caught her attention (always a good thing, uh?) and she popped back in and discussed it with the artist.

I had been hearing a lot of buzz about Wilmer Wilson IV's performance from various people ("His performance was amazing," noted Prof. Chawky Frenn), and later on I ran into him in the halls and Wilson was still buzzing, as he had just finished it. He looked both exhausted and primed for more action - if that's even possible.

I predict that Wilson will be offered representation this weekend: this is sort of what (e)merge is all about - at least in part - right?

Tomorrow: Back for the whole day this time.

(e)merge art fair opened yesterday in Washington DC

The (e)merge art fair opened yesterday and runs through Sunday, October 7th at the Capitol Skyline Hotel in Washington, DC. The fair features new talent presented by an international mix of 80 exhibitors showing art from 152 artists from 24 countries.

(e)merge combines an exhibition platform for galleries and nonprofit spaces with that for vetted projects by unrepresented artists. Both platforms present new works by emerging artists in performance, installation, painting, sculpture, and video on multiple levels of the hotel.

EXHIBITOR LIST: HERE

(e)merge will present panel discussions on performance art and arts funding at 2pm on Friday and Saturday afternoons. The fair will also include artist performances, interactive works, large-scale installations, and special projects.

PANELS + PERFORMANCES: HERE

Thursday, October 4: 7pm - 11pm
Preview Opening Party and Concert by Thievery Corp with Eric Hilton
Friday, October 5: 12pm - 7pm
Saturday, October 6: 12pm - 7pm
Sunday, October 7: 12pm - 5pm

The Capitol Skyline Hotel
Washington, DC
http://www.emergeartfair.com

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.”

(e)merge art fair deadline approaching!

(e)merge art fair NOW ACCEPTING GALLERY, 

ARTIST APPLICATIONS ONLINE

The fourth edition of the (e)merge art fair will take place October 2-5, 2014, in Washington, DC, at the Rubell Family’s Capitol Skyline Hotel.

The DC region is home to one of the nation’s wealthiest, youngest, most highly educated populations. (e)merge provides inside access to a rapidly expanding cultural market with immense economic power.

EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS (CLICK HERE)

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED

GALLERY PLATFORM APPLICATION (CLICK HERE)
The Gallery Platform application deadline is May 30 and notifications will be sent out in June.

Additional information on the EXHIBITOR SERVICES page: CLICK HERE

For additional questions/information: info@emergeartfair.com

Major moves

There seem to be all kinds of moves going on around the DMV these days; The Washington Project for the Arts, one of the DMV's leading artist service organizations and contemporary art presenter has announced that the “organization will move to street-level office and gallery space in The JBG Companies' Atlantic Plumbing mixed-use residential and retail development in the U Street Corridor cultural district. As WPA marks its 40-year anniversary milestone in 2015, the new space matches the forward-looking vision for the future of the organization with unprecedented opportunities to expand programming and increase impact within the Greater Washington area.”

WPA will move into 1,500 square feet in the main Atlantic Plumbing building at 8th and V Streets NW - adjacent to the 9:30 Club, DC's renowned music venue - by early fall of 2015, which coincides with the launch of the organization's 40th anniversary celebration.

"We are thrilled to offer our artists and the community a dedicated exhibition space. Combining WPA's administrative offices with new galleries in such a visible, flexible, contemporary space will greatly enhance our programming capabilities," said WPA Executive Director Lisa Gold. "We are imagining exciting new possibilities for our artists, partners, and supporters to experience art and engage in dialogue. And, as we approach this important anniversary milestone, this new space is a transformative step towards an illustrious future for WPA." 

 "WPA is a perfect fit with our vision for Atlantic Plumbing," said Robin Mosle, a JBG Executive Vice President. "We are pleased to partner with this inspiring and longstanding arts organization to bring new access to a wide range of art - not  only to Atlantic Plumbing, but to the immediate community recognized for its rich arts heritage."

The WPA space fronts 8th Street NW and will include a gallery to house exhibitions and events, staff offices, and retail space for original artists' works. The space will operate Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. with occasional evening events.  

 "The U Street corridor is an ideal home for WPA, given its artistic spirit, history, and diversity," said Kim Ward, chair of the WPA Board of Directors. "Since its founding, WPA has programmed and presented exhibitions in a variety of spaces - remaining versatile and responsive to the art of the times, while acting as a leader in creating partnerships with other arts organizations and institutions. We will continue to do that from a location that will provide a strong community hub for the arts with expanded room for programming and exhibitions."

Also moving are art entrepreneurs Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith, who have  announced they are seeking the next DC home for their powerhouse CONNERSMITH gallery and the (e)merge art fair office. Recently, Smith and Conner accepted an offer from the Capital Fringe Festival to purchase their art space in NE Washington, DC.

Smith and Conner moved their business from Dupont Circle NW to the Trinidad neighborhood in NE DC in 2007 when they purchased an auto body shop at 1358 and 1360 Florida Avenue, NE. The art entrepreneurs converted the two-story building and courtyard into an arts space at a time when the area was known for multiple homicides and police checkpoints.

In the renovated space, CONNERSMITH presented, free to the public, 56 solo exhibitions and 10 group shows of art by established, mid-career, and emerging artists, including Leo Villareal, Zoë Charlton, and my former mentoree, the immensely talented Wilmer Wilson IV. A gallery hub formed with the arrival of neighboring galleries, demonstrating the transformative power of art within a resilient community. While based in Trinidad, CONNERSMITH supported its artists’ exhibitions in museums and biennials nationally and abroad and made over 32 presentations at international art fairs. In 2011, Smith and Conner launched (e)merge, DC’s own international contemporary art fair.

“This transition is a natural evolution for us,” said Conner, “We programmed the Dupont Circle space for eight years and our Northeast space for seven years. Now, we are excited to expand our international presence and digital reach while establishing a new exhibition base in DC.”

“Strengthening our international relationships will advance the missions of CONNERSMITH and (e)merge,” explained Smith. “The gallery and the fair are competitive in the global art market and both strive steadily to contribute to DC’s growth into a world destination for contemporary art.”

Smith and Conner are very enthusiastic about Capital Fringe’s acquisition of the property and look forward to the space’s continued arts usage with the realization of Fringe’s vision for their festival’s new permanent home.

CONNERSMITH will celebrate its last exhibition in the Florida Avenue, NE space with the opening of the annual student show, Academy 2014, and pre-fair party for (e)merge, on July 12, 6-9 pm. WaPo story with some misquotes inaccuracies here.

(e)merge now accepting applications

(e)merge, the new, DC-based art fair focused on emerging artists and galleries with emerging art, just announced that it is now accepting applications from galleries, nonprofits and artists without gallery representation.

The Fair will take place September 22-25, 2011, at the Rubell family's Capitol Skyline Hotel in Washington, DC.

Applications are available on (e)merge's Web site and the deadline to apply is Monday, May 2nd and acceptances will be sent out by early June.

It is clear to me that this is a prime opportunity for unrepresented DMV area artists (well... any unrepresented artist!). In fact, my advice to every single one of you who is not represented by a gallery and who thinks that their work merits to be examined and vetted, is simple: do not miss this golden opportunity.

Why?

As an experienced art fair participant, art fair visitor, art fair rejectee, and art fair observer, I know that this fair model is a new model. This is something new... the goal here, as implied by the cool fair title with the even cooler parenthesis around the (e) - I must find out whose brilliant idea that was - is to put the loupe on galleries who show emerging artists and on unrepresented artists.

What is the ultimate goal? I would guess that at least a partial goal would be to expose (maybe (e)xpose?) the huge numbers of highly talented and original artists out there whom are unrepresented and who may do well with the right gallery.

I am such a fan of this novel idea. Remember when I curated "Seven" for the WPA in 2005? That was one of my goals as well, and one that in my not so humble opinion I succeeded beyond my wildest expectations.

I selected 66 artists for "Seven" - the vast majority of whom had never (or rarely) exhibited in the DMV - I then took my then fellow gallerists in personal tours of the huge exhibitions in the seven galleries of the Warehouse complex... by my last count, about a dozen then unrepresented artists found gallery representation because of that show, including a couple which arguably have become the art star of their respective galleries.

Of course, I scored the biggest hit of them all... I found my wife and the love of my life because of that show...

See what can happen when you mix good people, good thinkers, and good ideas with art?

Volunteers for (e)merge art fair

(e)merge art fair is looking for energetic, efficient volunteers to assist with various aspects of the  fair. No experience is necessary, but knowledge of the art field or experience with art events is preferred. This is a valuable experience for anyone involved with or  interested in contemporary art. 

(e)merge will take place at the Capitol Skyline Hotel October 4-7, 2012. 

Volunteers will be invited to an orientation at the hotel prior to the event. Whether you want to assist for a day, or for the duration of the art fair, dedicated volunteers are essential to the success of the fair and deeply appreciated. 

If interested or have any questions please contact Irene Clouthier at irene@emergeartfair.com

(e)merge art fair announces galleries and artists

The (e)merge art fair returns for a third year with the 2013 edition featuring an international roster of 80 exhibitors presenting works by 150 artists from 30 countries. 

Exhibitors will show new works in painting, sculpture, video, performance, installation, and other media.

For four days, the public is welcome to view a carefully curated selection of emerging art at the Capitol Skyline Hotel, exhibited on three levels inside the hotel and throughout the hotel's grounds and public spaces.

GALLERY PLATFORM > galleries and non-profit art spaces:

AUSTRIA: Bäckerstrasse 4 , Vienna | BELGIUM: NOMAD, Brussels | FRANCE: galerie bruno massa, Paris | GERMANY: Blink Media Art, Frankfurt / ROCKELMANN&, Berlin | ITALY: metroquadro, Rivoli | THE NETHERLANDS: Amstel Gallery, Amsterdam | SWITZERLAND: Aureus Contemporary, Basel | U.K.: Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London / Vane, Newcastle upon Tyne | U.S.A.: Alida Anderson Art Projects, Washington, DMV / Animals + Fire, Washington, DC / C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD / Charles Krauss/Reporting Fine Art, Washington, DC / CONNERSMITH., Washington, DC / DCCAH, Washington, DC / Flashpoint Gallery, Washington, DC / Gallery A, Richmond, VA / Gallery C, Raleigh, NC / Goya Contemporary, Baltimore, MD / Hamiltonian Gallery, Washington, DC / Julian Navarro Projects, Long Island City, NY / Pleasant Plains Workshop, Washington, DC / Present Company, Brooklyn, NY / Print/Collect, Baltimore, MD / Segal Projects, Los Angeles, CA / slow, Chicago, IL / sophiajacob, Baltimore, MD / Transformer, Washington, DC / Victori Contemporary, New York, NY / Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, DC

ARTIST PLATFORM > independent artists:

Joey Alzamora, Washington, DC | Benjamin Andrew, Baltimore, MD | Selin Balci, Istanbul, Turkey / Annapolis, MD | Holly Bass, Washington, DC | Tiffaney Bishop, Ferny Creek, Australia | Catherine Borg, Baltimore, MD | Alex Braden, Arlington, VA | Mandy Cano Villalobos, Grand Rapids, MI | Karla Caprali, Belem, Brazil / Miami, FL | Maya Ciarrocchi, New York, NY | Julie Combal, Brooklyn, NY | Nancy Daly, Baltimore, MD | Brian Davis, Woodbridge, VA | Imani Dennison, Washington, DC | Patrick Donovan, San Francisco, CA | Double A Projects, Brooklyn, NY | Dave Eassa, Baltimore, MD | free[space]collective, Washington, DC | Max Gomes, São Paulo, Brazil | Tristan Hamel, Helsinki, Finland | Jesse Harrod, Toronto, Canada / Harrisonburg, VA | Linda Hesh, Alexandria, VA | Markus Hofer, Vienna, Austria | Jihyun Hong, Seoul, Korea / Baltimore, MD | Monica Jahan Bose, Bangladesh / Washington, DC | Benjamin Jones, Northampton, PA | Magnolia Laurie, Baltimore, MD | Kirsty Little, Chevy Chase, MD | Raewyn Martyn, Oamaru, New Zealand / Richmond, VA | Lavar Munroe, Nassau, The Bahamas / Montgomery Village, MD | Nara Park, Seoul, South Korea / Baltimore, MD | Dan Perkins, Washington, DC | Thomas Petzwinkler, Washington, DC | Camden Place, Washington, DC | Flore de Preneuf, Louveciennes, France / Washington, DC | Nick Primo, Baltimore, MD | Sean Naropa Robinson, Washington, DC | Christto Sanz + Andrew Weir, Doha, Qatar | Danielle Scruggs, Washington, DC | Judith Seligson, Alexandria, VA | Paul Shortt, Washington, DC | Alette Simmons-Jimenez, Miami, FL | Sophia Sobers, Budd Lake, NJ | Eduardo Terranova, Cali, Colombia / New York, NY | Borjana Ventzislavova, Sofia, Bulgaria / Vienna, Austria | Adam Void + Chelsea Ragan, Asheville, NC | Daniel Wilson, Nova Scotia, Canada / Brooklyn, NY | Andrew Wodzianski, Washington, DC

FAIR HOURS AND ADMISSION
Thursday, October 3
5pm – 7pm / (e)merge VIP & Press Preview. By invitation only.
7pm – 9pm / OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW
9pm - 11pm / Concert by the Pool with MIAMOUNA YOUSSEF (live set) and John Thornley of U.S. Royalty (DJ set)
Admission is $35 advance purchase, $50 at the door.

To purchase tickets: CLICK HERE.

Friday, October 4: 12pm – 7pm
Students with valid ID free: 12pm – 3pm
Saturday, October 5: 12pm – 7pm
Sunday, October 6: 12pm – 5pm

Daily admission is $15; $10 for Seniors and Students with valid ID.

www.emergeartfair.com

Location:
Capitol Skyline Hotel
10 “I” Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024

(e)merge needs volunteers

(e)merge art fair is looking for energetic, efficient volunteers to assist with various aspects of the  fair. No experience is necessary, but knowledge of the art field or experience with art events is preferred. This is a valuable experience for anyone involved with or  interested in contemporary art. 

(e)merge will take place at the Capitol Skyline Hotel October 4-7, 2012. 

Volunteers will be invited to an orientation at the hotel prior to the event. Whether you want to assist for a day, or for the duration of the art fair, dedicated volunteers are essential to the success of the fair and deeply appreciated. 

If interested or have any questions please contact Irene Clouthier at irene@emergeartfair.com