Bethesda Literary Festival

The Bethesda Literary Festival takes place in various venues throughout Bethesda April 28-30 April.

We will be hosting three authors this year:

On Saturday, April 29, 2006 the Fraser Gallery hosts Frank Warren, sole founder, curator of the PostSecret Project and editor of the best-selling book of the same title. Commencing at 7PM, Warren will be discussing the project and the book and signing copies of the book.

On Sunday, April 30, commencing at noon, we will be hosting author Barbara Kline as she discusses her behind-the-scenes memoir: White House Nannies, which reveals the nation's capital as you've never known it before.

Also on Sunday, commencing at 1:30PM, talented area photographer Grace Taylor will speak and answer questions about her book, A Tibetian Odyssey. Taylor spent a month in Tibet and her book contains many images and comments from her journal. When Taylor had a show of her Tibet images in Baltimore, Glenn McNatt, art critic of the Baltimore Sun, wrote that "the art of photojournalism lives in the strong, black and white works of Grace Taylor" and also "Taylor has a wonderful sense of light and shadow and a natural empathy for people that allows her to suggest something of her subjects' personalities through the smallest gestures and most fleeting expressions."

Bring your own book or they will be available for sale from the authors. To reserve a copy of any of the books ahead of time, call 301/718-9651 or email us at info@thefrasergallery.com.

Opportunity for Photographers: Slideluck Comes to DC

Deadline: April 28, 2006

Slideluck Potshow I: Washington, DC.

Born in the tiny living room of a NYC photographer who is fond of food, drink, friends, and photos, Slideluck Potshow is a slideshow and a potluck all at once.

This has grown into an inspiring and spirited event that regularly brings hundreds of creative folk to interesting New York City venues.

To get a better sense of what this event is about, then visit this website for photo galleries from past events, archived slideshows, feedback, or even recipes.

And now Slideluck comes to DC in a surprising venue!

They are looking for submissions and this is your invitation! Show them anything you like, but keep in mind, you are allowed a maximum of five minutes. There is no theme, so feel free to submit portraits, stories, outtakes from a job, personal work, it's up to you.

The submission guidelines can be found at this website.

Ignore the dates on the site, and keep in mind these two:

Submission Deadline: Friday, April 28th, 2006.

Show Date: Saturday, May 6th, 2006 at the Numark Gallery.

After you have prepared your submissions, email Karine Aiger for FTP instructions.

Then, bring a tasty dish (you MUST bring some kind of dish/food), and something good to drink, and join them for a fantastic slideshow!

More on Google and Miro

Theory Now's Mark Cameron Boyd, in response to Cindy Engquist's previous points on the subject:

Your "understanding" of the issue is absolutely correct, in that "for visual arts, an image was protected but not an idea or concept... so no one can copy Dali's melting watches, but anyone can paint a melting watch of their own." This is one of the risks that artists take, in addition to the "risk" of even making "art," that their work is no longer "their own" once it enters the "public arena."

In addition to the "meaning" of their work being misinterpreted, misunderstood or misrepresented, artists have to realize that it can be appropriated and even "misused" for other purposes than their own. However, Ms. Engquist is correct in her assumption that Google does not have "the right to exploit any artist’s work for its own marketing purposes," but they are already more than questionable in their "marketing" procedures, as the information about possible Chinese "dissidents" that Google has reportedly released to the Chinese government approaches nothing less than criminal negligence.

Ms. Engquist states: "Even if misuse of an idea of an image or concept is not legally enforceable, the damage to the artist and the impact on the artist’s future income can be significant." True, but only those who have the time and money to engage in extensive litigation over the "misuse" of their images, or the supposed misuse of an "idea," will be able to determine these "intellectual property issues" for the rest of us.

Call for Artists

I'll be jurying our 10th Annual Juried Competition, and now is the time to start preparing as entries are due May 19, 2006.

All the details, entry forms and prospectus are at this website.

More on Google and Miro

Reader Cindy Engquist offers a different point of view in my issue with Google and Miro posted here. Cindy writes:

This is not pettiness at all. This is an intellectual property issue, a marketing issue, and a legal issue.

Google’s "party line" is that they are "honoring" artists by doing interpreted renditions symbolizing the the artists’ work in their Google logo, but the fact of the matter is, Google is using the artists’ concepts and ideas for Google’s own profit. From a marketing standpoint it is very creative, timely, and differentiating that Google does an ever-changing representative logo. It helps to make them distinctive as a search engine and a company. But Google does not have the right to exploit any artist’s work for its own marketing purposes without paying for the right to use the artist’s work, not to mention without even asking permission for temporary rights.

This is a legal as well as an ethical issue.

The team at Google is either: a) creative and exploiting; or b) creative and uniformed about the legal and ethical ramifications of what they are doing. I would hope it’s merely the latter, because some people might be willing to forgive them for being uniformed as long as they make reparations. However, there’s really no excuse for a business of Google’s stature to be uninformed.

The team at Google is not doing this out of goodwill (by so-called "honoring" the artists). Anything like this is always about money.

Best regards,

Cindy

I responded to Cindy that as far as intellectual property, it was my understanding that for visual arts, an image was protected but not an idea or concept... so no one can copy Dali's melting watches, but anyone can paint a melting watch of their own. Cindy responded that she "believe[s] that there is a rather large gray area between misuse of an image and misuse of an idea or concept. Even if misuse of an idea of an image or concept is not legally enforceable, the damage to the artist and the impact on the artist’s future income can be significant. I am aware of this through my own work, my research and work in the art licensing world, and my work and interactions with artists and graphic designers."

PostSecret Talk and Booksigning

On Saturday, April 29, 2006 the Fraser Gallery is honored to host Frank Warren, sole founder, curator of the PostSecret Project and editor of the best-selling book of the same title. Commencing at 7PM, and as part of the Bethesda Literary Festival, Warren will be discussing the project and the book and signing copies of the book (bring your own or available for sale at the gallery).

Frank Warren is the sole founder and curator of the PostSecret Project, a collection of over 30,000 highly personal and artfully decorated postcards mailed anonymously from around the world, displaying the soulful secrets we never voice.

A New York Times best seller, PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives (ReganBooks) is Warren’s first book. In 2006, his PostSecret website (which receives over 3,000,000 visitors every month) was awarded six weblog awards including "Best American Blog" and "Blog of the Year."

His WPA/C exhibition of PostSecret cards was called by the Washington Post "One of the five best art shows in 2005."

Warren has appeared on the Today Show, 20/20, CNN, MSNBC, CBC, NPR and Fox News. USA Today called Warren: "An award winning Blogger, a first-time author, an artist with a traveling exhibit, a possible documentary subject, the inspiration for a music video and the all-around media ‘it’ boy of the moment."

In 2005 The All American Rejects approached Warren about using images of actual PostSecret images in their "Dirty Little Secret" music video. They offered Warren $1,000 but instead he asked them to donate $2,000 to 1(800)SUICIDE where Warren is a volunteer. The donation was made and the music video became one of the most requested on MTV. The National Mental Health Association will be presenting Warren with an award later this year for his work in raising public awareness about suicide.

Warren continues to receive between 100 and 200 postcards everyday. He updates his website on Sundays and is working to produce four more PostSecret books.

Germantown, Maryland is where Warren, his wife and 11 year-old daughter call home. He continues to call himself an "accidental artist" because he has no artist background or training. "I have been asked many times why I started this. It still feels to me as though this project found me. All I try to do is make the right decisions every day to protect the integrity of the project – and learn to trust the journey."

The discussion and book-signing is free and open to the public and will start promptly at 7PM. To reserve a copy of the book call the gallery at 301/718-9651 or email us at info@thefrasergallery.com.

Affordable Studio Space

From 190 square feet for $206 month to 970 square feet for $1053 month, utilities included.

Shown Wednesdays 6-8PM at 6925 Willow NW in DC or call 202/882-0740 or visit this website and then click on A. Salon.

This is why we need more voices

Three critics look at the same show, in this case Connie Imboden at the new Heineman Myers Gallery in Bethesda. Two offer intelligent views and one dismisses it without a second thought.

Glenn McNatt in the Baltimore Sun.

Jessica Dawson in the Washington Post (scroll down).

Kriston Capps in the Washington City Paper.

One more opening

In addition to all the openings listed here, there's one more opening taking place tomorrow, Sunday April 23: Harvardwood, DC launches itself at Project 4 Gallery on U Street this Sunday, April 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. as they are hosting a special viewing of Terrie Pipa's oil and watercolor exhibit "Small Gestures." The launch party is free.

Petty

This is a new high in pettiness.

Home

Back home from the Left Coast, but with a ton of work to do! More later...

Airborne today and heading to California... more later.

Openings

April 19. "Drawings" at Robert Brown Gallery. Works by William Kentridge, Trawick Prize finalist Linn Meyers, David Nash, Kojo Griffin and others. Opening reception on Wed. April 19 from 6-8PM. Through May 13, 2006.

April 20. "For Women By Women" Photo Exhibit from Turkey at Warehouse Gallery. Reception for the benefit of a Women's Shelter in Urfa as part of the "For Women By Women" Photo Exhibit. Reception/Happy Hour on Thursday April 20, 2006 6 - 9 pm. Space is limited. Please RSVP by 19th of April at fwbw@art4development.net or call 877/580-6670.

April 21. Norman Parish will open the fourth of six group exhibitions commemorating the Parish Gallery’s fifteenth anniversary in Georgetown. Opening reception on Friday, April 21, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Artists in this group show include Carreno, Elliott, Garemedhin, Farrell-Johnson, Lesser, Piechocinski, Plotkin-Mates, Miller, Roberts, Stuelpnagel, Underwood, Van Esso, Van Helsland, Woodson, and Young.

April 21. "Russian Realism 2006" at Principle Gallery in Alexandria. Reception Friday, April 21 from 6:30-9PM. Forty contemporary and Soviet era realist works.

April 21. "Adam Ross: Recent Work" at Numark Gallery. Opening reception on Friday, April 21 from 6:30-8PM. Show goes through May 27, 2006.

April 22. "MFA Thesis Exhibition" at American University's Katzen Arts Center. Reception 6-9PM on Saturday, April 22 and open studios 4-9PM. The exhibition goes through May 7, 2006.

April 22. "Crossings." New photo collages by Judith L. Smith at Gallery West's new location in Old Town Alexandria. Opening reception on Saturday, April 22 from 6-9PM. Show goes through May 22, 2006.

April 22 and 23. "Art and Artifacts Show." Featuring the art of Penny Ross Burk and Afrika Midnight Asha Abney and hosted by The Culture Shop. On April 22nd and April 23rd from 11am-5pm. Info: 202-726-2211 or email them at customerservice@cultureshop.com

April 23. "Place and Time." New works by Juan Bernal, Mary Ott and Stanley Wenocur at RAP, temporarily located in Gaithersburg while their new space is being finsihed in Rockville. Opening on Sunday, April 23, 2006 from 3-5PM. The show goes through May 20, 2006 and there's a panel discussion (and dessert!) on Sunday, April 20, 2006 from 3-5PM.

May 6. Amy Lin is an amazing minimalist artist whose work has grown in leaps and bounds over the last year. Her very first solo show ever opens at the Rachel Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center's Gallery in Alexandria with an opening reception on Saturday, May 6 from 4-6pm . The exhibition goes through June 10, 2006.

May 7. "Bobbi Pratte: Lotus" at the Art League in Alexandria. Opening reception on Sunday, May 7 from 2-4PM. Through June 5, 2006.

When artists buy art

When an artist buys original artwork by another artist, I think that it is a special honor. At least I am always highly honored when I sell one of my drawings to a fellow artist.

So you must understand that I am not only honored, but somewhat dazed to find out that Ida Applebroog has bought one of my drawings for her collection.

New name

The Rockville Arts Place, which has been temporarily located in Gaithersburg, MD while their great new space in being built in downtown Rockville, will be renamed VisArts once the move takes place.

The new space looks terrific, and will certainly be one of the key exhibition spaces around the Greater DC area.

Congrats

To DC's former JET Gallery's co-owner, Thomas Robertello, who has just opened the Thomas Robertello Gallery in Chicago.

Good luck Tom!

Printmaking

Union Printmakers Atelier announces that registration is now open for Traditional Printmaking Classes. Sign up to study Lithography (stone and plate), Intaglio (etching, aquatint, drypoint), Relief (wood or linocut) and monotype; methods, techniques, materials and histories will be covered.

For more information or to register please contact Scip Barnhart at 202/277-1946 (sBarnhart@corcoran.org) or Jenny Freestone at 301/408-0660 (freeston@erols.com).

Union Printmakers Atelier is located near the new convention center at 926 N Street Rear, Blagden Alley, Washington DC 20001.

Art in Embassies

Established by the United States Department of State in 1964, the Art In Embassies Program is a global museum that exhibits original works of art by U.S. citizens in the public rooms of approximately 180 American diplomatic residences worldwide.

To submit images to the Art In Embassies Program staff for consideration in upcoming exhibitions please e-mail .jpg or .gif images of your works no larger than 50k in size, to: artinembassies@state.gov. Website: www.aiep.state.gov/index.cfm.

Survey

ArtDC.org is conducting an online artists survey. The goal of this survey is to gain a deeper understanding of the DC area art scene from the artists' perspectives.

Take the survey here.

The Creative Successes of American Arts Funding

Having lived for many years in Europe, I have direct experience with the great benefits and astounding shortfalls of many of those nations' heavy-handed governments, where the massive burocracies of socialist minds are involved in nearly every facet of daily life, including the arts.

Local GMU economist Tyler Cowen has an interesting look at this issue. Cowen is the author of many books, including Creative Destruction: How Globalization is Changing the World's Cultures (Princeton) and In Praise of Commercial Culture.

He is the Holbert C. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University, and his most current book is Good and Plenty: The Creative Successes of American Arts Funding.

Cowen argues that "American art thrives through an ingenious combination of small direct subsidies and immense indirect subsidies such as copyright law and tax policies that encourage nonprofits and charitable giving. This decentralized and even somewhat accidental--but decidedly not laissez-faire--system results in arts that are arguably more creative, diverse, abundant, and politically unencumbered than that of Europe."

More on the book here.