Da booth!

That's the entrance to our booth at Art Wynwood in Miami...mostly video pieces by several DMV area artists....

Cool video sculptures by Sean Hennessey and Tim Tate and light sculptures by Novie Trump, and ahh... sculpture sculptures by Michael Enn Sirvet...

This has been going on for a while

Even while I was in Art School we were aware of the "painting factories" in Asia - mostly in China - where assembly line painting has been pumping millions of paintings on canvas to the rest of the world for decades.

It was only a matter of time before the power of the new technologies introduced a new angle and offer a "painting" on the cheap.

Instapainting, a YC-backed company launching this morning, turns any photo into a hand-painted piece on canvas for under $100 bucks.

If you’ve ever tried to have something like this done before, you probably know: this exists. A few companies have been doing the whole photo-into-art thing for years. Where Instapainting thinks they have them beat, however, is in pricing and speed.

Details here...

Art Wynwood report

On VIP night on Thursday I am told that the fair brought in about 7000 people, which is what many fairs get in total!

Then, Audrey Wilson not only broke the ice by selling one of her wonderful works, but then she sold two of my drawings.... I'm dying to be there!

Friday saw multiple sales of sculptures by Elissa Farrow-Savos, and also multiple sales of video pieces by Tim Tate and sales of two of my drawings!

Snow (ice really) Blues...

And so around mid morning today, the ice plows from the Soviet Socialist Republic of Montgomery County finally shows up and one come through and cleans our street of snow (mostly) and at same time manages to build a four foot wall of ice in front of all driveway... Feh!



But what can one do, right? It's part of the process...

By the late afternoon I had finally managed to take down my wall of ice and also helped a couple of elderly neighbors take down their ice walls....
 
Later in the afternoon.... The snow plow returns for a second pass and rebuilds all walls of ice in front of all driveways...

Down in Miami

While we're all here freezing in the snow... the Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC crew is down in Miami setting up for Art Wynwood, and I hear that Audrey Wilson even had time for a tan... Feh!

2014 Richmond Mural Project

10 Muralists.  2 Weeks.  20+ Murals throughout the City of Richmond

Art Whino returns to Richmond, VA for the third installment of the Richmond Mural Project.  After completing 48 murals during the last edition of the mural project, Art Whino will work with eight to twelve  of the top muralists from around the world  to curate another round of  murals. 

Last year brought an incredible amount of press coverage and the  murals made it on top lists such as Buzzfeed, which ranked the Etam Cru  mural #3 Best Street art in the world of 2013. Bringing Richmond a  sampling of the great variety of mural work worldwide, just as in past years, the selection of artists will feature a dynamic range of styles  and subject matter which creates a unique experience for visitors,  providing a glimpse into a worldwide movement in one city.  The creation  of another 20 murals this year will bring the number to over 68  throughout the city, further establishing the Richmond Mural Project.  This edition will continue to build Richmond’s reputation as a go to  destination for murals that incite exploration of the city through  weekend visits that result in the discovery of the city Richmond itself,  with its neighborhoods, businesses, and culture, as visitors hunt for  the next mural.

MISSION: The Richmond Mural Project is a yearly event with the goal of creating over 100 murals by world renown talent in the first 5 years  alone. The recurrence and solidification of the project throughout this  time will establish Richmond as a landmark destination for  internationally recognized murals and will create exposure for the city,  establishing it as a premier art destination. By concentrating a large  number of murals throughout the city the project will increase tourism  and will bring the much needed “Feet on the Street” which will help  local business thrive.  Along with this mission there are many  additional benefits that these murals will bring to the city of  Richmond.  These murals will serve as positive catalysts for change by specifically placing them in areas that are in disrepair. These  environments include neighborhoods with abandoned buildings and low foot  traffic, areas with high crime, and newly developed areas in need of  identity.

Dates: June 16th- June 27th
Muralist begin painting the week of June 16th and will finish their
murals by June 27th

Mural Locations: Various Locations
Map will be released soon by their media partner Gungho Guide

Reception: June 21st with their Cultural Partner RVA MAGAZINE
More Details To Be Announced Soon!

Full Information about the Richmond Mural project
http://artwhino.com/2014richmondmuralproject

More evidence of the wake effect

Followers of this blog are familiar with all the writing that I've done over the years about the aggregated effects of doing art fairs... And how what I have coined as the "wake effect" of the art fair is perhaps the single most important reason why artists must participate in art fairs....

And here's another example... This time sent in by my good bud and DMV artist J.T. Kirkland...

A gallerist who was exhibiting at Scope Miami 2012 saw my work in my NYC gallery's booth and it caught their eye. They followed my work for the next year and decided that their interest stuck and they wanted to represent me. They reached out, we talked on the phone and over email, and in January we finalized all the details. 

I sent them about 40 pieces representing works on wood, canvas and paper from the past 6-7 years. We're doing a big show in October and hopefully a couple of art fairs. The gallery is in New Orleans (www.guthriecontemporary.com). 

So over a year after the fair, I got a big bite. Who knows who else is thinking about my work right now? I believe in the wake effect!!

Spotlight on Wellesley College

In case you have missed it... there is an art controversy in Wellesley College over this statue of a sleepwalking man in his underwear by artist Tony Matelli.

A realistic-looking statue of a man sleepwalking in his underwear near the center of Wellesley College has created a stir among the women on campus, especially as more than 100 students at the all-women’s college signed a petition asking administrators to remove it.

 And now, Sarah Mahmood, Editor-at-Large, Wellesley College has written this piece for the HuffPost that calls for the removal of the piece.

She writes:

We don't want the statue moved because we're prim and proper prudes, but because we'd rather avoid looking at a creepy, potentially triggering sculpture on our way to class. Would you want that sculpture in your backyard for the next five months?

I'm already lost... "triggering sculpture?" what does that mean? The answer comes a few paragraphs later, which is not only a fail for structuring the article, but also surprising, considering the source is an editor.

Apparently there's a petition to remove the work of art, and we learn from the petition that:

"This highly lifelike sculpture has, within just a few hours of its outdoor installation, become a source of apprehension, fear, and triggering thoughts regarding sexual assault for many members of our campus community. While it may appear humorous, or thought-provoking to some, it has already become a source of undue stress for many Wellesley College students, the majority of whom live, study, and work in this space."

 That answers my "trigger" question, but it does not answer the stupifying (and well-documented in this blog) and never-ending string of art censorship issues that continue to astound me.

At least Sarah Mahmood (in years to come) can claim the excuse of youth in her over-reaction on the wrong side of this issue, but the lesson here for her, and for all of those whose opinion aligns with her, is simple: "Art censorship is NEVER the answer."

My kudos to the Director of the Davis Museum and the President of Wellesley College for sticking to their principles and declaring that they have no intention of removing the statue until July 20, the duration of Matelli's exhibit.

Putin's gonna be pissed!

All I'm saying is that someone was heading to Siberia a few minutes after this happened...

Cough, cough...

Novie Trump Installation at Art Wynwood

The DMV's own Novie Trump will have a 20 foot wall installation at Art Wynwood next week; the image to the right is a detail of the ceramic work, titled "The Way Home."

We will also feature several new pieces by Trump in booth C-9.

Anyway... the van is packed with artwork and tomorrow Audrey Wilson heads out to the Art Wynwood fair where we will have work by Audrey, Dulce Pinzon, Simon Monk, Tim Tate, Sean Hennessey, Michael Enn Sirvet, Elissa Farrow Savos, Novie Trump and me... 

Not sure how it all fit in the van... But most of it did!

Art Wynwood next week!

This is the first time that we've done this fair in Miami, and we're really looking forward to another successful Miami fair.

We have a large booth (C-9) and we're showcasing mostly DMV artists: Audrey Wilson, Tim Tate, Sean Hennessey (all associated with the Washington Glass School), plus the amazing Novie Trump and Elissa Farrow-Savos, who kicked butt and took names at the last (e)merge art fair. Also for the first time we're showing several spectacular new pieces by the DMV's Michael Enn Sirvet. And we're as usual bringing our top international artists: The UK's Simon Monk and Mexico's Dulce Pinzon!

Sirvet is a contemporary sculptor, designer and structural engineer who creates two and three-dimensional works using metals, hardwoods, plastics and other materials. Michael’s vision makes use of industrial and hand processes to restructure and fuse the organic chaos of nature with the crafted precision of man-made construction. 

Fair Hours for 2014

Thursday, February 13     
VIP Preview: Access for Art Wynwood VIP Cardholders & Press

GENERAL ADMISSION: 6:00pm-10:00pm

Friday, February 14     11am - 7pm
Saturday, February 15     11am - 7pm
Sunday, February 16     11am - 7pm
Monday, February 17     11am - 6pm

Main Office: +1.305.432.2855 or info@art-wynwood.com

Location:

The Art Wynwood Pavilion
Midtown Miami | Wynwood
3101 NE 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33137

Next week in Miami

"Red Bastion I"

2013

Powder-coated Aluminum

32" x 31" x 9"

By the DMV's Michael Enn Sirvet will be in booth C-9 next week at Art Wynwood in Miami.

Drop me a note if you'd like some passes to the fair...

Art Wynwood 2014 will feature 70 international galleries presenting emerging, cutting edge, contemporary and modern works and will have its own distinct identity and design. A unique feature is the highlight of street art, murals, pop surrealism and other genres from the contemporary underground movement. Art Wynwood is perfectly positioned to further the growing worldwide recognition of this movement by providing the enthusiast and seasoned art world traveler alike a distinctive opportunity to explore, learn and collect one of the most significant art movements of our time.

Art Wynwood 2014 will coincide with the 26th edition of the prestigious Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach (based less than five miles from the Art Miami Pavilion), which transforms Collins Avenue into a multimillion-dollar presentation of yachts and super-yachts. The Boat Show is known to attract qualified buyers from all over the U.S. and around the globe, including France, Brazil, China, Colombia, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, Italy and Sweden.

The 2013 edition of Art Wynwood attracted more than 26,500 visitors during its five-day run, with 6,100 collectors and art enthusiasts attending the Opening Night VIP Private Preview. The fair showcases a diverse range of fresh and edgy works by established, mid-career and emerging international contemporary and urban street artists from around the globe.

Art Wynwood shines a spotlight on Midtown Miami and the Wynwood Arts District as an international cultural destination flourishing yearlong. The fair will continue to distinguish the Wynwood Arts District as Miami’s epicenter where art, fashion, design and the culinary arts intersect.

Another old piece found

I must be getting to the age (mid 40s... cough, cough...) when people start emailing me asking "Is this piece yours?" - I'm now averaging about one a month... a few from the UK (where I lived from 1989-1992), but most from the US.

The vast majority of them are from the mid 90s, when I was an art-producing machine (I did 32 art shows in 1995!) or from my art school days, as I used to sell all my art school assignments at the Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington.... I sold thousands of works there between 1977-1981.

Here's an old friend from my senior year at the University of Washington Art School... this is a pen and ink wash from 1981... images courtesy of the current owner, who bought it at an auction in Hawaii.

Munchies

Apparently the recent Super Bowl set new records for the munchies... 

Watchers went through around 11 million pounds of chips, 4 million pounds of pretzels, 2.4 million pounds of nuts, 3.8 million pounds of  pop corn and 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips... 

The fact that both Washington and Colorado are both pot head states had nothing to do with that... Cough, cough...

How Pres. Obama pissed me off

OK dear readers... work with me here... if you are a left wing nut, then, substitute Bush or Reagan or Nixon or some other Republican President instead of President Obama in the following sequence of events. If you are a right wing nut, then... ah... Hmmm...

Anyway, most of you are not going to believe this, because you've allowed the media to paint a picture of a politician, who is after.... ah... a politician - and politicians have speech writers, and people who advice them about what to say... but... 

In President Obama’s speech about jobs that he delivered last Thursday at a General Electric manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, he said:

“A lot of young people no longer see the trades and skilled manufacturing as a viable career, but I promise you folks can make a lot more potentially with skilled manufacturing or the trades than they might with an art history degree. Now, there’s nothing wrong with an art history degree; I love art history, so I don’t want to get a bunch of e-mails from everybody."
         - President Barack Obama, 1/30/14

Guess what sir, you will get an email from me and also a letter... in fact it is already sent and it says:

Dear President Obama,

You recently delivered a speech about jobs at the General Electric manufacturing plant in Waukesha, Wisconsin on January 30, 2014, in which you said:

“A lot of young people no longer see the trades and skilled manufacturing as a viable career, but I promise you folks can make a lot more potentially with skilled manufacturing or the trades than they might with an art history degree. Now, there’s nothing wrong with an art history degree; I love art history, so I don’t want to get a bunch of e-mails from everybody.”

Personally, I think that you appreciate the arts and the humanities, although your art acquisition program for the White House is a little lacking. But, in fact, you are the first president in history to begin issuing official White House proclamations observing the month of October as National Arts & Humanities Month. You have also urged the nation to celebrate the arts and humanities in our cities, schools, and homes because you claim to understand the role that they serve in our nation’s history, cultural identity, educational development, and individual creativity.

However, some of what I thought we knew about you and the arts, specifically the role that it plays in the economy, now seems in doubt (based on that speech) and I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the important role the arts and humanities serve in our nation’s economy as well.

Did you know that according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts, the nonprofit and commercial arts combined produce a remarkable $504 billion in goods and services annually in the United States, representing 3.2 percent of the nation’s economy?

Did any of your advisors tell you that before that disturbing statement in Wisconsin?

Did you know that according to Americans for the Arts, nonprofit arts and culture organizations alone generate $135.2 billion of economic activity every year and support 4.13 million full-time equivalent jobs—including art historians?

4.13 million Mr. President... that's a lot of jobs in this anemic economy.

Did you know that creativity is one of the most important factors in producing innovation, and that according to the Conference Board, 72 percent of employers say creativity is of primary concern when they’re hiring, yet 85 percent of these employers can’t find the creative applicants they seek?

President Obama, the arts equal jobs, too. I urge you to meet with arts policy experts to incorporate the arts and culture into your economic strategies and policies to move America forward.

Call me.

Very Respectfully,

Lenny Campello

The Arts Action Fund has prepared an open letter to the President that brings to his attention the fact that the arts equal jobs too. We all need your help to send a clear and powerful message to the President. I used their open letter to re-craft it into mine.... but it takes a few seconds to send President Obama a rudder check on his attitude on this subject.

Please add your name to this letter, as well as encourage your friends to do the same.

Response from Bethesda Magazine

A while back I wrote a letter to Bethesda Magazine complaining about their lack of visual arts coverage for their readers. You can read that here.

And here is their response:

Mr. Campello,

Thanks for your thoughtful email.

I wanted to let you know that I agree with much of what you wrote--and that you will be seeing more coverage of the arts in Bethesda Magazine starting with the September/October issue. (You will also see some coverage in our upcoming March/April issue.)

I also agree with you about the Best of Bethesda, and we will have at least one arts category in next year's issue.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Steve Hull
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
Bethesda Magazine
7768 Woodmont Ave., #204
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-718-7787, ext. 201
www.BethesdaMagazine.com

Campello Seahawks Salsa

That's a big ass sized bowl of my world famous (cough, cough) mango cilantro salsa... Marinating for a day so that it is ready to celebrate the Seahawks' victory tomorrow...

If it looks kinda orange is because of either all the mango juice in it or the fact that it predicts the ass whooping that the Seahawks are about to unleash on the Broncos tomorrow... they will make salsa out of them!

1 Large can of tomato sauce - the BIG can
1 can of mango juice (Goya is best)
1 entire bunch of cilantro, all chopped up
1/3 can of corn
1 chopped (small pieces) cucumber
1 chopped (tiny pieces) sweet onion
a lot of chopped garlic
About ten pieces of chopped frozen mango 
10 shakes of paprika
A few shakes of crushed red pepper
Juice from one lemon or one lime or both
Add a lot of hot sauce to your taste - Cubans don't eat spicy foods, so my version is pretty tame... sometimes I add chopped olives stuffed with pimentos, but that's an acquired taste... you can also add chopped up pineapple and/or peaches if you like a fruitier version.

Sometimes I add some beer to it... sometimes a little wine vinegar.

Go Hawks!

At Capitol Arts Network

Capitol Arts Network, the Washington area’s fastest-growing organization for professional and emerging artists, announced that its February show will feature invited artist Pam Rogers, whose work focuses on the relationship between people and nature.

The organization’s monthly exhibition, titled “Tokens and Sentiments” to coincide with the Valentines season,  also will include offerings by artists from across the National Capital region in a show billed as “a unique, real-world take on love and romance that is not necessarily the greeting-card version of the story,” said Capitol Arts Network Executive Director Judith HeartSong. “This month, the artists have been encouraged to think outside the box with florals, designs, poetry and more to offer their real-life version of a Valentine in this modern age.”

Best of DC

WCP has a "Best Art Blog" category this year... I need Kriston to email me that software that he used to cheat the Internets into voting him "Best Looking DC Art Critic" or whatever it was a few years ago...

Cough, cough....

Vote here!

Time for the 2014 Trawick Prize!

The application process for the 2014 Trawick Prize: BethesdaContemporary Art Awards is now open. This competition, produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, awards one of the largest cash prizes given to a visual artist, with a top prize of $10,000. The competition’s founder, the amazing Carol Trawick (we all wish we had another dozen folks like her around the DMV), is committed to annually honoring visual artists with this award. The deadline to apply is April 7.

The awards are as follows:

Best in Show - $10,000
Second Place - $2,000
Third Place - $1,000
Young Artists* - $1,000
*Young Artist whose birthday is after April 7, 1984 may be awarded this prize.

Artists who are 18 years of age or older and permanent, full-time residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C., are eligible to submit an application. For additional eligibility requirements and to access the application please visit their website.

The jury will select up to 10 finalists who will be invited to display their work in a group exhibition at Gallery B in downtown Bethesda in September 2014. 

The three judge panel includes: Tom Ashcraft, visual artist, founding member of Workingman Collective and Associate Professor and the head of Sculpture in the School of Art at George Mason University, Laure Drogoul, interdisciplinary artist, Director of The 14Karat Cabaret and Co-organizer and Curator of the Transmodern Festivaland Jeremy Drummond, media artist and Assistant Professor of Art in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Richmond.