artPark

Size Does Matter

I received this announcement recently and it made me scratch my head.

The FLAG Art Foundation is pleased to present "Size DOES Matter", curated by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal. This exciting exhibition, on view from February 18, 2010 - May 27, 2010, includes works from international artists exploring the myriad ways that scale affects the perception of contemporary art.
Weighing 320 pounds and standing 7'1" atop his size 22 shoes, Shaq is one of the most dominant players ever to play in the NBA. Throughout his career, O'Neal has capitalized on his size and strength to overpower opponents for points and rebounds earning him nicknames such as Diesel and Superman. Now Shaq takes the opportunity to reflect on his size with an exhibition boasting works from microscopic to giant pieces that have the ability to dwarf and exaggerate everyone -- even Shaq himself.

Artists have readily utilized the element of size. Large and small objects require different approaches, elicit unique responses from their viewer, and reflect the varying purposes in which works of art were meant to serve. This dynamic exhibition will include a variety of mediums that play with scale as a key component in the composition of the artwork. Every work in the show was selected by Shaq himself or is being newly made at his request.

There is no question Shaq has done some impressive things in his life... but curate a contemporary art exhibit in NYC? I’m not so sure even Shaq's former alter-ego, Kazaam, can legitimately pull this one off.

Regardless, artists are lining up and hoping to be selected. This could be interesting. But, it forces me to ask the question (again): Why do art institutions continue to feel the need to link themselves to pop culture personalities - no matter how remotely associated they may be to the organization's mission? I'll call it pandering and leave it at that.

Oh, and by the way, here is a description of FLAG from their website:

The FLAG Art Foundation is a new exhibition space for contemporary art. The program includes 4 to 6 professionally-curated shows each year. Each consists of works by established and emerging international artists. The objective is to present a venue in which visitors can view, contemplate, and be inspired by the artworks that curators will select and borrow from a variety of sources. FLAG also plans to facilitate loans of contemporary artworks to museums around the world.

Sometimes the irony hurts my head.

100 Great Blogs for Art Students and Enthusiasts

The good folks at OnlineCollege.com have produced a list of "100 Great Blogs for Art Students and Enthusiasts". artPark is flattered to be on the list – at #21.

As they say on the site: "These blogs will give you insights to the art world that can help you refine your craft, inspire you to create new work, or just give you a little something pretty to look at."

Giving the list a good look proves they put together an excellent grouping of art blogs. The list also introduced me to some I was not aware of. Thanks OnlineCollege!

The 1:50 Gallery

Irish artist (living in London), David Anthony Hall, photographs large format panoramic landscapes. His work often measures up to nine feet in width and is hung in large-scale public spaces. In an attempt to showcase his work in a more traditional and human scale, David has launched his own gallery. The 1:50 Gallery (as in One to Fifty) is the result. It has the unique and enviable advantage of being visited and enjoyed by anyone anywhere through their own computer screen. Go here for a look.

Possibly the world smallest gallery at less than two cubic feet in size, David's "solo show" examines the relationship between the internet and large-scale art; in particular, how to show 9' prints on a 17" screen.

For me, it gives new meaning to the term "White Cube".

 

   

For more on the making of the 1:50 Gallery and David's artwork, take a look at this video (it's less than 2 minutes):

A new look for MigrationGallery.com

Over the years, Laura and I have received countless compliments regarding Migration's website design. These compliments have come from clients, gallery owners, other business owners, friends and total strangers. We always say "thank you." But, in all honesty, we can't take much credit for the website. Before opening the gallery, Laura and I were fortunate enough to hire Michaux Hood and Jen Fleisher at Charmed Designworks. Jen helped us with the creation of the gallery's various logos and color schemes, and Michaux has handled the design and implementation of the website.

Once again, we have turned to Michaux to update Migration's website. And... once again... she has done an excellent job.

Take a look at the updated website. It is has been streamlined and focuses on the artists that have generated the national attention and reputation Migration has received over the years.

Opportunity for Artists

On February 5, 2010, a group of painters, sculptors, architects, writers, film makers, photographers, and musicians will hold an exhibition in a currently vacant building at 1017 West Main Street in Charlottesville, Virginia. Soon afterward, the building will be demolished.

This multi-media show/exhibition is brought to you by The Center for the Study of the End of Things. A Migration fav, Ashley Williams, is one of the group’s organizers. Ashley has already brought together an excellent collection of visual artists to add to the event.

The exhibit's curatorial goal is to assemble a coherent body of work that revolves around themes of obsolescence, weathering, and decay, as well as meditations on growth, rebirth, and the utility of discarded materials.

Drawings, paintings, architectural models, maps, diagrams, photographs, audio or video recordings, writing, sculpture, or other work that relates to the theme will be considered for inclusion.

Submissions will be accepted until January 25, 2010. See the detailed info here.

Is it signage or urban art?

When is a sign art? When is art a sign? Not much of a question until censorship is involved. This is the issue at Las Vegas’ Erotic Heritage Museum newest outdoor mural.

The exposed nipples on portraits of women in the Ho-Down Mural Project violated a county sign code that bans (among other things) the showing of the areola of female breasts, the county says.

Museum curator Laura Henkel covered the nipples with pasties, but argues that the murals are urban art, not signs.

Read more here.

The issue of censorship is always a hot topic. But, what interests me is the fact there is both an "Erotic Heritage Museum" and a "Ho-Down Mural Project". Only in Vegas, some might say. For more on both, go here and here.