Friday, February 15, 2008
Poll #3: When it comes to anonymous comments and commentators...
Do you like this story?
Please use the commentary section here to expound upon your vote for poll number 3, When it comes to anonymous comments and commentators...
Results from our second poll.
It would appear that while I was sleeping we had a considereable voter turn out last night . Seems more than one campaign was started, but congratulations to all the finalists. As the numbers place them, Alchemy came in first place, Big Car came in second place, and for me the surprise winner of third place, Broadripple Art and Design (aka BRAD). I was really hoping for more discussion about why people chose their particular venues in the voting process as I think it would help shed some light on what people want from their local galleries.
72 Total Votes:
Alchemy- 35%
Big Car- 21%
BRAD- 17%
Harrison- 10%
Flux- 5%
Other- 4% (one of these at least was for Pivot Gallery)
Ruschman- 2%
Dean Johnson- 1%
Editions Limited- 1%
Domont- 0%
42 Responses to “Poll #3: When it comes to anonymous comments and commentators...”
February 15, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I allowed for people to choose more than one answer to the poll question. I always write with my real name and stand by what I have to say, so I obviously chose "I write using my own name" but I also voted on "I prefer pseudonyms to prevent confusion" as I hate it when you are reading a large number of anonymous comments from several different posters and you can not quite figure out which commentator you are addressing. Note to anonymous commentators: if ever you choose to adopt a pseudonym, you will still be anonymous but prevent some confusion. Thank you.
February 15, 2008 at 12:20 PM
my vote went to Alchemy for a few purely personal reasons. 1) the use of rather strange spacial dimensions of the room still gets me 2) it is a young contemporary gallery, giving more chance and weight to a younger crowd rather than just showing new works by elder artists 3) we must not forget that it is also a salon and provides two purposes to the city 4) its easy to get to, into, out of and back to & 5) i have yet to see a barn painting there.
February 15, 2008 at 12:30 PM
i chose alchemy for many reasons; a main reason being the art. they have taste in what they chose to show and ive been thoroughly pleased with each opening ive been to. and, to my knowledge, most of the artists are local-so its a local gallery supporting local artists. second of all, its an awesome, creative and modern space...i walk in and i can tell they have good things going on-whether its the art on the walls or whats being done to the salon clients in the chairs.
February 15, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I voted Alchemy, but the Murphy building wins in general because you can loiter around gallery to gallery and come back and revisit artworks, show them to your friends and start talking about them. The Harrison Center is my number two because they do have some fine work but it is just a different atmosphere than what the Murphy building provides. I sometimes feel uncomfortable in a few of the other galleries mentioned, I don't know why- just sort of stuffy.
February 15, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Alchemy is crap. It's a HAIR SALON. SHOWING STUDENT WORK. I didn't vote but I would of for sure voted for Dean Johnson because they show beautiful paintings and actual FINE ART.
Rebecca
February 15, 2008 at 2:31 PM
I voted for Alchemy. I think it's awesome that a gallery has a lot of variation with their shows: installations, furniture, etc. And yes, they do show student art occasionally, but where else are students going to show? More importantly, who decides what fine art is and is not? I have loved several of the artists that have shown and hope that their exposure at Alchemy gets them rolling to show at more galleries...or hair salons...or galleries. Alchemy is awesome...salon and all!
Henry
February 15, 2008 at 2:43 PM
February 15, 2008 at 2:49 PM
so rebecca, something needs to be either a "beautiful painting" or "fine art" to get your attention? here is a short list of mediums that are still not considered by many to be "fine" art:
Drawings,Lithographs, Etchings (still seen as tests or exercises in formal issues, but not Art)
Video (a young medium of course, but for the most part locally seen as just being "tv")
Installations (if you cant buy it outright and throw it on your wall, its not art)
Performance (see above)
and dont throw poop around about student work, unless of course you only look at art created by the totally untrained or independently wealthy.
February 15, 2008 at 4:23 PM
first I want to say thanks to all who voted.
I can't really refute the legitimacy of my gallery being crap or not, but I can say for certain that we operate just as much as a gallery as a hair salon and I believe the vast majority understands that. it's an old debate. and if it has to be, dean johnson is a tremendous art gallery, but it's also a design firm and thankfully does not shy away from showing student work. they have a senior thesis painting show coming up that I am not going to miss.
I want to press the issue a little further and point out that although I have no problem showing student work and think it has a tendancy to be exciting, I do and will show work by anyone who gives me a proposal that I find enticing.
-rob
February 15, 2008 at 4:50 PM
thanks to the above for the comments about Alchemy. yes, even "rebecca". i would have liked to see more basis for rebecca's comment though. yes we are a gallery and salon hybrid. we also expected to struggle for "credit" as a gallery due to that fact. as robert already mentioned, it is a debate that has become old and a bit boring. regardless, we are a gallery. take notice, the two are very distinct and rarely intertwined.
i do find the discussion on student work interesting. are you trying to say that students should not show? their art is not worthy of showing and selling because they do not have a degree? i will tell you, i have seen work in the halls at herron (at times) that is far better than work i have run across in local artist studios. audrey patten - a herron student - showed at big car this past month. it was a beautiful and well received show that nearly sold out.
anywho, thanks to those who voted. we are always interested in discussion on how to be better.
February 15, 2008 at 5:44 PM
I don't think showing student work is at all bad.
The problem with a lot of galleries for me personally, is the blatent favoritism shown towards Herron students as opposed to other emerging or "still-in-school" artists. Yes, Herron is a part of the Indianapolis art community whether I like it or not, but why have we seen no work from a broader range of developing artists? What about Ivy Tech, Depauw, Ball State, IU, etc.
While it is true that Herron students almost monopolize the population of art students in Indy, surely graduates or students from the other colleges inhabit the city as well. Maybe artists from these other schools don't interject themselves into the community, or maybe there is just Herron favoritism. I'm not sure what I think yet.
What I do know though, is that there are more exciting things going on with art students from other schools than from say, Herron, but I don't think they get any press or attention in this city (and yes, I do realize it is only natural to focus on Herron since it is actually IN Indianapolis.)
For example, IU has one of the top ranked graduate schools in the country for art, why do we hardly see any of the work in Indianapolis Galleries?
Ivy Tech has some rather well known Indy artists teaching art (Kyle Ragsdale, Stephanie Robertson, etc)but we never hear or see much from the students.
James Ratliff (Ball State Graduate) has a solo show at the Harrison Center this month and I frankly think it blows any Herron student work I have seen out of the water. Ball State has turned out other promising artists (Jay Parnell-Current Stutz Residency Winner, and BOTH of the Arts Council's emerging Artist Fellows are Ball State Graduates) but we don't hear much about them.
BUT, if you are a student of or went to Herron, we'll give you some shows, favorable reviews, and even write-ups in Nuvo and InTake!
Showing the work of Herron student in Galleries is fine, I mean after all it is a large part of Indianapolis. But acting like it's groundbreaking or somehow interesting isn't quite right. From what I've seen the work just doesn't hold its own as compared to other student work. It seems to me, these Herron kids are too much focused on the press and notariety that comes from being an artist, and not really so much on the actual artwork.
-One Man's Opinion
February 15, 2008 at 6:28 PM
one man,
we have actually had three solo shows within the last year(which are not that common in our gallery) of painting students from IU. (ie. Jennifer Meanley, Dara Engler, and Jamie Combs) It is not that there is a favoritism to Herron at all. It is a favortism to good work. It falls mostly with those who do not interject themselves into the community and put their work out there for galleries to see. We will show any good work regardless what school they go/have gone to. If artists want a show they should put together a portfolio with images and pursue galleries. I think some are not confident enough..or fear rejection.
February 15, 2008 at 6:30 PM
One Man's Opinion,
Nice job laying out several facts about many of the scenes artists and where it is they went to school. I for one went to Herron, but honestly, I do not feel any obligations or favortism toward Herron at all. I do believe that it comes down to who you know. Not in the sense that it is a "boy's club" or anything like that simply about familiarity. I happen to know more artists who came out of Herron so they may be fresher in my mind when people ask about local artists. I occassionally visit Herron for lectures, gallery shows, and meetings so I get to see some student art over a couple years, whereas I rarely have a chance or reason to visit the artist studios at Ball State, Ivy Tech, IU, or the like. But I can honestly say that I NEVER curated an artists work because of where they went to school. It never even crosses my mind. I am more interested in whether the art is what I am looking for in a particular exhibition. I would imagine most other venues act in a similar way, but...
I really doubt any of the local papers are showing favortism when it comes to reviews. In fact of the last five shows I have curated only one was actually reviewed (a four or five sentence review if that counts.) I thought that several of these shows we fresh and different, many of them with well known artists from other cities rather than the usual suspects, yet nothing more than a preview snippet or the like. This is just the nature of the local press.
The only advice I can possibly give to student artists, whether from Herron, IU, or where ever, is this, find a way to put on your own exhibition in town. Get a group of like minded friends together if you need to. Print some postcards and posters. Pass them out. Send out press releases to the media and local papers and even our blog. Be sure to include a couple 300dpi images. And find a way to get a number of people to come and see it. Invite a few dealers or curators to come and take a look. To show in this town is completely a snowballing effect. Someone sees your work in this venue and invites you to do a show at that venue and so forth. There is nothing to it beyond that aside from make the best art you can and present yourself professionally.
I personally prefer not showing student art, outside the confines of say a thesis exhibition or student show. That is unless they are MFA students. I think most students need a year or two to get away from school, to clear their heads and mature before showing regularly. But that is just me.
February 15, 2008 at 6:37 PM
good lord, 'OMO.. you sure love to throw around generalizations. I'm familiar with long words like that because I attended college, in Chicago. I graduated long ago, and alchemy STILL saw it fit to show my work several times, including a solo exhibition in October of '07. They have always treated me with a lot of respect and professionalism. your petty and vicious ideas about what constitutes 'actual artwork' blows me away. very little 'press' is to be had here in indianapolis, do you really think herron students sit in their studios, plotting how to make artwork suitable for a Nuvo review? I sincerely doubt it. Have you spoken to any of 'these herron kids'?
whether you like it or not, alchemy IS something special for indianapolis. it is a *great* looking space to show art, and the haircut I recieved there was excellent. Alchemy is an asset to the city's art scene. I mean, FINE art scene. I recommend you attempt appreciating things for what they are, 'OMO (and rebecca). If everyone was as critical as you, no one would have any FUN.
mark miller
aka mark ferrari
February 15, 2008 at 9:25 PM
that was one mother-of-a-blanket-statement made by rebecca. i am one of those IU people alchemy showed. and i think i am a good painter, thank you very much.
as far as the connection between herron and alchemy goes: what a nice thing. people generally go to art school because they want to be artists. this tends to work out much better when there are galleries out there that acknowledge those aspirations.
people can drag out the issue of what qualifies 'good' art or 'good' art-making, but anybody whose been paying attention can clearly see that all sorts of people have made and will continue to make amazing things regardless of how old they are or what their formal education is.
good education is not much more than the group-activity of passing around ideas and discussion. ideas are free and so is this type of exchange. wherever and whenever. it is a good thing.
anyone who needs an artist or gallery to provide credentials in order to substantiate the relative 'goodness' of work, must have a fairly flimsy grasp on their own aesthetic anyhow.
-jen
February 15, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Ok Rebecca, how much art have you actually purchased in the last year? and from where? What I have a problem with is that several of the galleries, including the one you like, are nothing more than meat markets on First Friday nights. You can't even get close to the art for fear of someone spilling their drink on you. I have never seen anyone buy art at Dean Johnson and Harrison because of this. In the end, as a buyer/collector, it comes down to who is presenting art that is stimulating, intelligent and moving. Alchemy and Flux have done this with EVERY show since they have opened. Ruschman and Big Car has occasionally (for me). In the last 16 months, I have bought art from Alchemy, Flux, Penumbra, the Herron Print sale, and several artist studios, spending over $5000. I will continue to do it again this year as well as I am not affected by the downturn in the economy. I will not buy at galleries that ignore me, or treat First Friday like a meat market and not a gallery opening.
-CrossedWires
February 15, 2008 at 10:16 PM
And Jen's jungle paintings show at Alchemy were the best show of the year in the city last year. Read the review on this blog.
-CrossedWires
February 15, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I would like to point out that only a single person here has neglected to use their name or pseudonym when commenting. I am impressed, thank you. It has made reading the comments and knowing who all is speaking much easier to follow. I hope this is a continuing trend.
CrossedWires,
I truely wish we had more people in the community like you who are interested in and willing to buy local art. On behalf of all the artists I know, thank you.
February 16, 2008 at 12:59 AM
i have been known to write, "text" or say some things before really turning the power button to my brain on. so, when i read things that don't seem as though the writer thought out what they wanted to say i can give them a break. when i say give them a break i mean i will attempt not to be cruel. it doesn't mean i won't point out some issues with their argument. rebecca, i am sure you have heard something like my next statement before but just in case here goes. i am reaaly happy to here that you don't care for alchemy. if everyone cared and liked the same things it would make for a really boring planet. i want to go on to say i really have enjoyed most of the artwork that has been displayed in alchemy. i must say i disagree with it being crap, except for maybe that furniture show they did a little over a year ago. now that really was crap. as an artist myself who has grown up in indianapolis i think it is a very smart idea to mix two different businesses to help keep creativity out in the public eye. i wasn't aware that it was a bad thing to put art in different spaces. hell, if we shouldn't put art in different businesses and spaces someone should tell all those coffee houses across the nation that help support the arts to quit doing so by taking the artwork out of there buildings. fuck, for that matter what space is fit for artwork? i don't think anyone has created an art space approval board. i better get all the artwork out of my home i don't think it will pass for approval. it doesn't resemble the dean johnson gallery, but then neither does any other building or space. damn it, we are going to have to clean the city of all its artwork and send it over to the dean johnson gallery.
please don't misunderstand me when i use the dean johnson gallery in my explanation. i actually enjoy many of the artworks that come through their doors as well. they have been kind enough to show work of different friends and artists that i know. some of those friends and artists were even students at the time. that is pretty progressive and "edgy" don't you think. maybe dean johnson just decides to show work that they personally like, just like all galleries, businesses, home owners,apartment renters, and who ever else has hung or placed some artwork on display. rebecca, i want to apologize to you. i meant to make comment without being cruel. sometimes my sarcastic demeanor will show its ugly self. i would encourage you to continue to make comments on this site. do not be disheartened by the amount of posts that challenged your opinions. i get the feeling that this site currently has more viewers and participates that share a different view such as myself than yours. that doesn't mean that someday it couldn't be different. maybe someday you might hold the popular opinion on hear. good luck in all that you do.
in all that i never really explained who i am or what my background has been. my name is brent lehker. i am a former herron student as well as a current herron student. what that means is i did artwork before going to herron then while i was at herron for a couple of years i did more artwork. i then left herron for about eight years and did some artwork during that time too. i went back to herron and have been attending classes that i am interested in for the past five years. in those five years i have made some artwork. seeing how i have not finished my degree and i am still a student does that mean it has been a mistake for me to have shown work? even if i should ever obtain a degree that won't change the fact that i will always be a student. i will always be looking to learn more. teachers are still students, it is an ongoing process. can you show me someone who isn't still learning? meaning that person who knows everything.
that was my response to rebecca who made a three line statement. to the writer of one mans opinion, you gave me way more things to type about but i'll have to come back to those later, i'm getting sleepy. i will have fun filling the hypocritical holes in your dialog.
February 16, 2008 at 1:12 AM
i told you i was sleepy. i should have previewed that before posting it. i have misspelled words and incorrect words placed within it such as hear instead of here and reaaly instead of really. i must have missed that power button for my brain.
b. lehker
February 16, 2008 at 1:34 AM
brent lehker, you can always delete previous posts :)
crossed wires,
thank you thank you. not only for buying art, supporting our gallery and several others,but for throwing your two cents in. most of these comments have been from gallery owners, curators, and artists. it is great to get feedback from the buyer/collector themselves. i image i know who you are...and if i am correct, you are a serious gem to the indianapolis art scene. you not only have fabulous taste but you are a joy to converse with about art.
February 16, 2008 at 1:36 AM
It's all about alchemy. Granted, I haven't been around lately to view recent shows. I am very partial to FLUX. It's a close call, but I give it up to Alchemy for bringing the community together in a way I rarely see at other Indy venues. I see people that I have never met before more often here than anywhere else, and that's saying something for Indianapolis. The work is consistently solid as well. (Interesting that I included that as a secondary point,eh?)
February 16, 2008 at 12:21 PM
To be fair, I should not have come down hard on Rebecca. I agree with what Brent Lehker said. It takes opposing viewpoints to create great art. Everyone’s tastes are different, hence different galleries that serve different clientele. A gallery isn't going to make it unless it sells art. To me I will buy art that speaks and feels to me, not that matches my couch or the yellow in my rug. Bottom line, all the galleries have shown art that speaks to me, but Alchemy and Flux have done that consistently more than the other galleries, that’s why I voted, and I would guess, the reason of the vote total outcome.
-CrossedWires
February 16, 2008 at 5:50 PM
SHIT! This be getting crazy up in hur.
February 17, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I didn't vote because I haven't been to the first 5, or Ruschman. I've been to lots of "other" and Domont, Editions, and Dean Johson Gallery.
I live north of Indpls, with kids, and don't really come out for evening events such as first Friday.
If I'm going to drive down to visit a gallery in Indpls, it's during the day, to shop or see a specific show...... usually because I have been sent a (snail) mail where the gallery people took time to personally discuss their attraction to the actual art and artists in the show. If they are genuinly excited, I usually get intrigued.
I don't look to art galleries for socializing or partying, I don't particularly care for places that are other workplaces, and don't have a friendly person who steps up and makes you feel welcome, smiling and answering questions.
So....I have always enjoyed Lucas Gallery because they (used to (: )send personable letters that give the gallery's opinion about the art and artist. It wasn't just a cut and paste from the artist's website.
I also like places that have centrally located, comfortable seating, where you could actually sit down with the artist or gallery rep and chat about art.
I enjoy being somewhere that is set up to show and sell art, where the people are wanting to talk about the art and artist with you. That's why I go to a gallery!
Lirio
I'm going to try and visit BRAD soon....hope their hours are compatible with mine!
February 17, 2008 at 12:56 PM
In another words Lirio, you are one of those annoying people galleries and artists run away from.
"I also like places that have centrally located, comfortable seating, where you could actually sit down with the artist or gallery rep and chat about art."
oh man, I gotta go this is just too sad and I don't care anymore.
BRAD even placing in this pole is a scam. It's not a good place to show or see art, NOT. I think these poles are pointless. They are not done by smapling the population, it's just a sample of the people who come to this blog. Based on what I have seen here (comments) it can never be reliable.
I'm sorry about being negative like that. The more I learn how some people who claim to be involved in the arts here think, the more depressing Indy seems to me.
Don't even bother answering this comment, it is also pointless.
February 17, 2008 at 12:57 PM
In another words Lirio, you are one of those annoying people galleries and artists run away from.
"I also like places that have centrally located, comfortable seating, where you could actually sit down with the artist or gallery rep and chat about art."
oh man, I gotta go this is just too sad and I don't care anymore.
BRAD even placing in this pole is a scam. It's not a good place to show or see art, NOT. I think these poles are pointless. They are not done by smapling the population, it's just a sample of the people who come to this blog. Based on what I have seen here (comments) it can never be reliable.
I'm sorry about being negative like that. The more I learn how some people who claim to be involved in the arts here think, the more depressing Indy seems to me.
Don't even bother answering this comment, it is also pointless.
February 17, 2008 at 2:38 PM
"Don't even bother answering this comment, it is also pointless."
I don't think your concerns or perspective is pointless but it does open up some more doors of conversation.
But come now Anonymous, that is a little harsh on Lirio. You find it annoying that someone may want to comforatbly view art and enjoy art enough to want to talk about it with others. I think it is quite natural to want these things. While a persons experience to the art may be a personal one, it is equally enticing to have a dialogue with others about it, to get a different perspectives. Lirio has been a long time reader of OtC and regularly posts her thoughts in the comment section. Lirio truely enjoys and cares about art and artists, that should not be something artists and gallerists want to run from. I understand that many artists are uncomfortable talking about their work with others but if that really is a problem for them they shouldn't be at the gallery.
In regards to the polls, you state,
"They are not done by smapling the population, it's just a sample of the people who come to this blog. Based on what I have seen here (comments) it can never be reliable."
I must state the obvious here. The polls are for the people who read this blog. If my intention was to get a broader public opinion I would not confine my poll to this space. That said, I like you, am very skeptical of the last polls results because I believe that we had a large number of votes coming in from what I doubt are regluar readers of OtC. But I do not write off the polls just yet. The first poll shed some light on things for me and it appears the current one is offering me a better understanding of how people feel about anonymous comments (hehe, I guess we are talking about you). As for the poll in question, I made a distinction between "best" and "favorite". I tend to believe that "favorite" often overlooks several flaws with a venue and is more about friends and connections. Perhaps I am wrong. Would we have different results if I had used the word "best" instead? Maybe.
We all get a bit depressed about the scene from time to time, but we must find that glimps of hope in order to make things work here. For me, the fact that we can all come here and discuss some of these concerns, despite our (at times) polar perspectives is a step in the right direction. I welcome your comments and hope they spark some thoughts for others.
February 17, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Eh...go do a pole dance. Boo hoo hoo!
February 17, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Anonymous comments are important and necessary. It was an Anonymous "deep throat" who brought Nixon to his knees. Now don't hate me for saying this, and of course I know the scale, please don't lecture me about how much less important commeting anonymously in a blog is.
I'm just saying I feel more comfortable talking not having people judge me here.
Anyway, just a follow up on that argument.
anonymous 12:56 PM
February 17, 2008 at 7:04 PM
I have a lovely Lirio piece in my kitchen.
February 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
I have beer in my kitchen.
February 17, 2008 at 11:52 PM
i have beer in my kitchen too. and its the end of a sunday. i guess that makes me a real hoosier.
i also have an Amy Reinhart in my kitchen.
the whole discussion that maybe this was an "unfair" poll goes to show the lack of ingenuity of other Art lovers, critics, and galleries. its a fucking blog people....they're free.....and pretty easy to run. even easier is throwing your own thoughts up via comments, like this.
or, like this: http://thisbeerisalittlecold.blogspot.com/
see? easy to hate.
-mbnjmntrb
February 18, 2008 at 12:56 AM
i can see a need to post anonymously, anonymous 12:56 pm. i can see how knowing the person that could be such an asshole as to have said something you disagree with, just might change your view of them. however, having a nom de plume is a good idea. it is much easier than sifting through and responding to anonymous posters by their posting time.
February 18, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Anonymous comments are like cars on the interstate. I don't mind the ones that are just going about their business, but some people use anonymity as an excuse to cut people off, tailgate, and generally make others' journeys unpleasant.
It seems we're one big, dysfunctional family here. I've been coming to onthecusp often since it began. While most of the work discussed here is unlike my own, I'm interested in a variety of different kinds of art and enjoy reading about all that's going on in town. It helps me feel I am part of a community. I understand the focus of the blog and take it for what it is. While the topics are exclusive, the commentary is always delivered with grace. It is sad that some readers choose to respond in a way that is mean-spirited and not constructive.
Lirio's dollars (and time) are worth just as much as anyone else's. Any gallery owner who would run away from a patron is missing out. I understand that venues have their limitations and some are only able to be open for limited hours. There is something to be said for those that attempt to be accommodating, though. I would personally love to see more galleries in this town posting their shows online, for instance.
I've enjoyed shows at all of these galleries, except the one I have attempted but not succeeded in visiting, but including the ones that would never show my work and the one where I generally feel invisible. Isn't bickering about who's better a little silly? Aren't the only important things that 1.) artists find their way to the galleries that accept them, 2.) that galleries promote their artists well, and 3.) that patrons who want a certain kind of work learn where they can find it? There's room for all of us in this town. Now, let's kiss and make up.
February 18, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Well said E. Thank you for your continued and constructive support.
February 18, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Kisses
February 18, 2008 at 7:01 PM
So here's my question followed by my own chosen answer... What the heck is the purpose of a gallery?
In our case we're a for profit business working off a 10-20% commission (much less than most galleries or art dealers) to sell artists work so they can put food on the table, put their kids through college (or pay off their college loans) and live from what they love to do. Teri and I are both artists and make our living exactly the same way.
What Teri and I bring to the table is expertise and focus in business, contracts, relationships and the ability to hear both clients and artists.
In reality, BRAD isn't even a true gallery. We're only open Saturdays 1-6 and 2nd Fridays. We take artists work to the clients and invite clients here to see artists work. Much of our business comes from commissions.
We have a good understanding of who our client base is and what works for them. For artists interested in truly earning a living from their work, BRAD makes sense.
We're not the bleeding edge and have no interest in being there. It's not what our clients are seeking.
Our intention is to synergize the incredible skills of the artists associated with BRAD and not infrequently artists not involved with BRAD so that we all eat from what we love to create.
When discussing "galleries" there are multiple worlds. For Profit and Not for Profit being just two of the important distinctions.
We have no board of directors except our clients and artists associated with us. Patronage is earned through integrity and relationships.
Alchemy rocks. They have created a wonderful mix of a solid business model of the hair salon which allows them to show art. Big Car, the Harrison Center and many others are not for profits. A wonderful thing but not financially self dependent.
In our short 1 1/2 years in business we are incredibly blessed with the success we've had and see much more to come. We're truly honored to have more than 50 artists and artisans working together for a common goal to live our lives enjoying what we each create.
As both a musician and an artist I personally work on two levels. The one who could care less what the world thinks of my work and one who wants to pay for my groceries.
I and BRAD make our livelihood synergistically with people. We are incredibly thankful to the artists, clients and patrons working together truly supporting each other through creating.
We're a community. All are invited.
peace
d
Doug Arnholter
www.broadrippleart.com
February 18, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Thank you for the kind words e and Scott. :)
So....poor stupid me, I'm confused now....what does pole dancer want? That people not talk about the art....just fork over the $$ and go? What?
What are the BRAD hours on 2nd Friday?
February 18, 2008 at 10:14 PM
5:30 - 9 for 2nd Fridays and anytime by appointment. 254-8096 or doug@broadrippleart.com
peace
d
February 20, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I think this poll really shows us the power of emailing all your friends to load the vote. I've never been a fan of popularity contests... although as a tool for gaining new readership, this was probably a great idea.
February 20, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Regarding the Harrison Center as a meat market... the goal of the Harrison Center's first Friday events is to bring a lot of art to a lot of people in an unimposing environment. For the record, they average a few thousand dollars in sales every month and last year had two shows selling over ten thousand dollars worth of art - and that doesn't include some sales directly out of studios. Moreover, the 'meatmarket' model of openings has a grand tradition here in Indy, dating back to the draw of Hot House Gallery in the Faris Building in the early 90's. All art studio buildings have these events - the Stutz, the Wheeler, the Murphy - and now we have events like oranje which draw throngs.
Here's the bottom line with all art venues - galleries, events, coffeeshops, hovels, abandoned storefronts, the airport, wherever - let the work speak for itself. If it speaks, someone will hear it. If it's really good, someone will write about it.
I've seen art everywhere, and some of the best is located in places it's not supposed to be (google Banksy). I've personally installed in elevators and restrooms as well as galleries (and having my work stolen from said elevator was actually quite gratifying). If you've got something to show, get it on a wall or in a space where someone will see it - that's the bottom line.
Cheerleading for your venue is a bit tiresome, and doesn't make me want to visit. Tell me about what you're showing, why it's relevant, and why I shouldn't miss it. And use Scott and this website as your billboard when you've got something good.
Post a Comment