Saturday, November 22, 2008
IDADA Discussion Forum
Do you like this story?
I want to thank Paul Klein for making it to Indy Thursday and inspiring some thoughts and actions among local artists and dealers. Early this morning, a number of local gallery owners, curators and such met with Paul at Dean Johnson Gallery for a casual discussion, further investigating some of the ideas brought up during his talk the night before. The essence of what this talk was about, or at least how I interpreted everyones thoughts and ideas, was that we were all looking for ways in which to grow the current local gallery and arts awareness, to educate the public about what the arts has to offer the community and inspire a more vibrant and active collector base. While we did not get into details on any of these topics we all had the opportunity to throw out some thoughts, ideas and concerns. One of the themes of Pauls advice was to think creatively, to think outside the box. Take chances. See what works and what doesn't.
6 Responses to “IDADA Discussion Forum”
November 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM
As Indy is 3 plus or minus hours from Cincinnati, St. Louis, Louisville, Columbus, Chicago and many more mid-size cities, why can't we offer selected local artists of those cities the opportunity to showcase here in an annual show? Certainly it is easy enough to contact associations in those cities similar to IDADA to feel this out. As artists in this city would love to be invited to these markets, so would outlying artists like to use the "flanking manuever" Klein talked of and show in Indy. Create a scene! Generate press. Motivate the public in this city with something a little more exotic than another local artist show. And how does this help us other than building a more interested public? Perhaps after a year or two Indy artists will be similarly showcased in those outlying cities. We create the scene. We take advantage of our geographical place on the map. Has this idea been explored before? Seems to me, if you build it they will come (right out of the corn fields). If any of us are afraid of the competition, we remain provincial.
November 22, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I agree.
I believe I mentioned Detroit’s Museum of New Art (MONA). Check out their website. They are a grunt basic storefront space. Jef Bourgeau, their director, has established the Changing Cities, exhibition swap plan. So far they’ve presented shows in and from cities in the US, Europe and Asia. Contact Jef, do a swap with him, look at the other cities he’s worked with, contact them. Kick butt.
And, most definitely, don’t stop there.
I know you want attention and validation from the art-critic-less Indianapolis Start. So aim bigger. Do something that gets you written up in the New York Times or People Magazine. Maybe then you’ll show up on the front page at home.
With the dealers yesterday morning we concocted a half-assed plan to get in the Guinness Book of Records for creating the world’s biggest painting (which I think is only 10,000 square feet). Get the left over roof from the Hoosier Dome, spread out a huge portion of it somewhere (half-time of a Pacer’s game???), dip kids in paint and let them slip ‘n slide to their hearts content. Maybe it’s better as a summer project, in a park, with public showers, or a high school football field because having an overview would be nice.
Do you think that would put you on the map? Do you think CNN would cover it?
As I pointed out to the dealers I am not afraid of bad ideas – they can, sooner or later, stimulate good ones. I’m afraid of no ideas. What I’ve proposed above is not perfect, but it’s a start and it isn’t particularly expensive. And I’ve got a kid who’d love to be dipped in paint.
For the foreseeable future I’ll check in on this discussion, respond occasionally and push you to surpass your expectations.
It’s good for both of us.
Thanks,
Paul
November 22, 2008 at 5:24 PM
One avenue I have been thinking about is advertising. I know IDADA and a number of other local arts venues have done some advertising in the local weeklys such as Indy.com and NUVO. Have we advertised in IBJ, Indianapolis Monthly, Indianapolis Woman, etc.?
In the past, I know we have worked together to get listings in the Midwest gallery guides but I have been wondering if we could look into other regional arts magazines such as Proximity Magazine (a fairly new arts magazine printed in Chicago) or Review magazine (printed in Kansas). I emailed each of these magazines earlier today to get an idea of their advertising policies and pricing as well as their future coverage of the Indianapolis area. There are always the big art mags as well, Art Forum, Art in America... I know advertising costs can be expensive, but perhaps we, in collaboration with other area entities, we can find some way to get word out about events and exhibitions in Indy.
November 24, 2008 at 5:25 PM
I'd like to thank Paul Klein for being our guest speaker and doing a terrific job. Also, meeting with our group the next day at Dean Johnson for a spirited conversation. I've heard from many others that have expressed their appreciation as well. A special thanks to Scott Grow for making this happen.
Much to think about coming off our Annual Meeting. The need for better(more) art criticism, better marketing campaigns to engage the local community and more dialogue between the artists we have here. I suggest IDADA can build on what we have in place and tackle these issues in the coming year.
December 2, 2008 at 7:07 PM
I just happened to address this blog by chance. I'm in the process of publishing an Indy's Art Magazine that will feature advertisement for artist. The magazine features galleries, artist articles and exibitions. The magazine indeed will bring the art to the community and best of all it will be a free publication. It is my intent to help all you fine artist in educating the public. Please e-mail me if you are interested in advertising or would like to be featured in an article for the magazine. The first issue will be in circulation by January. Thank you to all you great artist. caweidman01@msn.com
December 15, 2008 at 1:11 PM
For years the Indianapolis Art Center has featured artists from the midwest and beyond. Make sure to visit the IAC when you have the chance!
Post a Comment