Striking Out
21 September 2007
11 CommentsThe reason being, I was torn. I didn’t know what emotion to feel. I was initially hit with a feeling of joy while reading the wonderfully positive review of my work. I thought about how it was about time, that after fifteen years of making art I finally got a really positive review. About if this review was in the Village Voice it could make me nearly famous and could possibly make my goals attainable.
Then I read the blurb about Kurt Polkey’s work and I felt sad that his work was reviewed in an almost hurtful way. Then I was excited for him because it did seem that the review stated in the end that his work was the most engaging and thought provoking. Kurt’s work is opening tomorrow night at Jane Gray Gallery. Brittni Wood’s work was given some nice kudos too and she has a solo show scheduled at Jane Gray in November. Then I noticed that James Greene and Mark Creegan’s work wasn’t even mentioned at all. It made me sad. But I should be happy my work was being reviewed at all, right? Wrong.
And this is the reason why. Earlier this year I was in a small group show that I curated at the Burrito Gallery and the same thing happened to me. It felt odd to me that with a show with as few artists as four that two of them were not included. Not one word. I wanted to understand why so I wrote the author of the article and got into a really nasty email chain about ethics in writing, and such. The author never conceded that she was in the wrong by not mentioning all the artists.
I had thought that it was because there was a line quota or word count that had to be taken into account for the article and that must be the reason we weren’t included. Well the author did not concede. She stated that it was indeed because she hated my work and that I should be glad that my work was not mentioned. I remember writing to her that to me apathy is the enemy and for my work and my wife’s work to be not mentioned at all was an illustration of apathy. That I would have preferred saying she hated my work. It would have been much better for me.
I thought of this incident while reading the EU article. On the one hand I’m very excited and then on the other hand I feel sad for James and Mark not being mentioned. Not even one line. And then for just a second I thought, oh well that’s the GAME. Easy come easy go. I won’t say anything. It’s not my business. At least I was mentioned. And then I remembered my post from earlier this week. About how I talked about do unto others, the golden rule and such. And for just a second I felt myself becoming apathetic and beginning to play the GAME. Playing ball.
How easily we forget what we preach. You guys deserve to be mentioned. It wouldn’t have been that hard to throw in a line or two about their work. In summary, it’s much easier to play the GAME. We all have to make decisions every day. I believe as artists we have an obligation to point the issues out. I believe that if there is truth we must attempt to find it. Even though you might strike out. Even though you will risk losing the game.
I’m enjoying the game from the dugout and only occasionally allow myself to play.
Byron- I think Mark is the one person in the city that can take not being mentioned. By the EU. Pronounced EWWW. Just kidding!
Personally I thought his work and James’ mural were highlights of the show, though I enjoyed the entire show.
You carry a lot of of stuff around with you that you don’t need to carry. I think you are so focused and passionate that you’re going to be underwhelmed by a lot of reaction to all the great things you are doing. Dialogue with dipshits is seldom worth it. It actually made me laugh to think that a writer said they hated your work. Thats rich.
Some people handglide, some smoke pot. Bathe in the joy and let all the other stuff run off into the river.
Don’t stop doing your thing.
Also if you are calm, check out the http://www.bandofhorses.com and go to the pre-order page. They TOTALLY STOLE your deer!
Anyway. Glad you are here dude.
yeah Tony. I hear you. but I wouldn’t have felt right by not saying anything.
Thanks for covering the show EU. Really nice of you guys to stop by.
And Tony, those aren’t http://www.trophysoldiers.com so it’s all good.
This just made me think of something. What if someone reviewed art reviews? Seems it’d be interesting if someone really looked at the Art Reviews out there and critiqued them seriously. It might be interesting….? maybe not.
I remember writing a theater review for the times union. I had put a lot of work into it — I wanted my review to be profound in some way. I had not mentioned one of the star performers. I hadn’t liked him (had been too influenced by the movie version perhaps) and I knew it wasn’t his fault. I decided not to mention him at all. The editor told me I had to mention him. As a writer I prided myself on honesty but in this case and with a deadline, I wrote something lame and positive about the fellow. Writing for the rags is a hard job. The pay is lousy and the writers are alway rushed. Don’t be too hard on eu. And remember, nothing is something.
I agree with you both. I just wanted to say something because I know how I felt when it happened to me. The article I mentioned about the Burrito Gallery show didn’t even mention that my wife and I were in the show at all. At least the author, Donald, used imagery of the artists he didn’t include in the show and actually named all
of the artists who were in the show.
I think his review of the show was very positive and well written.
And yes, I should probably let things slide off of me like water off a duck’s back or something like that, but a reaction like that would almost be disguised as apathy. And apathy is what has gotten us into this situation in the first place in Jacksonville. Accepting the same definition of art that has been spoon fed to us for years. I’ve talked to Donald in depth and he is on our side. He wants to write about new work and see this city evolve it’s contemporary art scene. Donald’s is an artist too by the way and does some very interesting thickly applied paintings. I look forward to reading more of his reviews.
I hardly see not being mentioned in this article as striking out y’all. While I’m happy they included a good-looking image of my work, I’m also happy this dude didn’t try to extrapolate on my piece with words. I spoke with him at length at my opening at MOCA and he made like he was planning to write my installation up. Got that to look forward to…(?) Kudos for Kurt and Brittni! May your shows at Jane Gray make us laugh and cry … and buy.
And big ups to Tony for joinin this discussion.
No James. I wasn’t saying that at all. I titled it Striking Out because saying anything about it was potentially striking out for me not you. Just wanted to mention that I thought it’d be nice that you guys were mentioned in a line or two.
If you didn’t feel that way then oh well, I suppose I should have just kept my mouth shut. To tell you the truth I’m getting a bit tired of being the only one who writes on this blog lately anyway and I’m going to take a break for a bit.
Sorry to bring it up. It was a nice review. I wouldn’t have felt right to not say anything about it. Obviously I should have.
later.
byron
But thanks Byron for mentioning it. I am really glad your work and the show in general got such a nice review. I hope that means future shows at the Pedestrian, Opaque, and at the museum will get the same. Kudos to EU for making that happen. Maybe it will twist the arm of my first media love, the Folio?;)
As far as not being mentioned i dont feel slighted at all. Perhaps that would have been different if I hadnt received such nice words from various people I respect and I had that great online discussion with Madeleine on her blog that was sparked after her insightful critique.
But i appreciate you mentioning it Byron, really.
By the way, James gave a really insightful and awesome talk about his work at the UNF gallery last week. Its something we should all do. Perhaps set up a regularly scheduled artist talk and/or interview at the Ped or museum? It would be great not only for our experience, but also to spread knowledge about individual practices. I know it seems like I am off topic here, but that would also assist any potential writers/reviewers getting to know all of our work.
Thanks Mark. I appreciate it.
No, Byron. I think you were right to mention this srticle and to articulate on art reviews in Jacksonville in general. Allison’s latest post says it best. There needs to be some saavier art writing if we’re to be taken seriously as an art community. I’d like to help, and I’ll start writing for this blog more. Sorry, I’ve been, I don’t know, busy smoking pot and playing Playstation or something.
Hey congrats for writing the blog post! And Congrats for writing this blog singlehandedly. Congrats for congratulating me earlier, too. Can I bank a couple more congrats so that the next time I forget no one will feel sore?
No worries James. And thanks. I think. It would have bothered me otherwise to have not mentioned it.
I would love you to write art reviews for this blog and mentioned this to Madeleine earlier, that I would like to have a page just for Art Reviews. If you are really interested in doing this that would be great. So quit smoking pot and wasting time with your family and get on here and do some serious writing.
thanks everyone for contributing up to this point and already making it a great place to be honest, open, and have a dialogue about contemporary art.
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