Check out this page at NewMuseum.org:
http://www.newmuseum.org/events/139
Night School is an artist's project by Anton Vidokle in the form of a temporary school. A yearlong program of monthly seminars and workshops, Night School draws upon a group of local and international artists, writers, and theorists to conceptualize and conduct the program.
I look at this program at the New Museum and I am in awe. My love of the NewMuseum in NYC and my experience in Philly at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art)which I am also in heart with are showing me that part of DC's problem when it comes to Art is that there is no reasonably sized privately funded art venue. The Katzen could become it- but it's not quite that yet.
The depth with which the TNM & ICA plumb their communities for shows and ideas and enrichment is staggering. The federal museums are trying, but so long as local art shown at these venues are spread out it seems like exceptional local art will always seem like "tokenism" to any outsider.
The big money person that realized they could come into DC and start building a private or NGP/NFP venue like the institutions I mentioned in Philly & NYC may have an uphill battle - but so did the New Museum and the ICA when they first opened if anyone that reads this has kept track. Something to think about and proselytize for.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
THANK YOU KATHRYN & SPENCE
was what the google group post was supposed to say....Thank you to Kathryn and her husband Spence for opening up their home and giving us the resources to have a longer more natural discussion in light of starting to work on this first project. Thank you for coming and bringing good stuff to eat and drink. Thank you for being interesting and engaged and giving a damn.
To get the ball rolling on a ‘slide show’ to submit to E32. To get the ball rolling fairly quickly we have two ACTION items for the next meeting.
1-a private flickr group was created for everyone to load 10 to 20 slides on before the next meeting on March 10. I sent you all an invite emails, but if you want to go and set up an account with another email the url is: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcacsparkplug/
The work you put on flickr should be your best foot forward, best slides you have and remember final submission needs to be projected at 40” x 60” so make sure you have a high quality image available for all the images in case it is chosen-(the whole product here is of the reproduced images.)
Here is a link on how to post photos to the groups photo “pool” (I am a first time flickr user so those with more experience feel free to give some pointers)
http://www.flickr.com/help/groups/#57
2- think of themes that might interesting for this slide show to talk about at the meeting
After discussion of themes at the next meeting, Lea Ann has agreed to help with crafting the short curatorial statement and picking work from the slides loaded on flickr and Lisa has agreed to work on finding the 3 minute musical accompaniment.
Other stuff we talked about 'in group' ...
In putting together the raw material for E32 there was then interest in putting the presentation into a power point or other similar software and setting up a similar slide program at a local venue, like The Diner or projecting along (or on) a band or at other event in DC to promote Sparkplug and DCAC. There are probably other venues outside of DC that project artists works that we can seek out locally and far afield so keep your eyes peeled for similar opportunities.
some other stuff I thought of ....
I think we may have 1-2 more simple questions for Linda Griggs (who runs E32) like can they accept video snips, how much can she let us know about any local group she might match us with and how much notice we will have about when the work might be presented. I will work on that with Kathryn. let me know if you think of anything else we need to ask.
Also we started trying to figure out about how long each slide was projected (which seems like about 6 seconds) Figuring out in advance how many images v. description slides fit into a 3 minute presentation may be helpful if someone has the time to look at the archived presentations on the E32 website and do the math.
To get the ball rolling on a ‘slide show’ to submit to E32. To get the ball rolling fairly quickly we have two ACTION items for the next meeting.
1-a private flickr group was created for everyone to load 10 to 20 slides on before the next meeting on March 10. I sent you all an invite emails, but if you want to go and set up an account with another email the url is: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcacsparkplug/
The work you put on flickr should be your best foot forward, best slides you have and remember final submission needs to be projected at 40” x 60” so make sure you have a high quality image available for all the images in case it is chosen-(the whole product here is of the reproduced images.)
Here is a link on how to post photos to the groups photo “pool” (I am a first time flickr user so those with more experience feel free to give some pointers)
http://www.flickr.com/help/groups/#57
2- think of themes that might interesting for this slide show to talk about at the meeting
After discussion of themes at the next meeting, Lea Ann has agreed to help with crafting the short curatorial statement and picking work from the slides loaded on flickr and Lisa has agreed to work on finding the 3 minute musical accompaniment.
Other stuff we talked about 'in group' ...
In putting together the raw material for E32 there was then interest in putting the presentation into a power point or other similar software and setting up a similar slide program at a local venue, like The Diner or projecting along (or on) a band or at other event in DC to promote Sparkplug and DCAC. There are probably other venues outside of DC that project artists works that we can seek out locally and far afield so keep your eyes peeled for similar opportunities.
some other stuff I thought of ....
I think we may have 1-2 more simple questions for Linda Griggs (who runs E32) like can they accept video snips, how much can she let us know about any local group she might match us with and how much notice we will have about when the work might be presented. I will work on that with Kathryn. let me know if you think of anything else we need to ask.
Also we started trying to figure out about how long each slide was projected (which seems like about 6 seconds) Figuring out in advance how many images v. description slides fit into a 3 minute presentation may be helpful if someone has the time to look at the archived presentations on the E32 website and do the math.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Call for Entry
PAPER AIRPLANE: Call for Entries
Paperwork Gallery in Baltimore, MD presents a juried
show of works on paper, including drawings, paintings,
prints, mixed media, and photography.
Jurors: Amy Eva Raehse, Director of Goya Contemporary
Gallery and Jackie Milad, Director of the Union
Gallery at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Exhibition dates: June 15 - August 30. Applications
must be postmarked by April 1. Applications should
Include three jpegs, a title sheet, a one page resume,
and a $15 application fee made out to Paperwork
Gallery. Send applications to: Paperwork Gallery. 107
E. Preston Street. Baltimore, MD. 21202.
Please email us at paperworkgallery@gmail.com or visit
us at http://paperworkgallery.blogspot.com for more information.
Paperwork Gallery in Baltimore, MD presents a juried
show of works on paper, including drawings, paintings,
prints, mixed media, and photography.
Jurors: Amy Eva Raehse, Director of Goya Contemporary
Gallery and Jackie Milad, Director of the Union
Gallery at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Exhibition dates: June 15 - August 30. Applications
must be postmarked by April 1. Applications should
Include three jpegs, a title sheet, a one page resume,
and a $15 application fee made out to Paperwork
Gallery. Send applications to: Paperwork Gallery. 107
E. Preston Street. Baltimore, MD. 21202.
Please email us at paperworkgallery@gmail.com or visit
us at http://paperworkgallery.blogspot.com for more information.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Kathryn just sent me this V-day post from the E32 people - lovely little slide show that is far from 'sugary' - it actually had a friend of mine in it (frosted police car, mmmmm).
Thinking about what we would send - I think something themed is strong-it gives you a reason to keep wanting to see more....not all of us may have work to submit if we narrow the theme, but it may make more of an impact, just a thought....
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
2/10/08 Meeting Minutes
SPARKPLUG 2/10/08 minutes (taken by Karen) There were 7 people in attendance :
Jenny, Kathryn, Philip, Mike, Deborah, Peter & Karen
Agenda items were covered as follows:
1-presentations
Mike Matason & Peter Gordon presented their work. (Disclaimer: I am going to sum it up in just 1-3 sentences - (if anyone thinks I have severely misrepresented email me at karenjoan@gmail with what you want fixed or what you thought.)
Mike Matason works in the medium that he describes as “visual light painting photography” using a black and white film camera he investigates how film is capable of arresting how sensory perception makes the intangibility of light tangible. Capturing bursts of light in abstract patterns and “painting” in the features of his portrait sitters with a focused beam of light by using the ‘bulb’ shutter setting, Mike is also finding that he catches many intangible qualities of time and motion and the personalities.
Peter Gordon is painter that does very heavily textured oil paintings inspired by the varied micro and macrocosmic visual shape and masses found by looking at landscapes. In the process of translating a seemingly horizon less landscape the process of laying down the media of paint or drawing materials strongly reflects his viewpoint that circumstance of both art and life are driven by uncontrollable interruptions and respect for what cannot be controlled.
2-The Party
We talked about the impending inaugural Sparkplug party on Saturday, 2/23/08. Details on the party were posted to the list and the blog on Feb. 3 Feel free to ask me questions, coordinate rides or potluck thru me and please RSVP to karenjoan@gmail.com by 2/18/08 so I know we will have enough soda & pretzels.
3-Shelfari
I have set up a book group for SPARKPLUG on Shelfari. http://www.shelfari.com/
The group is called SPARKPLUG. You will need to create a personal login to use the website. You can search for SPARKPLUG in a field in the top margin of the home page (but make sure to switch the search parameter from books to groups.)
http://www.shelfari.com/clubsearch.aspx?keywords=sparkplug
We can use the group to write responses specific to the discussions we are having in meetings. I encourage you to set up and account and write down your responses regarding the books that you have read and recommended at the last meeting or add books you have thought of since then.
3-goals for goals
Possible project to think about…In planning the party Kathryn & I began talking about a good possible fist project of putting together a ‘curated’ slide show in earnest for a call for projects found here : http://e32.hitart.com/
Pre-screening the web site and thinking about how to approach this project is something we hope getting informally discussed at the party in addition to more people getting to know each other better as we start thinking about working collectively on something.
3-ideas about ideas-in no particular order
~Philip has suggested doing critiques of how we might present our work as individuals if we were sending images to a jury panel. We had an extensive discussion about how these panels resemble“cattle call” type actor’s auditions – if 100 people send 20 slides - each that is 2000 (!) slides that need to be viewed in one sitting. With that many slides to view, artworks (and the artists that paid $20 to be reviewed) are quickly cut out of the jury process for reasons such as:
*unfocused slides
*slides of 2-d work where the work is photographed crooked
*using jpgs that were watermarked for use on the web
*not sending a ‘slide list’ with your jpgs or pdfs listing the medium, size, title of the works
*sending slides of work that show too many different ideas
*sending useless details that don’t show any more content then the picture of the whole work
*not sending details when you really need to – esp. for installation & sculpture
The first 4 items apply to everyone. The last 3 items need to be handled differently by everyone. There are many subtle things that you may not think about because you are so intimate with your own work. A jury that has never seen it does not take anything for granted. Re-doing our slide presentations and running a jury panel on OURSELVES is the suggestion that is on the table. Think about how much time you need to prepare and if this is something of interest, we can pick a deadline for SUBMISSION to our ‘fake’ jury.
~Jenny has started working for International Arts & Artists and can get you information about getting group insurance coverage from them.
~Lisa McCarthy (who many of you have already met at Sparkplug meetings) is having an opening of a solo show called Astral Bodies at …..Tada……DCAC! The opening on Friday, 2/22/08. Please come out and support her and see her paintings in the ‘flesh’.
Info: http://dcartscenter.org/event.htm#Gallery
(Aside: In general it would be great to see more Sparkplug people at each & every DCAC opening, not just those of Sparkplug members. It’s a convenient ‘extra’ collective building time. I am at almost all of them and it would be great to dialogue about what people think about the shows that are being put on at DCAC and meet more of the DCAC staff & board.)
4~ACTION!
~COME TO LISA’s OPENING (2/22/08) & THE PARTY AT KATHRYN’S (2/23/08)
5-Agenda Items for next meeting
The next meeting is tentatively planned for Monday March 10 at 7:30 PM at the DCAC gallery
~talk about the party, Astral Bodies and curated slide show idea
~set possible deadline for ‘fake’ jury panel
~Ideas about ideas
~Goals for goals
keep forging ahead towards "Meatier Discussion"
(ALWAYS ALWAYS feel free to email me anything else you want to talk about or think needs to be added to the next meetings agenda)
Jenny, Kathryn, Philip, Mike, Deborah, Peter & Karen
Agenda items were covered as follows:
1-presentations
Mike Matason & Peter Gordon presented their work. (Disclaimer: I am going to sum it up in just 1-3 sentences - (if anyone thinks I have severely misrepresented email me at karenjoan@gmail with what you want fixed or what you thought.)
Mike Matason works in the medium that he describes as “visual light painting photography” using a black and white film camera he investigates how film is capable of arresting how sensory perception makes the intangibility of light tangible. Capturing bursts of light in abstract patterns and “painting” in the features of his portrait sitters with a focused beam of light by using the ‘bulb’ shutter setting, Mike is also finding that he catches many intangible qualities of time and motion and the personalities.
Peter Gordon is painter that does very heavily textured oil paintings inspired by the varied micro and macrocosmic visual shape and masses found by looking at landscapes. In the process of translating a seemingly horizon less landscape the process of laying down the media of paint or drawing materials strongly reflects his viewpoint that circumstance of both art and life are driven by uncontrollable interruptions and respect for what cannot be controlled.
2-The Party
We talked about the impending inaugural Sparkplug party on Saturday, 2/23/08. Details on the party were posted to the list and the blog on Feb. 3 Feel free to ask me questions, coordinate rides or potluck thru me and please RSVP to karenjoan@gmail.com by 2/18/08 so I know we will have enough soda & pretzels.
3-Shelfari
I have set up a book group for SPARKPLUG on Shelfari. http://www.shelfari.com/
The group is called SPARKPLUG. You will need to create a personal login to use the website. You can search for SPARKPLUG in a field in the top margin of the home page (but make sure to switch the search parameter from books to groups.)
http://www.shelfari.com/clubsearch.aspx?keywords=sparkplug
We can use the group to write responses specific to the discussions we are having in meetings. I encourage you to set up and account and write down your responses regarding the books that you have read and recommended at the last meeting or add books you have thought of since then.
3-goals for goals
Possible project to think about…In planning the party Kathryn & I began talking about a good possible fist project of putting together a ‘curated’ slide show in earnest for a call for projects found here : http://e32.hitart.com/
Pre-screening the web site and thinking about how to approach this project is something we hope getting informally discussed at the party in addition to more people getting to know each other better as we start thinking about working collectively on something.
3-ideas about ideas-in no particular order
~Philip has suggested doing critiques of how we might present our work as individuals if we were sending images to a jury panel. We had an extensive discussion about how these panels resemble“cattle call” type actor’s auditions – if 100 people send 20 slides - each that is 2000 (!) slides that need to be viewed in one sitting. With that many slides to view, artworks (and the artists that paid $20 to be reviewed) are quickly cut out of the jury process for reasons such as:
*unfocused slides
*slides of 2-d work where the work is photographed crooked
*using jpgs that were watermarked for use on the web
*not sending a ‘slide list’ with your jpgs or pdfs listing the medium, size, title of the works
*sending slides of work that show too many different ideas
*sending useless details that don’t show any more content then the picture of the whole work
*not sending details when you really need to – esp. for installation & sculpture
The first 4 items apply to everyone. The last 3 items need to be handled differently by everyone. There are many subtle things that you may not think about because you are so intimate with your own work. A jury that has never seen it does not take anything for granted. Re-doing our slide presentations and running a jury panel on OURSELVES is the suggestion that is on the table. Think about how much time you need to prepare and if this is something of interest, we can pick a deadline for SUBMISSION to our ‘fake’ jury.
~Jenny has started working for International Arts & Artists and can get you information about getting group insurance coverage from them.
~Lisa McCarthy (who many of you have already met at Sparkplug meetings) is having an opening of a solo show called Astral Bodies at …..Tada……DCAC! The opening on Friday, 2/22/08. Please come out and support her and see her paintings in the ‘flesh’.
Info: http://dcartscenter.org/event.htm#Gallery
(Aside: In general it would be great to see more Sparkplug people at each & every DCAC opening, not just those of Sparkplug members. It’s a convenient ‘extra’ collective building time. I am at almost all of them and it would be great to dialogue about what people think about the shows that are being put on at DCAC and meet more of the DCAC staff & board.)
4~ACTION!
~COME TO LISA’s OPENING (2/22/08) & THE PARTY AT KATHRYN’S (2/23/08)
5-Agenda Items for next meeting
The next meeting is tentatively planned for Monday March 10 at 7:30 PM at the DCAC gallery
~talk about the party, Astral Bodies and curated slide show idea
~set possible deadline for ‘fake’ jury panel
~Ideas about ideas
~Goals for goals
keep forging ahead towards "Meatier Discussion"
(ALWAYS ALWAYS feel free to email me anything else you want to talk about or think needs to be added to the next meetings agenda)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sparkplug: Beyond Networking
"the party"
Please RSVP for you and a friend or two, to Karen at karenjoan@gmail.com by February 18.
Where: 2825 49th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
How: Hosted by Sparkplug member Kathryn McDonnell at her home. (This location is not near a metro station, and while the house is on the D6 bus route, the closest stop is over half a mile walk. Driving or arranging a ride with someone in the group is highly encouraged.)
What: BYOB/potluck social event in a more relaxed, domestic setting designed to revisit where we started and push the question "What's next for Sparkplug?"
Why: As we approach our six month mark, a consistently committed core of artists and curators is beginning to take shape. Where do we go now? Come to this evening and be a part of the continued efforts to raise the level of dialogue and commitment to the collective Sparkplug community to the next level.
Chips, dips & non-alcohol stuff will be provided, but like our Sparkplug meetings so far, potluck and responsible BYOB is highly encouraged.
New introduction of excellent, under-represented artistic and curatorial talent from our collective spheres of influence is also highly encouraged.
There will be a short presentation by Karen and Kathryn at 9:30 PM.
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