Open Your Walls!
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- Upcoming Atlanta art events: Sept. 19, 2013
- Through Sept. 26 2013
- Through October 11, 2013
- October 19-20, 2013
| SUBMISSION FOR SEPTEMBER, 2013
Working title: “Open Your Walls!” Approx. length: 665 + calendar words Deadline for submission: AUGUST 16, 2012 Submit to: Collin Kelly, Managing Editor 404-586-0102 collin@AtlantaINtownPaper.com I am an artist and I’ve been thinking… Maybe it’s just me but it seems like there’s a lot more art being pushed out to the public lately in weirdly innovative ways which I love because as a gallery owner I get bored real easy seeing yet another exhibit on walls by extraordinarily talented artists waiting to see if anyone comes to see it. Or maybe it’s because I like being outdoors. Either way, traditional exhibits are a little like going to see your grandma, loving her and dreading it just a little. She has a real nice house and it’s clean as a whistle. She’s dressed in a nice outfit and has powder on her face and has been sitting by the window waiting for you to get there. You know she’s told all her lady friends that you’re coming and will probably fix that leak in the sink. It’s not really huge pressure, but it makes the visit seem a little “precious” somehow and not in a good way no matter what she’s been baking. So when art groups demonstrate a little forward thinking to make art more accessible and enticing, I’m all in. When Fay Gold retired I thought it was the end of an era foreshadowing an exodus of art collectors taking their business north, but she came back to life on the Westside with a bang, showcasing HENSE, the graffiti artist and hasn’t slowed down yet. It’s possible that she is a hologram because I haven’t seen her in person lately but I’ll check to be sure she’s solid at her black tie party for “Art in the Streets” on Sept. 19. Then the Living Walls conference was held in August, bringing film, block parties, lectures, a bike tour and dozens of artists ready to paint outdoor artwork on literally any surface made available. I’m not necessarily advocating artistic graffiti but you have to admit it gets the dialogue started and grabs your attention. The Beltline continues to aggressively install art with a line up of over 70 works along 8 miles of the trail this fall. Even the venerable High Museum offered “Vermeer with a Schmear” in August with bagels, coffee and a discount on admission. It seems like everyone has pushed the art envelope just a bit closer to the edge of the table, so in a typical fit of artist self doubt I caught myself wondering if I was staying current. Then I realized that several months ago my company embarked on an enterprise that is right on trend. We turn our entire office building into a gallery every two months. We select an artist and curate the show. We hold a casual ‘after office hours’ party to launch it, and for two months, no matter who shows up for countless meetings, the artist’s work is right in their face. No invitation required, but viewing it is. Since we started this I’m pretty sure I’ve given two thousand tours and I’m only exaggerating a little. The artists agree to donate a portion of any sale to our non-profit foundation. The office looks great. In every way it speaks to making art more public, and without using graffiti. How can you open your walls? First, artists don’t work in offices. Okay, they might have jobs there but their ‘real work’ is done in the studio. Second, everyone knows one. And last, who could deny the need to enliven your office environment? I propose this challenge that is much less strenuous than painting a mural on the outside of your office building, which would be fun but messy. Simply put, turn your office into a gallery. It’s very easy to do with minimal skill as I can attest. In this way you are supporting local artists and appear to be much more sensitive than you probably are. So before you get all excited from the effects of street art in Atlanta and grab a can of spray paint, try this first. If my own office is any indication, you will make more people smile every single day. Upcoming Atlanta art events: Sept. 19, 2013 Opening reception: “Art in the Streets” Fay Gold Gallery at Westside Cultural Arts Center Works from the 1980’s through the present including Keith Haring, KAWS, and many others. This is as contemporary as contemporary art can get. On display until Nov. 9, 2013. 760 10th St. NW, Atlanta GA 30318 770-364-5432 (call for details about the opening reception) Website: www.westsideartscenter.com
“The Contemporary Landscape: Overlap Wrap” The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center This surprising installation combines materials in a contemplative space. 535 Means St., NW, Atlanta GA 30318 404-688-1970 Website: www.thecontemporary.org Free to attend. Through October 11, 2013 “Endless Summer” pb&j gallery Photographs, paintings, collage and more by artists Yvonne Boyd, Bob Burkhardt and others in a low key urban setting. 35 Howard St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30317 404-606-1856 Website: www.pbj-gallery.com Free to attend October 19-20, 2013 “Fall Festival on Ponce” 125 selected local artists will set up in historic Olmsted Linear Park for this fall outdoor art show. From fine art to folk and a special connection to a very special charity. 1451 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta GA 30307 404=845=0793 Website: www.festivalonponce.com Free to attend. Patrick Dennis is an artist, gallery owner and President of the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces. He lives in Atlanta. Email: Patrick@affps.com Download 16.48 Kb. Share with your friends:
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