talks
Community Meeting at Little Berlin
By beth heinly
February 23, 2010 · 15 Comments
In conjunction with “Works on Paper Rejects”, inspired by Arcadia’s “Works on Paper”, Little Berlin is holding a community meeting about the issue of juried art exhibitions. We each apply to at least one juried show. It may be on a regular basis or maybe hardly ever. They are definitely in our minds. What’s the benefit for showing in a juried exhibit? Monetary reasons? Exposure? Is that really what making art is all about? When you’re applying to juried show it’s a form of social networking, a social networking involved with an art institution, art gallery, art association — art world.
Installation view, Works on Paper Rejects
Here are some additional points to consider. There are others, but this should get the ball rolling:
–In a juried show, you lose some control of your work, that’s why it’s called submitting.
–There are a varying array of juried shows from highly curated with a theme to not curated.
–Can you make it in the art world without being in juried shows? How do you do it?
–Some juried shows give cash or purchase prizes. How important is that?
–By spot lighting funding through juried exhibits, grants, prizes are we neglecting collection for art?
So, come to Little Berlin on Saturday. We are looking for points of view across the board from artists, curators, art critics, gallery assistants, gallery owners, gallery directors, museum staff, professors of art history, other professors, etc. Overall the meeting is for artists.
Saturday, February 27, 2010 7pm
Moderators, Libby Rosof and Roberta Fallon
Little Berlin
119 W. Montgomery St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
littleberlin.org
Readers Comments (15)
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I have sworn off all but the largest and more well-known juried shows, which charge entry fees. Most of them are exorbitant and seem simply like money-makers. This meeting sounds like something necessary. And no offense meant, but is the hang for Paper Rejects meant to play up the “rejects” theme? It’s reminiscent of a high-school art show; it seems to play up the mediocrity rather than reinforcing the quality.
Yes, the hanging is playing with the theme of the show. Um, installon style? There are also “Reject” labels copied from the original “Works on Paper” exhibit. ALSO a pair of binoculars for viewing.
Also, I don’t mean to be mean, but, DUH.
Great topic for a panel. I did the juried show circuit in my early art career as a means to build up the old resume. Now I’m very selective and rarely ever submit to a juried show. It can get quite expensive and sometimes your work is not shown in the best way possible. However on a positive note, I’ve been included in group shows that created a new context for my work and drew a different type of audience. That’s when it works. Unfortunately so many of the galleries don’t have funding, so without juried shows, there would be no gallery or no exhibits.
I really like the hanging of the show: it’s original, plays with the theme and shows hanging too can be an art. Much more interesting to the eye than anything *normal*. Nice work.
Too bad your event co-incides with the Challenge deadline on March 1st, because now I have to plug it.
I’ll be at the meeting with applications, or if you want to hand them to me instead of making the trek out to Fleisher, that’s fine too! Remember, all applications are DUE March 1st, by 5:00 p.m.
Quite the contrary. Everyone bring your plugs!!
Insert bald joke here.
When I accepted my invitation to participate in this “rejects” exhibition and set aside my “loser” status I was also chosing to support Little Berlin for sticking its chin out there. Selective, absolutely, this whole event is an artists’ response to an artists’ dilemma.
The idea sounds really interesting. Personally, I’d like to submit to juried shows, but they are way too expensive. The two questions that are always on my mind are:
“–Can you make it in the art world without being in juried shows? How do you do it?
–Some juried shows give cash or purchase prizes. How important is that?”
The first question is the one that’s really driving me crazy. How can I build a CV without being in these juried shows, and building a name for myself. The second question has an easy answer: the cash prizes are important. Without $$ I can’t make art.
Sounds like a good issue to discuss. Wish I could be there:*(
i’m not just the president, i’m also a member!
Tiffany,
We’ll be documenting this meeting in forms not relating to “The Hair Club For Men”. Be sure to check out little berlin’s websites for updates.
May I BEG all of you readers to IGNORE the artblagh. Vi. Rom. is getting his jollies by being mean and tearing people down in the event of his own mediocre art career. This is what happens when artists feel entitled and then under-served. He is lashing out. He is a mean, mean man and even if he’s not working alone, rest assured whomever is hiding behind the mask of anonymous attackers, they do have something to hide. This is not like the guerilla girls who are working for positive change while protecting their identities. The artblagh people are just nasty people, and cowards at that.
Mira,
There is a dark side to everything. It’s important to embrace that side…ignoring that it exists is ignorant. This meeting was not about artblahg. It was certainly the catalyst, but if you were present at the meeting you would understand that who you’re claiming is the author is not the only artist that needed a good talk. I agree acting self-entitled will not get you anywhere.
Juried shows serve an artist as a forum to present their work.Institutions use the juried show to exercise their point of view and or importance.artist should realize that before entering so as to not waste time and money,choose where you spend your money thoughtfully.Spaces cost money to heat light and staff ,thats reality.The venues have to charge to pay cost ,not make a profit from the artist,but in some cases they take advantage of the artist,s need to show. If this happens dont enter again .even if everyone says it is important,without entries the show will lose its importance.Showing work is important to a working artist.Therefore artist should treat each show as if it is important,carefully choosing what and where they enter,near or far. Many artist may not realize that sometimes showing is just the beginning,many successful artist help to make their own success by seeing that each showing is an opportunity for them to generate interest in their work on every level. the show is the platform or stage not the end.It is the chance to evaluate the work themselves compared to others,get interested people to see it, perhaps get a wider audience,and maybe even sales or critical interest.The institution or gallery is not responsible for this ,each artist has a vested interest in their own future.Attend the opening if you can bring others ,return with other interested people during the life of the show,you paid for the chance to be up in public now see to that the public sees your work.Then the juried show is doing all it can for the artist.