What's the Point of Art?

Watch this Stephen Colbert interview with Thomas Campbell, the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, from November 9, 2009.

There is comedy in this clip, but it's also quite educational. Mr. Campbell discusses tapestries as an art form, and how they were valued in the Middle Ages. Stephen asks if art is only good art because an art critic says it is? Can good art be good art if no one knows it's good art? Can good art exist without an audience? And more...

Weekly Update - Front and Back Yard Installations

I didn't notice the strong shadows coming from my front yard installation when I took this picture a few days ago. I really like it. Now that the leaves have fallen off the maple tree that was shading this piece all summer, I hope to see good shadows through April when the leaves come out again. It'll be interesting to see the shadows in the snow.


There are no changes in or around my back yard installation in the past week, except for a few fallen leaves here or there. I wonder when the clematis leaves will die off.

Beside here on my blog, you can see a few month to month pictures on my website.

Stand Up and Be Counted: A Survey of Massachusetts Artists

Artists in Massachusetts and elsewhere should read the report "Stand Up and Be Counted: A Survey of Massachusetts Artists on Their Work Lives, Socioeconomic Status, Access to Healthcare, and Medical and Non-Medical Debt," which was conducted by the Artists Foundation. Over 3,400 Massachusetts artists of all disciplines participated in the on-line questionnaire.

This is a very visual and easy to read report, and it's very well done. Read more.

Opening, Sharing and Thanks

I really enjoyed the Opening reception of my show "Off the Fence" yesterday. It's not that often that I have the opportunity to have a solo show, and it's been really nice to be able to assemble a collection of my work and share it with others. I am extremely grateful to be able to do it.

I must admit that I was a little nervous about giving a talk last night, but once I started, it felt really good, and natural.

It was really nice to share with those who came last night, and it has also been good to share it via the internet with those who couldn't attend. The good wishes and support are very much appreciated. Thanks to all.

(Thanks also to my son for this picture, and the sweet tweet he made about this piece.)

Off the Fence Opening Reception and Saturday hours

There are a few things happening on Saturday in regard to my show Off the Fence, which is on exhibit at the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery, at Providence College, in Providence, RI.

There will be Saturday hours tomorrow, Saturday, November 7th from 3-5pm. The Opening Reception is also on Saturday from 5-7pm. I will give a brief talk about my work at 6pm.



I will be at the Gallery from 3-7pm, and I look forward to seeing everyone who stops by.


This is a partial campus map with the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery/Hall in red.


This is a google street map to help navigate around the college, but ignore the red marker. (Thanks google.)

You can find out more about the Hunt Cavanagh Gallery here and here.

Review

My solo show has been reviewed in "Gang of four: New work at 5 Traverse and Providence College," in the Providence Phoenix, by Greg Cook on November 3, 2009.

If you click on the link, scroll down to read the part about my show, or read the reviews section on my website.

This is my first solo show review by an art critic and I am thankful for it. Past reviews that mentioned me have mainly been about my work in groups shows in a textile related periodical, and a (now deceased) Boston area Arts newspaper.

The comments in the review are very helpful in making me think about what direction to take my work. The fact that the reviewer liked the piece I cut up (as do I) is also very helpful feedback. I have been thinking about cutting into more work, and also about whether or not I want to keep "quilting" my work or if I want to simply stitch it and hang the fabric somehow, or mount it on board or canvas.

In March I will be in a two-person show at the Narrows Gallery in Fall River, MA with Catherine Carter. I feel challenged to consider the reviewers comments as I plan and create work for that show, all while keeping true to myself and my art. 

Weekly Update - Front and Back Yard Installations

My front yard installation is surrounded by fallen leaves.


Yesterday we had a bulky waste pickup ready in front of our house, and I was a bit of concerned because the pile of stuff to be picked up was REALLY close to it.


Because I wanted to make sure the DPW (Department of Public Works) knew it was to remain, I tied a sign to it. It also didn't hurt that I was home when they came for the pickup, so I went outside to make sure they saw the sign. I love our DPW. They assured me that they knew it was not for the taking. That was nice.


My back yard installation has some fallen leaves around it, and the grasses behind it are turning brown. The clematis leaves on it are still very green. I expect that to change shortly since cooler weather is upon us.

Beside here on my blog, you can see a few month to month pictures on my website.