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November 7, 2010

Month of Gratitude, Day 7: Art Venues

I'm grateful for all the places that display art . . . from world-famous museums, right on down to local restaurants generously opening their wall space to artists' works.

Because let's get real:  art wants to be seen.

As Stuart McLean recently said to those of us sitting in the audience for a live version of his "The Vinyl Cafe":  "It's so great that you are here!  If you weren't . . . well, we'd still do the show.  But it's better with you here."   

Artists are people who need to create stuff, no matter whether anyone else is ever going to see or hear or feel it or not.  That's just the way it goes.  Artists make things, no matter what.

But it feels WAY BETTER when we get to have our art out in the world.

Because art is about the communication of a vision.  Yes:  the vision's communication.

The vision gets transmitted to a human artist (from where?  I can't say that I know.  And that's way too spiritual a topic for all of us to agree upon, for sure).   And then, that human artist who receives the vision does her art thing -- which, essentially, is manifesting the vision on this human plane . . . making it an actual thing that other humans can perceive.  Think of the art as the pinpoint of a vortex of incoming vision.  Then, when the pinpoint is complete . . . BOOM!!!  It wants to be communicated out the other side -- where a whirling vortex of perceiving, seeing, listening humans can appreciate it, be inspired by it, be angered by it -- whatever the responses.   Which will then provoke more room for more visions.   More communications.    Yes!!!

I believe that is what art wants:  to be seen as a vision by someone, to be manifested by that person, and then to be seen by other humans in order to spark more room for more art.  

And artists want that, too.  Not so much for ego (though that always enters the picture, too, because hey, we're human.)  But more out of a feeling that this is what the art itself quavers for . . . to be seen.  When that cycle is complete, there is a sense of relief -- that one's done her part in the process:  manifested the vision, and sent it forth into the world.

Which is the very long story of why I am so grateful for artistic venues.  BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE ART GETS TO BE SEEN!!!  

Here's a lovely example:


Museo, at 215 First St. in Langley, Washington, is a terrific gallery hosting the work of local artists.  (Let's give a shout-out of gratitude to Langley itself.  Population = 1,100.  Just check-out its site of activities.  Gotta think this is more cool-art-activity-per-capita than most places on earth.)  Last night was opening night for its new show running through November 29, "The Uncanny Eye," which features terrific photography and other awesome art.


I snapped this shot of one of Colin Sulgrove's pieces.  I wish I could do it justice.  Colin is an 18-year-old dude.   Doing fabulous art work.  Getting it displayed in galleries.  And even in this  economy . . . he sold stuff.   
 

A big old bean-up-the-nose-spirit shout out to Colin, to the buyer, and to Museo -- and to all the other venues doing likewise for artists and buyers.

* * * * * *

I'm grateful that Bean Up The Nose Art products will soon be featured in a local show, too.  (This is my Marin County "local," to where I'll be headed back in a few short weeks.)

Marin Arts Council's "Small Wonders, Large Luxuries" opens in the MAC's gallery space at 906 4th St. in San Rafael on November 18.  Bean Up The Nose Art goodies are fortunate enough to be some of the small wonders.


The show runs through January 8, 2011.  Hoping you'll stop by and check out all the amazing work by Marin County artists, and find holiday gifts for your favorite folk.  

Great big gobs of gratitude to the Marin Arts Council for all it does to support local artists.  

1 comment:

meryl rose said...

that card just makes me laugh. In a cute way. PEAS on Earth. Hehehehehhehe :)

 
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