by Jerome du Bois
We're outsiders. We don't go to First Fridays or other openings, we don't schmooze with any of the art people in this town; too many enemies. We don't know what motivates these people, or their supporters; we just report on what emerges in public, in their statements and behavior, and their events.
We didn't review the 9th Annual Artlink Juried Art Exhibition because we had decided we were going to ignore Artlink from now on, and not say another word about them. We also decided not to announce that fact. So we posted the photos and left.
Then some jerk put his doggerel about us up on the Artlink Forum, so we had to respond. (I predict that thread will be taken down by the end of the weekend, when the webmaster realizes once again that he can't afford to host the slanderers, skanks, and liars that collect like filthy flies around such rotten logorrhea.)
Now we have received an email from one of the artists in the exhibition, Alexander Scott Hughes. It is one of the most civilized emails I've ever received. Refreshing. (I've reprinted the whole thing after the jump.) He chides us --correctly-- for lumping all the art together as "crappy." I acknowledge that; we were just sick to death of Artlink, every member of the board, and everything it stood for. We figured pictures tell thousands of words, as well. Let people judge for themselves.
But Mr. Hughes was at the opening, and he tells us about it. First, though, read this part of the announcement about the exhibition, published on the Artlink website:
Artlink is sponsoring an Opening Reception during Artlink's First Friday on December 2nd from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Artlink First Friday shuttle Buses will be stopping at City Hall that evening between 6:00 and 10:00 PM. This year's prestigious panel of jurors included: Carolyn Robbins, curator of Education; Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art; John Spiak, Curatorial Specialist; Arizona State University; and Terry Ward, Midday Host; KJZZ. Recipients of the Juror's Awards ($100.00 per Juror) will be announced at the Opening Reception.
Now, read Mr. Hughes's experience of that night:
I am one of the artists that exhibited work at Artlinks 9th Annual Juried Art Exhibition. My work is solid and from the soul. I do not condone how Artlink has handled this exhibition. The works feel as if they were haphazardly hung, the lighting was poor, and the public was uninformed of the event. I was there opening night from seven till around eight thirty. It was about that time when one of the other guests told me that he overheard that the awards would not be handed out. There was no announcement, they simply left. I have called the Artlink office twice this week to ask about this unsettled matter and still have heard nothing back.
We have been telling people for a long time that Artlink is unprofessional and unaccountable.
Again, we don't know what motivates these people. But the world can judge their public behavior.
It's unexplicable and despicable. But that's the Artlink pros for you.
For you. You can have them, Phoenix. In fact, you seem to be stuck with them.
Why is that? we wonder.
[Here is Mr. Hughes's email.]
Mr. du Bois
I am one of the artists that exhibited work at Artlinks 9th Annual Juried Art Exhibition. My work is solid and from the soul. I do not condone how Artlink has handled this exhibition. The works feel as if they were haphazardly hung, the lighting was poor, and the public was uninformed of the event. I was there opening night from seven till around eight thirty. It was about that time when one of the other guests told me that he overheard that the awards would not be handed out. There was no announcement, they simply left. I have called the Artlink office twice this week to ask about this unsettled matter and still have heard nothing back. This was very unnerving. I have been in the art scene downtown for a long time and actually stopped exhibiting when one of my works was stolen from the Mainstay Art space in April of this year due simply to the owners outright neglect. Now I consider not showing downtown until there is some stability.
I do not on the other hand take lightly my art being called "crappy."
"Looks real good for Phoenix, doesn't it, Phils? Keep up the crappy work. These are the people who are now exhibiting in your City Hall, and their supporters."
I understand frustration with the art world in Phoenix all too well, but shotgun blasting in generalizations is unfair. I am one of those artists who have worked hard to fine-tune my craft and I also take great pride in the art that I produce. Nothing was ever handed to me nor have I ever asked for a free ride. I hope you consider this when writing about art and artists in Phoenix, there are good artists here, they just need the opportunities that places like New York, L.A., and Chicago have provided to make there communities blossom into strength. This however takes time and the right guidance.
sincerely,
Alexander Scott Hughes
[Readers: this is the way to communicate with us.]
[UPDATE: Also, The Tears Of Things --Catherine King and Jerome du Bois-- would like to say that, in our opinion, Artlink owes Mr. Hughes $100, since his is one of the three best pieces in the exhibition.]
Posted by Jerome at December 9, 2005 07:40 AM | TrackBack