A Look at Art & Design

Overdue

This is just so much fun.  Read the spider correspondence to the right.  I had to share with you.
OverDue

(via Casey Shain)

Recession :: True or False

Perhaps I need to go back to economics class  and refresh my memory as to what a recession is exactly.  I’m confused.

I’ve been watching the news and it’s all gloom and doom.  I deal with business people who are telling me “It’s really grim out there, ya know.”  I’ve read about Christie’s and Sotheby’s and how the art market bubble has burst.  Talk of deep recession and rumors of depression are plentiful and they are freaking me out.

And yet...  imagine if you will...

Two weeks ago, I found I had to purchase a new laptop.  Had to, yes!  My 4 year old Mac (love of my life) was on its last bank of RAM, the battery lasted for only 20 minutes and the CD/DVD drive no longer worked.  I debated and debated about the purchase figuring that perhaps I should bite the bullet and forego the beautiful MacBook Pro with the solid aluminum housing, speedy quick processor, beautiful LED screen and backlit keyboard.... *sigh*  We’re in a recession, you know.

Ok... I use my laptop extensively when I’m on the road and not being able to read or burn a CD is kind of a bad thing for a graphic designer.  Also the 20 minutes of battery power was quite a problem  So off we went to the beautiful Apple store in West Hartford. 

The Westfarm’s Mall is lovely.  There is Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Bailey Banks and Biddle, Brooks Brothers... you get the idea?  I entered the Mall thinking that the place would be a ghost town... but au contraire!  It was bustling.  Men and women strolled here and there with BUNDLES!  Seriously!  Bundles of packages from all the top stores.  The Apple store was packed and happy (yes I bought the new laptop...his name is Henry) and Nordstrom was enjoying quite a rush at the perfume, handbag, and shoe departments.

Surely, this must just be a fluke...

Sunday, I decided to go spend an autumn afternoon at the outdoor Clinton Crossing Premium Mall do to some window shopping for Christmas.  Another lovely shopping establishment with a Saks, Barney’s, Ralph Lauren, Movado, etc...  Many of these stores have signs in the windows announcing anywhere from 30%-70% off.  Again... the place is crowded with strollers and shoppers.  The Coach store had no less than 50 people in it and a waiting line at the cashier... I’m not kidding!

Have I fallen into a recession black-hole...twice?

Now I’m not making light of those folks who have lost their jobs or lost their homes.  I can’t imagine the fear and pain of that kind of experience.  But what the hell is going on here?

Speaking with a client of mine three weeks ago at dinner, I’m told “It’s all media hype, Lisa.  In NYC people are still shopping, dining out at all the best and most expensive restaurants.  Now is the time to buy!!”

Artist Ted Mikulski, tells me his paintings are selling “like wild fire”.  Damien Hirst is lowering his prices due to recession and putting his art on Levi’s.  Another client tells me “It seems that there is only a recession when it comes to paying bills.”

What say you?

Here's to the unsung heros of the art industry

It occurs to me that while our artists, sculptors and gallerists get exhibitions, postcards with their names on it, feature articles and ego pats a plenty, there are many individuals who have worked equally hard that go without recognition and sometimes without even a thank you.  These hard working folks are the writers, designers, installers, marketing agents and the like who often toil into the night and are behind the scenes of artistic fame and fortune.

Thanks to all of you who put it "out there" every day.

Ovation TV Presents The Genius of Photography

I swear, Ovation TV is the best channel on TV.  This week Ovation presents The Genius of Photography.  Episodes include Documentation for Artists; Right Time, Right Place; Fixing the Shadows.

Photographers that moved me:
W. Eugene Smith - Pittsburgh photos via Magnum Photos
Joel Meyerowitz and his photos of Ground Zero (NY NY)

Take a look at Ovation's photography tags.

Does James Bond Hate Architecture?

This is excellent reading!  "James Bond: The Enemy of Architecture"
(found via Design Observer)

Blogging on MyArtSpace.com

I'm pleased to share the happy news that Brian Sherwin, Senior Editor, at MyArtSpace.com has invited me to be a guest author at the MyArtSpace blog.  I'll be doing some posts there on the importance of web design and marketing for the arts.  I think this is becoming a particularly important topic especially in light of our present economic situation and I absolutely believe in the power of the Internet as a major tool in the artist/gallery marketing arsenal.

As galleries are sadly closing their doors, it's time to awaken to the fact that having a website and doing serious marketing online might be the way, or at least another way, for artists and galleries to breath new life into their businesses.  Yes it takes time.  Yes it takes dedication.  But it can bring, and has brought, success to many.  Why not you?

Many in the arts industry believe that they are above the pedestrian workings of the Internet.  Perhaps it is not as high minded as that...Perhaps they just don't see the value in it or they simply don't have the time for it.  I've written and spoken on this topic many times before.  While the economy is certainly a factor effecting the increasing importance of using the Internet as an arts resource, it’s really about more than trying to avert an economic crisis situation.  Simply put, the Internet is a tool and it should be taken advantage of in good times and bad.  To not do so, especially in today's economy, is simply fool hearted.

I accepted the invitation to contribute at MyArtSpace because I believe it is an online art community that has raised the bar for this type of venue.  Brian and the team at MyArtSpace have worked hard to put together a first rate place on the Internet and their efforts continue every day to bring improvements and quality resources to their members.  Myartspace is an online community with more than 40,000 artists, collectors, students, teachers, gallerists, curators, critics and art appreciators across the world. It's online community has a blend of highly established contemporary artists as well as newly emerging contemporary artists. MyArtSpace is free and open to all. Members can create a profile of themselves and upload an unlimited quantity of their work including images, music, audio narration and video.  They sponsor some outstanding competitions and scholarships and are presently sponsoring a competition to send 3 lucky winners to the Art Bridge Fair at this years Miami Basel.  The jury for this competition includes a world class panel from Bridge Art Fair, SF MOMA, San Jose Museum of Art and Whitney Museum of Art. The second competition being offered by MyArtSpace is a $16,000.00 cash scholarship competition for undergraduate and graduate students.  The Blog at MyArtSpace is edited by Mr. Brian Sherwin who brings excellent writing skills and outstanding commentary to the arts dialog.  Brian is also responsible for many of the interviews conducted at the blog.

I'm happy to be a new member of this team and I hope you will stop by MyArtSpace, perhaps become a member there, and of course... read the blog.  Hope to see you there!

Rectangles are everywhere

Look around you.

Maya Lin's "Wave Field" at Storm King

The artist discusses her new projects, including her new installation at the Storm King Art Center.

Incubation for the soul

Today my best gal, Laura, came for a drop-in visit.  As we discussed our recent pasts, I mentioned that an unusual occurrence was happening with me.  "I just don't seem to have anything to say," I told her.  "It's weird and you know me better than anyone... I'm opinionated." 

Now this is not like I have the dreaded "writer's block" because that is not the case.  I've been writing some pretty fine marketing and feature article copy.  My imagination and creative mind are keeping me happy too.  I'm also digesting incredible amounts of reading information.  I can't seem to get enough.  I collect thoughts, jot down notes and notions.  My brain seems busy all the time in a quiet reflective way.  However, when reading blogs, books and magazines... I don't agree or disagree.  I'm simply left without comment.

Hmmm, maybe that is not completely true.  Embarking upon the blogosphere for this recent "readathon" of mine,  I am again reminded of the amazing writers and thinkers out there.  Eloquent and thoughtful writers such as the folks over at Design Observer. The ever enjoyable ideasonideas.  And my new friend, Brian Sherwin, over at the blog at MyArtSpace.  Word weavers, all of them.  So, while I definitely have opinions as to the writing styles and thoughtful musings put forth by these authors, I have simply stopped having anything to say about my opinions.  While out in the 3-dimensional world, people talk to me of their philosophies and ideas and I'm very happy to simply listen and not offer any type of hope or agenda.

"It's the ebb and flow of our life," says Laura. "It's a cathartic thing. Maybe you are just incubating information."

Incubating information!?  That sounds about right.  Incubation for mind and soul.  

*Be forewarned...After this catharsis, I believe I will have a lot to say. Nothing good lasts forever :)

From the mind of Eric Karjaluoto - Beat The Creative Block

Eric Karjaluoto at SmashLAB and ideasonideas.com was asked to write an article for .net Magazine on beating creative block.  Always wise with words, Eric has offered to share his article here.