Art-o-Matic: A Proposal

I'm nervously looking out my window for angry AOM proponents wanting to bomb my home!! Kidding!

I would like to offer up a proposal that I think could really transform the overall AOM experience. What if a curator(s) is selected before the show goes up. The mission of the curator(s) will be to select the 8-10 best artists from Art-o-Matic to have a follow-up show in a clean, white box gallery. This show will present the best of what's out there and in the best possible conditions. Unknown artists will be able to shine. It will be a very serious art show and potentially a big break for a deserving unknown artist. It will provide incentive for the more established artists to participate. It will help clarify the line between art lovefest and serious art show. Why not do both? A huge announcement event could be organized for the end of the AOM show where the "winning" artists are announced. It would provide a buzz. Every artist would be incented to put their best foot forward instead of a rushed installation.

The problems I see are money, space and organizers. AOM proponents and organizers... what do you think?

I see this as being a great thing. It would be a curated art show where no one gets turned away from exhibiting. Everyone will show in AOM, then the selected 8-10 best artists will get to show again in a more forgiving environment. It would be a lovefest that culminates in a serious art exhibition. Let Blake review THAT show!!

Comments

[J.T. Kirkland]

If this idea were implemented I don't think there would be a problem finding a curator. But in case there was a problem, I'd gladly step up and do it. If I can write this blog and accept the criticisms I get here, I can surely deal with whatever Blake wants to throw my way!!

[Joseph Barbaccia]

This can be accomplished by any existing gallery, could it not?

Talk has been going on about AOM activities to take place during the 2 years between the open shows. I've heard this "Best Of" show mentioned at Steering Committee meetings, but not in depth.

It has some merit. But, being a purist, I'd rather see a "Best Of" show conducted by a group outside of AOM. IMHO.

[J.T. Kirkland]

What do you mean by "conducted by a group outside of AOM"?

I think any existing gallery, or gallery type space could house this type of event. Maybe this is overly optimistic, but couldn't the Corcoran donate a small room to house the works? Imagine the publicity! Imagine the buzz!

I think planning for AOM should go on year round. But I like the idea of all this hard work culminating in a one month exhibit. It's something to get excited about!

What if AOM brought in a curator far removed from the DC art scene? Like Libby Lumpkin for Options 2005. This would remove the possibility for favoritism. And the best artists would be more likely to be chosen.

Just some ideas... since someone asked why I don't quit complaining and do something about it!

[wwc]

I recently moved to Va from the Albany NY area and there are 2 events similar to this idea - the Mohawk Hudson Regional is a juried show in museaums in the area - it's curated by someone from outside the area and is a pretty big group shpw. Afterwards, a really great alternative space, Albany Center Gallery, has a Mohawk Hudson Regional Invitational - a group show of 3 of the best artists in the larger show.

More like AOM is the FENCE show at the Arts Center of the Capital Region. Anyone can put in up to 5 works, they're all hung, but there's a smaller group show of the best 5 artists afterward.

[Joseph Barbaccia]

JT,

What I meant was that AOM is an all INclusive community of artists. Creating an EXclusive group would be counter to its mission.

I continue to think the idea is good, just divorce it from AOM proper. Use AOM as sort of a real time slide/art registry for the curator.

[J.T. Kirkland]

Joseph,

I thought that's what my proposal states. All artists can enter AOM. It would be INclusive. While AOM is hanging, the curator would come in and select 8-10 artists based on what they see in person at AOM. Then, after AOM (lovefest version!) closes, there would be a follow-up exhibition of the best artists in AOM hung in a true gallery setting. There would be no additional fees or requirements for those 8-10 artists to participate.

You could have the option of showing the same work that hangs in AOM (just moved to a new location), or you could allow the artists to do something different.

So, there would be 2 shows. The usual AOM show that anyone can participate in. Then a second follow-up show of the curator's choices.

I think we're saying the same thing, right?

[Jesse Cohen]

JT.

Its a grand idea. Show the best work. Create a nice book from the show’s contents. Market the hell out of it. A best in show; AOM. It’s not exclusive, anyone that wanted to show did. I do see how one could call it Exclusive. But, this would be about showing the highlights, and promoting the best of AOM/DC art.

I do like the idea of an external curator; why not make it a jury?

[Ian Jehle]

Here's my idea. How about an off year show, where 10 young curators select 10 artists each and put together an exhibit of 10 well curated shows. Each curator would also select one art writer to write a piece about their show. If 10 by 10 is too ambitious, we could start with 5 by 5. The important point is that it would provide a much needed DC venue for curators and art writers just starting out. It would also provide for more internally cohesive (and I believe more interesting) shows than a "best of" show selected by an already established gallery would allow.

Besides, after the drawing I did of Sarah Finlay, I don't have a shot in hell of making any 10 best list from Fusebox.

Ian Jehle

[rebecca]

It's my understanding that there are curators scoping out the work for off-year shows, particularly for the Sister Cities program - but it's also possible that was put on the back burner and I've forgotten or am unaware. Even if the "official" curator visits aren't happening, I've met a number of curators there on their own checking out the work, so either way it's certainly happening - what the end result will be, however, I have no idea.