On Saturday, my lovely fiance and I attended Artomatic. We got to the building just a little after noon and we hoped to miss the crowds for an uninterrupted experience. Our strategy worked and we got to see Artomatic with very few other people around.
Like others have said already, this year's Artomatic is the best one I've been to. It's a little corporate, the artists' displays feel more self-promotional, the quality of work is higher and there's less wacky art to be seen. Artists have really started to focus on presentation and that is a welcome advancement. Bravo to those who use this opportunity to its fullest to make an impression on the thousands of people who see the show.
Stacey and I prepared for a long day after reading reports of people needing hours and hours, or multiple visits, to see the whole show. Perhaps it was because we didn't have to battle the crowds, but we got through the show in right at two hours. Of course, we chose not to spend time with any work that didn't immediately catch our eye.
Last year I published a Top 10 list that included only six or seven artists. This year, I'm not going to publish a Top 10 list but instead a list of notable artists. These nine artists had displays that caught my eye for one reason or another. In no particular order, the notable nine are:
Gregory Ferrand
Gregory Ferrand makes a huge leap in his work as evidenced by the paintings shown here. The paitnings are tighter, funnier, more polished and full of vibrant color. As I walked around the corner I knew the work was familiar. However, I was surprised by the artist's advancement. If I gave a best in show award, it would go to Ferrand. I think he's someone to keep an eye on. Given that 4 of the 6 pieces have already sold, I think others would agree.
John M. Adams
Although I did not think that Adams' work this year is as strong as last year's wall drawing, I have to give props for the completely unique installation. I'm not sure if it's a pedestal, a grave or a vitrine. Regardless, it's an ingenious, if risky, installation. I appreciate it when Artomatic artists push the envelope as Adams has done here.
[Disclosure: John is a good friend of mine and I own his work.]
Karen Butler
Yeah, I was shocked that I like it too! This throw-back painting really caught my eye for the combination of beautiful color and texture. It's an excellent painting that is not helped by flat jpg reproduction. The painting literally stopped me in my tracks.
Laura Peery
Laura Peery's whimsical porcelain sculptures caught my eye for their humor and skill. Sitting in front of a huge window, the sunlight brought the three pieces to life. I think this one was my favorite.
Matthew Langley
Matthew Langley has been discussed on this blog before (i.e. his excellent recent solo show at DCAC) but his Artomatic installation keeps up with his high standards. The two large paintings not shown above are from his DCAC solo show, but the small red/white painting above is new to me. It continues with his excellent use of color and texture, getting the most from minimal forms. The sign on the left is a full resume/statement mounted on board. It's a very professional touch that caught my eye.
Paul Walters
Walters' bleak photos didn't reproduce very well at all here. The actual work is quite strong and looks great on the distressed plywood walls. You may have to just take my word on this one unless you get to see them in person.
Sarah Demas
Sarah Demas could be the sleeper from Artomatic this year. Her work demonstrates a subtle touch and a slightly skewed view of her subject. This haphazard installation of seemingly traditional work got my attention. Demas' affordable prices also got my attention! In her guestbook I noticed kind comments from Catriona Fraser, owner of Fraser Gallery in Bethesda. Fraser focuses on representational work so I wouldn't at all be surprised to see some relationship form in the future. This is just speculation, of course.
Scott Speck
Scott Speck's intense installation of pinhole photography stood out to me among an overall weak group of photographers in this year's Artomatic. At one point, Stacey quoted me saying that she is beginning to see what I mean by, "Photography is the easiest medium to be good at, but by far the hardest to be great at." While I'm not sure I would give any of Speck's photos the "great" label, they certainly stood out for their craftsmanship, drama and sense of movement. I think I read somewhere that the image at top left was captured at the National Cathedral while holding the pinhole camera for 35 minutes. It looks like 35 minutes well-spent to me.
Sigethy & Milani
This installation by Alison Sigethy and Tom Milani caught my eye for its ambition. The Artomatic site states "This installation is about how changes in the Arctic are changing traditional ways of life forever." That may be the case, but what appealed to me was the assemblage of so many disparate parts. From a canoe frame, to kiln formed glass to painting, not to mention the booth's support structure, all of this came together to make for an impressive sight. If you're going to do Artomatic, you might as well go all out!
That was my experience of this year's Artomatic. I will post Stacey's notables soon. We agreed on a couple of artists but she selected some others as well. Check back to see who they are.
Like others have said already, this year's Artomatic is the best one I've been to. It's a little corporate, the artists' displays feel more self-promotional, the quality of work is higher and there's less wacky art to be seen. Artists have really started to focus on presentation and that is a welcome advancement. Bravo to those who use this opportunity to its fullest to make an impression on the thousands of people who see the show.
Stacey and I prepared for a long day after reading reports of people needing hours and hours, or multiple visits, to see the whole show. Perhaps it was because we didn't have to battle the crowds, but we got through the show in right at two hours. Of course, we chose not to spend time with any work that didn't immediately catch our eye.
Last year I published a Top 10 list that included only six or seven artists. This year, I'm not going to publish a Top 10 list but instead a list of notable artists. These nine artists had displays that caught my eye for one reason or another. In no particular order, the notable nine are:
Gregory Ferrand
Gregory Ferrand makes a huge leap in his work as evidenced by the paintings shown here. The paitnings are tighter, funnier, more polished and full of vibrant color. As I walked around the corner I knew the work was familiar. However, I was surprised by the artist's advancement. If I gave a best in show award, it would go to Ferrand. I think he's someone to keep an eye on. Given that 4 of the 6 pieces have already sold, I think others would agree.
John M. Adams
Although I did not think that Adams' work this year is as strong as last year's wall drawing, I have to give props for the completely unique installation. I'm not sure if it's a pedestal, a grave or a vitrine. Regardless, it's an ingenious, if risky, installation. I appreciate it when Artomatic artists push the envelope as Adams has done here.
[Disclosure: John is a good friend of mine and I own his work.]
Karen Butler
Yeah, I was shocked that I like it too! This throw-back painting really caught my eye for the combination of beautiful color and texture. It's an excellent painting that is not helped by flat jpg reproduction. The painting literally stopped me in my tracks.
Laura Peery
Laura Peery's whimsical porcelain sculptures caught my eye for their humor and skill. Sitting in front of a huge window, the sunlight brought the three pieces to life. I think this one was my favorite.
Matthew Langley
Matthew Langley has been discussed on this blog before (i.e. his excellent recent solo show at DCAC) but his Artomatic installation keeps up with his high standards. The two large paintings not shown above are from his DCAC solo show, but the small red/white painting above is new to me. It continues with his excellent use of color and texture, getting the most from minimal forms. The sign on the left is a full resume/statement mounted on board. It's a very professional touch that caught my eye.
Paul Walters
Walters' bleak photos didn't reproduce very well at all here. The actual work is quite strong and looks great on the distressed plywood walls. You may have to just take my word on this one unless you get to see them in person.
Sarah Demas
Sarah Demas could be the sleeper from Artomatic this year. Her work demonstrates a subtle touch and a slightly skewed view of her subject. This haphazard installation of seemingly traditional work got my attention. Demas' affordable prices also got my attention! In her guestbook I noticed kind comments from Catriona Fraser, owner of Fraser Gallery in Bethesda. Fraser focuses on representational work so I wouldn't at all be surprised to see some relationship form in the future. This is just speculation, of course.
Scott Speck
Scott Speck's intense installation of pinhole photography stood out to me among an overall weak group of photographers in this year's Artomatic. At one point, Stacey quoted me saying that she is beginning to see what I mean by, "Photography is the easiest medium to be good at, but by far the hardest to be great at." While I'm not sure I would give any of Speck's photos the "great" label, they certainly stood out for their craftsmanship, drama and sense of movement. I think I read somewhere that the image at top left was captured at the National Cathedral while holding the pinhole camera for 35 minutes. It looks like 35 minutes well-spent to me.
Sigethy & Milani
This installation by Alison Sigethy and Tom Milani caught my eye for its ambition. The Artomatic site states "This installation is about how changes in the Arctic are changing traditional ways of life forever." That may be the case, but what appealed to me was the assemblage of so many disparate parts. From a canoe frame, to kiln formed glass to painting, not to mention the booth's support structure, all of this came together to make for an impressive sight. If you're going to do Artomatic, you might as well go all out!
That was my experience of this year's Artomatic. I will post Stacey's notables soon. We agreed on a couple of artists but she selected some others as well. Check back to see who they are.
Leigh Ruble's works look very cool. The Butler painting...I dont get it. Frankly your wood series still seem much more interesting than most of what you two have posted from this show.
Posted by: paula | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Paula,
To be honest, I didn't get the Butler painting either. Or I should say that I was surprised that I was so taken by it. Given its texture I think you really need to see it person. The painting felt like it was straight out of the late 1800's... and I mean that in a good way.
Thanks for saying that about my work. Artomatic doesn't necessarily represent the best D.C. has to offer, but it provides a venue for a lot of folks to get seen that might not otherwise. I haven't participated in any Artomatic because I don't think it's quite the right venue for my work.
Posted by: J.T. Kirkland | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:52 AM
JT:
Thanks for pointing my work out. I wasn't sure about doing it this year, mostly because I thought no one would really be able to see the work. There is just so much going on at AOM - I didn't think I could compete.
So thanks again.
Matt
Posted by: matthew langley | Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Thanks JT, I did feel like I was taking a risk with it, because I was hoping to get an odd wall space to draw in, but this artomatic space was lacking the history and character of an older building that had transformed many times. So I went with it and ended up here.
" I'm not sure if it's a pedestal, a grave or a vitrine. " - the answer to this is yes. It is all of them. I'm glad you got the grave reference...
Posted by: John M. Adams | Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 02:02 PM