June Gone By
US and THEM
Oh June, where did you go? While I was kept busy with a public speaking class and preparing for the “US and them” art show, I completely lost track of time. So let’s take a look back at June in the DSP world and I will give you some highlights.
First and most importantly, the “US and them” artist’s reception took place on June 4th. There was a ton of complicated events (and simple people) who tried to jeopardize the art. I remember telling Dean that I just wanted to have the event finished. Though, I love supporting him and doing whatever I can to help him as an artist, I also see his struggles and frustration when people interfere. Let me just say this, people make art interesting but, on occasion, they can have the power to push artists to throw their hands up and walk away, too. We went through all sorts of things leading up to the day of the reception. I was on the phone trying to smooth things over with the gallery representative, explaining our situation about an uncooperative model and her talking head (who happened to be a photographer) who didn’t want Dean to hang one image of her. As time crept on, I felt defeated, I can’t imagine how Dean felt.
On the car ride to Bloomsburg, I just felt awful. All my positive energy and thoughts escaped me, I feared situations and scenarios that maybe could play out and had no reason to think any of them were impossible. Dean was prepared for the gallery to ask him to take his art down, so our car was full of the images packaging material-just in case.
However, we didn’t need it. Dean was surrounded by more positive persons than those who enjoy placing people in impossible situations. Failure is really not an option in either Dean’s nor my mind, with that said, Dean had a very successful evening! The image that had been under so much scrutiny was happily sold -while hanging in our vehicle. Dean had some inspiring conversations with other artists who had similar struggles. Wanting to create something meaningful but afraid that this area is too simple and narrow-minded to appreciate the value and effort that the artist put forth. She walked away feeling more free to express her art and was pleasantly surprised at Dean and Ken’s effort to keep it art. That was a definite win-win!
So we were able to put a close to all the nay-sayers and poo-pooers, though I’m not sure ArtSpace will ever be the same, I am very proud of Dean and Ken for displaying their art and accepting and defeating all the issues that accompanied it.
After that first weekend in June, art-wise we haven’t been doing a whole lot. A little retooling for some album art talking with bands about representing them in their industry, etc. Dean has spoken a lot about where he’d like to go with his photography so I think I’ll be busy making contact with some VIPs in the art community.
Every weekend since the beginning of June, we’ve been spending time with family and friends. Taking every opportunity to share in both intimate and grand celebrations. Being married to a photographer has its ups and downs and like every relationship -if you are ready, the rewards are priceless!
Being one who appreciates the various forms of artful expression and a friend of Dean’s, I experienced some of the frustration and defeat felt by the situation at Artspace. Dirst let me congradulate Dean and Ken for a fantastic show! Well done! Your art evoked interest, curosity and an appreciation for your views of our world and life. I was glad that Rand and I could be a part of it all and help spread the word to others to enable them to come and see real art.
That being said, shame on those who tried to sabotage the show and prohibit the artists work with an embargo of certain pieces! Had Picasso or Michelangelo been under such scruitany, they world would certainly be missing many great works of art! An art gallery should be a safe haven for artists to share THEIR idea of art through their individual mastery of whatever medium they choose. For ANYONE to eliminate pieces that they do not personally like is obnoxious!
We have enough covered bridge and butterfly pictures around here to fill the Smithsonian. As beautiful as those things may be, I am grateful that there are still REAL artists that can show another level of creativity.
I hope that Artspace now operates with its eyes wide open and other artists in this area fell a little more free to really express themselves. Thank you to Dean Dorman and Ken *Konner for all of their hard work and perseverance!
Thanks Terry, great insight. It’s true, in our short experience there no one asked Dean for anything -explanation, his ‘side of the story’ etc. So since we were invited to do the show we assumed that the venue would be supportive of art and the artist. Instead, we found that it was more important for the venue to not upset a bartender. It was a pretty nutty situation and yet it couldn’t have turned out better! Thank you ALL for your support!