New Arts New Arts – New Blog !!!
Hi there,
Welcome to the New Arts Program’s new blog.
Sure to prove interesting, as many topics will eventually emerge here. Visiting artists will leave their greetings, insights, or what they feel moves them at the time.
What-not’s galore, for sure…
It will be very interesting to see how this blog evolves.
Enjoy,
Arty
February 9th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I’m not an experienced blogger but I think talking about our work would be appropriate. So here goes… I recently returned from a vacation to Australia and am working on some landscapes/abstracts that represent my visual experience.
On another note: boy do they sell original art downunder! I saw 40-50% sell through at large art shows as well as galleries. The one gallery (Hill-Smith Gallery, Adelaide, http://www.hillsmithgallery.com.au) recently opened a show of Stephen Trebilcock’s paintings. His work is mostly over $4,000 and, again had about a 50% sell through on opening night. Aussies buy original art.
I have to wonder how to get our countrymen to develop such good habits.
February 21st, 2009 at 10:41 pm
It would be interesting to find out what the demographics are of the Australians that have such an interest in the arts – and generally what they buy the art for, home or office…
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Well, there does seem to be less poverty, at least in the area around Adelaide where I was. And I can’t say too much about office use, but the homes I was in (all but the senior citizen home) really valued the art. I also saw very little reproductions although I’m sure there was some.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:34 am
ahh – Thanks for the reply/info…
And now I can’t help wondering if there exists the same entertainment/electronics obsession that exists here in the states – like TV, and stereo, etc.. I imagine computer and internet usage is popular – I’ve stumbled upon some great websites based in Australia (and I mean GREAT websites – good for geeks like me).
Please forgive my curiousity mixed with ignorance. It’s just I am trying to figure out if there may exist a shift in the balance of how people spend their money – if it reflects a kind of shift in interests. Here, states, folks will pop tons of money into big screen TVs and the likes – it seems it isn’t until those desires are satisfied that money is spent upon art.
Hmmm – depending on what the electronics are used for, I guess such could be considered art – film, music, etc..
February 26th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I didn’t see less electronics. Computers, DVD, Satelite/cable, cars, ipods all seem about as common. They are paid more and are mostly unionized/job protected so their economy hasn’t been affected. Their economy also is not as tied into ours as some countries – I think because of the distance. They have to be a little more self sufficient. Their homes (at least in and around Adelaide) are more expensive than we would see in a lot of Pennsylvania. But I really felt their value of original art was more cultural than economic. They were taught to appreciate originals. Generally I would say it is a more affluent area around the city. I think it would be different in the more isolated countryside.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
What do people find in other parts of this country? Is art respected? Do people search out original art for their homes? Is Berks County similar to other areas?
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
@ What do people find in other parts of this country?
Yeah, You really got me wondering about art and demographics now (my new obsession).
@ Is art respected?
And I’ve also returned to some ideas I’ve had for years (decades).
@ Do people search out original art for their homes?
The whole question is “what art?” – For example, music is perhaps the modern day folk art. Look at the history of RAP & Hip-Hop – both started out as mere street and party performances. Now, each is a multi-billion dollar industry – and crosses class borders. It is not hard to imagine that right now somewhere a kid from a family on welfare is listening to the same CD that some super rich kid is listening to.
Is Rap art? Is Hip-Hop? or is any prerecorded music art?
Or the cinema – is that art? DVD’s – or TV?
Is such original art for the home?
Is there any graffiti that’s art
http://www.createdinbirmingham.com/2007/08/29/mullaney-on-graffiti/
How about prehistoric cave paintings – art???
Seems all walks of life integrate art, throughout the entire span of history, and “prehistory” – And when people can’t afford it, they make it.
@ Is Berks County similar to other areas?
Berks is odd – with its wide variety of classes. Bucks would probably be closer to the demographics you saw in Australia. I imagine there would be a higher proportion of homes there that lay out more for art acquisition.
March 4th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Uh oh – sounds like your brain is working over time! I think the middle class has been overlooked and under exposed as a “consumer” of original art. They’ve never been exposed to the “new gem” that just brightens or alters your day – every day. I’ve wanted to do a BCTV TV show inspiring people to think about that. I’m not sure I have the talent to pull it off but I sold a painting to an executive with the Reading Eagle and he told me it was his first purchase of original art. I was amazed.
I am currently in a show at the Penn National Investment Trust Building. Our art (Sarah Gersbach and myself) is in the lobby, main halls and conference rooms. I like it because it is art in the environment. The opening reception is April 1. I will be interested to see how much the attendees are interested in the art/artists and how much they are there to be seen.
As an artist, I try to buy from other artists. I think it is important.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Fraktur Symposium at the Free Library in Philadelphia
We were instructed to appear at the Free Library of Philadelphia at Vine Street
and 19th Street close to the Ben Franklin Parkway, the Rodin Museum which is
under construction is around the corner and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
alittle further down the promenade, at 8:15 AM and to enter thru the back before
the general admission opening of the library at 9am.
We sipped coffee and ate bagels with the scholarly set. The library is an
extraordinary piece of architecture
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Philadelphia_Free_Library.jpg
from the 1890’s and the Rare Book Department who was hosting this affair really
did a great job. Later when we viewed the exhibit, Pat saw in addition to this
extraordinary collection of Fraktur, Edgar Allen Poe’s stuffed Raven from his
famous poem which I believe they possess the original manuscript. The exhibit
was carefully secured and visitors had to be buzzed in thru a glass door and
leave all items at the entranceway before proceeding to the exhibit which was on
display in the ‘hallway’ of the rare book collection. We were both impressed by
an originasl woodblock that was used to make ‘imprints’ for birth certificates
or baptisimal certificates since we had just began to create our own woodblocks
for printing.
When we assembled at the auditorium, we were treated to various lecturers, first
an overview of PA German artifacts/furniture from the late 1600’s to the mid
1800’s then lectures on the Schwenkfelders Fraktur and the Mennonite Fraktur and
the extraordinary Fraktur of the Ephrata Cloisters including their musical
scores.
We broke for lunch, I saw my ‘cousin’ Dr Don Yoder who remembered me clearly
from our last meeting 2 years ago at the PA German Cultural Society in Kutztown,
PA. He is the Dean of PA German Kultur as he was introduced later giving the
keynote address. He is also a spry eighty year old who read from his notes on
stage using a magnifying lens in both english and humorous antidotes in German.
Do Yoder has written the famous book on Hexology, Hex signs: Pennsylvania Dutch
barn symbols & their meaning
By Don Yoder, Thomas E. Graves which has recently come out in a new updated
edition. He complained to me that his new co author has completely disappeared.
He l;ectured me abit about the Yoder geneology, which I admit is not my strong
suit., lol I showed him Patricia Hall’s ‘Love and Marriage Hex” which was
portable enough to bring along. Later Don would treat us in his lecture
regarding a pre xtian source for the mermaids used in the Fraktur. Anyway he is
sharp as a tack and his lecture was by far the best and worth the wait.
+x+
Hunter