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beautiful male objects

Post #260 • April 21, 2004, 6:49 AM • 5 Comments

I think this is hilarious.

Sara Nightingale Gallery
A Call to Artists for Group Show, "Beautiful Male Objects", June 19th, 2004

Each year, Maxim magazine chooses 100 women whom they consider the most successful of the year in film, television, music, sports and fashion. (No artists?) Maxim says all of the women on the list have one thing in common: their careers promise even greater things to come. Editors are given the task of selecting which of these women will keep people talking throughout the year. "We single out beautiful women whose careers are on fire," said Maxim Editor-in Chief Keith Blanchard. "The selection Process is top-secret and extremely labor- intensive. We have two interns working full time just keeping our wives and girlfriends out of the room." (From Channel3000.com - Entertainment)

In a perfect world an art object would be truly independent of the person who created it. It would stand alone speaking its own language to the informed and un-informed viewer alike: a viewer whose personal history, experience and origin would have no impact on how he/ she viewed the work. The gender, race and age of the artist would be irrelevant as well. Yet, unfortunately, we all know that this is not the case, especially regarding the value of the object. A scrappy, cast off drawing by Picasso, for example, one which he had perhaps meant to throw away but didn't, has a commercial value that is much larger than that of a truly excellent oil painting by some unknown artist, or by an artist who doesn't KNOW anybody. This is because an art object is NOT independent of the person who created it. The artwork possesses an umbilical link to its maker, and the qualities of that maker affect the qualities of the work, how it is viewed and understood, who will see it, and how much it costs.

For this exhibition I have decided to include some of the "qualities" of artists in the curatorial process. I thought it would be fun to work only with men and to hold them to the same standards and criteria by which women are often judged. That is, not only must the quality of their work be excellent, but the artists' youth and beauty will also be a deciding factor in whether or not they are invited to participate.

While maintaining a festive and fun mood, and FUN is the operative word here, I am seeking young, good looking, male artists with established client bases, museum and/or major gallery experience, extensive resumes, and rising star status who either live in, or are related to the Hamptons. (Having shown previously with the gallery or sleeping with someone who lives in the Hamptons would qualify as being "related to the Hamptons.") The purpose of the show is to consolidate the upwardly mobile energy of all involved in a prime- time Hamptons setting with excellent exposure. Each artist will be able to exhibit 1-4 works, depending on how many people participate and what happens, with a link to other works through portfolios, studios, web-sites, etc. To enter, please send images, resumes and PICTURES OF YOURSELF.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be appropriate for the show. I am also taking suggestions for a different title for the show. Thanks.

Sara Nightingale
(no phone calls please)

I'm flattered by the person who forwarded this to me, implying that I might qualify. Personally, I think I'm about as photogenic as dryer lint and have no real connection to the Hamptons. Also, even if this is tongue-in-cheek, I'm not sure I would want this set of criteria to characterize my introduction into the New York State art world. I continue to hold out hope that my work will be accepted on its own merits. Since my person wouldn't sweeten the deal, I have no choice in the matter, but even so. Good luck to whoever gets included.

Feel free to offer suggestions for different show titles in the comments.

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