critical miami
Post #534 • May 9, 2005, 8:33 AM • 31 Comments
It pleases me to announce the creation of Critical Miami, a blog about Miami culture and politics edited by frequent Artblog.net commenter Alesh Houdek. Critical Miami looks like it's going to involve several writers but already has a good design and a productive angle. Congratulations, Alesh.
CM has just reviewed the Figuratively Speaking show at the Miami Art Museum, which I have been staying away from covering for personal reasons. Curator Peter Boswell came to Dorsch to look at my work late last year, seemed to like it pretty well, and indicated (although he didn't promise anything) that he would consider including me in Figurative Speaking, which did not come to pass. I have learned from bitter experience to take art world rejections on the chin and not make too much of them; otherwise I anaylize and criticise and get my undies in a bunch over an event that doesn't really mean anything about me or about the other party. But no review, though. No need to twist the thorn.
2.
May 9, 2005, 4:47 PM
Not only is it still up, it's up until October 30. You could have conceived at the opening and give birth before the show comes down.
3.
May 9, 2005, 6:16 PM
Wow. Thanks, Franklin.
From everything I've heard, Peter Boswell is a great guy, and a talented curator. I enjoy most of what he does at the MAM. This particular show has a thrown-together quality, like they had something else planned that got canceled at the last moment.
4.
May 9, 2005, 6:23 PM
My pleasure.
Nobody get me wrong - I've chatted with Boswell and he is a perfectly decent guy. I have nothing against him. This is what I mean by the rejection not meaning anything about anyone. I only feel sore because I got my hopes up about getting my work into MAM.
5.
May 9, 2005, 6:49 PM
franklin what are the chances of you helping out Dorsch with his website...its really hurtin...
6.
May 9, 2005, 7:45 PM
Yes, Alesh, this show feels like an afterthought, or a contingency plan which had to be resorted to in lieu of something better. It's like someone forced to redecorate with whatever has been lying around in the attic or basement, and not without a reason. It feels flat and stale. But again, a new building will magically put everything right, just like a fairy godmother.
7.
May 9, 2005, 9:37 PM
I cannot help suspecting, Franklin, that you may have been the victim of guilt by association. Harsh things have been said about MAM on YOUR blog by people like me, and even though you're in no way responsible for those comments, you've been the means for making them public. The art world is hardly above being petty and vindictive, especially when such behavior can't be proven. There are certainly paintings in that show that are not only dubious but embarrassing, and call into question the judgment and taste of whoever chose them for ehxibition (unless it was simply a matter of having to cover the walls with SOMETHING).
My point, obviously, is that the wall space could have been better utilized, even if it meant using work by artists with less name recognition (which need have no relation to actual talent). Brand-name tripe is still tripe, and it does the public no service to have it foisted on them by those who are supposed to be in the know. The fairy godmother had better deliver.
8.
May 9, 2005, 9:55 PM
This sort of thing happens a lot, its who you know and who likes you and not necessarily your work, its a fashion show & a popularity contest...you piss one person off, and there go your opportunities. Its unfortunate, there are many artists out there which deserve the chance to have their work seen and dont because of the politics involved jealousy, envyetccurators and the like, want their buddies to succeed and give opportunities which should go to the better artist not the best friend. Maybe Im way off, may be Im not, all you can do I suppose is keep making art and hope you run into the right person.
9.
May 9, 2005, 11:06 PM
I'm not sure all that did happen in this case, but otherwise I think you're quite right. At least I have a circle. It's not the lucrative New World/Snitzer/Locust clique, but I like it. I don't know what people do down here when they don't have any ins anywhere. It very much is about who you know.
Re: l you can do I suppose is keep making art and hope you run into the right person, I totally agree.
10.
May 9, 2005, 11:59 PM
is there a reason/reasons why the Dorsch artists can't be a lucrative bunch? Having a venue is a big part of "being seen" hes got one of the biggest around...the work is there, what's the problem? Are the "right" people being invited to the openings? etc...
11.
May 10, 2005, 12:01 AM
p.s. He really does need to do something about that website...
12.
May 10, 2005, 12:09 AM
Whats so special about the Snitzer/Locust galleries anyway?
13.
May 10, 2005, 12:40 AM
Cim, I can't answer your first question. I have always wondered how people sell art. The way you sell anything is to convince people with means that they want what you have. In answer to your last question, Snitzer has been very good at this for a long time, and as for Locust, nowhere else in town does what they do, providing a site for site-specific works without the business pressures of running a gallery. I don't always agree with the product in either space but you have to hand it to both Snitzer and Locust at the level of execution.
Dorsch and I will speak about the website soon. Arts management technology is going to be part of the company mentioned here. Nevertheless I have to get Go See Art going first, so it may end up being a fun summer project.
14.
May 10, 2005, 1:03 AM
cool, thanks franklin.
15.
May 10, 2005, 1:08 AM
One rather obvious reason why Snitzer and company are doing better business than Dorsch is that what they sell is the approved, official, establishment-sanctioned product that makes fashion-conscious and image-driven buyers feel safe and comfortable. When one can't or won't take the risk of simply buying what one really, truly likes and believes in PERSONALLY, regardless of what anybody else thinks or claims, one needs to go with the flow and stick to brand-name purveyors and product, aka the usual suspects. It makes life in certain circles much easier (not to mention increasing the chance of landing on some art mag's "Top 100 Collectors" list).
16.
May 10, 2005, 1:28 AM
Thats sad, unfortunate, true, and a bit embarassing.
Fads come and go, people will hopefully someday realize they need to follow their hearts when it comes to art and not a salesman.
17.
May 10, 2005, 6:10 AM
As long as people keep thinking like this, like our commenters do, art will stay alive, one way or another. Just keep on truckin'
18.
May 10, 2005, 7:47 AM
franklin should have a solo show at moca !!!!!!!
forget mam ,locust or snitzer
19.
May 10, 2005, 7:49 AM
I thnk what snitzer and locust exhibit ,for the most part, is edgy and very cool. Dorsch seems a bit more conservative-not always but generally.
20.
May 10, 2005, 7:54 AM
dorsch gallery needs a makeover .
21.
May 10, 2005, 7:58 AM
franklin' s work it not there to be next to botero or chia
22.
May 10, 2005, 8:12 AM
yes dorsch does need a make over , website and otherwise...i think he should also get on the ball, theres no reason why he cant charm collectors the same way snitzer does...also...i can kick snitzers ass, i cant kick dorschs'...lol
23.
May 10, 2005, 8:20 AM
even dorsch girlfriend tyler emerson likes working at snitzer gallery
24.
May 10, 2005, 8:24 AM
that's becouse dorsch gallery is not up to her standards.
25.
May 10, 2005, 8:28 AM
who is tyler emerson ?
26.
May 10, 2005, 8:32 AM
snitzer's 7 dollar / hour maid
27.
May 10, 2005, 1:39 PM
Mattew, trashy comments like that move us all a little closer to comments registration. Anonymity is a privelege - don't abuse it.
28.
May 11, 2005, 12:15 AM
The last few anonymous posters who commented on me by name, my work, and my personal relationships may direct their comments, concerns or accusations to me. Clearly, you know where to find me. This is not the appropriate forum to air such comments.
29.
May 11, 2005, 1:23 AM
As I suspected, Mimi, Laster, Mattew, and Jasmin(e) are all the same IP address. Go find something else to do.
30.
May 11, 2005, 2:13 PM
Circle of friends? I forget I need to be cool. I I am in my 30's.
31.
May 11, 2005, 2:29 PM
If you figure out how, would you send me an e-mail describing the method?
1.
Jack
May 9, 2005, 4:40 PM
Is that show still up? It's certainly not good enough to merit such prolonged exposure. But of course, it must be because MAM doesn't yet have a world-class facility. That excuse covers a multitude of sins. Yeah, right.