The smarty-arty chick
I’m a snob when it comes to entertainment. This snobbishness comes from the little part of me that says that I’m from NYC and should know about high art. So what that in the four years I lived in the great city that I never stepped inside of a museum or gallery, attended a Broadway play or went to a concert.
However, I still throw around that sense of egocentric nature when I can share my vast knowledge of a form of art (darn it, art history minor!). The reason for this post is for the entertaining chuckle I had while seeing this post for an opening for an entertainment reporter in Minnesota. I’d never heard of Duluth, Minn., until this opening. What intrigues me about the opening is that I can’t imagine what one would write about in Duluth. The newspaper’s Web site is not very fascinating and the city is home to the state’s ballet company.
Ballet can be interesting at times. However, after researching the city a bit, I discovered that this place has more movie screens, live musical acts and galleries than my city. Plus, it has a comedy theater and is home to the nation’s only freshwater aquarium. The population is even three times bigger than where I live now.
I really need to get my high-level thinking in check. This place could be New Boheme for all I know.
permalink | Comment | art | 12/13/2006
Epicure
I finally have some idea as to how I am going to execute my latest project “What We Eat.” For months, I have battled with the idea of doing straight photography with it until I saw two books in a local store that did almost the same style I wanted to use.
One was based on a man’s travels along Route 66. For every diner he visited, he took a photograph of the meal he was about to eat and the waitress who served it to him. As I thumbed through the book, I wanted to vomit. Honestly, I don’t know why I felt repulsed by the works, but my stomach was turning.
The second book composed of shots taken of what he ate everyday for a year. Again, very disgusting to me.
I really didn’t want to have people react to that to my works. If I couldn’t look at something for more than 30 seconds, will anyone do the same for my stuff?
Right now, the idea is to create collage using the shots I have now and grabbing discarded or severely discounted stuff from thrift stores to create large-scale pieces.
I don’t know exactly when this project will start, but I’ll have the first one uploaded once it’s finished. Currently, I’m in the middle of selecting contest entries for the state journalism contest.
permalink | Comment | art | 01/08/2006
Flabbergast
During the chaotic two months I have had, I didn’t remember or pay attention to the fact that three of my “Store Windows” pieces were accepted in a holiday gift show in Richmond. Ahhhhh!!! It’s so great. If you’re in the Richmond area, visit the Visual Art Studio and see the fifth annual Artist Gifts show. There had been press releases made with one of my pieces on it, and I totally didn’t know about this. Gosh, I need to keep up with my stuff. But I’m so happy right now. The show ends Jan. 27.
permalink | Comment | art | 01/06/2006
Underwhelmed
I try not to get consumed by rejection. I entered two pieces for a juried show Saturday and both were not accepted. I’m not mad at the fact that they were rejected; I wished that I could have saved the $16 entrance fee instead. Besides, the pieces were accepted on bigger stages and scopes before, so I know that I shouldn’t fret on it too much.
In other news, I received my copy of the bulletin from the School of Art at Yale. For months, I have thought about going for my master’s degree next year, but I haven’t pinpointed where I want to go or exactly what to study. I would like to attend an interdisciplinary program so that I can continue with photography and interactive design, but I also what to go through a program where realistically I can maintain a job in journalism while I study. So far, there are six programs I am looking into. Right now, I plan to visit the campuses in November and get started on building a slide portfolio. The trick would be to compile my best stuff in 20 slides. I know from my friends how hard it is to apply, to decide and to get in. So, I need to start planning (and saving) now.
permalink | Comment | art | 07/12/2005
Ribbon
O.K., here’s the good news. All of my three photographs were accepted in the gallery, and one of them received honorable mention in the juried show. I haven’t won anything for my art since I was in high school. I feel all giddy. Unfortunately, because of my work schedule, I couldn’t make it to the opening. I plan to stop by the gallery today or next week.
permalink | Comment | art | 06/19/2005
Staccato
I was trying to find the right word for how my life has been for the past five months, and this is the one I’ve come up with: staccato.
For a time, I have questioned if what I am doing now has either been a creative drain or if I am actually growing as an artist. Then, I got slapped in the face.
It wasn’t criticism. I’ve learned from not having friends in many of my art classes how it felt to not have advocates to defend your work. I believe it had to do with character. It’s something that I will never forget.
permalink | Comment | art | 04/14/2005