Winter 2011
Winter 2011
I am an artist. There are many other things that I am but my main source of adult identity has come from being an artist. But what is an artist and who determines who is an artist? Can one proclaim oneself to be an artist? Do you have to be recognized by others as an artist to be an artist?
It seems that over the course of western art, for at least the past 500 years, individual artists have been striving to achieve some type of public recognition and validation certainly for themselves as artists. The history of modern art and particularly postmodern art has been intimately connected to individual artists becoming known. I know for myself I have spent the past 35 years struggling to emerge, to become known, to become famous, to become recognized as an important artist with something significant to offer the art world. I have had very little success at being recognized as an artist by the art world. All I have to show for my efforts are three art shows at Flanders Contemporary Art Gallery in Minneapolis, a gallery that no longer exists. My latest effort to be recognized by the art world was rewarded with a rejection letter by the director of the Walker Art Center, Olga Viso. The letter stated that the Walker was not interested in Curvism at this time. They did however keep a copy of my book Curvism: The Journey of an Artist for their library. Rejection. Why? To them, Curvism art is insignificant, irrelevant.
So what's an artist to do with rejection? What am I to do? Give up? Or fight on, trying to prove the art world wrong? Does the art world establishment's rejection of my art make it worthless? Is my identity so wrapped up in my art that I can't objectively see or accept the worthlessness of my art.
It's not just my art that they reject, but it is me, the artist, that they reject. My art is not art and I am not an artist. Rejection is a harsh reality to deal with.
How do I reject their rejection of me and my art?
How can I reject their rejection?
For the past 15 years I have had the goal of getting an art show at the Walker Art Center. I've grown up in the Midwest. The Walker represents the contemporary art establishment of the Midwest. My art gallery shows have been at Flanders Contemporary Art Gallery in Minneapolis, the best contemporary art gallery in this area. A show at the Walker seemed like a good goal. It takes a lot of time, money and energy to make art. It takes a lot more to arrange for the exhibiting and selling of that art. So far, I've barely had enough time, money and energy to create art, let alone exhibit it. I thought my art would sell itself. I had faith in Flander's ability to sell it and help it get to the next level of museum exhibits. It has not worked out that way. Flanders art gallery went bankrupt in 2008 and no longer exists. I'm on my own now with figuring out how to promote Curvism. I have long hoped that the Walker would get involved, but they have repeatedly rejected me.
Perhaps I should give up on art and invest my time, money and energy into other parts of my identity. There must be better ways for me to waste my time, money and energy. Maybe I should devote myself more to being a better husband, father, mental health therapist, community member, writer, environmentalist, nature lover, spiritual meditator, dog trainer, string theory physicist, gardener, tiddlywinks champion, day dreamer. These parts of my identity have suffered over the years because of my obsession with being an artist.
Or maybe I should take the approach that I am right, that Curvism is the next relevant art movement and that the Walker Art Center is wrong. After all, there is a bigger art world out there. The Walker is only one opinion among thousands. I haven't really tried to get any other big museum's attention. Maybe I can continue to take the avant-garde approach: that Curvism is the new misunderstood rebel art of its time and that the establishment art is invested in protecting the status quo (and their big corporate donors). This way I can still feel arrogantly superior while at the same time feel paranoid and persecuted. Now that's an artistic identity worth starving for!
Maybe I should, or find someone who can, sell my art to the art world. Minneapolis and the Midwest are not at the center of the art world. The East Coast or West Coast or Paris might be more receptive to Curvism. Or maybe I should start applying for a big grant or fellowship. I've heard there are many organizations willing to subsidize artists: welfare for the starving artist.
In summary: 1) Maybe Curvism is no good and I’m not an artist worth paying attention to. 2) Maybe Flanders is not a good art dealer (a case can certainly be made for that excuse). 3) Maybe Minneapolis is a dead end art scene. Or 4) Maybe it’s not the right time for Curvism to emerge, maybe the world”s not ready for Curvism, maybe there are more things I need to learn before Curvism is recognized!
I'm not yet ready to give up on Curvism art. I would feel lost without it. But as for how to move it into the future, I feel lost.