 I had to write three artist statements to apply for a show a couple of days ago. They asked for a 150-word artist statement for each piece. Artists have to write statements over and over again on the same piece because every show has different requirements or the statement needs to communicate how the piece suits the theme of the exhibition.
I've been reading and writing artist statements for 30 years. Trust me, as a rule, they are terrible. Either the artists are writing them for themselves and they don't write well, or they or their promoters are trying to make them sound erudite by bedazzling the copy with art theory buzzwords. And then there are the artist statements and biographies that have been badly translated from other languages. Hilarious. Tragic. After a quick google search I landed on a service called Anyword. I found immediate trouble and confusion because Anyword funnels requests into specific task types like blog post, marketing copy etc. They didn't have a task called "artist statement" so I made two attempts under different task types. Both times the tone was completely off for an artist statement. I got endorsement-type and advertising language that is completely inappropriate for an artist's statement. You don't write about your own art like you are promoting someone else's. If I got an artist statement from someone full of marketing hype, I would be disgusted. It had a few nice phrases that I might consider plugging into my own writing, but that's about it. But the time it takes to carefully type key words and prompts into the fields did not justify the results. Anyword is useless for artists. I wrote my statements myself and sent them in. People are raving about ChatGPT, so last night I decided to try again to see if I could get better results with the AI darling of the moment. I found it much easier to use than Anyword. It only asked for a simple prompt instead of filling out multiple fields. My prompt was: "150 word artist statement about a woven glass and reflective bead mosaic on a 36" round acrylic convex mirror titled "Arctic Ice Sheet". I got very impressive and useful results. I already closed the window otherwise I would paste them here. It wasn't perfect. If I were going to use those results I would go in and tweak phrases here and there and add some personal touches. Best of all, as far as I can tell, the AI has not consumed a lot of art theory, art criticism, or elite artist statements and is not throttling comprehension of a general audience with artspeak. I demand that this tool to be a mandatory part of every artist's toolkit. I assume it will cost money to use in the near future. If so, I hope that public libraries and universities will make it available to their patrons for free. This is a selfish ask as someone who works with artist statements. As an artist myself, it will save me a ton of time re-tailoring my artist statements to suit the criteria of different show applications.
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 These are the entries for the Call for Entries I posted a few days ago for "Rare Glimpse" co-sponsored by Arts DuPage and North Central College Art Gallery. Statement for Entry #1 "Permafrost" "Permafrost" offers a rare glimpse to appreciate the important place of a dwindling keystone of our home world’s climate. The mosaic invites us to pause and reflect upon the vast permafrost tundras as they begin to trickle away and the familiar terrain of the higher latitudes collapses. “Permafrost” is part of the Floe Series about the continuing disappearance of geologic bodies of ice. This work is part of the “Floe” series which consists of a series of woven glass and reflective bead mosaics composed of hexagonal tiles that mimic crystals of ice about extant bodies of geologic ice. The mosaics are layered over round convex safety mirrors that enhance the look of ice and redouble the light passing through the glass beads, enhancing their luminosity.  Statement for Entry #2 "Thwaites Glacier" offers a rare glimpse to appreciate a keystone of our world’s climate that is in danger of imminent loss. The mosaic invites us to pause and reflect upon a polar view of the glacier as it is undercut by warmer than usual ocean currents. There is concern that its giant ice shelf may give way and allow the rest of the glacier to flow down into the ocean causing an alarming rise in global sea level. This work is part of the “Floe” series which consists of a series of woven glass and reflective bead mosaics composed of hexagonal tiles that mimic crystals of ice about extant bodies of geologic ice. The mosaics are layered over round convex safety mirrors that enhance the look of ice and redouble the light passing through the glass beads, enhancing their luminosity.  Statement for Entry #3
"Arctic Ice Sheet" offers a rare glimpse to appreciate the capstone of our home world’s climate that is in danger of vanishing. The mosaic invites us to pause and reflect upon a polar map of the seasonally waxing and waning ice sheet in the arctic circle. The ice sheet is being undercut by warmer than usual ocean currents as well as higher summer temperatures. This work is part of the “Floe” series which consists of a series of woven glass and reflective bead mosaics composed of hexagonal tiles that mimic crystals of ice about extant bodies of geologic ice. The mosaics are layered over round convex safety mirrors that enhance the look of ice and redouble the light passing through the glass beads, enhancing their luminosity. Note: This series is a bummer, especially with the artist statements. The judges might not want negativity in their show. But as I wrote before, the day may come when these cold pieces evoke a wistful and warm glow of nostalgia. The word count didn't allow room for me to add that.   This is a fangirl post for a sculptor from Ontario who is scaling-up her hyperbolic bead sculptures. Her IG today showed her holding up a steel bead that I'm guessing was about 10" in diameter. She is using steel cable as "thread". I am watching her with ultimate interest. I am so excited about what she is doing in sculpture. Her website is below but it has not been updated with the larger scale sculpture. https://www.sundropsstudio.com Her instagram is _sundropstudio Here is a three-year-old video about her, but she has made leaps in innovation since this. Do yourself a favor and scroll through her sculptural beadwork. I am a huge fan and I hope I get to shake her hand some day. Until that happy day, *chef's kiss* and kowtow. This is for a show at TLD Design Center in Westmont.
Honeymoon Panopticon $5700 Oceanic Panopticon $8000 Permafrost $5000 Morteratsch Glacier $5000 ORIGINAL WORK ALL MEDIUMS CONSIDERED A JURIED EXHIBITION & SALE March 1st through April 1st 2023 TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY 26 E. Quincy Street, Westmont, IL 60559 Wednesday through Saturday (11:00AM to 6:00PM) PARTICIPATION BENEATH THE SURFACE, is open to all artists and designers creating original work. Only work of your own design and individual effort are eligible. All items must be display ready, finished and suitable for mixed audiance. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES• Only original work will be accepted: You may not submit artwork created in a TLD DESIGN CENTER class, workshop, or based on the photography of another person, artist, instructor, or publication. • Artwork must have been created within the last two years and not displayed previously at TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY. • Entry fee is: $5.00 per entry up to 5 entries (max fee is $25). Entry fee does not guarantee acceptance into exhibit. Entry fee is not refundable. • Submit one, high resolution digital image of each entry (Format requirement: .jpg or .png, RGB, 72 - 300 dpi, files no larger than 2MB). • Use the format below to rename and save your image/photo files prior to uploading: Last Name-First Initial-Title of Artwork-Entry Number.jpg or Last Name-First Initial-Title of Artwork-Entry Number.png • Include a brief Artist Statement (No more than 100-150 words). • Submissions are considered complete when application form, digital images, and entry fees have been submitted and paid. • All submitted entries will be juried by: Tammy L Deck, Award-Winning Fiber and Mixed Media Artist, Educator, Entrepreneur and Owner of TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY • TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY will notify all artists of entry acceptance status via email address provided on application form. AWARDS AND SALESA "Best of Show" and a "Viewer's Choice" award will be selected from artwork exhibited. Sales are encouraged to further the efforts of artists/designers. Entrants shall price their own work and these prices should be representative of established market value. The prices, as stated on the application, may not be changed during the entire run of the exhibit. Only one "Not for Sale" entry is allowed per person. Only those items approved by the juror will be exhibited. TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY retains a 30% commission of the retail price when the item is sold. Artist’s “Retail Price" must include this commission. PERMISSIONSBy submitting your entry, you agree that TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY may freely use your submitted digital image of accepted artwork to publicize and promote the BENEATH THE SURFACE exhibit. Additionally, TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY reserves the right to photograph any or all entries accepted for the exhibit, regardless of copyright, to be used for purposes of promoting the artists and marketing the gallery and this exhibit; This includes, but is not limited to, video, social media posts, email, or distribution of printed marketing materials. DELIVERY AND/OR RETURN OF ENTRIESDelivery: February 8th through 18th All “Approved Artwork” must be delivered during business hours (free of freight charges) to: TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY 26 E. Quincy Street, Westmont, IL 60559 Business Hours: Wednesday through Saturday (11:00AM to 6:00PM) Pick-Up*: April 5th through 15th All unsold items will be available for artist pick-up and must be made during regular business hours above. *In the event artwork is left unclaimed at the end of this time: It is the full responsibility of the artist to contact TLD DESIGN CENTER AND GALLERY personnel and make all arrangments to ship by UPS or USPS. Any return shipping, deemed appropriate, must be paid for in advance. Instructions, insurance, and prepaid shipping label must be provided to TLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY by the artist. Failure to remove art work may cause it to incur Storage fees or declaration of abandonment. LIABILITYTLD DESIGN CENTER & GALLERY personnel will exercise all reasonable care with accepted entries, but it is clearly understood by the artist/designer that we assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any loss or damages caused or occurring while work is in exhibition, storage or during shipping. Artists who wish additional protection should procure insurance independently. IMPORTANT DATES/DEADLINESArtist Entry Submission Deadline: EXTENDED TO January 31st, 2023 Acceptance Letter Sent Out: by Feb 4th Accepted Artwork Drop Off: Feb 8th through 18th Artist Opening Reception: March 1st (6:00PM-9:00PM) Public Exhibit Opens: March 1st Exhibit Closes:April 1st Artwork Pick Up: April 5th through 15th Arts DuPage is partnering with North Central College to host a solo show or small group exhibit at the newly renovated Oesterle Library, 320 School Street, Naperville, IL, 60540. Eligible artists must have profiles on artsdupage.org. Artists not on the site can create a profile prior to applying. Click here for details.
Submissions should be the artist’s original interpretation of the theme, “Rare Glimpse,” giving the viewer insight into the mind of the creator. Entry deadline is March 1, 2023 Eligibility Arts DuPage’s “Rare Glimpse” competition is open to any artist who created an artist profile on artsdupage.org.
Email images along with completed application to Debbie Venezia at debbie@dupagefoundation.org. Submissions must be received by Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at midnight Central Time to be considered. All exhibiting artists will be required to sign North Central College’s artist contract. Disclaimer Any deviation from the rules is subject to review and approval by the exhibit committee. Delivery Work must be brought to Oesterle Library, 320 School Street, Naperville, IL 60540 by 5:45 pm on Friday, March 24, 2023. The Entry Form must be completed and affixed to the piece along with an artist’s statement explaining how the entry relates to the theme (150 words or less). Pick-up All work must be picked up on May 8 or 9 by 6:00 pm, or they will become the property of Arts DuPage. Please note Arts DuPage reserves the right to refuse any piece deemed, in their sole discretion, to include inappropriate content/subject matter or that does not adhere to the standards deemed acceptable, such as improper wiring and poor quality matting or framing. Questions? Contact debbie@dupagefoundation.org EMAIL your images with details on each piece directly to debbie@dupagefoundation.org to finalize your submission. Image Requirements:
  During the reception for Embracing Texture at the Norris Cultural Arts Center I received an honorable mention for Arctic Ice Sheet from the exhibit's judge Josephine Burke of Northern Illinois University Art Museum. I was part of a distinguished field of honorees and exhibiting artists for the juried show featuring Sue Anderson, Robert Wilson, Mars Patterson, Kenneth Kemp, Cheryl Holz, Joan Ladendorf, Nancy Rosenberg, and many more.
ArtBeat of Fox Valley published a nice piece on the show here: https://www.foxvalleyartbeat.com/post/embracing-texture-at-norris-gallery-embraced-8-winners-with-awards-at-sunday-s-reception-1-22-23 I am applying to this show at the Frankfort Arts Association. All of my work plays with light, but these two fit the theme the best.
Open Call, Juried Exhibit March 2- April 16, 2023 Deadline for Entries: February 13, 2023 14 Hickory Street Unit 14B Frankfort, IL 60423 The power of light can be witnessed through dramatic lighting, the early rays of dawn, beams of sun breaking through clouds, and glorious sunsets. How does your artwork represent the power of light? GUIDELINES:
Exhibit dates: March 2 - April 16, 2023 Deadline for entries: February 13, 2023 Email Notification of acceptance: By February 20, 2023 Delivery of accepted entries: February 27, 2023, 9-11 AM and 4-6 PM Loan and consignment forms due: At time of art delivery Opening Reception for exhibit: Sunday, March 2, 2023, 6-7:30 PM Final day of the exhibit on view: April 16, 2023 Dates for pick-up of exhibited work: April 17, 2023, 9-11 AM and 4-6 PM ENTRY FORMS AND ARTWORK LABELS:
'Goldilocks Panopticon' is a wall sculpture that celebrates the Sun, the main source of of the light and energy that powers life on Earth. These are entries for Expressions: Art & Verse at the Addison Center for the Arts. I am the administrator of the event. It's our third one for February. We skipped 2021, though.
Expressions is a collaboration between the Illinois State Poetry Society and visual artists. Next week, the poets are going to select an artwork from a bunch of artist entries and write a poem about it. This is called ekphrastic poetry. Then in February we meet and the poets recite their poems. The poems are displayed next to their corresponding artworks. I am entering some pieces that I think might produce an unusual poem. There is a fourth one. I'll upload it later when I remember which one it was. (Later. Blue Star. I don't think it's ever been in a show)  Link to NPR story.
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/13/1142208055/nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-climate-change These are my favorite news stories. In my opinion, this is humanity's greatest hope. I'm trying not to get too giddy since fusion is hard. Hot sex and thanks to all the wonderful engineers and scientists working on efficient nuclear fusion. As always, forget about the jetpacks we were promised. I want my desktop fusion. |
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