make lists

Fluxus.  If you aren't familiar, I encourage a brief brush up via wikipedia.  I think they're helpful to the idea of groupness.  I was looking at their manifesto and it made me start thinking about lists.  Sometimes, list are helpful.  Really specific and subjective lists, completely useless to anyone but to the person who wrote it, can be really helpful.

While I was at Ox-Bow I was given the challenge by a professor to make lists.  To write about what things make a great work of art.  To write about what things will always be necessary in art.  To write about what things are always important to the human condition.  To write about what is always important to my condition.

Perhaps, needless to say, I haven't done it yet.  I need to before I begin making again.  If anyone wants or feels compelled to pick up this challenge, let me know.  Perhaps we can compare and talk about our lists afterward.  See you all Thursday!  Love,  K

Second meeting

We spent nearly 2 hours discussing the Basha article and the idea of sincerity in artwork and actions. As Katie said, we kind of talked in circles, but an interesting conversation was definitely had. Here are a few key? ideas.

-difference between sincerity (intrinsic human emotions/reactions/actions) and Sincerity (a communicative expression made to be received by another)

-who's your audience? and how does it effect what you make/how sincere it is?

-idea that the gallery is a default audience rather than specific groups. An issue?

-accessibility

-"the mom test"

-hierarchy of viewership

-art that needs no previous knowledge to be viewed (ex: Anish Kapoor Cloud Gate)

-sincerity of an object: are unmodified objects more sincere?

-"clusterfuck aesthetic", clumsy accumulation

-Susan Sontag article and book, "Against Interpretation"

-justification and integrity

-what are the specific reasons that you have made an object and brought it into existence (materials, concept, etc.)

-motivations

-skill set?

-Should sincerity be a goal?

-instinct v. instruction

-sincerity v. truth

We then did a quick making exercise using a sheet of paper and passed them to the left for that person to keep/use however. (Bonding, fast thinking, makin' stuff)

For next time (Thurs. Sep. 6, 6PM): make something and bring it in.

-use ideas you are thinking about in your personal work, but take some sort of risk

-small, quick, not scary. (Possible experimentation over final product.)

Meeting#3: Thursday, September 1

Thursday, September 1 at 6pm.  My house.  

Homework:  "make something and bring it"  

If that needs more clarification feel free to comment.  An hour max for Thursday, because Champion has an opening 7-9 and we should all be there.  Let me know if I've forgotten anything vital.  Love, K

First Meeting Minutes

Hey Guys, sorry that I didn't get these up sooner. Will be more punctual in the future. Here are the notes I made during our first meeting to refresh the memories of those who were there and to catch up those who weren't.

From 8-20-11

GOALS

-Making work

-made by both individuals and the group as a whole

-chances to propose group projects

-Showing work

-apartment gallery model

-research: SOFA, Tex Gallery (Denton),

-possible locations:Pam's studio (small, a good place to photograph work), Jade and Donnie's future apt. gallery space, Helios Co-op, Katies house? (Connect to monthly film screenings?)

-performance-using/taking advantage of public spaces

-Set a deadline for our first show together and stick to it. Make it happen, get it done!

-Growing out of the ashes of other dead, Texan art institutions (Art Lies, AMOA, etc etc.)

-Using the collective to work in ways not possible without a group

-Starting with one project to focus the group

-Group support through critiques

-Make up for what is lacking in many UT crits.

-Taking ourselves seriously, having a professional presence.

-Start with a very general theme-make work-then speak again

-vague theme based on common worried

-mistrust of contemporary art

-honesty, integrity, skill

-Weekly meetings! Next meeting scheduled tonight for Wed, Aug 24th, 6:30pm at Katie's house

-To find member's work online:

-pamjarvis.com

-philipharrell.com

-ibendonrelease@wordpress.com (Melissa)

-chantalwnuk.com

-jadeabner.tumblr.com

-Karina and Katie, e-mail photos to the group

-Melissa: e-mail NYT article about photography on the internet

-Katie: finding article on authenticity/integrity to read for the next meeting

-Importance of TRUST. Support. A close unit (Katie: family unit). Honest critique. Safe environment. Productive working environment. Teamwork.

-Process and experimentation valued just as much, or more, as final products

-Performance with the collective could be the key to its success

-influence on economics and how it changes performance

-finding the what performance becomes after youtube article to share

-Research okaymountain and other collectives

-Use each other's resources/different skills and backgrounds

-feedback on ideas, not just finished projects

-Pushing each other to do our best/work our hardest, "workin' our asses off"

-Katie:making a private blog for us to share information on/post minutes, etc etc.

-Possible group trips to Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston...

-Cory Arcangel interviews?

Next Meeting:

-discuss meeting scedule, day time, etc

-discuss articles

-start a list of common values

really, sincerely

So the first article when google searching sincerity and contemporary art:  http://www.artlies.org/article.php?id=1299&issue=49.  Seems to have a lot of varied and good questions in it that could serve as fuel for our hot mess.  I'll keep my eyes and ears out for other things that seem relevant.  And everyone feel free to do the same and post if you find something helpful, otherwise take note of any ideas you may get from this article or elsewhere.  Love, K

because love is safe on the internet

Our brand new temporary home!  i.e.  "Ma it's not permanent; it washes off!"   I invited all of you as admins, so you should be able to post and it's open for anyone to comment, but it's been taken off google searches, etc.  Let's keep this place for art/collective related conversation so we don't get all mem and internets and linkage too quickly.  I'll send something for us to look at for next Wednesday by the end of the day.  And if the emptiness of this site is killing you and you wanna fix it, holla.  I did this quickly so it's boring and may need a few adjustments.  Until next, enjoy this cookie monster gif-jif courtesy of the L.Parker.  More soon!