DISPATCH - MARCH 10, 2013 (1:30 p.m.)
NEW YORK CITY, NY-
Sometimes too much is just the right amount. Just ask the Hullaballoo Collective. The loose network of artists from New York City and Long Island believe in putting lots of art on the wall and letting viewers decide what attracts their eyes. Their theory--which is grounded in art viewing democracy--is being put to the test again this weekend at Fountain Art Fair.
The Collective has brought no fewer than 70 artists to their booth at the art fair. Artists range from those who have exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art to those beginning to get their professional careers off the ground. When presenting the work, all art is hung on the walls without biographical information or exhibition history. In this way, art viewing becomes about the art and not about marketing, said Bernard Klevickas, a founder of Hullaballoo and one of its core members. It's all about the art and whether it attracts a viewer or art buyer and not the artist's packed CV (or lack thereof).
.
"Branching Out" by Bernard Klevickas. Abandoned bicycle parts, welded, 16 x 24 x 50 inches.
.
Hullaballoo Collective exhibited last year for the first time at Fountain. The art fair focuses on artist groups, street art and art attitude that pushes the edges. The fair seemed the right fit for the loose group of artists who connect through word of mouth, reputation and recommendations for inclusion by fellow artists, said Klevickas.
.
Hullaballoo Fountain 2012. Photo by Susan McCartney.
.
This year's line-up of artists includes Ellen Alt, Sharon Appel, LaThoriel Badenhausen, Jordan Baker-Caldwell, Marianne Barcellona, Beth Barry, Fran Beallor, Jo-Ann Brody, Miriam Brumer, Gulsen Calik, Kathleen Casey, Pamela Casper, Steven Ceraso, Yvette Cohen, Helen Crawford, Jamie Dalglish, Colleen Deery, Hilda Demsky, Molly Di Grazia, Laura Duggan, John N. Erianne, Patricia Fabricant, Camilla Fallon, Karen Fitzgerald, Elaine Forrest, Irene Gennaro, Beth Giacummo, Brian Goings, Theresa Greenberg, Norma Greenwood, Bette Klegon, Halby and Sarah Haviland.
Also, Aimee Hertog, Eileen Hoffman, Sandra Indig, Suejin Jo, Robin M. Jordon, Bernard Klevickas, Melissa Kraft, Iris Lavy, Liz-N-Val, Lucy Meskill, Gammy Miller, Janie Milstein, Sharon Moreau, Helene Mukhtar, Eleni Mylonas, Nancy Egol Nikkal, CJ Nye, Carolyn Oberst, Nancy Oliveri, Walter O'Neill, Ricardo Paniagua, Sergey Pchelintsev, Cade Pemberton, Arthur Polendo, Jeffery Allen Price, Elisa Pritzker, Peggi Pugh, Gloria Rabinowitz, Jacqueline Sferra Rada, Eleanor Rahim, George Rodart, Edwin Salmon, Ronnie Seiden-Moss, Assunta Sera, Joyce Silver, Regina Silvers, Cigdem Tankut, Ravenna Taylor, Linda Tharp, Patrick Todd, Shira Toren and Ana Vice.
.
City Clouds Series IV by Jaqueline Rada. Pastel on paper, 28 x 24 inches.
.
"Suspended Animiation" by Fran Beallor, 2012. Framed Fine Art Print, 30 x 24 inches.
.
Joyce Silver, Jeffrey Allen Price, Steven Ceraso, Beth Giacummo and Norma Greenwood have each exhibited on the East End. Venues include the Guild Hall, East End Arts Council, Peconic Landing, the Crazy Monkey Gallery and Art Sites.
Giacummo is the exhibition director and curator of the Islip Arts Museum. She currently has a solo show on view at Briarcliff College featuring an inflatable installation. This is the first time Ceraso is exhibiting with the Hullaballo Collective. He's presenting two cast iron sculptures and a bronze work. Ceraso has exhibited in Peconic Landing outdoor juried sculpture show in Greenport, NY. Price recently had a solo show at the Islip Art Museum.
Hullaballoo Collective's philosophy of providing as much art as possible was inspired by a large group exhibition at the Sideshow Gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, said Klevickas. Initially, he said that he had reservations about filling a gallery space with art everywhere was an effective way to present work. After seeing the show, he felt otherwise and formed the Hullaballoo Collective to present art in a similar fashion.
The 2012 Fountain Art Fair was their group's initial exhibition. Another sprawling show followed at the Paul Seftel Project Space in Chelsea, NY in August 2012.
.
The Hullaballoo Collective presents "Joie de Vivre” at Paul Seftel Project Space in August 2012. Photo by Phil Radelat.
.
Most artists who have participated in their group shows have embraced the format while a few weren't as pleased, said Klevickas. In general, the experience has been positive for those participating.
Current exhibiting artist Fran Beallor said being part of a collective is a satisfying way to connect with other artists with plenty of support to go round.
"It's been a wonderful experience," she said. "We have shared a lot of the grunt work of coordinating, hanging the show, getting the word out, etc. As we artists usually work alone in our studios, the opportunity to do something together is one to grab, as well as this gives us the chance to show our work in the historic Armory."
In case you can't make it to Fountain, here's a look at some of the art exhibited by Hullaballoo Collective members:
.
"Kali Drawing" by CJ Nye, 2012. Pencil on archival paper, 16.5 x 20.38 inches.
.
"A.L.I.V.E (Air Launched Identification Verification Entity)" by Beth Giacummo, 2012. Inflatable sculpture, 42 x 24 inches.
.
"Amorphous Form 1" by Steven Ceraso, 2012. Bronze,8 x 5 x 2 inches.
.
"Amenhotep" by Jordan Baker Caldwell. Fabricated steel & acrylic, 120 x 36 x 48 inches.
.
"Inner Garden" by Robin M Jordan, 2012. Steel, fabric, thread, 71.75 x 18.5 inches.
.
BASIC FACTS: The Hullabaloo Collective is currently exhibiting with the Fountain Art Fair presented in New York City from March 7 to 10, 2013. The art fair is located at 68 Lexington Avenue at 25th Street, New York, NY. For details on the art fair, visit www.fountainartfair.com.
________________________________________
Want to know what’s happening in the Hamptons art community? How about the North Fork or NYC? Visit HamptonsArtHub.com to find out.
There’s plenty of art news, art fair coverage and artists with a Hamptons / North Fork connection.
Hamptons Art Hub. Art Unrestricted.
________________________________________
© 2013 Hamptons Art Hub LLC. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. This includes all photographs and images. Text excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to HamptonsArtHub.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.