DISPATCH - NOV 8, 2013
WATER MILL, NY-
Today is the day when it is revealed. "It" is the Parrish Art Museum's 2013 artist juried biennial "Artists Choose Artists". The exhibition previews tonight with a museum Members Opening. It opens to the public tomorrow amid the one-year anniversary celebration of the museum's location in its new world-class home.
Even without the new digs, the "Artists Choose Artists" exhibition has become an anticipated event on the East End. The concept began in 2009 with the "Mixed Greens: Artists Choose Artists on the East End" exhibition. For the first time, an East End museum paired established artists from the East End with artists that were on the rise. It was the first time that North and South Fork artists were given a single platform in a show that honored artists from both Forks equally. As can be imagined, there was much discussion and conversation about the artist picks and the concept.
Since then, the biennial exhibition has solidified in concept. The Parrish selects established artists with ties to the East End to become jurors to a pool of online applicants where the only caveats are living in the "119" zip code and actively working in a professional artist practice. The selection requires a portfolio review and a studio visit to potential candidates.
“The open call provides for the discovery of hundreds of East End artists who the Museum, the jurors and the public may not have known previously,” noted Andrea Grover, Curator of Special Projects and the exhibition organizer. “The review process is eye-opening because it offers a snapshot of this moment and insight into trends and themes that are developing now.”
Each juror then selects two artists and the trio exhibit works alongside each other.
“Artists Choose Artists is a dynamic and sometimes messy proposition," said Parrish Art Museum Director Terrie Sultan commented. “By installing the juror’s work alongside that of the selected artists, we can offer a window into the deliberative process and provide interesting juxtapositions across artistic platforms and generations of working artists.”
This year's jurors are Laurie Anderson, Judith Hudson, Mel Kendrick, David Salle, Ned Smyth, Keith Sonnier, and Robert Wilson.
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"Teacher’s Pet" Surrounded by "Vazes" by Don Christensen, 2008. Image courtesy of the artist.
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Over 300 artists applied online for a spot in the show. Here's this year's crop of artists who will be formally introduced to the East End art community:
Elizabeth Dow and Mary McCormick (Selected by Laurie Anderson)
Don Christensen and Christine Sciulli (Selected by Judith Hudson)
Elise Ansel and Eva Faye (Selected by Mel Kendrick)
Carol Hayes and Virva Hinnemo (Selected by David Salle)
Koichiro Kurita and Rick Liss (Selected by Ned Smyth)
Rossa Cole and Brian Gaman (Selected by Keith Sonnier)
Tucker Marder and Ezra Thompson (Selected by Robert Wilson)
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"Copper, Silver, Gold The Colors That Matter" by Rick Liss, 2013 . Acrylic on aluminum street signs mounted on acrylic mirrors ,19 x 69 x 2 inches.
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In addition to the exhibition opening this weekend, there are two Artist Talks scheduled aimed to reveal the artists behind the artwork. On Saturday, a Meet the Artists talk will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. It features Elise Ansel, Rossa Cole, Eva Faye, and Carol Hayes.
On Sunday, A Meet the Artists talk will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. It features artists Don Christensen, Elizabeth Dow, Brian Gaman, Virva Hinnemo, Kurita Koichiro, Tucker Marder, and Ezra Thompson.
Video footage of the studio visits will screen continuously in the Lichtenstein Theater from Saturday through Monday, allowing for an intimate view of the process and the artists involved in the exhibition.
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"Portrait 11" by Ned Smyth, 2013. C-Print,
68 x 48 inches. Edition of 3. Courtesy the artist and Salomon Contemporary, New York.
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Ultimately, "Artists Choose Artists" is the Parrish Art Museum’s way of celebrating artists working on the East End now and the dynamic relationships that unify the creative community on the East End of Long Island. It also aims to continue the daisy chain of artists who have chosen to work in the area and continue to make it a vibrant artist colony.
By encouraging interaction and communion between artists who may not know each other, the exhibition's selection process initiates introductions and encourages fellowship among an expanded, multi-generational network of artists.
Video footage of the process allows participants and viewers alike to gain entrance into a variety of artist studios and hear what each has to say about their art and process.
BASIC FACTS: "Artists Choose Artists" opens Nov. 9, 2013 and remains on view through Jan. 19, 2014. The Parrish Art Museum’s Anniversary Weekend Celebration runs from Saturday (Nov. 9) to Monday (Nov. 11). A Museum Members Preview takes place today (Friday) from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976. www.parrishart.org.