tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29712953.post116441028065215063..comments2023-09-07T09:38:00.582-04:00Comments on Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Akron, Cleveland Arts And Livable City Blog: Gestures Have MeaningJohn Morrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11099009144603936211noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29712953.post-1164561955036086042006-11-26T12:25:00.000-05:002006-11-26T12:25:00.000-05:00Since I have been here, I have been trying to expl...Since I have been here, I have been trying to explain the level of cultural isolation and the circular dead end nature of most art careers here. What happens in Pittsburgh stays in Pittsburgh. First, I want to acknowledge that the only other place I know well, first hand is NY and that is a tough comparison. But, from what I can see, when compared to most mid sized cities, and certainly to cities with as many major cultural and educational institutions- the level of isolation disturbing. I don’t think that this is something that can be explained by lack of exhibition spaces or lack of funding because, for a city of it’s size, there is a lot of money spent. I also don’t think that a general lack of nice exhibition spaces is a major factor. In fact on a relative basis, getting into some type of show here is much easier than in most places for local artists. <BR/><BR/>The spread out and inconvenient nature of things explains a lot, as does the basic lack of marketing to people out of town ( look at how few institutions list themselves in the Mid Atlantic Gallery guide and how few images and info is on most cultural websites and the lack of web links or any kind of city wide guide. ) But, I think the “separate but equal” situation in which there are relatively few spaces that regularly mix, Pittsburgh and non Pittsburgh artists is one of the biggest factors. When, you look at exhibition spaces in most cities ( and I have looked at a lot online as well visited some ) what you see is a lot of shows – some of which are touring- that mix local and non local artists. This creates links with other cities – artist’s come to see and install their shows, and critics, writers, collectors and other artists who follow those artists pay attention to what’s going on. This interaction often leads to press attention and the chance that local artists will be invited into shows in other cities and all kinds of “buzz”. If I ask people in the art world in other cities, which places they have heard of here- they almost always know the ones that regularly show out of town artists. Quite a few NY dealers seem to know Wood Street Gallery, but few know about Space or the Center For the Arts ( though they are kind of better exhibitions spaces and bigger )<BR/><BR/>Artist’s here have to question whether this “separate but equal” system is really in their interest and what it’s full effects are. There is no doubt that on some level it may mean more exhibition space available to local artists than there might be otherwise. But, it also undermines the whole purpose of showing ones work and having it taken seriously on more than a local level.John Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11099009144603936211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29712953.post-1164502384023093802006-11-25T19:53:00.000-05:002006-11-25T19:53:00.000-05:00I am so glad that you clarified this a bit, John. ...I am so glad that you clarified this a bit, John. I admit, I wasn't all that sure I understood the point you were making. marseye makes an excellent point, though. If you are a beggar at the door, you won't exactly turn your nose up at the table scraps. <BR/><BR/>Pittsburgh's art scene is very fractured. Even when you take into consideration that these exhibits are not exactly going to get you attention outside the Southwest Pennsylvania region, the venues you have cited have a limited scope and are not seeing anything beyond what is directly in front of them.Susan Constansehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12020412045368974973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29712953.post-1164466457965552042006-11-25T09:54:00.000-05:002006-11-25T09:54:00.000-05:00First, I want to say that the Mattress Factory has...First, I want to say that the Mattress Factory has been the major place in town most supportive of local artists. The regular Mattress Factory shows often include them as well as many Pittsburgh alumni artist's and they have done great stuff like giving Tom Sarver space for the Tom Museum.<BR/><BR/>Like I said, it's the context that makes this important. The nice thing about the Mattress factory shows was that they integrated both worlds. Mixing artists from around the world together sends the message that some local artists are at that level and worthy of being part of the global dialog. It also helps to keep a high standard for people to reach for and this is something the Matress Factory does well. That is the normal way of the art world, artists get into new shows and build relationships largly based on the shows they are in. If an artist from L.A. or Germany likes the work of an artist from Pittsburgh they were in a show with, they might help get them into a show outside of Pittsburgh and the same process works for press and collector recognition. <BR/><BR/>Separating Pittsburgh artist's out into another space greatly reduces the interaction and attention they are likely to recieve. I think that this is one of the major factors in Pittsburgh's cultural isolation. A lot of the spaces that Pittsburgh artist's show in like the Center for the arts and Space Gallery, downtown are very nice spaces- perhaps even beter than a lot of the ones given to mostly non Pittsbugh artists, but isolating them sends a powerfull message about whether the work should be taken seriously.John Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11099009144603936211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29712953.post-1164460750219646552006-11-25T08:19:00.000-05:002006-11-25T08:19:00.000-05:00Isn't that what local artists can usually afford? ...Isn't that what local artists can usually afford? Backdoor ghetto, or what is it you are suggesting?<BR/>Do you have any more info on tha Gesture experiment at the factory? Any links or articals? At this point isn't any outlet for all local working artists good? And the artists them selves are choosing to ..im confused john, tell us more.marceyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09056845291422962724noreply@blogger.com