Raven Row’s inaugural exhibition is the first large UK show of the collages and mailings of New York artist Ray Johnson (1927–1995). Johnson used radical means to construct and distribute images, inadvertently inventing the ‘mail art movement’. He made art out of social life – both real and imagined – gathering celebrities, the art world, and friends into his work. His influence on twentieth century art far exceeds the recognition he receives.
‘Ray Johnson. Please Add to & Return’ is significant in representing Johnson’s mailings, objects he regarded as gifts and thus contrary to the market, equally with the collage works he made for gallery exhibition in the sixties and seventies. Also included are the collages he subjected to a seemingly endless process of reworking and overlaying, which were found signed with multiple dates and neatly arranged in his house at the time of his death.
http://www.ravenrow.org/current/
Hannah
http://www.autoitaliasoutheast.org/current.html
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=84824436984
Auto Italia have a new show by a group of young artists (all very up and coming, interesting people). I think they are working together well and questioning collaborative and group workings in a way which might be useful for you all when it comes to the show...
Hannah
Artist’s Statement
It’s good to keep you artist’s statement up to date.
An artist’s statement is useful professionally but it also helps as a response to the inevitable question; “What do you do?”
As we will be talking a lot about our work over the next couple of weeks I think it’s a good opportunity to take notes that can be condensed and revised into a concise statement. The exercise below seems obvious, but it’s probably something you fail to do on a regular basis. This is a simple plan for your artist’s statement…
Your work (Pre crit)
Material
Context
References
Notes (during/ post –crit)
Hannah
MAKE A PLAN…
PERSONAL TIMETABLE
SELF-INITIATE
WORK ALL THE TIME
KNOW YOUR COLLEGE OF CHOICE
Narrow down to two – why are they the best places for you?
Know the history and specialty.
Check notice boards and attend their talks and events, know what is going on.
Befriend a current student
Use the libraries/facilities
Know the tutors on your course of choice and their individual practice.
Go to every Monday talk you can
Go to other colleges – University of arts, RA, Goldsmiths. etc
Check Galleries you like for talks and events – From places like ICA, Tate to small institutions like the Chisenhale.
You will need this for independent practice
Toolbox is essential for installing own shows
Process – They may take you on based on something process based that you consider insignificant. Your tutor will often be one step ahead of you so will see the potential for further work in something you may have previously dismissed. This is not the end point of anything.
Camera – Digital SLR Nikon/Cannon (obvious recommendations). You might not see the need in it now but you will. Proposals, submissions, websites will expect high quality, high res images of work.
You will produce a lot in your final year. Find a way to organize these things so they are easily accessible to you and others.
Sketchbooks
Journals
Photos
Files
Music. ETC
READ/SUBSCRIBE TO MAGAZINES
Afterall – strongly recommended for anyone wanting to go to Saint Martins.
Artforum
Map
Frieze ETC
JOIN MAILING LISTS
If you are too busy to get out to shows or private views these will keep you up to date daily…
e-flux - http://www.e-flux.com/
Russell Herron - http://russellherron.blogspot.com
Arts jobs - http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/
Artsadmin - http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/home/
Although you are busy try to go the important ones. Most galleries are linked and will have a group ‘scene’, eg. Herald St, Maureen Paley and Between Bridges will often share private view nights to draw similar crowds. Be aware also that there is generally always an after party.
LOCATE YOUR WORK WITHIN A SPACE
Book project spaces on a weekly basis to practice placing you work. An object depends on its context, like a chapter depends on a book. The way you locate your work is as important as the work itself. Always document this for credit and research.
The skill of installing your own work will be invaluable to your final show.
Work together on this, everyone needs a second opinion.
This can be anywhere depending on what is appropriate for your work (see above). You will learn a lot about your work.
Things to practice here:
- Mailing list (ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS Bcc your contacts and have an ‘unsubscribe’ link, it’s polite)
- Writing a short and long press release
- Document
- Have a private view
- Consider funding/sponsor options
Write an artists statement – this will make it easier to talk about your work on the spot
Be through – better to know one thing in great detail (eg. drawing) than several things vaguely. Have confidence when you do speak about your work.
ONLINE PRESENCE
Get a website, even if you just have the domain for the time being.
Once you have a domain CHANGE YOUR EMAIL. hs@hannahsharpe.co.uk is better than star87@hotmail.com
Get a blog for casual posting – flyers for shows you are in, documentation of work etc
Wikipedia works well for online group networking
Edit.
Try as many new galleries as possible. Here are some of my favourite:
Cubitt
Gasworks
Maureen Paley
IBID Projects
PARADE
Between Bridges
Herald Street
Hex Projects
Chisenhale
Matt’s Gallery
Drawing Room. ETC
Get a cheap ticket; tutors will expect you to go to these.
Eg. Berlin last year.
Hannah
Rule 1. FIND A PLACE YOU TRUST AND THEN TRY TRUSTING IT FOR A WHILE.
Rule 2. GENERAL DUTIES OF A STUDENT: PULL EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR TEACHER. PULL EVERYTHING OUT OF FELLOW STUDENTS.
Rule 3. GENERAL DUTIES OF A TEACHER: PULL EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR STUDENTS.
Rule 4. CONSIDER EVERYTHING AN EXPERIMENT.
Rule 5. BE SELF DISCIPLINED. THIS MEANS FINDING SOMEONE WISE OR SMART AND CHOOSING TO FOLLOW THEM. TO BE DISCIPLINED IS TO FOLLOW IN A GOOD WAY. TO BE SELF-DISCIPLINED IS TO FOLLOW IN A BETTER WAY.
Rule 6. NOTHING IS A MISTAKE THERE’S NO WIN AND NO FAIL. THERE’S ONLY MAKE.
Rule 7. THE ONLY RULE IS WORK. IF YOU WORK IT WILL LEAD TO SOMETHINGIT’S THE PEOPLE WHO DO ALL THE WORK ALL THE TIME WHO EVENTUALLY CATCH ON TO THINGS.
Rule 8. DON’T TRY TO CREATE AND ANALYSE AT THE SAME TIME. THEY’RE DIFFERENT PROCESSES.
Rule 9. BE HAPPY WHENEVER YOU CAN MANAGE IT. ENJOY YOURSELF. IT’S LIGHTER THAN YOU THINK.
Rule 10. “WE’RE BREAKING ALL THE RULES. EVEN OUR OWN RULES. AND HOW DO WE DO THAT? BY LEAVING PLENTY OF ROOM FOR X QUANTITIES.” JOHN CAGE
HELPFUL HINTS: ALWAYS BE AROUND. COME OR GO TO EVERYTHING. ALWAYS GO TO CLASSES. READ ANYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON. LOOK AT MOVIES CAREFULLY, OFTEN. SAVE EVERYTHING – IT MIGHT COME IN HANDY LATER. THERE SHOULD BE NEW RULES NEXT WEEK
Hannah
