There are Shrimp Platters Fucking Everywhere!

by Art Fag City on October 23, 2008 · 27 comments Events

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 Hooded Fang, No One Dances Like Michael Ondaatje, 2008

“I think when ordinary working people come home, turn on the TV and see a gala of a bunch of people, you know, at a rich gala all subsidized by taxpayers claiming their subsidies aren’t high enough when they know those subsidies have actually gone up – I’m not sure that’s something that resonates with ordinary people” Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper on the campaign trail in Saskatoon.

Art Fag City regular readers will know I haven’t been overly fond of the newly re-elected Canadian prime minister Steven Harper’s poorly considered statements on the arts or his planned funding cuts.  Given that I’ll be going to a number of art galas tonight (read: opening receptions) I thought it only appropriate to post the above video detailing Canadian art events unlikely to occur in America because the galleries here clearly lack the government funding to indulge in such excess.  A few choice quotes from the video and selected openings below.  Via:SS

There are shrimp platters fucking everywhere….Alice Munro is getting a tatoo, it’s either a hammer and sickle or a middle finger, I can’t quite make it out….People are making toasts to homosexuality!  Now someone’s taking off someone’s vegan leather pants….Are you coming to the after party?  We’re taking a jet to Stockholm to see this band with an obscene name.

DON’T MISS THESE GALAS!

  • The New York Art Book Fair’s description pulled directly from their website: “Printed Matter’s annual fair of contemporary art books, art catalogs, artists’ books, art periodicals, and ‘zines offered for sale by over 140 international publishers, booksellers, and antiquarian dealers. Admission to the fair is FREE.”  Except for tonight’s benefit preview, which will cost you 20 bucks (6pm-9pm).  In exchange visitors support the fair, and get to see a Jonathan Monk performance.   Other free goodies include a Gary Panter book signing at noon Friday, artists Fia Backstrom, Andrew Dadson, Matthew Higgs, Colter Jacobsen, and Frances Stark sign their 5-poster edition (Fillip), Saturday at 1 pm, and Matt Keegan launches his new book AMERICAMERICA Sunday at 3 pm.
  • More or less recapping what’s already in my Fresh Links, Slick Art Fair Paris, at Virgil de Voldere Gallery finds recommendation on this blog twice this week UPDATE:  Looks like this was actually an art fair in Paris.  If you happen to be in Paris…check it out!  The nod isn’t based on much more than an interest the work of Brody Condon; I dismissed KarmaPhysics<Elvis, 2004, as overly reliant on nostalgia when I first saw it, yet now find that assessment premature, as I continue to find its creepiness disturbing.   In his newer work, Death Animations, 2008, 9 dancers in “fanstay armour” recreat Bruce Nauman performance Tony Sinking into the Floor, Face Up and Face Down in slow motion.  Based on computer game death animation movement, Condon describes this re-interpretation as “through the lens of “New Age” ideas of astral projection and out of body experience, computer games, and recent foreign conflict.”  As it turns out other artists are in the show too.  They include Nancy Brooks Brody, Nina Bovasso, Markus Hansen, Nicolas Touron.  Also don’t miss painter Lisa Sanditz’ Sock City at CRG.  Her last solo show was great.
  • Film Art Function, Silent Auction and Gala Benefit, Galapagos Art Space.  “All proceeds benefit “Under the Bridges”, One Glass Productions documentary series profiling the evolution of the [Galapagos?] community.”  I’ve listed this event primarily because the press release used the word gala.   Artists include: Michael Ricardo Andreev, Mark Wiener, Linda DiGusta, Barbara Hammer, Guy Stanley Philoche and more.
  • After party listening?  Our favorite music critic Christopher Weingarten suggests taking Tobacco over Fujiya & Miyagi because “Brighton whisper-crooners Fujiya & Miyagi (9pm) take the most well-worn krautrock tropes and the least interesting parts of Clinic and turn it into a cold, mildly danceable shrug about dishwashers and encyclopedias and stuff—the type of art-damaged band who would have a name no one can remember and then put it in a song anyway.” By the way, it’s CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival time here in NYC.

Unrelated: My mother phoned me this morning to inform that Eric Fischl is indeed relevant.   Apparently he gave a very impressive interview on CBC radio yesterday.

{ 27 comments }

Mouchette October 23, 2008 at 5:39 pm

See you there

Mouchette October 23, 2008 at 5:39 pm

See you there

Mouchette October 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm

See you there

Donald Frazell October 23, 2008 at 7:39 pm

I rather agree with the head Canuck. Artists have to get into there heads, that THERE IS NO MONEY! State budgets are busted, schools being cut, income dwindling as lost jobs also lead to more unemployment checks, which are diminshing also. There are a few more relevant items on the agenda than art financing. Like survival.

I do think the government should finance educational media like PBS, where arts can be presented, viewed, and people can decide for themselves whether to support. But financing must cme from the private sector, the ones who raped the economy and got the cash stashed, and just happen to be the art patrons, anyway. But as the arts are realy in their entertanment budget, that may be cut too. If private sources of income wont support the arts, why should the publics limited funds be tossed in?

I do support a few radio programs, not that eclectic crap, which always takes the most mediocre versions of world musics, and play happy time music. Or “serious” goth dirges. KCRW is just absurd, and NPR, just a block from me here in WLA, is usually embarrassingly naive. Even when right, they are usually wrong. KJAZ I support at home at CSULB, ever since they were KBCA then KLON. Our true national art form, which few “artistes” understand. Their Nuthin But The Blues is still kickin, even if they knocked out Bernie Pearl in an in-house coup, damn dumb Borger’s.

We also ahve a great Museum of Latin American Art in the LBC, much better stuff than the crap i see in LA galleries and NYC sites. Some political stuff, but far more relevant to humanity, and way better at using color. Botero is actuly pretty good once I see him live, his works glow and are amusing. In a good way. Of course, Rufino Tamayo kicks ass on almost all US painters. Grossly underestimated, as is our own, or actually your own, Romaire Bearden. But I guess that is “ethnic” art for the tender souls of SoHo.

NO artworld, suck it up, we are all in for a long ride. We gotta ride this out, weed out the crap which is hiding good art ins its strangling hold, hack it away as it dies from lack of the public support it needs, as it does not have the validity to live on its own. And the strong will survive, Always do. Unless they go and kill themselves, whats THAT about.

Have fun Paddy, art will always be there, but a lot less of it could be a very good thing in the long run. Survival of the fittest. Time to compete artistes, thats what leads to evolution.

Art Collegia Delenda Est.

Donald Frazell October 23, 2008 at 2:39 pm

I rather agree with the head Canuck. Artists have to get into there heads, that THERE IS NO MONEY! State budgets are busted, schools being cut, income dwindling as lost jobs also lead to more unemployment checks, which are diminshing also. There are a few more relevant items on the agenda than art financing. Like survival.

I do think the government should finance educational media like PBS, where arts can be presented, viewed, and people can decide for themselves whether to support. But financing must cme from the private sector, the ones who raped the economy and got the cash stashed, and just happen to be the art patrons, anyway. But as the arts are realy in their entertanment budget, that may be cut too. If private sources of income wont support the arts, why should the publics limited funds be tossed in?

I do support a few radio programs, not that eclectic crap, which always takes the most mediocre versions of world musics, and play happy time music. Or “serious” goth dirges. KCRW is just absurd, and NPR, just a block from me here in WLA, is usually embarrassingly naive. Even when right, they are usually wrong. KJAZ I support at home at CSULB, ever since they were KBCA then KLON. Our true national art form, which few “artistes” understand. Their Nuthin But The Blues is still kickin, even if they knocked out Bernie Pearl in an in-house coup, damn dumb Borger’s.

We also ahve a great Museum of Latin American Art in the LBC, much better stuff than the crap i see in LA galleries and NYC sites. Some political stuff, but far more relevant to humanity, and way better at using color. Botero is actuly pretty good once I see him live, his works glow and are amusing. In a good way. Of course, Rufino Tamayo kicks ass on almost all US painters. Grossly underestimated, as is our own, or actually your own, Romaire Bearden. But I guess that is “ethnic” art for the tender souls of SoHo.

NO artworld, suck it up, we are all in for a long ride. We gotta ride this out, weed out the crap which is hiding good art ins its strangling hold, hack it away as it dies from lack of the public support it needs, as it does not have the validity to live on its own. And the strong will survive, Always do. Unless they go and kill themselves, whats THAT about.

Have fun Paddy, art will always be there, but a lot less of it could be a very good thing in the long run. Survival of the fittest. Time to compete artistes, thats what leads to evolution.

Art Collegia Delenda Est.

Leah Sandals October 23, 2008 at 11:59 pm

Hi Donald,

Much as I am with you on the need for funding of schools, hospitals, daycares and the like–not just art, puh-leeze gawd!–I think there is a very particular Canadian context here to be aware of.

Though Canada’s economy is in the crapper right now too, we actually still have rising employment figures and no subprime mortgage crisis. (Well, no subprime mortgages, period.) Our banks are in a much better state of affairs. This doesn’t stop our government from cutting education, health care *and* the arts all of a sudden, of course, but it’s a little less of a dramatic either/or than in the States right now.

And yes, banks should fund art themselves, and they do in Canada through various prizes and collections and festivals.

But there’s still I think a valid call for public investment in the arts. The cultural industries in Canada (to instrumentalize art, which I don’t think is such a bad idea when arguing with a government) actually generate wealth from investment in a ratio that the Canadian government had hoped that the failing auto industry, which they’ve invested many more millions in too, would do.

Well, you know about the arts generating wealth, even if it’s not for artists per se –anywhere artists go, real estate brokers and landlords benefit.

Of course, this doesn’t address your argument that the tanking economy will offer a good opportunity to weed out the crap art and artists. I can’t disagree with that, really.

But I would rather that the recession doesn’t mean that the public has to pay more to go to museums because the gov decided to cut “art transport support” from its budget (this actually happened in Canada, you know, the second largest country in the world). Or that creative kids of all incomes have to forgo art education from actual artists. Or that the rich are the only ones who get to see and own great art–well, even more than they do nowadays, I should say.

What I’m trying to say is that when we talk about cutting arts funding, at least in Canada, it’s not just artists, good or bad, who suffer–it’s arts institutions who deliver good art stuff to the public. And the public in general.

Socialist fantasy, perhaps, but for now I’m sticking to it!

Leah Sandals October 23, 2008 at 6:59 pm

Hi Donald,

Much as I am with you on the need for funding of schools, hospitals, daycares and the like–not just art, puh-leeze gawd!–I think there is a very particular Canadian context here to be aware of.

Though Canada’s economy is in the crapper right now too, we actually still have rising employment figures and no subprime mortgage crisis. (Well, no subprime mortgages, period.) Our banks are in a much better state of affairs. This doesn’t stop our government from cutting education, health care *and* the arts all of a sudden, of course, but it’s a little less of a dramatic either/or than in the States right now.

And yes, banks should fund art themselves, and they do in Canada through various prizes and collections and festivals.

But there’s still I think a valid call for public investment in the arts. The cultural industries in Canada (to instrumentalize art, which I don’t think is such a bad idea when arguing with a government) actually generate wealth from investment in a ratio that the Canadian government had hoped that the failing auto industry, which they’ve invested many more millions in too, would do.

Well, you know about the arts generating wealth, even if it’s not for artists per se –anywhere artists go, real estate brokers and landlords benefit.

Of course, this doesn’t address your argument that the tanking economy will offer a good opportunity to weed out the crap art and artists. I can’t disagree with that, really.

But I would rather that the recession doesn’t mean that the public has to pay more to go to museums because the gov decided to cut “art transport support” from its budget (this actually happened in Canada, you know, the second largest country in the world). Or that creative kids of all incomes have to forgo art education from actual artists. Or that the rich are the only ones who get to see and own great art–well, even more than they do nowadays, I should say.

What I’m trying to say is that when we talk about cutting arts funding, at least in Canada, it’s not just artists, good or bad, who suffer–it’s arts institutions who deliver good art stuff to the public. And the public in general.

Socialist fantasy, perhaps, but for now I’m sticking to it!

adamhump October 24, 2008 at 2:03 pm

I agree with Donald about the less art thing. Part of being an artist is irresponsibility and uncertainty and we must accept this. I think of Samuel Beckett, and others who lived in squalor and certitude of their failure but found the ability to continue and eventually, from those dark places, you know, made good art.

I also want to say that perhaps it is better to not have the government as your patron. I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like these orgs and the work that comes through them have political agendas pertaining to multiculturalism, racism, sexism, that kind of thing. PC things. I don’t know. But I see it in the work sometimes.

Finally, the irony of the video will likely alienate anyone that is at all anti-government or unsympathetic to artists. There is another level of irony here, too. Something about an entitlement complex.

adamhump October 24, 2008 at 9:03 am

I agree with Donald about the less art thing. Part of being an artist is irresponsibility and uncertainty and we must accept this. I think of Samuel Beckett, and others who lived in squalor and certitude of their failure but found the ability to continue and eventually, from those dark places, you know, made good art.

I also want to say that perhaps it is better to not have the government as your patron. I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like these orgs and the work that comes through them have political agendas pertaining to multiculturalism, racism, sexism, that kind of thing. PC things. I don’t know. But I see it in the work sometimes.

Finally, the irony of the video will likely alienate anyone that is at all anti-government or unsympathetic to artists. There is another level of irony here, too. Something about an entitlement complex.

Joanne Mattera October 24, 2008 at 2:05 pm

How exactly does a shrimp platter fuck?

Joanne Mattera October 24, 2008 at 9:05 am

How exactly does a shrimp platter fuck?

The Hill October 24, 2008 at 2:08 pm

There are shrimp platters fucking everywhere
—————————-
I did not know Shrimp platters could fuck.

Public funding 101. The right wing nuts who call Obama a socialist do not refuse their SS checks, use of public roads, utilities, parks, water and sanitation facilities and Museums. Medicaid/ Medicare? How about the nationalization of banks going on now from the fuck ups by ‘Magic of the Market Place’. And Fox “News” goes after the Venezuelan Chavez?

Usually funding to the Museum/Theater/Music complexes in America is in proportion to how many major corporations are in the area, in terms of a quality of life kinda issue. In other words, u won’t see a Lone Tree Museum of Art in Lone Tree, Iowa; just grain elevators. The choice of who controls the boards and committees remains problematic for publicly funded entities like the NEA et alia. I have heard for years from painters to not bother to apply for an NEA grant unless your work is like that of the judges in your area of interest. Bias w/ tax payer dollars I guess is the problem, how do u juror fairly?

The Hill October 24, 2008 at 9:08 am

There are shrimp platters fucking everywhere
—————————-
I did not know Shrimp platters could fuck.

Public funding 101. The right wing nuts who call Obama a socialist do not refuse their SS checks, use of public roads, utilities, parks, water and sanitation facilities and Museums. Medicaid/ Medicare? How about the nationalization of banks going on now from the fuck ups by ‘Magic of the Market Place’. And Fox “News” goes after the Venezuelan Chavez?

Usually funding to the Museum/Theater/Music complexes in America is in proportion to how many major corporations are in the area, in terms of a quality of life kinda issue. In other words, u won’t see a Lone Tree Museum of Art in Lone Tree, Iowa; just grain elevators. The choice of who controls the boards and committees remains problematic for publicly funded entities like the NEA et alia. I have heard for years from painters to not bother to apply for an NEA grant unless your work is like that of the judges in your area of interest. Bias w/ tax payer dollars I guess is the problem, how do u juror fairly?

Art Fag City October 24, 2008 at 2:09 pm

@Joanne It’s a Canadian secret…

Art Fag City October 24, 2008 at 9:09 am

@Joanne It’s a Canadian secret…

The Hill October 24, 2008 at 2:54 pm

I’d like to say further the amount of money given to the arts in total is a pittance to that squandered by the Bush Ad. everyday. We might do well to go to GM and ask them about the 4 Billion dollars Bush gave them to ‘research’ the hydrogen fuel cell. U might as well be Michael Moore w/ Rodger. We know the military complex has lost trillions on ill advised ventures such as the vertical lift fighter jets. The Bush administration still funds the research on GMO based seed production and turns the info, freely over to Monsanto, Pioneer, DeKalb, et al. So, even though I don’t bother w/ public art grants, the amount of money involved is ridiculous in comparison to be having complaints about artists squandering its largesse. I disagree w/ the clip, if I’m reading it right.

And this is even more suspect:

I think of Samuel Beckett, and others who lived in squalor and certitude of their failure but found the ability to continue and eventually … made good art.”

This is the same argument RepugniKans use to not fund under privileged schools in under privileged areas. They cite the one basketball star who makes it and then say, see we don’t need to fund public works there, being poor helps make super star athletes. So, let’s keep painters poor, because that’s how we produce Picasso’s and DeKooning’s. The Starving Artist cliche lives on. Going back to the who decides the public fund allotments to gala’s. If I have to sit thru one more drecky cliche of the by now Barnes & Noble’s hero Beckett, then I will hurl Thus Spake Zarathustra. So, I don’t really think I would be the best juror to decide if his oeuvre merited funding. Impatiently, I would slap that mopey fucker in the head, ream his ass w/ pharmaceuticals, and shove Marx and the English language down his throat. You’d have to have enough jurors to balance out an irrational like me.

The Hill October 24, 2008 at 9:54 am

I’d like to say further the amount of money given to the arts in total is a pittance to that squandered by the Bush Ad. everyday. We might do well to go to GM and ask them about the 4 Billion dollars Bush gave them to ‘research’ the hydrogen fuel cell. U might as well be Michael Moore w/ Rodger. We know the military complex has lost trillions on ill advised ventures such as the vertical lift fighter jets. The Bush administration still funds the research on GMO based seed production and turns the info, freely over to Monsanto, Pioneer, DeKalb, et al. So, even though I don’t bother w/ public art grants, the amount of money involved is ridiculous in comparison to be having complaints about artists squandering its largesse. I disagree w/ the clip, if I’m reading it right.

And this is even more suspect:

I think of Samuel Beckett, and others who lived in squalor and certitude of their failure but found the ability to continue and eventually … made good art.”

This is the same argument RepugniKans use to not fund under privileged schools in under privileged areas. They cite the one basketball star who makes it and then say, see we don’t need to fund public works there, being poor helps make super star athletes. So, let’s keep painters poor, because that’s how we produce Picasso’s and DeKooning’s. The Starving Artist cliche lives on. Going back to the who decides the public fund allotments to gala’s. If I have to sit thru one more drecky cliche of the by now Barnes & Noble’s hero Beckett, then I will hurl Thus Spake Zarathustra. So, I don’t really think I would be the best juror to decide if his oeuvre merited funding. Impatiently, I would slap that mopey fucker in the head, ream his ass w/ pharmaceuticals, and shove Marx and the English language down his throat. You’d have to have enough jurors to balance out an irrational like me.

Art Fag City October 24, 2008 at 2:59 pm

The Hill: You’re not reading it right. This clip has nothing to do with American politics, it speaks specifically to the recent CANADIAN arts funding cuts, and rationale given by Prime Minister Steven Harper. I thought the video made this clear, but I’ve updated the post to prevent further confusion on this subject.

Art Fag City October 24, 2008 at 9:59 am

The Hill: You’re not reading it right. This clip has nothing to do with American politics, it speaks specifically to the recent CANADIAN arts funding cuts, and rationale given by Prime Minister Steven Harper. I thought the video made this clear, but I’ve updated the post to prevent further confusion on this subject.

Donald Frazell October 24, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Damn, i missed that. Crustaceans breeding in Chelsea. Makes sense. I like that one.

Well, as far as funding, it makes money for art schools and other establishment businesses, but how does it create better art? No way in hell can you tell me art of the last few decades outshines earlier twentieth century work. Its been like a hangover after a binge. Except its the art establishement thats been binging lately, stuffing its fat face, even if sticking a finger down the throat afterwards, and callng the result art. See the Raw Serrano of the world, decadence took root long ago, and needs a good weeding. We have been diverted from arts true role in humanity, and made it a pet of the rich, rather than the slap in the face we should give them. We have been slapping thier asses, whcih they rather enjoy. Pervs. The rich took back control of art from the post impressionist rebellion long ago. We need another and complete total disconnect, as the rich run those boards and grant funds.

Sorry Paddy, but the galas must end. You want to get impromptu parties together, fine. but the buying of arts soul through cheap platters of mating crustaceans msut end. Home cooking is so much better, and a great source of art in itself, as well as elevating the senses. groceries are still cheap for America, all those unemployed actors waiting at restaurants just going to have to go and get real jobs. But then, that would take real skills.

Art will survive. As a matter of fact, it is now truly needed, and will thrive. We msut go home and contemplate how we got here, not jsut in this situation economically, but also ethically, and in the big picture, how we add to all of mankind, and help it progress. That has been lacking for a long time. The party is over. Time to clean up the mess.

Art Collegia Delenda Est.

Donald Frazell October 24, 2008 at 10:44 am

Damn, i missed that. Crustaceans breeding in Chelsea. Makes sense. I like that one.

Well, as far as funding, it makes money for art schools and other establishment businesses, but how does it create better art? No way in hell can you tell me art of the last few decades outshines earlier twentieth century work. Its been like a hangover after a binge. Except its the art establishement thats been binging lately, stuffing its fat face, even if sticking a finger down the throat afterwards, and callng the result art. See the Raw Serrano of the world, decadence took root long ago, and needs a good weeding. We have been diverted from arts true role in humanity, and made it a pet of the rich, rather than the slap in the face we should give them. We have been slapping thier asses, whcih they rather enjoy. Pervs. The rich took back control of art from the post impressionist rebellion long ago. We need another and complete total disconnect, as the rich run those boards and grant funds.

Sorry Paddy, but the galas must end. You want to get impromptu parties together, fine. but the buying of arts soul through cheap platters of mating crustaceans msut end. Home cooking is so much better, and a great source of art in itself, as well as elevating the senses. groceries are still cheap for America, all those unemployed actors waiting at restaurants just going to have to go and get real jobs. But then, that would take real skills.

Art will survive. As a matter of fact, it is now truly needed, and will thrive. We msut go home and contemplate how we got here, not jsut in this situation economically, but also ethically, and in the big picture, how we add to all of mankind, and help it progress. That has been lacking for a long time. The party is over. Time to clean up the mess.

Art Collegia Delenda Est.

Art Fag City October 24, 2008 at 3:52 pm

ugh.

Art Fag City October 24, 2008 at 10:52 am

ugh.

Donald Frazell October 24, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Sorry. Can still have gallery openings. but cooking is very healthy, for the mind and spirit, as well as body. Jsut got back from central California wine country, around Paso Robles, bought lots off good wine for special events, and olive oil and fig balsamic. Great for cooking adn bread, and healthy. Have my own garden, so lots of fresh organic grub. And calming to weed and nurture. You learn the seasons, and that everythihg has its own time. And disasters.

As my personal hero Voltaire said, it is time to tend to our own gardens, the day of Dr Pangloss is over, and Candide must finally grow up.

ACDE!

Donald Frazell October 24, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Sorry. Can still have gallery openings. but cooking is very healthy, for the mind and spirit, as well as body. Jsut got back from central California wine country, around Paso Robles, bought lots off good wine for special events, and olive oil and fig balsamic. Great for cooking adn bread, and healthy. Have my own garden, so lots of fresh organic grub. And calming to weed and nurture. You learn the seasons, and that everythihg has its own time. And disasters.

As my personal hero Voltaire said, it is time to tend to our own gardens, the day of Dr Pangloss is over, and Candide must finally grow up.

ACDE!

The Hill October 25, 2008 at 4:38 pm

Sorry, went way over my head.

The Hill October 25, 2008 at 11:38 am

Sorry, went way over my head.

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