October 3, 2008
Los Angeles, Ca
“Wok the Dog” exhibit has officially come down at the LA ArtCore. I think this is the first week this year that I really did not know what to do with myself. What is next I ask. More grant and fellowship proposals, more contest submissions, more inquiries to galleries for future exhibits, more, more and more.
As I search around for MORE opportunities and I look at conferences and Portfolio Reviews and this and that, I can’t help but ponder on the industry that built on the “Dreams of Others.” Conventions, conferences and portfolio reviews exists in all creative industries, they charge the creative money so that the creative can have an opportunity to put their work in front of the “Taste Makers” and hope for to be given a chance that will launch them into big time and make the world their oyster.
Is is morally “right” to profit from feeding on others dreams and hopes? Or do we justify it by the pure market logic? There is a need, a market, so the apparatuses is there to fill it and profit from it. Not to mention that it is beneficial to all sides involved, the “Taste Makers” can discover new talent, creatives can be discovered or at least be given helpful criticism that would “improve” their work.
I can’t help but wonder if Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, David Hockney and artists of that caliber has ever attend a portfolio review session. I am willing to bet money that Damine Hirst, Takashi Murakami, David Hockney never paid money to people that are feeding on his dreams. He went out and plastered the city with his art and the rest we know.
If you limit the scope in which you participate or involve your art in, does that limit the scope in which you will rise in the world or art? Play big to win big? Or is playing by the rules the only way?
