Oct 4, 2010
NYC
Elevation: 80m
Last Sunday Baang and Burne Contemporary presented its inaugural private art event, Jane Zweibel’s Stitched Identities.
A friend and fellow artist Carrie Crow lend us her lovely apartment on Madison Ave. Eight pieces of Jane’s “stuffed paintings” were hung in the living room while in the bedroom works on paper were laid out for view and handling with white cotton art handling gloves. There was a lovely spread of finger food, a cheese plate, an olive oil cake and lots of sangria.
We had a steady steam of people who came to the event. Everyone stayed for a long while, ate, drank, talked to Jane, talked to each other. The event was lovely and a great success. We meet people and made connections. Nothing was forced and everything unfolded in the most organic fashion. We were thrilled that everyone got to meet Jane and talk to her. After all, isn’t that part of the appeal? The work should speak for itself and stand on its own but as people we are inheranitly interested in other people’s stories. Why do you think Hollywood make at least one biopic a year?
People buy art for several reasons. One of them is deeply rooted in the connection the buyer makes with the artist. The personal mythology of the artist is an important component to the art. At time the myth even trumps the art. Everyone knows Van Gogh cut off his ear but I bet you not everyone has a solid grasp of his work beyond the obvious. What better way is there to connect and learn of the artist than to meet them in a comfortable environment? So I say, come and meet the artist and hear of her, learn of her, create a relationship with her and maybe even become part of her myth at a Baang and Burne event.
