First off, an announcement -- I've updated the video page of my Media! :D And now on to the main course.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of the first Affordable Art Fair in Seattle this past weekend. I meant to put up a blog post about it earlier to encourage people to check it out...but I was out early every day and exhausted by the time I got back haha.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of the first Affordable Art Fair in Seattle this past weekend. I meant to put up a blog post about it earlier to encourage people to check it out...but I was out early every day and exhausted by the time I got back haha.
The Affordable Art Fair was started in the UK by Will Ramsay and has since expanded to Europe, Asia, and the US. This year's fair at Seattle was the first in the Pacific Northwest. However, the success of this year's fair pretty much guarantees a return visit and an art director from Vancouver, BC was by for a visit and was encouraged to start the tradition up in Canada as well. This particular fair included contemporary art from galleries located in New York, Naples, Ecuador, Tokyo, London, and more...as well as several Seattle artists and galleries.
The idea from the get-go has been to feature quality art from emerging contemporary artists as well as those that don't charge up the wazoo for their reputation, in order to promote art appreciation, collection, as well as fostering this fun and very open environment for people to enjoy and talk about art.
The idea from the get-go has been to feature quality art from emerging contemporary artists as well as those that don't charge up the wazoo for their reputation, in order to promote art appreciation, collection, as well as fostering this fun and very open environment for people to enjoy and talk about art.
The role I had as a Fair Assistant was strictly volunteer, which was kind of a bummer...but also something I highly suspected when I first applied for the job and sent in my cover letter/resume. All in all though, it was an incredible opportunity. I enjoyed meeting with and talking to all the people I worked with, met, and all the gallery owners/artists that I got a chance to get to know over the past few days. The exhibitionists were all extremely open and friendly.
By Willy Rojas
In addition to getting to know my fellow volunteers and talk to the artists, I also got some inside track stuff...such as being able to sit in on a lecture by the legendary Jim Riswold. I missed the demonstration that Dale Chihuly gave BUT that's okay...because the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum offered the fair's employees/artists a free private tour on the last morning of the fair. I was so excited to go...and that deserves a post in and of itself because Chihuly's work was so gorgeous.
That's me! and Jim Riswold in the front.
Clearly, the art fair's definition of "affordable" isn't the same as mine, but I suppose it's all relative anyway. By the last day, we had a lot of art being sold and taken away...but on the last day, I thought it was funny to see someone make a return. Is art like buying clothing to some people? Kind of like when you're in the dressing room and that t-shirt looks so darn good on you, but then when you try it on again at home, someone it's lost its charm and appeal. Maybe someone can buy some art, take it home, and lose interest without the same lighting. Who knows.