Maybe They Just Didn't Like The Mountains

Tell the truth, does that look like a "suspicious gathering" to you? Because according to the cops, that's how the caller described us. Thankfully we had all our papers in order, and the police were very polite and understanding, so our Nora Herting: Free Sitting party continued out in front of the gallery until a wee-but-reasonable hour!



With this lovely backdrop, Nora created found families, posing anyone who cared to be posed alongside anyone that cared to be with them. The shots ranged from the sublime to the surreal, and the night was filled with a mix of gallery regulars, first time visitors, and even a few innocent bystanders. Everyone was having so much fun that it was impossible for anyone to feel shy.



Nora's project is designed to explore the feeling of those awkward family portraits that once were part of the American dream, bringing total strangers together to play the parts. She's previously carried out her Free Sittings elsewhere, including a wonderfully successful stop in Chelsea late last year. Her seasoned ability turned Saturday night into a chance to play with the idea of the portrait, both through Nora's deliberate direction or by simply letting the models position themselves. Some shots were awkward, some were sinister, some were just plain funny, and one or two even made the onlookers say "awwww".



You can read a little more about Nora's project right here. Of course, while that was going on, we had a little event of our own happening inside.



Saturday's ultra-rare advance preview of our upcoming show, The World We Live In, The Worlds We Create was a mix of the sculpture and drawing that all us Spicy people have very excited about. You can see an advance sneak preview on our sneak preview page, but don't think that we're giving it all away this early! Why do you think we're being so coy with these shots? All you get now is a little taste, because the real opening night is Friday, March 12th, and we want YOU to be there! Maybe you'll even get to talk to some of the artists, such as the wonderful Jessica Stoller (center, in the hat).



Additionally, RSVP now for the next installment of our Monthly Dinner Series, The Worlds We Ate on March 20th. You'll be having a delicious dinner surrounded by the work itself, and you can enjoy meeting the artists in person! Previous dinners have been amazing, so reserve your place!

But that's a story still waiting for us in the future. The fun we had on Saturday was all because of Nora Herting.



Great job, Nora! We can't wait to do it again.

Whats the State of NYC art?

Find out at the
NYC State of the Art conference
Time:9:00AM Saturday, March 6th
Location:The SVA Theatre 333 West 23 Street

My Panel:
What art industry incentives can be offered to help NYC artists?
Moderator: James Wallace
Elizabeth Koch, Brooklyn Borough President's office
Sharon Louden, Artist
Marisa Sage, Williamsburg Gallery Association
Keats Myer, Children's Museum of the Arts
Start time: 2:30 pm

MY QUESTIONS:
How difficult is it for a gallery to survive in this or any economy?
How are Brooklyn galleries dealing with the current economic conditions?
What city or state incentives can a gallery use when starting up?
Should there be more?
What more can be done?
What best practices should be emulated by galleries when working with artists?
How do galleries ensure best practices when working with artists? Would more regulation help?

I will add my answers to this blog and other panelists statements after the conference.

Also listen to WYPR for conference coverage and our Like the Spice podcast for a short podcast covering the conference.

New York’s artists struggle constantly to live, work, show, and sell.

Artists, arts leaders, notable panelists, and YOU will address solutions at NYC:State Of The Art, New York’s first-ever artist and art industry not-for-profit conference, tomorrow, Mar. 6, at SVA Theatre, 9am to 6pm. Post-event cocktails at The Gates.

Keynote, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. Media sponsor, WNYC.

Have an idea or question? Want to help an artist attend? pARTicipate! Get your ticket or sponsor an artist now at http://nycstateoftheart.com/tickets.asp. www.nycstateoftheart.com

Special Offer! Artist attendees will receive a free 1 year Platinum account at Imagekind.com ($100 value), an internet-based service allowing artists to set up a storefront and sell prints of their work. http://www.imagekind.com/