artdc.org Home Page Shows

[Jesse]

artdc.org,

We have developed a new project.  From this moment on, we'll be curating a number virtual art shows displaying work selected from our online gallery on the home page.  There's limited space there, so we'll fill it with theme based shows.   We will continue to be inclusive as possible, to do so with a curated show, we invite posting artdc.org members to contribute in our curatorial process.  artdc.org member with 15 posts or more in the artdc.org forum can add input to this show's selection, therefore these shows represent the view of our group, not just an individual curator!

The first portrait show was curated by our Patron members, with the rule that we could not pick our own personal work. The show was limited to 20 images, and we think these are a fine representation of the artists in artdc.org representing many different styles and techniques.

In order to participate, we'll post a theme for the next month's show, then each member is welcome to reply with 3 to 5 images from the artdc.org gallery.  These images must be previously uploaded to the artdc.org gallery to be considered.  In your reply, you must include, the member name, title,  link to the image file, a link to the gallery location, and the member's profile.  (this will help us compile the show!)

Example reply:

michaeljanis
A Delicate Balance
Image (here)
http://artdc.org/gallery//displayimage.php?pos=-4250
http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1346

The majority of this information can be found on the gallery image page of choice.
Read this topic on how to include an image within a post: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=7191.0
Note that there's a link to both the member's profile, and the image location bellow the gallery image.

There is one major rule!  artdc.org members must not select their own work.  This brings this project out of self promotion, and into seriously looking at the art in our online gallery.  It is very important that we all try to develop a "cohesive" exhibit. 

What is a cohesive exhibit you ask? Let's turn to the dictionary:
Cohesion
1: the act or state of sticking together tightly; especially : unity
www.m-w.com

Let's do our best to develop a show that relates to the theme at hand, and the selected art works together beyond the theme, and into more details like content, technique, color, or any other details that suit our curatorial minds.

After a list of images is developed that we all think relates to the theme at hand, we'll compile this list into a new post, where we can vote on our 10 - 20 picks from the list.  There is no real minimum. If only 5, 10, 15 or any number under 20 works, then we'll develop the show from that.  Our goal is not to show a lot of work, but the best images that "hang" well together.  At this point we're open to discussion about which images will be in the show.  We'd like to hear why you picked the images that you did, and which ones you didn't like.  Don't be afraid of constructive criticism, and please don't be offended by it.  Let's create a safe environment to really develop discussions about this art work.  The end show will be selected based on vote and discussion.

Take this as an opportunity to update your galleries, and please do update images that have been sold, or that are no longer available. 

See the show here:




We will post the theme list shortly! 
Become a patron member and join preliminary theme discussions.

[michaeljanis]

awesome- showcases some very cool works that I might not have seen before!

[J.L. Grillo]

This is an amazing idea. I'm honored to have my mug up there with the talented ArtDC crew. Thanks! I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Jesse]

I'm pleased too.  I think the patron members worked hard to drive deep into the artdc.org gallery to find interesting images based on the portrait theme.  Then they worked even harder to come to terms on a show that they all liked from a batch of over 70 selected images.   Each one stands out for it's own reasons, and works together as a group around the theme. 

I'm really pleased with Arty4Ever's self portraits since this image steps away from his usual work.  It really does a good job of projecting emotion, an idea, and he pushes out from a standard composition into a film strip, which I find exciting. 

Calbur's Little Boy is just a work with phenomenal technique.  Lighting, brushwork, detail.  Need I say more?

Cor's illustration is wonderful.  Color, interesting composition that takes the subject out of frame, use of color and abstraction.  Nice.

H. Temple's Lady Harrington is special.  This is a work that I'd consider owning for my personal collection.  I really like the mix of Harrington's portrait with the distress of the surface.  It takes a portrait out of it's realm and really forces the viewer to concentrate on the surface created there.

I Liked Halo's image since it is another great example of technique.  She's becoming a master of the limitations of the Holga.  She steps out with this little chinese plastic box of light, and really captures emotion.  She uses the "Holga" characteristics to enhance her compositions and great moments.

I'm also really pleased Scott Ligon's work.  There's some thing about the colors orange, yellow, and blue that work well to me.  I think he also does a great job of capturing a moment in his painting.  This is an ability that many would like to have.

ameiok's Angels and Infidels stands out to me.  This artist has developed a great series of portraits that you all should take a look at.  Between the technique, composition, use of material, and more, I'm just knocked out.  I really like how the subjects fade in and out of the surface with a great use of blur and sharpness.

http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1474

Angela has produced a great portrait here.  I can feel a connection with the subject, and I'm a sucker for great contrast and sharpness.

Ben Tolman does phenomenal work.  Again, if the budget was there, I would buy his work on a regular bassis.  I think I produces amazing images with skill, technique, and amazing content.

At this point I run out of energy typing my thoughts about all of these great artists.  Felixkat makes me shiver looking into the subject of 'Blood Flowers.'   Wow.  I can look into those blood shot eyes, and the emotion really carries right across the paint to my brain.

garveyc takes after odd nerdrum.  Technique.  Emotion.  Color.  Wow.  I've been inspired by Nerdrum's work for some time.  I'm glad to see other artists feel the same way.  Very powerful..

You know I'm also a big fan of Janis's work.  Same deal.  If the budget was there, I'd purchase a lot of his work.  There great thing about this experience of working with other artists to curate this show is it forced me to look at images that I might not have seen before, and since then, I've come to the conclusion that there is quite a bit of art in the artdc.org gallery that I'd love to own.  Which is very exciting.  In this show there's such a wide range of tehcniques, materials, and ideas based on a portrait, that you could spend some serious time looking at these images hoping to see more!

Which images spoke to you and why?  Or what do you think about my comments?

[evmarinucci]

Real nice collection of work.  Been away from the site for a while (got a "real" job and I'm in heavy duty training).  It was a pleasant surprise to get back and see that exquisite display.  That theme was strictly photos, right?  Or did I miss something?

I was especially moved by some of the photos I hadn't seen before, like fotobscura's untitled piece, jwhitsitt's A Metro Life, photkrush's Beyond Technology.  Actually all of it was great.

Nice idea and beautiful work.

~ev

[Jesse]

Thanks!  Yeah the curation of photo show can be found here:
Starting here: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=8085.0
then here: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=8143.0  It's theme was "the photo mind's eye!"


You can also find more about the 1st show which was a portrait theme show here:
http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=4024.0