Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Artist Interview
In my small rural hometown (Hillsdale, N.Y.), there is a new gallery/residency being finished. I decided to interview the artist that is heading the project. His name is Ben Tritt and he’s a contemporary painter/ sculpture/ designer.
1.) What were you doing before you were doing art? What types of jobs did you have? Were you always doing art?
A: He said he was always interested in art. The first two years out of high school, he was majoring in Pre-Med. He was interested in the human body. He realized that he would look at the body more as art and not for medical purposes. After two years passes, he’s now twenty years old and he decides he wants to become a painter. So, he dropped out of school and went to Italy. He stayed in Florence for six months and spent a lot of time in different churches. He was inspired by the architecture and paintings. He also travelled around Europe to places like France, Holland, England and Spain. His main interest was Renaissance Art. When he was twenty-five, he moved to Jerusalem to help start a school for classical painting and drawing. He taught at this school for six years. Now, his main interest is helping and teaching other artists and focusing on his own work.
2.) Where did you grow up, do you have any siblings, and does your family affect your work?
A: He explained that he has one sister with whom he grew up in Merrick, NY (Long Island). His sister is a Photo-Journalist. His dad was a painter; so his family did not neglect the fact that he wanted to become an artist. He believes that there is an artist in everyone, but society rejects art and makes people think art is inferior to other professions.
3.) How did you get to this small rural town? (Hillsdale, New York)
A: He said that it was a strategic decision and that there is a movement of artists relocating away from NYC. The relocation started out in the Hamptons and now it is moving up the Hudson River, for example the DIA Foundation in Newburgh, NY. He also explained that there are a lot of galleries throughout the Berkshires and other parts in or near the Hudson. The town of Hillsdale is a center point and is within travelling distance from NYC and Boston. This is the reason he chose my home town.
4.) Are you influenced by any other artists?
A: Courbet, Roman fresco paintings, Giotto, Titian, contemporary painters such as Kiefer, Richter, Barnaby Furnas and a majority of Renaissance Painting influences him.
5.) What is your main goal?
A: His goal is to open galleries/residencies all over the world in places such as Jerusalem, Hillsdale, Lima (Peru), Johannesburg (South Africa), Hong Kong, India, Brussels, etc. Also, he looks to educate people and show the cultural value of art.
6.) Where are you getting the money to do this? How do you support these places?
A: He explained that funds are coming from private donors and private foundations. Currently, he and his co-workers are opening a gallery in Jerusalem and finishing the gallery in Hillsdale. Next, they will be going on to Lima, Peru and so on. He is supporting these places by renting out the studio spaces, hence making them like residencies.
7.) How much does it cost to rent a studio space?
A: He said that it would cost a little under $300 per month to rent a studio. He also talked about how it would be slightly selective.
8.) Are you going to have curators and critics, like a regular residency?
A: He said yes and that he also wants to have lectures and classes. So overall, it is not quite like a residency. Instead of a select group voting on people’s work to get studio space, he is going to have a democratic process where the people that are already in the studios are going to get to vote on the newcomers. They will decide if the newcomers’ work is good enough to be selected for a studio space. Also, the artists who decide to rent a studio will have to have a focused discipline like painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, etc.
9.) Then we talked about change and discussed how it is hard to change people because they are so stuck in their ways. He asked me how I think people can be changed and how do you pull people out of their comfort zones?
A: I was stumped with this question. People are so stuck in their ways and it is too hard to change people. Opening this gallery/residency is a big change for the town of Hillsdale and people don’t really know how to react. I gave him the example of my grandmother. I told him that when I moved in with her, I would do stupid things, like not make the bed in the morning or not clean out the tub after a shower and she would freak out. Why, because every day she makes sure the beds are made and the shower is always clean and I messed up or changed that routine and hell broke loose. People can’t except change because they are stuck in their comfort zones. I don’t think there is any way to change people.
10.) Lastly, I asked him what he thought about art as a name/brand and why people spend so much money?
A: He discussed his reasoning of why people get a lot of money for their art and why people don’t get a lot of money for their art. He explained that there are people that are good at what they do, there are people that are great at what they do, and that there are people that are outstanding at what they do. He then went on to explain that a specific person can be defined as outstanding by a tiny fraction. And, that tiny fraction is what separates the millionaires from the non-millionaires. He also said that it’s an obsession.
1.) What were you doing before you were doing art? What types of jobs did you have? Were you always doing art?
A: He said he was always interested in art. The first two years out of high school, he was majoring in Pre-Med. He was interested in the human body. He realized that he would look at the body more as art and not for medical purposes. After two years passes, he’s now twenty years old and he decides he wants to become a painter. So, he dropped out of school and went to Italy. He stayed in Florence for six months and spent a lot of time in different churches. He was inspired by the architecture and paintings. He also travelled around Europe to places like France, Holland, England and Spain. His main interest was Renaissance Art. When he was twenty-five, he moved to Jerusalem to help start a school for classical painting and drawing. He taught at this school for six years. Now, his main interest is helping and teaching other artists and focusing on his own work.
2.) Where did you grow up, do you have any siblings, and does your family affect your work?
A: He explained that he has one sister with whom he grew up in Merrick, NY (Long Island). His sister is a Photo-Journalist. His dad was a painter; so his family did not neglect the fact that he wanted to become an artist. He believes that there is an artist in everyone, but society rejects art and makes people think art is inferior to other professions.
3.) How did you get to this small rural town? (Hillsdale, New York)
A: He said that it was a strategic decision and that there is a movement of artists relocating away from NYC. The relocation started out in the Hamptons and now it is moving up the Hudson River, for example the DIA Foundation in Newburgh, NY. He also explained that there are a lot of galleries throughout the Berkshires and other parts in or near the Hudson. The town of Hillsdale is a center point and is within travelling distance from NYC and Boston. This is the reason he chose my home town.
4.) Are you influenced by any other artists?
A: Courbet, Roman fresco paintings, Giotto, Titian, contemporary painters such as Kiefer, Richter, Barnaby Furnas and a majority of Renaissance Painting influences him.
5.) What is your main goal?
A: His goal is to open galleries/residencies all over the world in places such as Jerusalem, Hillsdale, Lima (Peru), Johannesburg (South Africa), Hong Kong, India, Brussels, etc. Also, he looks to educate people and show the cultural value of art.
6.) Where are you getting the money to do this? How do you support these places?
A: He explained that funds are coming from private donors and private foundations. Currently, he and his co-workers are opening a gallery in Jerusalem and finishing the gallery in Hillsdale. Next, they will be going on to Lima, Peru and so on. He is supporting these places by renting out the studio spaces, hence making them like residencies.
7.) How much does it cost to rent a studio space?
A: He said that it would cost a little under $300 per month to rent a studio. He also talked about how it would be slightly selective.
8.) Are you going to have curators and critics, like a regular residency?
A: He said yes and that he also wants to have lectures and classes. So overall, it is not quite like a residency. Instead of a select group voting on people’s work to get studio space, he is going to have a democratic process where the people that are already in the studios are going to get to vote on the newcomers. They will decide if the newcomers’ work is good enough to be selected for a studio space. Also, the artists who decide to rent a studio will have to have a focused discipline like painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, etc.
9.) Then we talked about change and discussed how it is hard to change people because they are so stuck in their ways. He asked me how I think people can be changed and how do you pull people out of their comfort zones?
A: I was stumped with this question. People are so stuck in their ways and it is too hard to change people. Opening this gallery/residency is a big change for the town of Hillsdale and people don’t really know how to react. I gave him the example of my grandmother. I told him that when I moved in with her, I would do stupid things, like not make the bed in the morning or not clean out the tub after a shower and she would freak out. Why, because every day she makes sure the beds are made and the shower is always clean and I messed up or changed that routine and hell broke loose. People can’t except change because they are stuck in their comfort zones. I don’t think there is any way to change people.
10.) Lastly, I asked him what he thought about art as a name/brand and why people spend so much money?
A: He discussed his reasoning of why people get a lot of money for their art and why people don’t get a lot of money for their art. He explained that there are people that are good at what they do, there are people that are great at what they do, and that there are people that are outstanding at what they do. He then went on to explain that a specific person can be defined as outstanding by a tiny fraction. And, that tiny fraction is what separates the millionaires from the non-millionaires. He also said that it’s an obsession.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Artist Opp. part 2
Below is the job opportunity as a studio assisstant for Spencer Tunik. I wrote a letter of interest and sent him an e-mail, which is what the opportunity called for.
Christopher D. Zigon
650 W 42nd ST
Apt 425
New York, N.Y., 10036
(518) 929-0554
chriszigon@gmail.com
November 11, 2009
As a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz with a Bachelor’s of Science in Visual Arts, I am looking to apply my education and skills to the professional world. I am interested in the internship position because I am eager to learn more about the art world.
Obtaining this position will provide many great opportunities. I am interested in meeting new people and gaining hands-on experience. I feel that assisting an artist will provide me with a better understanding of what goes on, such as installing work in different spaces, working with curators and working with a team.
As a person, I find myself to be a problem solver by nature and take ownership of my duties. I am responsible, capable and consistently display a positive attitude no matter how tough the situation. My educational background coupled with my life experience and work ethic, make me an exceptional candidate.
Thank you for your consideration. I am available at any time to discuss my education, experience and skills that would qualify me for this position.
Sincerely,
Chris Zigon
Chris Zigon Artist Survival Skills
Emily Puthoff Opportunity Application
Artist Internship
Spencer Tunick Studio
(New York NY)
Spencer Tunick Studio is seeking an undergraduate or graduate student as an intern/assistant (credit or non-credit)
Intern will assist with upcoming installations, gallery and museum exhibitions. This position requires a commitment of 1 or 2 days a week.
You will work out of artist's studio space.
Please submit letter explaining your interest in working with the artist.
Subject your email: Internship
Include your phone #.
If for any reason you don't receive an email back, it's only because the position has been filled. We will keep
your info on file for volunteer work on future large-scale projects.
Thank You.
projects@spencertunick.com
Website: http://www.spencertunick.com
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27087
Christopher D. Zigon
650 W 42nd ST
Apt 425
New York, N.Y., 10036
(518) 929-0554
chriszigon@gmail.com
November 11, 2009
As a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz with a Bachelor’s of Science in Visual Arts, I am looking to apply my education and skills to the professional world. I am interested in the internship position because I am eager to learn more about the art world.
Obtaining this position will provide many great opportunities. I am interested in meeting new people and gaining hands-on experience. I feel that assisting an artist will provide me with a better understanding of what goes on, such as installing work in different spaces, working with curators and working with a team.
As a person, I find myself to be a problem solver by nature and take ownership of my duties. I am responsible, capable and consistently display a positive attitude no matter how tough the situation. My educational background coupled with my life experience and work ethic, make me an exceptional candidate.
Thank you for your consideration. I am available at any time to discuss my education, experience and skills that would qualify me for this position.
Sincerely,
Chris Zigon
Chris Zigon Artist Survival Skills
Emily Puthoff Opportunity Application
Artist Internship
Spencer Tunick Studio
(New York NY)
Spencer Tunick Studio is seeking an undergraduate or graduate student as an intern/assistant (credit or non-credit)
Intern will assist with upcoming installations, gallery and museum exhibitions. This position requires a commitment of 1 or 2 days a week.
You will work out of artist's studio space.
Please submit letter explaining your interest in working with the artist.
Subject your email: Internship
Include your phone #.
If for any reason you don't receive an email back, it's only because the position has been filled. We will keep
your info on file for volunteer work on future large-scale projects.
Thank You.
projects@spencertunick.com
Website: http://www.spencertunick.com
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27087
Artist Statement
Art is a name; painter, sculpture, photographer, graphic designer, ceramicist, print maker, etc. Whoever you are, you have a name and a category. My name is Chris and I don't have a category. The reason I don't categorize myself is because I am fascinated by all art. If I were to categorize myself, the category would be called versatile. So, what does my art deal with? In today's society, it seems as though a lot of contemporary art is primarily conceptual, with no real intended physical use. So, I create objects that people can use and interpret conceptually.
Artist Opp. Recon part1
Artist Opp. Databases
http://newyork.craigslist.org/
http://jobsearch.monster.com/
http://www.nyfa.org/
http://www.artjob.org/cgi-local/displayPage.pl?page=index.html
http://www.artinfo.com/job/
Exhibition Opps
Five NY State
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27132
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27006
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27052
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27044
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=26981
Five National
http://www.collegeart.org/opportunities/listing/4041/
http://www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/targetcallforentry.htm
https://www.imss.org/exhopp.htm
http://caconline.org/services/exhibition-opportunities/
http://www.uwyo.edu/ArtMuseum/opportunities.asp
Five International
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0910_humanstatuebodyart.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0910_wharepuke.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0309_cityofperthblackswanportraitureprize.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0709_picturethis09.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0509_woollahrasmallsculptureprize.htm
Artist Funding
Three Local
http://students.tisch.nyu.edu/object/scholarshipguide.html
http://www.foundationcenter.org/afw/
http://www.cecartslink.org/grants/usa.html
Five NY State
http://www.gottliebfoundation.org/individual_support_grants_(cont’d).htm
http://www.apexart.org/exhibitions/franchisetwo.htm
http://www.puffinfoundation.org/grants/prospectiveapplicant.html
http://www.nysca.org/public/grants/how_to_apply.htm
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/panyc/panyc.shtml
Five National
http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/Public2/About/GrantsProgram/USAFellows/index.cfm
http://www.nea.gov/grants/index.html
http://www.nga.gov/casva/index.shtm
http://www.ncta.net/events/nationalheritage.htm
http://www.pcah.us/fellowships/1994panel.html
Five International
http://arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/international/fellowships.php
http://www.mcknight.org/arts/fellowships.aspx
http://www.gasworks.org.uk/international/
http://iaf2.bulletserve.net/about.php
http://www.terraamericanart.org/about/
Artist Residencies
Five NY State
http://www.bluemountaincenter.org/programs/residencies
http://www.woodstockguild.org/byrdclifferesidencies.htm
http://www.cactroy.org/residencies.php
http://outpostedit.org/
http://www.millaycolony.org/residencies
Five National
http://www.artcentersf.org/_opportunities/studio.php
http://www.thedcca.org/index.html
http://www.mattress.org/index.cfm?event=Residency
http://www.i-park.org/residency.html
http://www.galesburgarts.org/pages/residency.html
Five International
http://www.air-vallauris.com/index.asp?PageID=65&SID=
http://www.kokarkultur.com/
http://www.bundanon.com.au/category/residencies
http://www.thetownhousegallery.com/main7.html
http://www.covepark.org/Residencies/
Internships and assistantships
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27163
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27158
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27157
Graduate Schools
http://www.nyaa.edu/nyaa/gradprogram/overview.html
http://www.sva.edu/grad/index.jsp?sid0=2
http://calarts.edu/art/programs/art
http://www.otis.edu/admissions/graduate_admissions/index.html
http://www.sfai.edu/page.aspx?page=200&navID=381§ionID=4
http://newyork.craigslist.org/
http://jobsearch.monster.com/
http://www.nyfa.org/
http://www.artjob.org/cgi-local/displayPage.pl?page=index.html
http://www.artinfo.com/job/
Exhibition Opps
Five NY State
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27132
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27006
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27052
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27044
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Opportunity&id=95&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=26981
Five National
http://www.collegeart.org/opportunities/listing/4041/
http://www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/targetcallforentry.htm
https://www.imss.org/exhopp.htm
http://caconline.org/services/exhibition-opportunities/
http://www.uwyo.edu/ArtMuseum/opportunities.asp
Five International
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0910_humanstatuebodyart.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0910_wharepuke.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0309_cityofperthblackswanportraitureprize.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0709_picturethis09.htm
http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/0509_woollahrasmallsculptureprize.htm
Artist Funding
Three Local
http://students.tisch.nyu.edu/object/scholarshipguide.html
http://www.foundationcenter.org/afw/
http://www.cecartslink.org/grants/usa.html
Five NY State
http://www.gottliebfoundation.org/individual_support_grants_(cont’d).htm
http://www.apexart.org/exhibitions/franchisetwo.htm
http://www.puffinfoundation.org/grants/prospectiveapplicant.html
http://www.nysca.org/public/grants/how_to_apply.htm
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/panyc/panyc.shtml
Five National
http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/Public2/About/GrantsProgram/USAFellows/index.cfm
http://www.nea.gov/grants/index.html
http://www.nga.gov/casva/index.shtm
http://www.ncta.net/events/nationalheritage.htm
http://www.pcah.us/fellowships/1994panel.html
Five International
http://arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/international/fellowships.php
http://www.mcknight.org/arts/fellowships.aspx
http://www.gasworks.org.uk/international/
http://iaf2.bulletserve.net/about.php
http://www.terraamericanart.org/about/
Artist Residencies
Five NY State
http://www.bluemountaincenter.org/programs/residencies
http://www.woodstockguild.org/byrdclifferesidencies.htm
http://www.cactroy.org/residencies.php
http://outpostedit.org/
http://www.millaycolony.org/residencies
Five National
http://www.artcentersf.org/_opportunities/studio.php
http://www.thedcca.org/index.html
http://www.mattress.org/index.cfm?event=Residency
http://www.i-park.org/residency.html
http://www.galesburgarts.org/pages/residency.html
Five International
http://www.air-vallauris.com/index.asp?PageID=65&SID=
http://www.kokarkultur.com/
http://www.bundanon.com.au/category/residencies
http://www.thetownhousegallery.com/main7.html
http://www.covepark.org/Residencies/
Internships and assistantships
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27163
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27158
http://www.nyfa.org/opp_detail.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54&oppid=27157
Graduate Schools
http://www.nyaa.edu/nyaa/gradprogram/overview.html
http://www.sva.edu/grad/index.jsp?sid0=2
http://calarts.edu/art/programs/art
http://www.otis.edu/admissions/graduate_admissions/index.html
http://www.sfai.edu/page.aspx?page=200&navID=381§ionID=4
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
ISCP Research
The field trip was a unique experience. It was easier to break the ice and talk to the artists because most of them were in their studios. It was cool to see the diversity of artists and their work. I met artists from Taiwan, Portugal, France, Canada, Burma, China, Mexico, etc. It was a little hard to understand some of the artists broken English, but I still managed to get info out of them. I now understand a little more about the process of getting into a residency. While conversing with different artists I found out that the residency lasts anywhere from 6 weeks to a year. It depends on your sponsor. The women from Burma told me that her 6 months was up in December so, she talked to her sponsor for more time and they are paying for her for another 6 months. Everything resides on a sponsor. Some artists were sponsored by their country and some by private parties. Rena talked about how you can apply directly to the residency, but if they accept you, either you have to pay out your pocket or you have to find a sponsor, which wouldn't be that easy to do. While conversing with the artist from Canada she talked about the experience and how she has been at the residency for three months and didn't make a damn thing. She is using the residency as a networking tool to meet different curators, artists, and just to explore the city. It seems the sponsor is losing money. Another question I asked was if they live there. I found out that the sponsor also, pays for an outside apartment on top of the residency.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Artist Bio
Chris Zigon is best known for his usable/interactive sculptures. His best attribute is versatility in many different materials. His versatility comes from his worldly museum studies. He has studied art in European countries such as London, England and Paris, France. Zigon attended Suny New Paltz and received a B.S. in Visual Arts with a concentration in Sculpture. He was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York. At a young age his father taught him how to work and design various brick and stone projects. Presently Zigon has utilized these design techniques throughout his work. His future goals are to one day build a national monument.
Chris Zigon is best known for his usable/interactive sculptures. His best attribute is versatility in many different materials. His versatility comes from his worldly museum studies. He has studied art in European countries such as London, England and Paris, France. Zigon attended Suny New Paltz and received a B.S. in Visual Arts with a concentration in Sculpture. He was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York. At a young age his father taught him how to work and design various brick and stone projects. Presently Zigon has utilized these design techniques throughout his work. His future goals are to one day build a national monument.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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