Attention, Attention, Attention

Tonight from 5-7pm the CAM Biennial has its opening reception.

When you hold an open show the usual result is proof positive that the Bell Curve theory isn’t a theory, but an immutable law of the universe. (The Bell Curve theory, you studied in it Statistics or Algebra or Social Studies, remember? Oh right, you have slept since then. Okay so in short it states that in any group of numbers you will find the data is spread across a curve with the best and worst at the opposite, but farthest ends of the curve while the center holds the largest concentration spread relatively in a uniform path along the curve from best to worst or worst to best. Now wasn’t that easy? This concludes the math portion of the Blog.) So, the expectation is an unjuried show will have an awful lot of mediocre work.

This is not the case and in fact the show at the Coos Art Museum is wonderfully above average with only a nod here or there to that ole bell curve. But that is really what one would expect from a community where the artists live and work and submit their finished products for the approval of the most severe and critical eye…the public.

There is plenty to see and in vibrant, living colors using every technique and media known to man.

And there is art everywhere. Don’t be a casual viewer, look close, the art is in the three galleries, but it is also on the walls and in the halls and just about everywhere a flat surface can be found. The size of the show is amazing and the dedication of the staff and volunteers who got it up deserves all the kudos they can get. And the art isn’t just slapped on the walls and hung willy-nilly about; it is hung and lighted to its best advantage. Don’t try this at home boys and girls.

And why should you the public pay any attention to all of this artsy silliness? Because if you don’t know anything about art, but you know what you like you are in charge. This is a Public Hanging, you vote to reward the artist by acknowledging their skill with a show of their own. Yes, you, you get to decide who deserves the private showing. Now you could do it like things are done in high school where the kid who can cull, bully and get the parents to bride the most people wins, but you don’t want that. You are art savvy, thoughtful, critical and educated people. You can make a selection based on judgment, brains and maturity, but only if you go…

Don’t miss your chance to be there for the opening gun and come back often because there is a lot of art to see and decisions to make and you know what happens when you rush a decision… You become like a television network and cancel all of the good shows…