Hey! We had a gathering (which was renamed a meeting) for the Gwangju Artist Collective (GAC) this past Saturday, September 19th at Golden Rabbits Cafe from 1-3pm.
147 people were invited to this event, promoted on Facebook Event. 11 responded that they would come; a 7% rate which is pretty good for an organization such as this. Usually in such a free flowing organization it is usually around 10% of the people who are deeply commited (show up to meetings, follow up on promises) who do most of the work. 5 people attended; two who just arrived in Korea 2 months ago. We talked about newbie needs and also rehashed who has authority to organize GAC. We talked about not having a board again and how this stunts us from participating in the Korean art scene as an organization.
Info Sharing
I promised some things to Andrea and Kristin.
Ceramics
http://gwangjublog.com/1529 - story about an expat doing ceramics
http://www.gwangjuguide.or.kr/2010/05/art-and-culture/ - list of places to study
Workshops
We talked about fall workshops. Leroy promised to do a portfolio workshop in summer and then said fall. He didn't show up and doesn't respond to Facebook messages. So, Leroy, if you are out there, a portfolio workshop is still requested if you can donate the time and organize it.
Maybe it would be better to create a page on the GAC website with a list of videos and websites about how to put together a portfolio. Art portfolio requirements by country differ; this would be a great kindness to curate this knowledge into an online space for the public to discover on their own.
If anyone would like to offer an art workshop, let me know. I will help find a space and help make a proposal to fund raise.
Open Studio & Life Drawing
Talk about having open studios and life drawing. Lisa Mynhardt said she'd take the lead and organize models. Any interest? I contacted Jen Lee to see if she is still interested in this offering of GAC. She hasn't responded to my emails either.
November GAC Group Show
Lisa agreed to put together an idea for the November Show and asked that HyeSeong and I give her feedback. Her nascent proposal is here. Download Entityamid . I'm asking for your feedback by sharing her idea publicly.
The theme she oultines is as follows:
The theme and name of the exhibition would be; Entity Amid. The theme of the show is based on the foreign artist (entity) living out their lives and art amid the people of the Korea. It could show cooperation and integration or alienation and isolation. The theme could indicate the individual experience or a group experience of multiple viewpoints. The theme is also suitable for a multitude of media and could easily be adapted to fit any kind of existing work that artists have in their private collections. In general the theme is open ended and many styles and approaches could be accommodated. (Thanks to Lisa Mynhardt for her creativity and leadership)
I have asked Gwangju News Magazine to wait for a late press release from us so we can post something in the October issue. Haven't heard back from them.
This is my Blog. So you get my opinion.
Lack of Energy
Personally I'm tired and my needs are not being fulfilled by participating in GAC. I am not a traditional artist; I am an art lover, writer, and live my life as art. I believe GAC to incredibly important to the Gwangju community, therefore, I volunteer. But . . .
I won't come to another meeting which only talks about establishing a board or criticizes volunteers who are donating their time, energy, expertise, talent and money. I won't come to another meeting that needs to manage people's hurt for insensitive judgment by people who are not regularly willing to participate in the WORK of GAC not just the FUN of GAC.
I also don't support organizations that believe in exclusivity. I believe in openness, acceptance, transparency and development. If GAC is to be about only professional artists and not emerging artists or community art, I'm out.
I am happy to facilitate art galleries tours, Gwangju Design Biennale trips and discussions, and other art lover-related events. I am also interested in supporting through my time and cash (small amount) inspirational bouts of art generation like the workshops we have put on at Gwangju International Center and their follow up art exhibitions.
OK This me reporting in. I am removing myself as an administration of the Facebook Group. I will remain a web member only who shares my ideas and energy when I want.
Ooh! One more thing. Doug Stuber. He has been here forever, starting up the GAC and always talking about it. But why didn't he show up to the meeting this past Saturday?
