MAEX Studio Praxis Podcasts - 21 Dec., 2005

Pulse Art Fair Special On site Exhibition:

All of the recent art fairs had special events during their duration. Pulse in particular attempted to provide something a bit different than the other smaller fairs by have a special exhibition curated by a Floridian. The artists were not all from Florida but, if not, their subject or work was created with Florida being the location.

Mr. Dellinger and I spoke on site one late afternoon about the show and some of the works. Due to a number of issues, no images are provided for this exhibition. (The noise heard in the background is a mechanical sculpture by Robert Chambers. You have been warned. *smile*)

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"Destination Works" Curated by Jade Dellinger

Curatorial Statement: The exhibition "Destination Works" will find inspiration in both Florida's tourist trade and the current international trend in museums to focus on single "masterpieces" or so-called "destination works" (versus "blockbuster" exhibitions). As institutions are increasingly pressured to attract additional visitors and exhibits are becoming more and more expensive to mount, the virtues of the blockbuster show have become a topic of recent debate. Is it possible for a single work of art to do more than an entire exhibition? Can a showstopper (or "destination work") have a greater impact than a blockbuster show, and how then do you curate an exhibition on the theme of showstoppers? The Sunshine State has long attracted tourists with its year-round warm climate and white sand beaches. It is the gateway to Latin America, and this provides a complex and distinct rhythm, color and character to its communities. Its theme parks are a magnet for out-of-state visitors. Like a gallery filled with Impressionist paintings on temporary loan, Florida has a knack for drawing a crowd. Its museums generate major traveling shows, but what about the art that's "made in Florida"? There are major collectors, galleries and institutions in the state. There are significant artists, both emerging and established, living and working there too. However, Florida's status as a burgeoning art mecca (if primarily in winter months) is a rather recent development. In 1995, when artist Maurizio Cattelan proposed "Choose Your Destination: How to Get a Museum-Paid Vacation," he packed his bags for a week of rest, relaxation and a hint of provocation in the Sunshine State. "Destination Works" will include caricature drawings commissioned by Maurizio Cattelan at Busch Gardens in Tampa (and never before shown). Brooklyn-based "assembly-line" painter Steve Keene will distribute "Florida-themed" works like souvenirs, and "show-stopping" new paintings and sculptures will be presented by resident Florida artists like Gean Moreno, Odili Donald Odita, Joe Griffith, A.A. Rucci and others.

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