"A rose is a rose is a rose" - Kim MacConnel and emerging artist Brian Dick
by Kevin Freitas
from the SDVAN website
DISCOMBOBULATED: KIM MacCONNEL and emerging artist BRIAN DICK
Opening Reception
Saturday, April 25th, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Exhibition runs April 25th - July 20th, 2009
L Street Gallery
628 L Street (Across from the Omni Hotel)
San Diego, CA 92101
DISCOMBOBULATED featuring works by Kim MacConnel and Brian Dick is the first exhibition of the 2009 San Diego Art Prize. The SD Art Prize, now in its third year, is given annually to established artists and emerging artist who have exhibited outstanding achievement in the field of Visual Arts.
The SD Art Prize is dedicated to the idea that the visual arts are a necessary and rewarding ingredient of any world-class city and a building block of the lifestyle of its residents. Conceived to promote and encourage dialogue, reflection and social interaction about San Diego’s artistic and cultural life.
Presented by:
San Diego Visual Arts Network (www.sdvan.net)
SanDiegoArtist.com (www.sandiegoartist.com)
L Street Fine Art / at the Omni Hotel (www.lstreetfineart.com )
For more info: 619.645.6593 Gallery Hours: Tues - Sat. 10-5pm
What's in a name was my other choice of a title for this seemingly much-anticipated two person show at L Street Fine Art. However, with the title of the show already chosen, DISCOMBOBULATED, it might make you wonder if its selection wasn't a bit prophetic considering the ballyhoo overheard (principally by its defenders) in favor of its curatorial debut so to speak. I clearly have a different opinion and have expressed this openly and freely. But legitimacy is a very difficult thing to claim at this moment: the burden of proof lies with both MacConnel and Dick and myself amongst others, to put on a "good" show and to have a fair assessment of its outcome regardless of its headliners. Though there might be some speculation and confusion already as to what is going to be allegedly exhibited — earlier works by MacConnel from the 90's and recently-seen photos by Dick vs. entirely new productions — we'll just have to sit tight and see for ourselves. I'm hoping for the sake of everyone involved that it rises to the occasion.
For another point of view, read Keli Dailey's take on it in the Union-Tribune.
UPDATE: 4/23/09
Established artist Richard Allen Morris (76) has chosen emerging artist Tom Driscoll (64) as the 2009 San Diego Art Prize recipient. This concludes this year's Art Prize winners with none of the emerging artists nominated to this effect - and recently seen in New Contemporaries II - having been selected.
Comments
both matt devine and myself were renominated for the art prize this year. our names have been up on the sd art prize website for several months now. therefore kim macconnel did pick from among the nominees. whether or not anyone feels i should have been nominated at all i cannot say. i will say that mr. macconnel is a great artist and i am honored to be in a show with him.
Posted by: brian dick | avril 24, 2009 12:31 AM
So what now Brian? Where do we go from here? Do we continue to offer San Diego shows that highlight nepotism, in fact even encourage it by turning a blind eye to its negative impact on the rest of the art community? Yes, both you and Matt were renominated. The bigger question is, why? On what grounds? You both had your chance last year and were not chosen. Please tell me why you think you both deserve a second chance over any other artist trying to have theirs for the FIRST time? Having your name on a website is a rather weak justification for a selection process that was faulty from the start.
If you want my opinion you could have easily handled this awkward position you find yourself in, I think, in any number of ways. You could have said NO and deferred your spot to someone else within the group of emerging artists. Or better yet, as it was suggested to me, have choosen a third artist to show with both you and Kim from that same group. But then of course, you would have needed Kim's approval. It's likely that you wouldn't have gotten it I'm afraid.
And why, because were not talking about the "art" here, we never were. We're talking pragmatism, convenience, vanity, image, and to a certain extent "because you can". If the current show at L Street is a testament to moving the contemporary art scene in San Diego forward, it certainly doesn't feel that way. That I fear, is truly why it is moving backwards. The longer the focus of all this discussion is on the "cult of personality", the artwork will always inevitably suffer and so will the Art Prize.
Posted by: Kevin Freitas | avril 26, 2009 01:07 PM