The Terrible Toll of Art Anxiety

In today's New York Times there is an interesting article entitled, The Terrible Toll of Art Anxiety. It specifically discusses the experience of collector looking for art to purchase but who are overwhelmed by not understanding the content of the work they see in galleries. There has been a growing gap between artists and those who collect and appreciate art. It is the same gap that exists between specialists and lay people in any discipline. This of course is not a new idea and people have been arguing about it for over a hundred years now. Fifty years ago it was the anxiety of the artist that was the major concern and their was much discussion of the anxiety of art or to use the critic Harold Rosenberg’s term in referring to art objects, “The Anxious Object.”

While this is a multifaceted issue with no one cause or solution, there are two issues I think would be good places for beginning a discussion. First, has to do with the artists, I specifically have in mind painters but this may apply to other disciplines as well, the problem here is when the theory comes first and the visual second. The other issue is the need to recognize that painting requires time. It is not like advertising that needs to reveal its message in 5 or 10 seconds. I think both of this issues open up great topics for discussion. [...more]

The Blind Swimmer – A new blog for painting and abstraction

I've recently started a new blog devoted to painting and abstraction that I will be updating on a daily basis, so please join in the conversation there as well!!!

theblindswimmer.com

Notes on Drawing

Drawing for a visual artist is like practicing scales or arpeggios for a musician. It's how I grow as an artist. Where I develop ideas, resolve compositional problems. It helps me clear my mind and focus before I start painting. It's a playground. I can use graphite, I can use charcoal, scissors, ink, brush, a twig.

In my drawing play is an important element and having lots of inexpensive sketchbooks and paper around allows me to feel free to do lots of them and not worry about wasting materials or cost. When I am at work and away from the studio I swipe post-it note pads and fill them up with tiny little doodles. Often times I can resolve compositional problems between typesetting or while I'm on the phone that I am struggling with in the studio. Or begin the nascent process of developing new compositions. [...more]

theblindswimmer.com

Despite Gentrification and Recession, Arts Continue To Thrive in Downtown Jersey City

Jersey City, NJ – It’s been three years now since artists were driven from the Downtown Powerhouse Arts District, following a long and bitter dispute with billionaire developer Lloyd Goldman, leading many artists to abandon Jersey City in search of affordable housing and studio space elsewhere. Those that have stayed have witnessed an extended campaign of harassment and intimidation. 58 Gallery, one of the few remaining exhibition and performance spaces has felt the full force of this campaign, leading founder Orlando Reyes to significantly scale back the gallery’s schedule of exhibitions and performances. In addition, the recent settlement between Jersey City Mayor Jeremiah Healy’s Administration and Goldman paves the way for the demolition of the iconic 111 First St. building with its artist studios, galleries and exhibition spaces, to be replaced with two non-descript luxury high-rise apartment and condominium buildings. All these developments seem to portend an abandonment of the arts in downtown Jersey City. But don’t tell that to the hundred plus people who made their way to the Grassroots Arts Facility this past Saturday for the opening of Introversions, an exhibition of paintings by local Jersey City artist Gordon Fraser.

Introversions, an exhibition of 10 major new egg tempera and oil paintings and 20 watercolors is representative of Fraser’s recent work, and explores the fusion of eastern and western “old master” techniques with his post-Expressionist vision. For the last several years, Gordon has been experimenting with different recipes and formulas to develop a painting medium that captures and conveys a glowing sense of luminosity. Judging from the response of those in attendance at the opening, Gordon has hit the mark. The colors and the paintings glow on the wall, from the large canvases to the small watercolors, and collectors were keen to support this exciting and sublime work.

Introversions runs through Friday March 21, 2008 at the Grassroots Arts Facility, 143 Christopher Columbus Drive, in downtown Jersey City, one block west of the Grove Street Path Station. The gallery is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays from 3pm – 8pm. Established in 2007, the Grassroots Arts Facility seeks to be the “new cultural hub in Jersey City.” Incorporating approximately 10,000 square feet on four floors, the Grassroots Arts Facility is home to the Lex Leonard Gallery, Toy Eaters Studio and the Grassroots Boutique and Gallery. For more information on the Grassroots Arts Facility, contact Colin Comstock, 610 209-5059, learsenalav@gmail.com or Gordon Fraser, gordon@gordonfraserfinearts.com.

Grassroots Arts Facility
143 Christopher Columbus Drive
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(corner of Christopher Columbus and Barrow)

Opening reception: Saturday, February 9, 2008, 7-10 pm
Gallery hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3-8 pm

Thank You for the great night @ Grassroots Arts Facility!

Thank all you very much for coming to the opening on Saturday night. For those not in Jersey City, I greatly appreciate your making the trek over to Jersey City it helped make for a wonderful evening. I know for some, the trip under the river the is a bit daunting, as you need your passport, birth certificate, three other forms of identification, and some green to pass through the NJ Customs. However, we a had a great turnout and all the support was very rewarding and such a pleasure. And an extra special thanks for everyone who made the evening a resounding success!

If you were unable to make it to the opening this past Saturday, the show will be up until March 21st. The gallery is open Th, F, Sat 3 - 8pm, I'll probably be there on Saturdays. We plan to have an event on March 7th as part of the Jersey City Fridays. For those who may not know JC Fridays is the first Friday of each month and many of the venues schedule special events and performances. I will have additional work in two group shows with openings that night. I'll have a few pieces at Skinner's Loft, a great new restaurant a block from where my show is now, and the other other will be at the Art House Productions space. So, you can make an evening of art and good food in Jersey City on March 7th and not only enjoy my show at Grassroots Arts Facility, but lot's of other artists work as well!

introversions - installation

introversions: an exhibition of paintings by gordon fraser from LE ARSENAL AV on Vimeo.