"Visual Fringe: An Explosion of Passionate Creation" - 4 Star Gallery - Aug. 17, 2005 - 1 star

"Visual Fringe: An Explosion of Passionate Creation" at the 4 Star Gallery

Aug. 17, 2005 - 1 star

"Visual Fringe 2005 sets out to uncover and tap into the most diverse and exciting range of local high caliber artists to paint or draw what they felt was their concept of lndy Fringe. The response from the artists was awesome. Visual Fringe will challenge people to look at art in a new way," writes www.indyfringe.org of its visual arts component to the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival. But the work, individually and as a whole, is so embarrassing I wondered if I had walked into an intentional parody. Was I, the observer, part of some performance art joke? 

This show is a misrepresentation of the quality of visual art happening in our city and is thus way out of touch with what truly is fringe locally. And what does "the response from artists was awesome" mean when the call for artists was narrow?

Scarier still was that this show, the opposite of what it asserts to be, was juried. First effort excuse is unacceptable. How could such a well-orchestrated and amazing event allow this hoax to happen? Kudos still to Shawn Miller, owner of 4 Star, for always maintaining an open mind, taking risks and opening his doors to cutting-edge art, possibilities and ideas. His efforts alone earned the lone star rating. Perhaps next year Miller or some group like IMOCA will take the helm of the visual arts component and maybe revive his ahead-of-its-time Installation Festival. Through Aug. 28, 2005; www.indyFringe.org, (317) 822-4386. - Mary Lee Pappas 

 

Here are three letters received from this review. 

FYI, the show was solicited as being juried.

There was a fourth that is just too weird to add...maybe I will though. 

Letter #1 August, 21, 2005 

I am baffled, disappointed, and hurt by the review that the Visual Fringe Show received by Mary Lee Pappas. I understand a critic is allowed to judge a show based upon their expertise and thus report that to the public.  It is their job as a journalist for the paper they work for to report the quality of shows.  However, her comment that the work individually and as a whole was embarrassing was rude and based upon what?  

The show was juried by the curator of the Indiana State Museum.  The call to artists went out on the IndyArts site.  Quincy Owens one of the artist who had 3 pieces selected shows work on a regular basis at The Harrison Center, The Stutz Gallery and Lamp to name a few.  He also has done commentaries about the arts in Indianapolis on the TV. Emma Overman and Liz Margason are both in the Hoosier Salon show right now.  

Mary Lee Pappas had mentioned Emma Overman as having her work stand out to her in her review of the Hoosier Salon Show.  Emma also shows her work in the previously mentioned galleries and others, will have a one women show at the Stutz this winter, has shown at Talbot Street, and is a published children's book illustrator.  Sojna Widmer, Emma Overman, and Liz Margason were in a juried show with Mary Lee Pappas' painting at the Fletcher Pointe show call the Lamp's Art Party which was hosted and awards given by Jennifer Kaye of the Lamp Fine Arts Gallery.  Emma Overman won first place and Sojna Widmer came in 4th per popular vote at that show. Sojna Widmer's work has shown in New York at the Cork Gallery off Broadway, Dean Johnson Gallery in December, The Indianapolis Art Center's Winter Solstice show, Lamp Fine Art Gallery, Broadripple Art Fair, and on a regular basis at CCA Gallery in Zionsville. Sojna Widmer has won first place, merit awards, and prize money for her collage work at numerous shows.  

I don't know what Mary Lee Pappas was basing her opinions on that the work at the 4 Star Gallery didn't represent the quality of visual art in the Indianapolis area when indeed we do.  I don't know what writing to you will do to help any of us artists but hope you have a sympathetic ear.  I just indeed hope it doesn't hurt any of us any more than the uneducated and opinionated review did. 

Sincerely, 

Sojna Widmer 

Letter #2 August 20, 2005 

Are you an art critic? And what is your background? 

I would personally like a response from Ms. Mary Lee Pappas. 

I am one of the artists at 4 Star Gallery for Indy Fringe. INTAKE did a great spread this week showcasing the artists and the art. Have you seen it? Quite frankly, being synical and negative is much easier than asking questions and understanding. Do a little research. Do you know what artists are showing? Did you know that Q. Jones (Quincy Jones) has been written up time and time again as one of our best? Your records should show Jan12-19 2005 p. 20. Just to mention one article. 

I make and sell art for living- in homes, galleries, retail boutiques (in some of our "finest" ones I might add).... Another artist is a children's literature illustrator...for a living. The mix is actually quite nice and extremely diverse. I will keep the rest of my opinions about Ms. Pappas review for a later discussion if I would be allowed. Overall it is her "misrepresentation" of our Visual Fringe at 4 Star that really, seems mostly prematurely judged. 

By the way, it is Shawn Miller, not Sean. I look forward to hearing from you both. 

Sincerely, 

Shelley Savini 

Letter #3 

When someone presents me or anyone I represent with outright lies and blatant misrepresentation, I don't stand idly by and allow it to happen. This may take some energy which I don't have vast stores of, but I usually go ahead and do it anyway. 

When I was teaching as an adjunct professor of journalism, any student of mine would have been called to the table with lack of research and blatant inaccuracies in any piece they had written. I no longer teach but am calling someone on their published work. Today, I bring Mary Lee Pappas to the table. She wrote a "clip" as a "freelance writer" for Nuvo about the Visual Fringe 2005 currently at the 4 Star Gallery until August 31st, 653 Massachusetts Avenue. The "clip" lacks research, quotes, and accuracy. 

She didn't get the gallery owner's (Shawn Miller) name right but lauded him. I'm appalled at what Pappas had to say in a small "clip" or review. In journalism, there's this thing called the "inverted pyramid," so am placing the important stuff at the top. 

First, I encourage readers to pick up an Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival program and read all about the fringe fest and also the Visual Fringe. Go fringe, and stop in at 4 Star to see 26 fabulous art pieces plus art for sale in the print bins. All sales benefit the fringe and the artists. The artists whose works were selected to fill the blank walls of the 4 Star Gallery for the month of August did not receive any awards, stipends, nothing. Neither did I as coordinator of the show. There wasn't a contest. There are no awards. There was a very broad Call For Entries. This is not considered a juried show. But, we had a blast at the opening art reception where upwards of 300 to maybe even 400 people showed up according to both my own, Quincy Owens' and fringe president Tom Battista's best guesses. There are gifted, talented professionals in this art show who garner award after award and have done so for a long time. There are people represented in this group who have contributed significantly to various aspects of art development in Indianapolis, some of us, if old enough, for years! All one has to do is to just glimpse through the bios and note the accolades. 

When veteran Nuvo readers read the "clip" at the bottom of page 26 in the current issue, I hope they will consider the "source." I don't have to pen a dissertation here as it was published last year in a Nuvo article by Allan Schoff in the May 19, 2004 issue in a response to an inaccurate report published by Pappas' in Nuvo. Go to: http://www.nuvo.net/archive/2004/05/19/art_vs_art.html. He says it better than I ever could. I strongly urge Pappas to get facts, as a first step, then to report them honestly, accurately, and in a kinder spirit. For starters, all one has to do these days is run a simple search on a search engine. You can find out a lot about the artists of the current Visual Fringe that way if you spell their names correctly. Or maybe even if you don't spell them right. 

As for Pappas, I learned that she taught a seminar through Arts Alliance back in 2002 on "How To Write A News Release." I wonder how she came up with her facts to give to the attendees? I learned that she was in an art show with Quincy Owens, a Visual Fringe artist, who is a very nice and talented young man. And I wonder why Pappas spoke so unkindly? Sandy Dorste (a visual fringe artist) and I visited that show in June 2004 at the Harrison Center where Pappas' works were also shown. I wonder why she wrote such a piece about a talented colleague? I wonder if Pappas ever attended a fringe fest before this event here in Indy? I wonder if she knows anymore about it than I did until almost a year ago? I wonder if our dear late and great Harrison Ullmann (who spoke to several of my journalism writing classes) is turning in the grave a bit about poor journalism? I owed Harrison a story, and we talked about it each time we spoke. He died before I ever got one written for him. Until now, several years down the path. Whether it's regular or alternative journalism, a report has to have accurate facts. I wonder if Pappas is a trained journalist? Back to the search engine. Such inaccuracies are not acceptable, 

Ms. Pappas. I believe you owe 13 people who are in the Visual Fringe 2005 an apology. I believe you owe the current, wonderful editors of Nuvo, Jim Poyser and David Hoppe, an apology. The piece was small and many readers may have missed it. 

Finally, hats off to the editors for great coverage of the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival. Come see the shows. Come see the Visual Fringe 2005 at 4 Star Gallery. And come see \"Confusion\" by Foreal Art Company at the fringe at the Athenaeum, which is about, and above all, honesty and integrity in today's world. Glad you and your wife saw it, Jim!!! 

Charlene Faris

Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, Charlene Faris, Indy Fringe Festival, Harrison Ullmann, Jim Poyser, Patricia Wildhack, Quincy Owens, Shawn Miller, 4 Star Gallery, David Hoppe, Shelley Savini, Tom Battista, Alan Schoff, Sandy Dorste, Fringe Fest, Indiana State Museum, Harriso Centre, Emma Overman, Hoosier Salon, Sonja Widmer, Lamp Fine Arts Gallery, Liz Marason, Stutz Gallery, 

Art Bloodbath - Art vs. Art - Fountain Square Theatre - May 12, 2004

Art bloodbath 

NUVO Newsweekly, May 12 - 19, 2004, pg. 28.

By Mary Lee Pappas

Pictured: Mike Wiltrout was MC at Art vs. Art.

The third Art. vs. Art took place May 7 at the Fountain Square Theatre. This rambunctious art brawl and study in social politics was presented by the arts not-for-profit Primary Colours and their pals at Groove Truck Productions. 

The event was a $1,000 winner-take-all competition in the form of head-to-head bouts between paintings. The winning works, determined by a decibel reader measuring audience cheers, went on to the next round while the loser’s fate was determined by a spin on the “Wheel of Death.” Death could be avoided by purchase. 

Sixty-four artists participated, executing their paintings with identical materials supplied by Prizm Art Supplies. Sixteen top paintings, selected by audience ballot, went on to face off in front of a crowd of 300 spectators. 

Nikki Sutton, an interior designer with Axis Architecture, commended the event while filling her three-choice ballot, saying, “A lot of people don’t feel comfortable interacting with art … but this little ballot makes someone decide. I see a lot of people I haven’t seen at any of the Murphy open houses. At the Murphy, things are all about having a cocktail and not interacting with it. Some people may have some hangups about judging what’s good art, what’s not good art. I don’t think this is what this is about. This is about people feeling comfortable expressing opinions about art where normally they would just keep it to themselves because they’re intimidated by it.” 

Nikki chose one painting twice on her ballot for lack of quality options. 

Artur Silva, an artist represented at Editions Limited, chose not to participate because, “I just don’t want my work to be chopped up. I don’t understand the validity of it.” He added that if anyone were to destroy his work it would be him. “I’ve lost my hope in democracy — it’s lost its value.” 

“Are you ready to fuck up some paintings people?” MC Mike Wiltrout — of local bands Leisure Kings and Mr. Sparkle — asked the audience, which enthusiastically cheered and blew their party favor horns. The Arts Council’s Dave Lawrence and Brian Payne, president of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, were among the groundlings. “This is an evening of art, music … and most of all destruction,” Wiltrout said with more bravado. “You’re a cruel, bloodthirsty lot of people. Let the bloodbath begin!” 

The event was basically postmodern art 101: First destroy art for the sake of art, shock the audience, but still vie for their applause and support. It’s an old idea and not always a bad one if you’re “making art available to everybody,” as Wiltrout said of the Primary Colours mission. 

Filmmaker David Yosha said, “It’s not that the pieces are profound. It’s great theater and people are getting involved. I’m surprised there aren’t more people bidding on the art.” And just then Mark Haesler, manager of Raleigh Limited, came running by excitedly explaining, “I had to save a painting. It was too good!” 

Four Letters to the editor regarding Art vs. Art review published May 19, 2004 

Letter #1 

From Participating artist, Pat Mack published May 12-19, 2004, NUVO Newsweekly, Page 4. 

Letters #2 through #4

#2 From Alan Schoff

#3 From Brian Phillips

#4 From Primary Colours members/founders Jeff Martin, Alan Schoff, Robert Evans, Jim Clinger, Dane Sauer and Fred Shields

Issues with coverage 

As a sponsor of the Art vs. Art at the Fountain Square Theatre on May 7, I am happy to see the local media sponsorship and coverage. However, as is often the case with her writing, I found Mary Lee Pappas’ article to be catty and unbalanced (Culture Vulture, May 12-19). This is fine for a society or fashion column, but it undermines the credibility of NUVO’s visual arts coverage and hurts our city’s growing cultural standing. So I’d like to offer a few Journalism 101 suggestions. 

First of all, use actual facts. For instance, attendance for this event was closer to 600 and participation was 75 individuals, not the 300 and 64, respectively, reported.* Also, this event was not just for artists. Many first-time painters joined in the fun, and more than a dozen serious artists (apparently willing to forgo taking themselves too seriously) came from Louisville, Dayton, Chicago and other regional locales. 

Second, obtain facts from those who know them. Building positive relationships with reliable sources is often good for news or feature content. Any one of the 10 organizers not interviewed for the article would happily offer accurate information about this grander-scale Art vs. Art. 

Third, when covering an event, actually cover it. Quote the people who participate. In this case, it would be nice to know why dozens of people were willing to spend four hours creating a painting with the risk of it being destroyed on stage. Quotes from a friend of the writer who did not participate due to philosophical issues (why was he there, then?) are suspect as a writer’s device, not substance for an article about the subject. 

Fourth, use the word “fuck” only where appropriate, if at all. The usage of the MC’s quote was a sardonic commentary of the writer. It did nothing to capture the true flavor of the night, and was a shameful, transparent attempt to put important community leaders mentioned in the paragraph in an awkward context. 

Finally, when it comes to covering the visual arts, please send reporters without burned bridges within the community, without personal vendettas and without a narrow understanding of the subject. It does nothing for NUVO’s integrity, and it is embarrassing to our entire art scene as we host a growing number of knowledgeable guests from other cities, such as the artists currently featured in the new iMOCA (Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art). 

I doubt I will be alone as I continue to support Art vs. Art in its evolution into something potentially relevant to the emerging Post-Post Modern world. It’s 2004, and positive change for the visual arts is afoot in Indianapolis. I hope that NUVO will be a part of it. 

Alan Schoff 

Mansuzak/Schoff, Inc. Innovative Advertising & Other Stuff 

As far as Mr. Mack's letter is concerned I have to consider he's a "full-time metal sculptor" and therefore did not take the time to understand the rules. And maybe, just maybe, is taking himself a little too seriously. In general, any person, including serious artists should not take themselves too seriously. 

 * Jeff Martin of Primary Colours was called regarding attendance details, but didn't return the call until the piece had gone to print many days later. 

Letter #3

Correcting some errors 

We at Primary Colours would like to thank NUVO for their sponsorship and Mary Lee Pappas for her review of Art vs. Art. Upon reading Ms. Pappas’ journalistic offering, we felt compelled to inform you of a couple of facts and correct some errors. Seventy-five (not 64) artists participated in the event which took place before a crowd of 600-plus (not 300). Also, she misquoted our mission statement, which in its entirety reads “Primary Colours is a non-profit organization devoted to integrating visual artists and the community to create and sustain a thriving environment for the arts.” 

We would also like to take this opportunity to respond to a rather negative letter from Patrick Mack, full-time metal sculptor. The official rules for Art vs. Art have been posted on our Web site for over three months. Perhaps, Pat, you read them when you registered online. Well, if not, then you surely read the rules before you signed a copy of them when you checked in and received the provided materials. The “wonton destruction and mayhem” you refer to should have come at no surprise. If you didn’t agree with what the possibilities were, then perhaps you shouldn’t have participated. Anyway, you looked like you were having a pretty good time on our video footage. 

You wrote, “How great it would be if Primary Colours took this energy and enthusiasm to create and display paintings through a similar venue.” “One where the art isn’t destroyed” and “The public would have more time to absorb and decide to purchase the work.” We have done that, it’s called Allotropy, and we have done it six times: generating over $50,000 for the local arts community. And if our memories serve us, you had hesitation about that event, too. 

This event was meant to be something different from the average art exhibition. An event that the audience didn’t just go see, but an event that they took part in. Art doesn’t have to be so pretentious and self-important. It can be fun and entertaining as well. If this event caught the attention and attendance of people who wouldn’t normally attend art functions, great. Maybe they had a good time and will attend future, more conventional exhibits. To say that this event “turns back the clock on our future as artists in this city” is absurd. One event, no matter what you might think of it, will not be able to do that. Over the last five years, Primary Colours has done nothing but good things for the Indianapolis Arts Community. Whether it be through Allotropy, the Primary Gallery, the annual TOYS exhibit or Art vs. Art, we are always promoting visual artists and exposing new audiences to their work. We have done all of this on a volunteer basis, we do not get paid. We do it for the love of art and to make where we live a better place. 

We ask you, Pat, what events or programs have you developed to advance the local arts community? None that we are aware of. Perhaps you should redirect energies used to tear down unique and innovative art events and create something yourself. 

Jeff Martin, Fred Shields, Dane Sauer, Jim Clinger, Robert Evans, Larry Endicott 

Primary Colours 

Primary Colours, Alan Schoff, Jeff Martin, Nikki Sutton, Dave Lawrence, Brian Payne, Fred Shields, Dane Sauer, Robert Evans, Pat Mack, David Yosha, Jim Clinger, Larry Endicott, Art vs. Art, Allotropy, Brian Phillips, iMOCA,  Primary Gallery, Mike Wiltrout, J. Martin Gallery, Indianapolis Downtown Artist and Dealers Board, Centerline Studio

Urban Silos marketing champion one point  IPS Becky Wilson 

Centerline Studio