There is a funny dynamic to Art Hop and 'Art Scenes,' to begin with.
For openners?
Most Artists aren't wealthy, there are a few who have money set aside and who can focus on their art, and 'not sweat the green stuff,' but most of them are (usually,) part-timers who do their art, eventually think in terms of selling it, --and often have work that they're working on for sale, and some for personal progressive study.
--My friends, fellow artists, and I had a very real joke going, but it was true,,,
You have your personal angst ridden 'this is so me, this is so deep,' work,
--and then you had your stuff that was (surprisingly,) sofa-sized, and often had tonal values in the palate that were (surprisingly,) the same colors that were being used by a lot of the interior decorators and more 'current and in demand,'
-Was this selling out?
Nope... This was giving people what they wanted, and meant working with the public demand and taste, (and oddly enough? public taste is not always the same as the artists.)
In order for the Art Scene to work, (as a terrarium,)
You have those who create the stuff, -then those who are a part of that process, (other artists and musicians, or simply 'hang-arounds,'
-And then you have those who can afford to buy the stuff, (who can be from a totally different genre of the society.)
-And you ALWAYS want folks in general checking it out.
-How these groups hook up is to come out to such things as ArtHop, (which is a brilliant premise, by the way, and crosses a lot of borders comfortably.)
-I thought the idea of ArtHop was to get people in general down and milling around checking out the art, which means checking out the scene, and always means meeting up with each other?
The post that spoke of 'hipsters,' and 'people making the scene,' and 'not being really into the art' is a serious example of somebody who does not understand how the public interracts with art, and how artists interract with the public.
(...explain to me 'being really into the art,' too,,, what does somebody have to stand glued to the wall, have some sort of life-changing experience, embrace the work like a terrier on a trouser leg? or is a simple, '...cool...' good enough?)
First off:
Just because somebody creates something and hangs it on the wall, does NOT mean that everybody wants to, or has to, look at it and want to spend time with it.
-Yep, it's nice that someone made something, (and bravo for their having a show,)
---but you know what? if their stuff does nothing for me, I'm not going to sit there and say '...but I'm SUPPOSED to like it because it's ART...'
Nope, sorry, if someone does something that is eyecatching and interesting to me, I'll spend some time with it, and really support the artist (at least in conversation,) ---and might just one day be able to buy some of their stuff. (I am still saving up for freakin' ANYTHING by some area artists who I admire.)
But there is NO rule that you need to walk in, and spend a lot of time in front of something when you don't think it's worth it.
ArtHop allows people to do this without pretention.
It's designed to.
I've been in tons of ArtHops (I've only missed a couple of recent ones due to work sched,)
(and I've been on a bicycle, btw... we'll get into that in a minute,)
-but the whole idea of ArtHop is '...hey, lets get folks interested in local art, lets get them interested in LOCAL (period,)
-and lets create a scene for this night on a regular basis....
--The one post above made it sound like the EXACT thing that makes art-hop successful is the thing that also is cheapening it, and spelling out it's doom.
(That's just ignorant of what Art Hop is about.)
Also:
There are some places in ArtHop that have different definitions of what they are.
-I think I've actually been at Broadway Studios twice, where there were actually serious refreshments being served...
Most of the time there are none,
--and Broadway is a vital part of art in Fresno, (it is it's own scene, actually,)
-There is a huge mixing ground there, (not just younger or 'alt,' crowds going through,)
---and who knows? maybe stuff is sold, maybe it's not.
-But you will always find something intersting there, (It also has a huge concentration of artists in one place, ---some with very professional representation in their studios, -others waaaay more low-fi.
-But when you walk around Broadway, you will find yourself looking into a work space, looking around, and if you want to check it out further, you just do,
If not?, hey, no harm-no foul.
It's supposed to be a sort of bazaar with no strings attached.
There are other studios that are close together, and some places where I may poke a head in the door, but nine times out of ten I'm not going to see anything that will interest me. (I just don't care for the artists style, nice enough person I suppose, but their stuff doesn't do anything for me.)
(There IS one studio that I hit all the time, (despite not really caring for the work, usually,)
-but I go in there because it is an active studio and the air is heavy with linseed oil and turps...
(which to me is one of the most magnificent aroma's in this life, and reminds me of who I am as a person...)
-So, in it's own way, even that studio serves it's purpose.
There is nothing wrong with that.
BikeHop (which was those sweaty bikers you were referring to,) is, in a lot of ways the epitome of ArtHop.
-Though I am no longer in it so much,
I've been in nearly every one since last spring... love the concept, and it's a great bunch of people.
Art (Bike)Hop is a limited window of time to catch galleries and find out what is going on, art-wise.
-It tries to fulfill that mission by pedalling around
(and sorry Ed, when you pedal in Fresno? you're going to get a little sweaty, (not much, pedalling causes a breeze too, dontcha-know,)
-But this IS Fresno, and when you do ANYTHING in Fresno from May to October, you will sweat.
Don't worry though, fresh sweat doesn't stink, and I, for one, promise not to try to hug you, k?)
The timeframe of visiting a series of galleries in BikeHop is limited.
Why?
We are pedalling from Club Fred's area up to Fresno High, often all the way down to Chris Sorensons, and then back up to Tokyo or Broadway (and then back to VanNess Village Courtyard,) --and need to be brief at most stops. (It can be a major run.)
Because it's a group event, and because people have different tastes, it's very likely that, if there is NOT mass appeal?,
(or not a large cluster of galleries together?)
-you will find cyclists coming in in a group,
checking out what is there,
and moving on faster than other 'Hoppers,
(--we are never really sure when the train is going to pick up and get moving,)
--and we want to see everybody's stuff and give them a chance.
-We can't help but be noticiable, but every gallery docent or owner that we've met has been glad to see us, and we them, and smiles at the idea of 'BikeHop.'
-Well, I guess, except you.
Despite your telling of 'sweaty possible bike people coming in, heading to the drinks, and then immediately leaving..'
What usually is the norm?
-Nine times out of ten, by time BikeHop makes it to the galleries
(be it in Tower or Downtown,)
there isn't much left there in terms of snacks, water, juice, (whatever,) and it's actualy a nice surprise when somebody still has something there for us. (Sorry, but that's just the truth.)
-That's fine with us,
-We're not there for the food and free drinks, (again, there often aren't any,)
We're there for checking out the art, talking with the artists, riding as a group with each other (and discussing the art together,) --then heading to the next venue.
(ArtHop on Bikes, get it?)
If people want to put out munchies and stuff,
-'but they only want those who are going to stay longer, hand out business cards, and start asking a bunch of questions about the artwork, (in an overture to buy the work,')
--They should make it clear, (sort of how some people put up signs in businesses for use of the bathrooms, I suppose.
'...Food and Wine for buyers and those who like this artists work only..' (or) '...for the slow moving and non-sweaty...'
PS:
I personally, (as a bikehopper?,)
HAVE bought things while 'on the hop,' --They're usually small, but okay, shoot me, I'm on a bike,,,
-and (again,) if I'm in a place?
-they have stuff to eat and drink?
I'll take a nibble, maybe a brief glass, look around,
-but if there is nothing intersting?
I'm out of there.
-That's life.
If folks want me to spend more time looking at their work?,
it needs to be something I'm interested in, worth spending more time with (as the time is limited.)
I've gotten celphone numbers,
business cards,
Email addresses,
and such
-ALL from seeing really good work at BikeHop,
--am intending to buy some works (again funds permitting,)
-and (again,) wouldn't ever have known who these folks were were it not for Art(Bike)Hop.
So, yeah, ArtHop works, and BikeHop works.
Now, I'm discerning, I'm an artist and an artisan, So, I have strong feelings and reasons for what I like and dislike,
but am quite fair-handed,
and try to be encouraging (at least,) when I see someone really making an effort as an artist.
(And will continue to do so,) even if I'm not into their stuff.
--But people in general know when they are seeing something good, and when they're not,
(you don't need an education for that,)
--I've stood amidst a lot of folks here in town, and felt the vibe, when an artist has really put out some great stuff,
(and that's soooo cool.)
-I've also been part of groups who walk in, look around, and say,
'...okay, time to move on and see what else is going on.'
-that's because NOTHING grabbed them, (and that's simply the facts of life as an artist.)
My advice?
Do good stuff: people will want to see it and know about it.
Don't?
They'll probably be polite follow the rule of '..if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything,' and jet.
--but at least they gave it a shot.
There are no set rules that because something has been done, that it has to be seen as worth paying attention to.
-Now, If somebody from BikeHop walked into your show, unzipped and took a leak on it? Yeah, THAT's a problem, and is not acceptable.
(but honestly? I've never even heard the group mutter '...this is CRAP...' when standing in front of work that was less than great... It's simply not that sort of crowd, Most of us are in the arts to begin with, we all have local friends who are in the arts, and we'er supportive of the arts, ('good' or 'bad,') it's one of the reasons why I rode with them from the start.
(We sweat sometimes, but we're at least polite and open to checking out new stuff.)
As far as Jinaka closing?
Serious bummer.
They always had excellent shows, I've almost always (personally,) enjoyed what they were hanging,
they made it a POINT to get good work in there,
(and presented it very well,,, Instead of crowding the works, they gave a lot of breathing room per piece, and they didn't have to do that... this place was a class act.)
---AND?,
-they almost always had eats and drinks for us -and we'd usually get there later,
-they'd welcome us (sweaty, helmetted and all,) with a smile
(not even knowing that some of us us knew just as much about the arts, if not sometimes more than they did.)
-They're really nice folks.
I'm going to miss them, and appreciate the work that they have done, and the standard that they set.
This was a top-quality stop, every single time, and I can honestly tell you, each BikeHop, the riders wanted to check it out, EVERY time, (food, drinks, or not.)
ya kno....
Art Hop.
There is a funny dynamic to Art Hop and 'Art Scenes,' to begin with.
For openners?
Most Artists aren't wealthy, there are a few who have money set aside and who can focus on their art, and 'not sweat the green stuff,' but most of them are (usually,) part-timers who do their art, eventually think in terms of selling it, --and often have work that they're working on for sale, and some for personal progressive study.
--My friends, fellow artists, and I had a very real joke going, but it was true,,,
You have your personal angst ridden 'this is so me, this is so deep,' work,
--and then you had your stuff that was (surprisingly,) sofa-sized, and often had tonal values in the palate that were (surprisingly,) the same colors that were being used by a lot of the interior decorators and more 'current and in demand,'
-Was this selling out?
Nope... This was giving people what they wanted, and meant working with the public demand and taste, (and oddly enough? public taste is not always the same as the artists.)
In order for the Art Scene to work, (as a terrarium,)
You have those who create the stuff, -then those who are a part of that process, (other artists and musicians, or simply 'hang-arounds,'
-And then you have those who can afford to buy the stuff, (who can be from a totally different genre of the society.)
-And you ALWAYS want folks in general checking it out.
-How these groups hook up is to come out to such things as ArtHop, (which is a brilliant premise, by the way, and crosses a lot of borders comfortably.)
-I thought the idea of ArtHop was to get people in general down and milling around checking out the art, which means checking out the scene, and always means meeting up with each other?
The post that spoke of 'hipsters,' and 'people making the scene,' and 'not being really into the art' is a serious example of somebody who does not understand how the public interracts with art, and how artists interract with the public.
(...explain to me 'being really into the art,' too,,, what does somebody have to stand glued to the wall, have some sort of life-changing experience, embrace the work like a terrier on a trouser leg? or is a simple, '...cool...' good enough?)
First off:
Just because somebody creates something and hangs it on the wall, does NOT mean that everybody wants to, or has to, look at it and want to spend time with it.
-Yep, it's nice that someone made something, (and bravo for their having a show,)
---but you know what? if their stuff does nothing for me, I'm not going to sit there and say '...but I'm SUPPOSED to like it because it's ART...'
Nope, sorry, if someone does something that is eyecatching and interesting to me, I'll spend some time with it, and really support the artist (at least in conversation,) ---and might just one day be able to buy some of their stuff. (I am still saving up for freakin' ANYTHING by some area artists who I admire.)
But there is NO rule that you need to walk in, and spend a lot of time in front of something when you don't think it's worth it.
ArtHop allows people to do this without pretention.
It's designed to.
I've been in tons of ArtHops (I've only missed a couple of recent ones due to work sched,)
(and I've been on a bicycle, btw... we'll get into that in a minute,)
-but the whole idea of ArtHop is '...hey, lets get folks interested in local art, lets get them interested in LOCAL (period,)
-and lets create a scene for this night on a regular basis....
--The one post above made it sound like the EXACT thing that makes art-hop successful is the thing that also is cheapening it, and spelling out it's doom.
(That's just ignorant of what Art Hop is about.)
Also:
There are some places in ArtHop that have different definitions of what they are.
-I think I've actually been at Broadway Studios twice, where there were actually serious refreshments being served...
Most of the time there are none,
--and Broadway is a vital part of art in Fresno, (it is it's own scene, actually,)
-There is a huge mixing ground there, (not just younger or 'alt,' crowds going through,)
---and who knows? maybe stuff is sold, maybe it's not.
-But you will always find something intersting there, (It also has a huge concentration of artists in one place, ---some with very professional representation in their studios, -others waaaay more low-fi.
-But when you walk around Broadway, you will find yourself looking into a work space, looking around, and if you want to check it out further, you just do,
If not?, hey, no harm-no foul.
It's supposed to be a sort of bazaar with no strings attached.
There are other studios that are close together, and some places where I may poke a head in the door, but nine times out of ten I'm not going to see anything that will interest me. (I just don't care for the artists style, nice enough person I suppose, but their stuff doesn't do anything for me.)
(There IS one studio that I hit all the time, (despite not really caring for the work, usually,)
-but I go in there because it is an active studio and the air is heavy with linseed oil and turps...
(which to me is one of the most magnificent aroma's in this life, and reminds me of who I am as a person...)
-So, in it's own way, even that studio serves it's purpose.
There is nothing wrong with that.
BikeHop (which was those sweaty bikers you were referring to,) is, in a lot of ways the epitome of ArtHop.
-Though I am no longer in it so much,
I've been in nearly every one since last spring... love the concept, and it's a great bunch of people.
Art (Bike)Hop is a limited window of time to catch galleries and find out what is going on, art-wise.
-It tries to fulfill that mission by pedalling around
(and sorry Ed, when you pedal in Fresno? you're going to get a little sweaty, (not much, pedalling causes a breeze too, dontcha-know,)
-But this IS Fresno, and when you do ANYTHING in Fresno from May to October, you will sweat.
Don't worry though, fresh sweat doesn't stink, and I, for one, promise not to try to hug you, k?)
The timeframe of visiting a series of galleries in BikeHop is limited.
Why?
We are pedalling from Club Fred's area up to Fresno High, often all the way down to Chris Sorensons, and then back up to Tokyo or Broadway (and then back to VanNess Village Courtyard,) --and need to be brief at most stops. (It can be a major run.)
Because it's a group event, and because people have different tastes, it's very likely that, if there is NOT mass appeal?,
(or not a large cluster of galleries together?)
-you will find cyclists coming in in a group,
checking out what is there,
and moving on faster than other 'Hoppers,
(--we are never really sure when the train is going to pick up and get moving,)
--and we want to see everybody's stuff and give them a chance.
-We can't help but be noticiable, but every gallery docent or owner that we've met has been glad to see us, and we them, and smiles at the idea of 'BikeHop.'
-Well, I guess, except you.
Despite your telling of 'sweaty possible bike people coming in, heading to the drinks, and then immediately leaving..'
What usually is the norm?
-Nine times out of ten, by time BikeHop makes it to the galleries
(be it in Tower or Downtown,)
there isn't much left there in terms of snacks, water, juice, (whatever,) and it's actualy a nice surprise when somebody still has something there for us. (Sorry, but that's just the truth.)
-That's fine with us,
-We're not there for the food and free drinks, (again, there often aren't any,)
We're there for checking out the art, talking with the artists, riding as a group with each other (and discussing the art together,) --then heading to the next venue.
(ArtHop on Bikes, get it?)
If people want to put out munchies and stuff,
-'but they only want those who are going to stay longer, hand out business cards, and start asking a bunch of questions about the artwork, (in an overture to buy the work,')
--They should make it clear, (sort of how some people put up signs in businesses for use of the bathrooms, I suppose.
'...Food and Wine for buyers and those who like this artists work only..' (or) '...for the slow moving and non-sweaty...'
PS:
I personally, (as a bikehopper?,)
HAVE bought things while 'on the hop,' --They're usually small, but okay, shoot me, I'm on a bike,,,
-and (again,) if I'm in a place?
-they have stuff to eat and drink?
I'll take a nibble, maybe a brief glass, look around,
-but if there is nothing intersting?
I'm out of there.
-That's life.
If folks want me to spend more time looking at their work?,
it needs to be something I'm interested in, worth spending more time with (as the time is limited.)
I've gotten celphone numbers,
business cards,
Email addresses,
and such
-ALL from seeing really good work at BikeHop,
--am intending to buy some works (again funds permitting,)
-and (again,) wouldn't ever have known who these folks were were it not for Art(Bike)Hop.
So, yeah, ArtHop works, and BikeHop works.
Now, I'm discerning, I'm an artist and an artisan, So, I have strong feelings and reasons for what I like and dislike,
but am quite fair-handed,
and try to be encouraging (at least,) when I see someone really making an effort as an artist.
(And will continue to do so,) even if I'm not into their stuff.
--But people in general know when they are seeing something good, and when they're not,
(you don't need an education for that,)
--I've stood amidst a lot of folks here in town, and felt the vibe, when an artist has really put out some great stuff,
(and that's soooo cool.)
-I've also been part of groups who walk in, look around, and say,
'...okay, time to move on and see what else is going on.'
-that's because NOTHING grabbed them, (and that's simply the facts of life as an artist.)
My advice?
Do good stuff: people will want to see it and know about it.
Don't?
They'll probably be polite follow the rule of '..if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything,' and jet.
--but at least they gave it a shot.
There are no set rules that because something has been done, that it has to be seen as worth paying attention to.
-Now, If somebody from BikeHop walked into your show, unzipped and took a leak on it? Yeah, THAT's a problem, and is not acceptable.
(but honestly? I've never even heard the group mutter '...this is CRAP...' when standing in front of work that was less than great... It's simply not that sort of crowd, Most of us are in the arts to begin with, we all have local friends who are in the arts, and we'er supportive of the arts, ('good' or 'bad,') it's one of the reasons why I rode with them from the start.
(We sweat sometimes, but we're at least polite and open to checking out new stuff.)
As far as Jinaka closing?
Serious bummer.
They always had excellent shows, I've almost always (personally,) enjoyed what they were hanging,
they made it a POINT to get good work in there,
(and presented it very well,,, Instead of crowding the works, they gave a lot of breathing room per piece, and they didn't have to do that... this place was a class act.)
---AND?,
-they almost always had eats and drinks for us -and we'd usually get there later,
-they'd welcome us (sweaty, helmetted and all,) with a smile
(not even knowing that some of us us knew just as much about the arts, if not sometimes more than they did.)
-They're really nice folks.
I'm going to miss them, and appreciate the work that they have done, and the standard that they set.
This was a top-quality stop, every single time, and I can honestly tell you, each BikeHop, the riders wanted to check it out, EVERY time, (food, drinks, or not.)
Jinaka? Thanks.
Ed? Good luck.