Comments

1
How about invite all the nominees on stage, 30 of em? Hand them all knitting utensils, and conduct a crochet workshop. Hey, we're all gonna be 60 old someday soon. Have you seen the amazing quilts and such those old bags can craft? Truly art, bordering on psychedelic. And if not hung on the wall, get comfy : )
2
truer words were never spoken, and what have you - I love how the Genius awards brings light to the multitude of talent in Seattle; also it puts all that talent in the room together and then you really see how people in this city are connected. not in the small town way. more in the "I had no idea I had a connection to you outside of situation [x]" kind of way. people were talking to each other outside their cliques. all the nominees got equal attention. it just doesn't get better than any of that, really.
3
I wasn't thinking about is uncomfortable resemblance to the Academy Awards so much as its uncomfortable resemblance to Survivor or the Bachelor or some other reality TV show.

One difference between this awards ceremony and the Oscars is that in the latter case even the candidates who don't win get to go home rich and famous. This feels a bit like making starving artists dance for nickels. I'm sure getting short-listed is a nice compliment and all, but I'm also guessing that most of the talented artists who didn't win would prefer to experience their moment of disappointment in a less public setting.
4
Before, when you showed up at the winner's doorstep with a cake and a check, it felt special and unique.

Now it's just another shitty, tedious awards show. We have enough shitty, tedious awards shows.

If you like giving three people per category the attention of accolade, great... so then give out three awards per category. And throw a party at the end without disappointing anybody... you know... like you used to.
5
Regarding process, maybe this is preferable to announcing winners two weeks ahead of the party, but to avoid nerve-racking evenings for short-listers who might otherwise enjoy the evening, why not announce the winners two weeks AFTER the party? That way, all could mingle and greet and bask in the warm glow of purported geniushood. Looks like a wonderful crew of winners (and losers, er, runners-up) this year, and I appreciate The Stranger casting a wider net than the usual suspects. It takes guts to boldly recognize previously unheralded award-winning artists, which is why I was somewhat puzzled when Gary Hill took home the award last year. I love Gary's work (his recent show at the Henry was outstanding) but perhaps his genius award should have come earlier in the stellar trajectory of his celebrated career--before he won the MacArthur, say (the "other" genius grant), the Leone díOro, Prize for Sculpture, at the Venice Biennale, a couple Guggenheims, and countless prestigious awards bestowed in Tokyo, France, Spain, Germany and Brazil. Then again, perhaps now, with the Stranger's help, Gary's career will really take off.
6
like Gertie said-"when you get there there is no there-there"...
7
"Hermits have no peer pressure." Steven Wright
8
Bob, then the even would have no real purpose and the party would probably not be as well attended.
9
* event.

The act of honoring an award winner is what draws people to the show. Throwing a party for three maybe-winners isn't much of a draw.

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