In other OTB news, Jerry Fulks, a contractor who was previously vice president of the board, has ascended to president, succeeding artist/landlord Lorna Jordan. Fulks was the most contrite of the board members at their public meeting following Murphy and Pasti's firing, apologizing for the board's poor public relations while defending (at the time, at least) their soon-to-be rescinded decision.
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The press release I got from King County about relocating the Kingdome's artwork surprised me for two reasons. First, I didn't realize the Kingdome had any artwork, though I may have passed by Phil McCracken's little bronze reliefs on one of my visits there. Second, I wouldn't have dared to dream an artist could have a name as dirty-sounding as Phil McCracken.
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Speaking of stadiums, folks are trying a little too hard to make hay with Gerard Tsutukawa's fairly simple sculpture -- a large bronze abstracted baseball mitt -- installed at Safeco Field. A June article by P-I reporter Alan Snel suggests that the hole in the middle of the glove may be a slap at Mariners fielders. Artist and city council aide Frank Video, quoted in the article, suggests viewers shouldn't look at art in a literal way -- a suggestion which is entirely unhelpful. So let me be helpful: In looking at art, sometimes you should read negative space as positive space. In other words, the round hole in the glove's sweet spot probably represents -- a caught ball.
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I went to the CoCA-organized forum, "Where'd the Artists Go? Art and Development in Belltown," half expecting to hear a bunch of people whining about how they can't get cheap studios in popular urban neighborhoods anymore. Instead, I was treated to a largely mystifying series of presentations by artist/developers, developer/developers, and artist/politicians. While I don't much understand the details of how the web of zoning regulations and government subsidies work, I now understand much more about the surprisingly large group of middle-aged artists turned savvy developers, political aides, and board members. And in a town where professional artists have a nearly impossible time making a living (my favorite side job: Jeffry Mitchell, the ceramicist and printmaker, painted the sides of ships in dry dock this summer), I'm glad there's a viable alternative to teaching. So start building those buildings, young artists!
Send gossip and complaints to eric@thestranger.com.
