01/26/10
Text: Scott Indrisek
As Art Fag City reports, New York's X-Initiative will be launching an exciting new program, "Bring Your Own Art," on February 3rd and 4th. This limited time exhibition opens the space to the public, who can bring and hang whatever artwork they so desire.
Similar experiments in creative democracy -- like, you know, the Internet -- have shown us that letting loose the good, the bad, and the ugly can have mixed results. (Though we're lucky to find "mixed results" after a tour of Chelsea's 'professional' galleries, so this might be a moot point.)
The parameters of "BYOA" do have us curious about a few things: What if a savvy viral marketer chose to manipulate an entire wall in order to hawk his commercial brand? (And would that be dirty capitalism, or 'totally Warholian, bro'?) The press release notes that "X Initiative will make available a simple stage and basic PA system for bands, musicians and DJs. Performers are welcome to play any kind of music for 30 minutes each." But are they welcome to play it naked, for instance? What lines is X-Initiative drawing so that "BYOA" doesn't degenerate into a riot? (We're hoping the answer there is: None. None whatsoever.)
More information on participating:
"BRING YOUR OWN ART RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: - Free access for all, doors open on February 3rd at 11 AM - No advance registration required - 30.000 square feet space to occupy (2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors @ X Initiative) - Participants can bring any kind of art they like - Participants need to come with their own tools (X Initiative can only provide two ladders) - The works will not be insured: X Initiative is not responsible for any loss or damage to works - The space will have security guards -All works must be deinstalled and removed from the premises by February 4th at 2 pm. All works not removed by 2 PM on February 4th will be disposed of."
