Kristin Conrad on mon 8 jul 96
Greetings! Six months or so ago, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
held in Denver, Colorado was a topic of coversation here. Having
attended a couple days ago (I've attended four of six years), I
thought I'd share some observations on this festival (which I keep
hearing is ranked the number one festival by somebody!).
First perspective -- something fun to do on a Friday afternoon: I'd
give it rave reviews on this one. There is no shortage of entertainment
for art lovers and for non art-lovers who get drug along! I stopped to
listen to story tellers, and watch dance troupes and Denny Dents two-
fisted art attack (kinda like a larger version of PBS 20-minute
paintings, but more topical).
Promotion: This festival gets TONS of publicity and advertising here in
Colorado. IN addition to print advertising, a local TV station is a
sponsor and does live feeds from the festival on all their newscasts.
They say over 300,000 attend the 3-day festival each year.
Perspective as a potter looking for an opportunity to participate one
day: Well, on this one, I don't know. First let me say, that the
quality of the work was outstanding. I didn't see one booth that made
me say, "How did THIS get in here?". My reservations on participating
(besides the difficulty of getting into this show) come from the
observation over the years, that there is a definate asthetic that
predominates all the media --- primary colors, bold black lines,
nothing subtle. With a few exceptions (some black/white photography,
one booth of B/W etchings, one potter with subdued glazes), I left the
show feeling like I had gotten stuck in my art history books in the
Roy Lichtenstein/Andy Warhol chapter. It's not that I don't enjoy
some of this, I just think the show was a little heavy on this "look".
Pottery-wise, I saw three booths of raku; one of vessels with
extremely bright purple, sprayed-on finish of some sort; the "pinch-pot"
man; and one booth that looked like press-molded pieces in a more
sublte rose-tinted glaze. None of this pottery was in the functional
vein. Most were vases and decorative pieces. There was no representation
of ash glazes or reduction glazes. I feel the show tries to be
"spunky" and "artsy". I guess that is its feel for me.
I try to say this without judgement. The work was well done technically.
Just thought I'd share these observations for those who can't see
this show for themselves.
Kristin Conrad
Rollinsville, CO on a beautiful day in the Rockies.
RidgeviewS@aol.com on tue 9 jul 96
In a message dated 96-07-08 21:46:23 EDT, kconrad@niwot.scd.ucar.EDU, you
write:
Re: Cherry Creek Arts Festival held in Denver, Colorado
<< None of this pottery was in the functional
vein. Most were vases and decorative pieces. There was no representation
of ash glazes or reduction glazes. >>
You must have missed Richard Aerni's booth...
: )
| |
|
