Joyce Lee on tue 19 mar 02
Timothy said:
Joyce -
> Perhaps, for those of us that couldn't attend, you could expand a =
little
bit
> on the info that you received during this session. Applying to shows =
is a
> daunting business
----------------------------------------------------------I am reluctant =
to paraphrase such an experienced and respected juror as
Jean Lehman, who in addition is Director of Strictly Functional Pottery, =
so perhaps she will chime in.
The prevailing theme of her statements was our veteran standby: Read =
Carefully & Follow Directions.
If, for example, instructions say that ALL pieces are to be offered For =
Sale
...... then do not mark your pet pot as NFS. If an entry ignores that =
rule, the slide will not be offered for jurying... no matter how elegant =
the pot.
IF, which often occurs apparently, you're requested to send no more than =
two
slides, don't send three even if you think that the juror simply must =
see
one more aspect of your work in order to appreciate its worth. It won't
happen, so don't waste everybody's time.
Entries that don't demonstrate respect for the rules of the show
will not make the cut, no matter how wonderful the fit between
pot/glaze/form ... not even if you're a personal friend of the =
director....
drat.=20
Obviously these statements were not meant as a reflection of rigid My
Way Or The Highway thinking. Shows are competitive. Fair is fair and =
the
path to fair judging is to ensure that all are guided by and held to the
same standards.
I was surprised at how little time jurors actually have to look at a =
slide. Diana Pancioli spoke of her recent experience judging a show =
where, as I recall, images of pots were projected on five screens at a =
time ... five screens;
five pots.... then another five..... for only seconds for each group. =
The judges had a limited time to examine and make a decision in
their quest for excellence.
Perhaps others will add to this thread. I've not entered a juried show =
that was professionally
handled. I've not juried a show. I had little idea of the impact of =
not following the rules. But the same concept has prevailed in other =
areas of my life; makes sense that it would here, also..... I'd say, =
though, that it's important to consider that your work may speak for =
itself AFTER it gets in the show. Until then, READ the directions and =
follow them .... or be prepared for rejection and wasted effort.
Joyce
In the Mojave where the wind is abating after 5 days&nights ...... makes =
most everyone cranky.... not me.... but only because I'm just feeling =
happy.... not because I'm attached to the wind......
Sharon Villines on tue 19 mar 02
> Entries that don't demonstrate respect for the rules of the show
> will not make the cut, no matter how wonderful the fit between
> pot/glaze/form ... not even if you're a personal friend of the director....
> drat.
As with resumes, the person who makes the first cut only looks to be sure
the entries followed the rules. Usually they are an assistant who may know
(or care) nothing about the work (or your feelings).
When all those slides start coming in, all you want to do is get rid of some
of them. People will do all kinds of things to call attention to their
slides, never realizing that no one who handles the actual slides will have
anything to do with the selections. The send them in huge packages with
ribbons and bows. They enclose long resumes and photographs. Pictures of
their medals.
What those who have not juried a show don't realize is how many slides there
will be to review -- hundreds if not thousands -- depending on the nature of
the show. Just the logistics of this are incredible.
> I was surprised at how little time jurors actually have to look at a slide.
> Diana Pancioli spoke of her recent experience judging a show where, as I
> recall, images of pots were projected on five screens at a time ... five
> screens;
> five pots.... then another five..... for only seconds for each group. The
> judges had a limited time to examine and make a decision in
> their quest for excellence.
When you look at lots of slides, you learn to look very fast. You know
quickly if there is something unique about this work. Usually the jurors, or
a pre-jury panel will review the slides to eliminate the "obviously not"
entries. Then the jurors will review for the show. Then for the awards. The
last will take the most time.
That extra brush stroke that means so much to the artist is not important to
the jurors. They are looking at the whole thing, the instant impression.
Does this pot stand up and shout elegance or power or fun or what?
To look at hundreds of slides in one day, probably twice, you are basing
your decisions on years of looking and gut responses. I've had remarkably
good experiences with jurors who did agree on the entries. There are clearly
"ins" and clearly "outs" and a range in the middle where it depends on your
point of view whether they are in or out. Some jurors will interpret the
criteria differently and that will cause discrepancies.
This is why artists need to consider carefully whether entering a juried
show is worth the time and effort. It isn't always when the fees are high,
its a big show, the deadlines require dropping everything else to meet them,
etc.
Sharon.
--
Sharon Villines, Arts Coach
http://www.artscoach.ws
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