STAR CHRONICLE
Vol. IV Winter 1999		 A Nonprofit Corporation Dedicated to;
find, Document and Exhibit
Self Taught Artists work and Lives,
Gaining respect and public appreciation.
Director Daniel C. Prince

MR. SUPER FUNKY MEETS

STAR's national initiative to survey art across the U.S. called "Art Across America" has now added to its gritty on-the-road agenda a new mandate. We want to mix the very latest in computer technology and make the experience available on the Interact. The archive will still store raw data at Vanderbilt's Special Collections (The Jean and Alexander Heard Library), and this will be the inclusive file. The invitation to artists to come and be interviewed, bring art, etc., will be cybercast live on the Web. These Artist Calls will have some of the feel of the popular "Antiques Roadshow" with some nods to the latest ideas about computer content (not what works on TV or film).
 
There will be establishing shots of the sites where the Artist Calls are held. The first of these will be Mar. 31-Apr. l&2, 2000 in the auditorium of the Ferguson Library Stamford, CT (sponsored by STAR and a grant from the Stamford Cultural Development Corporation). These will show groups of artists, some prearranged such as Aid to Retarded Citizens, Boys and Girls Club, Senior Centers, and will be augmented by curious library goers and artists brought out by press articles and TV News features. We hope to not only draw people from Fairfield County (CT) and Westchester County (NY), but people from New York City and the tri-state area.

 

Still Crazy
After All These Years

Dan Prince reports that after 25 years of carefully curating exhibits of folk, sell' taught, and outsider art {"with an eye to making people like what they're seeing"), he thought "his stuff' was above reproach. Especially now that these genres have been seen in museums and other institutional settings the cutting edge "newness" has been somewhat dulled. STAR has done a series of exhibits at different venues at Vanderbilt. The latest was a two-man exhibit of disabled artists' work "Strong Enough" (featuring Larry Armistead and Alvin Jarrett) at the Vanderbilt Medical Center. It went smoothly with appreciation from alumni, students, staff, scholars, artists and even doctors and patients at the hospital. The consensus at Vanderbilt seemed to be that this work had color, form and subjects to get people's attention, and at times do so with humor, and at other moments be sad, and serious. Never had the work been deemed wildly controversial

.

So Dan faced an invitation to hang pieces at the Vanderbilt Law School with the expectation that it would be received warmly, if not an absolute "hit." He was hit with quite a different experience, however, while the pieces were being installed. The most frequently heard comment was "What the hell is this." and Dan was even asked, "are you to blame for this?" It should be noted other students voiced appreciation, and many just went on their way to class. Still, Dan states there was "a significant violent reaction." A committee formed to protest to the Dean. Key issues were 1. The art had replaced bulletin boards (part of the $25 million renovation of the school), but the students feared they could not keep in touch without these conventional means. 2. No prior notice and no student committees had been notified about the art going up so they felt left out of the process. 3. Some had never seen this type of art, and frankly wondered if "their" money had bought it (STAR installed the exhibit for free). 4. Specific pieces like Randy Toy's "Capital Punishment", and "I've got to be Good" raised ire of the former for having a rape scene bracketed by a jail and execution scene, and although the latter is something of a homily it was seen by some students as "not properly biblical." A stir went on the first week and an open forum was scheduled for the next week. About 20 people attended including Dean Kent Syverud and Don Welch, the facilities coordinator Eve Utley and a number of staff. Only four students came and explanations were offered that they didn't think the work was "good," and that they didn't think the Law School needed to turn into an "art gallery." Dan waved his book Passing In The Outsider Lane around, and offered to certify the worth of the art by offering a large stack of press, including a couple of half pages in the New York Times (reviews of earlier exhibits). Dean Syverud described the experience as fundamentally educational, and "more activity and spirit than the students had shown in the four years he'd been there either related to class or extra curricular."

Dan described the experience as being alternately "engrossing" and "a matter disconcerting to the point of chagrin." Did he regret doing it? "No, STAR has to go out when invited, there was no way to foresee this reaction. The art was the Irene Fire from the cover of the book, and four or five book pieces. Fourteen great pieces altogether. It's fascinating because you just don't know what will happen. How did that song go? "Still crazy after all these years..."

 

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Mr. Super Funky continued from page 1

What will play out on cybercast more than the wide shot spactacle is the computer's ability to convey intimacy. [n our format it is live and revealing interviews with the artists. We will have art on hand that they have brought in and/or photos and slides we can scan. These can be used as inserts during the interviews. Eventually we can pull up digital images of other similar artists' work and offer them as a side bar for a future peek. Styles and materials used by other artists that compare to the one you are seeing live or theme can be cross-referenced onto our site to be pulled up alter the show. These would be pulled up from the preexisting database and keyed in by the artist registration. Aside from name, address, etc., the artist would have a list of different categories to check off which then facilitates a computerized sort. Aside from the intimacy of the one-on-one discussion, the computer's ability to summon detail is used.

The detail in this case is in service of art that is wild, wacky, strange, and wonderful. We will even urge the artists to bring in biographical information like family photos, and the texture of the presentation should at times be like a game where we follow all these threads to reach some real knowledge. Why the artists do this work, their "trip" is what we are actively trying to understand. Not in some abstract way but through the materials presented. Also, so there is a context we will show local sights, food, and have reference to the regional styles. Indeed, the self taught when fully extended includes chefs, rock musicians, and itinerant poets. They can sing, play instruments, and do recitations on the spot. The computer will capture this impromptu entertainment in a rough form and we want to keep the feel of STAR out there on the road with the immediacy of the moment of discovery.

We think "Art Across America" will use the Web quite properly to bring art made in peoples' kitchens and dens to your computers in the kitchen and den. The texture of the experience will be very down to earth as the art presented is actually from the street. The production should reflect this reality base. Like the Blair Witch Project, and the sell' taught art itself, technique is not the point; feeling is. The idea that the most sophisticated satellite digital relay is needed to get there only shows that technology can go funky, human, and convey the inner strength and creative spirit of people all over the country.

Featured Artist

LARRY ARMISTEAD


Larry appeared in Chapter 4 of the book Passing [n The Chitsider Lane, and in 1995 came out to support the book signings. Being that he paints despite having had a life threatening stroke his art is a testimony to life and death struggle, and his own incredible drive. In the dictionary under indomitable they should have a picture of Larry. So, it was upsetting that at the book signings Larry was experiencing a heavy tremor in his "good hand." Luckily, his wile Essie, saw this and got Larry into the hospital where a brain tumor (not related to the stroke) was found. The good news is that this was successfully treated. The extra good news is fitat problems with speech and coordination were growing with the tumor, and have now stopped. Larry is doing much better, and his paintings reveal this. For the first time in years Larry has "dressed" one of his portraits (Oprah in fancy red feathers). This shows a little of the support Larry has been given unselfishly by Essie, and really they are a team. We wish them both the best of luck, as certainly their art shows a world of courage. Larry's work was shown this year at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in an exhibit entitled, "Strong Enough."

The Millenium and its Scary Side

The STAR review for permanent status as a 501C3 not for profit corporation occurs in 2000. The IRS not only looks for good deeds done, but has an actual formula for "public support." These are monies given by other educational, charitable, and family foundations rather than private funding. For instance, a good way of giving is if you belong to a corporation that matches employees' donations--to use this not only to double the amount given, but to balance your largesse with "public support." Going into 2000 it is important for us to show as much of this sort of fundraising as possible. Anyone who has leverage with family foundations, corporate grants, or any groups with a nonprofit designation-please participate

I would also like to thank Cartie Martaro who is auditing our books, and keeping our accounting straight. She has been more than helpful, in fact, tough when needed. Her zeal, thoroughness, and kind attention make going before the IRS only a little scary. And you were worried about Y2K

Self Taught Art and Cooking
Go Hand In Mouth

Cuz's Uptown Bar-B-Que is a unique restaurant/resort in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. On Rt. 19 in Pounding Mill it is an hour up from 1-81. One looks to the left coming south from Tazewell, or right from Richlands for a psychedelic colored complex of barns. Up farther on the foothills of the mountains are a Balinese "palace," with hot tubs and tennis courts. Even farther up are two bronze roofed cabins Cuz refers to as "heaven." These have a pool, walking trails and gardens.

The real feature here is the food. Some swear by the sweet ribs, or tempura thin crust catfish. Others the monster steaks, and pies by Yvonne. Cuz's wife takes American comfort food seriously despite coming from a restaurateur family in Hong Kong that makes the finest Cantonese cuisine. Cuz, on the other hand, has adopted Asian touches and does curry stir-fry to perfection. His handling of exotic mushrooms and fish with wild spices is both inventive and satisfying.

For folk art fans, Cuz and his friend Jimi Coldbreeze have painted the whole place up, nutty as all get out. It's a sight to behold and a taste sensation. Photos above.

WE ARE ON LINE

Danny Dowler has set up our web site. The address is www. crosswinds.net/~starinc.. Because of the capacity needed for the live video stream proposed for "Artist Calls," and the amount of new materials developed by "Art Across America" we may have to expand to a new site. Danny monitors the E-mail, as well, and is running the technology for us at this point. Thanks again, Danny!