Ma Che Cazzo Fai?

I wish sometimes, what is said about every culture would not be true and was proved wrong. But an artist has to keep learning and in that sense nothing is lost. I was promised a solo room to compensate some faults through the process. Not true. The Open Space is really two cabinets, one which will not be used and the piece of another artist. Did I mention there are bookshelves? Long and big? Full of brochures?

The organizer left for business reasons to Rome and will try to make it for the opening, which by the way, changed the date, a month ago. I'm laughing at this point. And to top that off, the curator who was left to currently organize the show has no idea what I'm talking about. They promised they would take care of the installation part. Maybe coming from time to time asking if everything is fine is what some people understand as "helping" artists out? Some of the artists are even paying for wood frames and improvising for ways to show and hang their work.

It's O.K. It will always be. Once the work is done, the piece itself is done. Of course, the reason is to show it, but sometimes the lack of respect for artists' careful work and personal investment evades the lavishing that is supposed to happen when things are well taken care of. In the US I never felt this way. Every show, from itty bitty, to large art centers or even, the mere streets of New Orleans, they had some sort of outline. Sketchy sometimes, but an outline.

Sorry Brindisi but even mentioning the name of your city or when I said southern Italy, some people raised eyebrows but I kept going. As far as I can see, the organizers applied for money aid for the show which was granted but somehow is not reaching the artists. Instead, some have even paid for what was initially promised in a contract.

Still, I love installing, is one of the best parts of an art show. It's late and you are pretty much by yourself, you haven't eaten or it's cold. Still, you push away every single thing that comes in your way, ineptitude, stubborn vynil, broken promises or poor lighting. You become a solving force that makes things happen, not as you imagined but as they come to be.