The discussion about public art, the statue and our funding of the arts in Minneapolis has gotten me interested in one of my infrequent posts.
I'll start off by reminding folks that I'm an artist (BFA in photography U of M) and a potter. I also managed a capacity building program for small and mid-sized arts organizations that was funded by The Saint Paul Foundation, the Jerome Foundation and the Bush Foundation. I've lived in Minneapolis for 46 years. I've lived in Seward, Phillips, East Isles, Lowry Hill East, Como, Marcy Holmes, Prospect Park, Waite Park, Downtown East, East Calhoun, Wenonah Folwell, Jordan and the West Bank. I've worked in both downtowns, Edina, Bloomington, St. Louis Park, Crystal, Lauderdale, New Hope, Golden Valley and Richfield as well as most of the neighborhoods I've lived in. Our community has art that is beautiful and thought provoking. We have critics who inspire joy and spite. We have artists who are warm, kind, cruel, loving, belittling, petty, broad, meek and creative. We have art that is ugly, stupid and insensitive. In short, we have all types. When I lived in East Isles I would often walk past the house (next to Dan Brennan's) where Mary Richards was supposed to have lived. In winter the thought warmed me, in summer it gave me the chills. Many of you know that I haven't owned TV for over 23 years and still the MTM Show has a place in my heart. Despite my past as a regular at the Longhorn Bar and someone who, in 1976 was wearing safety pins in my earlobe, I can appreciate art like the Mary statue on the Mall. The statue is in the exact location where, on October 25, 2000, I rollerbladed past RT Rybak while working for MSN and despite my attire (a skintight purple velvet spandex body suit, multi colored butterfly wings and wrap around mirrored sunglasses) RT not only recognized me but, confided that he was going to run for Mayor. A great sculpture makes you want to walk around to the other side, so the Mary sculpture may not be great but it does build community if only by the rancor it creates in some circles. Writing about the Arts Commission, Elizabeth Greenbaum said: > I found it incredibly ironic that the city of Minneapolis wants to sponsor and >celebrate the arts here. Minneapolis spends LESS money on it's arts infrastructor >than ANY city in the NATION of this size and smaller. Minneapolis gives less money >for the arts than some of our own suburbs such as Bloomington and St. Louis Park - >that is truly embarrassing!!!!! Maybe it's time we all move to the burbs???? > <ER again> I don't know where Liz gets her data but, if true it is sad. It doesn't not change the fact that the real power of art comes not from public funds, private foundations, museums, institutes or the famous artists in a community the real power of art comes when people's lives are changed by the creative energy of artistic endeavor. I believe that making art means giving spirit, life force or soul to matter. Using this definition all forms of art are included. A poet gives spirit to their voice or breath, a dancer gives soul to their body or movement. Musicians cause the vibrations of their instruments to come alive with energy. The color and form of a great mural brings joy John Lewis at 33 and Garfield and beyond that, it built community in the making. It is groups like Liz's Articulture that are the real power of art. When a city bureaucracy or a foundation program officer gets involved, at times the art is lost on reporting requirements, audience counts, paperwork and regulation. Art is the expression of our dreams. I don't want to "move to the 'burbs" as Liz suggests. I want to stay right here and make art. I want the art to thrive in hundreds of venues large and small throughout the city. Art-a-Whirl, and the Seward Art Crawl. The Fringe Festival and 15 Head. Theater Mu and the Guthrie. I know I've gone off like this before but, I danced in public on rollerblades to FUBAR Omniverse music at 6:15 am this morning and I'm making prints in my basement this afternoon. If anyone ever sees my work its due to luck not planning. I'm not a promoter of my work, I'm a promoter of the artistic process. Get out there and create! - A Shift - In Minneapolis before Dylan, before Bonnie Raitt, before Husker Du and the Replacements, before Prince, there were Koerner, Ray and Glover. "Spider" John Koerner, Dave "Snaker" Ray and Tony "Little Sun" Glover made "Blues Rags and Hollers" and changed the lives of those who heard it. They inspired Dylan, John Lennon and others. I was sad to learn yesterday the Dave Ray has been hospitalized with cancer that has spread to his brain. My thoughts turn to Dave and his partner, list member MJ Mueller often in the past 24 hours. I wish Dave luck and strength. -- In cooperation, Erik Riese Seward: a great place to live, work, learn, and play! 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