Naoshima is a small fishing island off the southern Japan coast on the Seto Inland Sea, between Honshu and Shikoku, and a short ferry ride from the city of Takamatsu.

During the 1990s, the Benesse Corporation, a Japanese textbook publisher, partnered with architect Tadao Ando to create the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, a complex of contemporary art museums designed based upon the concept of "Harmony between Nature, Architecture and Art." Read a nice summary here and a recent WaPo article here.

  
 
Shrewdly, Ando included hotel rooms within the museum complex in which visitors can stay. Brilliant! And (this is my favorite), in 1997, the museum initiated the Art House Project in the nearby village of Honmura. The Project restores old houses and turns them into permanent exhibitions for individual artists. A short walking tour takes in all of them.

I'm there.

[Images include: Left, from the Chichu Art Museum; Center, Ferry to Naoshima; Right, "The Oval"]

In yesterday's Parade Magazine (a Washington Post Sunday insert), Susan Fine writes an article titled "Can Art Save a Mall". Naturally I read it. And, I'll admit, I initially thought, "Hey, this could be good."

Ms. Fine reports how some large scale mall owners have responded to filling the growing number of vacant stores in their vast interior malls. They have approached artists and art groups and offered the empty spaces at very low rents for the short term holiday season. Better to have spaces filled than leave them empty, right? This is a great idea. Like all retailers, artists and artisans often depend on the heightened holiday season sales to make or break their year. And I can't think of another bigger magnet attracting shoppers than the prototypical American mall. Artists get the enormous exposure only a mall during the holiday shopping season can give and they don't have to bust their bank to get it.

Other than the indignity of an artist setting up shop next to a Cinnabon or a Spencer's Gifts or a cell phone kiosk, I'm still thinking this is good. And Ms. Fine reports it's a win-win opportunity too.

But wait...  Ms. Fine defines win-win as the artists draw in the crowds ("come to the mall and see a poor starving artist at work"), and the increased crowds will in turn up the cash register totals in the other real retail stores in the mall.

That's not win-win. That attitude is only win… for the mall, not the artist. Ms. Fine proves this one-sided attitude in the article’s final paragraph where she says,

    Art instead of commerce isn't new.

Art IS commerce. When will people get it? Art is not free. You can't just use art as an attraction without considering it as a retail venture. Artists spend their time, energy and money making art for it to be sold. The exchange of money is a good thing.

Here’s the real win-win: An artist makes a beautiful object; someone appreciates it's beauty; they buy it and it gives them pleasure throughout their life; the artist now has money to eat, pay rent, and make more beautiful things. That's what I call win-win.

For those of you who missed it last night, you can play your own encore of Charlottesville's CBS news report regarding artPark as one of the top three "Wired-In Businesses." Click here to go to the video. And go here for the web article – make a comment and let people know what you think of artPark.

And here is the transcript of the report:

How do you stay in touch with your customers and colleagues throughout the day? One key to surviving in this economy is staying ahead of the technology curve.

CBS19's Bianca Spinosa profiles a list of three local business leaders who are "wired-in." They use all the high-tech tools to communicate and keep their businesses prospering.

From cyber space to work space, these three local business people know how to make the most of their passions.

Real estate agent Jim Duncan just moved into his new office this summer. Back in May, it was completely empty. Duncan's blog, Real Central VA, is an online mecca for locals wanting expert real estate analysis with a personal touch.

"I am more cognizant of my readership now. Frequently I'll write stories for my readers, whereas in the beginning it was purely for me," explains Duncan of Nest Realty.

Thousands of people read Duncan's blog every day. "I'm passionate about real estate, about my clients, and about learning," says Duncan via a You Tube video on his site.

"One can be passionate about a lot of things they blog about, but when you're passionate about saving lives, I think that comes through so much," says Laura Jones with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.

At the CASPCA, saving our four-legged friends is their passion and their business. Laura Jones tells stories of recovery, and shows pictures of every animal on the SPCA blog.

"People don't know the time and work it took to get it there. This enables us to do that," says Susanne Kogut with the CASPCA.

Little Mo is a dog that came to the shelter scared of people. He left with a happy home. Through the blog, Kogut can find out how Mo is doing with his new family, and the thousands of facebook followers can too. Now, Kogut is hoping to adopt out Mo's sister.

Two on our list are married. Laura Jones with the CASPCA is married to Rob Jones, the founder of Charlottesville art blog, artPark. The couple founded an art gallery named Migration, which had to close its doors last January because of the economy. They shifted focus to the blog.

"One of my goals is to demystify the creation of art, the exhibition of art, and the acquisition of art. Pull back the curtain, so to speak," says Rob Jones with Charlottesville artPark.

Jones promotes local artists and critiques local works. What Jones learns traveling the country, he shares here.

They deal in very different fields: real estate, animal rescue, and visual arts, yet each knows how to use the web to enhance their visions.

Our local CBS affiliate (WCAV) has chosen artPark as one of this area's three "Most Wired-In Businesses." A feature story will run on tonight's 6 o'clock news. Yes... I'll be on TV tonight!  Tune in.

As part of Sweeps Month, our CBS station (channel 16) is airing a series called "Making a List" which rates the area's top three in various categories. The series is being used to boost viewership. Inclusion is a very nice honor. I thank Bianca Spinosa for selecting artPark.

 
Initially, I was approached and told artPark would be a "Best Blog". This morphed into "Most Wired-In Business." Either way, I'm flattered. About the business: artPark is used as a cyber tool to promote the artists represented by Migration: A Gallery. In my opinion, blogging is essential for virtually every business – and something every artist should consider doing. At artPark, I also spice things up by talk about various other art, artists and events that I see and know about. And, of course, I share my astute opinions and vast experiences (it is a blog after all).

Click here for the CBS write-up. You’ll have to tune in at 6 tonight to see the actual interviews. Tomorrow, I'll post a link to the video (for all you out-of-towners). Oh... There is an interesting twist to the story that was entirely unintentional. See if you can figure it out.

I am thrilled to announce that Brian Mallman, a Migration mainstay and close friend, is featured in the Long Beach Museum of Art's winter exhibit Sweet Subversives: Contemporary California Drawings. The show is currently up and runs through February 12, 2010. Especially exciting is that Brian's work is the cover piece for the show!

Those of you who follow artPark and have been a fan of Migration should be very familiar with Brian's graphite drawings on board. Laura and I have been featuring his work since the gallery's opening day -- it was a big part of our very first exhibit; we have had two subsequent exhibits of his newest work; and we have featured him at the 2007 artDC Gallery Fair in Washington and the 2008 and 2009 Affordable Art Fairs in NYC. Needless to say, we have sold this LA artist's artwork to clients up and down the east coast from New England to Florida.  Museums are now next in line to hang Brian's art on their walls.

Over and over, Laura and I have witnessed firsthand the quizzical and unrepressed reactions Brian's work generates in people. He is a true master of the pencil and has a complete grasp of all that a simple line can do. Through his additive and reductive methods, the layering creates a mystical depth with a little creepiness thrown in. His subject matter and methods may be mundane, but the results are truly superlative. Isn't that what great art is?

There's a reason why we find it easier to "get" modern art than avant-garde music, and it's not just about our natural conservatism and love of Mozart. >>>

In September 2008, we posted about the sale of a particularly nice Alan Dehmer photograph ("Low Country", pictured right) that we made to Michael Danoff. Mr. Danoff was the curator and buyer for the famed Neuberger Berman-Lehman Brothers Collection. This story focused on the fact that Lehman Brothers had declared bankruptcy and we were watching what was going to happen to the Company's extensive art collection (which Alan's piece was now a part of). Through contacts and news sources, we were assured the collection would remain intact.

Subsequently, we have seen the Lehman Brothers Collection dismantled and individual pieces sold at auction as part of the liquidation of assets.

On November 1, Freeman's Auctioneers held an auction of Modern & Contemporary Works of Art: Works from the Lehman Brothers Collection. Alan Dehmer's "Low Country" was Lot #261 in Sunday's auction. Of the total 401 lots offered, 397 were sold for a total of $2,557,595. I am happy to report that "Low Country" sold for more than its top estimated price (not many lots did).

Sad to see the Lehman Brothers Collection be sold off, but its nice to see that Alan's work has found a new home... and his prices are appreciating.

Here is an interesting way for an artist to pre-sell his work prior to a major exhibit:

Tim Tate (a Migration favorite artist) is exhibiting again this year at SOFA Chicago (a Migration favorite fair). During the week leading up to the November 5 Preview Opening of SOFA, Tim has taken a piece scheduled to be shown at SOFA and listed it on ebay. The piece, titled "Summer of Love", will be priced at $12,000 in Chicago, but bids on ebay start at $9,500. See the listing here.

Tim is a well known and highly recognized artist. If anyone can make this strategy succeed, it will be him. Potential bidders/buyers can bid on "Summer of Love" with confidence (not always the case for most internet art sales). Tim has traditionally done well at SOFA selling virtually all his work on display. So, odds are, "Summer of Love" will sell in Chicago – for the full retail price. This ebay listing is an excellent opportunity for savvy bidders to get a beautiful Tim Tate piece for an excellent price... and a great story.

Tim is not the first artist to list his work on ebay, but this is a particularly unique preview opportunity to a major exhibition. Will this be a trend in retail art? Will it be a successful trend?

Success in the art world is often dependant on creating a buzz. Tim is a master of buzz. But, above all, he is a master of contemporary glass art.

Street artists add color to our life – and ask little in return. Here is a slideshow of photos of an artist (who goes by Cristophe) and his dog in Paris. He created a pastel self portrait with his dachshund in front of the Pompidou Center.

The photographer who took the shots says this:

he has no greed...doesn't know today's head-lines...has no idea about memory cards or computers....but,...he knows about life on the street, art, his accordion, a good calavados and to take good care of his dog...for some that does the trick...just look in his eyes...that's life!..

The world could use more street art.

October, November and December mark the height of the art fair year. It all starts in London at the Frieze Art Fair and culminates with December’s art-fair-orgy in Miami, Florida (featuring over 20 art fairs in just one week). Needless to say, every gallery’s bean counter has their eyes focused on Frieze. Last year, galleries exhibiting at Frieze (through clinched teeth smiles and drippy mascara) wept doom and gloom and endless talk of the global recession affect on the art market. This year, the reports have been quite positive. Participating galleries reported clear evidence of renewed confidence in the contemporary art market as well as an enjoyable and positive atmosphere (not sure if this translates into big profits or not, but it is upbeat nonetheless). Below is a video tour of Frieze. If you have never been to a gallery fair before, this pretty much captures what it is like inside [add your own comments below].

Next up is one of my favorites, SOFA Chicago. Opening night preview is November 5. This year, in addition to the exhibition of the finest contemporary sculptural objects in the world, the SOFA organizers have added some very special VIP events, exhibits and lectures. For those of you going to Chicago, keep your eyes on two of my favorites: Michael Janis and Tim Tate at the Maurine Littleton Gallery. Have your checkbook at the ready, because their work promises to go fast.

As usual, Miami in December will be as over-the-top as ever. I never know how any single person can take it all in. Even if you are not shopping for contemporary art, the trip to South Florida is still worth it – an "event" like no other.

Optimism is high – it always is. Hopefully, the reports will continue to be good, and we can all stop wringing our hands over the piss poor art market and get 2009 behind us.

I am a big fan of public art. Anything expressing creativity and beauty that is displayed in the open air is all right with me. But I have a head scratcher...

You know when a massive tree meets its premature fate and has to be cut down; sad to see something so majestic and time worn be reduced to saw dust and firewood. Apparently, those who feel the same have found a way to keep that beloved tree "alive". They carve something out of the massive trunk that remains standing. A home in my neighborhood happens to have one these treasures in its front yard. I see it everyday. It's a squirrel. But is it art?

A fine piece of craft? Yes. But art? Not so much.

Now here is the head scratcher: Within this genre, I have another example – another one I drive past virtually everyday (pictured below). A few months ago, a gorgeous beech tree was victim of a powerful windstorm. The damage required the whole tree to come down. However, about eight feet of the trunk was left firmly planted in the ground. To pay homage to what that tree once was, it looks like someone has tried to make something out of it. A little carving was done. There is even some drawing on it. But I can't tell what the intent is. Is the owner just having fun with his chainsaw? Is it an abstracted form that I'm not seeing (I still see "tree stump"). Is it art? Is it craft? Is it better than my neighbor's squirrel?

I'm sad to report the passing of modernist sculptor Ruth Duckworth at age 90. Ms. Duckworth is best known for her abstract (and not so abstract) ceramic sculptures. Her career spanned over six decades. She worked daily, and her reputation as one of the foremost sculptors in the world never waned.

Laura and I were fortunate to see her retrospective exhibit at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery a few years ago. I can safely say that show changed the way I look at abstract sculpture. Every piece was distinctive, gorgeous and rich.

The art world will miss her.

Here is a nice CBS report on Ms. Duckworth filmed in December 2006.

Attention art readers: There's a new art blog in town. Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville's 36 year old not-for-profit art space has launched a blog. They call it Second Look.  Read it here. As an art space that is dedicated to bringing contemporary art to the community, I say... It's about time!

Hopefully, SSG will use its blog to consistently give the public some sneak peeks and behind the scene news (even to non-members). More importantly, the blog should provide its featured artists a much wider exposure.

I look forward to reading.

Is a 25 year old observation still relevant? Or is it stale? You decide.

What are the arguments about right now? There are arguments about whether it is still OK to paint, to make painted images. There are arguments about the possibility of feeling. There are arguments about what images mean... There are arguments about what artists do, about what relationship they have to the works they make... Arguing about art – you hear it, read it – it is very of the moment. To decide if certain art is of the moment – or if a certain show is of the moment – decide if it is worth arguing about.

- From "Your Show of Shows,"
Gerald Marzoratti, Sept 1984

This is a short lesson in how not to present your work to a gallery for representation.

On a daily basis, both Migration and artPark are approached by artists seeking representation. I thought I had seen all the crappy ways artists choose to do this. But this morning I got one that is a clear winner. It was an email – text and the three attachments are below (I am withholding the artist's name – but not identity).

Dear Galleries,

These paintings are seeking for exhibition/sales.

Thank you.