Bushwick Open Studio’s happened this weekend and for the most part, a grand time was had by all. A lot of studio’s were open and maybe some of them should have stayed closed but for the most part it’s a great time to take a snapshot of the collective whole of the Arts community here and see what is what. The reviews are almost overwhelming that this is the best BOS edition so far.
What it showed is a community that is starting to struggle with an identity. That identity to me is becoming part of the interest and part of the problem right now for the Bushwick arts community on the whole. In the last 7 or so years we have seen a trend toward younger artists / still in school artists reaching and obtaining a place in the art world that years earlier would have taken years to achieve – that is not troubling to me. Youth movements come and go and it sucks to be on the wrong side of it, but that’s tough. The concern I have is more about how we are led to believe what this movement must look like – there is part of me that saw a lot of wannabe YBA’s (notably a lot of wannabe Tracey Emin’s and Douglas Gordan’s – circa 2002/2006 in particular).
This makes sense as we are in an area of younger people stretching out from school – recent grads (within 5 years) from a number of art schools are the rule rather than the exception here. This event gives them a chance to put some work up and get some immediate reaction – and that’s great. It also serves to allow people to see work otherwise unseen (also great).
Do you understand? Or do you need an interpreter?
This event should really give the Bushwick galleries a place to introduce new work and younger work in a fashion that is in keeping with the event; sadly this was not the case. The galleries seem to look at BOS as a place to continually push the same 10 – 15 artists that are in most Bushwick associated shows. All of whom I feel we’ve seen already. Besides most of whom also have an open studio so it’s a case of missed opportunities.
Which to be honest, is very much in keeping with the weekend.
Note: I just kind of pushed this out of my head on a hot Sunday afternoon. I reserve the right to change my opinion etc. Names were left out on purpose as well.