Foray+to+Art+Paper

Once all the volunteers were in place behind bars and blocking doors for security, the large, open [|Mason Murer Gallery] became a high-energy party complete with free food, cheap drinks and fun music. The walls were hung with a variety of different style works from minimalist strokes of color to realistic watercolor paintings; each seemed to attract equal attention from the array of guests attending. The auction kept people interested by stopping the bids of the artwork at half hour intervals. The bids ended at 8:30, 9, 9:30, and 10. I suppose they put what they thought would be the most popular pieces last. People would walk by and write their name and auction number under the piece. Some people had representatives bidding for them. One lady, whose name is unknown, was bidding on a piece for her boss because he liked the artist. I wonder if she gets fired if she wins a piece of crap. It was interesting to see the cheapest looking art going for high prices. For example, a tiny triangle with glitter glued on the front went for $500. However, reading the descriptions of the works would let you know that a master had created the strange piece. Some of the artists involved included Stan Douglas, William Cordova, Jane Callister, and Charlotte Gyllenhammer.I volunteered in order to get by the $25 entry fee and didn't relize I was supposed to be paying for all the beer I was drinking until I started selling it behind the bar.Whoops! Happy me...It was fun selling to all the people there, until we ran out of Peroni. Those artsy dudes love Peroni for some reason...its alright. Plus, the beer was only $1, geez just buy Sweetwater...and where did the money from those tip jars go? The Mason Murer Gallery is set up with multiple rooms, yet still has the openness of a warehouse or loft. It is probably the largest gallery I have ever visited and appears to be the most flexible when it comes to showing really large pieces. One piece that was not up for auction was a giant metal statue by Thomas Prochnow - three jumping dogs,which were created from various metal parts from machines and variuos things stood on a podium that stood over 15 foot tall.Also I noticed the gallery had many niches in the walls which, I would guess from the scratches inside them, could hold other, smaller 3D pieces for showing. The gallery had the typical white walls found in contemporary galleries, yet still had an industrial appeal from the open ceilings and the warehouse appearance outside. The bathrooms are neat, though they are large and painted only inside of the stall. The sinks were outside of the bathroom in front of all the people in the gallery. Perhaps it is the art of washing your hands after you use the bathroom. The location of the gallery is surprising. It is found amongst factories and breweries in a less than inviting part of Atlanta. The only way you could ever tell it was a gallery is because of the big Mason Murer sign out front.




 * Another point of view**:

The Art Papers silent auction seemed to continue posing the never-ending question: "But is it art?" Not only did it pose the question, but it challenged the debate by seeing who might jump to the defense of a particular work by making an investment. Good thing those drinks were cheap! Lower the inhibitions of the buyers, right? For the most part, the works that went up for auction were enticing, interesting, and posed ideas that buyers and viewers could learn from. Some works posed unabashed political agendas, while others were more personal or philosophical. Given the variety of styles, themes, and media, one could see how Art Papers expected a supple profit for the event. The crowd was as full of stand-out individuals as the walls, and the works provided a large appeal given the variety. Still, one has to wonder, was there a jury? Something such as a large piece of graphing paper with permanent-marker inscripted poetry (was it poetry?) doesn't seem like it would be a great investment for a home collection.