Saturday, July 29, 2006. If art were consumable (yes, some of it is, but that's a different story), I'd be stuffed. Happily so.
The appetizer--really a giant antipasto plate--was the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair. Perhaps the granddaddy of Art Fairs in the Northwest, now at 60 summers, it hosts 325 artists, all of whom had to pass muster with three distinguished jurors.
I looped back and forth down the aisles of the Bellevue Square garage/turned art venue. Booth after booth of jewelry, ceramics, pastels, fiber art, glass work and photography. I chatted with several photographers, asked them about their process, their equipment. One woman used the same camera, lenses and printer that I do. I'd like to think I can match her work. Competitive? Just a tad.
Bought a small, impressionistic watercolor of tulip fields in the Skagit Valley. Couldn't go home empty-handed. Actually, it's a gift for Connie.
After a couple of hours I was max'd on photos of the Southwest, photos of sunsets, enough already!
Headed back into Seattle to pay a visit to Carol, the owner of Fine Impressions, gallery and frame shop on 5th Ave NE. She carries my work and is putting up a web site. It's a work in progress and will have images of my work. I will post the link when it's more developed.
Time for something new: The Lawrimore Project. It's a new gallery. Hard to find. No name outside, but the address--831 Airport Way South was visible. Then I spotted an "LP" on the side of the door. The show: "SuttonBeresCuller:If These Walls..."
One of the exhibits is a full-size creation of a Chinese Restaurant. The artists, 3 guys named Sutton, Beres and Culler, built the restaurant inside, yes, inside, a huge crate (32' x 32' x 12). It took them three weeks. When they were finished, the crate was opened up and the sides moved back away from the restaurant. To see the closed crate, check out the web site listed above.
Scott Lawrimore, the owner, generously let me take photos everywhere. And he took the time to explain that the gallery was designed by a leading design company in Seattle--Lead Pencil Studio. The three artists astonished me with their attention to detail, their humor and the sheer diversity of their work. In one room, for example, the only thing was an old Sony camcorder that was covered in dried mud and laying on the floor. On it's screen a grainy video was running. One had to get up close and personal to see the tiny video.
In another room a huge lead pencil (a nod to the gallery designers?) leaned against a wall.
Outside the front door there is a trailer with plantings and park bench. Yes, the piece is called "Trailer Park," and it's yours for $8,500.
On the south side of the gallery is an outdoor "Sculpture Court" that hold several pieces that will be displayed at Bumbershoot over the Labor Day weekend. One piece, "There Goes the
Neighborhood" is a trailer, cut-away to reveal a living room. I love their visual puns.
Going into the gallery I had no idea what I'd encounter. So much the better that I was so wonderfully surprised and delighted.
Unfortunately the show is supposed to close today, but I think you could still see it next week.
Give Scott at call at 206-501-1231.
