60 wrd/min reviews

well, here they are.


Lori Waxman's 60 wrd/min performance at Arthouse last weekend is meant to be an elevation and display of the process- and commodity- of art criticism itself. I waited outside Arthouse for an hour and half last Sunday to be a part of this performance, kind of straddled between the thoughts that I'd be happy to have taken part in this, and worry that I was a pawn in a game. Both are true. What immediately struck me when reading the already posted reviews during my hour and a half wait was that none of them were palpably negative. In fact, many of them seem almost like justifications for "bad" art. While I don't think Waxman would necessarily view it that way, it was definitely deliberate on her part to give equal consideration to all pieces of art submitted, meaning everything was taken seriously, even the most novice looking hobby paintings. At first I felt like this was kind of a cop out, but now I'm not sure if it is commendable, or even cruel. Regardless, I could not do that.

The spectacle of the performance itself is certainly the highlight, and I wonder how much the other artists who took part view it as such, or if it was merely an opportunity to receive a review. Honestly, I wasn't aware of the scope of the project until I watched it myself, meaning I have to admit that I more in line with the latter possibility. For shame! However, Waxman is remarkably articulate and quick, making the reviews themselves relatively autonomous apart from the project.

60 wrd/min critic @ arthouse july 12/3:49pm

Yesterday I took part in this really interesting performance at Arthouse. Read more about it here
and here.

I really liked the idea of it; as Waxman types the short reviews, it is displayed on a large flatscreen tv in the Arthouse storefront, allowing pedestrians on Congress ave. read the reviews as they are being written. The finished reviews are then taped up on the window. The reviews will be posted online soon, so I will blog about what I thought of the whole process when that becomes available.
Here is my review (click to enlarge):

minis

I love miniature things, especially old miniature things