I'm pretty sure that everyone is waiting for a recap and summary of last night's shindig. I don't feel capable of doing a full and complete breakdown tonight - possibly due to lack of sleep, possibly due to my generally slow emotional processing speed. But I do have a few point form thoughts I'll throw out there in no particular order.
1. (okay, the order for this one is particular) I feel incredibly loved and encouraged deep in my being. More than a punch on the arm, You're great! kind of thing, but that the core of who I am is worth existing and sharing with others.
2. The trio of pairs that I saw as "central" were well-noticed and generally liked: "Hope Is" "Come Home" "Permanency Frightens Me"
3. The closest thing to "negative feedback" that I received was the three or four people (all male), who were surprised at the "darkness" of some poems. I don't know whether this was a good or bad thing in their perspectives. Also, interesting to me that none of the girls were surprised. Or didn't express their surprise.
4. Donations, at the end of the night, totalled the exact rental cost of the space. Exact.
5. Strangers came and we discussed art and that felt great and grown-up and right.
6. Several people think this should become a book. Others have said they need more "quiet" time with the poems to let them sink in - do I make this a traveling show? I have possibilities ahead of me.
7. I may have already mentioned this, but after hanging the work, the gallery/cafe manager asked if I'd like to leave them up for a week, as they have no other bookings and were impressed with the work. I said no.
Kidding. I said yes, of course! They're up at *Hotshot (181 Augusta Ave) until next Sunday. The cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
8. Reoccurring favourites seemed to be "Palimpsest," "A Lament," "Dear God," and "Zeno's Paradox."
9. In all the excitement, there were only two things that fell to the wayside. One was the opportunity to talk deeply about the art on site. But I think that will unfold outside of the four walls. The other was that I didn't tell many people the prints are for sale! Fact. You can own one for $30. I will package it prettily and mail it to you after I take the show down. First come, first serve. Some are already spoken for.
10. All art shows should have a post-party karaoke party. Um, I love karaoke. Even though I can't sing. Even more when I have friends who CAN. Yes. Good times. I have decided that karaoke boxes are a strange time warp, wherein you enter the room, and time speeds up so that you are shocked and dismayed and perplexed to get your 5 minute warning. THERE IS ONLY TIME FOR ONE MORE SONG!?!?
Those are my thoughts. There may be more in the coming days. There may not be.
If you have specific questions, ask away in the comments!
Thank you to everyone.
Ten thousand thank yous.
(if you weren't there, there are photos up all over FB. if we're not FB friends...we probably should be.)
1. (okay, the order for this one is particular) I feel incredibly loved and encouraged deep in my being. More than a punch on the arm, You're great! kind of thing, but that the core of who I am is worth existing and sharing with others.
2. The trio of pairs that I saw as "central" were well-noticed and generally liked: "Hope Is" "Come Home" "Permanency Frightens Me"
3. The closest thing to "negative feedback" that I received was the three or four people (all male), who were surprised at the "darkness" of some poems. I don't know whether this was a good or bad thing in their perspectives. Also, interesting to me that none of the girls were surprised. Or didn't express their surprise.
4. Donations, at the end of the night, totalled the exact rental cost of the space. Exact.
5. Strangers came and we discussed art and that felt great and grown-up and right.
6. Several people think this should become a book. Others have said they need more "quiet" time with the poems to let them sink in - do I make this a traveling show? I have possibilities ahead of me.
7. I may have already mentioned this, but after hanging the work, the gallery/cafe manager asked if I'd like to leave them up for a week, as they have no other bookings and were impressed with the work. I said no.
Kidding. I said yes, of course! They're up at *Hotshot (181 Augusta Ave) until next Sunday. The cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
8. Reoccurring favourites seemed to be "Palimpsest," "A Lament," "Dear God," and "Zeno's Paradox."
9. In all the excitement, there were only two things that fell to the wayside. One was the opportunity to talk deeply about the art on site. But I think that will unfold outside of the four walls. The other was that I didn't tell many people the prints are for sale! Fact. You can own one for $30. I will package it prettily and mail it to you after I take the show down. First come, first serve. Some are already spoken for.
10. All art shows should have a post-party karaoke party. Um, I love karaoke. Even though I can't sing. Even more when I have friends who CAN. Yes. Good times. I have decided that karaoke boxes are a strange time warp, wherein you enter the room, and time speeds up so that you are shocked and dismayed and perplexed to get your 5 minute warning. THERE IS ONLY TIME FOR ONE MORE SONG!?!?
Those are my thoughts. There may be more in the coming days. There may not be.
If you have specific questions, ask away in the comments!
Thank you to everyone.
Ten thousand thank yous.
(if you weren't there, there are photos up all over FB. if we're not FB friends...we probably should be.)
Re #6: Any portable format is fine with me.
ReplyDeleteAnd re #4: God is good.
Much love!
When I read #7 I was so confused because I remembered hearing you say this last night and I was like "how could I have gotten it so wrong?"
ReplyDeleteWhich items are left??? You should sell them for more. But I take it back for me if I can get one in time.
happy birthday beth! I'm so happy to hear that your show went so well, and that it affirmed you so deeply. :) did you happen to photograph each display? I saw some pics on FB, but it was either just the poem, or just the photo... congrats again!
ReplyDelete