Roll Credits
INSIDE/OUT JOKE: This year is the first in a half-dozen years where I am not entertaining a “best of” list of any sort. I used to compile the ‘ten best recordings of the year’ for several publications, and a massive overview of the arts scene in the Pacific Northwest. This year I rather ogle new blood (n’ other sources), like the funny offering above, coming from Regina Hackett’s always spiced Art To Go (one of only a handful of blogs I read on a semi-regular basis). I really appreciate the humor here as well, as my compadre Scott Wayne Indiana said recently too me, we need more of it in the art world in general - I couldn’t agree more. The above may be a Seattle ‘in joke’ - but from my perspective, after this year’s selection in the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards, the artist here has been at least somewhat dutifully honored in ‘08, and his work (great stuff by the way) was featured in PICA’s TBA Festival too.
TEMPERATURE’S RISIN’: The Portland Mercury took the time to point out A Year In Review, and I align with at least three of Mr. Motley’s seven strongest highlights and observations. Of course, on their yellow brick road (+ great new disc) Antony + the Johnsons stole TBA this year.
AUTO-ACCOLADES: Over at Port, a local art blog serving “art geeks and the cognoscenti”, prove to never be too shy to roll their own credits. In 2008 they wonderfully managed to cover all ‘Couture‘ exhibitions except one, and still manage to keep their right hand column intact.
TIMPANI, PLEASE: Which leads me to feeling somewhat “vindicated” (very unlike Susan Lucci), by Willamette Week naming my Infinitus “Best Installation of 2008“. Though I can’t really coo with the same subtlety, in the words of a fallen disco diva, “I feel love”.
More to come….
Tags: Antony and the Johnsons, Art-To-Go, Contemporary Northwest Art Awards, Donna Summer, Jeffry Mitchell, PICA, Regina Hackett, Seattle Post Intelligencer, TBA Festival