As I am sure you know, I’m quite involved in art and the “scene” here. I’ve been drawing since before I was walking and have painted since I could read… Later on in my life I learned to appreciate alternative and less familiar forms of art, such as graffiti, film, design, dance, fashion and so on. Still, in all of those years there are things I don’t understand about the people who enjoy it (art). I’ve met all types of people from all different backgrounds and all of these people still express either an interest or an understanding about art, but for some reason in the past 6 months or so I have realized that there are some people who have no understanding or appreciation for it. They only seem to look at it as a status thing or like a “hip” thing. They actually only want to be around so they can say they were there or touched, or met the artist, whatever…

Also in those 6 months or so, I have heard and or witnessed these same people steal or attempt to steal work, art, time and least importantly money (all referring to the same thing) from the artists and the people who really respect it. Scot Lefavor’s show, a while back at JoyEngine, had a dirty little thief attempt to take something from his show. She treated the whole thing like it was a pack of gum or something, like it was cheap and replaceable or unnoticeable piece of merchandise… Later at the same place, Shannon Bonatakis had a piece stolen right off the wall. And now another JE affiliate had a couple pieces “walked off” by some turd college kid who has no idea what he/she just did to the community.

All of these things have happened in Boulder, which doesn’t mean it can’t and or hasn’t happened here, but what the hell does that say about that magnificent little wonder town full of karma? I don’t really know what else to say… Is it us, the artists, who have let this happen?? Could it be the place we live? Maybe its all unrelated and random occurrences? I actually think its a couple of things. I think that art is becoming just a scene to a lot of people. I also think its because, in a lot of cases, we are all spoiled to have such a seemingly creative community where we can go to an art show almost every day of the week. We are lucky in that way, no doubt, but I think this also means that the creative community is over saturated with a lot of people who are only along for the ride and don’t care to see Denver/Boulder grow into its full potential. Its all of that shit combined with the fact that so many people don’t live this stuff. They are just the 9-5er’s doing as little as they can and stealing our jobs and our art… I think that if you are in it, you should be in it to win it.. There shoud be no half assing here…

In all, the moral of the story is: Don’t steal, especially something like art. Next, do this shit because you want to, not because, “art school was an easy alternative or because artists are so cool right now” be true and you’ll end up being mo’ fresh than the rest. Respect.

P.S. Sorry for the lengthy post, I was feelin’ it…

Entry Filed under: Rant