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Baby, it's cold outside. And if you're an artist -- either here or elsewhere in this recession-riddled land called America -- it's positively Siberia!
That's why artists always stick together in a community of support and encouragement. That's why they turn to new marketing strategies and the Internet. That's how they seize opportunities -- for themselves and for the people who buy their art. And that's how CPOPpor2nity 2008 came into being.
Like last year's CPOP exhibit, submissions came chiefly through cyberspace and an array of social networking channels like MySpace, Craigslist and DeviantArt.com. And just like last year's show, the mutual effort undertaken by both gallery and artists resulted in hundreds of entries from all over the globe. Five dozen creative people will shortly see their works displayed, and for many of them it will be their first bow in the Motor City.
It's a competition as well. Those participating will be juried by a panel of 10 locally-and-internationally-renowned artists, media folk, and celebrities, with the winners to be featured in their own 4-person showcase of champions exhibition at a later date at the storied Detroit gallery. A few of the judges are: Artist/chantuese Niagara, Murdercap Records impresario Jerome Almon, DEMF Founder and Global Events producer Carol Marvin, musician/art collector Ken Stanley; and Dirty Show head-honcho Jerry Vile.
Metromix caught up with photographer Lisolette Gilcrest to for her take on the proceedings.
In your own words, what is this particular exhibit of "opportunity" all about?
This is my first opportunity to show at CPOP, which has been consistently voted as one of the best galleries in Detroit. This is an opportunity to reach a broader audience in one of the most creative and artistic cities in the United States. It’s also an opportunity to meet and network with other up-and-coming artists while competing with them for the chance to have another show at CPOP Gallery that features more of each artist’s work.
How did you get started in the art world yourself?
My relationship with art has actually been pretty interesting throughout my life…with most of it spent convincing myself that I shouldn’t “waste” time on art and to spend more time on academics and career-driven pursuits. To be honest, I had finally gotten to a point in my life where I recognized that art is a whole separate form of communication and can be used to explore and challenge ourselves on issues that I was studying in different ways.
A friend of mine saw some of my art and recommended that I submit some of my pieces for jury in “The Dirty Show” in Detroit. To be honest, I had no idea what it would take to get into the show but took the leap anyways and two of my photographs were accepted into my first show. So, I have the likes of Jerry Vile and a lot of others to thank for giving me my first shot.
Your field of interest is essentially "erotic.” Is there a particular point of view or message behind in your photos?
Frankly, there are times when I wonder how erotica became my specialty, since I had always wanted to shoot other things. If I had to pinpoint why it is that I do erotica, I would say that at first it was a challenge to myself to produce erotic images that had more context and substance than most of the erotic images that we see today.
It has since become a way for me to invoke conversations about issues that are important to me, such as struggles with our sexual behaviour and religious beliefs, gender roles and gender equality, and our awful tendency to stigmatize discussions about sexuality in general. I think if I had one particular message behind my erotica it would be: “Explore it, discuss it, and own it.”
How would you describe the current art scene in Detroit -- a scene that's currently affected by a truly dire economy?
Being a native Detroiter, I have struggled as many others have with the Michigan economy and have had to make some very tough decisions, like moving out of state in order to provide for my son…But, like most Detroiters I know, I love Detroit and it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, especially since the art community seemed to be thriving here and more and more opportunities had been presenting themselves to me.
Ironically, although I live 200 miles away now, I still consider myself a Detroiter and to date have shown exclusively in the metro Detroit area because there is just something magical about Detroit and its art scene. Maybe it’s because so many artists are thought to be “tortured souls” and artistic expression seems to peak at the most emotional of times –- but it seems like the art that is being produced from Detroiters is really raw, impassioned and completely underrated.
The opening reception for the CPOPpor2nity exhibit at CPOP is December 13 from 6 to 10 pm.
