Have a painting? Leave a painting. Need a painting? Take a painting.
Erik installing HapLapNapTap at chashama. Photo by Hrag Vartanian.
In the fall of 2008, my friend, a talented and curious artist, erik sanner, decided to embark on a small project that would be a way to bring art to the public through free art giving-and-taking. For one week, we allowed artists, or anyone, for that matter, to bring in any type of artwork and donate to the gallery for an unpredictable amount of time–that is, until someone came along and decided they wanted that piece for their own wall. We allowed visitors to take one work each, with the one requirement be that the artist and “taker” must exchange emails and open a dialog. The result was 63 pieces of art given and taken, with artists bringing work from as far away as Baltimore, Maryland. The moment that I knew we had done something truly special was on the first night during the opening reception. Two teenage boys who happened to be walking past the glass-fronted gallery while we were installing, were very curious about our endeavor and once we explained the premise, they promised to return once we opened. At 6pm sharp, they reappeared and browsed the art for over an hour, talking with each other and with me about their favorite pieces and what each piece meant to them. These were not art students or people with extensive art exposure, just young people who liked looking at art. They each selected their works and I introduced them to their respective artists who, luckily, were at the opening themselves. The two young men were so happy to be able to meet the artists and tell them how they felt about the work; it was truly a meaningful experience for them, and for me. That’s when I realized why we had created this project.
It was written up on several websites and blogs, the opening was very well-attended. See the press release below.
Thanks so much to chashama, an incredible organization, for making it happen.
HapLap opening reception
The ghost of socialism isn’t dead. Instead, it lives on in a unique social experiment-exchange taking place for one week only in the heart of Chelsea, at the chashama Performance Window.
Inspired by the penny tray, which invites random customers to take or leave pennies according their need, “Have a Painting? Leave a Painting. Need a Painting? Take a Painting,” invites both artists and collectors alike to leave or take a work of art according to their desire. No money will be exchanged – only personal contact information. Whatever emotional value participants attach to the paintings will serve as the only valid currency.
Unlike other exhibitions that only comment on the consumptive nature of the art market, in this show, Chelsea’s often-bloated art market gets turned on its head. Show up, and see how this grand investment in good will works. Budding art collectors can get their start.
Artists can find an appreciative audience. The Have a painting? Leave a painting… project is curated by two artists, Anna Ogier-Bloomer and Erik Sanner, who have long wanted to foster relationships between artists and collectors.”
Review by Hrag Vartanian on Art21 Blog
See more of erik’s work at eriksanner.com.
More great projects at chashama.org.
