Art
for Artists’ Sake
The Isthmus
November 5, 2004
By: Tom Laskin
When Michael Andrews arrived in Madison from Houston to work on an MFA
at the UW he was surprised to find that his new home lacked the kind
of artist-oriented warehouse spaces that are common in larger cities.
“When I asked other graduate students and professors, I was told
that if I wanted that sort of thing, I’d have make it,”
he says.
And so he did. OneTen Gallery, the space Andrews now runs at 2318 Winnebago
St., debuted on Nov. 1 with the politically pointed print show “Snake
in the Grass,” a folio created by Dirty Printmakers of America.
The show is curated by another Texas transplant, Joseph Velasquez, and
spotlights the national printmaking group’s energetic, “by
any means necessary” approach. As part of the show (which runs
simultaneously in 10 cities), participating artists were also encouraged
to present their images on walls, in storefronts and elsewhere outside
the confines of galleries in what Andrews terms ‘the public space.’
Andrews says that although OneTen Gallery does not have regular hours,
he hopes a schedule of biweekly events and openings will soon make it
a regular gathering spot for local artists. “I did an interview
in the campus radio station a couple days ago,” he says, “and
the {woman} kept referring to me as the owner. That’s not really
what I want. I want it to be our space, a place for artists here in
town. I want it to have an open feel and not be a fascist running a
gallery.”
Viewings of “Snake in the Grass” and future show will be
by appointment only after the opening events; artists and anyone else
interested in OneTen Gallery are encouraged to contact Andrews at www.oneten.org.
Next up for the very welcome alternative space is the debut on Nov.
18 of “Independent Exposure Film
Night,” a regular showcase of films, videos and digital media
presented under the auspices of Microcinema International.
|
OneTen Madison's storefront windows allow artists an opportunity
for installation to promote into their
hanging show.
|