movie day: Please Touch the Art


Please Touch the Art from Cantor Fine Art on Vimeo.

One day a blind man discovered a screw painting by Andrew Myers with
his hands. The blind man found as much enjoyment out of the tactile
elements of the work as any sighted person ever has by just looking at
them. Andrew considers this moment as one of the most inspiring of his
career. Which led us to a question: Why is touching artwork so taboo?
Prior to the mid-1800s, tactile interaction was commonplace for visitors
experiencing collections of art, but as museums of art evolved, rules
forbidding touch became the norm. In some cases, these were to protect
artwork that truly was not meant to be touched, but in large part these
norms had nothing do with preservation and everything to do with
nineteenth century politics of gender, race and class control.

In light of all this, we decided to create a documentary that
elevates the level of tactile arts, and gives back to the visually
impaired community. It was at that point that we met George Wurtzel.

George is a blind artisan and teacher working at Enchanted Hills Camp
in Napa Ca. This is a 300 acre camp nestled in the red wood forest
above Napa Valley. Enchanted Hills is a summer camp for the visually
impaired. Here George teaches blind folks, through example, how to use
all the equipment necessary to become blind artisans.

Currently, George is converting an old grape crushing barn into a
Tactile Art Center. The top floor of the building is his 1900 sq. ft.
wood working shop. The bottom floor will be his Tactile Art gallery
space where blind people can feel and sell their artwork.

We fell in love with George and his mission and wanted to support his
new tactile art gallery. So we worked with Andrew Myers to surprise
George with a tactile portrait of himself. The first portrait he will be
able to feel and recognize.

Learn more about Enchanted hills here: lighthouse-sf.org/programs/enchanted-hills/

The Academy of Music for the Blind (AMB) were kind enough to create a
song for our soundtrack. AMB specifically addresses the educational,
social, and physical needs of talented blind music students so that they
can fully develop their unique talents and be prepared for integration
into the workplace or other educational settings.

To learn more about the AMB visit:ouramb.org/

To learn more about this project, visit cantorfineart.com/story/please-touch-the-art/

Music Credits:
Artist: Tycho, Song: A Walk
Buy it in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-walk/id679251532?i=679251628

Artist: Aphex Twin, Song: 14th Avril
Buy it in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/avril-14th/id50235099?i=50235117

call for artists: Can Craft? Craft Can! Biennial Residencies Open

A series of new, short-term craft residency opportunities in
making and writing have been created in Burlington, Ontario, as part of
the inaugural Can Craft? Craft Can! Canadian Craft Biennial.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Art Gallery of Burlington
(AGB), Craft Ontario and Studio Magazine, two residency programs will
host up to six makers and/or writers at the AGB from September 5th –
15th, 2017.

The Makers Residency will be hosted at the AGB, with access to studio
space from seven guilds of various disciplines on site, including
pottery, woodcarving and sculpture, photography, fine art, fibre arts,
rug hooking, and handweavers and spinners. Applicants are encouraged
across a range of experience, materials and processes used.
The Writers Residency will also be hosted at the AGB, including
elements of formal/directed exchange of ideas with leadership from
established members of the craft field, paired with a self-guided
learning environment. Applicants should be in the first part of their
careers, ready to explore and develop interests in material culture as
embodied in the craft discourse.
These two residency programs will run concurrently, doubling the opportunity for unique, cross-disciplinary exchange.
For more information on these exciting new opportunities and how to apply, see the full Maker Residency and Writer’s Residency notices.

http://canadiancraftsfederation.ca/can-craft-craft-can-biennial-residencies-open/

call for entry: The Clay Cup: Vessel, Icon, Canvas

Juried exhibition (October
24–November 17) functional, design based and sculptural interpretations
of the clay cup.

Size limit: 12 inches. Weight limit: 10 pounds.

Fee: $25 for up to 3 entries.

Juror: Dan Anderson.

Contact:
Bede Clarke,
University of Missouri,
Art Dept, A 126 Fine Arts Bldg.,
Columbia, MO 65211; 573-881-1525.

Prospectus: https://art.missouri.edu/calls-for-entry.html

Deadline: September 5th, 2016

call for entry: AMOCA Ceramic Annual – Biomorphic

The American Museum of Ceramic Art is proud to announce its inaugural
AMOCA Ceramics Annual. The theme for 2016 is biomorphism and will
highlight current trends of biomorphic exploration in the field of
ceramics. Biomorphic work investigating form and surface reminiscent of
plants, animals, and living organisms will be exhibited. Both sculptural
and functional works will be considered and clay must be the primary
material.
The selected works will be exhibited in The Studio Artists’ Gallery at the AMOCA Ceramics Studio in October/ November 2016.
Three entries for $35.00
Juror: Cj Jilek

Carac’Terre QUEBEC’S CERAMICS SHOWCASE

Organized by the Association des Céramistes
du Québec, Carac’Terre is the only urban ceramic event in the
province.  Carac’Terre presents the largest choice of quality ceramic
ware in the region of Quebec and offers many activities.
Carac’Terre presents the work of around
thirty ceramicists who each have their very own style and techniques.
From the choice of clay to that of the firing, as well as the techniques
used, each ceramicist has a very personal identity.
Earthenware, stoneware, porcelain/ wheel
thrown, handbuilt, castware /electric, gas or wood kiln/ raku and smoked
ware:  a world of possibilities…