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Making art accessible at Five x Seven
For its 11th annual Five x Seven fundraiser, Arthouse is broadening its tent in an attempt to turn more people onto the joys of art appreciation and ownership. The event features the Art Splurge on Thursday night — a yearly staple which showcases 5-by-7-inch works of art, all priced at $100, by artists with strong Texas ties — but this year, Arthouse is introducing the Friday night Art Social. As opposed to the $125 admission price of the Splurge, the Art Social only runs $30 and offers attendees the chance to purchase the the same art available Thursday night, while also enjoying music from Austin’s Balmorhea and food from Frank.
Due to construction at Arthouse, this year’s event is being held at the former Whitley Paper Co. building (301 Brazos St.). For those interested solely in perusing and purchasing art, the Whitley will be open for Five x Seven from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
I tracked down Arthouse Development Director Jennifer Wijangco and Five x Seven 2010 committee chair James Moody via email to talk about the local art scene, Bob Ross, the value of art and Lone Star.
The M.O.: The art world in Austin seems to be defined by extremes: free Lone Star at a show where people pay minimal attention to the art, and high-end events that price most in the creative class out of participation. How does the community go about changing that dynamic?
James Moody: Well, I think this week is a great example of that first step. Because you are right. It has to be more than Lone Star. You have to show effort and creativity and innovation to catch the eye of all sides. Art should not be about social status but about how it makes you feel when you experience it, no matter who you are. I think we have to draw from our experiences in other galleries around the world … get inspired by the best parts of those, and then apply the Austin aesthetic to that. From custom art pods and environmental graphics to carefully curated music and food, the Five x Seven committee really nailed it this year. The entire event is a unique work of art. I look forward to drinking Lone Star out of a champagne flute this year … and I hope everyone walks out of there with a piece that they love.
How does Arthouse choose which artists to approach for Five x Seven?
Jennifer Wijangco: We keep an ever-growing list of artists that are invited to participate by submitting 5-by-7-inch works of art. This year our response was through the roof with over 900 artists wanting to submit.
How can you get so many great artists to donate art?
Talk about the idea behind leaving the artist anonymous until a purchase is made.
Jennifer Wijangco: One of the reasons that artists love Five x Seven is that all the work is displayed equally. There’s a beautiful democracy to it. I really think you should buy art because you love to look and experience it, regardless of who created it. And, it’s an exciting moment at checkout to find out who the artist is of the work you selected.
What can people expect from the new Arthouse, and when does it open?
Jennifer Wijangco: The renovated and expanded Arthouse at the Jones Center is going to blow people’s minds! LTL Architects, our top-notch team out of New York, has designed a building that will be a 21st-century landmark for Austin, while still honoring 700 Congress Avenue’s history. There are elements and nods to both of the building’s pasts as the Queen Theatre and a Lerner department store. Plus, the building itself will be a sculpture with a glass-block pierced façade that will light up at night. (Insert “oohs” and “aahs”.) Our grand reopening will be the weekend of Oct. 22 with multiple events catering to all of the communities we serve.
Talk about the joy or pride that comes from owning original art. In other words, talk me out of my hard-earned $100.
Jennifer Wijangco: Every artwork on my wall (and there are several 5x7’s in the Wijangco Collection of Art) has a story, and I love sharing those stories with others. They are stories about where I bought the work, the artists I’ve met, and what that work has meant and still means to me. You can’t say that about some generic, mass-produced artwork you buy at a major retailer. Why own something everyone else has, when you can own something only you have?
When did you first get turned on by a work of art?
James Moody: That’s between me and Bob Ross.
What is your favorite piece in your home?
James Moody: Its actually pretty damn close to a 5-by-7 in size actually. It’s a really detailed, bad-ass painting of my ugly bearded face in a bad western shirt, set in a tiny gilded ornate frame. The thing is, the artist totally nailed it, which seems impossible to me, especially in such a small format. Plus, the artist is my girlfriend, which is a mega bonus.
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