Art to be spread around campus

A special art project is blanketing the Georgia College & State University campus and the city of Milledgeville with art masterpieces from students and faculty.

ARTBLANKET, an idea by assistant professor of art Bill Fisher which began last year, is taking shape again as his students share their artwork anonymously with the community. Each week more than 30 original art pieces are distributed throughout the Milledgeville community. The artwork is placed on cars, under doors and in mailboxes. Some are handed to strangers on the street.

“The artists have agreed to forego the ownership of the pieces, knowing that their work may be prized, scorned, ignored, framed, used as coasters, lost, thrown away or happily collected,” said Fisher.

Fisher’s Drawing I, Drawing II and Printmaking students are all participating in the project.

Fisher decided on the name ARTBLANKET for his idea because it seemed fitting for the purpose of the project.

“We are blanketing the community with art, and like a blanket, maybe the idea is comforting, ‘warming’ the people up to the idea that art really is all around them, in them,” said Fisher.

Fisher had many purposes in mind when introducing ARTBLANKET to his students. One purpose was to bring visual artwork to the community. Fisher wanted to break away from the thought that art is unapproachable, unaffordable and understandable and producable only
by artists.

“Too often we think of art as ‘Art,’ belonging in museums or galleries exclusively…It is rarely fun and often overly intimidating. We hope to let the public know that art is available to them, to encourage discussion, spark the imagination and brighten a day or two in the community,” said Fisher.

Patrick Holbrook, assistant professor of art, believes that this is being achieved.

“ARTBLANKET is a great idea because it breaks down the elitism that is unfortunately a part of the art world. ARTBLANKET offers us a model of art that is accessible,” said Holbrook.

Fisher also wanted his students to recognize that their talent is to be shared. He wanted an increasing awareness among his student artists of their place and responsibility within society.

“We do not work within a vacuum, and our audience need not be our colleagues exclusively,” said Fisher. “The arts are one of the last democratic arenas left in our society, a place where all can experience the sensation of truly making up one’s own mind. Those participating in this project are validating their work by widening this arena to include those often marginalized or ignored by the usual art ‘market,’ and those who mistakenly believe that art is ‘not for them.’”

Fisher also hopes this project will allow his students to focus on the process of production and growth.

“By abandoning our work at bus stops, slipping it under a door, or putting it in the hands of strangers and walking away, we deny the preciousness and reject the elitism traditionally associated with our vocation,” said Fisher.

Fisher said the artwork is dated and placed in a small white envelope which has the following printed on the outside, “Congratulations! You now own an original Drawing/ Linocut/ Woodcut/ Etching/ Lithograph/ Silk-screen/ Monotype by a GC&SU art student or faculty.”

The correct medium is circled, and the envelope is dated and sealed.

“Those who make the images, while first feeling hesitant to abandon their work or uncomfortable about giving it away anonymously, soon seem to get addicted to the feeling, finding it liberating, enjoyable, simply fun,” said Fisher.

Fisher said that dated photocopies are made of all of the works produced and journal entries are made on their reactions to the project.

“Journal entries involve the artist’s thoughts on the making of the pieces and its final result,” said Fisher. Journal entries also include “how it felt to abandon ownership of the piece, where it was abandoned or to whom it was given.”

Because the focus is on the artwork and the recipient rather than the artist, no follow-up is made to see what happened to the art.

“We feel it is important the pieces be anonymous,” said Fisher.

ARTBLANKET is underway and people are already commenting on art pieces they have received.

“I found an envelope in my coat pocket. Inside was a drawing. There is something very poetic about ARTBLANKET,” said Holbrook.

Carol Ann Chaklos, senior administrative secretary of academic affairs, remembers receiving artwork during the project last year.

“At the most unexpected moment I found small envelopes on my chair, slipped under the door, tucked beside the phone with no special address, just an exciting surprise inside,” said Chaklos. “Imagine how it felt to open the envelope and find a special original artwork from an anonymous artist done especially for you! It was a small pleasure to enjoy and to wonder what inspired the creativity. I am so happy to see its revival.”

If you would like to participate as a ‘giver’ in the ARTBLANKET project, please stop by the GC&SU art department at Blackbridge Hall for an empty envelope.

“We ask writers, philosophers, scientists, administrators, staff, students, anyone who would like to give away text, imagery or objects to please participate in the project,” said Fisher.

ARTBLANKET will continue throughout the remainder of the semester.

For more information call the GC&SU art department at (478) 445-4572.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 14 2003. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry