Minnesota is a good place to be an artist for many reasons, and here’s one that takes place every 10 years (since 1980): Starting tomorrow, Feb. 19, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts will show the work of any Minnesotan artist. You heard that right. You don’t have to be famous, or have a gallery, or…anything.
There are limitations. The art work must fit into a box that measures 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches — which is labeled “Curator.” If it does, MIA puts it on display in the gallery, through June 13. This year, MIA is accepting video and time-based works, too — as long as they are no longer than 80 seconds.
What a morale booster to artists.
Five thousand of them submitted work and 5,000 of them are on display.
The show actually opens tonight, at a celebratory party, and hundreds of the participating artists are expected.
Have a look for yourself on YouTube, where the MIA posted a video of some participants introducing themselves — and holding their works. Or, go to Flickr for stills.
This isn’t for every museum, granted — I can’t see the Metropolitan or MoMA or … doing this. But as I said at the start, Minnesota is a different place.
Photo: Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Art