Guest Blogger Nick Nelson:
I have an overactive imagination. Considering the fact that cyber-punk-bohemian-hipster types don’t live in Albany, GA, I believe that she was talking about nameless artists out there working away in anonymity.
I find those people interesting, too, but if there are any cyber-punk-bohemian-hipster minimalist sound artists out there, please, stand up and be counted. Some of us would like to know you exist because you would be interesting to meet, others would like to know of your existence so that you can be avoided.
While I have yet to run across any cyber-punk-bohemian-hipsters, I have met many great artists since moving to Albany. They include teachers, professors, retirees, moms, kids, professionals, twenty-something’s, and eighty-something’s.
Unfortunately, many of these artists don’t leave their garrets to meet other artists. For being such a large town, Albany doesn’t have as active an art scene as it could. Don’t get me wrong; there is a lot of art in Albany. There is always great art on display at the Albany Area Arts Council, there is an active Artist Guild (full disclosure- I’m a member), we have a great art museum (full disclosure- I work at the Art Museum), and we have great art departments at Darton College and Albany State.
All of this great art could be better if those “underground artists” would leave their basements, garages, and bedrooms and meet other artists. Add to the discussion, attend an opening, or join the Artists Guild.
There’s room for all types, even cyber-punk-bohemian-hipster minimalist sound artists. Charles Williams, an art professor at Albany State has started a Yahoo group, artapalb1, think ART APpreciation in ALBany is #1.
It contains info and opportunities for artists living in the Albany area. Flint River Gallery has invested in local art through this blog. I hope that this blog and other Internet activity will help get people more involved.
Art, above all, is an interaction between human beings. Without human beings interacting it just don’t work.
Nick Nelson graduated with a BFA from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2000. He went on to earn an MFA from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia where he taught observational drawing and two-dimensional design for two years.
He currently works in the Education Department of the Albany Museum of Art in Albany, Georgia. Nelson has shown his work regionally and nationally and is a member of the Stillmoreroots Group, an artist collective that exhibits site-specific installation in non-traditional spaces.
You can learn more about him at Still More RootsGallery.
