The Sterling Stage, 6134 E. Hwy. 290
Austin Artists
RECEIVED Thu., Nov. 18, 2021
Dear Editor,
Thank you Vivie Behrens and Austin Chronicle for the review of the Crit Group Exhibitions at the Contemporary [“Are You Local?,” Culture, Nov. 19]. I too came away from these shows inspired. Austin produces world-class art talent.
I agree with the dispensing with the term "local" to describe our vital arts community. The artists in the Crit Group Show are no more local than the New York-based artists who participate in PS 1's Greater New York show.
To go a bit farther than the review, the Crit Group artists are not even just "Austin-based.” They are Austin Artists. They are making work born, in part, from a shared experience in this city and with each other in a shared arts community.
Austin Art has a quality of its own, much like Austin Music. From my vantage Austin Art is smart, passionate, attentive to craft, curious, playful, and resourceful. Austin Artists have ambitions in defiance of their situation. They are D.I.Y. till they d-i-e. They are grounded in greenbelts, creeks, and house parties. They aspire to converse with the world from the porch.
Austin Art now reminds me of Austin Music in the 1990s: overflowing with creativity, verve, and popping with new ideas.
Thank you Vivie Behrens and Austin Chronicle for the review of the Crit Group Exhibitions at the Contemporary [“Are You Local?,” Culture, Nov. 19]. I too came away from these shows inspired. Austin produces world-class art talent.
I agree with the dispensing with the term "local" to describe our vital arts community. The artists in the Crit Group Show are no more local than the New York-based artists who participate in PS 1's Greater New York show.
To go a bit farther than the review, the Crit Group artists are not even just "Austin-based.” They are Austin Artists. They are making work born, in part, from a shared experience in this city and with each other in a shared arts community.
Austin Art has a quality of its own, much like Austin Music. From my vantage Austin Art is smart, passionate, attentive to craft, curious, playful, and resourceful. Austin Artists have ambitions in defiance of their situation. They are D.I.Y. till they d-i-e. They are grounded in greenbelts, creeks, and house parties. They aspire to converse with the world from the porch.
Austin Art now reminds me of Austin Music in the 1990s: overflowing with creativity, verve, and popping with new ideas.
Phillip Niemeyer
