kerfuffle, a glimpse at the bumbershoot arts program courtesy lele barnett. more in her photoset [flickr] via our group pool [#]

With the biggest names on the Bumbershoot poster typically dedicated to music (often of the confusing mainstage variety), the most visible lines at the festival composed of dedicated comedy fans, and the most frequent accessory a buttery stick or corn or deep fried dough, it’s often easy to forget that stashed away in the northwest corner of the festival is an exceptional set of art exhibits. If you’re worried that you’ll become so overwhelmed by bands, shortbread, skateboarders on energy drink vert ramps, scrambles to performance spaces, and other forms of exhaustion, then why not add to your schedule and drop in on the art exhibits a day early?

In ancient times, Bumbershoot was an even more massive, four day festival. Now with the magical Friday evening having fallen out of favor, the day is left open to peruse the visual arts programming. Even better, you can see it all, without the massive crowds and with no admission charge from noon to 7pm in celebration of the Mayor’s Arts Awards (presented this year to Artist Trust, Jesse Higman, Speight Jenkins, Northwest Tap Connection, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras).

This year’s featured exhibits include four major presentation by some of Seattle’s finest: the Seattle-Moscow Poster Show, curated by Daniel R. Smith; Dada Economics, Greg Lundgren and Vital 5 Productions; the return of the Gage Drawing Jam; and Kerfuffle (or the Uneasy Relationship Between Humanity and the Environment) curated by Chris Weber and Lele Barnett. In addition, spectacles abound around the Seattle Center grounds. Press release with tons of information about the program after the jump.

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a few pictures from saturday [flickr].

On Saturday night, people stretched around the block waiting to have a look at the insides of the Moore turned inside-out curated by the Free Sheep Foundation and featuring a wide range of Seattle’s finest. The event felt a bit like wandering through a haunted mansion, with paintings, performers, installations, musicians, and participatory experiences lurking in nooks, corners, balconies, and staircases of the century-old theater.
I’m not entirely sure that FSF is at their finest on a vast canvas not slated for imminent destruction; with security guards preserving our safety and the theater’s integrity, the possibility of the art overwhelming the crumbling walls, the visitors, the lengthy architectural monologue, and the set schedule was less present. This, though, is only a minor observation easily offset by the experience of ascending from stage to balcony to applause, finding artwork interspersed everywhere (I very much hope that they leave the back stairway untouched), seeing everyone toting watermelons throughout the hallways, and hearing the brass band bring our evening to a close. Congratulations to everyone who helped to pull it off.

With the economy falling on harder times, every little bit helps. For the artistic community hit by financial downturn, the effects on keeping up a regular drinking lifestyle could be disastrous. Thus, a spot of good news from Hideout owner and art provocateur (the “L” in “PDL”), Greg Lundgren: throughout 2009, visual artists showcasing their work on the storied walls of the Hideout will experience happy hour prices at all hours:

… After days of research, the Hideout announces it’s 2009 Economic Stimulus Plan for visual artists showcasing work at our establishment. For the calendar year of 2009, we extend discounted prices on beer and spirits, to all (80) of our artists, all of the time. You may enjoy $1.50 Rainiers, $2.50 drafts, and $3.00 well drinks from opening to close, 365 days a year. This economic stimulus plan expires on December 31st, 2009, at which time we hope the United States economy has sufficiently recovered and art sales have returned to pre-depression levels. … [arttogo]

The rest of the announcement is available at Regina Hackett’s P-I blog [arttogo]. Anyone have any other creative discount programs to tide us over until the economy gets saved?

Every time I walk downtown and pass by this (…searching for a euphemism…) public art installation I am a little puzzled about its purpose:

Is it supposed to signal to you that you are now entering downtown Seattle, where top hats, spatulas, scarves, martini glasses, combs, and engagement rings are available for purchase?

(That reminds me; I sure could use a new spatula. Damn! That’s powerful art.)

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I plan on spending as much time as humanly possible outdoors tomorrow. If you’re looking for things to do, here are a few suggestions.

• Take in the U-District Farmers Market. More and more vendors are showing up at the markets each week. I can’t wait until the asparagus comes back!
• Take a picnic to Gas Works Park
• Rent kayaks at Agua Verde (they have a shiny new dock all ready for you)
• Bike or run the newly completed Ballard end of the Burke Gilman Trail. It takes you down to the beach at Golden Gardens.
• And to end your day, stop off at the Ballard ArtWalk (pdf map). From 6-9pm, various artists (including my exceedingly talented husband) will be showing their works at some of Ballard’s best businesses.