This photograph is one of my absolute favorites from my first 50 photoshoots for Karen’s Quirky Style.
Phil captured this using the natural light in the room, which had a green “romantic effect.” He overcame difficult lighting conditions to achieve contrast and clarity as the green light was actually quite dim.
The End of an Era
Filmed at the Liberty Inn in the Meatpacking District, I think this photograph truly captures the feeling of a time and place in New York history. As I described in my February 2023 Karen’s Quirky Style column, when I learned that the Liberty Inn was closing, I was devastated that this last remnant of the New York of the seedy ’70s would be gone soon. And in fact, it closed less than a month later.
Why I Think This Is a Work of Art
This image is arresting. It immediately captures the viewer’s attention. The lines of the work lead naturally from lower left to upper right, drawing attention to the woman’s face. She’s kissing money and there’s money on the bed. This is provocative and tells a story even though there is only one character in the frame. The seediness of the open bathroom door with the edge of the toilet shown in the lower left, the plastic bag on the garbage can, the paper cup—all of these details suggest the temporary nature of the assignation. The woman’s come hither attitude, from her finger tips to her knowing look, promise the seduction will be worth the price. This is definitely a picture that tells more than a thousand words, and it’s also fun and playful to look at. The green light was a happy accident of that particular room’s decor, but the tie-in with the color of money is part of the fun.
The Salmagundi Club Does Not Agree
I recently submitted this piece to the Salmagundi Club’s open exhibition, called “Figurative.” I listed both Phil and myself as co-artists of the piece, as it was a collaboration that we created together, and he agreed I could submit it under both our names.
The prospectus stated:
The purpose of this exhibition is to showcase today’s exceptional contemporary figurative art. Situated in the heart of New York City’s vibrant art world, Salmagundi will present an overview of representational art that focuses on the human figure and face, as seen in the context of New York City and contemporary life. Works in all mediums including painting, photography, drawing, and sculpture are eligible for submission, if they explore themes of portraiture, nudes, clothed figures, and narratives that center on the human form. This exhibition will represent the current state of figurative art in New York City.
It seems to me that the work meets all of the criteria. There couldn’t be a stronger narrative centered on the human form. Of course, the decision of what is “exceptional” is up to the panel of judges who curate the exhibit.
This will no doubt sound biased, but I always attend the exhibitions at the Salmagundi, whether or not my work has been accepted, so that I can get a feel for what the judges are looking for. I am not infrequently astonished at the work they select, as the quality of some of the pieces is not always evident to my eye. By the same token, my friends, who are admittedly also biased, have said that some of my work is among the best in the group exhibits where I have been fortunate to have my art shown.
But There’s More
Not only was “Liberty” turned down, but my work has been turned down the last three times I have submitted it to an open exhibition at the Salmagundi Club.
I recently applied for artist membership to the Salmagundi Club, as I enthusiastically said I would do in an earlier entry on this site. Even though my work has already been displayed at the Salmagundi Club FOUR TIMES!! and I am an exhibiting artist member at the National Arts Club (which also has a juried application process) and I was enthusiastically endorsed by three members of the Salmagundi Club (two of whom are artists who viewed my work), my application was turned down.
Their letter stated: “The artwork submitted did not meet the particular club standards for artist membership.”
This seems odd when they have not once but four times deemed my work worthy to include in their group exhibitions.
I can only conclude that the artists on the Salmagundi jury lack an appreciation for a fresh artistic vision, and perhaps they lack a sense of humor as well. (Regarding the Salmagundi Art Heist.) Ah well, I have made some lovely new friends at the Salma who enjoyed my art caper—and in fact said it should be de rigueur for membership!—and they have issued an open invitation for Friday cocktail hour. Friendship and cocktails—now that’s the point of belonging to a club!