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Of all the creative pocket utopias I've looked at thus far, and please be encouraged to experiment with one yourself, I think that FAAN is the most successful. It might not be realistic to compare ourselves to Lawrence Weiner and the Pierogi Flatfile has Joe Amrhein as a gatekeeper, but FAAN is controlled by the artists that are on it. (Although you do have to be invited by an artist on the site in order to join).

As a participating FAAN artist, I can give away one maybe two works (for whatever reason) every couple of years to a collector that may (for whatever reason) not be able to buy it for full market value. It's that simple. Other artists may choose to put work on the site for a variety of reasons and that's there choice at the moment, but I think for me it works to keep it simple, for it's a gift to be so.

Money and the art world: A Salon, Wed., Jan. 23rd, 6pm

As part of my ongoing salon series at Pocket Utopia, I'm organizing a discussion about the workings of the Fine Art Adoption Network and issues of money and the art world. It should be interesting. Here's all the info:

"Excuse me, you have art in your teeth" Salon and discussion of FAAN and $ in the art world January 23th @ 6pm

Please join the originator of the Fine Art Adoption Network (FAAN), Adam Simon and the curator of the show Audra Wolowiec and the exhibiting artists in a discussion of this wonderfully generous and genius project called-FAAN

Refreshments will be served (Pernod and cupcakes).

View of the Fine Art Adoption Network Show @ Pocket Utopia

Pocket Utopia editions a print with artist Rico Gatson

Pocket Utopia supports itself by selling prints by more established artists (meaning they have gallery representation).

For Pocket Utopia, Rico Gatson has made a Gocco print of Nina Simone. It's printed in silver, gold and black ink on black or white paper. It's an edition of 20, $200 each, and it's awesome!

Rico Gatson will have a show at Pocket Utopia in February.

An artworld refuge

After going to an opening on the lower east side last night and not being able to get into the small, over-crowded space to watch a performance of spandex-clad women passing a golden fish in the dark, and standing on the sidewalk in the rain, it dawned on me that I've created a real world refuge for artists out in Bushwick. While I thought the lower east side opening was pretty awful, bordering on mild torture and another, attended at an exclusive Charles Street gallery, relatively boring and mind-numbing, I thought the FAAN opening at Pocket Utopia pretty blissful!

At the FAAN opening, which was 4 hours long, we popped champagne, bottle after bottle, and of course talk about art , money, politics, and share recipes in a supportive environment! It was sooooo fun! What a blast we're having!

Installing the FAAN Show

After working until 12:30 am last night, the FAAN show is installed. It looks great, I can say that since Audra curated it. Now the adoptions can start.

I just want to go to bed, but there's more to do-find homes for art!