Fresh Talk: Carolina Grau

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Conversations about Creativity in the 21st Century

In Barcelona, Cathy Byrd speaks with Carolina Grau, an independent curator from Spain, who has created projects in London, Madrid, Lisbon, Sao Paulo and Paris. Carolina describes what she learned as a facilitator for Rachel Whiteread and the late Juan Muñoz; her curatorial residency at the Center for Contemporary Art, Noisy-le-Sec; the evolution of her work with Martin Creed (Cubitt Gallery and Tate Modern, London; Sala Alcalá, Madrid); and how locals get involved with the one-weekend D.I.Y. biennial she co-organizes with Mario Flecha, in the village of Jafre, Spain. 


Sound Editor: Leo Madriz 
Photos: Courtesy the artists and Carolina Grau, except where noted 
Episode Sound: Martin Creed, Thinking, Not Thinking
 
En Barcelona, ​​Cathy Byrd habla con Carolina Grau, comisaria independiente de España que ha creado proyectos en Londres, Madrid, Lisboa, Sao Paulo y París. Carolina describe lo que aprendió como facilitadora para los artistas Rachel Whiteread y Juan Muñoz, su residencia curatorial en el Centro de Arte Contemporáneo en Noisy-le-Sec, la evolución de su trabajo con Martin Creed (Cubitt Gallery y la Tate Modern, Londres; Sala Alcalá, Madrid); y cómo durante un fin de semana, la gente se involucra en la D.I.Y. bienal que co-organiza con Mario Flecha, en Jafre, España.

Fresh Rx.8 with Kesha Bruce

Solutions to Your Creative Dilemmas


How do I cultivate a unique/notable/fresh brand
at the beginning of my mid-career?

Branding is a catch-phrase that has trickled down from corporate culture. In a very basic way, branding is really about your reputation and how you actively present yourself to the world. But unlike a corporation, as an artist, you are your brand. With that in mind, when it comes to cultivating your personal brand it’s important to start from the inside. This is true for artists at every stage of their careers.

To build your personal brand you’ll need more than a logo and a slickly designed website. You need to be clear about who you are and what you have to offer. I’m not just talking about displaying the type of artwork you have available for sale. I’m talking about how you present yourself and your personality.

What three or four adjectives best describe you and what you have to offer? What words would you use to define your personality? What are you passionate about? What emotions do you want to generate when people come into contact with you and your work? Are these values being expressed on your website, blog, your social media outlets, and every other piece of content or information you put out into the world?

Click over to your website and have a quick look at your “About” page. Are you communicating enough information about what you stand for that a new-to-you person could easily and quickly figure out whether or not they want to hang around long enough to get to know you even better? People who visit your website, blog, or even your twitter bio are going to judge you, in a matter of seconds, based on what they see. These people can’t feel attached to your brand if they don’t know what you stand for. So step up and tell them who you are.

Just like building your artistic skill, personal brand building takes a bit of hard work and practice, but the rewards are well worth the effort.By taking the time to define who you are and choosing the best way to communicate those ideas, you can better position yourself to make connections with potential art buyers who would be most interested in exactly the type of artwork you have to offer.

More on Personal Branding: How To Make It: Building Your Personal Brand

Send me your questions: freshartinternational@gmail.com. I'm here to help!

Kesha Bruce

Fresh Talk: Christopher Eamon

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Conversations About Creativity in the 21st Century 


Cathy Byrd meets independent curator Christopher Eamon at Lora Reynolds Gallery, Austin, to talk about his latest project, Manscape: Male as Subject and Object, on view at the gallery through August 11, 2012. Christopher explains how he discovered the artists whose work was featured in Rearview Mirror: New Art from Central and Eastern Europe (2011) at The Power Plant, Toronto, and talks about the challenges and rewards of working solo. Christopher has curated exhibitions at institutions internationally, including at the Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin, MoMA PS1, NY, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. 
 
Sound Editor: Leonardo Madriz 
Photo credits noted in captions 
Sound: Adina Popescu, Jeremiah, 2011

Fresh VUE: Austin

Exquisite encounters with contemporary art and culture deep in the heart of Texas. A truly satisfying experience.

Fresh TALK episodes produced in Austin: Joan Jonas; Jason Moran; Jack Sanders; and Christopher Eamon. More to come!




  
Special Thanks To:
Jennifer Chenoweth, Generous Art; Thao Votang, Tiny Park Gallery; Liz Chapman, Giant Noise; friends Joe DeMarco, Betty Lou LaCaze and Hart Blanton; Lora Reynolds Gallery, Ann Reynolds,  Ph.D. and the College of Fine Arts, University of Texas, Austin; Chris Taylor, College of Architecture, Texas Tech University.

Fresh Talk: Charles Guice

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Conversations About Creativity in the 21st Century 

Cathy Byrd telephones Charles Guice, owner/director of Charles Guice Contemporary, to talk about his passion for contemporary art and his commitment to participate in the international scene. Pivotal in the careers of leading contemporary artists, including Hank Willis Thomas and Carrie Mae Weems, Charles represents some exceptional talent, including Max de Esteban and Erika Diettes, artists featured in Buenos Aires' Festival de la Luz 2012 this summer.  

Of note: Charles works with Chicago-based artist Jefferson Pinder, who appeared on an earlier Fresh TALK episode. Click HERE to listen.  

Sound Editor: Leo Madriz 
Photos courtesy the artists and Charles Guice Contemporary, New York 
Music: ChocQuibTown, San Antonio

Fresh Talk: Jack Sanders

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Conversations About Creativity in the 21st Century 

Cathy Byrd meets artist Jack Sanders at his studio in East Austin. From Cleburne, Texas, Jack studied at Auburn University and the School of Architecture at the University of Texas before he founded his company DesignBuild Adventure. Hear Jack talk about his muse Sam Mockbee, the Rural Studio, El Cosmico, and his commitment to slow architecture, storytelling and dreaming.  

Sound Editor: Leonardo Madriz 
Photos: Jack Sanders, except where noted 
Music: Ross Cashiola, Trains in the Grass

Fresh Talk: Land Arts of the American West

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Conversations about Creativity in the 21st Century  

Cathy Byrd drives to Lubbock, Texas, to meet with Chris Taylor and students who participated in Land Arts of the American West 2011, an experiential program taught in the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University. An amazing road trip of some 6,000 miles culminated in the exhibition that was on view this spring.
 

Students: Alexander Bingham, Luis Bustamante III, Will Cotton, Winston Holloway, Richard Klaja, Celeste Martinez, Zachary Mitchell, Carl Spartz, Rachael Wilson, Bethany Wood. Program Assistant: Adrian Larriva. Program Director: Chris Taylor. 

Sound Editor: Leonardo Madriz   
Photos: Chris Taylor, Cathy Byrd and Joe DeMarco 
Sound: 45 rpm record found by Land Arts 2011 participants