Art is like food. If it tastes good, it is good. In other words, aesthetics are individual; good and bad are a neural response. Good and bad are also mutually self defining. Often people form tribes or subcultures around their aesthetics, and social processes contribute to neuroaesthetics. At Portlandorusnow, we operate in the gallery-museum chain of being, art school, art export, experimental and front edge aesthetic subcultures. But in Portland, there are dozens of other aesthetic tribes.
The Big 400 is a celebration of that.
There is a good argument that this format for a show began in Portland, 2001, with the Charm Bracelet: Meeting People show in Oak Street Lofts. That event was organized by Brad Adkins and Chris Buckingham. Its opening was also an early social practice art project.
This version began with Chris Haberman and Jason Brown in 2007 in the Olympic Mills building. Olympic Mills developer Brad Malsin has consistently focused his historic reuse projects on small creative business, and art has been a branding element for his projects. Operating as Po Boy Art, Haberman and Brown have long curated the Goodfoot monthly art shows. The Goodfoot built on the art, music, beer model of the Blue Gallery, one of the first Pearl district galleries. And art shows are one of Portland's most vital social processes, magnetic attractors within their tribes. So we have several entwined virtuous cycles.
And there are really few cities in the world with the density, demographic structure and values for this phenomena.
Tonight 4-500 artists have made up to 10 pieces, 8"x8", for a total of more than 4000 works for sale, for $40 each. The works are labeled only on the back, and are in no particular order. This event is quite popular so many people arrive at the opening. If you find something you like, take it off the wall, and take it to the checkout. Cash or credit. Instant karma.
The price of admission is a can of food for the Oregon Food Bank. And you can do the math, a commercial gallery would be happy with the show's 10 hour revenue. Even the ultra conservative Portland Business Alliance sees value in art. 1000 free parking vouchers are available at the mall guest desk - lower floor - for the Smart Park directly East of the mall. Of course you can go by train, bus or bike too.
The Big 400 at the People's Art of Portland www.peoplesartofportland.com 700 SW 5th 2PM-9 Can of food