A-SPARE-AGUS ME

I reject very few foods, but canned asparagus is near the top of my list.  Fresh asparagus is a happy, grassy, bright veggie that reminds me of spring when served ice cold after being blanched or roasted served with a  little balsamic vinegar reduction.  Yum.  Canned asparagus is gray, salty, slimy, and unworthy of being purchased. Rejected.  Feeling rejected yourself?  Vent a little frustration by participating in the Call for and exhibit all about being rejected.  Take a look…

Check out this Call for Submissions for Social Rejection, an all-hung exhibit of rejection letters.  I know you’ve got them, folks, because you’ve been sending them to me.  Here’s your chance to put a Canadian show on your resume too.

CALL for SUBMISSIONS: Social Rejection

Independent Curator, Clayton Windatt is seeking your letters of rejection for display in his new exhibition Social Rejection. 

All artists have received rejections; some more frequently than others.  The guilt, shame, pain and isolation that an artist feels when they receive a rejection letter can seem insurmountable.  This project will empower artists that have been rejected by publicly acknowledging the hostile environment that the arts councils have created. 

By exhibiting rejection letters from artists, collectives and organizations, this exhibition will address the stressful condition imposed on the artistic majority by the elite few.  Artists participating in this exhibition will be conforming to non-conformity and experiencing the empowerment of embracing their worthlessness.

ELIGIBILITY:  Rejection letters can be submitted by artists from all regions, disciplines and backgrounds, collectives and organizations. These letters will be adhered to the walls, ceiling and floor, to cover every surface of each exhibition space Social Rejection exhibits at. A roster of all participating artists will be presented at the rear of the exhibition venue acknowledging the participants, enabling acceptance through rejection.

DEADLINE:  June 1, 2011

NOTIFICATION:  All Hung Exhibit

ENTRY FEE:   Participants are asked to pay a small fee ($10 payable to “Social Rejection”) to help cover costs of creating and maintaining each exhibition as well as the costs of publicizing the event. Letters must be in English or French – there is no funding for additional translation services.

CURATOR/ARTIST:  Clayton Windatt is an artist, curator and outspoken advocate for artists’ rights. He holds a BA in Fine Art from Nipissing University and received his Graphic Designer certification from Canadore College. He contributes actively to several provincial and regional organizations as a writer, designer, and curator and is an active visual and media artist. Clayton’s current curatorial vision explores the unclear nature of the funding world, peer assessment committees and what constitutes acceptance.

NO LETTERS WILL BE RETURNED. If you need to retain your originals, please send photocopies.

COMMISSION:  No artist fees will be paid to any participants during this exhibition. This is an act of political aggression towards the arts councils of Canada. This statement will communicate the anguish that artists experience as a result of being rejected.

Please send letters to:

Clayton Windatt
ATTN: SOCIAL REJECTION
P.O. Box 23022
North Bay, Ontario CANADA
P1B 4K6

FIRST VENUE: gallerywest is a space for contemporary art, located at 1332 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario.  They will host the premiere of Social Rejection on July 7th at 7pm!  Everyone is invited to come and see rejection letters from dozens of artists from all skill sets and backgrounds plastered together on the walls.

For complete details, Read the Full Call!

Editor’s Note:  Whether or not you submit your rejection letters, take a few moments to explore Clayton Windatt’s site.  He is certainly living OUT LOUD–a lesson we could all learn.