Wednesday, February 12, 2025

What Have You Done?

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.”

-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet

Have you ever observed someone in a high-up position and wondered, how did this person get here? Often, it seems that people who we are certain can be no more accomplished than ourselves rise to the top of their field. Is it that they truly possess some special skill that we are simply not able to access, is it privilege plain and simple? The answer may lie somewhere in between. While the concept of branding has been around for a while, the 21st century has seen this concept leave the confines of the marketing world and enter the sphere of personal achievement. Much is made of your personal brand, and we know from experience in the virtual sphere in particular that it can make or break entire careers. But what is a brand if not a carefully constructed package of what you want people to see and believe about you? This, I would argue, is a huge part of why some rise while others struggle to be seen.

Benjamin Bertocci joined us for the second time to discuss his two person show, In Battle or in Vain, which ran until January 25 at Lubov Gallery. The show is a dialog between Bertocci’s work and that of Andres Serrano. The two met in May of 2024 and were tapped by the gallery to exhibit side by side. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.

Ana González chatted with us about her show, Bruma, which runs until February 22 at Sean Kelly Gallery in NYC. The show is comprised of sculpture, prints on paper and paintings, all tied together by the theme of our relationship with nature. Born in the Andes, González’s relationship to nature is strong and perhaps different from those who did not grow up surrounded by it in the same way. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in Your Pocket.

How’s your brand looking?

Outings.

Ashley Longshore has opened her own showroom of her art on 43 Crosby street. Join me there.

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.

More Books to Read.

Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Renée Petropoulos recommends The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt.

Opportunities.

Bethany Arts Community’s 2025 Emerging Artist Fellowship offers two 16-week cohorts supporting artists 21+ with room, board, a studio, and a stipend, fostering creativity, collaboration, and professional growth. Visit the website for more details. Deadline for the current cycle is February 19.

 

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 
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