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AN INTERVIEW (=HYPE) WITH THE ART GUYS
by Harvey Bott
Is there an Art guys Global-Village Media-Mafia that continually offers
another deal the local art press cannot resist? What is too much press?
No one exhibition or performance by or of the Aaart Guize seems to
have generated as much concentrated press as the "Good and Plenty"
show in the new Lesikar Gallery, at 2119 Union in the "newest art hot
bed," the Washington-Memorial Corridor. This Lesikar inaugural was
also the first Houston commercial gallery exhibition for the Never A
One Man Show=Art Gize. But ARTE GIZE INK are everywhere:
".../Between Two Worlds" at the C.A.M., the Assistance League annual
$lottery at Texas Art Celebration, the M.F.A.'s "Speaking of Artists:
Words and Works from Houston," and El Palomar Mexican Cafe. Even
more post-post-Duchampian works likely coming from West End
Gallery's Anonymous Show.
While considering the anonymous, Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing
at the Art Guys Warehouse were interviewed by Harvey J. Bott to see
what the ART GUISE INK think about such a protracted use of the press
as an art medium.
HJB: "The Street" has it that the Art Guyz are overexposed,
especially in the media. How does this effect the work?
AGI: We're not quite overexposed yet. The critical art press preaches
only to the converted, which is but a small segment of the population.
The man on the street doesn't have any idea who the AAAArt Guise are.
When we get as much ink as Madonna or Michael Jackson your
question will be relevant. Besides, we don't cultivate any of the hype.
We are very shy, very reserved.
HJB: Where does the performing emotional control emanate?
AGI: Everything is very serious. Emotions become another sculptural
medium, as in Try To Cry. It's material out there to work with as
needed. And of course there's stage fright as another material to
consider.
HJB: How do you feel the local art press has responded to the Art
Guise intense work/fun intent?
AGI: We pay more attention to press quantity than quality. Two or three
pages makes us happy. A couple of paragraphs is a downer. Other
"Our work is not introspective.
The Art Gyse are not out there trying
to 'express' themselves. We are
investigating and playing. And playing
is a most important sophisticated
means of exploring ideas."
I
artl i e s REPARTEE
- P
