The piano has been drinking (not me)
THE FULL MELODY
Many years have passed since the late 1970s when
in gratis and they, the artists, responded with
I first worked as an arts public servant, at that time
unbridled and rewarding submissions, willing to
at the Crafts Council of NSW. Now it’s time to take
assist one more time, perhaps hoping that this
an interruption, a rest, because the audience needs
really is the last Eisenberg request. Who knows?
a break from me, my needs and demands, and
I have scribbled that this is the last time, too many
my creations and concepts. For the moment, this
times, too frequently.
is my last idea and adventure accompanied by a catalogue essay.
My request went out. A steady stream began to more than trickle its way to Maitland in the form
As part of a going away event I approached many,
of art on paper together with an agreement that,
perhaps too many, artists to take part in a final
at the end of the exhibition, the art gallery could
exhibition curated by me in my public role at
keep the works for its permanent works on paper
Maitland. Titled The piano has been drinking (not me),
collection. All this was requested and accepted
it was to be an exhibition constructed from artists’
but the avalanche was not. Little did I expect that
responses on and with paper to the lyrics of
more would arrive and continue to arrive. Very few
this celebrated Tom Waits’ song. The result is
declined, forgot or lost the request.
stupendous and very much more than expected. More artists than I ever possibly anticipated responded to my request and did so in a myriad of very unique and positive artistic styles.
I am lucky and so is the art gallery. I was rewarded and it is a wondrous privilege, one that will not be easily or readily repeated. I was briefly gnawed by vanity: egoism is an easy friend, a ready
Like a bird I went in search of seed to feed on
accomplice, always prepared to chomp a slice let
and my search yielded a bounty of sustenance
alone chew a chunk. However, common sense soon
that was delivered, carried and submitted ready
took over and I realised that the artists were once
to photograph and hang in the art gallery.
again demonstrating their often taken for granted
Nothing was inappropriate or thoughtless: all the
largesse and generosity. I had also forgotten,
participants joined the piano’s tune and played
momentarily, that the exhibition had legs and ones
merrily along with Tom Waits, joining in and
that stood firmly on curatorial correctness and
creating a cacophony of style and colour with
strength. Here was an opportunity to be part of a
paper. I am struck by the exactness, confused by the
unique exhibition.
abstraction, touched by the witticism, and moved in time to the music and the artists’ interactions with sound.
I trust that many of the artists responded positively to my request to make art employing paper because they could see a worthy rationale in The
As curator I was indulgent and not really formulaic
piano has been drinking (not me). Here was a proposal
and they, the artists were exuberant, solicitous and
to join with many fellow contemporary compatriots
created art that is diligently relevant and
and create an exhibition that could demonstrate
all-encompassing in spirit. I had once again gone
paper at its current best. And, indeed, that is what
begging, asking, almost demanding assistance
this exhibition reveals and exhibits: artists showing
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