Garth Herrick's Apotheoun is a Smithsonian Competition Semifinalist

[Garth Herrick]

John, and everyone,

As far as I know, the selected ten artists featured during the competition have nothing at all to do with the judging and selection for the exhibition. They are just ten interesting artists the staff elected to promote the competition last summer and help set the pace for the submissions.

How did they all fare in the competition? I don't know for sure, but it seems only Armando DeJesus Dominguez was fortunate enough to become a semifinalist. I wonder if he is a finalist also?

So I am not sure how this artist selection can reflect upon what the exhibition will be. I just wanted to clarify my understanding.

Garth

[John Reidy]

Thanks Garth

I wondered how the 10 could be promoted earlier than the final opening and this explains it.

To be open-minded about this I will wait to see what form the finalists take.

[Jean Kelly]

Congratulations are still in order here, your painting is amazing and to be one of the finalists is an honor. I visited the site, and am really curious now to see the winners. I couldn't possibly keep a journal going as I'm not a "word" person. Do you keep one Garth? I'd also be interested if others do this.

Jean

[Steven Sweeney]

Do you think there might be anything at all to a theory that some judges could be intimidated by a title (

[Michele Rushworth]

While this painting of Garth's would have received high accolades even if it was titled "A Kid Sunbathing," I often think there may be something behind the idea of intriguing titles.

Years ago I submitted a rather odd but mostly uninteresting landscape to a few shows and it was rejected every time. I had titled it something like, "California Sunset" or something similarly bland. Then my husband suggested the title "Left New York at 5:03". It was accepted into the next show I entered. Who knows!

[Garth Herrick]

Oh Steven, you are ever so insightful in what you say about titles. In my painful shyness I tend to give my works absurd and obscure titles for their abstracting and distancing qualities, as an alternative to "Untitled". I think I have already disclosed that there really is no sensible correlation between "Apotheoun" which is an old Geek word meaning deification, and "A Fair-Skinned Boy Reclining in the Noon Sun Risking a Bad Sun-Burn Upon a Concrete Pool Apron Beside His Mother's Fancy Espadrille Sandals and Well-Tanned Legs in June, 1981, During a Church Picnic Outing".

My daughter has the fortune of being named "Lachlan" which is equally unpronounceable, and not even a previously known girl's name. It may be unique. Imagine my horror when the receptionist at the pediatrician's office once called out "Latch-Lane"! She loves her name and wears it well, though.

Thanks for your wise insight and advice.

Garth (even my name was endlessly corrupted and tripped over until Garth Brooks came along).

[David Draime]

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

I think I have already disclosed that there really is no sensible correlation between "Apotheoun" which is an old Geek word meaning deification, and "A Fair-Skinned Boy Reclining in the Noon Sun Risking a Bad Sun-Burn Upon a Concrete Pool Apron Beside His Mother's Fancy Espadrille Sandals and Well-Tanned Legs in June, 1981, During a Church Picnic Outing".

Is this really an old Geek word? That's why I didn't recognize it!!!
It sounded Geek to me....

I also love the alternate title....kind of hard to fit on a slide though.

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by David Draime

Is this really an old Geek word? That's why I didn't recognize it!!!
It sounded Geek to me....

I also love the alternate title....kind of hard to fit on a slide though.

Oops! It's both Greek and Geek! Thanks David!

Garth

[Steven Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

"A Fair-Skinned Boy Reclining in the Noon Sun Risking a Bad Sun-Burn Upon a Concrete Pool Apron Beside His Mother's Fancy Espadrille Sandals and Well-Tanned Legs in June, 1981, During a Church Picnic Outing"

Actually, I rather fancy that one.

[Tom Edgerton]

Whenever I judge shows, I don't read titles deliberately, as for me, the work should suggest or carry an idea without the attachment of language. If it says "Ecstasy," and doesn't LOOK ecstatic, well.....

But what do I know, this Art thing is all Geek to me....