on view

YOU ARE HERE YOU ARE - 04/11-5/5/19

Susan Ziemba
Bob Meredith
Patti Pastella
Esther McKeever
Mairi Meredith

“What’s new in your world?” the gentleman abruptly asked of me at the onset of our brief interaction. I suppose I always have trouble answering that question. Like when someone says, “what’s up?” - it’s not really a question – yes, there is an answer, but “what’s up?” is more like saying “hello” than “how are you?”. This gentleman’s matter-of-fact delivery forced an answer out of me. I proceeded to tell him that I was working on writing-up this exhibition proposal; the “newest” thing I could think of. After stumbling over my words and describing a bare bones concept of “we’re looking for submissions of original diagrams and maps” he sort of grumbled: “Hmm.” And that was that. I had a hard time explaining it because it wasn’t formulated yet. I was hunched over my keyboard with barley the first sentence started; details actively being worked out. Now suppose if this was written and printed-out already, I could have handed it to him to read and there’s more of a likelihood he would have had a better understanding of the concept of the exhibition; a more concrete description to work with. Now, what if I had a drawn diagram to hand him? Or a map? What would that look like? How could I have distilled down my concept into a visual aid rather than into words or writing? Otto’s Abode – an Art-Centric Travel Agency and Inconvenience Store – is seeking submissions of original diagrams and maps. This could be diagram of how you make your coffee in the morning or a map of a bizarre walking ritual you find yourself participating in day after day. This is essentially an exhibition of drawings. Your submission could be anything from a doodle scribbled on a napkin to a computer-rendered and framed masterpiece. Take a look around your world.

seeking submissions

03/11/2019

OTTO’S ABODE IS
SEEKING SUBMISSIONS
FOR AN EXHIBITION ENTITLED:
YOU ARE HERE YOU ARE
SUBMISSIONS DUE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 7
$10 SUBMISSION FEE REQUESTED
EXHIBITION ON VIEW APRIL 11 – MAY 5
RECEPTION APRIL 26, 6-8PM

“What’s new in your world?” the gentleman abruptly asked of me at the onset of our brief interaction. I suppose I always have trouble answering that question. Like when someone says, “what’s up?” - it’s not really a question – yes, there is an answer, but “what’s up?” is more like saying “hello” than “how are you?”. This gentleman’s matter-of-fact delivery forced an answer out of me. I proceeded to tell him that I was working on writing-up this exhibition proposal; the “newest” thing I could think of. After stumbling over my words and describing a bare bones concept of “we’re looking for submissions of original diagrams and maps” he sort of grumbled: “Hmm.” And that was that. I had a hard time explaining it because it wasn’t formulated yet. I was hunched over my keyboard with barley the first sentence started; details actively being worked out. Now suppose if this was written and printed-out already, I could have handed it to him to read and there’s more of a likelihood he would have had a better understanding of the concept of the exhibition; a more concrete description to work with. Now, what if I had a drawn diagram to hand him? Or a map? What would that look like? How could I have distilled down my concept into a visual aid rather than into words or writing? Otto’s Abode – an Art-Centric Travel Agency and Inconvenience Store – is seeking submissions of original diagrams and maps. This could be diagram of how you make your coffee in the morning or a map of a bizarre walking ritual you find yourself participating in day after day. This is essentially an exhibition of drawings. Your submission could be anything from a doodle scribbled on a napkin to a computer-rendered and framed masterpiece. Take a look around your world.

Artists in Residence

Danielle Joy Graves + Nick Witten - 02/01/19 - 02/23/19

From the land of five hundred-mile car races and robust pork tenderloin sandwiches travel Danielle Joy Graves + Nick Witten. The Indianapolis, IN based artists arrived in Wanakena at the beginning of February fresh from two months spent at Wassaic Project. While here, they experienced winter in its Adirondack glory: very low temperatures, some of the largest piles of snow the village has seen in years and community-based winter festivals popping-up all around. The local Clifton-Fine WhiteOut Weekend - held annually during Presidents Day Weekend - provided Nick and Danielle the opportunity to design and create a backdrop for a live musical performance which was to be held within Otto’s Abode during the Friday Night WhiteOut Weekend activities. “Wow! People pay good money to see art like this in museums!” a customer noted. That Friday was also Otto’s Abode’s third birthday, to which Nick and Danielle baked a gorgeous cake. The bulk of their time was spent ping-ponging between clocking serious hours in backroom studio and out on the road exploring the area. Wanakena’s winter population dips down to about fifty heads this time of year, therefore having two more around was felt. Two more folks walking around town (wearing the brightest colored clothes around we might add), coffee’n’critique with Carol, snow croquet, happy hour with Bo, tossing frying pans at Coffee Fever, chumming it up with Carl at Stone Manor and much more. Nick and Danielle were probably halfway to where they were going by the time we opened-up shop the Saturday morning they left. Unlocking the front door, flicking on the lights, brewing coffee, MAGIC MUSHROOM!? They were everywhere! Popped up overnight… a few by the shop-plants, some more by the coffee counter, on top of the bookshelf. No two the same, including the bell-ringing sound made by each when jostled. This parting gesture portrays delightfully their presence and practice and we thank them very much for three wonderful winter weeks.