NADA FROM NOTHING
What’s the story here? This Nada Motel–wasn’t it Dada Motel last year? If it’s going to be just here in Reno how big could it be? Reno’s not known as a hub of the international artworld. If we do this show in motel rooms again is anything going to change besides the name? And why is the name changing anyway? Are we just entertaining Reno or is it going to go bigger than that? And who’s running the show here? So many questions but all we get is nada.
The big world is shrinking every day electronically webbed. This is not the new news–an artist can now perform creative acts ANYWHERE and be seen–that’s the new news and we’re the test site.
We use the Internet and traditional media to boost our ‘presence’ and connections start to happen. People start to remember us. The Internet succeeds only with activity, that’s how search engines find you and that’s how people all over the world start talking about your artwork and your creativity and how many good looking friends you have. That’s how you get attention–by talking in ‘groups’ that talk about art, leave ‘reviews’ or ‘comments’ for people and many times they’ll check out what links you leave ‘em. I see artists out there that simply go “I’d appreciate some critiques, click here.” It’s a start.
Some suggestions if you’re wondering what to talk about online: Reno’s Hotel El Cortez, the TownHouse Motorlodge Nada Motel’s opening ceremony this year will be the river funeral for Dada. Talk about the things that happened last year on 4th St. during Dada Motel like the tower of TVs, the fire dancers at Studio On 4th, and the Neon Trainyard. “Selections From Dada Motel” featured the work of 28 Reno artists at a Vegas museum. Next year we’re invited back for “Greetings From Nada Motel”–talk about any of that.
For creativity look at the fire-spinners Controlled Burn & Shiva Vista, Boho Crush Burlesque, the art car fanatics, the robot HotShot FewThousand, artist Ahren Hertle, Holland Project, Club Underground, Studio on4th, Project Moonshine, Reno Bike Project, Bruka Theatre, the band My Flag’s On Fire. These are things worth bragging about.
Lyndon B. Johnson stayed at the Town House, Frank Sinatra sang in the El Cortez’ Trocadero Lounge and Lou Diamond Phillips shot a movie at the hotel. It’s called El Cortez. Oh yeah, we’re bigtime.
As for giving it a different name each year, we feel that this————- reinforces the unique feel it will take on each time around. This is a de-centralized group of initiators. Ours is a loose group of artists getting the event up on it’s feet; no one owns it. There is no theme, all kinds of creative action are welcome. And you’ll have to help us decide what the name will be next year.
Two networking sites to mention are artreview.com and myartspace.com which are two good ones where artists tell what they’re up to, pass secrets, talk art. Talk to people about what your room’s gonna’ be like or about your favorites–or least favorites–from last year.
By the way, these are the artists that became the Dada Motel (dis)organizers last year–they got the ball rolling: Jeff Johnson, Ann O’Lear, Tova Ramos, Dianna Sion Callender, Esther Triggs, Chad Sorg, John Molezzo, SK James, Kai Prescher, Dean Burton, Dusty Hartman, Faith Zaumeyer, Chris Carnel, Kris Vagner. Who am I forgetting?
The El Cortez has already filled 20 rooms with artists, no more are available so call the Town House Motorlodge across the street to reserve your room: 775-323-1821. They have many rooms available for artists to rent, keeping activities centrally located. Thursday, June 26th thru Sunday, the 29th. Many artists are renting rooms for the full week, Tuesday to Tuesday, aprox. $150. You don’t have to pay for the room yet, but go ahead and reserve it.
http://nadamotel.blogspot.com to look at more articles, http://tribes.tribe.net/nadamotel to talk turkey.
