Invitational Museum Custom Knife Show

Tai Goo

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Participants:
Phil Baldwin, Allen Elishewitz, Anders Hogstrom, Bob Coogan, Chantal Gilbert, Conny Persson, Dan Stephens, David Broadwell, Dellena, Edmund Davidson, Frankie Flood, Gary House, Harumi Hirayama, Howard Hitchmough, Johan Gustafsson, John L. Jensen, Johnny Walker Nilsson, Jot Singh Khalsa, Juergan Steinau, Mardi Mesheshian, Matt Lerch, Robert Weinstock, Roger Bergh, Tai Goo, Vince Evans, Virgil England.

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It's pretty rare that an art museum would ever feature knifemaking.
 
I really like this concept. :thumbup:

And it kind of goes along with what some of us have been kicking around regarding ways to get the art collecting community interested in custom knives to raise the validly, interest and awareness of such.
 
On the one hand.....AWESOME that ANY art museum would have a show curated on this subject. That is good!

My feeling is that most attendees will view the show with the same regard that they would a two headed fetus in a jar of formaldahyde, a combination of curiousity and disdain.

That said, quite a few of those in the lineup are more "ART" than "KNIFE"; Chantal Gilbert, Harumi Hirayama, John L. Jensen Mardi Meshijian, Virgil England. I leave that to you all to decide if that is good or not.

The Invitational was launched with a speech given by Phillip Baldwin titled: Barbarians Meet the Machine: The Art Knife Movement, on Friday, June 15 at the SNAG conference in Memphis.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I think it's outstanding.

Artists and art collectors are generally pretty open minded folks. Given the line-up of knifemakers, I can't imagine anyone would walk out of that room without having seen something they found truly remarkable and beautiful.

Besides, art that can kill you has a certain appeal, no?
 
On the one hand.....AWESOME that ANY art museum would have a show curated on this subject. That is good!

My feeling is that most attendees will view the show with the same regard that they would a two headed fetus in a jar of formaldahyde, a combination of curiousity and disdain.

That said, quite a few of those in the lineup are more "ART" than "KNIFE"; Chantal Gilbert, Harumi Hirayama, John L. Jensen Mardi Meshijian, Virgil England. I leave that to you all to decide if that is good or not.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

In my opinion, anytime a knife, "ART" or otherwise is shown to a group of people in a positive light it a very good thing. ;) :thumbup:
 
I've been a supporter of NOMM for over 12 years and used to attend a couple events each year there. I even learned to make pattern welded steel there, working with a couple friends.

Good bunch of people there. Wally (Jim Wallace) the curator, worked with Darrel Meier in the early 70's learning the lost art of making pattern welded steel.

Being an ornamental metal museum the folks involved are well aware of custom knives and have had some on display in the past. They usually display all sorts of metal art, from ironwork to jewelry.

Not sure if this will bring any new buyers into custom knives but it sure can't hurt and is a very good start.
 
John Jensen really deserves most of the credit for taking on the awesome responsibility of curating the show.

"Invitational" means that only makers who were invited to participate are in the show.

Of course collectors are welcome! I assume that some knives will be for sale. If you would like more information on available pieces, I recommend contacting the museum, or going to the show and seeing first hand.
 
WWG, this is a two month exhibit. The knives will be displayed in the museum.

I would think the makers need not be present for the opening but the feature artist/s usually are.
 
It is a knife show/exhibition at an art Museum. The knives may be for sale, but don't have to be...

Many enthusiasts consider knives to be art whether weapons or not, but that is neither here nor there. They simply should be shown and appreciated for what they are,... regardless of semantics and personal biases. :)
 
It is a knife exhibition,... not a knifemaker exhibition.

It is a showing of work done by knife artists.

There may be several makers at the opening, but this is not required.
 
Sounds like a great venue. Whatever disappointments there may be, I am convinced the benefits will outweigh them tenfold. :thumbup:

Yeah, some of these artists--and their work--are a bit wacky. ;) But, overall the list has all SOLID performers. :thumbup:

Excellent!!!

Coop
 
Hi Tai,

So this is not a knife show. Just a display of work from the artists you mentioned?

WWG

I find the term "knife show" a bit bizarre anyway. A "show" is usually an exhibit were you show something, not necessarily where you sell something. Shouldn't is be a "knife show and sale"? ;)

All trade shows I have ever been to outside of knifemaking (and there have been many in several different business sectors) actually don't have anything for sale at the show. Exhibitors are there to talk about and showcase their products. Sales may be discussed and leads taken, but no one walks out of the show with a product under their arm. Knife shows are the only places I have ever seen that (I assume that gun shows are probably similar to knife shows in this respect). It would be funny though to watch some rich guy bring a suitcase of hundreds to the annual auto show and drive that Mercedes SLR right off the showroom floor. :p

Sorry for the tangent. I always found this a bit curious though. I guess the term "show" and its actual meaning depend heavily on the subject matter.

As for this exhibition, only Tai Goo used the term "show", the flyer shown in his post does not.
 
I find the term "knife show" a bit bizarre anyway. A "show" is usually an exhibit were you show something, not necessarily where you sell something. Shouldn't is be a "knife show and sale"? ;)

All trade shows I have ever been to outside of knifemaking (and there have been many in several different business sectors) actually don't have anything for sale at the show. Exhibitors are there to talk about and showcase their products. Sales may be discussed and leads taken, but no one walks out of the show with a product under their arm. Knife shows are the only places I have ever seen that (I assume that gun shows are probably similar to knife shows in this respect). It would be funny though to watch some rich guy bring a suitcase of hundreds to the annual auto show and drive that Mercedes SLR right off the showroom floor. :p

Sorry for the tangent. I always found this a bit curious though. I guess the term "show" and its actual meaning depend heavily on the subject matter.

As for this exhibition, only Tai Goo used the term "show", the flyer shown in his post does not.

At the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction in Scottsdale AZ. each year that's exactly what some do. :eek: ;)

But back to the subject, I hope we see more of these Show/Art Exhibits in the future as it's just what the industry needs.
 
So, are you going Tai ?? Some of my favorite makers there. Some whose knives I own, some whose lists I am on, and some I dream of adding to my collection. I have thought for a few years now that the Tucsom Museum of Art should do a show in this vein. My Mom use to volunteer there years ago. Plenty of AZ makers to support an exhibit. Do you have any pals at the local Museum?

Gotta bring my new "old" Goo by for you to see. Much nicer than I hoped for:thumbup: Kevin
 
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