I am curious about the 500 word artist statement for Zapplication Submissions.
It asks
Please provide a very brief statement (500 characters or less) that describes the materials and techniques used to create your artwork. This statement may be read to the jurors.
I am used to writing about myself as a artist. Which is not what they seem to be asking for?
Does anyone have a good example of what they might be looking for or how elcoaborate this has to be? Or I might be overthinking it? I am a photographer not sure how much detail they are seeking?
Any pointers or word from those who have had success with Zapplication submissions would be helpful..
Thanks
Replies
Reading this statement:
Please provide a very brief statement (500 characters or less) that describes the materials and techniques used to create your artwork. This statement may be read to the jurors.
I infer that I am being asked for a "Methods and Materials Statement" rather than an "Artist Statement".
The jurists don't care, at this point, why I do what I do but how I do it. When asked for an Artists Statement I can explain the whys.
I had a hard time with that, too. And 500 characters (not words) is so little that it's difficult to be articulate. They are looking for a description of how you create your art. What materials, techniques, etc., that you use to create it. If there's any part of what you do that is particularly interesting or unique, be sure to include that as it may be the difference between you and another artist applying for the same show.
Glad to see this topic discussed since it has always puzzled me, too. Thanks to everyone for helping to explain. Please continue!!!
100% concur with Julie. When we jury, we are jurying only the work, not the person. If details about yourself help succinctly explain the work, then they might be pertinent, but mostly, the statement is read to clarify the images and the body of work the jury is seeing. A beautiful poem about your philosophy doesn't help the jury make a decision. If the jurors are not interested in the work, the statement won't be read at all, so won't change minds. If the jurors are interested in the work, the statement may be read for clarification or to enhance their understanding of what they are looking at.
When we create the application on zapp, the line Description of Materials and Technique is fixed. It's mandatory as part of the application and the name can't be changed. We have choice over number of words, but that's it. Economize as much as possible with your words. Make each one important.
My response is limited to the category / medium of "Photography"
In conversations with show directors I have been given conflicting answers.
Examples of what they have told me:
I'm sick of reading..."shot with a Cannon XYZ at 1/250 @ F16" or "archival conservation" etc.
They said if it is "materials and technique" state so. If it is "artist statement" write what makes your's different.
Other's said they are tired of reading "I envision..." or "I see beauty in..."
My takeaway is, first decide which is requested M&T or Artist's Statement? Then try to convey your creativity and uniqueness.
The M&T is almost useless, as an example: Anything submitted in the aforementioned category must meet the requirements anyway. Most don't seem to care if it is wetwork or digital.
I already had an application rejected, from a show. Afterward I spoke with the director. I was told they rejected me as I had entered the wrong category. I had entered into "Photography" whereas they said my work was so obviously created with software and should have been in the "Digital Arts" category. I then explained it was NOT. It was not manipulated. I crated it that way in the manner in which I shot it. Basically it was an OOC (Out of camera) shot. They said I should have told them so. I then pointed out the "Materials & Techniques" statement, in which I had stated almost exactly that. They admitted they had not read that. Apparently they had eliminated me before it got that far, due to a false assumption. They said I should have attached a separate note bout that image. All of the images were done in this way. So I should have submitted a boiler plate copy as the description for each image???? Then had no room for the item description??? By the way, they thought the work was wonderful, just not qualified due to their error.
To me, I'd like to believe, my M&T is covered by the category I'm in. If something exceptional, I'll write it there. I believe the artist statement should express our uniqueness / vision / and how it was used to create the artwork.
For painters, what type of canvas, panel, 1” deep, 2” deep, gallery wrapped? What paints?
Jewelry- materials, solid or filled? What stones?
We found if we were on the fence, we wanted that information for clarification purposes. Those who described what they used and how they used it had a better chance of being accepted. That explains the “may be read” part. If you work was AWESOME you were in. If it was Shite, you were out but for the inbetween, the statemeant made a difference. We don’t care about the artist at the jury point. We care about the art.
Julie,
While I agree with what you state.
I note the OP stated "artist statement", whereas you seem to reference the "Materials and methods" statement. This is an are of concern for many. If the show wants a M&M statement, I'd give them what you request. If they ask for an Artist statement, I'd give them a bit of what Tim listed. It is up to the show to be specific. The two are not interchangeable.
Chris,
Here's my "canned" 500 character count statement for Zapplications:
"I am a self-taught photographer who has been exclusively shooting film since 1972. I process all my film and prints in my darkroom using traditional wet process. My work is archival from start to finished print.
I use medium and large format cameras for all my work. The larger negatives enable me to reproduce my unique black and white vision of the world. Taking my “eye” from beginning to end is the realization of accomplishment. Sharing my art with others is the ultimate satisfaction."
I too struggled with the "statement/material and method" wording to get it under 500 characters. The last show I applied to had a 100 character limit!!
Tim
Tim
Too many "I's". get your point across in as few characters as possible because they may not read it through.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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