Earlier this year (Spring 2009) I unveiled the art251 Art Health Index (AHI). You may recall we use the AHI to measure the relative strength of the fine art economy in our area. It’s an objective and subjective measure and includes: smiles on the faces of our customers; periods of quiet contemplation looking at new art; sighs of satisfaction from the artist whose work we are featuring for the first time; simultaneous conversations about art; art teachers within the space; average time visitors spend looking at artwork; ratio of small shoe size (kids) to large shoe size (adults); and empty wine glasses and Italian soda bottles.

So, I’m happy to report that the AHI for October 2009 remains vibrant and stable. This follows our successful Opening Reception for Sean Fitzgerald’s exhibit Man And Nature on October 29. While the wine and refreshments are gone, Sean’s stunning images will remain on our walls until the end of November 2009.

I’m still drafting my definitive answer to the question “what makes great art, great?” As you may guess this is no simple task. After all, the question has taxed philosophers, pitted aesthetes against one another, confounded critics and perplexed mere mortals, such as myself, since cave dwellers first etched and painted on the walls of their prehistoric (more precisely, Mesolithic) European “homes”, over 30,000 years ago. Though, I suspect that one of the qualities of great art is that it is lasting ? great art creates a truly lasting impression, both on the individual and on the culture.

So, while recently wondering the canyons of New York city and contemplating the weighty issue of “what is great art”, I stumbled across one of contemporary art’s venerable institutions, the Gagosian. Now, strictly speaking this was the Gagosian Store on Madison Avenue, not one of the famed Gagosian Galleries. Yet, etched on the glass walls I found a simple proclamation. There it was, an anti-definition staring me right in the face, in bold, white? lettering – “Pop Art is:”

More often than not I’ve found that it’s easier to define something by first deciding what it is not; by envisioning its opposite state, and then working backwards towards a solution. So, the “definition” of Pop Art struck me as rather apt. Perhaps, truly great art is not “gimmicky”, it’s certainly not “mass-produced”, it may not be “popular” (initially), and it’s definitely not “transient”. Yes, I believe, thanks to Pop Art, I am somewhat closer to an elusive answer on the nature of great art.

In the meantime, and back to our prehistoric ancestors, I wonder if the artists who created these ancient works had to contend with prehistoric critics (perhaps brandishing clubs), prehistoric gallery directors (perhaps dressed in neutral black animal hides), and prehistoric art lovers wanting the works framed or in a different hue or looking for something in a more “traditional” Paleolithic style.

Were our ancient artistic ancestors misunderstood? Did they have creative tantrums? Did they have second jobs? Did they have good gallery representation, perhaps in the “grand community cave”? Were they concerned that the next big art movement would consign their works to the artistic rubbish heap? Regardless, the passage of 30,000 years has brought some of this great art into the present. It’s interesting to ponder if any of our contemporary or Modern or Pop Art, could withstand the flow of 30 millenia. I think mostly not. It may be “big business”, but it’s certainly not truly great art.

The incredible Trinity River Audubon Center celebrates its 1-year anniversary on October 10-11 with our inaugural?Nature Fest and Art Show. We’ll focus on works of art from area artists in our Great Hall, seminars on sustainable living in our classrooms, and nature-related?activities on the trails. Admission is free… see you this weekend! Click here for the complete schedule.

What is there to do at Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC) besides art? PLENTY! Here’s a taste:

???? Hike four miles of trails through restored prairie, wetland and bottomland forest habitats
???? Take a guided nature walk for visitors of all ages
???? Bird more than 100 resident and migrant species
???? Enjoy nature from scenic overlooks and bird blinds
???? Learn about the area’s habitats and history through hands-on exhibits
???? Attend workshops on conservation practices & outdoor skills
???? Join a cool nature club: Bug Club, Bird Club, Frog Club, or Adventure Club
???? Attend a field trip with field-based education programs for students
???? Complete your Eagle Scout or Gold Award project
???? Stretch and relax in a yoga class
???? Open young eyes to nature in the Children’s Discovery Garden
???? Participate in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird tracking program
???? Relax and enjoy refreshments on the overview deck or picnic area by the Trinity River
???? Attend Free Third Thursday lectures and activities
???? Sign up for Summer Camp
???? Join an educational program: Birds of Play, Discover Together, Birding 101, Living Green
???? Become a TRAC Volunteer Naturalist

Where are we?

TRAC is 8 minutes from Downtown Dallas on South Loop 12