Artists Should Stick to Art and Leave Alameda History to Right-Thinking Alamedans

Editor's Comments:

The Alameda Daily Noose and I were incensed when we read the press release below. It is clear that these so-called artists are really nothing but shills of Big Arborist, spouting revisionist history that is nothing more than thinly disguised propaganda designed to indoctrinate us into the arboreal lifestyle.

The truth is that Alameda's name has nothing to do with trees, unlike some of those other cities that are not Alameda. The name is "Alameda" not "Ala-tree-da." As all Right-Thinking Alamedans know, Alameda means "place where one's neighbors do not park in front of one's house." Or possibly "place where one may walk one's dog at night."

These punks need to educate themselves about Alameda. That's what the Alameda Daily Noose and I did. We didn't need any teachers or books. When something seemed right to us, we just wrote it over and over again on the chalkboard until we were convinced that it was true.

This just goes to show that you can't trust artists. Not only do they get their history wrong, but they lied about the content of their current exhibit. The Alameda Daily Noose and I decided to take a look at it, and there wasn't an auto body part in sight! Obviously, they know as little about art as they do about Alameda history.


PRESS RELEASE: CALL FOR ENTRIES:

"Future/Tense", an exhibition honoring the ecology of Alameda Island
April 9th- May 2nd, 2010
Opening Reception April 22nd, Earth Day, 7 - 10pm

Autobody Fine Art is proud to announce its first juried show, celebrating the ecology and geographic diversity of Alameda Island and opening in conjunction with Earth Day. As many of you know, the island that Alameda occupies was originally a peninsula connected to Oakland. Much of the peninsula was low-lying and marshy, but on higher ground the peninsula and adjacent parts of what is now downtown Oakland were home to one of the largest coastal oak forests in the world. The area was therefore called "Encinal," Spanish for "oak grove." "Alameda" is Spanish for "grove of poplar trees" or "tree-lined avenue," and was chosen in 1853 by popular vote

Five species on the endangered wildlife list make their home on Alameda Island, alongside a wide variety of waterfowl, plant life, domesticated animals and landscaped gardening, as well as over 75 thousand human beings. Artists have a responsibility to reflect social and environmental issues, be it through commentary, critique or celebration, and we are inviting you to become a part of the visual record of the island by taking part in our honoring of Earth Day.

We are soliciting submissions from local artists that focus on the ecological and environmental issues that affect Alameda Island. This could take the form of direct representation, metaphorical or allegorical abstraction, performance or installation, or, perhaps, a more didactic response to preservation, pollution and waste management. It's up to you, but Autobody Fine Art encourages you to think "outside the box," and surprise us with your creativity. Alongside static works, we are also encouraging artists to submit video, performance and installation concepts.

In addition to the exhibition Autobody Fine Art will be presenting a presentation on Shellmounds, including those in Alameda. It is important to acknowledge the first people of Alameda and their stewardship of the land. The Chochenyo (Ohlone) people lived in Alameda until the late 1840's and there are 5 recorded shellmounds in Alameda. Sites found in the East Bay including Alameda are recognized as an archaeological deposit from the time of the first historically recorded settlement of the East Bay, and was subjected to one of the earliest archaeological excavations in the United States. Please check our website for presentation dates and times.

Submissions for visual artworks should be in the form of up to 5 jpeg images on a CD formatted for Windows. Please include a list of the artworks submitted, including size, materials and titles. Cost for submission is $15.00. Submission fee payment can be made at our website www.autobodyfineart.com or a check made out to Autobody Fine Art Inc.

Submissions for performances should be up to 3 minutes in length and include a written description of the performance.

Submissions must be received by March 10th, 2009. Accepted artists will be notified by March 20th. Installation will begin on April 5th. Accepted installation artists will meet prior to installation and will be given a reserved space in the gallery for their work.

Please contact Jacqueline Cooper or Amy George at 510.865.2608 or info@autobodyfineart.com with any questions.

Thank you.


Amy M. George
Autobody Fine Art
1517 Park Street
Alameda Ca 94501
gallery: 510.865.2608
amy@autobodyfineart.com
www.autobodyfineart.com