This image shows the artwork project, Woodstock, with most of the add-on’s in place, and the artwork in a near finished look.  I have left all my temporary pieces of numbered tapes to record this moment that shows the system used to locate and place the beaming and all the other add-ons such as slurs, ties, incidentals, eighth note flags, and as a guide for the dotted notes.   Every one of these artworks builds on a past artwork’s style, but their construction needs vary from each other.   This photo may help future projects as I move from mistake to mistake and problem to problem.

Looking at the above photograph and then turning around to the artwork, the difference is striking.  The photo lacks the third-dimension, which then allows the background to dominate the artwork in a kaleidoscope of movement, shapes and colors.  Looking at the life-sized original artwork, the music physically stands out, creating a better balance with the background.  This allows to music to capture the viewer with its own up and down, and back ‘en forth animation.

Applying the music is the last major part of completing this project.  This will take several days.  When completed I will post a video.

Woodstock the artwork,  I define as fragile, makes showing it difficult. It is touchy to even move.  To display my artworks in public has always been a priority.   This work complicates show options.

I have done approximately 15 public viewings of this art using art shows and exhibitions since we moved with the first local show in the spring of 2017,  and ending early 2020 at the Hopkins Art Center.  The results are not mixed, with a heavy lean of expenses, token feedback,  no interest, no inspiration, no new opportunities,  little motivation to repeat, and little incentive to continue applying.  My take away from Art Fairs and group exhibitions is that they reset every year, and even if you are successful (your own definition) in time, even those offerings that where once positive will fade. 

That means if I would attend 100 more Art Fairs and group exhibitions, this art would eventually return me to where I started with nothing accomplished other than wasted time and monies.  Artists who create for the public art market for a time may attend more success, but again that too will eventually wind down for each year the local art market does a redo.  Knowing that, and even after repeated attempts, I have dropped one display opportunity after another.  A conclusion may be this art is not ready for the public art market, at less not for now.  For now, my now comprises two important and final (I have no other plans to show until they contain COVID), shows where I will display for the first time multiple artworks.

The first show will be a two person exhibition at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau,  this coming May.  The second show will also be a two people at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin.  Because of the Covid shutdown, I am waiting for rescheduling information.  My heart tells me both shows will end the same with little to show.  That does not alter my intentions to present two professional exhibitions that will display a brief history of this art and its music.  I know the value of this art. My task is to keep on explaining and displaying.  That keeps me keeping on the look for the next best opportunity.   No other choice exists.

Scott Von Holzen