To SNAG or not to SNAG, that is the question...

...well, not really, but it makes for a catchy (or should I say kitschy) blog title!

For my customers and readers who are thinking "Huh, SNAG???"
SNAG = Society of North American Goldsmiths. "An international educational nonprofit organization which supports and advances the professional practice of artists, designers, jewelers and metalsmiths." (or so they state on their website...)
This year's annual conference is entitled "REVOLUTION" and runs from May 20-23, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA.

from the Oxford American Dictionary:

revolution |ˌrevəˈloō sh ən|
noun
1 a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.
• ( the Revolution) the American Revolution.
• (often the Revolution) (in Marxism) the class struggle that is expected to lead to political change and the triumph of communism.
• a dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized or in people's ideas about it : marketing underwent a revolution.

2 an instance of revolving : one revolution a second.
• motion in orbit or a circular course or around an axis or center.
• the single completion of an orbit or rotation.

So now the question is, what meaning of revolution is SNAG referring to? Are they revolting against something? If so, WHAT?!? OR...Are they simply orbiting around themselves and dancing in circles?!? These are valid questions. And if anyone knows the answers, please tell me!

Some of you may already be aware of my disappointment in SNAG, as I stated in my older post about Metalsmith's 2008 Exhibition in Print "Equilibrium: Body as Site." If not, you can read it here.

Despite the fact that I dropped my SNAG membership years ago because I didn't feel represented by the organization, I was truly interested in attending this year's conference. The dizzy title "REVOLUTION," naturally peeked my curiosity and the fact that it is taking place in my old stomping ground, Philadelphia, were factors. But I was actually more interested in the conference due to the web 2.0 wave. I feel like I have connected with more of my peers within the last year through facebook, crafthaus, flickr and Etsy than I have in the last 16 years since I graduated from college. The ability to meet many of these people in real life was the real draw. I was also very interested in the Professional Development Seminar. (Although I am confused why it is call a "pre-conference program"...doesn't it take place after registration begins...therefore it takes place during the conference. Are they trying to separate the professionals from the academics at the conference too?)

Unfortunately, I am not able to attend the "REVOLUTION" due to a schedule conflict.

I am looking forward to hearing reports from others about the "REVOLUTION" so I can decide if I want to renew my SNAG membership or to resign to the fact that the organization is not meant for designers like me. I would be naive if I thought that one revolutionary conference would change the feudalism of our art metal community. However, with the influx of a younger, and hopefully more open-minded audience, change may slowly start to take place.

Being heard feels good

illustration "hello Listen" by laurageorge (aka: Laura Berger)

I wanted to give a quick shout out/thank you to my friend and fellow jewelry artist, Kristin Lora. She recently contacted me, asking about the display banners I use in my show booth. The conversation shifted to my blog post about the Metalsmith - Exhibition in Print "Equilibrium: Body as Site." Kristin is on the SNAG board of Directors and she brought my blog post to the attention of Suzanne Ramljak, the editor of Metalsmith. I don't know if this will help the concerns I raised in my earlier blog post, but it nice to know that I my humble opinion has been heard. Thanks, Kristin! And also a 'thank you' to Laura for giving me permission to use her lovely illustration!

Metalsmith's Exhibition in Print

Everyone else is talking about it, so I may as well jump on the bandwagon...

"Metalsmith EIP, Another Diaster?" is a recent discussion on Ganoskin's Orchid forum concerning the recently published Metalsmith Exhibition in Print "Equilibrium: Body as Site". It has been a heated debate concerning not only this issue of the magazine but the state of SNAG as a metals organization.

My first impression when the magazine arrived in my mailbox was "UGH!" I thumbed through the pages quickly and set the magazine down in mild disgust. A few days past before I picked it up again. After I recovered from my initial disappointment and really looked at the magazine, my feelings changed. I have accepted the fact that this is an exhibition...and as an exhibition the concept "Body as Site" is intriguing and very well curated. This exhibition blurs the line between sculpture, performance art and wearable object...actually many of the pieces step over the line. Meaning, they are sculpture or performance art NOT wearable object. With that said, Am I fond of all the work in this exhibition? No...but I do like many of them and I don't have to like all of the items to believe that the exhibition is successful.

"Farthingale" by Jesse Mathes

(one of the pieces I did like!)

The question is (as debated on Ganoskin's Orchid forum): Does sculpture and performance art belong in a periodical (entitled "Metalsmith: Jewelry * Design * Metal Arts") that is published by a membership driven organization (entitled "Society of North American Goldsmiths")? My opinion is: Yes...as long as the organization, it's programs and it's publications honestly represent it's members on a regular basis. I think it is healthy for the organization to have an exhibition which allows the viewers to see something new and look at things in a new way...even if it upsets them.

The next question is: Do the members of SNAG believe the organization, it's programs and it's publications honestly represent them regular basis? According to the discussion on Ganoskin's Orchid forum, many DO NOT. And I have to admit, that I let my membership to SNAG drop several years ago because I felt unrepresented. With that said, my husband still is a member and believes strongly in the organization, so Metalsmith is always in my home.

This is the statement you will find on SNAG's website: "Who is SNAG? The Society of North American Goldsmiths stands for passion, innovation and excellence in jewelry, design and metalsmithing. SNAG creates community, professional connections, and the unfettered exchange of information." And this is the statement you will find on the editor's page of every Metalsmith magazine: "Metalsmith's mission is to document, analyze, and promote excellence in jewelry and metalworking" Perhaps with these lively Orchid debates and SNAG's current financial crisis, they will listen to their members (and X-members) concerns/needs and try something new and look at things in a new way...even if it upsets them.