PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

The gallery system in New York can be daunting for artists just starting out (or “emerging artists,” as they’re referred to within this insular world). If it’s not about who you know, it’s about how you look. Even worse, once you do manage to make a name for yourself, the industry demands that your work be consistent above all, so that you’ll have a recognizable style that’s simple enough for the most feeble-minded buyers to grasp. It’s enough to make an artist sell his studio and take up doing sidewalk murals for tips again. But there has also always been an undercurrent of true art, the art of the people, in New York and around the world. In recent years, a handful of arts collectives have managed to combine the modern gallery with the bohemian salon, in ways that are often daring and inspiring, and Cobble Hill’s Micro Museum is one of those collectives.

Since 1986, Micro Museum has been serving the community by offering a variety of programs and classes for children and adults, and by housing an impressive media archive, which now includes hundreds of pieces of digital and video artwork and a huge collection of 78 records donated by the Met (the art one, not the opera one). They also host regular Open Wall installations, where the public may submit artwork for display based on the cryptic themes of the upcoming shows (“Animals in Your Kingdom” and “DNA r’ US,” for example). Most importantly, they serve as an “arts incubator” for artists of truly mixed media, from dance to interactive sculpture (I’m sure there’s a more correct art term for the latter), allowing opportunities for struggling artists to develop their style and collaborate with others in a nurturing environment.

Micro Museum is only open to the public on Saturdays and during special events and openings, and unlike most New York galleries, they charge a two-dollar cover. I rarely recommend paying to view art, but the money goes to support the museum’s community programs, so I’m OK with it…this time. If you really want to get your money’s worth, stop by before closing – every Saturday from 5-7pm, gallery owners William and Kathleen Laziza, as well as the artists responsible for the work that’s currently on display, are on hand to lead a discussion and answer questions. The complimentary tea and light snacks served during these talks are a thoughtful touch considering the limitless appetites of the poverty-stricken Brooklyn artists and writers (like me) in attendance. Okay, I admit it, I go to art galleries for the free food. But this time, I actually looked at the art for more than ten minutes, and for me, that’s saying a lot!