Unedited Letter to Editor of LV Weekly about why the Vegas exhibition is NOT happening

[sorg]

Well.. I'll just throw this out there.. I'm a writer, myself, write for Reno News & Review and some others.. Don't know if you do first person freelancer pieces, but I would LOVE to write something about our movement.. a call to artists of sorts, as ours is a self-styled, self-motivated, self-funded sort of thing. There are some folks in Vegas, already wanted to put a hotel show together and I'd love to help a bit with that.

A 1st person story of mine (unrelated to NadaDada):
http://www.newsreview.com/reno/content?oid=889840

If interested, my author archive for RNR:
http://www.newsreview.com/reno/chad_sorg/author

Also RNR has covered us extensively if you'd ever like to read more. Oh and a feature in the New York Times. (I gotta, just gotta brag that one up!)

I'm telling you all this to back up the fact that I think I'm worthy to be featured as a guest columnist or sumthin'.. anyway, now to answer your question:

I used to work for the Nevada Arts Council setting up shows across the state. Worked at the Barrick Museum and set up a series of NadaDada shows with the director there. 2 years we've done it, we've gotten Vegas coverage both years and a national listing last year. "Selections From Dada Motel" and last year was "Greetings From Nada Motel". Both years curated by me. This did not sit well with some people because ours is an anarchistic creative movement and we brag up the fact that we believe in having no trickle down kind of decisions but more level involvement from self interested creative types.

Our name has changed each year through a voting system involving anyone who shows up at the bar for that particular "meeting". We've voted to keep it NadaDada Motel forever at this point.

Anyway, about the museum show, simply put, the funding shrunk and what had just paid for the exhibition to travel down there and back is now not going to be possible.

I'm taking the weight of the blame because this has been my own project and this year I had the idea to do a homeless benefit, where a percentage of the proceeds would go to the homeless and artists would at least be able to pay for their materials.

The museum board ruled that 100% of the proceeds would have to go to charities and it would probably have to be a Vegas charity, not a Reno one.

I like to say "art is not a charity" for two reasons: I believe it's damaging for artists to think that the only way they can do things is by using grant money that's trickled down to them through my former employer and that system. Reason 2: Artists are constantly asked to give away their art for 'a cause'.

These points are at odds with what I've come to realize NadaDada's mission in the world is aligned with, which is Anarcho-Capitalism. We, as participating artists, are not funded by anyone, we are no organization.. (the tax man came 2 years ago and asked me "where's your permit?" and "how do you make money from this event?" My answer, we don't–there is no we, PISS OFF!

So anyway, it's all fallen through because the university's museum is not cool with the fact that artists should be paid for what they do, or at least they can't help us in that endeavor.

Personally, I'm just tired. I've gotta pay my own bills and to take on this project for a 3rd year for the benefit of others, it was not going to be worth it FOR ME. Exhibition space offered was cut in half by the director, so my own dream of uniting Reno artists with Vegas artists would not be happening either. Not enough space to include NadaDada participants and the Las Vegas community and the only way to get them involved down there would be to include Las Vegan artists.

So the reasons are complex, but in the end, it became a standstill, stand off or something. At this point, I'm hoping to inspire Vegas creatives to take up the cross and do what we're doing down in Sin City.

As museums close and private industry rises to challenges that public institutions used to engage in, I see hotels all across Nevada being filled with artists flocking here from across the nation, coming to party and show off with us.

[Ann Tracy]

Chad .... you have been remarkable to work with these past two years that I've known you... I like your idea about getting artists to do what you have started in Reno with NadaDada (like the idea that this is the name we will stay with). Dunna worry about the Barrick show... there will be better oportunities down the road if we all stay positive! Matter of fact, it might be big fun to participate in the Vegas version if it gets going...

I've had alot of interest here in Sacto about doing a version down here and am putting a proposal together for the local arts council to help with $ in promoting it as cultural tourism... which is one of the big catch phrases in the non-profit arts world right now...

a heartfelt thanks for all the work that you have done in years past.... now it's time for you to make yourself happy... go for it....

Ann

[Dave Cherry]

I second that!!!!!

[Cindy Gunn]

I agree with Ann, too. Lets go west.
By the way, was the art shown in previous shows for sale or just on exhibit?
Cindy

[Ronald Eller]

I'm with you Chad. I think you've done something quite remarkable. It's really hard to battle the system and also to be the front man of movement that has gotten far more traction than anyone has a right to expect. To me you are beyond incredible. I'm a homeboy and I know the climate. I worked as a graphic artist in the area for to many years and amazingly there was some very talented people who made a decent living feeding the casino's all the collateral they could eat. Promotions, billboards, and show changes kept the local design business's wheels a churning. I got to the point that I was choking to death on Neon and Glitter. I got out barely with my life. Just don't let them get you down. I plan to be there next year and if you need any help holler.

[Elaine Jason]

You have done soooooo much and I am very happy to have had the opportunity to be a 'member' of the nadadada community. This thing you started will never die. It will continue to grow and thrive in venues all over. Las Vegas can stick it. We don't need them. It was good at the Barrick for 2 years and you did so much work to make it happen. Now we go on to other things just as great, but you will always be the leader of the pack. Thanks so much for all your work. You are appreciated and I wish the best for you in the future.

[Elaine Parks]

Chad, No worries! Change is good anyway. It's time for something different. We all are grateful for all the work you've done.

[sorg]

thnx y'all.. I feel great now. on to other things and thnx for all the help with everything. Elaine–YOU! Ann Tracy, very helpful and got us in Via Mag which got us in the NY Times, Di was a big help and NeonJeff. Justin Crabtree down in Vegas has been a jewel and I still gotta thank Aurore and the Barrick staff for assisting and trusting us cornballs.

Kris Vagner, now in the bay are, was great and Dusty Hartman drove all the way from the border of fuckin' CANADA to help install (and share whisky with). Brian Burghart was a great man to have on board too.

Everybody else can piss off JUST KIDDING!!!! totally kidding. Every one is doing their lil' part and it's all of us making this thing so huge.

Thanks guys.