From Jerry Saltz in the comments page of New York Magazine’s site about his favorite paintings in New York City:
- Dear Readers,
Thanks for reading this column about my favorite paintings in New York museums.
Do you have an inner art-critic dying to get out and get published? Maybe I can help. I’m expanding this article into a book: “An Art-Critic Pick his 100 Favorite Paintings in New York Museums.’ 100 100-word entries. 100 ‘guest’ artists to pick 1-painting & write 100-word entry. Some ‘guest’ critics, curators, dealers, etc.
This is where YOU come in. If you’re up for it & understand there’s NO MONEY in this WHATSOEVER, take a crack at writing 100 words about a favorite painting of yours that is CURRENTLY in a New York Museum.
Conditions:
1. No more than 100 words. No exceptions. Anything over will not be read (you can do it in 35 words if you want.
2. Do not use the word “I.” This is not about you; it is about the art.
3. Keep it simple. Don’t use jargon. Write so your grand-parents who don’t know art would understand.
4. Describe what this work does; why it does this; and HOW IT LOOKS.
5. Don’t natter on about how “beautiful” or “scary” the painting is. Those words mean very different things to different people.
6. All entries must be signed.
7. Write as many entries as you like.
8. Post your entry in THIS COMMENT thread.
9. It is OK to write on paintings that others have already written on.
10. All entries are subject to editing.
11. I will read entries over the next 12 months. BE PATIENT.
That’s it. You’d be surprised how once you’re in touch with your inner-art critic how thrilling it is to try to CLEARLY impart to others WHY something turns you on. If your entry is used in the book you’ll be given a by-line. NO MONEY! But that’s the art-criticism business. Hah!
Thank you,
Jerry Saltz