Sniffing out pancakes…and undiscovered talent
Kylie Marsh
8th Feb 2024
THE SCENE
At 7pm on Friday, January 25th, patrons were lining up outside downtown Raleigh’s Lincoln Theater; many were excited friends and family members looking to support the artists who have their work and crafts on display inside.
Inside the Raleigh Pancakes & Booze art show, the smell of pancake batter hits the nostrils; then a hefty line snaking around the main floor full of attendees, sometimes blocking the pieces on display, eager to get a (free) plate comes into view. Past the bar, the main room is full of drywall panels adorned with a wide variety of work.
Amongst the mass of oil paintings taking up most of the panels, mixed media, photographs, and acrylic creations are also on display in the Theater’s two levels. In the center near the (empty) DJ booth are tables of stickers, candles, jewelry, and vintage clothing vendors.
THE ART
The only artist displaying 3D artwork, Atigre Xia, began designing virtual art during a bout of boredom at the beginning of the pandemic.
Of the three pieces displayed, one stands out. It features an African woman looking wistfully past the viewer. Her eyes are milky pools from which glistening tears adorn her cheeks. Reminiscent of Catholic images of the Virgin Mary, a crown of golden rays radiates from her head. Instead of porcelain skin, her skin is a shiny, rich brown, and instead of being veiled in clouds with cherubs in a blue sky, she is spotlighted against a dark, abyssal background.
Xia’s parents instilled in her a pride in African culture from a young age. In her work, one can see her attempts to discover herself through African culture and spirituality. Her original characters are inspired by Orishas, or West African Gods.
For many, the early years of the pandemic were times of heavy loss and mourning. This was a source of inspiration for Xia’s next project. It will roll music production, poetry, screenwriting, fashion design and 3D design all into one.
Another artist whose work stands alone is I Am Mapping the Universe, who was handing out black light flashlights and 3-D glasses to guests. One look at his art under normal lights and it becomes clear why. The works she showed appear to be mostly bare pieces of paper with very faint markings of colored pencils. Under the black light, these designs become otherworldly.
The abstract images almost jump off the page, only to be highlighted more with the glasses which make them come alive and give them slight movement. One piece in particular shows short lines, dashes, dots and rounded windows of oranges, yellows and greens which makes the viewer feel as though they’re a passenger in a spaceship just as it’s launched into hyper speed.
His innovative designs of neon pencils under black light came out of experimentation when he was trying to resolve artist’s block. Contrary to the assumption, Josh isn’t a big clubber, and didn’t imagine his work having a home in the night scene.
Dasean Burnette, also known as Dasean Ultra, is a Durham native whose colourful, chaotic and cartoony works are mashup of styles and influences, like Taiwanese-American artist James Jean and Adult Swim cartoon Superjail.
One can tell that Burnette has a strong eye for composition and iconographic elements, as he is formally trained in graphic design. Burnette says he “tends to hide in plain sight,” as he got his start painting murals and setting up framed prints around Durham. Now, he continues to network with other artists to discover himself through creation.
THE EVENT
Visitors cannot pretend the struggle between commodity and artistic expression are not in your face at artists markets, especially at a show like Pancakes & Booze.
The show sets the bar high with its marketing scheme: “This ain't no snoozefest, highfalutin art show for the elite. It's a revolutionary, balls-to-the-wall reimagining of the art experience,” the website boasts. Pretty tall order for newcomers and skeptics, especially since a quick Google search brings up some dated reviews.
The show purports to mix a high-energy nightlife experience with a visual art exhibition as an opportunity to give exposure to local up-and-comers. It’s a multi-disciplinary art show that started in LA in 2009 and has traveled to over forty cities in Europe and North America since.
The site’s testimonials section says it’s a valuable networking experience on top of an artist market. Are there art-lovers in the Triangle looking to boost artists to fame and glory, or even collect original one-of-a-kind pieces?
What the show does deliver is showcasing local talent. Pay-to-play markets like this one are common for artists looking to start their careers and get exposure, especially entrepreneurs of color. Amongst this group, a patron could find some of the most unique and innovative pieces in the show. Pieces were priced by artists, so items ranged from $3 to upwards of $500.
One pro is that the space is tight, so everywhere you look, you can see something new. The con is that gatherings of socializing attendees can frequently obscure the art. Stopping to take the works in can often cause traffic jams, making anxious viewers hastily move on out of courtesy. Lincoln Theatre has no ramps or elevators in the venue, so it’s not the most accessible for people with mobility needs. The venue was also standing room only, and the tight space would not have accommodated tables (for a $75 fee) or chairs.
After being accepted, artists must submit at least $15 to exhibit. If payment is submitted by a certain deadline, two-pieces can be displayed for free. However, a free option is a small box or bin on the floor to offer prints or sketchbooks for viewers to flip through.
The event drew a healthy crowd of people who are passionate about art. But there was a bit of palpable anxiety in the room as artists were looking for sales. The crowd died around 11pm, where the only people left were the artists themselves. Many packed up and left early, possibly suspecting they wouldn’t be cashing in that night.
Events like this bring to the surface the war between commodity and art. This is not to say that art cannot be mass-produced. Originals are less accessible, but to many, mass production devalues the meaning of the work. Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans” come to mind. However, one may argue that Warhol’s works exemplified how every individual piece has its own unique qualities that subtly distinguish them from the rest.
Catch Pancakes & Booze in the Triangle next year for a fresh new lineup of local artists.
