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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Visual Art RIP, BLVD?

Posted by Jen Graves on Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 3:36 PM

I just learned that BLVD Gallery in Belltown is closing at the end of this year. The final show at the gallery's current location is actually not put on by the gallery itself, but but another entity called Red Star Press, and it's an exhibition of graffiti and "urban artists" from China.

This designation "urban artists" and "urban art"—BLVD's stated purview—I have never been particularly clear about or interested in, but I really like the man who runs this gallery, Damion Hayes, and I realize it's sacrilege to say this, but I think he has a more interesting roster of artists at this point than Roq la Rue, of which BLVD is an offshoot. I'm totally saddened to hear he's struggling, and I hope the economy won't swallow BLVD whole. It may simply relocate, Hayes wrote in an email:

We are putting the gallery on hiatus as we look for a new space perhaps on Capitol Hill or down in the Square. Belltown is just not a good environment for retail right now. I will be putting those Ron English posters up real soon and will let you know when that happens.

This Is China! (again, at BLVD but not a BLVD production) opens Friday, 6 to 9 pm.

You might remember this artist and train lover from a few months ago on Slog—or simply from walking around in Belltown, where he left his mark during his gallery show.

Comments (4) RSS

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Fuck taggers.

Posted by Greg on December 9, 2008 at 4:13 PM

Strange(er). I just thought of BLVD for some reason today and went to their website to see what was going on only to find that they were closing too. Never got a chance to go there but I've been wanting to.

Posted by Adam Griffin on December 9, 2008 at 4:53 PM

Not missing much Adam. Just uncomfortable openings and a notch above Garde Rail shows. Always unfinished, always lacking any clear message, just pretty sloppy pictures, big eyed girls, splatters, monsters etc...Who cares??

Posted by MBarney on December 9, 2008 at 6:16 PM

Damion is one of the nicest, most talented and underrated guys in town. I remember when we both had visions of opening our own galleries back in the days when we were crafting things at I (heart) Rummage - and we finally did!
I'm sorry to hear about BLVD but I was always surprised he didn't get more credit for the talent he introduced to Seattle. it sucks when people discount a whole genre of art with nasty comments and I think its brave and innovative to have that kind of dedication to a style that isn't all that welcome in town.
It has an undeniable worldwide appeal that at least gets people discussing it pro or con and that's really what contemporary art is for.
Here's an open invitation to Damion and crew to come by to possibly guest curate at Vermillion because fellow entrepreneurs are awesome in my book.

Posted by Diana on December 9, 2008 at 10:08 PM