Yalos Foundation presents a show about shows: it includes twenty-five show proposals by Dmitry Borshch with images that accompanied them. He identifies the proposal, specifically for a visual arts show but this identification is extendable to other kinds – theater, dance, fiction book proposals – as a genre that may be elevated into literary art by its writer's talent or remain subliterary, "functional" writing. Obviously the function is to be accepted by whoever would host the show. All twenty-five proposals (English, Russian, a few Ukrainian) were accepted and quoted in the host's electronic news release where quotes from interviews with the artist may also be included. He views such e-releases as potentially a literary genre. An artist's or writer's interview is another genre with potential for literariness, according to him. Proposals in this show are rendered calligraphically on pink, grayish, sometimes white sheets of paper. Some accompanying images will be displayed on a sixty-inch display at the Foundation's gallery.

"'Proposal' is too abstract a category to be recognized as a genre," says Dmitry, "one for a visual arts show is concrete enough to warrant such recognition. If very different from proposals for other kinds of artistic effort, I would call it a subgenre but it's not. One could define art proposals as 'featured' communications addressing events that recur, like 'open calls' for proposal submission. Features of what is proposed are defined by the calling, accepting side and often rigidly. Each proposal is word-limited (no more than five hundred words are accepted by an influential non-profit space in Manhattan, apexart), space-limited (your show must fit into available square footage), time-limited (that gallery may only be able to host you for one month next fall), theme- and style-limited (your themes, style may not fit a gallery's program). Yet within these rigid limitations, plus those imposed on show budgets, art is possible..." 

He continues, "The heart of any proposal is a show idea or thesis, maybe the most creative form of writing on visual arts, heightened by a talented writer to poetry in prose, less talented ones may write it like an abstract / summary of a research article. It's primary literature while much of visual art writing (reviews, catalog essays, even theory) is secondary literature, words following pictures. Theoretical writings never directly precede the making of art unless their writer is an artist who uses them as guidance when he makes his artwork which is exceptional, rare. Otherwise artists use those writings in whatever manner they are deemed useful. If an artist conceives a show in written or expressed orally form and works it out according to that conception, then his (oral) literature is called primary. I hope to be making this type of conceptual art, which some place above other types."

"Besides the idea, a show's heart – described in context, including possibly a description of gaps it fills, something worthy and unique not shown before – what are the identifiable elements of show proposals?" Dmitry further asks. "They include: how this show fits into a gallery program, would be staged and the proposer's qualifications for that; his biography, those of others involved if a group show is being proposed; its goal and consequences, hoped-for impact on the viewer; maybe a funds request, naming of other funders who promised a donation. Some of these elements may be realized through, not only accompanied by, images – photographs of drawings, paintings, sculptures." 

The artist ends by commenting on how important this genre is, "If shows are heartbeats of the contemporary art world, show proposals are impulses that make its heart beat," then adds, "Between a proposal's goal fulfillment which obviously is acceptance by a host and its literariness there is a considerable disconnect: it may be literary and not accepted, or the opposite." 

This meta show will happen at Yalos Foundation, a private art foundation located in Yalta, Russia / Ukraine, with support from that city's Institute of Philology, History and Arts. Dmitry Borshch, who has collaborated with Russian American Cultural Center for twelve years, was born in Dnipropetrovsk, studied in Moscow, today lives in New York, Dnipro, and Ramat Gan. His works have been exhibited at Russian American Cultural Center (New York), HIAS (New York), Consulate General of the Russian Federation (New York), Lydia Schukina Institute of Psychology (Moscow), Contemporary Art Centers (Voronezh, Almaty), Museums of Contemporary Art (Poltava, Lviv). More exhibitions can be found in the Brooklyn Arts Council registry: http://archive.is/ClMDa

"On the genre status and literariness of art show proposals"
Parkovyi proezd, dom 2, Yalta, Respublika Krym 

May 17, 10 am – June 18, 6 pm
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, free admission

Please write to racc.ny@mail.ru or call (347) 662 1456  
The artist is available for interviews