J.C. Hudsears: Andy Krieger’s Holiday Show Room

Is a painting a highfalutin item? Is that how most people think of it? Like it’s for someone else. Why do people buy those damn Cezanne knock-off prints anyway? Why don’t they just buy art? Original art. It’s not like artists don’t need the cash. What if art was essential? Like water. Like the Super Bowl. What if we needed it like we need that vacuum or that shiny cast-iron pot or the “magic pillow?” What if we needed art as much as a kid needs to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him their greatest desires? What if we sold art like we sell Santa? Like we sold at the old Hudson department store. Would that be so bad? So what if there’s a little manipulation. A little magic. Admit it, sometimes you like it.

What if that kid, one day, actually whispered to Santa: ”I want an Andy Krieger original painting for that spot above my bed.” Would it still be art? Is Andy an elf?

Holy crap this is getting complicated.

Let’s cut to the chase. Andy Krieger is of the age where he has some pretty fond memories heading to Sears in Highland Park. Or the Santaland display at Hudson’s downtown. He got the J.C. Penny “wishbooks” and catalogs in the mail, and wanted to buy every thing up and was manipulated all along the way and loved every minute of it. And then he became an artist –– a pretty darn good one –– and could barely sell shit. Most folks don’t think of art as essential.

What that connection means for art and marketing and commerce and what we value is for you to decide, but make sure you do it at Public Pool during Andy Krieger’s J.C. Hudsears show! Andy is setting up a showroom featuring his very own intriguing, hand-crafted paintings and objects. Like wooden cereal boxes, briefcases, games and action figures. You bet they’re for sale!

You can wander in wide-eyed to experience it on your own. You may just be pitched or cajoled or laughed into buying something special just in time for the holidays. And, even if you walk away with nothing in hand, the wonder and accessibility and pure joy of art just may look a little different that day.

Don’t miss opening night on November 17th with strolling performances by Detroit’s own well-coiffed Barrettes and Traffic Jam beer.