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International DIgital Art Awards 2003 Exhibition

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Executive Chair: steve danzig
Director: Wayne J Cosshall

LOVE IS COLOR BLIND
By 2003 IDAA Principal Juror
Laurence Gartel

What a difference a year makes. Last year we were all living under the cloud of the world under siege. I think many of us still have not recovered. It is indeed a different world we live in today. I think many are suffering from anxiety and we don’t know what to expect next or who’s waiting for us around the corner. What will be tomorrow? I think we are all just still so in shock. The news of today doesn’t look any brighter either. All we hear about is war. If not Iraq its North Korea. What ever happened to Osama Bin Laden? Was he just the first act before the main performance? One has to wonder.

Okay. So what does this have to do with the IDAA and this years judging and
the winning entries? – Actually lots of things. This year’s entries were much more emotive. Mixed with both abstraction and surrealism, it seemed like people wanted to express things that were more heartfelt than realistic. Almost like an escapism of sorts. Artists are the first ones to put their thoughts to paper just like many musicians wrote emotional songs rather than the typical “la dee daa.” Lets face it, the only way to heal through terror is to work out your thoughts and feelings. This was clearly exemplified in this year’s submissions.

Before I get into the winning selections I'd first like to acknowledge the jurors. – They voted with their hearts. There was a discussion that the IDAA was a panel that consisted of all men. Therefore women artists wouldn’t get their due, and they would be once again living under a "Glass Ceiling".

Just visit any major art fair and see how many men exhibit their work vs. women. The results are overwhelmingly dominated by men. The IDAA does not discourage anyone from entering, nor are they discriminatory by race, creed, color, religion, etc. No body’s name is attached to the entries the judges have to vote on. They just look at the art. The surprise results this year is that the three (3) TOP WINNERS were all women based on the mostly all male jury. Nobody gave it a second thought whether anyone was one thing or another. The judges wanted to look at art that spoke to them, that moved their emotions. The results were truly consistent with the above statement of how we are all feeling today. – “Angst”. The winning award by Karin Kuhlman of Germany, is a bright star, we all gave it high accolades because we believe that that piece gives us hope and brightness. We loved it.

Second prize by Carmen Isabel Lizardo’s work speaks right to us. I believe that is exactly what we are all feeling one way or another. I understand I speak for the group and others may have different feelings, but in my mind’s eye and my heart, the piece is filled with terrific sensation. The same can be said of Dorothy Simpson Krause’s work. I am delighted to know that Dorothy’s work won a top placement. Ms.Krause is an “old timer” (and I hope she doesn’t mind my saying that either.) Someone who keeps making good art throughout her career. It should be noted that many early pioneers of digital art like Dorothy made electronic art by experimenting with all sorts of methods. Photoshop didn't just show up at her door step one day. She made things happen by working out processes. This should be duly noted and applauded.

The IDAA winners are congratulated for their efforts in forging ahead in art and aesthetics at a time when many people would rather put their head in the sand. Risk takers all of them. I am happy to say that their wasn’t one propaganda piece of artwork, ...nothing “safe,” but rather works that came from emotional stimulus. I believe the jury made the best choices which represent our current climate.

The world evolves. Lets see what next year brings us all. May it be more love.