The Annual ICA San José Benefit Art Auction November 5th, 2022

What this is about is the importance of Art! What I found about this event is to be a beautiful home, welcoming, and Art surrounded me on every wall! The highly anticipated November 5th, 2022 Annual Benefit Art Auction Hosted by the Institute of Contemporary Art San José at the old Institute of Contemporary Art San José 451 South 1st Street San Jose, CA 95113. 

I arrived on time and the woman who checked me in was kind enough to fix the hook on my blouse because it was getting tangled in my hair and I couldn’t move my head. I was given two really cool tote bags and inside were the descriptions of the art to be auctioned.

It’s been years since such a wonderful group of people were together, welcoming, introducing themselves, and making sure everyone felt comfortable. 

You know the Song by Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine” And the first verse. Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone. It’s not warm when she’s away. Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, and she’s always gone too long, anytime she goes away. Wonder this time where she’s gone? Wonder if she’s gone to stay? Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, and this house just ain’t no home anytime she goes away. https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxjk6_J-5hlwGt1KNhQpMsRvS-AphyEZRL

Bill Withers was inspired to write the song after watching the 1962 movie Days of Wine and Roses. The film depicts the downward spiral of two everyday Americans, played by Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick, who succumb to alcoholism and attempt to deal with their problems.

“She” in this event is the art! I firmly believe that “Fine Art needs a Home and a Home needs Fine Art.” ©

The highly anticipated 42nd, 2022 Annual Benefit Art Auction offers unique opportunities for art enthusiasts and collectors to view and acquire contemporary artwork by rising stars and celebrated artists whose work reflects vibrant, eclectic styles and interests.

According to the ICA San José’s executive director James G Leventhal, “Participation in the ICA San José Benefit Art Auction brings more art into your life, and the lives of others.” Leventhal also mentions the importance of “foregrounding the voices of the artists,” noting the title of this year’s auction, “In Their Own Words…,” adding, “As we start to share works, through email and on our social media channels, we will also be sharing the artists’ statements of purpose.”

“We are here to support art and artists, as integral to our overall cultural health,” says Leventhal. “Please know that most purchases directly benefit the artists, with several participating artists choosing the 50% of proceeds to artists option,” he notes.Focusing on the overall mission of the ICA San José, Leventhal says that, “Through supporting the ICA, together we create a welcoming, shared space for San Joseans, tourists and the entire Bay Area to present art of our times. The ICA’s programs and exhibitions that explore the positive potential of artistic practice draw attention to issues that impact our communities, affect change, and focus on communal betterment.”

Tachiya, a younger woman who works at ICA, made it very special for me. Tachiya came right up to me and said, “Hi, how are you doing?” We went on to talk about how important art is, and her passion for art, specifically Prison Art. ICA had hosted earlier in the year an event with Jesse Krimes Art. I knew of the returning citizen from Pennsylvania and the back story on how he was able to get his art of Prison. Art from Prison is a very difficult task to get to the Public.

I very much wanted to attend this event because I am honored to exhibit and exclusively sell the art of prison artist Donald “C-Note” Hooker. Donald “C-Note” Hooker A Poet, Playwright, Performer and an important emerging artist. C-Note is a poet, playwright, performing artist, award winning visual artist, and is known as the King of Prison Hip Hop. His works have either been exhibited, performed, recited, or sold, from Alcatraz to Berlin. In 2017, Google Search listed him in their search results, as both America’s, and the world’s most prolific prisoner-artist.

C-Note states, “becoming known is a daunting task for any artist, difficult at best; but especially so, when you are walled off from the rest of the world. Every prisoner artist faces an overwhelming task for their work to be seen over the prison wall. With the advent of arts-in-corrections, prisoners are being taught by career professionals in the arts. Prisoners are now given certificates, awards, and other laudatory chronos from respected cultural organizations, including Universities. Would this type of information impact your view on this walled-off segment in our Society? Such information could be made useful to parties on both sides of the prison wall.”

I concur! I hear people say, “there’s a lot of talent behind the walls!” IF THEY ONLY KNEW! And, I feel like singing, “I Know, I Know, I Know, I Know, I Know!”

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxFEJT9dzb7GFH7yG2bQLGAjI53bGZREK7

I started to write to C-Note, through the Wire of Hope and admired his intellect, art, and most of all his focus. He’s focused. So much that I was able to install two art exhibitions in Silicon Valley in 2021 and early 2022.  A culture of discontent has been exploiting our innocence rather than elevating it towards our better Angels. Cynicism and pessimism has been exasperated by COVID, and has been choking the air all around. I want us to reimagine the world where Hope and Beauty flourish. “I wanted to use Art from a powerful and soulful artist to exhibit my theme.

Art tells us the plain truths about life. And sometimes it just kills me not to see the beautiful things or hear a simple melody, and to know that not all of us are so lucky to have this in our lives. C-Note’s Art reminds us we are all mothers, other mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces and have beauty and dignity.

“Look Up!” 2 Hope & Beauty is based on his 2015 Digital work, Colored Girl Warholed. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1962 Four Marilyns, Colored Girl Warholed uses C-Note’s 2009, Colored Girl. 

Droning the Look Up! 2 Art Exhibition

This picture of Gigi on the Beach spoke to me – that is what art does! It was sold at the auction!

This will be my home away from home and no-one will have to wonder where “she” went and I plan to stay! A total of 54 work’s found new homes!

The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is an energetic art space located in downtown San Jose dedicated to making contemporary art accessible and exciting to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Exhibitions are presented in three galleries that display the most current, relevant and often challenging art from the region, the nation and the world.

Programs and exhibitions at the ICA are made possible thanks to generous support from the City of San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs; along with significant support from Applied Materials, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; along with additional support from SVCreates.

Catcha ya later, my friends.

Be sure to click over to the Home Page to check out the over 200 Art Museum Quality prints for sale by C-Note.

anna@adsmith.broker

I am a Fine Art and Real Estate Broker with 40 years of experience in all aspects of the Real Estate Industry. A member of the National Association of REALTORS®. I advocate for Prison Artist C-Note. With the right wall art, your room will go from functional to functionally enchanting. Contact me for your Fine Art & Real Estate problems.