MARKERS

Doron Polak - Curator and Artist, Markers Founder

 

Markers; a Project of Border-Crossing Art/ Art Mobilized by the Independent Artist - The spirit of Joseph Beuys, the mythical, unique artist who has so extensively influenced our generation, is clearly present in the “Markers” project of the Artists Museum. Beuys belonged to the international artists group Fluxus that also included Nam Jun Paik, Emmet Williams – who is now the Artists Museum’s Chairman – and Yoko Ono. The “Markers” exhibitions carry on Beuys’ teaching as it were and it is no wonder that independent and provocative artists, writers of prose and poetry , intellectuals of theater and film as well as visual artists and other creators noted for their social orientation- all of these share a stage for their creative message in “Markers”.

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On one of Leon Golub’s last evenings in his spacious New York studio – over tear, wine and figs, sitting beside his artist wife Nancy Spero (eternal young rebel) – my beloved teacher and friend and exemplary artist explained to me  why I should put aside my hard feelings towards the bureaucratic world of museums and galleries and go on moving the wheels of “Markers” and my other independent projects with the constant aim of getting together artists from faraway places, establish contacts through a new and direct language amongst artists even if they come from rival countries and peoples in conflict. We discussed at length the involvement of private businesses and commercial donors in art projects and the need for direct, non – righteous connection between genuine collectors and artists.

 

Leon Golub never hid his unequivocal appreciation for “Markers” exhibitions. He sincerely supported the efforts to initiate something young and innovative in the established art world.  > He was always there, willing to help wholeheartedly, and with Nancy Spero participated in all the initial projects. Like him were dozens of famous artists beside emerging artists, artists of rival countries, creators from distant countries and at times, artists whose work had been banned in their own countries for political reasons.

 

For the past 24 years, the “Markers” project has been running internationally, involving hundreds of artists the world over. The title “Markers” expresses the personal stamp of each and every artist, regardless of color, background, economic condition or art world. “Markers” offers a venue for every artist with an independent expression, to speak to the world of art, to present his/her work uncensored, without the need to demonstrate an orderly biography to inflated museum and gallery apparatuses. This is a direct project initiated by artists among themselves, carried out and produced independently by members of the International Artists' Museum.