20 years ago I committed to being an artist in the Contemporary Art field/sphere. Replete with poor technical skills and paltry funds, I embraced a “medium” similar to empirical (spiritual) research. Of this initial, incipient period, a book—now known as James Earl Scones—came about, as did a solo show (Rivington Arms, NY). From there, I continued my research efforts, year in, year out.

20 years downstream, here I am. It’s been a good ride. But I don’t have much else to say about art. So I’m selling my art practice.* Doctors/ lawyers/accountants sell theirs—I’d like to do the same. I’m giving myself until mid-July to make the sale.†

If a sale: 1) I’m prohibited from being Darren Bader the [C]ontemporary [A]rtist; someone else assumes the position, performing it as they please. 2) My back catalog remains on record under distinct and relatively restrictive self-management (“the estate”). Several available works transfer to new Darren Bader (to be used/destroyed as preferred). 3) I can seek employment as something(/someone) else.

If no sale: I draw a line in the sand and start a new (creative) chapter.‡

Between June and now, I’ve picked up where I originally left off: JOURNALing. My 2003-04 journal was the marrow of [what became] James Earl Scones. I’m again finding it a useful form for what I care about as an art-ist.

TESTIMONIALS are just that. Innate Value is a SHOW I’d love to do, bringing 20 years to a fitting close. The BOOK I’m working on aims to have a different fit of close. (Perhaps two close[s] will become one.)

Inquiries welcome via CONTACT link.

Thanks for visiting,

Darren Bader

 

*For the record, “art practice” is a bizarre term, but I understand its utility.
† I have a legal contract drafted. It can be made available to potential buyers.§
‡ One idea I’ve had is signing a gallery contract (or two) functioning as sports contracts do: x years; trade/loan of artist possible; something similar to injury/training clauses; restrictions/compliance of all sorts; bonus incentives; etc.
§ How much is the practice? I haven’t arrived at a figure yet but expect it would be low 7s to ensure “the estate” can run well enough, taxes be paid, etc.

?

  • innate value

  • venue TBD; PDF as back-up:

  • aaronbader.com/ivnanlautee

?

| soon 2023 |

?
I know and love Darren since the (relative) dawn of time. In my capacity as an art historian, and since Darren’s story, as he mounts the scaffold, is now a story about names that start with D, I want to consider this final act of Darren’s conventional career in light of the ultimate D: DADA. The glow of Darren’s D is that of those bright-hearted warriors, too. Especially: Marcel D’s D. Darren's d’art is our dart, aimed at the heart of all that devouring decrepitude. Do purchase his corpse. – David Lewis, gallerist
Darren Bader’s work teeters on the phantom edge that ostensibly separates art from text. More precisely, Darren hides what might be his true medium—the customs and conventions of the art world—in the juxtaposition of objects and texts. The objects are often mundane and the texts are not always words, but Darren somehow combines and manipulates them to inter and exhume simultaneously those customs and conventions. Formally rigorous yet gleefully gnomic, it would not be hyperbole to describe Darren’s conceptual hijinks as underrated. – Dave Steiner, lawyer + artist
It’s amazing! Just watch how the Darren Bader slices, dices and reconfigures absurdity, diving deep down below the surface to attack the stain of art historical chauvinism. But wait, there’s much much more. The Darren Bader is also an endless source for reordering hierarchies, challenging notions of originality, pooh-poohing pomposity, confounding Internet influencers, hijacking literary devices…and it’s fun for the whole family. Order now and you’ll also receive an exclusive companion set of self-doubt, hipster cred, sardonic wit and low key melancholy. Operators (in one way or another) are standing by. – David Aaron Greenberg, artist + essayist
Stepping in goat shit was my first experience with Darren's artwork. Watching a 10 year old fortune cookie grow staler on my bookshelf is how to continue to experience his work every single day. I think of Darren’s artwork everytime I see a goat, eat lasagna, am poked with a syringe, see an architectural model, drink something orange, think of Tom Hanks, sue a magazine, or use a lawn mower/weed wacker. I love it. – David Berezin, artist
I’ve never met Darren Bader. Until recently I had no idea what he looks like. Over the years we’ve exchanged emails and DMs, but I’ve never met the guy. He made some great artists’ books. I own a few of them. I’ve enjoyed his gallery and museum shows. His brand of work is within my narrow wheelhouse—conceptual post-conceptualism monkey business. I hope whoever buys “Darren Bader” continues in the same spirt. Or, perhaps, not. – David Platzker, curator
After just one visit with Darren Bader, I never felt so young, so beautiful and so alive. Not only is Darren a brilliant aesthetic practitioner, he is a true, true artist. –David Colman, author
Buying a Darren Bader artwork was a very pleasant and gratifying experience. Although I didn’t have much experience purchasing art, and am not on the boards of any museums, the gallery was polite and guided me through the process. At the end of it all I was rewarded with a meet and greet with the artist when picking up the work’s certificate of authenticity. He even offered up some friendly tips on my new journey of fatherhood. – David Schoerner, artist + publisher
J’en rencontré Darren Bader à Athènes dans l’ascenseur de mon hôtel, je ne souviens plus en quelle année. Je ne me souviens pas non plus ce qui avait provoqué cette idée mais nous avions envisagé sur le moment d’échanger nos chambres d'hôtel. Après l’échange de nos chambres, irions-nous jusqu’à échanger nos vêtements, notre place aux diners de nos différentes galeries? Le contenu de nos expositions? Cette conversation a duré le temps de quelques étages et le projet est resté sans suite. Nos chemins se sont croisés plus souvent récemment. Le mois dernier, nous partagions un repas à Chinatown. Il a insisté pour que je reparte avec le reste des legumes verts: des bok choy cuits à la vapeurs avec une sauce aux huîtres que j’ai baladés tout l’après-midi à proximité des climatiseurs des galeries du sud de Manhattan. – Davide Balula, artist
What is truth? -Johnny Cash ... Where are we? What the hell is going on? -Imogen Heap ... He's a perfect stranger / Like a cross of himself and a fox -Neil Young ... You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em / Know when to walk away and know when to run -Kenny Rodgers ...Take this job and shove it / I ain't workin' here no more -David Allen Coe ... I am not a number I am a free man -Number Six (as performed by Patrick McGoohan) ... For ages 8 to adult –Previously-owned-by-Neil Young train model box (Thanks for that!) –Dave Muller, artist
?