It is the last month for the 10th Northwest Biennial at the Tacoma Art Museum, which runs through May 20th. Sure, nearly every institutional attempt at surveying a region's art production tells you more about that institution strengths and weaknesses than the art of that time and place, falling into at least one of several predictable missteps. (Also apologies, despite my best efforts I'm in this exhibition as an artist as well.) So it definitely isn't perfect. In this case the TAM show is too full but it does one thing that none of the recent spate of institutional survey shows have attempted... it has a coherent curatorial criteria, exploring the theme of multi-disciplenary art. Apparently, it helps having a consistent curator who is tasked with making the exercise intellectually viable? Novel idea! So for once this one isn't focused on "whittling" as a Northwest art staple and explores those who explore by crossing different disciplines and strategies.

What's more there more artists from Portland in it than any other city (once again that's if you are deluded enough to consider me an artist). I know, I know... nobody makes a goal of being big in Tacoma but Portland should pay a little more attention to this.

It even has some inspired related programming with the Hide/Seek show the next gallery over... so if you are interested in contemporary art, now is clearly the best time to plan a visit.

Below are a series of video interviews with Portland artists in the show (mind you these were mostly shot during or just after a day of installing):







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpYnJcsXJP8&list=UUOuk1_zjwMepRNGS46G2Ltw&index=15&feature=plcp








Last but not least TJ (you have more friends and I want people to scan through them all).

Also, what's the deal with no Portland media sources besides PORT even paying attention to this? (something we always do) Seriously, I can't do everything... (esp. since I'm in it). Designed by architect Antoine Predock TAM is the coherently contemporary museum architecture in the Northwest so it is worth the trip for that alone.