The Artist is often imagined as a solitary figure creating works of the imagination that stand on their own when shared with a public that they remain separate from.
That is a fiction. The last year of isolation has made me keenly aware of how much Art in all its forms – Visual, theater, film, music, dance – are collaborative mediums. Even the solo artist needs the support of friends, colleagues, family as well as an audience to affirm and interact with the work.
This is just one reason that the last year has been particularly tough on artists everywhere. And it is among the reasons that this year’s Herb Alpert Award in the Arts (HAAIA) are so important.
Clockwise from L to R: Lani Hall Alpert, Herb Alpert, CalArts President Ravi Rajan, Herb Alpert ... [+]
Photo credit: Shawn Connell Studio, Courtesy of Herb Alpert AwardsThis is the 27th year that musician, artist, and philanthropist Herb Alpert and his wife vocalist Lani Alpert working through their Herb Alpert Foundation have made awards to mid-career artists who are innovators in five artistic fields (Dance, Film/Video, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts) with an unrestricted award of $75,000 and a residency at CalArts. As Herb Alpert is fond of saying, “I’ve always loved the artists that travel the road less traveled.”
“What a difference a year makes,” Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation said in online remarks talking of a year of terrible loss and struggles as we move from relief to recovery.
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Over its history there have been 140 Award winners. Past winners include such highly regarded artists as Taylor Mac, Michelle Dorrance, Kerry James Marshall, Sharon Lockhart, Carrie Mae Weems, Arthur Jafa and Christian Scott a Tunde Adjuah.
Normally, there is one recipient per discipline. However, due to the pandemic, last year and this year 10 awards were given (2 per discipline).
Raji Ravan, CalArts president, noted at the online presentation that, “By doubling the number of recipients, this year's outsize effort ensures that the Award amplifies even more voices of artists often unheard. Thank you Herb and Lani for all you do for artists."
2021 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts winners
Courtesy of the Herb Alpert FoundationThis year’s awards went to artists Beth Gills and Will Rawls in the Dance category; Kahil Joseph and Adam Khalil in Film/Video; Toshi Reagon and David Virelles in Music; Kimber Lee and Kaneza Schaal in Theater; and Steffani Jemison and Tanya Lukin Linklater in the Visual Arts.
Irene Borger, Director of HAAIA Director said of this year’s award winners: “Singular as they are, the ten winners this year share several qualities: they are adventurous experimenters, are attentive to the relationship between maker and receiver, and set in motion a counter force to the issues and absences of our time.”
The panels choosing the awardees are made up of three panelists for each discipline, all highly regarded Arts professionals who are, increasingly, former HAAIA recipients, such as panelists Nora Chipaumire in Dance; Renee Tajima-Peña in Film/Video; Courtney Bryan, Vijay Iyer and Miya Masaoka in Music, Dan Hurlin in Theater; and Emily Jacir and Michael Rakowitz in Visual Arts.
Two years ago, on the 25th Anniversary of the HAAIA, the Herb Alpert Foundation held a gala evening in New York with many of the past awardees and panel members in attendance with speeches and performances. Last year, however, due to the pandemic, the ceremony was held online. This year, it remained online.
I will say that as someone who has been fortunate to attend several of these ceremonies, doing so in person is a unique experience. Rarely, if ever, does one get to sit and share a meal with such creative and talented people – by which I mean Herb Alpert and Lani Hall. And yes, also with such An outstanding collection of panelists and award winners, geniuses all, each in their own way. It is always an emotional, uplifting and inspiring experience.
We have come over the last year to appreciate the advantages of Online events. They can add a certain intimacy and provide a relief from pretention (particularly as to how we dress or look). It can be a treat to see the artists at home, and for those who might not be able to travel to California to see them online.
After the last year, we know that Art does not stop in a time of pandemic or isolation. Nor should supporting artists. The commitment shown by the Herb Alpert Awards for the Arts and the Herb Alpert Foundation is all the more necessary and powerful. They are creating community for artists when it is most needed. We, the public, will reap the benefit of these artist’s creations for years to come. That is priceless and, for that, both the artists and their audiences should be grateful to Herb and Lani Alpert, Rona Sebastian and Irene Borger.
Personally, I can’t wait to tell them so in person next year.
The Link LonkMay 28, 2021 at 02:23AM
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Herb Alpert Awards Double Down During Pandemic: Ten Award Winners Announced In Online Event - Forbes
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