The smell of acrylics, the roar of the crowd — last night’s Art Battle 17 at the Great Hall was a blast! If you’ve never been and are not familiar with the concept, Art Battle is loosely modeled after a poetry slam where pre-selected painters and wildcard hopefuls go head-to-head for prizes and bragging rights.
Painter Anthony Smerek opted for a portrait of the late Jack Layton
I stayed for the first two rounds and was bowled over by the buzz in the room. The painting is intense with the artists getting only 20 minutes to complete a canvas. When time is called the audience is invited to cast a single vote for their favorite work. The two painters with the most votes go on to compete again in the final round. Paintings are sold via silent auction with the house taking half the proceeds, like any dealer: unsold works that fail to achieve the $75 minimum bid are ceremonially destroyed.
As the artists work, the audience keeps tabs on their progress by constantly circling the central painting platform in both directions. It’s a little dizzying but eminently convivial. DJ holotape kept the room vibrating. I highly recommend the experience. Stay tuned for Art Battle 18.
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