Java.April.2017

conversation about contemporary art goes silent
because they don’t associate us with anything, and
that is a problem,” says Vetter.
As an immediate response to this problem, Vetter
is doing his best to write critically about Arizona
art, putting it in the context of the larger art world.
He goes on to say, “We have all of these incredible
producers [artists], but they’re all over the Valley, and
it takes time to find them one by one.” While on the
hunt for local artists, another tactic Vetter uses to
gain attention outside the state is to curate shows
that include artists from other cities. His current
exhibition, Abstraction in the Singular at Bentley
Projects, includes nationally known artists and underrecognized
local artists in a painting survey that rivals
anything you would see in L.A. or New York. Shows
like these will generate press outside the state and
make people curious about what is happening here
in Phoenix.
Vetter is also an artist himself. Art world luminaries
such as Lucie Lippard and Kay Saatchi have
selected his paintings for exhibitions. He has shown
internationally and received several awards. Since
moving to Tempe, his painting career has been on
pause until he feels that the art scene here has
taken hold. As an artist, he wants to enjoy the same
benefits that he’s helping other artists to achieve
in their careers. When I asked him if he is currently
making art, his response was enthusiastic. “Yes,
absolutely, writing is creative! Moving to Phoenix
has felt more creative than any other time in my life.
Every day is a series of crises that need to be solved
creatively and not bureaucratically.”
While on the topic of using creativity to solve
problems, I asked Vetter if he thought that art could
save us from the “control society” he refers to in his
book. His response took on a serious tone: “I think
it has to.” He explained, “We can’t carry on with
the current mode of production because it wastes
resources and turns the planet into a big dump. I
think that the only mode where the planet survives,
where we survive, is the artistic mode of production.
Artists can initiate change on all levels through
experiments in rethinking things like urbanism, the
environment, et cetera.”
Setting the stage for a thriving contemporary art
scene is no easy task, but when you believe that
art can change the world, it becomes a passion and
a way of life. As a call to action, Vetter says, “We
have dynamic people in town that want something
to happen here. There is a huge changing of the old
guard in our museums. All of us interested in where
we fit into the puzzle have a chance to find our place
and use our strengths while things are being stirred
up. I’d love to see people jump in and do it!” The
Phoenix metro area art scene is rising again. It’s time
to show the world what we’ve got.
Grant Vetter, Untitled, oil on canvas, 18” x 24”
Grant Vetter, De Rerum Natura, oil on canvas over panel, 30” X 36”
JAVA 11
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