The MAC announces
the 14th Annual August Membership Exhibition

“Gastronomia | erótica y estimulante”  

The MAC Calls for Artist Member Submissions of works that evoke the essential nature of food and drink as a part of human existence for the 14th Annual August MAC Membership Exhibition, August 2 – August 31, 2008.

The MAC | The McKinney Avenue Contemporary calls for submissions for its annual membership show. Exhibition dates are currently set for August 2, 2008 beginning with a gala reception.  The Exhibit will close August 31, 2008.

The Annual Membership Exhibition is one of the cornerstones of the spirit and mission of the MAC – providing a place for creative expression and freedom and a vigorous dialogue between artists and patrons of the arts. The 2008 Membership Exhibition may also include several collaborative works that will focus the creative energy of a group of artists.

Liliana Bloch, MAC Director Pro Tem states, “2008 at the MAC has been marked by a fresh and invigorating energy as evidenced by the outstanding response to our first two exhibits of the year. I believe this Annual Membership Exhibition has the possibility of being one of the most stimulating Membership Exhibitions to date. Food has been the subtext for love and war throughout recorded history. Are we the masters of the table or is food seducing us? Undoubtedly the artist view will be very diverse!”

The inspiration for the 14th Annual Membership Exhibition is the interconnectedness of art, the anthropology of food and drink and its link to the sustenance and celebration of life and its mysteries. The experience and the art of gastronomy have inspired scores of artists, writers and filmmakers.  It is in the spirit of Laura Esquivel’s poignant and memorable 1992 novel and screenplay “Como Agua Para Chocolate” (“Like Water for Chocolate” ) and the artful, personal essays of M.F.K. Fisher, the writer whose work created a new literary genre that the MAC challenges it’s artist members to produce art that evokes the inextricably intertwined elements of life, death, love, food and drink.

M. F. K. Fisher, wrote in her book "The Gastronomical Me" : "People ask me, Why do you write about food, and eating and drinking? Why don't you write about the struggle for power and security, and about love, the way others do. The easiest answer is to say that, like most humans, I am hungry. But there is more than that. It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others. So it happens that when I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and the hunger for it."

Eligibility

All persons with memberships valid through September 2008 are eligible to submit a work. Entrants must be or become members of the McKinney Avenue Contemporary at the time of submission.  Membership applications and information about Membership Benefits can be acquired at the MAC – 3120 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 752040  or www.the-mac.org. A One (1) Year Artist / Student Membership is $30.

Member Artist Submissions & Requirements
Each artist can submit only one (1) work either visual, performance art or literary reading, but could also participate in one (1) collaborative work.
 
Visual Art
Visual Art (2-D, 3-D and Electronic Media) cannot exceed 2 feet in any dimension and must be ready to install on date of delivery.

Performance Art / Literary Readings
Performance Art and Literary Readings will be presented during the opening reception on August 2nd.

Collaborative Works in the New Works Space
Please contact the MAC to obtain the criteria for participation and guidelines for Collaborative Works. ( 214.953.1212 or macmembership@the-mac.org)

Submission Criteria

Work that does not comply with these requirements will not be accepted. The MAC will not refund membership fees to those that have not complied with the submission guidelines.
 
1. All works must be labeled with the following information:
- Artist First and last name
- Title and date of work
- Indication of top of image if necessary for visual art
- Work must have been produced within the 12 months prior to the show.
- Work must not have been previously shown at the MAC.
- Dimensions of work, completed size, not to exceed 2’ in any dimension.

2. Caption Sheet
Include 2 copies of a caption sheet with your name, address and contact information at the top left of the page.  Do not use any staples on caption sheets.
 
The Caption Sheet List should include:
- Title
- Date of Work
- Dimensions of Finished Work
- Medium
- Brief Captions or explanatory notes of work.
- Pricing if the work is for sale
 

Notification and Return of Work

The MAC will provide a time and date after the close of the exhibition for all works to be collected either by the submitting artist. The MAC requests that artists who sell their work as a result of the show arrange separately for the delivery of the work to the buyer. Pick-up dates will be Monday September 1, 11:00am-9pm and Tuesday September 2 from 9am to 5pm.

Liability

The MAC is not responsible for the loss or damage of works while in transit. MAC reserves the right to reproduce accepted works to Membership Exhibition on the MAC website and in any Membership Show advertising or collateral associated with the exhibition. Submission of work to the exhibit indicates acceptance of conditions stated above.