For the summer of 2010, I propose installing the first ever artist-created frisbee golf course around the grounds of Byrdcliffe.
What is frisbee golf? Well, first off, it's mostly called disc golf. Secondly, it's wildly popular all over the country, and third, here's an example of a hole being played:
For more information, I suggest you peruse the Professional Disc Golf Association official website: http://www.pdga.com/
Fine. Now what is High Art Frisbee golf? This will be the first time ever that artists have designed holes for this growing sport, so it's up to us to define.
Here's how I see it working: artists will create sculptures that can be strapped to trees. Each one will be designed and installed by an artist chosen by a famous guest juror.
Still confused? Here are some mock-ups done in the style of various artists: (click on the image to see it larger)
Q&A
Q: Won't it hurt the trees?
A: Each sculpture would be strapped to the tree in such a way that when removed, there will be no trace that it was there. There will be a protective shield to keep the tree's bark from being struck by the frisbees.
Q: Won't the frisbees hurt the bark of the tree?
A: Didn't I just answer that? The frisbees shouldn't be hitting the tree at all. And if they do, they won't hurt the trees. Trees don't have feelings. Besides, the frisbees will be made out of light weight plastic with a post-consumer content of no less than 40%. Lastly: trees are tougher than the frisbees.
Q: How long with each 'hole' be?
A: They'll range from, say, 40 yards to 200 yards.
Q: How will each tee area be marked?
A: We'll put a small sign (sponsored by a local business) into the ground near each tee area.
Q: Won't it cause a lot of wear on the grounds of Byrdcliffe?
A: Hopefully this will be the most popular outdoor sculpture show ever, but even so, the disturbance to the grounds shouldn't be any more than a typical sculpture show.
Q: How will I find my way around the course?
A: There will be maps printed and distributed in the box by the theatre.
Q: Can I bring my own frisbee?
A: Sure, but you'd be a lot happier playing with one of our limited edition artist designed frisbees or maybe, if you don't want to spend as much, one of the frisbees that has a sponsor's logo on it!
Q: How long will the sculpture show run?
A: Memorial day through Labor Day.
Q: How much will it cost to stage this exhibit?
A: Ahh, finances. It's gonna cost around $2,500 to stage this exhibit. If it goes well, we can make about $2500 profit after expenses.
Q: PROFIT!?
A: Yeah. We'll be aggressively looking for sponsors at 3 different levels, selling artist designed frisbees and charging a nominal entry fee for artists to submit their proposals.
Q: Financial details, please.
A: See below:
Q: Is the curator going to get paid for his hundreds of hours of working pulling together and installing this show?
A: Dang right! But only after expenses are covered and the Guild adds some shekels to their bottom line.
Q: How will the artists be found?
A: There will be an open call for artist's submissions. They will be given explicit design specifications, foremost amongst them to do no harm to the environment.
Q: Who will do the choosing? A celebrity juror TBD. Maybe a curator from The Aldrich Museum or The Dorsky or somewhere else. Maybe a jury of three: a curator, an art dealer, a critic.
Q: Will this sculpture show attract the same old crowd?
A: Anything but! Disc golf is growing rapidly in popularity and this will be the first ever artist created 9 hole disc golf course. In addition to art lovers, we expect to attract a younger demographic as well as families, who can enjoy playing the course and admiring the sculpture.
Q: I can't throw a frisbee. Will I still be able to enjoy the show?
A: Are you serious?! The sculptures will be engaging by themselves. You will not need a frisbee to enjoy them.
Q: How popular is disc golf, really?
A: Wii just added it as an option to their Tiger Wood golf game. If this doesn't answer your question, go ask your grandkids. Check it:
