What is Busking?

"Busking" is the art of performing in public for gratuities. This time honored tradition has been an founding tenement of the art/performance community for centuries. History contains many examples of the wandering minstrel, the puppeteer, the story teller, etc. Whether its dancing, playing an instrument or a puppet show, this form of expression has brought art and music to millions of peoples lives in an informal, public setting. 

What is the Project about?

This project is about breaking down barriers and misconceptions society has formed about art and busking.  Many see a person playing a guitar on a street corner and make the assumption that he or she must either be homeless or begging for money.  Society has determined that for art or a performance to have merit, it must conform to certain rules. The venue in which the art is displayed or performed is one of these roles, and has long been considered influential.

Joshua Bell, a world renowned concert violinist, played six complicated Bach pieces in a busy Washington DC metro station during the morning rush hour one January morning. Thousands of people passed him by, oblivious to who he was and what he was doing. Only a few individuals stopped to appreciate what was being performed.This goes to prove how strongly society's opinion of a prestigious location colors the public's opinion of what constitutes quality performance and art.

I have been observing buskers for the last year in my home town of Portland, Oregon. Busking has enriched and changed my life so dramatically that I wanted to capture it using my photographic and artistic skills, and then give back to my community with its lively and colorful buskers.

I've been creating unique pieces of art using a mixed media style of photography and digital graphic art. This project will be a way to show everyone that art can be found anywhere; it is not just for the wealthy and the privileged.

Art is, and should be, for everyone.

The Kickstarter Project:

My project, if funded, will allow me to showcase these pieces and allow everyone to see buskers in a new light. The art exhibition will take place during the 2012 holiday season, this family friendly event will have a raffle with prizes for all ages including; art supplies, beautiful 35mm and medium format cameras, and much more. The entertainment for the evening will be provided by local buskers from the Portland area. Food and refreshments will be provided for all to enjoy.

The art exhibition will be an amazing evening because, in addition to the raffle and the entertainment, there will be an art auction where you can bid and purchase any of the pieces from the series not selected by Kickstarter backers.

This event is not just about my work and breaking down the notion that mixed media art is not as  artistic and unique as other art forms. This event is also focused on centering attention and recognition for the performance art of buskers.

Help me shift their talent and abilities from the dark, and into the light.

Where does your pledge go?

1) Supplies (printing costs, display material, advertisement, etc.)

2) Cost of renting the venue for the exhibition show. Which will include all the staff needed for the exhibition as well.

3) Entertainment provided by local buskers. They will be receiving a fee to perform and will be setting up like they were performing right on a local city street.

4) Raffle prizes; (art, cameras, art supplies, and more.)

5) Food and refreshments.

What are the rewards?

The rewards for this project are extensive. The following are possible rewards you can earn:

1) A "Keep on Busking" bumper sticker, so you can show your support for the project and local buskers in your community

2) Beautiful 18 month calenders (starting January 2013),

3) Full Color Prints

4) Unique metallic prints from the series

5) Limited edition Giclée's- The number of printing for these is limited to three of each of the main series,  and one of each of the mini series.

Where else can I go to see more about this project?

There are several locations you can read more about this project. My website, the official "Keep On Busking"  Facebook page, Youtube, and of course here at Kickstarter where you can pledge and show your support for this project.