Since 2001, the "Markers" project (initiator Doron Polak) has been running internationally, involving hundreds of artists the world over. The title "Markers" expresses the personal stamp of each and every artist, regardless of color, background, economic condition, or art world. "Markers" offers a venue for every artist with an independent expression, to speak to the world of art, to present his/her work uncensored, without the need to demonstrate an orderly biography to inflated museum and gallery apparatuses. This is a direct project initiated by artists among themselves, carried out and produced independently by members of the International Artists Museum.
The principle is simple, updated, effective, direct, fast, bypassing bureaucracy and the impossible expenses of art productions that are so typical of today's art world. For "Markers" artists are only required to send in their works. All "Markers" projects appear in the exhibition catalogue, along with an original text written by scholars of the art world- who are also members of the Artists Museum.
"Markers" exhibitions were first shown in significant public venues. Neither the name of the venue nor its commercial status in the art realm determine the location. We find it especially significant for art to come down from its pedestals, cease to be elitist and the exclusive realm of connoisseurs. Quite the contrary: every person should be free to acquaint themselves with art works – regardless of income brackets - and enjoy their power as a part of the culture in which people are raised and educated.
At the 2001 Venice Bienale the events of "Markers 1" were held simultaneously at the town market along Via Garibaldi and in the Peggy Guggenheim Museum sculpture garden. "Markers 2" was held in the beautiful gallery space of the German Power Company EAM, along with the APEX hotel chain in Scotland during the Theater Festival, and in dozens of schools and community centers in Israel and abroad. "Markers 3" was first presented alongside the 2003 Venice Biennale at the Venice Jewish Museum, and was later donated as a permanent exhibit for the entrance lobby of a hospital visited by over a million people each year. "Markers 4" was first produced in the town of Lubbock in the Texan desert, US, while being shown at the Holly Buddy Museum and along the local central park trails and main avenue of the local university.
"Markers 5" was held at the Venice Biennale and the artists' works were shown simultaneously on wooden poles along the Grand Canal, and the Maritime Museum space, at the airport and local train station.
"Markers 6 - Divine In.tent"a 70 tents installation during the Venice Biennale was held Outdoor near the grand Canal and at the ArtLife Gallery.
We believe that only art projects such as "Markers" – exemplary of joint projects that enable bringing forth a message and expression of both criticism and tolerance – enable artists and creators to work together, bridging over gaps and differences, and creating a stage for joint expression and discussion both of problems and of different views. "Markers", then, makes way for artistic free expression but also enables free viewing for people wherever they are.
Markers - Where and When
Markers I - Venice Biennale, 2001
an Outdoor Banner event of Artists and Poets for the 49th Venice Biennale
With Allen Ginsberg, Jan Fabre, Les Levin, Sol LeWitt, Igor Kopytiansky, Jack Sal, Ryszard Wasko
Markers II - During the Documenta, Kassel, 2002
Electric Pole as Outdoor sculpture at EAM art space
With Agnes Denes, Leon Golub, Nancy Spero, Igor Sacharow Ross, Emmett Williams
Markers III - Wandering Library, Venice 2003
an Artists’ Books event to mark the 50th Venice Biennale, Museo Ebraico di Venezia With Dara Birenbaum, Emilio Fantin, Dean Jokanovic Toumin, Eduardo Kac, Joshua Neustein, Agricola De Cologne
Markers IV - Fuel your imagination, Texas, USA, 2004
Art Banners, Buddy Holly Center and Lubbock Ragional Arts Center With Martin Zet, Mary Judge, Catrina Davinio, Sergei Sviatchenko, Clarissa Sligh, Eraldo Mauro
Markers V - Poles Apart / Poles Together, Venice Biennale, 2005
an Outdoor installation on Venice’s Grand Canal for the 51st Venice Biennale With Dennis Openheim, Philip Pavia, Lawrence Weiner, Dani Karavan, Marcos Lopez, Zhang Huan
Markers VI - Divine In.tent, Venice, Kassel, New York, 2007
an Outdoor 70 tents installation With Chandrasekaran, Eugenia Gortchakova, Lenore Malen, Jenny Marketou, Dani Shain, Suzy Sureck, Richard Thomas.
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