The word “temporary,” defined as “something that lasts only a very short time,” can describe most gallery and museum exhibitions. But the new Ephemeral Space in east Dallas is building on this idea with a twist. Co-founded by architect William Baker and antiques dealer Jason Cohen, the gallery was created to provide a temporary home for a wide range of creators who don't fit into traditional environments.
“There are a lot of great artists out there who might not be well-represented but would love to have a show for a week,” Baker said. Do what they want. ”
Baker, co-founder of the interior architecture firm Jones Baker, has earned a reputation as a passionate supporter of older Dallas real estate. Most recently, he helped redevelop the crumbling Oak Cliff Assembly into a stylish multi-purpose arts center serving the community. After purchasing 203 S. Haskell Ave. last year, he came up with the idea to co-curate and run Ephemeral in partnership with his longtime friend Cohen of Curiosities Antiques.
“We've known each other for a long time from the vintage world,” says Baker. “I came up with the logo and the name, but he came up with the idea of making the capital E look like an eye chart. So this is a divide-and-conquer (spirit).”
In the late '90s, Cohen ran a gallery behind Forbidden Bookstore in Fair Park, where he exhibited works by now-legendary pop-surrealist painters Mark Ryden, Shepard Fairey, Shag, and Tim Biskup. I had a vision to exhibit them before they passed away. A household name. He says that combining his own focus with Baker's will result in the perfect curation of his mix.
“We both have similar sensibilities for antiques and a passion for folk art and things like that,” Cohen says. “My scope of work is to introduce folk art together with the world's best contemporary artists. juxtapos [magazine] Low blouse style. We had the same idea: we wanted to create a space that would combine such works with found objects and unknown artists. ”
Ephemeral opened in June with a collection of works that can best be described as eclectic. Cohen brought in theatrical masks by Ardix Winslow Capen, a collection of antique washboards, circus flags by McGwire, the “Michelangelo of sideshow art,” and African sculptures and assemblages by Andy Don Emmons.
Also on display are flashy portraits by self-taught painter Ike.
Ephemeral is not a traditional gallery, starting with its cool history.
william baker
Morgan and Jesse Alcazar.
With prices ranging from as little as $100 to as high as $3,500, there's something to suit every budget and aesthetic. Baker also sourced a series of futuristic space cowboy-themed works by Hulbert Owens, whom he spotted selling his art on the street.
“This little old guy I met outside the thrift store was basically a self-taught classical folk artist who couldn't help but paint,” Baker says. “I tracked him down and brought him a bundle of wood from the hardware store.” [for him to paint on]”
Built in the 1900s, the former Haskell Hotel has been used for everything from a bakery to an artist's loft. In the '80s, this 2,100-square-foot building housed some of Dallas' greatest musicians and graffiti artists.
Baker envisions it eventually evolving into a combination of underground retail space and ephemeral-focused second-floor loft apartments.
The current exhibition runs until July 16th, and there will be an invitational themed show and an exhibition by the women's art group The MTHRshp this fall.
Ephemeral is a concept for self-taught artists, folk artists, contemporary art and found object exhibitions, as well as designers and artists who need a temporary place to display their work, such as pop-up boutiques and jewelry shows. It also functions as a space. Or an experimental music event.
“It's a really nice, clean, well-organized space, so it's a great place to host a pop-up for people who want to do a pop-up,” Cohen said. Even well-known artists have difficulty finding space. The idea of having some spaces where up-and-coming artists can view art, meet other artists, and help create an atmosphere and scene is interesting to me.
“We also want to nurture young artists in the graffiti and fashion scenes and bring them all together. With what we're doing, we want to start collecting and supporting more edgy work. I hope people find “jobs.'' “
Ephemeral Space, 203 S. Haskell Ave., Suite B. Saturday, 11am – 5pm. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Reservations are also required.
Gallery founders William Baker (left) and Jason Cohen.
Kendall Morgan
