Vanishing ink (and oil paint) at 12x12 sale

FALLS VILLAGE —The flash art exhibit was gone in a flash. At “12 X12 2017,” the David M. Hunt Library’s pop-up gallery show (in its seventh year), the display was intact for mere minutes before it began disappearing. Such is the fleeting nature of the show every year.

Seventy-four artists from the community submitted work —sometimes offering multiple pieces — following the Falls Village library’s measurement requirements of 12 inches by 12 inches.

On the evening of Saturday,  Dec. 9, uniform squares of art created a prismatic and orderly parade of paint. That moment was brief; despite the snowy conditions, the sale was well-attended and works came quickly off the wall. 

The exhibit opening and cocktail party began with the gallery closed off to visitors, but as soon as the blockades were removed, and all were free to browse, the art was ready to be nabbed. Whatever was purchased — every piece was $100 — was immediately pulled down from the pop-up gallery walls by a team of volunteers. One might be admiring a watercolor landscape only to watch two hands reach up and pull it out of sight, handing it over to a new owner. 

Over the course of the party, large sections of empty space soon separated the pieces, a cheeky participatory footprint rarely left by appreciators and observers of fine art. 

The early favorites went fast, tucked under the arms of mingling guests. However, there are remaining works that can still be seen and purchased at the library.