Austin's OKAY Mountain Wins International Prize for Contemporary Art
Commissioned by Arthouse, Corner Store, is a life-size reproduction of an actual convenience store—not of the uber brand variety such as 7-11, but in the ilk of one of the numerous independently-owned neighborhood mini-marts that can be found all across the Southwest region. The installation had a tri-fold purpose: to showcase original works of art created by the Austin-based collective; play on the experience of and interaction between the customer/viewer and store clerk/gallery owner; and serve as a light-hearted critique of the consumerism of art fairs in general.
The group states that “There are very few people fortunate enough to go to art fairs who actually walk out with a purchase. Part of our project’s goal is to provide art items that are affordable for more people. Carrying along the convenience store theme, the prices of our goods will be inflated (due to convenience) but still very reasonably priced.”
Okay Mountain transformed their fair booth into Corner Store from scratch using a vast array of materials for the exterior structure. With extraordinary detail they created everything on the interior, including signage, posters, wall murals, video (surveillance camera), lighting, point of sale, the cash register, a coffee station, coolers, shelves, an out-of-service soda fountain, tchotchkes, and more. Some of the truly funny and unique products -- all for sale -- include Purple Rain beer, Muhfuckin Cat Food, Kook Zesty Ranch Zest, and Sneakers candy bars.
The Austinist caught up with Sterling Allen, a member of Okay Mountain, to offer a well-deserved congratulations and ask a few questions about the experience.
Where did you come up with the idea for Corner Store?
The idea came from a simple brainstorm about what would be fun to work on. We are all fans of the gas stations around our gallery and studio (1312 East Cesar Chavez, ste. B). They have really bizarre and interesting aesthetics and are constantly surprising us. So far, all the ideas we have had started simply and then matured as the work was happening. We thought that the interaction between a gallery employee behind a counter in a crowded art fair booth and a viewer was similar to the interaction between a convenience store employee behind a counter in a crowded store and a customer. We also liked the idea of everything being for sale and a large portion of it at prices that anyone able to attend the fair could afford.
What did “customers” find in the Corner Store?
The corner store had many elements of a real corner store, though all of ours were either made by hand or altered. There were products (chips, candy, soda, tools, cat litter, motor oil, novelties) as well as lotto tickets, t-shirts, posters, soda fountain, slushee machine, phone cards, lighters, energy stimulants etc. There was also a soundtrack of rap songs that we chopped and screwed and sold at the counter and also had playing in the booth. We burned incense, and put in a floor and ceiling with our own lights in an attempt to transform the space from a booth to a store.
What materials/media did you use in constructing the interior objects, as well as the structure itself?
We used a lot of of cheap materials: cardboard, paper, Masonite, canvas, wood, Plexiglas, and house paint, etc. The products were sometimes made of cardboard, and other times real products given a new label. The ads on the interior and exterior were on paper and canvas. The larger sculptural objects (soda fountain, hot dog roller etc) were made with wood, found objects, and lights. We used lots of glue, screws, and zipties.
How long did the project take?
We have been thinking about the project for about six months, but most of the physical work occurred in the last eight weeks or so. That being said, there is a large number of us that have not done anything but this for a long time -- so the man hours are staggering.
What were some of the reactions you received from art fair-goers? Did anyone buy anything?
People laughed a lot and were very complimentary of the project. As soon as people realized everything was for sale (products, sculptural objects, and ads, etc.) they began to buy things. We sold four sculptures and about half of our products, of which there were hundreds. People bought items ranging from $1.99 all the way up to multiple thousands of dollars.
The Pulse Prize was an honor to receive. We worked extremely hard on the project and were surrounded by a lot of excellent work from all over the world, so it was very rewarding. We were also very happy to be chosen as the viewer's choice, which was decided by the general public. We are all conscious about making work that speaks to all people, not exclusively the art world, so that was nice. The money will help pay rent on our gallery space and allow us to continue to make work as a group. The recognition we received with the pulse prize and the press surrounding the fair was at an international level, and is more than we could have hoped for. It was all a nice payoff for the effort put in.
Where will the Corner Store live now that PULSE is over?
There have been some inquiries about the acquisition of the entire installation that we are currently negotiating. We have also had a handful of offers to show it again, so that is something to consider for us as well. For now, it is in many pieces and is being stored in our studio space on E. Cesar Chavez. There may perhaps be items from it for sale at our gallery sometime in the future for those who weren't able to purchase items in Miami, but that depends on its future home.
