I'll be the Judge

[Guest]

I wish that I could be as objective as Judge Sir John Deed at our forthcoming local art show opening on September 1st.
I have the privilege of being the sole judge of all three sections, painting, photography and handcrafts.

I'm somewhat consoled by the words of nineteenth century German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche on art and culture,
"There are no facts, only interpretations". Relying on that premise I guess I can be as subjective as a one-eyed octopus
and let my squid pro quo run wild!

Well just to give you a feel for the ambience of the event here's a pic of last year's judge announcing the winners.
I have tasked my two daughters to take a few shots of me presenting awards to this year's winners.

[Miketoll]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Good luck!

[Phill D]

Re: I'll be the Judge

I guess you'll gain a few friends and loose lots more Good luck from me too.

[Guest]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Mike, Phill - it will be my first experience in the role.
As you say I may make a few friends and lots of enemies!
Ironically, throughout my life I have always been anti-competition in all events and actually still am. Yet as a relative newcomer to this region and its art community I could not knock back an opportunity to make myself known.

[Naughty Nigel]

[Guest]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Thanks Nigel

[OM USer]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Mention lots of other "distinguished" photographs that didn't get a prize in your summing up - good light, good perspective, good colour etc. Try and keep as many people as happy as possible. Good luck.

[Harold Gough]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Is last year's judge in good health?

Harold

[Miketoll]

Re: I'll be the Judge

In your preamble say how exceptional the entries all are and with such a high standard it is almost impossible to choose a winner but winner there has to be so the final choice is the outstanding entry number........
In other words massage all their egos, congratulate them all and have a fast car ready!

[Naughty Nigel]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Is last year's judge in good health?

Harold

Yes indeed. Keep an eye on your drinks, and watch for lunch plates being swapped around.

Some people take these things very seriously.

[Beagletorque]

Re: I'll be the Judge

I assume last year's judge was unavailable as she had to go into hiding due to the death threats!

I'm sure you'll do a good and fair job.

[Guest]

Re: I'll be the Judge

OM, Mike - thanks to you both for your useful advice.
In a draft preamble I have commented on the exceptionally high standard of work on display and the difficulty I had in selecting the winners, there are over 200 entries.
By mentioning lots of other noteworthy entries, would that not disappoint their authors for having 'just missed out' and aggrieve those that don't get a mention?
In view of the acrimony it may provoke I'm beginning to wonder whether I made a wise decision in accepting the role - the Post-Modernists in particular will HATE me!
Furthermore, I have entered four works of my own in the painting section which of course will attract the attention of fellow contributors who will be my judge!
The organisers have not yet announced who the judge will be but as soon as they do I expect to be "Googled", so I've added a photography page to my paintings website.
Of course I must exclude myself from the judging process no matter how tempting it would be to award myself first prize and pocket the money!
(and getting my face rearranged on the way out!)

[iso]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Dare to be different.
State that so many entries (in whatever categories) are absolutely worthy of 'first prize', that the only (honest/sensible/fair) thing to do is to the 'finalists' into a hat. Whom so ever I draw from said hat WINS

[Miketoll]

Re: I'll be the Judge

Dare to be different.
State that so many entries (in whatever categories) are absolutely worthy of 'first prize', that the only (honest/sensible/fair) thing to do is to the 'finalists' into a hat. Whom so ever I draw from said hat WINS

I think that would be a recipe for disaster! That would mean it is reduced to a lottery which would enrage everyone, even the winner!

[Miketoll]

Re: I'll be the Judge

By mentioning lots of other noteworthy entries, would that not disappoint their authors for having 'just missed out' and aggrieve those that don't get a mention?
In view of the acrimony it may provoke I'm beginning to wonder whether I made a wise decision in accepting the role - the Post-Modernists in particular will HATE me!

It all depends how cunningly you word it! As for the Post -Modernists their work is imaginative, exciting, full of deep hidden meaning (or whatever). Those who do just miss out will of course be agrieved or disappointed anyway but it is a case of damage limitation!

Everybody knows that judges are idiots, got no idea, or useless unless one is picked the winner in which case they are of course experts with a finely tuned artistic taste! Charm them, make everybody feel a winner!

PS I have no idea what a Post-Modernist is!