A 21 @ sign salute for Visual Codec, RIP
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Sad news, Visual Codec was an online journal devoted to connecting the three Cascadian art scenes of Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. It has announced a permanent vacation. Here is M the editor's statement. Tellingly it wasn't lack of interest, its the massive amount of work that success can bring. The only way weve managed it here at PORT is an empowered, passionate, intelligent and highly capable staff. The VC news reminds me of the early days of the Organ back in 2003, I warned Camela not to grow it too much (content wise) because it will consume a superhuman level of attention. Alas, it has happened again.
Posted by Jeff Jahn
on February 01, 2007 at 17:26
| Comments (7)
All the way back in September of 2006, Visual Codec editor m. provided with my first opportunity to write about art for a large audience. I learned a great deal about refining a piece of writing from her deft editing, while her combination of down-to-earth good humor and professionalism made working with her totally enjoyable. These qualities likely had something to do with m.'s ability to cull multiple essays and reviews from literary heavyweights such as Guggenheim Fellow Matthew Stadler and Seattle P-I art critic Regina Hackett (two-time winner of the first place award for criticism from the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors), as well as neophytes like myself.
Thanks and good luck with future projects m. !
Posted by: Jessica Bromer at February 1, 2007 09:25 PM
This is definitely sad news. And it is only more unfortunate that the reason for the permanent vacation is because the VC got so good. Thank you Camela for VC, and good luck in the future.
Posted by: Calvin Ross Carl at February 1, 2007 10:12 PM
CRC,
just to be clear, "m." was the editor of VC, Camela was editor of the Organ.
I really enjoyed writing for visual codec and felt that there needed to be a lot more communication between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland... they comprise a unique international zone that many call "Cascadia." It is different from other parts of the US and Canada.
Posted by: Double J at February 2, 2007 09:19 AM
A loss, indeed. It sounds like the One Shot 2006 flipbook is still in the works. After much delay, however, details about the release and cost remain vague. With the announcement of VC's permanent vacation, it will be interesting to see how this project manifests itself.
P.S. Calvin, Camela Raymond was the editor/publisher of the Organ, a defunct arts newsletter. M is the editor/publisher of Visual Codec.
Posted by: MB at February 2, 2007 09:41 AM
Oops, sorry about that. Not paying attention when I type. What else is new? :)
Posted by: Calvin Ross Carl at February 2, 2007 03:02 PM
Obviously, Jeff, you know how to make this work. I'd take my hat off to you if I had a hat. I love your idea of national/international through a Portland lens. It isn't the creepy old defensive regional posture but an insistence that art is happening all over the country, including Portland, and here's the specifics of what's going on. As others come and go, you flourish. Good work.
Posted by: regina hackett at February 7, 2007 05:40 PM
Thanks, Regina
..but I'm just a part of this. Without my business partner Jennifer Armbrust, impressive programming from Philippe Blanc and writing/advice from Katherine Bovee plus the efforts of our underpaid, over motivated staff; Jenene Nagy, Melia Donovan, Jessica Bromer, Amy Berstein, Sarah Henderson, Isaac Peterson (on leave due to a promotion at PNCA and a book project), our sponsors and readers...this just wouldnt have been possible.
We had a staff party on Sunday (none of us are football fans it seems) and discussed so many interesting things. They are a really diverse, engaged group.
Sure, we may catch a lot of hell for not being "creepy regionalist" mongers... but part of the reason is Portland is full of people from other places now and we are trying to figure out what that might mean, one post at a time.
P.S. PORT is working on our next phase now.
Posted by: Double J at February 7, 2007 08:01 PM
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