Among the myriad of things to do during the sunny off hours of Phish's four-night Miami New Year's Eve run, the Mock Show topped the list for many.
The poster and art exhibit featured the work of Jim Pollock, David Welker, Jeff Wood, AJ Masthay and many other artists and a set of music from the Heavy Pets (below). It was held at the Hyatt Regency Miami (a last-minute venue change caused by a Legionnaire’s Disease scare at the EPIC Hotel), on December 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I was amazed to find fans lined up as early as 7 a.m. (when we started setting up) eager to get their hands on limited releases of Phish-inspired art as well as some leftover official releases.
HeadCount, which co-sponsored and benefited from the show, held an amazing silent auction, which included an EMEK-autographed Rothbury poster and a G20 poster and pass set by Shepard Fairey. Other artists donated cool raffle prizes.
HeadCount also held an online Mock Vote allowing fans to elect their favorite 2009 poster art. More than 1500 votes were cast and the results are in (Golden Tube winners Isadora Bullock,
Tripp, and Jon Lamb pictured to your right):
Best Official Phish Print of 2009 – Tyler Stout, "Noblesville"
Best Phish Fan Print of 2009 – Isadora Bullock, "Tower Jam"
Best Hampton Phish Fan Print 2009 – Jon Lamb, "Hampton"
Best Red Rocks Fan Print 2009 – David Welker, "Lady of the Rock"
Best Festival 8 Fan Print 2009 – Isadora Bullock, "Indio Llama"
Best Phish Series – Official or Fan 2009 – Tripp, "Red Rocks"
Best Non-Poster Art of 2009 – Jim Pollock, "Masks"
Best Political Art of 2009 – Banksy, "Monkey Parliament"
HeadCount also asked fans to vote on their favorite art unveiled at the Mock Show:
Best New Year’s Eve Fan Print – AJ Masthay, "Miami Heat"
Best Mock Show Print – AJ Masthay, "Mock Show"
Best Art of Mock Show – David Welker, "The Levitator"
All winning artists in attendance received the coveted Golden Tube Award.
As both HeadCount’s art director as well as an artist showing at Mock Show, I was working double duty. The show went by in a whirlwind of handshakes, sales, hugs, and, when I had a minute to view the art, a feast for the eyes. My highlight was presenting the awards. It felt wonderful to acknowledge these artists' hard work and talent. I wish I could have awarded every nominated artist.
If you didn't make it to Miami, or couldn’t get up early enough to attend the Mock Show, you can always support the artists contributing to the scene by purchasing their work. A list of all participating artists can be found at the Mock Show website.
(Photography copyright Presscott McDonald.)