What is Art vs. Art?

Art vs. Art—we’re fond of saying—is a painting competition with a twist. The simplest way to explain it is in three steps:

Step 1: Paint.

Competing artists show up at Paint Day with $10. We provide all the materials, and they have just four hours to paint.

Step 2: Vote online.

We then take pictures of the paintings and put them online for about two weeks. People surf to www.artvsart.com where they vote for their three favorites.

Step 3: Save the Art.

Audiences show up at the Main Event in Indianapolis to see which paintings made the first cut. The top 32 paintings are displayed, and the audience votes for their top three with their ticket stubs. The final 16 paintings vie for the winner-take-all title in head-to-head “bouts.” The winner of each bout goes on to the next round; the loser faces destruction from The Wheel of Death unless someone buys it at auction.

How can I save the art?

You have three easy ways to save the art:

Vote for it.

Cheer for it.

Buy it.

What happens to the art the doesn’t make the cut?

All art that doesn’t make the top 32 is sold at the Main Event for $50. Of the 32, the 16 remaining paintings are sold for $100. Artists receive 70% of all art sales. All art that does not sell is subject to destruction.

Is this a fundraiser? Who does it benefit? Where does the money go?

Please, one question at a time! All proceeds from the event go to Primary Colours, an Indianapolis-based arts nonprofit. They allow us to put on other free events, like Toys and the Professional Development Series.

Can we vote online more than once?

Unlike American Idol, we have set up voting so that we allow one vote per valid e-mail address.

Can I vote in other cities?

Yes. With your valid e-mail address, you could vote in all four cities if you wish.

Does it matter what order you vote in?

Absolutely not. Just pick the three paintings you like best.

Why do I have to confirm my vote?

This is a preventative measure to make sure that you, a real person, are voting. You must confirm your vote, however, or it won’t count.

Why did you decide to paint in three other cities this year?

This is the seventh year for Art vs. Art, and each time people from other cities have told us how much they love the event and how they think it could work in their city. So, last year, we decided to take a first step toward expanding Art vs. Art outside of Indianapolis. The week before the Indianapolis Paint Day, members of Primary Colours split into three teams and simultaneously host Paint Days in Columbus, Ohio; Hammond, Indiana; and Louisville, Kentucky. Each city had its own voting site, and the top vote-getter in each city earns an automatic spot in the top 32 at the Main Event.

What are the Modes of Death?

The Modes of Death occupy wedges on the ominous, game-show-style Wheel of Death. A spin of the Wheel will dictate how the painting could be destroyed if no one buys it. The Modes vary each year and are rigorously tested at AvA Labs. The exact Modes of Death remain a closely-guarded secret until show time at the Main Event. There are crowd favorites that return year after year. Past Modes of Death have included chainsaw, baseball bat, acid bath, chipper-shredder, samurai sword, and the infamous “Dirty Sanchez.”

Why do you guys destroy art?

Ahh, the big question. We could wax philosophical about Tibetan monks whisking away a sand mandala they just spent a week painstakingly creating or point to the annual sand castle competition in South Padre Island, Texas or lead you to a discussion of the short-lived beauty of Julian Beever’s 3D sidewalk chalk drawings.

We look at Art vs. Art as anything but a passive gallery experience. When you attend a gallery opening, there is no consequence if you simply stroll past the paintings. Here, if you see something you like, you have to fight for it.

Can I buy a painting that’s been destroyed?

After destruction, we impale each piece on a magnificent iron structure called the Tree of Death. At the very end of the evening, we auction off the entire Tree of Death. Last year, it sold!