Talk:Gary Karp
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Perhaps I don't fully understand how to do Wiki entries, and all the requirements (though I read a lot on it).
But, whatever the reasoning to allow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_the_Giant_Has_a_Posse, is the same reasoning to allow the Gary Karp page.
Just as Andre has been replicated artistically by dozens, and followed and appreciated by masses of people, so has Gary (see www.garykarp.com).
The Gary thing has been going on since 1994, on every continent, had a Ten Year Gary Retrospective art gallery showing in 2004, and is referred to as the poster child of the Profound Irrelevance art movement.
As where specific episodes of tv shows would never show up in an encyclopedia, yet they are allowed in Wikipedia (which ironically states that only encyclopedia-worthy topics will be allowed on Wikipedia). Any band or musician or actor or whatever seems to have a promotional piece about them on Wikipedia, yet most would never appear in actual encyclopedias. And then there is the Andre Giant Wiki entry.
So - it stands to reason that the figure, Gary, that spurred a 14-year (and running) worldwide art movement would make it into an encyclopedia - and thus Wiki, as well.
If I'm missing something here, please let me know. One thing I do know is, is that I'm tired of hearing people ask, for years now, "Why no Gary Karp Wikipedia page?". But they do have a very good point.
I look forward to hearing why the Speedy Delete on it.
Thanks,
Ted
[edit] More on Gary Karp inclusion
San Diego is not known for its alternative spaces and art galleries. However, in a move more often seen in Los Angeles' art scene, in 2004, the Planet Rooth gallery in North Park displayed a large collection of art, including writings, drawings, paintings, multi-media artworks and ephemera that was a "ten year retrospective" of the work of many people, some professional artists, some photographers, some film-based workers, some bon vivants. The loosely defined group, including Andy Kuepper, Giusseppe Mavroleon, Ted Coakley, Shannon Landis, Kellee Hiatt, Joy Coakley, Rob Conger and dozens of others, has been involved in various long-term happening or performative activities surrounding a headshot they found in an alley in San Diego, of a random actor/model named Gary Karp.
The photo has been xeroxed, painted, decorated, distributed, made into club-type posters, a hook-rug, video projections, and perhaps most significantly, photographed in hundreds of locations around the globe. The collection of photos typically depicts a small photocopied photo of Gary Karp alongside a celebrity, (Corbin Bernsen, Christa Sauls, Richard Thomas ["John Boy"], Annabeth Gish, Tommy Valvo, Chi-Chi Martini, Joe Pesci, Gallagher, Kurt Rambis, Robert Carradine, Cato Caelin, Linda Hoffman, Earl Boen, Virginia Kheene, Jewel, George Takai, Willie Nelson), a significant location (the Palestinian-Israeli border, the superbowl), and other people, events, and places. The collection of photos was displayed in the gallery, prominently, and showed the vitality and elan of a small cultural phenomenon that emanated locally, but has spread globally for over a decade, solidifying "Gary Karp" then and now as a culturally relevant meme or trope. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Saianjuma1 (talk • contribs) 03:35, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
