Ummmmm, the poster?

[Australian fan]

Just saw the poster for the 2020 festival.......

Preaching here....

I will always support the right to be loudly or quietly offensive,to be controversial, to challenge how we see and view the world through art and creativity. It’s critical that artists challenge orthodoxy, open our eyes and minds. Want to be clear that I don’t condone censorship and I welcome free expression in art and music.

That said, I’m really let down by the just released 2020 festival poster, it doesn’t feel like it represents what our wonderful festival means to so many of us.  Planet Bluegrass is such a progressive and generous team that builds on the concept of inclusion and respect. This poster feels a bit tone deaf to me and I’m really surprised to see it. So many other extraordinary images that could be used to represent the notion of everyone’s disappointed hopes & dreams. Why a naked woman lying in a field?

I really wanted something special to commemorate a really, really sad year on so many levels, not comfortable with this one.


Is it just me?

[ferg]

No, it’s not just you! Willy has done posters for us over the years, first being, oh, 1980’s.  Some of us liked it more than others, I’ll say, but we’ve never been much on “paint a starry night Van Gogh”.  Poster kinda feels like I do. Maybe it seemed so appropriately gloomy. Maybe ol’ PB gets a little tolerance on this one. Maybe it’ll make more sense some day. It won’t be forgotten!


But, we just got this solstice webcast organized and its been quite helter skelter. Sam filmed a video howdy from the station inn with his band..

Hopefully from the barren gloomness some grins start to break through.

[Australian fan]

No, it’s not just you! Willy has done posters for us over the years, first being, oh, 1980’s.  Some of us liked it more than others, I’ll say, but we’ve never been much on “paint a starry night Van Gogh”.  Poster kinda feels like I do. Maybe it seemed so appropriately gloomy. Maybe ol’ PB gets a little tolerance on this one. Maybe it’ll make more sense some day. It won’t be forgotten!


But, we just got this solstice webcast organized and its been quite helter skelter. Sam filmed a video howdy from the station inn with his band..

Hopefully from the barren gloomness some grins start to break through.

Hey Ferg, will always give PB tolerance cause we love & respect you guys a lot!

But yeah, it doesn’t work for me, it’s too much like the rock posters from the earlly seventies  when it felt like naked chicks were the only role we played in the music scene.

I know that’s not how you see us but it really does feel a bit tone deaf.

That said, respect your right to express your disappointment and dismay over the loss of festival this year in the way it speaks for you and the team, I know how gut wrenching it is.

Really looking forward to the stream, thank you.

Big hugs to you & the team, cannot wait to see everyone again and having our festival THRIVE  💙💚

[happytimes]

I hadn't seen it, looked it up.  Oh my.  No, it doesn't work for me.  On a number of levels.  Disappointing.

[ferg]

OK, we yanked this down. Yikes!  Seemed ok a couple months ago, sure doesn’t seem to fit here and now. We were going for something completely different and kinda gloomy with hope; but, makes sense that 2020 is the year of the not poster but sorta cuz who has posters without festivals. Kinda off the mark here tho folks. I tell ya, this planet in silos is dangerous! 

[Australian fan]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[ToddG]

I liked it and found the art true.

[Maple Al]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The power of one woman who can change our world, good job. And it's great that the folks at the Planet are able to correct a misstep when they sometimes happen. Willy has done many of the iconic posters over the years for Telluride. While this one may qualify as true art, it lacks any real real ties with our festival or the community that attends. And who really wants a poster or apparel for a festival that never happened. The controversy probably makes the art worth more as well so Willy should be ok, and with a little luck we can buy a new poster next year in person.

[BuckeyeDog]

We should all submit our favourite photo of Jerry, then put them together in a collage. That can be our poster for 2020.

[Australian fan]

We should all submit our favourite photo of Jerry, then put them together in a collage. That can be our poster for 2020.

. That’s beautiful x

[Australian fan]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The power of one woman who can change our world, good job. And it's great that the folks at the Planet are able to correct a misstep when they sometimes happen. Willy has done many of the iconic posters over the years for Telluride. While this one may qualify as true art, it lacks any real real ties with our festival or the community that attends. And who really wants a poster or apparel for a festival that never happened. The controversy probably makes the art worth more as well so Willy should be ok, and with a little luck we can buy a new poster next year in person.

I love PB

[morningDew]

Thank you for bringing attention to this poster. I don't have a facebook account and might not have seen it otherwise.

The image absolutely does not represent telluride bluegrass festival in any way and I think that's the point. There is no event. I was looking forward to heading back this year after 4 years away.

I'm grateful the artist created this and wanted to let PB know that he has an audience with some of us.

[JimBob2]

WOW...I waited 48 hours after reading this post to respond as I realize there may not be an audience for an opposing view on this politically correct forum but here goes.
I did not see the poster...I did not get the chance...it offended someone and was removed from public viewing. My search engines could not find it on the internet but I did get to view Mr. Matthew's other TBF posters and I must say he is dialed in to this experience. I can see how from a business point of view, as a music festival promoter, you would want to cast a wide net, appealing to as many as possible and alienating as few as possible but I wonder if the founder's were so cautious. In general, I am a capitalist, I vote with my money. If I like your product I buy it, whether it is music or socks. Would I have bought this poster, I can not say since it is no longer available, therefore its commercial success or failure will remain an unknown.
I must say, tongue in cheek, you will need to be extra cautious in booking those old rock music icons from the seventies. My favorite, Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin (you know the one that collaborated, recorded and performed with Alison Krauss later in life) had a powerful stage persona. If you had any doubt about the lyrics his live performance made his intentions obvious. I have been trying for forty five years to capture that lightning in a bottle again which is why I ended up at Telluride. Good live music has magic that is hard to explain but you know it when you feel it, add to that majestic scenery and the common vibe like minded music lovers produce and you have Telluride.   
At this point I must say I am suffering...spiritually, emotionally and yes even physically from a lack of live music and the gatherings where it is enjoyed. I will go now and listen to the opening cut from the Eagles on Hell Freezes Over. It may benefit others as well.

 Listening to: Eagles

[completejohn]

Ummmmmmm....

How bad could it be?  SOunds terrible, but I would love a peek!  Is it posted anywhere?

[culasthewiz]

Ummmmmmm....

How bad could it be?  SOunds terrible, but I would love a peek!  Is it posted anywhere?

https://imgur.com/JsnfVJC.jpg