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Erik Johnson of rural Lindstrom harbors no delusions of grandeur about being a finalist in this year’s international Red Bull Art of the Can exhibition. Johnson understands that the contest based on creations consisting of aluminum cans, is at its heart a “publicity stunt” dreamed up by marketers of the energy drink Red Bull. “But, still,” he says, “there I was in the Weisman (Art Museum in Minneapolis) with artists from all over the world, and they are taking this thing very seriously.” It was tough not to veer into the fast lane if just for a while, before finally having to throttle back down to reality.

Johnson said, “It was a terrific experience. They held an elaborate opening at the museum (in November) with search lights, red carpet and everything.”

Johnson had no clue where this bit of fancy on his part would lead him. “I entered the contest just for fun.”

He even got twin sons Anders and Hayden, age 8, involved and they entered “Can Guy and Tall Can Guy.” (As the only youngsters they were treated to behind-the-scene tours of the Weisman. Johnson said Red Bull and the museum people showed the boys a great time.)

Johnson tells of delivering his piece to an unmarked warehouse in Minneapolis upon getting instructions from the Red Bull exhibition people.

“We get to where I was told to go and here’s a clue posted with directions to another totally ordinary-looking building a few blocks away, where the actual entries are stored,” Johnson explained. “This guy is already there and he’s got one of those metal-sided briefcases like in a 007 movie, and he’s glancing around making sure nobody sees what he’s carrying.”

Since 1997 Red Bull’s Art of the Can has obviously attracted established artists and art teacher/ students. It is judged by people well known in the art world. But, Art of the Can is no snob-fest. Finalists this year included a metal worker, a couple of computer experts, a personal care attendant, mechanical engineer and Johnson, who is a television producer.

This year was the first time the Minneapolis Weisman Museum has been the Red Bull exhibition site.

Event organizers report 200 people from 27 states and five countries outside the U.S. entered. Just 35 were decreed to be finalists and these were exhibited at the Weisman.

(First prize is a trip for two to the 2007 Art Basel in Switzerland. Second place is a trip to Miami Beach, FL for the Art Basel Exhibition in 2007.)

Johnson explained that the beauty of this contest is that art can be as much about the “story behind it” as the actual art object.

In contemporary art in particular, the physical translation of a concept, using widely recognizable materials, is basic. Johnson said the people who enter this contest get that concept.

Red Bull-- the company--wisely intertwines the commercial aspects it needs with what for some people is an innate urge to create something with ‘found objects.’

In this year’s contest the winner used hundreds of Red Bull cans while other entries used just a couple cans. Johnson, who doesn’t drink Red Bull, said there are ways you can have cans supplied for perfecting your entry. His were emptied by the official Red Bull “Energy Team.”

Johnson’s piece is comprised of three cans, flattened out and punched with a Red Bull design that is backlit with Christmas lights. The case or frame is an old EXIT sign somebody at Johnson’s television studio was tossing out. It is painted Red Bull blue and silver.

Johnson got the idea from those antique pie cupboards with the punched designs in the tin doorfronts. Did it please the judges, his aligning of primitive craft with the innuendo presented by the EXIT sign? Johnson said he can only imagine the judges’ discussion.

As for Anders and Hayden, they are old hands at tubular art. They said they had an easy time with the Red Bull cans because they make stuff out of old toilet paper rolls, wrapping paper tubes and paper towel rolls all the time. Their dad just helped with some of the cutting.

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