Gotta get a gimmick

Boff and I went to Sculpture by the Sea today, the second time I've been to it with him as well as the second time I've been. I can only compare 2010 and 2011 but it seems to me there were more gimmicky pieces this year than last.

Boff says the event has always been gimmicky because it is art for the people, populist sculpture if you will, with the oceanfront context giving it a tourism factor (even at a local level).

I've been thinking about the gimmick factor. On the one hand, the gimmick pieces are the easiest ones to remember. On the other, they are rarely people's favourite work after erudite consideration. The person behind the gimmick is also less likely to be taken seriously.

So what does this mean for my volunteer book? Do I submit to the possible gimmick of being the vollie girl, the one who'll work for almost anyone for free (or for book fodder)? Or do I need to keep it pretty straight?

I guess I'm trying to reconcile the character of vollie girl with the reality of someone who just wants to help out and communicate the value of volunteering to organisations and the community.