I know I've blogged before about being an ADD (attention deficit disorder) artist that loves to skip from one project to the next with no cohesive flow or "body of work". I always hemmed and hawed at the fact that galleries want a cohesive body of work that focuses on one topic, concept or at the least in medium. I would explain "I just don't work that way". I still don't work that way because my brain would revolt from such organization and constraints to make one piece tie to the next even in concept. However, and here comes the admission of something, it makes hanging for an art show soooooo much easier when the pieces flow with each other. They just seem to hang themselves and look beautiful without any effort on the "hanger's" part. Plus then there is the argument that it makes for better art when you really explore a concept in as many ways as possible before moving on so that you push your art and discover new and better ways to express the same idea. I do this in a way but I sprinkle in randomness. (for example I work on "memory paintings" in between working on my concept of exploring a way to express my intrigue in the "lost lives" of the photographs of people discarded and sold at antique markets, while working on funky pottery - but that's another long blog entry)
So I have a new admiration for museum and gallery curators. To make connections between artists work and have them all fit into a concentric theme is an art in and of itself. Then to take the artwork and hang it so the viewer 1. understands the artists intention and 2. so they move about the space letting their minds flow from one artist to the next without a jarring break (although I think they do that on purpose sometimes).
With my unusual set up at The Art Mill I have to hang things in an almost "retail" way and still make the individual art pieces hold their own. Sometimes when art is crammed together they lose their power. Needless to say I wrestled with that as I do on an ongoing basis. Is it a retail space? Is it a gallery? Is it a studio? It's all of the above and must all work together.
I could go on and on... if you want to know more just stay tuned. I'm sure I'll post again on this topic as I hope to do more art openings featuring new artists. I'm thinking of doing the next show with a whimsy theme or maybe one that is centered on each artist creating a piece that fits an "assignment". I'll let you know in about a week. Until then enjoy the photos of the space and be sure to stop in a see these pieces in person as these photos don't do them justice.
