Monday, December 11, 2006
Indianapolis Representin'
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It was nice to see so many people from Indy in Miami this weekend. There will be much to report in the coming week or two. In the meantime, I wanted to point everyone towards Lisa Freiman discussing the IMA's wish list for acquisitions over on Modern Art Notes with Tyler Green. We wish them much luck.
We've also learned that the IMA will be highlighting it's new acquisitions on their website with accompanying provenance and purchase prices. Transparency at it's finest.
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2 Responses to “Indianapolis Representin'”
December 12, 2006 at 12:09 PM
Do you think that in order to be a legitimate and important artist one has to aspire to and participate in international art fairs? Is there a chance that these things are quickening the homogenization of contemporary art? We've just about seen the end of exciting local art scenes, since artists everywhere are convinced that their work is less intelligent/less professional unless they aspire to fit in on an international level. Sure, a curator benefits from these things, and lots of people benefit economically, but is it possible that these huge events are actually erroding what was once the most important tool an artist had: an individual and idiosyncratic essence?
-Unwin
December 13, 2006 at 10:54 AM
"Do you think that in order to be a legitimate and important artist one has to aspire to and participate in international art fairs?"
Of course not. There are a number of important and legitimate artists in the art world who have little to do with any of the art fairs. That said, I do believe that for many emerging artists getting their work seen at one of these "international art fairs" does have benifits. I think most artists really want their work to be seen by people, and here in Indy most galleries are doing fairly well if they see 150-300 visitors on the opening night of an exhibition. Now let's compare that to the numbers at one of the international art fairs where you could easily have 20,000+ visitors and often visitors from all over the world. While the exhibition conditions are not ideal at most of these fairs, I think a lot of collectors, curators, and art lovers can see past this and still find artists whose work they want to explore further. And once these people are a fan of that artist, I think they would be willing to go see more of their openings. As an artist it can be hard to find that niche group of collectors who love your work so the more people from more locations that get to see the work the better your chances of finding those people who truely love what you make as an artist.
"Is there a chance that these things are quickening the homogenization of contemporary art? We've just about seen the end of exciting local art scenes, since artists everywhere are convinced that their work is less intelligent/less professional unless they aspire to fit in on an international level."
I don't really think so. I think that the internet and pop culture have more impact on this than the art fairs. As for "exciting local art scenes", I don't really buy into there being such. I think that this idea of a regional art, though to some extent can still be seen in areas, has never been a great thing. Has Indy, ever had its' own aesthetic? Its' own style? I don't see that there really is or has been. There are always trends in art and styles come and go but I do not think that art fairs are blending all of this. If nothing else I think the art fairs show all the different types and styles of art that are being made today.
"but is it possible that these huge events are actually erroding what was once the most important tool an artist had: an individual and idiosyncratic essence?"
Well, I would say this, if you are willing to change your work to better fit into these art fairs, galleries, biennials, etc. then you have already lost your individual and idiosyncratic essence and it had nothing to do with the fairs at all. I think artists need to make the art they want to make, to make it the best they can, and to make it with their audience in mind; do that and you will be fine. If your work then makes it into one of the art fairs, great if not, no worries.
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