G.O.A. - Gallery Openings Anonymous

I am not a fan of gallery openings. It is just my opinion, of course, and by the looks of things, I may be alone in my thinking. Gallery openings, which take place at the beginning of every show, are a social affair. It is the worst time to check out the art mostly because it is so hard to see the art through the crowds. Here is a photo of the Vik Muniz opening at the Brent Sikkema Gallery last Friday night:

Where's Vik?

Notice that no one is looking at the art and instead they are looking at each other. The arrow in this picture is pointing to Vik. He's hidden in the crowd back there. If you are interested in seeing an artist, then gallery openings are for you because the artist most likely won't be back in the gallery during the run of the show. But, in most cases, seeing the artist is all you will be able to do. Talking to the artist is rather difficult because so many are waiting to do the same thing. Your conversation should go something like this...

YOU: "Hi. My name is ________. I am a big fan of your work. Congratulations on your show."

ARTIST: "Thank you."

... and before you can get your next sentence in the artist is turned towards another adoring fan and you are left standing there hoping to get another chance to talk.

Most artists I know aren't particularly wild about their own openings because they can be exhausting for them, but all recognize the importance of having them. They do serve a purpose. It is an opportunity for artists to put "a face" on their art, to reconnect with or meet fans, and, hopefully, art critics.

Not all openings are as populated as Vik's openings. It depends on the artist and gallery's popularity. Many artists, especially emerging artists, need the support of bodies at openings. So, if you're going to go and you aren't working on your own social "sighting" statistics, choose an emerging artist's opening. And, if gallery openings are the only time you enjoy being in galleries, then please, by all means, keeping going!

I don't write this post hoping to get fewer people to attend openings. Despite my negative feelings about them, I go to openings every once in a while to show my support for the artist. I just felt like sharing in case anyone out there felt similarly. Welcome to G.O.A. - Gallery Openings Anonymous.

At the tail end of Vik's opening, two lucky fans, in town from Korea, were able to get their picture taken with their favorite artist. Lucky them!

Vik and fans

Comments

[Paige]

Zeke's Gallery - http://zekesgallery.blogspot.com - sent me this in an email and he said it would be cool if I shared it here:

Howdy!

As I only deal with fetal (not yet emerged) artists, the number of bodies at a vernissage (opening here) are extremely important. The openings here were getting to the point where there were just too many to fit into the space, so what I have been doing is scheduling 4 different vernies. A non-smoking, a smoking, a kid friendly and a pet friendly.

This a) makes the total number of people coming through larger than just having one, but b) makes the numbers at each one way more manageable, and c) gets people in the door who would not normally come to an "Art Opening." Which to me is a very good thing.

It tacitly recognizes that everybody likes a party, but makes the parties more fun. Watching an artist try to answer some 6-year old's question about why they painted the boat like that puts a smile on everybody's face, including that of the artist. Adults just don't ask the same questions as kids do.

Play ball!

[Bob Ragland]

Hey Paige, I enjoyed your wrting about the art gallery opening. I have attended many of these events over the years. I have found that it's very difficult to speak with the featured artist also. One of the things art galleries do in this part of the artworld is, they will try very hard to presell the art. As you have mentioned it's very exhausting for the artist and gallery people to conduct openings. When the art can be presold it certainly makes the opening worthwhile. Art openings are more fun if one goes to a limited number in my opinion. I always feel for the artist who is pulled in so many directions at the opening. I think some people just want to say that they had some contact with the artist. Often the people who spend alot of time with the artist at the opening are the ones who don't buy any of the artist's work. My habit is to see the art before hand if it's possible.

[Robert]

Count me among the people who are gallery opening-phobic. I do like the idea of having access to an artist, but I know it's awkward for many artists to have more than a 30 second conversation about their work at a crowded party. I prefer an actual talk and Q&A if I'm going to hear from the artist (there's no need for me to have a personal connection), and otherwise I'd rather look at the work when it's less crowded.

[Cedric Caspesyan]

Openings have nothing to do with being an art amateur.

They are the cases when you go because you want to buy something before it`s off.

Any serious art amateur will prefer going see the art when no one else is around.

In the past 4 years I`ve been to less than 4 openings and people I`m sure thought I was the geek going there to get the free food. Duh.

Cheers,

Cedric

[Andrea Davis]

Apologies to post this item here, but can anyone help me in selling a piece of photographic art by Jonathan Callan.

Many thanks.