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Studio Visit ready for our April Exhibition
On Saturday the Revolving Gallery team went on Studio Visits for three of the Artists showing with us in April. It was a long day, we set off at 9:30am and didn't get home until 9pm but I think it safe to say it one or our favourite parts of the job. It is a real luxury to get to see where and how artists work.
First up we went to Newcastle to Mushroom Works studio where we met with Natalie Bell (Image above), here we got to have a good look through and select the works we are presenting to you (which was not such an easy task with the strong works we needed to narrow down slightly) Natalie paints in many layers pulling her images & colour through in her 'Microbes' series, it was nice to see these works in the flesh where you can see this depth. We also got to see more of the 'Nanobot' series that have more structure and definition.
After Natalie we met up with Eva who happened to be in the same studio block. Here again we got to learn much more about her technique and how much work goes into each piece. With the studio visit you also get a chance to see where artist have come from and where they are going. I (Nathan) also get to talk materials, which brings out the inner geek in me but as said before we do make sure the works are made to a high standard. It was a pleasure to see these works again in the flesh where the colour really hits you and the quality of line in her drawing works.
Last visit of the day was just on from Newcastle so after a late lunch we arrived at Andrew Crane's house and studio. This is the first time we had got to see Andrew's work in the flesh and it was a real treat. Although his work can look grey and dull online once you see it in a good light it springs to life. These works are vary painterly and Andrew has a interesting stories about each one. The end of the day finished with us having to make more hard choices in selecting from his works.
Nathan
Whippit 6 - 20/02/2010
Whippit is a national work-in-progress performance night, CLICK HERE FOR LINK
I went along on Saturday, it was really nice to see some different types of art being shown in the city. At Whippit there was video & Performance over 4 hours down at Space 109, Walmgate.
There was plenty to see, first up was Stephen Cornford; image below, and his sound performance was a interesting to the ear and with the live video behind a treat for the eyes. The sound was produced from a machine made by Stephen himself and with a contact mic on different parts plus the resonance from vases on the table you could really lose yourself.
Going on through most the night was Roddy Hunter:
In this performance which lasted through the night Roddy seemed to be the one getting lost. Using imagery from Le Corbusier he was cutting through the image, revealing a mirror. Repartition and ritual through the night again was captured on live feed for all to scrutinise. As the performance developed you as viewer got more drawn in and tried to pull aspects apart but this proved difficult.
On top of this there was plenty to see through the night including a very pleasing video piece by Katy Connor called 'Snow/T.V Snow'. All in all it was an enjoyable night with a really good vibe and a good number of people there to see and engage with the work.
Nathan
Our next venue
The Revolving Gallery team are pleased to announce our next venue:
GRAYS COURT YORK - click here for more information
On April 9th 2010 we will be showcasing our next set of Artists at this unique and exciting venue.
So now more that ever keep your eye out here for further information about the exhibition, including previews of each our Artists over the coming weeks.
Nathan
Outside the White Cube
It has been far to long since my last blog and I didn't realise quite how long so I must have been busy. The next show is moving on well and we are now confirming Artists, it is exciting times. I do enjoy the blogging so thought it time to get back too it no matter how busy I am.
I saw this Article (CLICK HERE) on the ARTnews website and it got me thinking. The article talks about being as specific in exhibiting works as to use only the correct white, this is something we do not always have the luxury of as we appropriate space for our exhibitions. Many of the sites in York are far from 'white cubes' but often this can add to the Art as much as distract. White walls are good but if you read 'Inside the White Cube' by Brian O'Doherty you begin to see the fall out from this prescribed way of showing work.
With Revolving Gallery exhibitions people are going to interact with the surroundings and this is all part of the event and why we pick certain venues. With closely curated exhibitions we have work able to draw the viewer in and these are the works you live with. Art that demands your attention, work you can see everyday and enjoy no less each time means the background should make little difference and the work pulls you in.
Nathan
Art Bin
I maybe a bit late with this but I enjoying the progress of Landy's Art Bin. Follow THIS LINK for more information in an article by Charlotte Higgins from the Guardian.
Another good article on the Art Bin, CLICK HERE from Tom Lubbocks view form the Independent. Added 02/02/2010
So they are all up to it, Hirst, Emin and a loads more to follow. I think rejection of work is a very important part of and artists life. This is a very public display but artist reject work all the time, we just don't hear about it. Sometimes they paint over it, sometimes its just going know where ending up in the bin.
As a collector it's important to understand that not all of an Artists works are their best but good artist will know when to give up and bin something. Often this can happen at the idea stage before the work even starts to take off. This does however bring up the question of worth and it's here where I would say trusting your taste and conviction is important.
So be mindful but feel safe, you need to find a gallery you can trust in being as passionate as yourself, one that works with Artists to build trust. We believe Revolving Galley is such a Gallery and hope to build your trust but remember at all times that worth is mainly down to how much you will enjoy having that work.
For another great work by Landy 'Breakdown' 2001 follow THIS LINK.
Nathan
Good Gallery Practice
Just finished replying to all the Artist who sent through submissions and after being an artist and not getting replies feel proud not to leave people hanging. I hate the culture of people who don't get back to you unless they want something, you always get it from job interviews. I feel if Artists take time to submit work then even if we are not going to show them we should take the time to get back in touch.
That's just good practice. (manners)
Nathan
Northern Arts Prize 2010
Well done to Pavel Büchler for winning the 2010 Northern Arts Prize although I think all the work was strong however he would have been my pick of the lot. Click Here for link to Guardian article that is a lot better than the bad review they gave of the show. The only thing I don't think needed saying was that this prize was trying to be like the Turner Prize when in fact it's as much like many other art prizes. This is an important thing to happen in the North to help arts culture move itself away from just a London centric position.
On that note Revolving Gallery are doing our bit to open access to art in the North (York & Maybe beyond later in the year) and plans are afoot, news of our next show will soon be here and on Twitter.
Nathan
Installation Art on a large scale
In The Observer this weekend I come across this article and the image above blow me away. I know Baltanski’s work and this is not a leap out into the open for him but striking none the less. I enjoyed the writing in the article as well which can be hit and miss in some reviews, please follow the link here. I have enjoyed watching this series at the Grand Palais, Paris but never made it down (although would have loved to see the Serra piece last year) I like the idea of an art pilgrimage and gets me to thinking maybe buying work is not the only important part of being a collector but in seeing art you can contribute to the culture of support that art needs.
It also gets me thinking about un-sellable art and how we could contribute to this culture in York. Would installation art add to our exhibitions? All in all we put art up for people to see, we need some collectors however we also need this culture of viewing, supporting and educating about art. Hopefully our events can achieve this.
Nathan
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