Thoughts on On-Live Shows
April 2020
All my exhibitions and shows have been either postponed, canceled or moved online. The steps are necessary during these times of isolation, and make me wonder what the future will be once we all figure out what "normal" will be on the other side of this.
At National Watercolor Society, we have had many discussions about our exhibition schedule, and after hours of debate, the board decided to move all shows online, including the 100th International Open Exhibition. This was, of course, very disappointing, as we had already planned some pretty amazing events for the centennial celebration. But it's the prudent thing to do.
Some artists I've talked to are excited about shows moving online, and there are some definite advantages. We won't have to pay for shipping charges and handling fees. Depending on the prospectus, it may be possible to enter work that has already sold, art which would not be available for a physical show. New paintings won't necessarily have to be framed right away either. Plus, galleries and museums won't need workers or volunteers to hang paintings.
On the other hand, I like to see art in person whenever possible. Things look different on a screen. Everything is viewed from the same distance, regardless of the size. There is no sense of scale.
As an artist, one of the joys in seeing paintings in person is getting up close to see subtle detail, masterful brush strokes, and gain a better appreciation for technique. For example, can you tell if a paper is hot or cold press on a screen? Generally I cannot.
Additionally, certain artistic styles could arguably be at a disadvantage in online galleries. Tonalist painters for example, or experimental artists that incorporate a third dimension to a painting. Certain paints such as iridescent or fluorescent pigments would not translate on a screen.
And then there is the frame, a contentious issue even in physical shows. Usually on line galleries only show the painting. So is an unseen frame included in a sale?
No doubt there are other drawbacks for the viewer or collector, but what about the jurying process. It's one thing to select a show from digital images. But what about the awards? For top shows that offer tens of thousands of dollars in prize money, jurors usually want to see the real deal in order to make the best decision, especially if it is a purchase prize.
These are strange times, and it's understandable that exceptions will have to be made. We're being flexible as we adapt to continued uncertainty. But I hope it's not the new normal, and the day will quickly come when we can all view art in person again.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movement to online exhibitions. Does the good out weigh the bad?