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07/31/2004 10:41:53 PM · #1 |
Hi again,
Wondering if anyone can clue me in on this. I just entered a local art exhibit - I unfortunately couldn't make opening night, but did go by today to see the exhibit. I noticed that my photograph was located in a corner, sort of all by itself, with a box behind it making it protrude from the wall - unlike all the other entries. The other couple I entered were on a wall with alot of like pictures. For those of you who know more about this than I, does placement mean anything? I was kind of excited when I saw this, but don't know if the people who run the exhibit just look for what fits what space, or if they intentionally try to set off some pictures more than the rest?
Thanks again!
bj |
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07/31/2004 11:54:24 PM · #2 |
Without knowing considerably more about the exihibit and the photos you entered there, I can only offer some very general guidelines:
An exhibit is presentation. Presentation, for what it's worth, is a critical part of the photograph. If you feel strongly about your photography, you should make an effort to achieve adequate control over placement, association, ambiance, lighting etc. If you do not feel strongly about both your pieces and these details, you should, simply and IMO, not participate in or hold an exhibit.
Some gallerists are very good at this kind of thing. These are usually very accommodating and open to an artist's concerns. Others are not, often because they lack the skills necessary, sometimes because they are differently motivated. A good gallerist accommodates an aesthetic, a bad one tries to sell you an alien one.
You should not only have been there at opening night, you should have been there prior to the event to arrange your own hanging (pun intended).
Look at your photographs again. Did you make good choices (not right or wrong choices, just good ones)? Does the placement/mounting/framing/lighting help the piece? Are they accessible? Could anything have been done better? Is there anything distracting from their presence (ambiant reflections, obstructions, traffic, textures/colours/structures/noises)? What of these distractions can you live with and why? Are you ethically at peace with this venue (commercial association - are any other products marketed or sold here? Could this in any way impair or squelch the senses of either artist(s) or viewer(s)? Etc...
You can see where I'm going...
If your collection is good, your exhibit should be proportionately good. There is (at least in the beginning) no one you can trust but yourself.
Message edited by author 2004-08-01 00:04:49.
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08/01/2004 10:01:07 AM · #3 |
Thanks so much for your informative reply - it is very helpful.
The exhibit I entered is a local one in which you can enter a couple of photos for a small fee to be on display for usually 4-6 weeks at the local civic center. Visitors get to pick their favorite photos, and a small 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize is awarded. This is the third time I entered. To clarify, I only entered the one photograph this time, the couple of others I refered to were my entries at previous exhibits there. You are absolutely right about looking at the previous ones I submitted. I can find things on all of them that could have been done better, or are distracting to the overall presentation of the photo. I am honestly overall happy with this entry, and perhaps it being shown in a better area by the manager is a reflection of this. (you leave your photograph with the manager and she sets up the display) My goal is to now only enter photographs that are good photographs, and well matted and framed. I have just printed a couple from DPCPrints that I am going to take to a professional framer and have custom framed to keep on hand for future exhibit opportunities.
And I definately should have been there opening night, unfortunately I already had plans to be out of town for vacation and couldn't be there, but will not miss another opening night. I do know another photographer to contact to see if he noticed any comments etc. about my entry.
Thanks again for all your help - my goal is to get better at each exhibit held at this facility (which although in a small town, the general area attracts alot of artists, especially during the summer months, that I can compare my work to) - then get up the courage to enter a juried exhibit in a more metropolitan area:) |
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