Gallery Smarts!

AVI-3M/4M

Johnston

Helpful Info Pre-Midterm Assignment

You might think that how an art show is put up is a coincidence but think again! There is intention and purpose behind why things are hung on the wall in the first place and how they are positioned as well. Prepare to be AMAZED!

Q: ‘Why’ was that Artwork Selected for the Show?

A: THEME! THEME! THEME!

Curators select work that supports and builds on a particular theme of their choosing. Even fancier is that there are types of more specific themes to consider when creating a show!

* To interpret an idea or experience.

This is called a DIDACTIC theme

For example: Figures in Motion or Figures Frozen In Motion

To convey information or tell a story.

These can be tied to literature (i.e. all triumphs over evil) or based on one’s own life experience.

Called NARRATIVE I.e. Frida Kahlo’s use of

her artwork to communicate pieces of her life story

* Showing honour to a group or event with a show or collection of artwork.

This is called COMMEMORATIVE

For example- paying tribute to a favourite artist (Gustav Klimt)

Exploring a symbolic relationship; using a visual symbol to represent a more complex idea/event/ person/place…

This is called METAPHORIC (or a metaphor-based theme)

For example – Mark Tansey’s work bringing awareness to the illusion of reality, especially in artwork

Function of the exhibit is to raise awareness, focus attention on a situation or influence reform or change.

This is called SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Q: How Come the Artwork Was Hung That Way?A: See below…

All art is displayed, as in French Salon of 19th C art world

Try to present within a coherent, broad theme

Cluster works together for an overall unity- think of overall designs (quilt etc.)

This style of hanging art is called SALON STYLE.

Work is hung in a horizontal line across the wall

Often works are planned in order based upon formal decisions (i.e. size/ colour etc)

This is called the LINEAR style of hanging artwork

Works are placed beside each other for an intended comparison

When the connection is easy to understand, the effect is usually one of contentment (meaning if it is not easy to understand, the show is often not appreciated)

This is called the COMPARATIVE style of hanging artwork.

The space is contextualized in some way

For artists, installations typically mean that components of work are placed with the viewer’s body in mind to create movement or imply meaning

This is called the CONTEXTUAL style of hanging art