Below is a rough, unedited version of something I'm writing for my current unit looking at domestic gallery spaces, it's just the first 500 words or so and is written conversationally - much like all my drafts! A few quotes and a less colloquial style and it's well on its way to forming the introduction of my essay. So um yeah, if you see any major errors and/or nonsense...screw you, it's a draft damn it!
Taken from part one of my essay: How Gallery Spaces have changed...
There are countless websites that host online gallery spaces and the majority of artists today can not get by without their own website; I myself am part of three online art communities, sell my work through one of them and host my own blog. Thus, the internet has become another form of gallery space. There are numerous spaces to exhibit work and if you can’t find one suitable for your work you can simply create your own. It’s possible to sell work through certain websites for a commission much like a gallery would. It’s convenient, gets your art noticed by a wider audience and I’d also like to suggest that it doesn’t mark the end for traditional gallery spaces. I view it as a positive simply because the closer we get to globalisation the more emphasis is put on localisation and alternative methods of exhibiting. While making the art world interactive and available to the world via the internet, thus widening its audience is taking place, a return to smaller, local galleries is also happening, it is because of this global-art-for-all mentality that many galleries and curators have had the opportunity to try out new methodologies and expand what an exhibition is and ought to be. The parameters of an art institution such as a gallery are now widening. This is not a negative action and for every art critic who might argue that art should remain elitist there are two more who argue the opposite. The crux is, art is not for everyone but that the chance to view it or be part of it should not be denied to people. The public should be free to make up their own minds as to whether art is for them or not rather than shying away from a gallery space because the media and its deep rooted institutional values encourage them to think “it is not for them” nor should any person be made to avoid art because they feel uncomfortable in a gallery space. Even if art is made readily available to all and becomes part of our everyday lives, there will still be those who embrace it and those who don’t. This is why in recent times there has been an emergence in alternative gallery spaces, if you couple this need to include everyone with current affairs such as global recession it can be seen that exhibitions being held in people’s homes and empty shop units are on the rise.
That's all for now folks, I'm off to make me a table...
About Me
- Emma-Jane Corsan
- Twitter @emmajanecorsan Instagram: @emmajanemint YouTube: Cheesemint Productions
Showing posts with label exhibition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exhibition. Show all posts
Friday, 7 August 2009
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Drop-in Centre Private View "The Housewarming"
The private view was a success! We had a really good turn out,I got some interesting feedback and the comments on the exhibition on the whole were 99.99% positive*! (*approximation!).
One of the comments we received, in fact, several of them expressed the view that it was the most homely exhibition they've ever been too. One commented, "I wasn't sure if I was walking into a gallery or someone's house". As well as all the lovely comments, I also recieved a compliment about my chocolate brownies! Score!
Lots and lots of pictures were taken, by several friends and myself and I will upload them in the form of another slideshow soon. The collection of images is vast and impressive!
We had to make 2 extra alcohol runs, much like a housewarming! Also, people naturally interacted with the work, some picking up books, sitting in the spaces and most people did a portrait of Mark! For a first exhibition, I couldn't be happier!
I'm hoping that I'll have a few more comments in my book before the end of the week and will endeavour to publish them on here asap!
Also, watch this space for more pictures!
One of the comments we received, in fact, several of them expressed the view that it was the most homely exhibition they've ever been too. One commented, "I wasn't sure if I was walking into a gallery or someone's house". As well as all the lovely comments, I also recieved a compliment about my chocolate brownies! Score!
Lots and lots of pictures were taken, by several friends and myself and I will upload them in the form of another slideshow soon. The collection of images is vast and impressive!
We had to make 2 extra alcohol runs, much like a housewarming! Also, people naturally interacted with the work, some picking up books, sitting in the spaces and most people did a portrait of Mark! For a first exhibition, I couldn't be happier!
I'm hoping that I'll have a few more comments in my book before the end of the week and will endeavour to publish them on here asap!
Also, watch this space for more pictures!
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Installing the Drop-in Centre!
Setting up my exhibition on Sunday proved harder work than I imagined. There had been an event at the space we were using the night before and let's say that it didn't smell/look too pretty! We had to clean up before we could start! Despite it taking longer than I assumed, it was actually quite fun. I took lots of pictures to document the progress of installing our work. There are too many pictures to post, so I have made a slideshow; hopefully it works!
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Hume the Artist (Not to be confused with Hume the Philosopher!)
This was written yesterday in my journal(23rd May).
Have been given the go-ahead from my manager to exhibit some art work in the bookshop! So I'll have my second exhibition to plan and organise soon! This means that my self negotiated unit is already well underway!
Also, I have been looking at Gary Hume's work after my tutor said that one of my book sculptures reminded her of his work. I wanted feedback as I wasn't sure if it fitted in with the rest of my work but also I genuinely wanted her opinion. It turns out that his work is actually rather good! Thought I'd post an image of his work along with mine and write a bit about him.
Gary has a series of paintings of "sacrificial lambs", his own term for cheerleaders. They make for very interesting viewing. There are limbs everywhere, ambiguous close-ups, isolated, denatured images of young girls contorting their bodies. Quite unsettling once you realise, however they take on a strange quality, detached and disparate due to the magnified image. It is hard to tell which bit of the body you are looking at and what might look like a leg at first could also be an arm. I imagine the size also adds to this as Hume's technique involves projecting and enlarging the images he paints. This fragmentation seems to objectify each individual body part. There is a sense that the female form is being viewed yet some of the lines do not possess this quality. It is a very strange mixture of the real/unreal...
In the case of my own work, the intention was not to hide the female form, I simply found the lines interesting. I decided that it is not often that people view this part of a woman, rather, only a female woman looking down at her crossed legs can. I also like the temporary nature of the "lap". A concept which can only exist if someone is sitting. Much like a dent can only exist because it relies upon something in which the dent has been made...if that makes sense...?
Have been given the go-ahead from my manager to exhibit some art work in the bookshop! So I'll have my second exhibition to plan and organise soon! This means that my self negotiated unit is already well underway!
Also, I have been looking at Gary Hume's work after my tutor said that one of my book sculptures reminded her of his work. I wanted feedback as I wasn't sure if it fitted in with the rest of my work but also I genuinely wanted her opinion. It turns out that his work is actually rather good! Thought I'd post an image of his work along with mine and write a bit about him.
Gary has a series of paintings of "sacrificial lambs", his own term for cheerleaders. They make for very interesting viewing. There are limbs everywhere, ambiguous close-ups, isolated, denatured images of young girls contorting their bodies. Quite unsettling once you realise, however they take on a strange quality, detached and disparate due to the magnified image. It is hard to tell which bit of the body you are looking at and what might look like a leg at first could also be an arm. I imagine the size also adds to this as Hume's technique involves projecting and enlarging the images he paints. This fragmentation seems to objectify each individual body part. There is a sense that the female form is being viewed yet some of the lines do not possess this quality. It is a very strange mixture of the real/unreal...
In the case of my own work, the intention was not to hide the female form, I simply found the lines interesting. I decided that it is not often that people view this part of a woman, rather, only a female woman looking down at her crossed legs can. I also like the temporary nature of the "lap". A concept which can only exist if someone is sitting. Much like a dent can only exist because it relies upon something in which the dent has been made...if that makes sense...?
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
The Kindness of Strangers...
Exhibition is happening fo'real!
The Drop In Centre presents...
Serena Caulfield
Emma-Jane Corsan
Mark Jennings
Cherry Styles
Curated by Alison MacRonald
The House Warming!
Private view 26th May
at Unit 5, off of Magdalen St, Norwich!
Woo!
With that in mind...I've been working hard like a good Emma should. Today has been quite productive...whilst planning exhibition details etc. I had a bit of a breakthrough. Have decided to make my work interactive to fit in wth the theme of the exhbition. We want to make it as homely as possible. So, I'm going with the coffee table idea. What's the coffee table idea you say?
Well, I shall tell you. I've decided to make a coffee table out of "coffee table books" This is a comment on the absurdity of books for display purposes only (see my last blog entry!) and fits in with my previous work in that it involves the manipulation of books and the creation of something new out of existing objects/media. Rather than adapting the narrative of a book as I have been doing, I will use the books in their entirety and give them a purpose, not only as art but also as a functioning coffee table. On this table will be a few of the paperbacks which I have "destroyed" for my viewer to peruse, whilst sitting on a selection of comfy cushions. Above them there will be 2 book shelves which will hold my book sculptures and a few more of my books. The idea is that the viewer can take books off the shelf and look through them. As the coffee table will be covered with a layer of perspex, I might even throw in a cuppa for them!
That's the plan anyway...
On the other side of things; the resubmission of my research project is done and dusted...although I am a little worried as I don't think it's even half as good as the one I gave in and failed! Very scary...although it's a relief to have it done! We'll be starting a new unit soon; Learning Conversations (whatever that might be!) so I'm pleased to have finished.
This exhibition has also motivated me and inspired me to think "big"...as I still enjoy using books I decided that for the exhibition I would go a'hunting for lots more books...hundreds. Ambitious, yes. Realistic...yes, actually! Although I never thought it would be! I sent an email to all of the students at NUCA and a few Facebook messages requesting any unwanted books...despite offering to pay I've been offered 4 boxes worth of books as well as buying some top quality hardbacks and coffee table type books for a damn good price! It's really surprised me just how kind strangers can be (friends too of course - although that's a given!) and so I've also decided to make a mention in the exhibition (in the form of some kind of list) of all the people who donated/sold me their books! People have been so kind that I feel I owe it to them at the very least. That, and baked goods Emma-stylee! Speaking of which, as our exhibition is called The House Warming we'll be putting on tea/coffee/cakes as well as the usual wine and beer at the private view. All cakes made by me!
I suppose I better get back to work, as I've got little time left (not only am I working at Borders but I'm working for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival at the moment too so my precious art-making time is being eaten away!)
Although, I do feel as if I'm finally becoming an artist and I'm relieved to have found my feet...true it's taken 6/7 months...but hey, I got there in the end! I've begun to associate my work within a wider context and discover where my practice fits in the contemporary art world. I don't expect to become the next big artist or anything...it just feels amazing to have rediscovered the confidence to associate myself as an artist, I've missed it...plus it's another label to add the institutional pile, featuring such delights as bookseller, student and not forgetting female 20-something; all of which will only to be deconstructed and recycled at a later date...hehe! I really ought to read some more Foucault!
The Drop In Centre presents...
Serena Caulfield
Emma-Jane Corsan
Mark Jennings
Cherry Styles
Curated by Alison MacRonald
The House Warming!
Private view 26th May
at Unit 5, off of Magdalen St, Norwich!
Woo!
With that in mind...I've been working hard like a good Emma should. Today has been quite productive...whilst planning exhibition details etc. I had a bit of a breakthrough. Have decided to make my work interactive to fit in wth the theme of the exhbition. We want to make it as homely as possible. So, I'm going with the coffee table idea. What's the coffee table idea you say?
Well, I shall tell you. I've decided to make a coffee table out of "coffee table books" This is a comment on the absurdity of books for display purposes only (see my last blog entry!) and fits in with my previous work in that it involves the manipulation of books and the creation of something new out of existing objects/media. Rather than adapting the narrative of a book as I have been doing, I will use the books in their entirety and give them a purpose, not only as art but also as a functioning coffee table. On this table will be a few of the paperbacks which I have "destroyed" for my viewer to peruse, whilst sitting on a selection of comfy cushions. Above them there will be 2 book shelves which will hold my book sculptures and a few more of my books. The idea is that the viewer can take books off the shelf and look through them. As the coffee table will be covered with a layer of perspex, I might even throw in a cuppa for them!
That's the plan anyway...
On the other side of things; the resubmission of my research project is done and dusted...although I am a little worried as I don't think it's even half as good as the one I gave in and failed! Very scary...although it's a relief to have it done! We'll be starting a new unit soon; Learning Conversations (whatever that might be!) so I'm pleased to have finished.
This exhibition has also motivated me and inspired me to think "big"...as I still enjoy using books I decided that for the exhibition I would go a'hunting for lots more books...hundreds. Ambitious, yes. Realistic...yes, actually! Although I never thought it would be! I sent an email to all of the students at NUCA and a few Facebook messages requesting any unwanted books...despite offering to pay I've been offered 4 boxes worth of books as well as buying some top quality hardbacks and coffee table type books for a damn good price! It's really surprised me just how kind strangers can be (friends too of course - although that's a given!) and so I've also decided to make a mention in the exhibition (in the form of some kind of list) of all the people who donated/sold me their books! People have been so kind that I feel I owe it to them at the very least. That, and baked goods Emma-stylee! Speaking of which, as our exhibition is called The House Warming we'll be putting on tea/coffee/cakes as well as the usual wine and beer at the private view. All cakes made by me!
I suppose I better get back to work, as I've got little time left (not only am I working at Borders but I'm working for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival at the moment too so my precious art-making time is being eaten away!)
Although, I do feel as if I'm finally becoming an artist and I'm relieved to have found my feet...true it's taken 6/7 months...but hey, I got there in the end! I've begun to associate my work within a wider context and discover where my practice fits in the contemporary art world. I don't expect to become the next big artist or anything...it just feels amazing to have rediscovered the confidence to associate myself as an artist, I've missed it...plus it's another label to add the institutional pile, featuring such delights as bookseller, student and not forgetting female 20-something; all of which will only to be deconstructed and recycled at a later date...hehe! I really ought to read some more Foucault!
Sunday, 12 April 2009
For Display Purposes Only!
Have got myself involved with an exhibition running in May at Unit 5 studios in Norwich. We've provisionally booked the 24th-30th May! We haven't got a specific theme in mind however all of our work can is loosely connected via "the home". I intend to make a bookshelf to exhibit my "books" and also make a coffee table using books as the base (currently on a mission to find some so called "coffee table books", as I would quite like to highlight the absurdity of owning books for display purposes only! The very idea shocks and appauls me, such a waste! I think it'd be very amusing to give these books a use like their name suggests!
However it isn't without contradiction that a lot of "coffee table books" are big, expensive art and photography books! I find it bewildering that a book which holds images of an art object can become an art object in itself by virtue of its purpose. "For display purposes only/Do not touch" comes to mind! It has made me consider the different purposes that different types of books can possess, especially as someone who struggles to let go of a book...I mean, I still own study guides that I no longer need! One of which, I thought of framing as a piece of art, the pages are covered with colour coded notes. It's odd that I had no qualms whatsoever about writing or drawing on study guides...I suppose it makes sense when revising but in any other book i'd view it as sacrilege!
Hmm...I fear I am digressing, back to the different purposes of books, I suppose you have:
Study guides - no explanation needed here I guess, although they are often sold on or handed down through generations to make use of the more than once!
Coffee-table books/books for display - you know the type, usually full of glossy photographs, with minimal text and as for those display books, I actually own a few (I do like to contradict myself!); nice editions/covers of books I already own, a lot of publishers tend to market huge leather bound versions of classics too.
Books for pleasure - probably the majority of my book collection falls under this, could be any kind of book.
Books for escapism - this is one of the main reasons i read books, to relax, unwind and escape the stresses of life!
Books for entertainment - fiction that entertains us, could be anything depending on what entertains you! (but also humour titles)
Books that educate/inform/instruct - self explanatory really, but a few examples might be cookery books, assorted reference titles and "how to guides"
Religious/Spiritual books - again, it's all in the name
Mini books/pocket guides - that you never actually keep in your pocket
Toilet books - yes, there are actually books marketed to keep in bathrooms...weird!
Gift books - books you receive as gifts, probably something marking your day of birth/'You are a Good Friend' - full of endearing/overbearing sentiment and cutesy pictures of animals in hilarious pairings which actually suggests that the person who bought you this gift probably isn't really worth classing as a friend!
reference books - dictionaries/encyclopaedias and the like (that tend to sit on shelves until a dispute during scrabble ensues!)
I guess a lot of these depend on the person.
And ofcourse...books for art!
I'm sure there are many more purposes of books, perhaps I will ask my fellow booksellers when I'm next at work. I'm sure someone out there uses books in a practical sense maybe as a doorstop/cheap alternative to fire wood/lining for a litter tray...maybe.
My musings will end here as I fear I will get on to rambling territory (as usual!)
Oh, also, I have recently started using Twitter, (yes,yes, I know...I've jumped on the bandwagon!) but if you would like to follow me just search my username: EmmaJaneCorsan
However it isn't without contradiction that a lot of "coffee table books" are big, expensive art and photography books! I find it bewildering that a book which holds images of an art object can become an art object in itself by virtue of its purpose. "For display purposes only/Do not touch" comes to mind! It has made me consider the different purposes that different types of books can possess, especially as someone who struggles to let go of a book...I mean, I still own study guides that I no longer need! One of which, I thought of framing as a piece of art, the pages are covered with colour coded notes. It's odd that I had no qualms whatsoever about writing or drawing on study guides...I suppose it makes sense when revising but in any other book i'd view it as sacrilege!
Hmm...I fear I am digressing, back to the different purposes of books, I suppose you have:
Study guides - no explanation needed here I guess, although they are often sold on or handed down through generations to make use of the more than once!
Coffee-table books/books for display - you know the type, usually full of glossy photographs, with minimal text and as for those display books, I actually own a few (I do like to contradict myself!); nice editions/covers of books I already own, a lot of publishers tend to market huge leather bound versions of classics too.
Books for pleasure - probably the majority of my book collection falls under this, could be any kind of book.
Books for escapism - this is one of the main reasons i read books, to relax, unwind and escape the stresses of life!
Books for entertainment - fiction that entertains us, could be anything depending on what entertains you! (but also humour titles)
Books that educate/inform/instruct - self explanatory really, but a few examples might be cookery books, assorted reference titles and "how to guides"
Religious/Spiritual books - again, it's all in the name
Mini books/pocket guides - that you never actually keep in your pocket
Toilet books - yes, there are actually books marketed to keep in bathrooms...weird!
Gift books - books you receive as gifts, probably something marking your day of birth/'You are a Good Friend' - full of endearing/overbearing sentiment and cutesy pictures of animals in hilarious pairings which actually suggests that the person who bought you this gift probably isn't really worth classing as a friend!
reference books - dictionaries/encyclopaedias and the like (that tend to sit on shelves until a dispute during scrabble ensues!)
I guess a lot of these depend on the person.
And ofcourse...books for art!
I'm sure there are many more purposes of books, perhaps I will ask my fellow booksellers when I'm next at work. I'm sure someone out there uses books in a practical sense maybe as a doorstop/cheap alternative to fire wood/lining for a litter tray...maybe.
My musings will end here as I fear I will get on to rambling territory (as usual!)
Oh, also, I have recently started using Twitter, (yes,yes, I know...I've jumped on the bandwagon!) but if you would like to follow me just search my username: EmmaJaneCorsan
Thursday, 19 March 2009
It Pays to Be a Fan Girl Sometimes!
A few things to report...
Hopefully, if things work out ok, myself and the part-time ladies on the course will be having an exhibition! Yay! I find it odd that it'll be my first, I am but an exhibiting virgin! Obviously this brings to light the fact that I don't have a great deal to exhibit...I need to get my art on!
In other news, one of my favourite contemporary artists at the moment, Mike Stilkey, replied to a message I sent him and I'm chuffed to pieces! Despite sounding like a total fan-girl he seemed pleased that I recognised him! If you haven't seen his work check out one of my earlier blogs...his website is there and he is amazing, he paints in a similar style to Egon Schiele and there's definitely an inherent humour within his work! I might have to ask him for some advice at some point!
Also have a seminar and private tutorial with an art therapist at 4.30pm today, should be interesting and might give me some tips if I decide to go down the art therapy route. I'm wondering what I might possibly ask him or if I should take in some of the art therapy tasks I did...or maybe not! Better get thinking...
I feel fairly relaxed at the moment regarding my MA but I feel somewhat guilty about this...I need some kind of pressure to get me working! Maybe the suggestion of an exhibtion will gear me up! I'm going to make a few more book sculptures methinks!
Hopefully, if things work out ok, myself and the part-time ladies on the course will be having an exhibition! Yay! I find it odd that it'll be my first, I am but an exhibiting virgin! Obviously this brings to light the fact that I don't have a great deal to exhibit...I need to get my art on!
In other news, one of my favourite contemporary artists at the moment, Mike Stilkey, replied to a message I sent him and I'm chuffed to pieces! Despite sounding like a total fan-girl he seemed pleased that I recognised him! If you haven't seen his work check out one of my earlier blogs...his website is there and he is amazing, he paints in a similar style to Egon Schiele and there's definitely an inherent humour within his work! I might have to ask him for some advice at some point!
Also have a seminar and private tutorial with an art therapist at 4.30pm today, should be interesting and might give me some tips if I decide to go down the art therapy route. I'm wondering what I might possibly ask him or if I should take in some of the art therapy tasks I did...or maybe not! Better get thinking...
I feel fairly relaxed at the moment regarding my MA but I feel somewhat guilty about this...I need some kind of pressure to get me working! Maybe the suggestion of an exhibtion will gear me up! I'm going to make a few more book sculptures methinks!
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