Sometimes it is best to just enjoy an image instead of trying to learn about it. For example, this is Icarus in Matisse classic livres d’artiste Jazz. Matisse sometimes called it “trapeze artist”. Here the trapeze artist is flying through the air with the circus spotlights in the background. A beautiful interpretation. However, the real Icarus story is that he died trying to fly from imprisonment with wax wings - flew too close to the sun, the wax melted and he fell to his death. The real interpretation is Matisse’s concern at the arrest of his daughter by the Gestapo. The figure here is his daughter being shot in the heart with the flash of bullets in the blue background. Real sad!! Icarus will never be the same to me.
Initial views of the Curating Process.
As I mentioned earlier the AGNSW is very well organised and there is a well structured and understood curating system. Broadly speaking my initial view is that the curating system has three components, one is the artistic component, second is the organisational component and third is the value adding component. While it is early days, I find that the artistic component is flexible and there is no one size fits all approach. The artistic component is totally the curator’s responsibility and depends on the type, scale and theme of the exhibition. The curator develops the exhibition theme and concept, does a preliminary nomination of art works and in some instances sources the artwork. There is considerable research and discussions at this stage and the concept may be discussed at the Executive Curating Committee. The organisational component is more structured and is designed to make the curators artistic vision a reality. This component is responsible for negotiating the art work loans, transportation, security, art work protection, gallery design and hanging. The value adding component is also a very well organised and comprises the press relations, publicity, floor talks, symposium, catalogues, education programs, brochures and special sales.
As I mentioned earlier the AGNSW is very well organised and there is a well structured and understood curating system. Broadly speaking my initial view is that the curating system has three components, one is the artistic component, second is the organisational component and third is the value adding component. While it is early days, I find that the artistic component is flexible and there is no one size fits all approach. The artistic component is totally the curator’s responsibility and depends on the type, scale and theme of the exhibition. The curator develops the exhibition theme and concept, does a preliminary nomination of art works and in some instances sources the artwork. There is considerable research and discussions at this stage and the concept may be discussed at the Executive Curating Committee. The organisational component is more structured and is designed to make the curators artistic vision a reality. This component is responsible for negotiating the art work loans, transportation, security, art work protection, gallery design and hanging. The value adding component is also a very well organised and comprises the press relations, publicity, floor talks, symposium, catalogues, education programs, brochures and special sales.
the process is long and laborious but very fruitful isn't it??
ReplyDeleteSounds a wonderful life changing opportunity you are involved in Rodney. I look forward to reading more as it comes closer to completion.
A question, the Feminist in me seeks to ask - why such a male dominated list of artists? the realist understands and knows the reasons, but there must be some female artist with such a practice at tis time surely. Possibly not in a collection or widely exhibited but it must exist! have you found many women in your (re)searching?
Ah Kate - you truly question me. I like it.
ReplyDeleteLong and laborious it might be - yes it was and is. Probably will continue to be. But there it is. Information gathering can be tedious but for me it was interesting.
In these days of instant gratification much of hard work, good research and persistance takes time. My internship may conclude but my learning will not end. So there really is no completion.
Life changing! No.
Interesting! Yes.
Can I drop it tomorrow and move on! Absolutely.
The realist in you is probably correct.