You Don’t Know What You Think You Know: Open Studio Notes 2009
Or
Seeing is Believing: Open Studio Notes
By Ellen Fisher
Left: Oil Painting by Will Kirkpatrick
Hundreds of art images cross my computer screen from area artists who are inquiring about Newton Open Studios or participating in our events. I’m the director, and it’s one of my favorite things about the job. The variety is intense and intellectually stimulating – always making me re-assess my view of what art should be and what my own art can and should accomplish.
I rarely see much of the artwork in person – traditionally the NOS director has been a participant in the show. The May event takes place in locations all across the city, and once it begins, I’m manning my own location; greeting visitors, re-supplying the cookie plate, filling the coffee pot, and talking about my artwork.
But last fall, for the first time, I was just running the show. Just lining up the dominos and moving all the pieces into place. This was our first juried show, with artwork submitted by CD or email. I got to see a lot of great images. And I got to know the art of the 35 accepted artists very well. So I thought.
Once all the mailing, and phone calls, and hanging and lighting was done, I was able to step back and relax, and see the show. Again and again I was taken off guard, captivated by art that I thought I knew well, even at times by art that I thought I didn’t like. The images I’d been seeing on my monitor (it’s pretty large and quite state of the art) had been unable to convey so many subtleties; the sheen and ripple of a painted surface, the fine detail in an expertly printed photograph or a densely beaded fabric.
In spite of it’s sophistication, our reproductive media just can’t match the ability of the human eye. It cannot convey the myriad gradations and colors that our eye is capable of differentiating. We’ve become comfortable seeing through the portal of a backlit screen. We’ve re-defined browsing – made it a multi-media feast of image and sound. We learn and absorb. We make unexpected connections. It’s great, but it’s not the real thing. Maybe some day. But for now there’s a reason that the image of a Monet on your computer screen is free, and the real thing on the wall costs . . . more.
Seeing the real thing really is better.
I would say you get what you pay for, but in this case the real thing is also free. Newton Open Studios is happening this weekend [May 16&17 2009] at 52 locations across Newton. NOS is a wonderful way to get out and see art. Lots of it. Solid, old-school browsing, through the work of 160 live local artists. Meet established artists and discover emerging artists: one of last year’s NOS artists went on to become a finalist for the Foster Prize, winning a group show at the ICA this past winter.* NOS visitors were treated to stunning previews of the work that went to the ICA. NOS is an opportunity to buy art, jewelry, and finely crafted objects directly from the artist. It’s a chance to support the local art community just by showing up. Browse away.
*Foster Prize finalist: Rania Matar, not showing this spring.