Exhibiting Work.

Exhibiting

On 5th November 2013 we had a talk on exhibiting work and what we have to think about when it comes to organising our own. The exhibition that was talked about was The Thought of Stuff at the Royal British Society of Sculptors in London from the 20th May 2010 to the 11th June 2010. The exhibition showed the work of Jonathan Callan, Adam Gillam, Wayne Lucas, Jack Strange, Esmeralda Valencia and Alison Wilding. A graphic designer was hired to advertise the event, invites were sent to state when, who and where it was taken place, 1000 was disrupted but it had been stated that more would have been useful. There were multiple deadlines to consider. A press release was given to the UBS that was a summary of what was going to happen and one given to DMU that had the same information but words the artists have said themselves.

 The original artists that they wanted were Karla Black and Ian Kiaer but once asked they declined. They managed to get performance artist Elizabeth Rosser. Throughout the whole time they had to keep revising and rewriting what they originally thought was going to happen.

At the beginning they have no money and had to find funding from a source, they came up with a budget, which is one of the most important elements when producing an exhibition. The originally budgeted at £6,000 managed to get £9,000 but wanted £13,000; the internal funding came from De Montfort University and the Royal Society of British Artists. The re-budget went up to £9,000. A benefits map was produced so they could get more money. Every detail has to be looked into as missing anything can change it all. Three reports were shown to DMU to prove that they are using the money wisely and are meeting their aims and objectives. Studio visits were arranged for each artist to see how they could fit in the show and what work would be appropriate. Another process that they had to see about was the insurance of the artwork, the van and the gallery and its safer if the artist packs it themselves. Another aspect was their online page and catalogue that gave a bit about what the exhibition is on, pictures of the artist’s studio, information on the artists, and acknowledgments.

Jack Strange, ‘Metaphorical Vegetables’, 

2011,Green Pepper and Red Pepper

I have learnt that there are multiple aspects to setting up an exhibition some that I have thought of but didn’t realise how much detail that you have to go into. Such as that all the artist’s work has to work with one another’s otherwise one will be more overwhelming then the others. The amount of prep that is done and being redone throughout the whole process until the very end, and that artists that you original thought off can’t do it so having to find new willing ones that will fit. Also that it all has to insured, so that you don’t lose money and that the correct publicity you can gain attention from people who are interest in your work. 

Jonathan Callan, Seven Volumes, 2009 , Paper